Author: Andres-Papazian

“SAVIOR” OF RPA LIST

2013-03-29 21:50:35

It turns out that in the lists of parties, which participate in
municipal elections of Yerevan there are also “saviors.” We will
have time to address to the “saviors” of the other lists, but first
we’ll turn to the main “savior” who takes the 17th position in RPA
list. Of course, many knew Hayk Demonyan in Armenia, but if ince
then this already quite mature young man has tried to stand out of
his scientific work, then in the upcoming elections as a scientist
ha once decided to conquer the part-title of “savior” of Yerevan.

Thus, explaining why he was in the list of the Republican Party,
how a scientist from Gyumri may be linked to the Council of Elders,
dealing with problems of sanitation, transportation and other issues
in Yerevan, he said that he feels responsible for the future of the
capital, not only as an ordinary citizen, but as director of the
Museum-Institute.

Demoyan, being responsible for the accomplishment of one of the
largest green areas of the capital – the park on Tsitsernakaberd’s
hill, he believes that his new status will significantly contribute
to the implementation of new programs on the improvement of the park
as a result of close cooperation with the relevant departments of
the City Hall.

“In addition, in the coming years numerous events dedicated to the
100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide will be organized in the
capital. So, I think that my membership in the Council of Elders can
play a significant role in the organization of these activities at
the appropriate level,” Hayk Demoyan said.

In short, the fact that none of our highly esteemed builders did not
build one or two towers Tsitsernakaberd’s park, or tried, but failed,
is only the merit of Hayk Demoyan.

Although, judging by the fact that from now Demoyan can worthily
add to his biography as an honorable 17th place in the list of the
Republican Party in the election of the Council of Elders, the heroic
past of the latter, probably, by some miracle has become available
to the Republican Party, and there is no need to wonder that the
Republican Party has acquired such a “discovery.”

But how can this savior fight for improvement of one of the largest
green areas of the capital, while being in the list of Republican
Party? If until now he was able to save Tsitsernakaberd’s park from
Taron Margaryan’s encroachment, what is he going to do? Is Hayk
Demoyan going to sit all armed with 6 years in Tsitsernakaberd and
to meet the security of staff of City Hall with a sword?

P.S.

Of course, all this can be treated with humor, but with all respect to
the genre of sarcasm it should be emphasized that the first performance
of Hayk Demoyan again confirmed long-known truth- when scientists and
artists decide to do the wrong business, in fact, when they suddenly
think to enter politics, every time curiosity gets tragic accents.

Lusine Kesoyan

From: A. Papazian

ARMAVIA AIRLINE’S DEBT TO RUSSIAN AIRPORTS REACHES 45M

TERT.AM
21:52 ~U 29.03.13

The Armavia airline’s debt to the Vnukovo airport exceeds RUB 44m.

The airline’s debt to Krasnodar and Sochi airports is about RUB
900,000.

The airline’s debt has a large debt to the VTB bank – $22m.

From: A. Papazian

LA REPRESENTATION DU HAUT-KARABAGH EN FRANCE SE REJOUIT DE LA CREATION DU CERCLE D’AMITIE DU HAUT-KARABAGH

M. Hovhannes Guevorkian, Representant du Haut-Karabagh exprime sa
satisfaction de voir la creation en France d’un cercle d’amitie
de la Republique du Haut-Karabagh. Compose de personnalites
politiques francaises, ce Cercle a pour objectif de soutenir le
droit a l’autodetermination de la population du Haut Karabagh et de
promouvoir le dialogue et la paix entre les peuples du Caucase du Sud.

” Je suis convaincu du succès de ce type d’initiative “, ” La creation
de ce cercle est un encouragement pour le dialogue et la paix. C’est
egalement un atout majeur pour promouvoir l’image de la Republique du
Haut-Karabagh et de sa population en France ” declare M. Guevorkian,
Representant de la Republique du Haut-Karabagh et d’ajouter : ” cette
relation temoigne du grand dynamisme de la Republique du Haut-Karabagh
a rompre son isolement sur la scène internationale “.

La creation du Cercle d’amitie de la Republique du Haut-Karabagh en
France fait suite a la creation d’un groupe d’amitie au parlement
lituanien la semaine dernière. M. Guevorkian rappelle l’engagement
et les reussites de la Republique du Haut-Karabagh, en matière de
respect des droits de l’homme, de democratie et de liberte.

vendredi 29 mars 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN OFFICIALS ARE CONCERNED BY SITUATION IN CYPRIOT BANKS – NEWSPAPER

News.am
March 29, 2013 | 07:02

YEREVAN. – The representatives of Armenia’s ruling elite are concerned
about the events unrolling in Cyprus, Zhoghovurd daily reports.

“Many [Armenian] state officials keep their money in the banks in
Cyprus, and now, when the Cypriot government is considering the
possibility of imposing taxes on bank deposits, they are concerned
about their assets.

According to a variety of assessments, [Armenia’s] senior government
representatives are facing [the possibility of] losing their assets,
since they keep 60-80 percent of [their] financial savings in Cypriot
banks.

What is more, the Cypriot partners themselves have shares in many banks
in Armenia, and a worrisome future awaits several banks in Armenia,
too,” Zhoghovurd writes.

From: A. Papazian

HISTORICAL CHURCH TO BE REFURBISHED IN TURKEY

Trend, Azerbaijan
March 28 2013

Azerbaijan, Baku, March 28 / Trend, A. Taghiyeva /

A dilapidated Armenian church located in Gurun city in Turkey’s Sivas
province will be refurbished and turned into a museum, Gurun city
mayor Mehmet Aktas was quoted today by Anadolu agency as saying.

St. Mary church in Gurun will become a museum after restoration.

Aktas said that the municipality pays special attention to the
restoration of historical monuments for the development of tourism.

According to the mayor, the church restoration project has been
approved by Sivas’s cultural heritage council. A tender will be
announced for reconstruction work soon.

He stressed that the Armenian Church will become a museum after its
restoration by the Gurun city administration and Sivas administration.

Different cultural activities will be held in the church.

From: A. Papazian

Traditions threatened by cuts, military academies brace for impact

Reuters
March 28, 2013

By Gabriel Debenedetti

NEW YORK (Reuters) – United States military academies have trained
America’s future presidents, astronauts and generals, one of them for
more than 200 years. But the schools’ illustrious histories are not
enough to spare them from looming budget cuts from sequestration, and
they are preparing to furlough civilian employees, reduce training,
delay construction and even scale back pomp and ceremony.

The full extent of how, and when, the cuts will affect the nation’s
five service academies is not yet clear. However, representatives of
the U.S. Military Academy, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy
and the Coast Guard Academy pointed to some potential effects.

They said the more than $1 billion expected to be cut from Defense
Department training and recruiting could mean everything from
furloughs of thousands of civilian employees to delayed construction
to the suspension of programs like band tours and educational trips.

No one at the Merchant Marine Academy could be reached for comment.

“We haven’t had anything close to this” level of budgetary restriction
in the past, said Air Force spokesman Meade Warthen.

The Naval Academy’s director of media relations, Jennifer Erickson,
said about 1,500 non-contract civilian employees at the school could
face cuts in their work hours.

“We are deeply concerned about the negative effects of furloughs on
the morale and effectiveness of our valued civilian workforce,”
Erickson said, also noting the potential effects on the home city of
the academy, Annapolis, Maryland, and on the region surrounding the
academy.

Naval Academy summer training is under budgetary pressure, and
Erickson said semester abroad programs could be canceled. Sixteen
educational international summer trips – involving 170 students
planning to go to Armenia, Chile, China, France, Georgia, Italy,
Japan, Oman, Russia and Spain – were axed, and fifteen international
spring break programs for 73 students had already been canceled.

Erickson also said faculty travel would be reduced and that the
academy has already pared its admissions outreach program, with
implications for future classes of midshipmen.

At West Point, the Military Academy will downsize its Summer Leaders
Experience program for high school students, which can be the first
step for some students on their way to admission to the competitive,
tuition-free school.

Other cuts are already being implemented: At least two of the
academies have imposed hiring freezes and West Point has postponed the
construction of its first new dormitory since 1965, slated to house
650 cadets, according to the Poughkeepsie (New York) Journal.

Francis DeMaro of West Point’s public affairs office also pointed to
“travel restrictions, a hiring freeze, reduction of family and
community programs, and an impending furlough” of more than 2,000
civilian employees.

Travel restrictions related to cadet training have also hit the Coast
Guard Academy, said school spokesman David Santos.

Other student programs have been hit hard too, with the Air Force
Academy’s band forced to cancel all of its national public concerts.

Even graduation ceremonies will display a bit less pomp and
circumstance. The Thunderbirds Air Force Demonstration Squadron was
forced to cancel its 2013 season because of the sequestration and will
not perform flyovers at the Air Force Academy graduation parade and
ceremony in May, according to a March 8 Academy release.

The Academy also canceled its annual Independence Day fireworks show
due to budgetary concerns about sequestration, according to a March 21
statement on the USAFA website.

While the academies wait for further details on exactly how their
14,000 students will be affected, local politicians are lobbying to
see if they can soften the blow.

U.S. Representative Sean Patrick Maloney, whose district includes West
Point, tweeted on Wednesday that he had sent a letter to President
Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel urging them to find a
“commonsense plan” that would reduce the impact of the sequester on
the Defense Department’s 800,000 employees.

“In these difficult economic times, I know that we must all make
sacrifices,” wrote Maloney in the letter. “But our middle class has
made enough sacrifices; our federal workforce has made enough
sacrifices; our military and seniors have made enough sacrifices; the
staff and students at West Point have made enough sacrifices.”

(Reporting by Gabriel Debenedetti; Editing by Arlene Getz, Jennifer
Merritt and Steve Orlofsky)

From: A. Papazian

ARS YOUTH CONNECT PROGRAM HELD IN NEW YORK

Http://
March 29, 2013

On Sat., March 2, New York University’s Kimmel Center Was The Venue
For The Armenian Relief Society Eastern USA’s (ARS) Youth Connect
Program (YCP). The ARS Began The Educational Program In 1971 At Boston
University And Has, Through The Years, Developed And Changed It To
Meet The Changing Needs Of College Students. The Latest YCP Was A
One-Day Educational Seminar That Concluded With An “opportunity Fair”
With Representatives From Several Different Armenian Organizations,
Who Spoke To The Students About Internships Available Both In Armenia
And The United States.

A Group Shot Of The Participants

The 2013 YCP Drew More Than 30 Participants From Various Geographic
Locations, Universities, And Academic Disciplines. After Welcoming
Remarks, The Participants Were Divided Into Smaller Groups To Discuss
The Challenges That Armenians, Armenia, And Armenian Youth In General
Face In Modern Times. The Group Discussions Were Led By Professor
Asbed Kotchikian, A Senior Lecturer In The Global Studies Department At
Bentley University And Director Of The YCP. The Discussions Identified
Several Key Challenges, Including Lack Of Coordination Among Students,
The Demands Of Academic Life That Takes The Youth Away from their
communities, as well as a disconnect in terms of information and
awareness between Armenians in Armenia and the diaspora. In subsequent
group discussions, some concrete suggestions were made to narrow the
gap and keep young Armenians engaged in community life and in Armenia.

“The ARS Youth Connect Program this year brought to light multiple
topics of importance in the global Armenian community as well as
solutions to current issues we as Armenians experience. It was a
great opportunity to learn and connect with other Armenians!” said
participant Daniel Dakmakjian.

In subsequent group discussions, some concrete suggestions were made
to narrow the gap and keep young Armenians engaged in community life
and in Armenia.

In the afternoon, the participants had an opportunity to have an
interactive discussion with Haig Kayserian, the CEO of KAYWEB Angels,
an internet business expert, Angel investor, blogger, and public
speaker. Kayserian has founded two international companies, invested in
six U.S.-based tech startups, spoken before thousands in New York, San
Francisco, Sydney, and Melbourne, and has been quoted by mass and tech
media in the U.S. and Australia. In the talk, he shared his experiences
as an internet consultant and gave invaluable insight on how to use
various social media tools for youth activism. He also talked about
how social media will continue to change interactions among people
and redefine the parameters of future social and community activism.

The opportunity fair at the end of the day provided students with
information from such organizations as the ARS, Birthright Armenia,
Armenian National Committee of America, Armenian Assembly of America,
Armenian Youth Federation, and Armenian General Benevolent Union.

Students had the chance to approach each organization’s representative
to gather more information about their internships and opportunities.

Later that evening, the students were treated to dinner at the
Al Mayass restaurant, and continued their conversations. Thus, an
educational and social event was concluded and, hopefully, served as
inspiration for our future leaders.

“This year the Youth Connect Program was as excellent as ever,”
said Vazrik Chiloyan. “Although the theme of modern Armenian issues
and the common goals and problems of the diaspora and Armenians from
Armenia is present each year, the method of engaging the members and
the lectures presented never ceases to be amazing.”

“With the video conference discussion by Kayserian on using modern
technology and social media to reach our political goals and
Kotchikian’s wonderful ability to lecture and moderate discussions,
the academic aspect of the program was excellent,” he continued. “The
social outing was also a wonderful way to meet Armenians from
throughout the country with various backgrounds with the common desire
to come together and connect.”

The event was underwritten by the Norian Fund, whose funds are
earmarked for education. An investment in our youth is truly an
investment in our future. The ARS, founded in 1910 in New York City,
is an international organization dedicated to providing education,
culture, and humanitarian aid. To learn more about ARS Eastern USA
programs and projects in the United States, Armenia, Artsakh, and
Javakhk, visit

From: A. Papazian

ORANGE CUSTOMERS ROAMING IN RUSSIA MAY TOP UP THEIR ACCOUNT THROUGH QIWI PAYMENT TERMINALS

16:18 29/03/2013 >> SOCIETY

>From now on Orange customers roaming in Russia may top up their
account right there through QIWI òayment terminals or via QIWI Wallet.

“It is already nearly 1 year since our customers roaming in Russia have
been benefiting from 30 AMD/min special roaming tariff. Being always
concerned about the comfort of our customers, we are now launching
a new partnership to enable them to use their number in Russia the
same convenient way they use it in Armenia,” said Aram Lazarian,
Orange Armenia Marketing Director.

Orange customers may top up their account with cash through more than
100,000 QIWI Kiosks in trade centers, subway stations, supermarkets
and anywhere on the entire territory of Russia or online via QIWI
Wallet that enables consumers to access and make payments through
their computers or mobile devices. Customers can access QIWI Wallet
directly on Orange Armenia website, company’s press service reported.

Source: Panorama.am

From: A. Papazian

CIVILITAS SAGA: OSKANIAN STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION AS PAP PREPARES FOR YEREVAN POLLS

POLITICS | 29.03.13 | 14:45

Photo:

By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
ArmeniaNow correspondent

Armenian authorities have stopped short of interpreting the statements
of the ambassadors of the United States, Germany and the heads
of diplomatic missions of a number of other European countries as
interference in Armenia’s internal affairs regarding the controversial
case involving a Yerevan-based think tank

At the same time, Armenian law-enforcement agencies have not yet
provided any substantial evidence against the management of the
Civilitas Foundation, which is being accused of money laundering.

The Civilitas Foundation was established by former foreign minister
and now lawmaker with the ‘alternative’ Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP)
Vartan Oskanian. The National Security Service (NSS) has charged him
with misappropriating some $1.4 million donated to the foundation
by a U.S. philanthropist. The donor, whose interests the Armenian
authorities claim to be protecting, has not presented any claims to
Oskanian or Civilitas, however. Despite this, the case is continuing.

Many analysts see political motives behind the investigation. The
probe launched in May last year shortly after PAP refused to renew
a coalitional deal with the ruling Republican Party of Armenia may
have also become the reason for Oskanian, who was stripped of his
parliamentary immunity in the process, to stop short of contesting the
2013 presidential election. Now there is a growing analytical opinion
that the new wave of pressure is connected with PAP’s ambitions in
the May elections to the Yerevan City Council in which Oskanian tops
the party’s list of candidates.

Some Armenian media have also made assumptions that the unprecedented
press conference of foreign ambassadors hosted by the Civilitas on
Wednesday is connected with the probability of Oskanian’s impending
arrest.

Oskanian himself in a recent interview with RFE/RL’s Armenian Service
voiced his bewilderment over the authorities’ crackdown on a private
foundation that promotes the image of Armenia while the government
itself is “bogged down in bribery”. “I urge the authorities to leave
Civilitas alone,” he said.

The United States Embassy in Armenia has no concerns about U.S.

taxpayer funds spent on projects carried out jointly with Civilitas,
said U.S. Ambassador John Heffern. He noted that three of the projects
being examined by the NSS are American ones and they were implemented
in a timely manner and within their budgets.

“We definitely believe there is no victim here and as far as we know
there is no complainant reporting any violations. We believe that
there is nothing to be investigated by the NSS or anybody else and
certainly nothing of a criminal nature,” said the American ambassador.

He stopped short, however, of speculating on whether the case has a
political implication.

Meanwhile, PAP is actively involved in current political processes
regarding the upcoming elections in Yerevan. Oskanian himself believes
that dismantling Armenia’s political monopoly is extremely important.

“More than half of our population lives in Yerevan. If the mayor of
Yerevan does not represent the ruling party, he or she will become the
second most important political figure in the Republic of Armenia,
regardless of what the Constitution says. Yerevan is a state within
a state,” said Oskanian.

Elections in Yerevan are slated for May 5, and the ruling party has
already stated on several occasions that it will not let the opposition
take power in the Armenian capital.

Among the participants in the race is also the ‘Hello, Yerevan’
election bloc supported by Raffi Hovannisian, a former presidential
candidate who has been on a hunger strike in the city’s Liberty Square
since March 10 disputing President Serzh Sargsyan’s reelection.

Hovannisian is in dialogue with Sargsyan, but his supporters appear
determined to stage a large-scale demonstration on April 9, the
day when Sargsyan is due to be sworn in for a second five-year
presidential term.

And now the Republican Party has to work on at least two fronts –
neutralizing Oskanian, and the Hovannisian bloc.

From: A. Papazian

WATER TARIFFS IN KARABAKH TO REMAIN UNCHANGED : PRESIDENT

STEPANAKERT, March 29. /ARKA/. Water tariffs for the residents of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic will not change, President Bako Sahakyan
said at the meeting summing up the works carried out in Askeran region
in 2012.

Water tariffs has been speculated often recently in Karabakh.

President confirmed water tariffs will remain the same, and Karabakh
citizens will continue paying the same fees.

Sahakyan also noted the authorities will reconsider some tariffs for
large water consumers. However, it will not refer to just ordinary
citizens. The current water tariff is 112 drams per 1 ton. ($1 ~V
419.08 drams).-0-

From: A. Papazian