Author: Andres-Papazian

L’ARMENIE A L’EUROVISION
Le représentant de l’Arménie à l’Eurovision 2013, Gor Soudjian
chantera « Loneley planet »

Gor Soudjian et son groupe « Dorians » représenteront l’Arménie à
l’Eurovision 2013 avec la chanson « Lonely planet ». Samedi 2 mars,
sur la Chaîne publique d’Arménie eut lieu en directe le vote de la
chanson par un jury pour moitié des professionnels de la chanson et
pour autre moitié le vote par sms des téléspectateurs. Gor Soudjian et
les « Dorians » ont interprété quatre chanson, The truth, No time, Toy
planet et Lonlet planet qui a eu la préférence des téléspectateurs
d’Arménie et du jury arménien. L’auteur des paroles de la chanson
Lonely planet est Vartan Zadoyan. Les responsables de l’Eurovision en
Arménie avaient reçu pour cette chanson de Gor Soudjian plus de 70
propositions de chansons, venant d’Arménie mais également d’Espagne,
Belgique, Suède et France. L’Eurovision 2013 se déroulera du 14 au 18
mai à Malmö en Suède avec 39 pays participant à ce concours de la
chanson européenne qui est néanmoins fortement critique pour les «
compromissions » dont font preuve les jurys de nombre de pays. Ou
achètent tout simplement -comme l’Azerbaïdjan en 2011- la victoire.

Krikor Amirzayan

dimanche 3 mars 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

Armenian oppositionist blames second, third presidents for March 1 events

TERT.AM
14:50 =95 01.03.13

The opposition Democratic Fatherland party’s chief considers Armenia’s
second and third presidents responsible for the March 1, 2008
post-electoral turmoil that resulted in 10 deaths in capital Yerevan.

At a news conference on Friday, Petros Makeyan said that second
President Robert Kocharyan opened the tragic chapter, with Serzh
Sargsyan being aware of everything.

As for the current post-electoral developments, Makeyan said they give
rise to the question as to whether such a scenario is possible now,
but he ruled out such a possibility, considering the new political
setting.

`The society has changed; so has the international organizations’
attitude because they are aware that they will not resort to a second
[violence] without digesting the first,’ he explained.

Makeyan noted that the crowd supporting the Heritage party’s leader,
Raffi Hovhannisian, does so not because it finds the politician an
alternative, but rather because it is sick and tired of the same
political figures.

`They elected Raffi. We hail the society’s rebellion; we are with the
people, participating in the processes. But the people remain there on
the square as long as they see something is being done,’ he said,
adding that the opposition has to accomplish its work until Serzh
Sargsyan’s inauguration ceremony due on April 9.

He then called upon both the authorities and the opposition to draw
conclusions of the current developments.

`A mutual concession is the real way out, but that has to meet its
real purpose, instead of being just a show. The opposition must now
set itself a clear-cut timeline; otherwise the same cycle will recur.
But in case the opposition seeks for offices [in government], that
will yield no result,’ he said, stressing the importance of dissolving
the parliament and holding a new election.

Makeyan said concession now is the only option left to the
authorities. `The authorities have not given a final answer.
Bargaining is now under way, but there is no other option,’ he said.

From: A. Papazian

ARMEN RUSTAMYAN: I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY MARCH 1 CRIMES ARE NOT DISCLOSED

13:59 01/03/2013 ” LAW

I don’t understand why in this modern era the relevant bodies fail
to disclose the circumstances in which the ten people died on March
1, 2008, head of ARFD parliamentary faction Armen Rustamyan told a
parliamentary briefing today.

According to him, it is impossible to turn this page in Armenia’s
history as long as these events are not disclosed.

Below are the names of the ten people who died in the clashes between
security forces and opposition protesters in Yerevan on March 1,
2008: Tigran Khachatryan, Zakar Hovhannisyan, Gor Kloyan, Hovhannes
Hovhannisyan, David Petrosyan, Armen Farmanyan, Samvel Harutyunyan,
Tigran Abgaryan, Grigor Gevorgyan, Hamlet Tadevosyan.

Source: Panorama.am

From: A. Papazian

GERMAN EMBASSY ALLOCATES ~@20,000 FOR SYRIAN-ARMENIAN REFUGEES

March 01, 2013 | 13:20

YEREVAN. – Due to the ongoing military operations in Syria, several
thousands of refugees have found refuge in Armenia.

In parallel to the measures being implemented by the Armenian state,
the “Mission Armenia” NGO likewise is providing assistance to the
refugees from Syria. And, in this connection, the German Embassy in
Yerevan allocated 20,000 euros to “Mission Armenia” toward providing
humanitarian aid to these refugees.

German Ambassador Reiner Morell and “Mission Armenia” NGO Chairperson
Hripsime Kirakosyan formally signed, at the Embassy on Friday, the
agreement on providing assistance.

– See more at:

From: A. Papazian

TURKISH PROSECUTOR DEMANDS CONVICTING SEVAG BALIKCI’S MURDERER FOR ‘UNPREMEDITATED MURDER’

TERT.AM
10:14 ~U 01.03.13

The regular trial of the murder of ethnic Armenian Sevag Sahin Balikci
killed on April 24, 2011 during his military service took place in
Turkish town of Batman.

According to Armenian-Turkish Agos paper the prosecutor read the final
conclusion and demanded convicting him for ‘unpremeditated murder’,

The prosecutor demanded sentencing him from 3-9 years in prison. The
next sitting is scheduled for March 26 during which the verdict will
be read out.

Balikci’s family was deeply disappointed and demand revealing the
real motive of the murder.

“We want the truth be revealed. Till now nothing was disclosed. Why
was my son murdered?” Sevak’s father said.

Before the trial, an event commemorating Balikci was held.

From: A. Papazian

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN: EXTERNAL THREAT

13:27 01/03/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

Whoever tries to use the external threat excuse to have people’s
votes and make fun of them, won’t succeed. The external threat is
that many countries, those which have issues with each other and are
even enemies, agree on one thing: they retain it worthy to make fun
of the voting right of Armenian people, said Raffi Hovannisian on
Freedom Square today.

Let no one teach us democracy lessons, if they are not ready to
recognize the voting right of Armenian people, said Raffi Hovannisian.

From: A. Papazian

NATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS FOUNDATION OF ARMENIA BECOMES MEMBER OF THE GLOBAL FEDERATION OF COMPETITIVENESS COUNCILS

12:07 01.03.2013

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Washington, D.C.,
on February 28th, between the National Competitiveness Foundation of
Armenia and the Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils.

By signing the MoU, NCFA will become a member of the Global Federation
of Competitiveness Councils.

The MoU was signed by NCFA CEO Arman Khachaturyan and Executive
Director of the Global Federation on Competitiveness Councils William
Bates.

According to the MoU, the Parties will establish a strategic
partnership in order to promote sustainable economic growth and
develop effective global competitiveness policies and strategies,
high-value innovation business activity, scientific and technological
collaboration and innovation-based growth.

The GFCC is a global non-profit organization that brings together
competitiveness councils from countries including the United States,
Brazil, Japan, Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab
Emirates.

From: A. Papazian

KAREKIN II CONGRATULATED NEWLY ELECTED PATRIARCH NEOPHYTE

12:25, 1 March, 2013

YEREVAN, MARCH 1, ARMENPRESS. Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II
sent a congratulatory address to the newly elected Patriarch of the
Bulgarian Orthodox Church His Holiness Neophyte.

The Information System of the Holy See informed “Armenpress” that the
address of the Catholicos runs as follows: “By the Lord’s help and
support we wish that the Higher God will grant You new accomplishments
during Your patriarchal service on behalf of the radiance of the
Bulgarian Church and Your pious spiritual pasture. We also pray that
the Lord may fructify Your and Your Church’s efforts for the sake
of promoting peace and solidarity and strengthening dialogue and
fraternity between the Churches and various religions.”

Among other things Karekin II spoke about the prosperous Armenian
community of Bulgaria, as a testimony of the historical ties and
cooperation between the two Churches. In addition the Catholicos of
All Armenians expressed confidence that relations between the two
churches will continue developing and remain productive during the
ministry of Patriarch Neophyte.

– See more at:

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA AND UK STRENGTHEN TIES IN ALL SPHERES

10:41, 1 March, 2013

YEREVAN, MARCH 1, ARMENPRESS. The UK will continue cooperation with
Armenia in a number of spheres. In a conversation with “Armenpress”
the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the UK to the
Republic of Armenia Jonathan Aves stated that the UK is intended to
cooperate with Armenia in all directions and particularly in the sphere
of economy to increase the turnover. Aves mentioned: “In particular
we target to develop the trade cooperation between the two countries.”

This year too the embassy will try to strengthen cooperation between
Armenia and the UK in the spheres of education and culture, as these
are the significant parts of reciprocal activity. The Ambassador
noted that the Embassy’s program policy has stipulated also the
social spheres and human rights. The diplomat highlighted: “The UK
also implements various programs not in Armenia alone, but in the
entire region as well.”

Among other things the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador
of the UK to the Republic of Armenia Jonathan Aves noted that Armenia
is a beautiful country and there are a lot of things to see and to do.

Jonathan Aves stated: “A friend of mine, who lives in the UK paid
a visit to Armenia on October, and together we visited a number of
beautiful churches and temples. They were really fantastic. I am fond
of traveling in Armenia very much.” Also the diplomat said that he
even speaks and understands the Armenian language.

Article by Tatevik Grigoryan

– See more at:

From: A. Papazian

AMERICAN-ARMENIANS PROTEST IN FRONT OF THE AZERBAIJANI EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON

11:51, 1 March, 2013

YEREVAN, MARCH 1, ARMENPRESS. The American-Armenians organized a
protest in front of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Washington, condemning
the Armenian pogroms in Sumgait, Kirovabad, and Baku. The Armenian
National Committee of America informed “Armenpress” that the protesters
condemned the Azerbaijani aggression and also called special attention
to Azerbaijan’s destruction of the 1,300 year old Armenian cemetery in
Djulfa, Nakhichevan, where they demolished thousands of intricately
carved cross-stones (Khatchkars). “In February, 1988, the Karabakh
legislature’s democratic action to reunite with Armenia was met with
the brutal pogroms in Azerbaijan’s second largest city, Sumgait,”
said AYF Ani Chapter Chairwoman Narineh Abrahamian, who was among
those leading chants during the protest.

“Twenty five years later, the Azerbaijani government’s threats and
violence continue unabated, with Gor Kazaryan the latest victim of
sniper fire last week. “We stand in solidarity with the people of
independent Artsakh – committed to ensuring that their fundamental
right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is not quashed
by the dictatorial Aliyev regime.”

Shouting “We Remember Sumgait” and “Justice for Gurgen Margaryan,”
Greater Washington, DC area Armenian Americans braved freezing
temperatures today to commemorate the victims of twenty-five years
of Azerbaijani violence and to stand in solidarity with the people
of the independent Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, in their effort to
secure a fair and lasting peace.

The protest was organized by the Greater Washington, DC Armenian
Youth Federation “Ani” Chapter and the St. Mary’s Armenian Church
Youth Organization of America (ACYOA). Following the protest, Soorp
Khatch Armenian Church pastor, Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian led activists
in a prayer in honor of the Sumgait, Kirovabad, and Baku victims.

In a surprise move, Azerbaijani groups abandoned their annual
counter-protest in defense of their ambassador and embassy.

– See more at:

From: A. Papazian