Author: Andres-Papazian

Vote 2013: Wounded presidential candidate to seek election delay

VOTE 2013 | 09.02.13 | 20:26

Opposition presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikyan, who is now
recovering at a Yerevan hospital from a gunshot wound sustained a
recent assassination attempt, has announced his decision to formally
ask the Constitutional Court to delay the February 18 vote by two
weeks in view of `insurmountable obstacles’ to his campaign.

The 63-year-old candidate said today he will file the application on Sunday.

Hayrikyan, who announced earlier this week that he would not seek such
a delay, changed his mind in the past several days as he reported a
health setback, with incessant pain and inability to use his right
hand. The presidential candidate indicated that it was an obstacle to
him in visiting some remote regions where he wanted to hold campaign
meetings.

Before that on Saturday Hayrikyan addressed an open letter to two
other opposition candidates, Raffi Hovannisian and Hrant Bagratyan,
urging them to come up with a single opposition candidates, which he
said would be able to beat the incumbent president seeking reelection.

Hayrikyan said the alliance could be formed during the 14 days that he
was going to ask to postpone the election for due to his ailment.

After the candidate files his application, the Constitutional Court
will have four days to consider granting the application of the
candidate. Until then, the schedule of the election formally remains
unchanged.

Earlier this week the National Security Service of Armenia announced
the arrest of two suspects in the January 31 attack on Hayrikyan. The
candidate hailed the development as `the start of the detection’ of
what he described as a crime against Armenian statehood.

From: A. Papazian

Are Armenia’s authorities capable of establishing law and order in
country? – presidential hopeful

NEWS.AM
February 09, 2013 | 17:09

The situation in Armenia is complicated. The first term of the ruling
Republican Party presidential candidate, incumbent President Serzh
Sargsyan has failed. During his five year in office, and in line with
official data, the country’s economic growth constituted a mere 4
percent. Presidential contender, opposition Freedom Party Chairman,
former PM Hrant Bagratyan stated this Saturday, during his talk with
the voters in Ashtarak city of Aragatsotn Region.

`Ever since signing the ceasefire with Azerbaijan in 1994, our economy
was growing more intensively than the five years of Serzh Sargsyan’s
governance. They [that is, the present-day authorities] condition this
on the global economic crisis. In this case, two questions arise: How
can one explain the fact that the economy reduced by 2 percent in the
other countries, [but by] 15 percent in Armenia? In addition, the
country was allocated $11 billion, [that is,] the same amount as the
entire production of our country,’ Bagratyan noted.

Also, referring to the recent assassination attempt that was staged
against fellow presidential candidate, opposition National
Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan – who is recovering
at hospital from a gunshot wound – and the attack on his campaign
headquarters, Hrant Bagratyan questioned the Armenian authorities’
capability to establish law and order in country.

From: A. Papazian

ANCA roundtable explores growth of US-Armenia economic ties

11:44 09.02.2013

Representatives of the Department of State, the Armenian Embassy, and
the Armenian American community shared views and explored practical
paths toward expanded U.S.-Armenia bilateral trade and investment, at
a roundtable talk hosted this week by the Armenian National Committee
of America (ANCA).

The town-hall format meeting, held in the Aramian Conference Room of
the ANCA’s Washington headquarters, was opened by Executive Director
Aram Hamparian, who noted that the purpose of the roundtable, and the
broader challenge before American friends of Armenia, was to pursue
practical and productive avenues to act on the existing consensus
behind expanded U.S.-Armenia economic relations. Hamparian cited the
broad range of supportive stakeholders in the process, ranging from
the U.S. and Armenian governments to the Armenian American community
and a broad array of American companies doing business in Armenia.

ANCA Trade and Investment Policy Specialist Nora Khanarian, Ph.D., in
a presentation outlining the current state of economic relations and
setting forth possible future scenarios for U.S.-Armenia relations,
stressed that there are a variety of ways in which these relations can
be strengthened in parallel – at the government, business, and
individual levels – each building upon the foundation that has
progressively been put in place since Armenia’s independence. She
added that, despite the challenges of doing business in any emerging
market, a stronger partnership would nurture the positive trends in
Armenia over the past 10 years. This progress would help move Armenia
from a reliance on aid towards trade, transitioning into one of the
freest economies in the region, and demonstrating competitive
advantages in specific sectors such as IT and pharmaceuticals-with
mutual benefits to both the U.S. and Armenia.

Speaking on behalf of the Department of State, Justin Friedman, the
Director of the Office of Caucasus Affairs and Regional Conflicts,
voiced the U.S. government’s interest in mutually beneficial expanded
bilateral economic relations with Armenia. Friedman, who is
responsible for managing the full spectrum of U.S. relations with
Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, reviewed the full array of U.S.
efforts with Armenia to deepen economic ties, and underscored the
importance of the United States partnering to help make Armenia
competitive internationally. While noting positive third-party
indicators, he also addressed a number of issues the U.S. government
views as meaningful obstacles to improved commercial relations,
highlighting specific areas in which the United States would like to
see critical reforms. Among these were increased transparency,
improved fairness in taxation, and better enforcement of contracts.

During the discussion portion of the program, Andranik Hovhannisyan,
Ph.D., the Armenian Embassy’s Counselor, stressed Armenia’s interest
in expanded bilateral economic ties, and noted that Armenia’s progress
in the area of economic reform has been reflected in positive ratings
by an array of respected institutions, such as the World Bank, Wall
Street Journal, Heritage Foundation, and Freedom House. He reviewed
Armenia’s economic engagement strategy, highlighting the European
Union’s broad economic engagement with Armenia, and expressing support
for a similarly robust trade and investment relationship with the
United States.

Among those offering insights, sharing suggestions, and asking
questions were former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Marshall Evans,
as well as Armenian Americans and friends of Armenia working
professionally in the Congress, the Administration, think tanks,
advocacy groups, and elsewhere throughout Washington, DC’s public
policy community. The program, characterized by open discourse and a
robust back-and-forth exchange of ideas, lasted approximately two
hours.

In recent weeks, the ANCA – along with the American Chamber of
Commerce in Armenia and major corporations, including Microsoft,
FedEx, and NASDAQ – has called on the U.S. government to respond
favorably to the Armenian government’s longstanding interest in
negotiating a badly-needed U.S.-Armenia Trade and Investment Framework
Agreement and a long-overdue Double Tax Treaty.

From: A. Papazian

Armenian referees to leave for Antalya

13:30, 9 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS: Armenian referees will leave for
Antalya in order to participate in training sessions. As Armenpress
was informed from Football Federation of Armenia, 24 leading Armenian
referees will hold training in Antalya from February 11-25.
Theoretical and practical courses are scheduled during the meeting.
Referees will pass theoretical exams and physical tests.

Courses are going to be led by head of referee department of Football
Federation of Armenia Karen Nalbandian and inspector of the federation
Gevorg Hovhannisyan.

Delegation will be headed by Vice President of Football Federation of
Armenia Ashot Manukyan.

From: A. Papazian

Construction of St. Garabed Church in Las Vegas In Final Phase

Friday, February 8th, 2013 | Posted by Asbarez Staff

Construction of the St. Garabed Church in Las Vegas is nearing completion

LAS VEGAS – Asbarez sat down with Las Vegas St. Garabed Church Parish
Priest Rev. Father Avedis Torossian and the Parish Council Chair
Adroushan Armenian and Construction Committee members, Levon
Gulbenkian and Koko Darakjian to discuss the progress in the church
construction and estimated completion date.

Asbarez: What are the roots of St. Garabed Church in Las Vegas?

St. Garabed: There has been an Armenian community in Las Vegas dating
back to the 1950’s. However a significant number of Armenians
relocated from Southern California to Las Vegas in the early 1990’s,
particularly after the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

We have several photos of church services being held at the home of
Chuck and Sue Merlian dating back to 1994. The Merlian family had
donated a painting of Baby Jesus and Mother of Christ in 1994 which we
have been using on our altar for all these years.

The Western Prelacy has been providing spiritual services to the
community for many years, in coordination with a committee comprised
of local community members who was the bridge between the Prelacy and
the Armenian population. In 2006, under the auspices of Western
Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, the Las Vegas Armenian
community was re-organized and revitalized with the official
appointment of a Parish Council to oversee the needs of the growing
community. In 2010, Archpriest Fr. Avedis Torossian was assigned as
the full-time Pastor for the parish community.

It was in May of 2010 when our church was officially named `St.
Garabed’ in memory of Seda Der Garabedian-Barnes and the Der
Garabedian family ancestors who perished during the 1915 Armenian
Genocide.

Asbarez: How big is the Armenian community in Las Vegas and tell us
about the church community?

St. Garabed: There are no exact numbers, however the community is
estimated to be six to eight thousand strong. We have around 100
Armenian families who actively participate in various community
events, and now that the church structure is visible we are seeing
more and more Armenians emerging and participating in church services
and functions.

Asbarez: Tell us when you started the Church building initiative and
where do you currently stand.

St. Garabed: Having our own Armenian Church in Las Vegas was always in
our prayers, and in December of 2009 we were fortunate and blessed to
purchase the property located at 2054 East Desert Inn Road.

With the guidance of the Prelate, and after consultations with the
Executive Council and Prelacy Building Committee Chairman Mr. Vahan
Bezdikian, we split our construction project into three phases based
on their input.

Phase one was to renovate the two story existing building so that we
could immediately start using it as a temporary church and cultural
and community center. This first phase was completed by April 1, 2010.

During phase two we started developing plans to demolish the existing
one story building and replace it with the new church structure. After
finalizing architectural and engineering drawings and obtaining the
required permits, we started the actual construction work on August
26, 2012. We anticipate phase two to be completed by mid-February of
2013 by obtaining our occupancy permit.

Phase three will be to remodel the second floor of the cultural center
building to accommodate the growing need of the Saturday School and
the community. We anticipate to complete this project during the
summer of 2013.

Asbarez: How did you manage funding the construction project?

St. Garabed: The construction project was made possible thanks
primarily to benefactor Mr. Larry Barnes and his generous donation in
memory of his wife, Seda Der Garabedian Barnes, and by Mr. Kirk
Kerkorian’s UCLA Dream Fund donation and `Matching Fund Challenge’. We
are grateful to them both for their benevolence.

We also developed a list of `Sponsorship and Naming’ opportunities for
our church construction needs. News spread quickly and we received
numerous donations from local community members and also several out
of state donations. A detailed list with corresponding plaques will be
placed in the church lobby at a later date.

It is important to highlight that we had several individuals make
donations in memory of their loved ones with the names Garabed, Garo
or Hovhannes, after the name of our church `St. Garabed’. Out of those
donations we would like to highlight a generous donation from the Los
Angeles based `Armenian Compatriotic Union of Guesaria’ which
sponsored our church lobby. The significance of this donation is in
memory of the historic St. Garabed Monastery of Guesaria that was
completely destroyed by Turkish authorities after the 1915 Armenian
Genocide.

Asbarez: What are the remaining challenges to complete your project?

St. Garabed: We are fortunate that we did not come across serious
problems during our construction phase, and we expect to finish our
project within six months of our start date.

Currently the structure is complete and we are working to finish the
interior including the pews, altars, candle stands, and stained glass
windows. Our objective is to have all of these completed by Sunday,
March 24th, which coincides with Palm Sunday.

The only challenge for us is to continue with our fundraising efforts
and to meet our Dream Fund `Matching Fund Challenge’ which will end on
February 28, 2013. For those who are not familiar with this
fundraising challenge, the concept is that whatever funds we raise
between September 1, 2012 and February 28, 2013, the Dream Fund at
UCLA will match that amount as an additional donation.

We appeal to all those interested in making a donation to consider the
following list of sponsorship and naming opportunities in memory of
their loved ones, specifically:

Side Altar $10,000
Church Side Door $5,000
Stained Glass Windows Large (x 4) $5,000
Stained Glass Windows Small (x 5) $3,000
Altar Curtain $5,000
Priest Office $5,000
Choir Room $5,000
Church Icons Large Serpanegar (x 6) $4,000
Church Icons Small Serpanegar (x 12) $2,000
Individual Pew/Bench Seats (Each seat $500; 60 seats are currently available)

Donations may be sent to: St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church of Las
Vegas; 2054 East Desert Inn Road, Las Vegas, NV 89169

From: A. Papazian

Secretary General of Council of Europe concerned by the recent events
in Azerbaijan

12:31, 9 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS: Council of Europe continues to
express its concern over recent events taking place in Azerbaijan. As
reports Armenpress, referring to the official website of Council of
Europe, reacting to the decision today of the Baku Court of Appeal to
maintain in detention two human rights activists, Secretary General
Thorbjørn Jagland made the following statement:

`I am concerned by the recent events in Azerbaijan and the
heavy-handed response of the police to protests. I am particularly
disturbed by the arrest on 4 February of Tofig Yagublu and Ilgar
Mammadov, in relation to recent events in Ismayilli.

Mr Mammadov is the Director of the Baku School of Political Studies, a
close co-operation partner of the Council of Europe. Today’s decision
of the Baku Court of Appeal not to release these two men and its
refusal to allow the Council of Europe’s representative to be present
during the Court proceedings is of particular gravity.

I call on the authorities of Azerbaijan to respect the fundamental
principles and legally-binding standards of the European Convention of
Human Rights, which they have undertaken to uphold when joining the
Council of Europe.’

Pedro Agramunt (Spain, EPP/CD) and Joseph Debono Grech (Malta, SOC),
monitoring co-rapporteurs on Azerbaijan of the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe (PACE), have expressed their deep concern at
recent worrying developments in Azerbaijan, including the detention,
trial and sentencing of peaceful demonstrators and the arrest of
opposition politicians.

“There have been most worrying reports about unfair court hearings and
alleged ill-treatment of some detainees,” said the co-rapporteurs,
referring to the detention of around 80 peaceful demonstrators in Baku
on 26 January, following a peaceful protest against the authorities’
violent dispersal of another, larger protest in the northern city of
Ismayili three days earlier. Thirty of the Baku demonstrators were
charged and five were sentenced to prison.

They also expressed their concern at the arrests, on charges of
inciting the Ismayili protests, of two opposition politicians – the
leader of the Republican Alternative movement Ilgar Mammadov, and the
deputy head of the Musavat Party Tofiq Yaqubli. Mr Mammadov, who is
also Director of the Council of Europe School of Political Studies in
Baku, plans to run for president in elections foreseen in October
2013. They will remain in police custody for two months awaiting
trial, and could face up to three years in jail. “These arrests give
rise to justified doubts and legitimate concerns,” said the
co-rapporteurs. “We urge the Azerbaijani authorities to use all
available legal tools to release these arrested opposition
politicians.”

Mr Agramunt and Mr Debono Grech also recalled that Azerbaijan must
comply with the obligations and commitments that the country undertook
upon its accession to the Council of Europe.

From: A. Papazian

TURQUIE
Consternation suite à la condamnation de Pinar Selek à la prison à perpétuité

Un tribunal a condamné la sociologue Pinar Selek à la prison à
perpétuité pour terrorisme. L’Observatoire pour la protection des
défenseurs des droits de l’Homme, programme conjoint de la Fédération
internationale des ligues des droits de l’Homme (FIDH) et de
l’Organisation mondiale contre la torture (OMCT), qui a mandaté des
observateurs judiciaires pour ce procès, est profondément choqué par
cette décision qui fait suite à 15 années harcèlement judiciaire.

Le 24 janvier 2013, la 12ème Chambre de la Haute cour criminelle
d’Istanbul a condamné Pinar Selek, écrivaine et sociologue qui défend
les droits des communautés marginalisées en Turquie, à la prison à
perpétuité pour attentat et appartenance à une organisation
terroriste, suite à l’explosion intervenue dans le Bazar égyptien
d’Istanbul le 9 juillet 1998. Les juges ont expliqué qu’ils avaient
décidé de se conformer à la demande de la Cour de cassation de
reconnaître la culpabilité et condamner Pinar Selek à la prison à
perpétuité.

L’Observatoire rappelle qu’en 1998, Pinar Selek a été tour à tour
accusée sans preuves de soutenir le Parti des travailleurs du
Kurdistan (PKK), puis d’avoir fait exploser une bombe dans le bazar
d’Istanbul. Sur la base de ces accusations, elle a été détenue,
torturée et soumise à des mauvais traitement pendant deux ans, avant
d’être bénéficier d’une libération provisoire en 2000. La 12ème
Chambre de la Haute Cour criminelle d’Istanbul l’a acquittée à trois
reprises : en 2006, 2008 et 2011. Néanmoins, le procureur ayant fait
appel à chaque fois, la Cour de cassation a annulé les décisions
d’acquittement.

L’Observatoire rappelle que la procédure pénale n’a pas réussi à
démontrer que Pinar Selek a été impliquée dans une quelconque activité
de terrorisme. En effet, les enquêtes judiciaires ont en grande partie
confirmées l’absence de bombe et ont attribué l’explosion à une fuite
de gaz. De plus, l’autre accusé dans l’affaire, qui avait incriminé
Pinar Selek pendant un interrogatoire, a retirés ses déclarations
pendant le procès.

Au cours de son observation, l’Observatoire a relevé une série
d’irrégularités, contraires à la législation nationale et aux normes
internationales relatives aux droits de l’Homme. Une note
d’observation judiciaire sera publiée prochainement.

« Je suis profondément choquée par cette décision. C’est une parodie
de justice », a dénoncé Souhayr Belhassen, présidente de la FIDH.

« Ce cas est sans précédent », a ajouté Gerald Staberock, secrétaire
général de l’OMCT, « Nous condamnons fermement cette décision, et
appelons les autorités judiciaires turques à la réexaminer
immédiatement », a-t-il conclu.

Plus généralement, l’Observatoire appelle une fois de plus les
autorités turques à cesser immédiatement et sans conditions le
harcèlement judiciaire qui vise Pinar Selek depuis plus de 15 ans, et
dont l’unique objectif semble être de la punir pour ses recherches et
ses écrits de sociologue.

samedi 9 février 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

AZERERIES
Aliev a déchu du titre d’« Ecrivain populaire » Akram Aylisli jugé pro-arménien

Ilham Aliev vient de signer un décret annulant le titre d’« Ecrivain
populaire » à Akram Aylisli, coupable dans son dernier livre « Rêves
de pierre » d’avoir évoqué les massacres d’Arméniens par les Azéris au
Nakhitchevan au début du 20e siècles et les pogroms anti-arméniens de
Soumgaït et Bakou. Akram Aylisli qui fit l’objet d’une attaque en
règle orchestrée par le clan Aliev, est surtout coupable d’avoir pris
la défense des Arméniens victimes de ces massacres. Une position jugée
par les officiels de « trahison ». D’autant plus qu’en revenant sur la
responsabilité des dirigeants azéris lors des massacres de Soumgaït et
Bakou, Akram Aylisli attaque indirectement Heydar Aliev, le père de
l’actuel président-dictateur de l’Azerbaïdjan qui était à la tête du
pays lors de ces crimes. Des voix se sont levées en Azerbaïdjan pour
défendre Aylisli, malgré la pression de Bakou. Mais d’autres exigent
l’expulsion de l’écrivain jugé « pro-arménien » en Arménie…De son
côté, Akram Aylisli qui a logiquement peur pour sa vie, essaie
d’apaiser la tension en affirmant « je regrette que dans notre pays
que soient prises de telles décisions alors que la Constitution
garantie la liberté de parole. Je ne désire pas parler davantage sur
cette affaire… ».

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 9 février 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

Pasadena Council Candidate John J. Kennedy HQ
Lena L. Kennedy, 626/765-6206
Contact: [email protected]

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE KENNEDY ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR PASADENA ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE MEMORIAL COMMITTEE PROJECT

Pasadena City Council Candidate John J. Kennedy has
announced his full support for the Armenian Genocide Memorial proposed
by the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee. The site
selected for the Genocide Memorial is in Memorial Park which is
located in District 3, the Council District that Kennedy is on the
ballot to be elected to represent.

“I have reviewed the final Design Proposal selected by the Armenian
Genocide Memorial Committee,” said Kennedy. The Design Proposal
submitted by Catherine Menard from the Environmental Design Department
at Art Center College of Design was among 17 design proposals
considered by the Design Review Panel headed by Stefanos Polyzoides a
principal of Moule & Polyzoides, Architects and Urbanists. The Design
Review Panel recommended approval of the Menard Design Proposal to the
Board of Directors of the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial
Committee which unanimously approved the recommendation on January 13,
2013.

Kennedy noted that, “I was asked by an Armenian shopkeeper when I was
in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey, to give a very old Armenian
Orthodox Bible,written in Armenian, that had been in his family for
generations, to President Barack Obama. I kept my promise when I
delivered the Bible to First Lady Michelle Obama to share with the
President.””That Bible serves as a reminder to the United States
Government that it must provide full recognition of the Armenian
Genocide,” said Kennedy.

“When the Genocide Memorial is presented to the Pasadena City Council
I will make the motion for approval and urge my Council colleagues to
join with me,” said Kennedy. “I have long supported full recognition
of the Armenian Genocide and this Memorial is another step toward the
understanding needed to heal the hearts of the Armenian people.”

From: A. Papazian

SSU’s holocaust, genocide lecture series starts next week

PressDemocrat.com (Santa Rosa, California / Sonoma County)
Friday, February 8, 2013

by Extra.Credit

The annual holocaust and genocide lecture series begins this month
with a talk on Armenian genocide. This year’s series marks the 30th
year SSU has hosted the talks. The theme is `Seeds of Remembrance.’

The series runs through May 7 and all talks will be held in from 4
p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in Warren Auditorium (Ives 101).

The following is a
schedule provided by SSU:

Feb. 12 – `The Armenian Genocide,’ with Dr. Sergio LaPorta, CSU
Fresno.

Feb. 19 – =80=9CBosnia and Herzegovina: Transitioning from Genocide to
Justice,’ with Leijla Marvis of Global Majority.

Feb. 26 – `Genocide in Sudan’ with Hamdan Gouumaa, Global Majority.

March 5 – `The Aftermath to Genocide in Rwanda’ with Mathilde
Mukantabana, M.A. and M.S.W., Cosumnes Community College, and
President, Friends of Rwanda Association. (FORA) and Simon Mudahogora,
Rwandan Survivor.

March 12 – `Fighting Genocide and Mass Atrocities: Empowering Hands-On
Action’ with Mina Rush, Director of Outreach, Jewish World Watch.

March 26 – `We Exist! Descendents of the Cambodian Genocide Speak Out’
with Lucia Roncalli, M.D. and Sonoma County second generation
Cambodian survivors.

April 2 – =80=9CBecoming Evil’ with James Waller, Ph.D., Cohen Endowed
Chair of Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Keene State College.

April 9 – `The Texture of Memory: Holocaust Memorials and Meaning,’
with James E. Young, Ph.D., Professor of English and Judaic Studies,
University of Massachusetts Amherst.

April 16 – `Lessons Learned From a Holocaust Childhood’ with Hans
Angress.

April 23 – `Remembering Jan Karski: A Holocaust Hero,’ with journalist
and historian E. Thomas Wood.

April 30 – `Perspectives on War Crimes,’ with SSU Professor Eric
Williams.

May 7 – `Genocide Beneath Our Feet’ with Brenda Flyswithhawks, Ph.D.,
Santa Rosa Junior College.

Go to for more details.

From: A. Papazian