Author: Andres-Papazian

Gulf News (United Arab Emirates)
December 20, 2012 Thursday

It’s never too late to decorate

by Jumana Khamis and Noorhan Barakat Staff Reporters

Dubai: With new year holiday and Christmas around the corner, expat
families in the UAE are decorating their homes to embrace the
Christmas spirit.

Twenty-two year old Julie Joseph from Syria is one of many expats in
the country who enjoy decorating their house for Christmas. “We start
decorating on the end of November to feel the Christmas spirit and to
stare at the Santa socks until they get full with gifts,” she said.

Julie added that the whole house turns red and green with jingle bell
ornaments, red candles, and little Santa and snowmen statuettes.
“Everyone fights to decorate the Christmas tree. We also put empty
gift boxes under the tree just to trick each,” she said.

Diana Laham, 22, also had her decorations up almost two weeks before
Christmas. “I was actually nagging my mum to get the tree out since
the end of November, as I could not wait for that moment when I put up
the Christmas decorations.”

Diana’s family get together to decorate the tree every year as her dad
sets up the tree, whereas her mum and sister decorate it with lights
and ornaments.

“We usually take down the decorations during the first week of
January,’ she added.

University student Anna Yazijyan from Armenia who has decorated her
apartment with Christmas lights and decorations said she is also
counting down the days till Christmas.

Anna who comes from an Armenian Esteran Orthodox family celebrates
Christmas on 6-7 January with several holiday traditions. “Every year
on our Christmas tree, we bring out our special ornaments that have
been in our families for 20 to 30 years to hang on the Christmas tree
in the centre of our living room,” she said. Anna and her family also
hang candy and tangerines on the Christmas tree as a treat for the
children.

From: A. Papazian

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Dec 20 2012

Armenian police exercises simulate mass riots

20 December 2012 – 5:00pm

Armenian police exercises took place at Arzni airport. The exercises
were aimed at practicing the coordination of police forces
in case of mass riots.

The exercises are led by the chief of police, Major General Levon Yeranosyan.

Armenia Today reports that the exercises were successful and all the
objectives were met.

From: A. Papazian

Mediamax News Agency, Armenia
Dec 20 2012

Armenia and EU to start works on forming an Association Agenda in early 2013

Yerevan/Mediamax/. On December 19, 11 plenary session of talks on
Armenia-EU Association Agreement was held in Brussels and the sides
reiterated their intention to complete the talks on the Association
Agreement till Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius in 2013.

The meeting focused on the issues related to the structural format of
the future agreement, general and conclusive provisions as well as
political dialogue, foreign and security policy and justice and which
are still open were , Mediamax reports.

The sides agreed to start the works on forming an Association Agenda
in early 2013. The Association Agenda will constitute a document of
political character aimed at implementation of the Association
Agreement provisions and will replace Armenia – EU Action Plan of
European Neighborhood Policy.

The Armenian delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister of
Armenia, Chief Negotiator Zohrab Mnatsakanyan. The European side was
represented by Director for Eastern Partnership, Central Asia,
Regional Cooperation and OSCE European External Action Service Gunnar
Wiegand.

The next plenary session of the talks on Association Agreement is due
to be held in Yerevan in February 2013.

From: A. Papazian

Mediamax News Agency, Armenia
Dec 20 2012

Hrant Bagratyan ready to run for presidency

Thursday 20 December 2012 16:11

Yerevan/Mediamax/. The nomination of the candidacy of National
Assembly, ANC member, former Prime Minister of Armenia Hrant Bagratyan
at the upcoming elections was included into the agenda of the session
of “Freedom” party he heads due December 24.

Hrant Bagratyan said this on his Facebook page:

“The item of my candidacy at presidential elections is included into
the agenda. I think that participation of a candidate is a must in
upcoming elections. I simultaneously state that if Levon
Ter-Petrosyan’s candidacy is nominated, I will quit mine”, writes
Hrant Bagratyan.

The former PM stated in his post that he isn’t nominate from the ANC.
“Moreover, I stop active cooperation with ANC political council for
this period not to put any of them into an awkward position”, said
Hrant Bagratyan.

From: A. Papazian

`Help Your Brother’ Campaign Continues Syrian Relief

“Help Your Brother” campaign’s Vahan Hovenessian and Lilit Galstian

YEREVAN – The `Help Your Brother’ campaign launched on September 18
comtimues assistance programs to Syrian-Armenians and has switched its
operation to distribution of cash instead of sending assistance
directly to Syria.

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation-led initiative is also
concentrating its efforts on assistance programs to Syrian Armenians
who have sought refuge in Armenia and Artsakh.

`We faced a number of problems with the delivery of humanitarian aid
through filights. For example, because of the military attacks it is
simply impossible to transport the humanitarian aid to
Armenian-populated regions other than Aleppo. Therefore, now we simply
transfer money to Syrian Armenians,’ Parliament member Vahan
Hovannesian told reporters Wednesday.

The `Help Your Brother’ campaign has already transferred 5 million
drams to 22 Syrian Armenian families based in Kashatagh (Lachin,
Artsakh). They are preparing New Year gift packages for about 300
Syrian Armenian children.

`The activity of the `Help your Brother’ initiative showed that the
idea of lending a helping hand to Syrian Armenians has no political,
geographic and ideological limits,’ president of the campaign Lilit
Galstian said.

`Different benefactors, individuals and organizations have donated 41
million drams, 750,000 rubles, as well as food and basic necessities
at an estimated work of 31 million drams,’ she added.

Galstian and Hovannesian expressed gratitude to all organizations and
individuals, who have responded to their call.

Hovannesian called on people to be extra generous during the holiday
season, pledging that the campaign would continue until the end of the
Syrian conflict. He said, however, there is no end in sight for the
conflict.

From: A. Papazian

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I VISITS PATRIARCH YOHANNA X
OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ANTIOCH

On Wednesday 19 December 2012, Catholicos Aram I visited the new Patriarch
of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch, Yohanna X, at the Balamand
Monastery. After congratulating the new Head, Catholicos Aram I spoke of the
long relationship between the two churches and expressed the wish to
strengthen that relationship, especially in view of the current difficulties
of Christians in the Middle East.

The Patriarch Yohanna thanked His Holiness Aram I for the visit and
confirmed his commitment to working together with all churches in the region
to strengthen Christian presence and witness in the region.
##
Photos:

From: A. Papazian

SPECIAL INVESTIGATION SERVICE RECEIVES ARMENIA MPS’ PETITION

news.am
December 20, 2012 | 12:07

YEREVAN.- Armenia’s Special Investigation Service has received petition
concerning wiretapped conversation sent by MPs Levon Zurabyan and
Vartan Oskanian to the Armenia’s Attorney General Office.

The application was received on Thursday, Service’s representatives
told Armenian News-NEWS.am. Notes were sent to chief of police with
a request to provide experts and set up a group. Reports are being
prepared. Taking into account public interest in the case, additional
information will be provided.

To note, a recording of a private conversation between Levon Zurabyan
and Vartan Oskanian-during which they were discussing domestic
political matters-was posted on YouTube recently, and this had caused
a huge public reaction. Incidentally, this recording was removed from
YouTube on Tuesday.

From: A. Papazian

ACQUITTEMENT DES TROIS SOLDATS : L’AFFAIRE N’EST PAS CLOSE
Laetitia

armenews.com
jeudi 20 decembre 2012

Le procureur a minimise mercredi l’acquittement de trois anciens
soldats qui ont ete accuses d’avoir commis un assassinat. Gevorg
Kostanian a declare qu’il n’y a pas assez de preuves pour condamner
Musa Serobian, Arayik Zalian et Razmik Sargsian.

Les acquittes ont ete arretes en 2004 et ont passe près de trois ans
en prison.

Kostanian affirme qu’il continue a considerer les trois hommes
coupables. ” Je vais formuler une position plus explicite après avoir
examine la decision et voir comment chaque element de preuve a ete
evaluee par le tribunal “, a-t-il dit.

Kostanian a ajoute que les ex-soldats pourraient a nouveau etre mis
en examen si les procureurs militaires trouvaient de nouvelles preuves.

jeudi 20 decembre 2012, Laetitia ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

WE WILL ASSIST SYRIAN ARMENIANS BOTH IN ALEPPO AND YEREVAN. SERZH SARGSYAN

21:16, 19 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS: Serzh Sargsyan who is currently on
a working visit in Russian Federation participated in The Collective
Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Collective Security Council
session on December 19 in Moscow. As Armenpress was informed from
the Presidential press office Secretary General of CSTO Nikolai
Bordyuja presented information on CSTO activity and documents to
be signed after which participants of the session discussed other
issues of the agenda, including tendencies of international situation,
measures improving the system of collective security as well as issues
concerning the development of CSTO military component till 2020 and
improving collective response system in case of emergency situations.

In his speech made during extended negotiations Serzh Sargsyan
expressed gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for organizing
Moscow CSTO session on a high level and congratulated President of
Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev on the occasion of succeeded presidency
of CSTO during 2012, as well as for the efficient cooperation in
its frames. In Serzh Sargsyan’s words the experience of cooperation
of CSTO members shows that a right police has been chosen 20 years
ago. Organization proportionally develops an effective response of
existing system to threats. “In 2012 efforts of the organization have
been centralized on the main directions- strengthening of the CSTO
military potential, efficiency of foreign policy coordination and
expansion of cooperation against terrorism, illegal drug trafficking
and illegal migration. In September “Interaction 2012″ was successfully
concluded in Armenia. Both preparatory period and exercises clearly
demonstrated our ability to solve various issues, involving troops,
internal troops units, emergency department services, and Special
Forces,” Serzh Sargsyan noted.

Head of State also referred to some regional issues and challenges,
to the current strained situation in the Middle East and presented our
position on those issues. “Analysis of the incidents on CSTO borders
do not give a basis for the optimistic forecasts. That is Afghanistan,
and the growing tension around Iran and Syria situation. There are
ongoing armed confrontations which destabilize the entire Middle East.

There a large Armenian community living in Syria. They are children
and grandchildren of those who miraculously survived the genocide in
the Ottoman Empire. Thousands of Armenians have become inseparable
part of Syrian society having their contribution in the development
and strengthening of that country. More than 6000 Syrian Armenians
have left for Armenia and flood will yet decline. We will assist
Syrian Armenians both in Syria and Yerevan. Armenia stands for
immediate cessation of hostilities and is for reaching a peaceful
resolution of Syrian conflict,” Armenian President said. Serzh Sargsyan
also highlighted relations with Iran and economic cooperation with
it. Referring to challenges of South Caucasus region Armenian President
underlined that destructive position of Azerbaijan over NKR conflict
remained to be the most serious regional threat.

The speech was concluded with the gratitude words to Nikolay Bordyuja
for efficient activity in the position of Secretary General of
the Organization, noting that his efforts are visible for all CSTO
members. In frames of working visit to Russia Serzh Sargsyan will
have meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA, NKR TO COOPERATE IN NATURE PROTECTION SECTOR

December 20, 2012 – 18:03 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Nagorno Karabakh President Bako Sahakyan met
Armenia’s Nature Protection Minister Aram Harutyunyan Wednesday,
December 19 to discuss environmental protection.

In this context, Artsakh leader stressed the importance for exchange
of experience between environmental bodies of NKR and Armenia.

The head of the department of environment and natural resources
under the NKR Cabinet of Ministers Vazgen Mikaelyan also attended
the meeting, Central Information Department at Artsakh President’s
Office reported.

From: A. Papazian