Author: Andres-Papazian

ANCA WELCOMES CONGRESSMAN ED ROYCE AS HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

12:22 29.11.2012

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has welcomed news
that the House Republican leadership has tapped Congressional Armenian
Caucus Co-Chair Ed Royce (R-CA) to lead the House Foreign Affairs
Committee in the 113th Congress, beginning in January, 2013.

The decision by the Republican Steering Committee, chaired by Speaker
John Boehner (R-OH), came Tuesday evening, with the full Republican
Conference ratifying the appointment today. He is replacing Rep.

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), who is term-limited out based on Republican
House rules.

~SAs a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Royce has
been a champion on fundamental human rights concerns from Armenian
Genocide affirmation to securing Turkey~Rs return of confiscated
Christian churches and properties,~T said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian.

~SThe ANCA looks forward to working with him in the next Congress on
a broad range of Armenian American concerns.

Rep. Royce has served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee since
entering Congress in 1993. He has been chairman or ranking member
of the Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade Subcommittee for
the past eight years. Prior to that, Rep. Royce chaired the Africa
Subcommittee for eight years, and has been active on theAsiaand the
Pacific Subcommittee.

As Republican Co-Chairman of the Congressional Armenian Caucus since
February, 2011, Rep. Royce has led on a range of Armenian American
concerns, successfully spearheading efforts along with current
House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Democrat Howard Berman
(D-CA) to secure House passage of the Return of Churches resolution
(H.Res.306), which calls on Turkey to return confiscated Christian
churches and properties to their rightful owners and allow for expanded
freedom of worship. He has been a perennial cosponsor and advocate
forU.S.affirmation of the Armenian Genocide since his years in the
California State Senate.

Rep. Royce has also been outspoken regarding the right to
self-determination for Nagorno Karabakh. Commenting on the
presidential elections held in July, 2012, Rep. Royce noted ~SI
commend the people of Nagorno-Karabakh for holding peaceful and honest
elections. Throughout the years we have seen a trend of its electoral
system working in proper fashion and the most recent election maintains
that precedent. Voting embodies a functioning democracy, I applaud all
in Nagorno-Karabakh for putting democracy into action.~T Rep. Royce
is joining Congressional Armenian Caucus Democratic Co-Chair Frank
Pallone (D-NJ) in hosting a Capitol Hill celebration of Karabakh
freedom on December 5th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Russell Senate
Office Building Rm. 385.

In appreciation for his years of support on core Armenian American
concerns, Rep. Royce was awarded the ANCA Western Region ~SMan of the
Year~T award in 2011. He has consistently received an A+ rating from
the ANCA.

From: A. Papazian

LA TURQUIE JUGE POUR LA PREMIERE FOIS DES PIRATES INFORMATIQUES

armenews.com
jeudi 29 novembre 2012

Le procès de dix pirates turcs de l’Internet issus du groupe RedHack,
poursuivis pour crimes terroristes, s’est ouvert lundi devant un
tribunal d’Ankara, une première pour la justice turque concernant
les delits informatiques.

Dès le premier jour de l’audience, la cour criminelle de la capitale
turque a decide de remettre en liberte les trois accuses qui se
trouvaient en detention provisoire depuis le mois de mars, a rapporte
l’agence de presse Anatolie.

Tous les trois, qui comparaîtront desormais libres, ont nie les charges
pesant contre eux et dementi tout lien avec une organisation interdite.

Un autre accuse, Taskin Yasak, emprisonne pendant cinq mois avant
d’etre libere en octobre, a confesse a ses juges avoir eu des problèmes
psychologiques a cause de son incarceration. Je ne touche plus aucun
ordinateur excepte celui de mon bureau, a-t-il assure a ses juges.

C’est la première fois que des pirates informatiques sont juges en
Turquie, dont les autorites ont renforce leur legislation dans ce
domaine ces dernières annees.

Le procureur a requis contre les dix accuses des peines de 8 a 24
ans d’emprisonnement.

Les dix pirates presumes sont accuses d’oeuvrer pour le compte
d’une organisation terroriste armee et d ‘avoir obtenu de documents
confidentiels et des renseignements personnels en accedant a des
systèmes d’information sans autorisation.

RedHack, qui est affilie au groupe international des Anonymous, a
ete fonde en 1997 mais rejette toute appartenance a une organisation
quelconque.

L’attaque par le groupe RedHack de sites de l’armee, de la Direction
des renseignements (MIT), du Conseil de recherche scientifique et
technique de Turquie (TUBITAK), de groupes de telecommunications turcs,
notamment Turk Telekom, et de la compagnie aerienne turque, Turkish
Airlines (THY), avait ete largement rapporte par les medias turcs.

jeudi 29 novembre 2012, Stephane ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

ETAT DE GUERRE PERMANENT DANS LE HAUT-KARABAKH

Le mensuel Le Monde diplomatique du mois de decembre publie deux
pleines pages, signees Philippe Descamps, sur la situation
conflictuelle qui prevaut entre l’Azerbaïdjan et le Haut-Karabakh.

” Vingt ans après la prise de Chouchi par les troupes armeniennes, le
9 mai 1992, le cessez-le-feu est plus precaire que jamais dans les
montagnes du Haut-Karabakh. Le rearmement rapide de l’Azerbaïdjan
depuis 2010 laisse craindre une reprise des combats aux consequences
incalculables pour l’ensemble du Caucase. les deux peuples payent au
prix fort l’impase politique et diplomatique. “, ecrit Philippe
Descamps en preambule de sa longue enquete sur le terrain.

” Ne regardez pas plus de quinze secondes. Après, il faut baisser la
tete. ” Une meurtrière en beton permet d’apercevoir furtivement une
rangee de fils de fer barbeles et, a moins de deux cents mètres, la
première ligne de soldats azeris. Au fond de cette tranchee du secteur
d’Askeran, côte armenien, tout rappelle une scène de la première
guerre mondiale : de modestes casemates, des sacs de sable, un petit
poele a bois pour l’hiver et quelques derisoires boîtes de conserve
rouillees destinees a signaler une intrusion nocturne. Les trois
soldats de ce poste ont 20 ans. Ils viennent d’Erevan. Leur officier
trouve le front relativement calme aujourd’hui…

cliquer sur le document pour agrandir

” Hier, l’ennemi a viole dix-huit fois le cessez-le-feu, et nous une
fois “, assure le lieutenant-general Movses Hakobian, ministre de la
defense du Haut-Karabakh. Sur les trois cents kilomètres de la ligne
de front, dès qu’une tete depasse, ils peuvent tirer. Tous les jours,
nous sommes en guerre. ” Debut juin, les echanges de tirs ont fait
huit morts en deux jours. Après le dernier cessez-le-feu, signe a
Moscou le 16 mai 1994, les lignes n’ont plus bouge ; les troupes se
sont enterrees. A l’epoque, les autorites de Bakou avaient accepte
l’arret des combats pour eviter une deroute. Les Armeniens venaient
d’arracher le contrôle de l’ancienne region autonome du Haut-Karabakh
et de vastes territoires adjacents, soit environ 13 %du territoire de
l’ancienne republique sovietique d’Azerbaïdjan. Depuis, soldats et
tireurs d’elite s’epient jour et nuit, parfois a moins de cent mètres
les uns des autres.

Les escarmouches rythment les rencontres internationales. Elles se
sont multipliees ces derniers mois, alors que la Russie avait organise
plusieurs sommets entre les presidents armenien et azerbaïdjanais.

L’alliance entre l’Armenie et la Russie d’un côte, les liens etroits
entre l’Azerbaïdjan turcophone et la Turquie de l’autre font de ce
conflit un foyer de tension internationale majeur.

” Les Armeniens “, explique Philippe Descamps, ” invoquent
l’histoire…ancienne. A sept kilomètres au nord d’Agdam, ils ont
trouve un site majeur de l’epoque helleniste, vite rebpatise
Tigranakert. ” Un renard avait creuse un terrier, raconte le gardien
du site en se rememorant sa decouverte, en 2005. Par ce trou, on
apercevait un mur. Je l’ai montre a Hamlet Petrossian, le directeur de
l’Insttitut d’archeologie. Ils ont creuse, et ils ont trouve ces
vestiges d’une basilique amenienne du VIème siècle. ” Une grande
enceinte du 1er siècle avant notre ère a egalement ete mise au jour.

Elle attesterait qu’il s’agit la d’une cite fondee a l’epoque de
Tigrane II le Grand (95-54 av.J.-C), a l’apogee de l’Armenie antique.

cliquer sur le document pour agrandir

Ne dans la diaspora francaise et installe a Chouchi depuis huit ans,
le jeune Armen Rakedjian pense que l’avenir passe par l’emergence
d’une societe civile, qu’il tente d’organiser a son echelle avec une
association locale d’entraide. Dans l’immediat, il faut selon lui
commencer par instaurer un minimum de confiance en soi et envers les
autres : ” Dans mon quartier, une famille a eu sson fils tue par les
Azeris il y a un an. Tu ne peux pas expliquer a cette famille te a ses
proches que les Azeris sont de bons voisins avec lesquels il faut
faire la paix. ”

Le premier signe de detente ne pourra venir que du front : achever les
echanges de depouilles et de prisonniers, faire reculer les lignes,
mettre en place un mecanisme de contrôle du cessez-le-feu, accepter de
se parler autrement que dans les conferences diplomatiques, conclut
Philippe Descamps.

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traduit par soixante-dix editions etrangères, dans vingt-six langues.

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jeudi 29 novembre 2012,
Jean Eckian ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

BLEAK FUTURE FOR NAGORNO-KARABAKH: RESOLUTION IN STASIS

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Nov 28 2012

ZAUR SHIRIYEV [email protected]

The Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the South Caucasus’
biggest security threat and a continued blockade to future development
of the region, remains unresolved. There has been no tangible progress
in “ending the war”– the 1994 cease-fire agreement might have ended
the intensive military campaign, but the two states are still at
war. The situation is bleak; there is no peace process, no negotiations
and in this regard, the situation is deteriorating. In fact, since
a January meeting in Sochi of the Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian
presidents, the presidents of the conflicting parties have not met;
only their respective foreign ministers have done so. Igor Popov, the
Russian co-chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in
Europe’s (OSCE) Minsk Group, the main facilitator of the peace process,
made it clear a few days ago that such a meeting is not expected in
the coming months.

After their recently concluded visit to the region in November,
the Minsk Group stated that the foreign ministers of the conflicting
sides could meet in Dublin at the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting
on Dec. 6-7. It is worth remembering, however, that this is not an
instruction but merely a statement of hope and many such statements
have been issued before to no avail.

The question is not whether the OSCE Minsk Group is effective but
rather, in what direction the conflict resolution is heading; what
is Moscow’s strategy, what are the fixed features of the situation
and what are the unfixed variables?

First and foremost is the end of the “trilateral meeting” format,
launched by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. The last meeting
of this type was held in January, just before Medvedev handed the
presidency back to Putin. This initiative by Russia stemmed from two
factors: firstly, the need to repair its damaged regional image after
the 2008 August Russo-Georgian war, and secondly, Medvedev’s personal
efforts to find a diplomatic solution.

Russia’s current president, Vladimir Putin, has a different personal
relationship with the leaders of each of the conflicting parties —
less progressive and less friendly than his predecessor. Putin likely
sees the maintenance of the conflict’s status quo as the best option in
the near future; his interest in a peaceful resolution of the conflict
would be as the broker of an agreement that bolsters Moscow’s interests
and reputation. Moreover, beyond the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
Russia is now engaged in a period of “hidden war” with Azerbaijan
and Armenia. In the case of Armenia, Moscow is sending mixed signals
to Yerevan regarding next February’s presidential elections, and
supporting alternatives to the incumbent, President Serzh Sargsyan.

Towards Azerbaijan, the attitude is more complex. Moscow failed to
reach a compromise on the lease of the Gabala radar station, which is
ending next month without a clear prospect of renewal. In relation to
this, the Russian ambassador to Azerbaijan recently paid a visit to
the northern part of Azerbaijan and held meetings with members of the
Lezgin separatist movement, Sadval, although Russia officially denied
such meetings. Several months ago, Moscow hosted an international
conference of Lezgins in a building owned by the Russian presidential
administration. Additionally, there is speculation that Russia is
grooming its own presidential candidate for the 2013 elections in
Azerbaijan from a newly formed “Union of Azerbaijani Organizations
in Russia,” which consists of Azerbaijani billionaires living in
Russia. This could all be rumors, but there are indications that the
Azerbaijani leadership is dissatisfied with Moscow’s behavior. A few
days ago, President Ilham Aliyev made reference to Moscow continuing
to see the post-Soviet space as its colonized zone. For the first
time in years, Azerbaijanis are feeling real concern — the threat
from Russia seems to be drawing closer.

While there have been increased efforts by civil society to build trust
between Armenians and Azerbaijanis at the expert level and among the
younger generation, this is far removed from real political gains.

Richard Giragosian, director of the Regional Studies Center (RSC)
in Yerevan, believes that: “As tension over this unresolved conflict
has steadily increased over the past two years, a virtual war of
words is now only likely to get worse and may further exacerbate the
already fragile ceasefire. With the Armenian presidential election
set for this coming February, the likelihood for any real progress
in diplomacy seems particularly low, while the danger for renewed
hostilities only grows.”

The belief is not simply that during election periods parties are
less eager to negotiate. In the Armenian presidential campaign we
can see an interesting development. Since 1998, Armenian presidents
have been from Karabakh, sometimes referred to as “Karabakh clans,”
dominating Armenian domestic politics with the Karabakh issue. It
would be a real challenge to break this tradition, but one of the
possible presidential candidates, the leader of the Heritage Party,
Raffi Hovannisian, essentially launched his presidential campaign out
of Baku, even if he does not diverge significantly from the policies
of the current leadership.

Thus, in the zero-sum reading of current developments, the key message
is that at least until February 2013 we will see stagnation in conflict
resolution, notwithstanding the importance and unpredictability of
Russia’s position along with the reactions of the US and other Western
countries. One thing is clear: the mediators must maximize their
roles. They must possess knowledge of the creative process and have
the capacity to move from one form of negotiations to another: formal
to informal, one-on-one or side talks. Most of all, the “geography”
of the negotiations needs to change; the negotiations that have come
the closest to success took place out of Russia’s shadow. The way to
end this war is to end the expectation of war and only by changing
the expectations on both sides can this be achieved.

The leadership and the public in both countries must recognize that
no third party can resolve the conflict; it is up to them.

From: A. Papazian

TURKEY AND GERMANY’S PAST ATROCITIES

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Nov 28 2012

Why did it happen in Germany and not somewhere else? A German professor
asked this question and honestly confessed that he could not find an
answer to it.

All last week I attended the conference “Difficult Heritage of the
Past” in Berlin to see how Germany is squaring with its past. During
the program, a historian posed this question: “Why, in spite of the
fact that anti-Semitism was endemic across Europe at the time, did
the Holocaust happen in Germany alone?”

I tried to remind him of the “authoritarian personality” study of
the Frankfurt school and the “Milgram experiment” in the US, both of
which show that most people, when certain conditions are met, tend to
follow orders and tend to do whatever an authority orders them to do,
without questioning it. He was not satisfied with that answer. Nothing,
according to him, explains the evil of the Holocaust.

There may have been certain conditions which paved the way for the
Holocaust. The feeling of humiliation on the part of German society
after the Treaty of Versailles, Hitler’s lure in addressing these
sentiments and calling for “victory” and greatness, German modernity,
the extreme organization of German society and so many other factors
may have contributed to this tragic fraction of Germany’s history.

In fact, in the 19th and 20th centuries, which were, in a way,
centuries of genocides, few nation states were immune from this
disease. The US is built upon constant destruction and annihilation
of its native peoples, and France, Great Britain and the Netherlands
among others all did terrible things in their overseas colonies
and elsewhere.

The German and Turkish cases, however, had something different from
the others. While the US was destroying the lands of native peoples,
and the Europeans were carrying out mass murder overseas, they did all
these terrible things to “others.” In the German and Turkish case, on
the other hand, all these terrible things were done to neighbors with
whom they had lived side-by-side for centuries. I think this is alone
the most distinctive element of the German and Turkish example. The
French army did unimaginable things in Algeria, for example, but I do
not think this poses a threat to French identity, since it was done
to “others” in another country. But when you kill your neighbors,
it creates a black hole, a gap in your national identity.

I do not think the question posed by the German professor over why the
Holocaust happened in Europe is a meaningful question for others to
ask. But this question may be a good one when it is asked by Germans.

It may provoke Germans to look at their past again and again. In this
sense, I am impressed with the sincerity of this professor in asking
a question quite threatening to himself as a German.

I am not only impressed by this professor’s profound questioning
of his own nation but also by the genuine efforts to remember the
victims and commemorate the Holocaust. I have already mentioned in
my last piece the “wall” that was erected by kindergarten students
to commemorate the Jews who once lived in their neighborhood. Street
banners featuring historical events during the Nazi era hang from
electricity poles to remind passersby. I really wish we could see
similar ones in Turkey, about Armenian massacres, pogroms targeting
Jews and Greeks, massacres targeting Alevis and others. When Turkey
starts to remember and commemorate past atrocities, the Topography
of Terror Museum, which is built on a former Nazi headquarters,
the Jewish Museum Berlin and others might be good examples to follow.

I am still thinking back and reflecting on my observations in Berlin
last week. In short, one thing is sure: Turkey has a lot to learn
from Germany in coming to terms with past atrocities.

From: A. Papazian

SARGSYAN POURSUIT SA TOURNEE A BEYROUTH, ET REUNIT LE 8 ET LE 14 MARS LE TEMPS D’UN REPAS

L’Orient-Le Jour
28 nov 2012
Liban

Cooperation Le president armenien Serzh Sargsyan a dejeune hier a Aïn
el-Tine, en presence de hauts responsables libanais, devant lesquels
il a affirme que ” le Liban occupe aux yeux des Armeniens un statut
unique “.

Le president armenien Serzh Sargsyan a ete recu hier a Aïn el-Tine
par le president de la Chambre Nabih Berry, qui lui a reserve un
accueil officiel et a donne un dejeuner en son honneur. M. Berry s’est
d’abord reuni avec M. Sargsyan en presence des ministres des Affaires
etrangères des deux pays et de l’ambassadeur armenien au Liban, avant
d’etre rejoints par le Premier ministre Nagib Mikati. La reunion a
porte sur les relations bilaterales et la situation dans la region.

Etaient presents au dejeuner le chef du bloc du Changement et de la
Reforme, Michel Aoun, ainsi que le vice-Premier ministre Samir Mokbel,
le nonce apostolique au Liban, Mgr Gabriele Caccia, des ministres et
des deputes du 14 et du 8 Mars, le chef de l’armee, le general Jean
Kahwagi, le chef des FSI, Achraf Rifi, et les presidents des partis
armeniens au Liban.

Allocutions de Berry et de Sargsyan

Le president Berry a souligne dans une allocution les relations
amicales historiques entre le Liban et l’Armenie. ” Ces relations ont
ete fondees sur la lutte commune des deux peuples pour l’independance,
contre l’occupation et le mandat, a declare M. Berry. Le Liban a
toujours ete une seconde patrie pour les Armeniens qui, a leur tour,
lui ont temoigne une loyaute inedite. L’Armenie a toujours pris parti
pour la resistance du Liban, face a l’hostilite d’Israël, soutenant
notre pays afin de poursuivre la liberation de son territoire
et d’appliquer les resolutions de l’ONU, a indique M. Berry. Les
aspirations de nos deux pays a etablir les meilleures relations
bilaterales ont ete traduites par les Parlements libanais et armenien
a travers des visites et la signature d’accords en vue de developper
la cooperation parlementaire et l’echange d’expertises. Plus de neuf
accords ont ete signes a ce sujet, relevant du domaine des services
aeriens, de la protection des investissements, de la cooperation
commerciale, scientifique et pedagogique, de la sante et de la double
imposition. Pourtant, ces accords ne sont pas suffisants, et j’invite
les hommes d’affaires libanais et armeniens de par le monde a faire
plus d’investissements dans nos pays “, a-t-il ajoute.

M. Berry a evoque dans son discours la situation regionale. Il a
note que ” la region, berceau des civilisations et des religions
monotheistes, est menacee de divisions, voire de fragmentations
ethniques, confessionnelles et partisanes, puisqu’au quotidien dans
cette region, on finance, on arme et on attise la discorde. La guerre
civile libanaise a prouve qu’aucune partie n’est en mesure d’isoler ou
d’eliminer l’autre, et que la seule solution au Liban reste le dialogue
et le consensus. Nous appelons les Libanais, en presence de ce cher
visiteur, a respecter l’accord de Taëf et a participer au dialogue,
dont l’objectif essentiel serait de confirmer que les armes sont
reservees uniquement a la defense de la patrie. Les Libanais sont
appeles a parvenir au consensus, sans attendre le sort de la Syrie
“, a-t-il conclu.

De son côte, le president armenien a remercie son hôte et le Parlement
libanais pour leur position denoncant le genocide armenien. Il
a affirme que son pays, et dès son independance, a accorde une
grande importance a developper la cooperation avec le monde arabe,
mais que ” le Liban occupe aux yeux des Armeniens un statut unique
“. Concernant la situation dans la region, M. Sargsyan a regrette que ”
le Moyen-Orient et le sud du Caucase fassent encore partie des regions
menacees de conflits profonds “. ” L’Armenie s’inquiète du sort du
Moyen-Orient, a-t-il ajoute. Le monde arabe a entame une transition
compliquee. En Syrie, les conflits armes et les operations terroristes
sont inadmissibles, et beaucoup d’Armeniens syriens vivent une phase
difficile. Je suis sûr que la situation actuelle en Syrie decoule de
l’attitude de certains pays de la region, qui règlent leurs propres
problèmes aux depens du sang du peuple syrien. Nous avons toujours
appele a cesser l’effusion de sang en Syrie et a regler cette crise
de manière pacifique “, a-t-il explique, remerciant par ailleurs le
Liban pour son soutien a l’Armenie dans l’affaire du Haut-Karabakh.

Visite a Haïgazian et a Antelias

D’autre part, le president armenien s’est rendu hier a l’universite
Haïgazian, où il s’est entretenu avec le president de l’institution,
Paul Haydoustian, et avec un groupe d’etudiants de l’AUB, de la LAU et
de l’USJ. M. Sargsyan a evoque l’importance de l’universite Haïgazian,
comme etant ” l’unique universite armenienne en dehors d’Armenie “,
exhortant ses etudiants a contribuer au renforcement des relations
entre le Liban et l’Armenie. Accompagne de son epouse Rita, il a aussi
visite le siège du catholicos des armeniens-orthodoxes, a Antelias. Le
catholicos Aram Ier, les eveques de la communaute, des ministres et
des deputes ainsi que les presidents des partis armeniens etaient
presents a l’accueil. Au terme de l’entretien a huis clos entre le
prelat et le president, le catholicos Aram Ier a indique qu'” il
suivait de près la cause armenienne “, demandant a la Turquie de ”
restituer aux Armeniens leur territoire et de reconnaître le genocide
armenien “. Le president armenien a pour sa part affirme que ” son
pays comptait sur le soutien de la communaute armenienne dans le monde
“, remerciant le catholicos Aram Ier de lui avoir remis les insignes
de l’ordre de la Grande Croix.

,_et_reunit_le_8_et_le_14_Mars_le_temps_d’un_repas.html

From: A. Papazian

ETCHMIADZIN WOMEN’S HOME HELPED FROM BOSTON
by Nancy Kalajian

Published: Wednesday November 28, 2012

Standing from left Julie Ashekian, Tigranouhi “Tiko” Karapetian, Jane
Mahakian, Mark Kashgegian, Peter Babigian. Seated: Martin Aharonyan
and Nune Yesayan.

Related Articles Etchmiadzin women’s center recognized by Armenian
government

WATERTOWN, MASS. – Over 600 guests and supporters of Mer Doon (Our
Home) attended a rousing Benefit Celebration held at St. James Charles
Mosesian Cultural and Youth Center Hall in Watertown on November 10.

The event benefited Mer Doon, a residence in Etchmiadzin, Armenia,
for young women who have outgrown their childhood home in Armenian
orphanages, or who come from seriously disadvantaged lifestyles.

Mark Kashgegian, Co-chairman of the Benefit, witnessed the work of
Mer Doon some years ago while vacationing in Armenia with his family,
and was so touched by the support given to these young women that two
years later, he rounded up about 30 friends in the Boston area to
“generate enthusiasm” for a benefit for Mer Doon to be held in the
future. Peter Babigian quickly got on board as Co-chairman and just
knew he had to join the forces to help Mer Doon.

“There was a butterfly in my heart. When my wife Lori and I, and
our two daughters visited Mer Doon in 2007, we met the residents and
staff. They sang and cooked for us,” shares Mark Kashgegian. “There
are nine orphanages and after they reach 18 years old, the youth
have to leave the orphanage. Prostitution, drug trafficking and other
negative influences are on the street.”

The sold-out Benefit Celebration featured performances by two different
styles of Armenian music: singer Nune Yesayan from Armenia and oudist
Richard Hagopian from Fresno, California, and his Ensemble.

During one set, Nune held many of her admirers spellbound as they
danced solo-style to her strong vocal presence and contemporary flair.

Composer Martin Aharonyan and Alexander (Sasha) Mirzakhanyan, film
maker, accompanied Nune for this benefit performance.

>>From start to finish, the Richard Hagopian Ensemble stirred guests
with their traditional rhythms and prompted line dancing amidst
whirling soloists. One unexpected delight occurred when eight year
old singer Simon Hagopian joined the Ensemble, which included his
grandfather Richard Hagopian and his father Harold Hagopian, bringing
smiles and tears to more than a few guests.

Midway through the celebration, Mer Doon President Dr. Jane Mahakian
of California, facilitated an informative program, introduced the
evening’s Co-chairmen and Mer Doon founders Julie Ashekian and
Tikranouhi “Tiko” Karapetian, and appreciated all the supporting
volunteers, sponsors and donors. A short video presentation on
Mer Doon was displayed on a huge screen that showed the support of
volunteers and staff, and visits made by Mer Doon residents to their
former orphanages.

Plenty of mezza and desserts were available buffet-style; they were
homemade by supporters as well as donated by local Armenian bakeries.

Alex and Ani jewelers had a display with portions of sales going to
Mer Doon.

About seven years ago, Connecticut resident Julie Ashekian spearheaded
the idea of Mer Doon. Having years of experience with establishing
the CASP program through the Diocese of the Armenian Church, she was
familiar with orphanages in Armenia. “The Gavar Orphange, near Lake
Sevan, had over 100 children. We knew that at a certain age, the
young men are required to do military service for two years but we
wondered what happens to the girls,” said Ashekian. “After 13 years,
I was no longer doing CASP, and I worked with Tikranouhi Karapetian
of Armenia, now “mother” of the Mer Doon residence, to establish
Mer Doon. We purchased a place in Etchmiadzin in 2005 and opened its
doors in 2006 with seven girls from the Gavar orphanage.”

“Our residents have to be serious about getting an education,”
continued Ashekian, describing the ongoing learning and close
connections among the residents and caring staff, “Everyone is like
family. There’s a vegetable garden in the back of the building that
involves the girls. They even clean wool and make “vermags” quilts.”

Ashekian discussed steps instrumental in the residents’ growth and
nurturing: taking care of their physical needs, preparing them for
life, job training and building their confidence and self-worth. “Many
of the girls attend a local university. Since the inception, we
have had over 25 young women in our Program. Many of our young women
have graduated from college; some have married and have families,”
shared Ashekian.

People came from all over New England, Pennsylvania and even California
to support the Benefit. “It was a wonderful affair, a wonderful cause –
that’s what made it so special,” Betty Bagdasarian exclaimed at the
close of a meaningful evening, as she joined some friends to drive
back home to Connecticut. Even Yerevan-based performer Nune Yesayan,
a faithful supporter, donated her time and talents; she has visited
Mer Doon on several occasions and said, “I’m there for them.”

The Benefit Celebration Co-chairmen report that their event was such
a “tremendous financial success” that the Committee has decided
to make it an annual event and is already planning on next year’s
entertainment.

“Do you know how important it is for us to support and perpetuate this
program at Mer Doon, and to get all these all-star musicians here
to keep our culture and traditions alive,” Babigian remarked. “This
fundraiser will help expand and take on new horizons,” explained
Ashekian who plans for an additional home and staff in the future,
and a job training partnership program which will afford the residents
an on-the job internship and opportunities for future employment, just
like butterflies spreading their wings. Visit
for additional information.

From: A. Papazian

ARARAT BRANDIES OF YEREVAN BRANDY COMPANY AWARDED HIGH PRIZES AT INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL WINE AND SPIRIT COMPETITION IN MOSCOW

ARMINFO
Wednesday, November 28, 20:45

At XVI International Professional Wine and Spirit Competition in
Moscow, the 10-year-old Akhtamar brandy of the Yerevan Brandy Company
“ArArAt” (YBC) was awarded a gold medal, and the 20-year-old Nairi
brandy won the Grand Prix, the YBC press service reports.

The competition was patronized by the International Organization of
Vine and Wine and involved as many as 117 alcoholic beverages from
20 countries, including Portugal, Spain, Hungary, Russia, the United
States, Ukraine, France and Chile.

Nairi Brandy (20 years) has been produced since 1967 and has won 31
gold and 1 silver medals, Akhtamar Brandy (10 years) since 1967 and
has 8 gold, 4 silver and 1 bronze medals.

Yerevan Brandy Company is part of Pernod Ricard Group and is the
biggest producer and exporter of Armenian brandy.

From: A. Papazian

FOOD PRICE INDEX GROWS BY 3.3% IN ARMENIA IN OCTOBER

YEREVAN, November 28. /ARKA/. Food price index grew by 3.3% in Armenia
in October 2012 against October last year. Alcohol price index rose
by 4.7% in October 2012 as compared with the index recorded in October
2011, Armenia’s National Statistical Service reported.

Price index for medical services went 8.9% up in the first 10 months
of 2012, compared to the same period of the year before; the increase
in October 2012 against October 2011 was 8.6%.

Intra-urban public transport price index grew by 2.4% in
January-October compared with the same period of 2011.

A 2.4% increase was recorded in prices for education in January-October
against the same period of 2011; prices for education rose by 5.4%
in October against October last year.

Public service prices went 0.5% up in January-October against the
same period of the year before.

According to the National Statistical Service, spending on food per
person in overall monthly expenses of households was 52.7% in 2011,
0.9 percentage points higher than in 2010. Rural household spending
on food is 60.6%, whereas urban population spends only 49.3% on food.

The percentage of consumer expenditures for food shows the life
standard of a household. The higher is the percentage, the poorer is
considered the household or the population.

In 2011, per capita spending on healthcare was 2.1% of household
monthly expenditures (3.9p.p. less than in 2010); spending was 0.5%
on education and 10.9% on public services (0.4 p.p. increase against
2010)’ spending on transport was 3.1%.

Spending on culture was zero in 2011. -0–

From: A. Papazian

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN VISITED THE ARMENIAN SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL COMPLEX IN ZMMARA

17:53 28.11.2012

On the second day of his official visit to Lebanon, on November 27,
Serzh Sargsyan met with the President of Armenian Evangelistic Churches
in the Middle East, Rev Mkrtich Karagyozian, visited the Armenian
spiritual and cultural complex in Zmmara and met with the Armenian
Catholic Patriarch, His Eminence Ter Nerses Petros XIX. In Zmmara,
President Sargsyan participated in the official opening ceremony of
the cultural center and renovated section of the library (matenadaran)
dedicated to the 500th anniversary of publishing the Urbatagirq – the
first Armenian printed book and visited the exhibition of manuscripts
and ancient books.

“Throughout its millennia-long history, the Armenian nation had
pages full of glorious victories, enlightenment, cultural rebirth,
and struggle for physical existence. There can be no doubt that
the struggle for existence is a heroic mission. However, one is
overwhelmed with pride when one realizes that Armenians have been
able to create bounty and values everywhere they went. Etchmiadzin or
Saint Lazarus Island in Venice, Jerusalem or Vienna, or here in this
charming corner of Lebanon, Armenians have always manifested their
undying resilience,” President Sargsyan said at the opening of the
cultural center in Zmmara.

According to the President of Armenia, the collection of the Armenian
manuscripts in Zmmara speaks volumes about our past, our history and
our ancient cultural heritage. “The Zmmara congregation, Matenadaran
and the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs have come up with a commendable
initiative to study these manuscripts, to clean the dust of ages,
to bring out the fruits of our nation’s thought and spread light on
the pages of our past. We will continue to support this initiative on
the state level so that this enormous material is examined, and comes
to serve not only the Armenian people but also the entire mankind,”
President Sargsyan said.

From: A. Papazian