Author: Andres-Papazian

SECOND INSTALLMENT OF ARMENIAN LANGUAGE COURSE BEGINS IN DIYARBAKIR
by Gulisor Akkum

November 7, 2012

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (A.W.)–The second installment of an Armenian
language course offered in Diyarbakir/Dikranagerd was launched on Nov.

6. Nearly 30 students who received certificates for completing the
first course enrolled in the second one to improve their language
skills. Fifteen new students have also signed up.

Students from the Armenian language class in Diyarbakir The course
is taught by Kevork Fikri CalıÅ~_, who told the Armenian Weekly that
while last year the course focused on grammar and sentence structure,
this year, the emphasis will be on conversational Armenian.

The first installment was offered from March 1 to May 1, 2011.

The courses are possible through the joint efforts of the Diyarbakir
Sur Municipality, Kurdi-Der, and the Armenian Foundation. They are
being held at Kurdi-Der’s building.

From: A. Papazian

LAWYER FROM MARSEILLES TO APPLY TO EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS TO RECOGNIZE THE BILL ON CRIMINALIZATION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DENIAL

ARMINFO
Wednesday, November 7, 17:45

Philip Grigorian, a lawyer from Marseilles, has applied to France’s
Council of State to annul the French Constitutional Council’s decision
saying that the bill on criminalization of the Armenian Genocide
denial is anti-constitutional.

Nouvelle d’ Armenie says that Grigorian’s claim will be discussed at
the Council of State on November 7. Grigorian is also going to apply
to the European Court of Human Rights.

From: A. Papazian

WHO WILL GIVE ASSIGNMENTS TO “GORIK HAKOBYAN” TOMORROW?
Hakob Badalyan

Comments – Wednesday, 07 November 2012, 16:57

The idea on the parliamentary government system, which the PAP updated
in the home political and “internal-governmental” agenda, can actually
become the occupation of the political class of Armenia after the
presidential elections. Otherwise, what would they do for the next
4-5 years? In this sense, everyone should be grateful to the PAP for
raising this issue from its “influential” and “decisive” position.

Serzh Sargsyan should also be grateful. Sure, he would anyway have
things to do, such as systemic, fundamental foreign and local issues,
but, mildly speaking, I’m doubtful he would show the necessary will
to fight as much as necessary. In this sense, the issue on the
parliamentary government may be a proposal for Serzh Sargsyan to
entertain the society too.

In addition, the proposal is a remedy for headache, which the
authorities are having in the form of elections. Making the office
of the president “technical”, in other words someone, who does not
decide anything, Serzh Sargsyan can get rid of several headaches:
2018 presidential elections, preparation of a successor, as well
as unnecessary costs, especially under the current economic crisis
conditions. The parliament is a wide field which makes it easier
to agree with political opponents, satisfy their appetite and enjoy
absolute majority.

But the “medal” proposed by the PAP has the other side too where
there are dangers and risks for Serzh Sargsyan.

The point is that parliamentary government is actually exercised in
Armenia. In institutional terms, the government is presidential,
but the government institutes in Armenia don’t act within the
Constitution and laws, but in accord with the essence of the power,
where the president is not the head of the power, but the controller
of agreements. In other words, the president makes a decision and is
responsible for it to the “group” not to the Constitution, and he
grounds the decision stems from the economic and personal security
of the members of the group. Otherwise, in case someone’s interest is
ignored or broken, the oligarchy can see it as a dangerous precedent
which is possible to touch any of them, hence, it would wish to change
the “arbitrator”.

Serzh Sargsyan, during his tenure, is standing in front of a difficult
situation. The world around Armenia is dynamically changing, the
dynamics of “demands” toward Armenia is changing too which arouses
the necessity in Armenia to change the essence of interests of the
de jure power causing a clash between the de jure power and the de
factor governmental system.

In these conditions, Serzh Sargsyan faced the necessity to implement
the presidential government as the “arbitrator”. The 2012 parliamentary
elections showed that the power in Armenia belongs to Lfik Samo
and Nemets Rubo, as well as, despite Serzh Sargsyan’s statements,
to the criminal oligarchy reproduced in the form of the Republican
and Prosperous Armenia groups.

The proposal of the Prosperous Armenia is aimed at the de jure
definition of the existing de facto situation. In other words, if
today the force structures and foreign relations are regulated by the
“special assignments” of the president, in case of the parliamentary
government, they will pass to the parliament, where Serzh Sargsyan
can’t decide alone, but will be one of the decision-makers.

In other words, if today he gives “special assignments” to Gorik
Hakobyan and can force something to the oligarchy, tomorrow, Nemets
Rubo, Lfik Samo, Toxmax Mher and other nicknamed MPs and officials,
will have the same right of giving “assignments” not on behalf of
Serzh Sargsyan but against him.

What Serzh Sargsyan will have to do in this case? Either to reconcile
with this situation of being “one of them” or even the risk of becoming
the “last one”, or to implement the presidential government and change
the quality and essence of the government of Armenia. The parliamentary
government system is to make the existing quality eternal, for which,
the system will need to thank the Prosperous Armenia and not Serzh
Sargsyan.

From: A. Papazian

ANCA ANNOUNCES THE NAMES OF ITS ENDORSES TO CONGRESS

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS: The most names of the candidates
enjoying support by ANCA and Armenian community are already known.

As ANCA informed Armenpress, Armenian American Congresswoman Jackie
Speier had recorded decisive 78% victory and will reportedly continue
her future activities. Bay Area ANCA Board Member Arshak Ben Kerelian
attended her victory party celebrated this evening . Activist Arshak
Kerelian congratulates Rep. Jackie Kanchelian Speier on her
re-election.

Armenian Americans across the U.S. are at election victory parties in
support of candidates who supported Armenian American concerns. One of
the celebrations was organized in honor to Maryland Congressman Chris
Van Hollen. Armenian Adrin Nazarian won 46th Assembly Race in
California.

ANCA-endorsed other candidates Bob Menendez, Robert Dold , Debbie
Stabenow and U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor have recorded
victory. The names of the rest candidates endorsed by ANCA will be
announced later by the Committee.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA’S DEPUTY PM MEETS WITH IRAQ’S ARMENIAN COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES

news.am
November 07, 2012 | 11:30

YEREVAN. – The delegation, which is led by Armenia’s Deputy
PM, Territorial Administration Minister, and Armenian-Iraqi
Intergovernmental Committee Co-Chair Armen Gevorgyan, commenced its
visit to Iraq on Tuesday evening by meeting with representatives from
the country’s Armenian community.

Prior to the meeting, however, the delegation members placed flowers
to the Armenian Genocide memorial cross-stone located at the courtyard
of the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Diocesan Headquarters
Church of Baghdad, Territorial Administration Ministry Public Relations
Department informs.

The ensuing meeting was held at the church. Archbishop Avag Asatourian,
the Primate of the Diocese of Iraq of the Armenian Apostolic Church,
welcomed Armenia’s official delegation and noted that this is the
first such delegation from the Motherland that is visiting Iraq and
added that such visits inspire the Iraqi-Armenian community.

In his turn, Armenia’s Deputy PM stressed that the Armenian community
of Iraq is one of those Armenian communities that has gone through
many tribulations. “I hope the Armenian community will quickly find
its strength again and contribute to the development of relations
between the two countries,” he said.

Armen Gevorgyan appreciated the Iraqi-Armenian community’s role played
in the preservation of national, spiritual and cultural values, and
assured that Armenia will always be alongside the Diaspora Armenians.

He added that Armenia’s Diaspora Ministry is carrying out a serious
work in that regard.

The interlocutors discussed the Iraqi-Armenian community life, Iraq’s
domestic situation, and issues of concern to the community.

On the evening of the same day, the Armenian delegation led by the
Deputy PM attended an official reception hosted by Iraq’s Deputy PM
Rowsch Nuri Shaways. Both deputy premiers discussed the agenda of the
inaugural session of the Armenian-Iraqi Intergovernmental Committee
and the avenues for deepening bilateral ties.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN-TURKISH FOOTBALL DIPLOMACY HINDERS GENOCIDE RECOGNITION – ANALYST

news.am
November 07, 2012 | 14:47

YEREVAN. – The Armenian Genocide’s recognition by the United States
is linked with Armenia’s international sway, political scientist
Yervand Bozoyan stated during a press conference on Wednesday.

He noted that if Armenia’s sway becomes weak, they could even avoid
using the Armenian word “yeghern” to describe the Genocide. “That
is why there is [only] a slight hope that the US will recognize the
Genocide and apply large-scale pressure on Turkey. The Armenian-Turkish
football diplomacy damaged the Genocide’s recognition by US. When
that policy did not exist, there were no relations between Armenia
and Turkey and the latter had no grounds as to why the US should not
recognize the Genocide,” Bozoyan stated.

He added that as long as the football diplomacy exists and the
protocols are at the parliaments of Armenia and Turkey, the latter
will formally ask the international community not to get in the way of
normalizing relations with Armenia, and therefore it will announce
that the international community will hinder these relations by
recognizing the Genocide.

“All of us comprehend that this is a deceit, and we ourselves
have created it and put ourselves into a trap. So, Obama and the
leaders of other countries note that it is better not to obstruct
the normalization of ties between both countries,” the analyst said,
and added: “For the first time in the past twenty years of the US
presidential elections, the candidates did not reflect on the Armenian
Genocide issue and made no pledges in their election programs.”

From: A. Papazian

WHO WILL BE PRIME MINISTER IN 2017?
Naira Hayrumyan

Comments – Wednesday, 07 November 2012, 12:01

Naira Zohrabyan made a symbolic statement which may define the
course of not only the presidential elections in Armenia, but the
political future of the country. All the parties had been waiting
for this course, and the silence of the PAP and Levon Ter-Petrosyan,
Serzh Sargsyan’s refusal to war with Gagik Tsarukyan was connected
with this. Raffi Hovannisian’s false start and Dashnaktsutyun’s hints
were all related to this.

This decision was being planned and agreed with all the political
forces. Note that the PAP proposes amendments to the Constitution to
replace the presidential state with a parliamentary state and elect
the president in 2013 for a term of 4 years.

Such decision may favor everyone all, first of all Serzh Sargsyan
only in case he will be chosen as the “support president”. Hence,
Sargsyan will solve his personal issue – he will be re-elected to
the second term and remain in the history of the nation as the last
and democratic president of Armenia.

Moreover, this plan has already been tested in Georgia, and
Saakashvili has served two terms quite successfully, fulfilled the
task of retrieving Georgia from the influence of Russia, established a
liberal economy and democratic governance and even ensured a democratic
change of government.

Apparently, this project will be launched in Armenia as well. In the
next four years Serzh Sargsyan will definitely review his relations
with Russia, Armenia will sign an association agreement with the
European Union, NATO will increase military capacity, the financial
oligarchy of Armenia, being a member of the world banking system,
will replace the criminal oligarchy, and in 2017 Serzh Sargsyan will
announce parliamentary elections and will ensure a “democratic change
of government”.

No reactions followed the PAP statement but it is so much winning
that it can hardly be opposed to. The Armenian National Congress,
ARFD, Heritage cannot oppose it. These parties could not unite with
the PAP because of the lack of common ideological ground as it has
been stated. Now, the PAP has proposed a good ground.

Apparently, Raffi Hovannisian knew about this course of events so he
hurried to announce his nomination for the support president. That
is why he said that he will run for president for the last time. Now,
both Ter-Petrosyan and Vartan Oskanian have a reason not to run though
only if Serzh Sargsyan accepts the proposal of the PAP and agrees to
become the support president.

Afterwards, the election campaign for parliamentary seats and the
position of prime minister in 2017 will start. So, let’s wait for a
rich Armenian from France or the United States.

From: A. Papazian

RPA’S SAMVEL NIKOYAN “BOYCOTTS” PARLIAMENT MEETINGS – PAPER

PanARMENIAN.Net – According to Zhoghovurd daily, member of the ruling
Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Samvel Nikoyan takes highly passive
participation in the work of the parliament, always leaving right
after registration or a vote.

Rumors go that Nikoyan, who used to occupy the parliament speaker’s
post for 6 months, deems a common MP position to be beneath his
dignity, the paper said.

“There’s some truth in the report of me taking part in voting only;
however, I follow the work of parliament from my office,” Nikoyan
told Zhoghovurd.

The MP further pledged to more actively participate in parliamentary
debates.

From: A. Papazian

RPA VICE CHAIRMAN: OBAMA’S RE-ELECTION WILL BRING NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO ARMENIAN-AMERICAN RELATIONS

arminfo
Wednesday, November 7, 12:52

The diplomatic relations of Armenia and the United States have
always been at a high level and no significant changes should be
expected after re-election of the incumbent president of the USA,
Galust Sahakyan, Vice Chairman of the Republican Party faction,
RPA Vice Chairman, told ArmInfo.

“The relations will be further enhanced,” the Republican said.

At the same time, he cherishes no illusions regarding recognition of
the Armenian Genocide by the USA. Galust Sahakyan said that the U.S.

president’s stance on the Armenian Genocide will not change within the
nearest future, though many States of America have already recognized
the Armenian Genocide.

From: A. Papazian

ELECTION DAY BREAKFAST AT US EMBASSY IN ARMENIA

armradio.am
12:45 07.11.2012

Election Day On the morning of November 7, a diverse audience of
students, civil society representatives, educators, government
officials, and members of the press joined Ambassador Heffern and U.S.
Embassy staff for an Election Day Breakfast event at the U.S. Embassy.

Attendees watched on as live election results from the U.S. were shown
on a large screen and posed for photos next to life-sized cut-outs
of President Obama and Governor Romney.

The event also featured informational booths on the Democratic and
Republic Parties, the Electoral College, and the democratic transition
of power.

A mock voting booth was set up to allow the audience to cast their
votes for their favorite candidate.

From: A. Papazian