Author: Andres-Papazian

Armenians in Aleppo are in extremely dire straits

arminfo
Friday, October 5, 18:40

The situation in Aleppo, Syria, is heating up with every passing day,
and the Syrian Armenians are in extremely dire straits, especially,
after yesterday’s explosions, Ani Zeytuntsyan, Head of the
Organization for the Support of Armenian Community of Syria, told
journalists in Yerevan on Friday.

She said that the explosions kill Armenians, Syrians and Arabs. “Only
few of the Syrian Armenians have found shelter in Armenia; most of the
Syrian Armenians are still in the combat zone in Aleppo. These people
are in a poor material condition and are unable to buy such expensive
air tickets to Yerevan. Moreover, the flights are made only once a
week, and this is not enough to serve such a big number of people”,
she said.

Zeytuntsyan also pointed out that Syrian Armenians, like the residents
of the whole city, suffer shortage of water and lack of electricity.
She thanked that Government of Armenia and the Ministry of Diaspora
for the humanitarian aid.

To note, two Armenians died as a result of the Aleppo shelling. By
yesterday’s data, the total number of Armenians who have became
victims of acts of terrorism and military actions in Aleppo is 32.

From: A. Papazian

Armenian FM receives Swiss MPs

news.am
October 05, 2012 | 18:23

YEREVAN. – Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian received on
Friday Swiss MPs and co-chairs of the Switzerland-Armenia
Parliamentary Group Ueli Leuenberger and Dominique de Buman.

During the meeting Minister Nalbandian pointed out development of
diplomatic relations established between Armenia and Switzerland 20
years ago, contacts within different international agencies, the MFA
informs Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Nalbandian welcomed the Swiss MPs’ visit to Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh]
noting that such trips provide an opportunity to get familiarized with
the Karabakh issue.

The Swiss MPs assured they will continue their efforts into
strengthening and deepening of Armenia-Switzerland cooperation.

The sides also touched upon number of international and regional issues

From: A. Papazian

Event dedicated to 80th anniversary of Jean Almukhian

Friday,
October 05 Politics / WorldSociety / CultureEconomyLawSport / Entertainment

Tomorrow, on October 6 at 19:00 in Aram Khachatryan concert hall an
event dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the founder of `Araks’
Choir Jean Almukhian and to 55 years of his musical activities will be
held, the Armenian Diaspora reports.

According to the source at the event the compositions of Jean
Almukhian are going to be presented by the performance of the Armenian
State Academic Choir. Conductors will be Jean Jean Almukhian and
Hovhannes Cheqijyan.

TODAY, 19:18

Aysor.am

From: A. Papazian

Presentation of the Book `Good Examples with Little Shortcomings’ by
the Deputy of Bundestag Wolfgang Börnsen in the National Assembly

05.10.2012

On October 5 the presentation of the book `Good Examples with Little
Shortcomings’ authored by Wolfgang Börnsen, Deputy of the Bundestag of
the Federal Republic of Germany, Chairman of the Germany-South
Caucasus Parliamentary Group was held in the National Assembly. The
`Konrad Adenauer’ Foundation, Armenian Branch translated the book
telling about the parliamentary every day life, the deputies’ work.
The publication is designed as a contribution to supporting the MPs,
as well as is aimed at informing the society about the legislator’s
work. However, it is presented to the reader in attractive and
available style.

The NA President Hovik Abrahamyan addressed those invited to the
presentation of the book `Good Examples with Little Shortcomings:’

`Distinguished Mr Börnsen,

Honorable Mr Ambassador,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am glad to welcome you in the National Assembly of the Republic of
Armenia. Today we are present in a beautiful ceremony, which is
dedicated to the presentation of the book of my colleague, a long-year
and experienced deputy of the German Bundestag, Head of Germany-South
Caucasus Friendship Group Wolfgang Börnsen.

In fact, this is a work, which refers to the representative of the
elected power by the people, written by an official, but with its
style it is free of being official. The book describes in popular
style and sometimes also in humor the parliamentary everyday life, a
day which is characteristic to almost all countries with its
similarities and differences. People create that everyday life, in the
given case, deputies, who resemble with their duties and rights, and
are different serving them to the interests of state and voter, and
comparing them with regards to personal perceptions. It is
understandable that the aspiration of comparing all this at utmost
requires from the deputy manifestation of being a person of principle
and exclusion of subjectivism.

The deputy’s activity supposes everyday hard work, during which
different situations are created not only of legislative nature, but
also of emotional nature, sometimes even of humouristic nature, which
are not always noticeable for the society.

Bright example is Mr Börnsen’s described deputy, who does not avoid
his responsibility to carry out his obligations towards the voter and
ignoring the personal problems. It is characteristic not only to
Bundestag, but also theoretically to all parliaments. It is desirable
to be in that way also in practice.

I highly appreciate this imitative of translating and presenting to
the Armenian society Mr Börnsen’s work by the `Konrad Adenauer’
Foundation.

I congratulate all of you on the occasion of the publication and
presentation of this useful and valuable work. I am sure that this
book presenting the parliamentary work will cause big interest not
only among the representatives of the legislative power, but also
among the public in general.

Thanks for your attention.’

The author, Wolfgang Börnsen, who has been a deputy of Bundestag when
he was twenty-five, presenting the book, especially highly appreciated
it from the view of strengthening and deepening the Armenian-German
inter-parliamentary relations, expressing hope that the work will
interest both the members of the National Assembly and the public. He
thanked the NA President Hovik Abrahamyan for support and warm
hospitality. `I think this book should also serve the idea that the
parliamentary democracy is one of the cornerstones of peace,’ Wolfgang
Börnsen noted.

From: A. Papazian

Safarov’s extradition is one of the most disgraceful decisions of our times

12:04 pm | Today | Politics

Naira Zohrabyan, a member of the Armenian delegation o the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) addressed PACE
delegates during the discussion of Azeri axe-killer Ramil Safarov’s
extradition.

“What happened on August 31 can be viewed as one of the most
disgraceful developments of our times. Hungary, a member of the
European Union, extradited life-termer Ramil Safarov who had killed
with an axe Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan during a Budapest hosted
NATO training exercise.on arriving in Baku, the Azerbaijani murderer
was granted pardon as anti-Armenian xenophobia and Armenocide are
views as the highest national heroism in Azerbaijan.

The disgraceful deal between Hungary and Azerbaijan was concluded
before the civilized world. Moreover, delegates of this structure
[PACE] were among the people who went to the airport to welcome and
glorify Azerbaijan’s `hero’ who had brutally axed the sleeping
Armenian officer. Safarov’s extradition heralds the fiasco of
all-European values and justice. In the result, criminal Safarov did
not only become the indicator of impartiality of European justice, but
also the biggest stigma of the entire Europe that adheres to universal
human values.

Deal colleagues,
Recently we have witnessed Azerbaijan buying European officials and
delegates with its caviar and petrodollars. Some of them are sitting
here, in this hall, beside us, and are not at least ashamed of the
libel given to them – “Azerbaijani caviar lovers.”

If Europe, European organizations and PACE do not take definite
measures against Azerbaijan besides making statements they will
seriously question European justice and European values. I think that
everyone already realizes that that Nagorno-Karabakh can never be a
part of a country where a murder on ethnic grounds is considered to be
the greatest heroism.

Perhaps, Azerbaijan can afford to buy Olympic gold medals, pay an
unprecedented ransom for a coward monster that was capable to kill a
sleeping, but one thing I can tell you beyond doubt is that a country
giving birth to Safarovs and glorifying people like Safarovs should be
condemned by the civilized world.

I would like to finish my speech with the words of Azerbaijani
publicist Yusif Sufin, “With this step, Azerbaijan boosted its image
of a country that glorifies assassins.”

So, it is just necessary to ask ourselves whether a country that
glorifies murderers has its place in our family,” said Naira
Zohrabyan.

From: A. Papazian

EXPLOSION OCCURS ON BAKU-TBILISI-ERZURUM GAS PIPELINE

tert.am
04.10.12

An explosion occurred on Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline in Turkey,
Hurriyet reports.

The causes of the explosion are not clear yet. Employees of Turkish
Botas are working on the site. They have informed that the restoration
works will last for 3-7 days.

Last time an explosion there occurred on May 29, 2012.

From: A. Papazian

MAN STABBED TO DEATH IN ARTSAKH REGION

news.am
October 04, 2012 | 18:24

QASHATAGH. – A dispute occurred between VAZ driver and Khor Virap
resident of Armenia’s Ararat region Harutyun Hovakimyan and track
drivers Ashot Baghdasaryan and Edgar Poghosyan over not yielding
the way on the road at 4.00 p.m. in Qashatagh district in Artsakh
[Nagorno-Karabakh] on Thursday.

During the dispute Hovakimyan stabbed the other two drivers, as
a result of which Baghdasaryan died on the way to hospital, while
Poghosyan is hospitalized, police press service reports.

Hovakiyan afterwards fled the site of the accident. However, he was
detained in Armenia’s Goris police department. Circumstances are
being clarified.

From: A. Papazian

GERMANY PUBLISHES BOOK ON GENOCIDES

news.am
October 04, 2012 | 16:18

YEREVAN. – Presentation of The Genocide of the Ottoman Greeks book
will be held in Berlin on Friday.

The book, which is in English and written by Tessa Hofmann, Matthias
Bjornlund and Vasileios Meichanetsidis, tells about not only the
Greek pogroms but also other pogroms of Christian minorities in the
Ottoman Turkey. Hofmann also touched upon the facts of the Armenian
Genocide comparing Armenian and Greek genocides.

She also told Armenian News-NEWS.am that the book should be published
in Greek and Turkish as well. An example is already sent to the
Turkish famous Belge publishing house owner and human right defender
Ragip Zarakolu. The latter should find out what possibilities there
are in Turkey to translate and publish it.

The first presentation of the book was held on Sept. 13 in Athens.

From: A. Papazian

WORLD COMMUNITY SHOULD ASSESS DEGENERATE AZERBAIJANI SOCIETY

news.am
October 04, 2012 | 22:01

STRASBOURG. – The world community should assess Azerbaijan and its
degenerate society, Armenian delegation member to Parliamentary
Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE) Naira Zohrabyan said during
hearings on the case of Azerbaijani killer Ramil Safarov, who had
murdered an Armenian officer with an axe in his sleep in Bucharest,
and later was extradited to Baku, granted a pardon and made a hero,
Armenian News-NEWS.am reports.

“We should asked to ourselves whether a country where Safarov is a hero
should be PACE member,” Zohrabyan said adding after the Azeri killer
Safarov’s case everybody realized that Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh]
cannot be a part of Azerbaijan, where a cruel murder [of Armenian]
on ethnic grounds is heroism.

Head of the French delegation to PACE Rene Rouquet stressed that
Azerbaijan’s actions on pardoning a killer is ‘disrespectful for human
life.’ Bulgarian MP Latchezar Toshev emphasized that justification
of a killer [Safarov] by Azerbaijan is inadmissible and by this
Azerbaijan broke all hopes that reconciliation of the sides [regarding
the Karabakh settlement] is possible.

From: A. Papazian

MEDICAL LUMINARY ADDRESSES MAJOR PUBLIC HEALTH CHALLENGE IN ARMENIA

Published: Thursday October 04, 2012

Dr. Aram Chobanian lectures at AUA.

The American University of Armenia (AUA) College of Health Sciences, in
collaboration with the National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia,
organized a Public Health Seminar with Dr. Aram V. Chobanian, a world
famous cardiologist and President Emeritus of Boston University as well
as a Dean Emeritus and Provost of Boston University School of Medicine.

On September 27, Dr. Chobanian talked about the major public health
challenge of cardiovascular diseases, particularly hypertension,
in Armenia. He emphasized the importance of appropriate control
of hypertension through healthy lifestyle and medical therapy to
prevent cardiovascular complications. Dr. Chopanian also shared with
the audience the international evidence behind the recommendations
of the Seventh Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection,
Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure of the National Heart,
Lung and Blood Institute in the US, which he chaired.

The large audience of public health and medical professionals,
including students, faculty, researchers and physicians and members
of the AUA community, asked questions and received advice from Dr.

Chobanian during an active question/answer session following his
presentation. The reception in the AUA Akian Gallery provided the
opportunity for informal interactions between Dr. Chobanian and
attendees of the public health seminar.

Dr. Aram V. Chobanian founded the Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute
at the Boston University School of Medicine in 1974, and oversaw its
rapid development into a center for pioneering research into the
biological and clinical aspects of cardiovascular disease. Boston
University recently awarded him with an honorary degree, a Doctor
of Humane Letters honoris causa. Dr. Chobanian has received numerous
awards for his basic and clinical research on cardiovascular diseases.

These include the First Lifetime Achievement Award in Hypertension
of the American Heart Association, the Modern Medicine Award,
the Award of Merit of the American Heart Association, the Abbott
Award of the American Society of Hypertension and the Freis Award
of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program. He recently
chaired the Seventh Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection,
Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure of the National Heart,
Lung and Blood Institute. He has published more than 275 papers and
two books, and served on several editorial boards, and had chaired
the Publications Committee of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Dr. Chobanian was elected as a Foreign Member of the Armenian National
Academy of Science and recently received the St. Mesrob-Mashtots Medal
from Catholicos Aram I. Dr. Chobanian has been involved in several
programs to improve health care in Armenia, including training of
physicians, nurses, and other health professionals in emergency
medicine, trauma care, and health care management; development of
medical residency and post-graduate educational programs in Armenia and
the establishment of a successful medical student elective program for
US medical students to spend one to two months in Armenian hospitals
and clinics. He has also been instrumental in the provision of
much-needed medical equipment, supplies, and medications for Armenia.

Dr. Chobanian was in Armenia at the invitation of the Fund for Armenian
Relief (FAR).

The American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent
university located in Yerevan, Armenia. Founded in 1991, AUA is
affiliated with the University of California. Through teaching,
research, and public service, AUA serves Armenia and the region
by supplying high-quality, graduate and undergraduate education,
encouraging civic engagement, and promoting democratic values.

The American University of Armenia is accredited by the Accrediting
Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western
Association of Schools and Colleges, 985 Atlantic Avenue, #100,
Alameda, CA 94501, 510-748-9001.

From: A. Papazian