Author: Andres-Papazian

ARMENIE-YEZIDIS
Les Yézidis d’Arménie veulent que leurs filles se marient à 16 ans et
leurs garçons à 17

Koko Asoyan, vice-président de l’association des Yézidis d’Arménie et
les membres de la communauté yézidie proteste contre une mesure votée
par le gouvernement le 13 juillet, fixant à 18 ans l’ge minimum de
mariage pour les filles et les garçons de la République d’Arménie.
Dans une note adressée au gouvernement, les Yézidis exigent que l’ge
légal de mariage pour les filles soit ramené à 16 ans et les garçons à
17 ans. En harmonie avec la tradition des kurdes yézidis qui se
marient très jeunes. Les yézidis désirent « une résolution juste de la
question » dit Koko Asoyan. Les Yézidis (ou Kurdes yézidis) sont la
première minorité d’Arménie avec une communauté évaluée à près de 50
000 membres.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 11 août 2012,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

Soundblab
Aug 10 2012

Cosmo Jarvis

Think Bigger
25the Frame Productions

Released: Monday 23 July 2012

Cosmo Jarvis isn’t someone necessarily familiar to the masses. His
music is pretty diverse and his songs range from acoustic melancholy
to angry folk to indie goodness. He’s also a filmmaker who was born to
an Armenian-American mother and English father and ‘Think Bigger’ is
his third album in as many years, he’s only 22. In the 11 tracks that
come with Jarvis’s latest effort there’s a real variety of styles and
it’s actually quite a fascinating listen.

The album is brimming with catchy choruses, great acoustic melodies
and charming lyrics, and there doesn’t seem to be the predictable
angry response from Jarvis of his rejection from the mainstream which
would be expected. There are no songs about being ostracised or being
apart from the norm, which is refreshing as the majority of the songs
on ‘Think Bigger’ are cheerful and captivating.

‘Love This’ and ‘Train Downtown’ are both catchy numbers with real
resonance which make the album seamlessly flow and both have great
lyrics to match. ‘Love This’ has Jarvis pronouncing: “Dying keeps me
conscious of the way I waste my breath” which, for a first track sets
the tone for the album, giving it a fun and invigorating pace but at
the same time providing serious undertones for the listener to deal
with.

‘Sunshine’ is an example of Jarvis delving into folk and this track
wouldn’t be out of place on an album by The Decemberists. It’s got a
bubbly and boisterous quality to it and as the song goes on Jarvis’s
shows off the anger in his vocals which shows he has more to him than
your average frothy songwriter. ‘Good Citizen’ is a great old-school
sounding blues rock song which again shows how diverse Jarvis can be.

However there are some tracks which just don’t cut it with the rest of
the material, ‘Hopeless Bay’ is one which has almost cringe worthy
lyrics and makes you wonder what possessed him to put it on the
record. The lyrics seem to deal with suicide but the song has an
alienating and perculiar guitar melody and score in the background
which just undermine any serious themes that might have been apparent.
It’s frustrating because on the majority of the songs on the album,
Jarvis has shown how much of a good songwriter he is.

‘Think Bigger’ is an inventive and radiant record which restores a lot
of hope in terms of British songwriters because if Cosmo Jarvis
manages to break into the mainstream, there won’t be any stopping him.

From: A. Papazian

PUTIN, SARGSIAN DISCUSS CUSTOMS UNION-ARMENIA COOPERATION OPPORTUNITIES

Interfax
Aug 8 2012
Russia

Talks with Armenian President Serzh Sargsian focused on the prospects
for stepping up cooperation “on the platforms of the CIS, the CSTO
(Collective Security Treaty Organization) and other international
organizations,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

The joint Russian-Armenian intergovernmental commission will start
from discussing the problem of “how to apply cooperation between
the three Customs Union countries (Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan)
towards Armenia,” Putin said.

“Although we do not share common borders, it is possible to discuss
and find such tools which work in the tripartite union and can be
applied towards Armenia as well,” Putin said.

From: A. Papazian

VICE PREMIER OF TURKEY CALLS GENOCIDE OF ARMENIANS OF 1915 ‘COMMON TRAGEDY’ OF ARMENIANS AND TURKS

arminfo
Wednesday, August 8, 15:21

Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey Bulent Arinc and representatives of
the national minorities of Turkey have discussed the Armenian Genocide
in Ottoman Turkey in 1915 among other issues.

Turkish media reports that Bulent Arinc called the Armenian Genocide
“a common tragedy” also during the meeting with the leadership of
the Armenian community fund.

“Our peoples became witnesses of hard times, collapse of the empire,
world wars, incidents in Trabzon and Malatia, assassination of Hrant
Dink. The tragedy of 1915 is our common tragedy that affected both
the Armenians and the Turks. We do not want to experience such times
again,” Bulent Arinc said. Representatives of the Armenian, Greek
and Jewish communities of Turkey were present at the meeting.

From: A. Papazian

USA TO CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS DIRECTED TO REGULATION OF NK CONFLICT IN FRAMEWORK OF MINSK GROUP

ARMENPRESS
9 August, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, AUGUST 9, ARMENPRESS: USA as a Co-Chair country of OSCE Minsk
Group is intended to continue works with Armenia and Azerbaijan in
order to have peaceful, stable and fair settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. Armenpress reports that such declaration made the US embassy
to Azerbaijan commenting the adoption of resolution by Massachusetts
House of Representatives supporting the independence of Artsakh.

In the declaration of the embassy simultaneously is stressed that
the resolutions of states can not determine the foreign policy of
USA but each state is free to adopt this or that resolution.

On August 6, 2012 the House of Representatives of the State of
Massachusetts adopted a resolution submitted by State Representative
Jonathan Hecht urging “the President and Congress of the USAto
support the self-determination and democratic independence of
Nagorno-Karabakh”.

Armenpress had earlier reported that the resolution condemns the
killings of Armenians in Sumgait, Kirovabad and Baku and acts of
violent repression by Azerbaijan against the peaceful demonstrations
for self-determination in Nagorno-Karabakh. The document notes
that today also the “Nagorno-Karabakh’s security continues to be
threatened by Azerbaijan’s hostile acts”. It praises, that despite
these continuous acts of violence, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh
in a popular referendum on December 10, 1991 voted in support of
independence, freedom and democracy.

From: A. Papazian

THE ROAD STRETCHING FROM ARMENIAN POPULATED SYRIAN TOWN KESAB TO ALEPPO IS CLOSED

ARMENPRESS
9 August, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, AUGUST 9, ARME NPRESS: The clashes hosted in Duzaghaj the
first village on the way to Kesab , Syrian border town populated by
Armenians were not large scale and Government loyal forces managed
to suppress it within short period of time.As Kesab based Armenians
told Armenpress, the clashes resulted in the death of some people,
there are no Armenians among them. The situation is calm now, yet the
habitants are concerned by everlasting fear, tension and expectancy.

Our compatriot Syrian Armenians inform the road leading from Aleppo to
Keasb is closed, reportedly the people desiring to leave for Armenia
are unable to do it.

Aleppo National primacy spokesman Zhirayr Reisyan told in the briefing
with Armenpress, though there are shots, shelling outside fortunately
the situation is rather quite. As compared with the previous days
the situation there got better.

Syrian Armenian Community representatives became the victims of one
year lasting clashes. Recently our two compatriots became the victim
during the battle while defending the city from the armed rebels.

From: A. Papazian

RICHARD GIRAGOSIAN: WAR IN KARABAKH CONFLICT ZONE IS MORE THAN REALISTIC

arminfo
Wednesday, August 8, 21:35

The recognition of Karabakh’s independence by the State of
Massachusetts demonstrates the importance of Nagorno-Karabakh to
Washington, Head of the Regional Studies Center Richard Giragosian
said at a press conference.

He recalled that in June 2012 the State of Rhode Island also adopted
a similar resolution on Nagorno- Karabakh. These two resolutions
are the evidence of Washington’s interest in the Karabakh issue,
he said. The expert also stressed that the Karabakh conflict is of
more interest to the United States than the other frozen conflicts.

When speaking of possible developments in the Karabakh peace process,
the expert said that Azerbaijan’s aggression and the increase of its
military potential create additional tension in the conflict zone.

This is a signal for both Armenia and the international community.

Giragosian added that the relations between Ankara and Baku, which
have recently worsened, also make the situation tense in the region.

In this context, the expert thinks that military actions in the
Karabakh conflict zone are more than probable.

The expert thinks that the OSCE Minsk Group format for the Karabakh
peace process is a deadlock. He said that the OSCE MG is only to
maintain the diplomatic aspect of the peace process and to prevent
possible unleashing of military actions. He also stressed that despite
the OSCE MG’s efforts, the conflicting parties maintain their own
approaches on the basic components of the Karabakh problem.

As regards the domestic political situation in Nagorno-Karabakh,
Giragosian stressed that despite the democratic presidential elections
on July 19 2012, the NKR still faces a complicated socio-economic
situation and high-level corruption.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN EMBASSY TO BE OPENED IN INDONESIA

ARMENPRESS
9 August, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, AUGUST 9, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Foreign affairs minister
Edward Nalbandian visited Indonesia. Armenpress was informed from
Press, information and public relations department of foreign affairs
ministry that on the same day took place the negotiations of Edward
Nalbandian and his Indonesian colleague Marty Natalegawa.

Welcoming Edward Nalbandian Foreign affairs minister of Indonesia
mentioned that he is glad to host Armenian foreign minister and hoped
that this visit will open a new page in bilateral relations. In
his words the cooperation between Armenia and Indonesia has great
potential of development and the visit gives good opportunity to
discuss the ways of using that potential. He highlighted that his
country wants to strengthen bilateral relations.

Thanking for the invitation to visit Jakarta Edward Nalbandian said
that the visit is symbolic as it takes place in the jubilee 20th
year of establishment diplomatic relations and put the importance of
arrangements to deepen cooperation in various fields. “Three months
ago in Sharm el-Sheikh we made arrangement to implement practical
steps in order to strengthen and deepen our bilateral relations and I
am glad to record that today in response to your invitation I am in
Jakarta on that aim. I would like to inform you about the intention
of Armenia to open embassy in Indonesia which will give new impulses
to the development of our relation highlighted Nalbandian.

Welcoming the intention of Armenia to open embassy in Jakarta Minister
Natalegawa stressed that Indonesian authorities will do their best
to support the works of the embassy. The interlocutors had a detailed
talk about all possible steps which can deepen the cooperation, made
an arrangement to activate the political dialogue, to cooperate in
framework of international organizations and etc.

The ministers also discussed the possibility of cooperation between
the trade Palaces of two countries. In order to activate cultural
ties on suggestion of Armenian side there was made arrangement the
sides agreed to prepare and sign an agreement on cultural issues. The
ministers exchange opinions on several issues of international and
regional agenda. Minister Nalbandian introduced the main directions
and priorities of the foreign policy of Armenia. He introduced to
his Indonesian colleague the latest developments of Artsakh conflict
settlement process. They had the same opinion that the peaceful
solution of the conflict does not have any alternative.

Marty Natalegawa informed about the increasing role of ASEAN in
the region, integration process which take place in framework of
that organization. Armenian Foreign affairs minister invited his
Indonesian colleague to visit Yerevan. The two ministers signed
inter-governmental agreement “On cooperation in economic, scientific
and technical fields between Armenia and Indonesia”. After the meeting
ministers had a joint press conference.

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From: A. Papazian

‘RULING REGIME IN YEREVAN SIMPLY STEALS YOUNG GENERATION’S FUTURE BY RUINING COUNTRY TODAY’

Trend
Aug 8 2012
Azerbaijan

The ruling regime in Yerevan simply steals the future of young
generation, almost ruining the country today, Azerbaijani Presidential
Administration Political Analysis and Information Provision Department
head Elnur Aslanov believes.

“If to analyze the current situation in the South Caucasus, the
first evident fact is that the political system of the society cannot
function properly without the appropriate economic support for the
political process,” Aslanov said in an interview with Trend.

As was expected, after the May 6 elections in Armenia this year, the
main issues of public concern remained on the agenda, and existing
uncertainty in Armenia’s vision of the future only intensified,
he said.

According to Aslanov, one can easily see that Yerevan with its
action program, or rather in absence of that, is unable to resolve
the challenges facing the state. “The country’s population of course,
wishes to support political power, which ensures economic stability and
improvement of prosperity, optimal environment for entrepreneurship,
as well as social security of citizens. It is a norm in the development
and implementation of economic policy of any other state. However,
we are witnessing a unique trend, when the Armenian government,
contrary to all canons of logic, chooses the biggest of two evils so
that to stay in power,” Aslanov said.

He expressed hope that Armenia’s political regime is fully aware that
the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict resulted from an attempt to annex
the territory of Azerbaijan, poses a great threat to the regional
security, and hinders overall economic development of South Caucasus.

“With its attempts to delay the negotiation process Yerevan pursues
a policy of retaining the status quo. Thus, it is clear that progress
within the OSCE Minsk leaves much to be desired,” he added.

Aslanov said Azerbaijan has repeatedly offered to begin work on a peace
treaty, whilst Yerevan is even unwilling to hear about such document,
pleading the lack of agreements on many points. This destructive
position of Yerevan not only dramatically complicates any positive
prospect of the regional development, but also nullifies internal
resources of the current Armenian society, Aslanov said.

“According to Armenian experts’ calculations, correlation between
gross external debt of and nominal GDP in Armenia is 72 percent. The
situation will obviously become more critical due to uncertain ability
of Armenian economy to pay off debts in time,” Aslanov said.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN THEATER PLAY ENRAGES TURKISH COMMUNITY IN US

Hurriyet
Aug 8 2012
Turkey

An Armenian play that is set to take the stage in New York in September
has caused a strong backlash from the Turkish community in the United
States, daily Milliyet reported.

The play, titled “Red Dog Howls,” tells the story of an Armenian man
discovering the events of 1915 through the letters of his relatives
that were killed during the incidents.

The play depicts the deaths of the character’s family, as well as
many other Armenian families, at the hands of Ottoman forces.

The Turkish community in the U.S. has reacted strongly to the play,
with Ali Cınar, head of the Turkish American Association, stating
that they expected the 100th anniversary of 1915 to bring similar
acts from the Armenian lobby in the U.S.

“The goal of this play is not to make art,” Cınar said. “The goal here
is simply to repeat the 1915 claims. It aims to propagate and to make
alleged stories from letters and memoirs look like the real events.”

From: A. Papazian