Author: Andres-Papazian

DISEASED MAN COMMITS SUICIDE IN ARMENIA’S ARARAT

news.am
August 06, 2012 | 16:38

ARARAT. – Ararat village resident, 74-year-old Filik Sayadyan has
committed a suicide by drinking phosphorus on Monday, police informed
the Armenian News-NEWS.am. The man has left a note claiming that he
commits a suicide willingly and not to blame anyone for his action.

“Time has come for me to commit a suicide,” the note reads.

The agency reports that the man has suffered from an incurable disease,
which brought force to commit a suicide. Materials are being gathered
for the case.

From: A. Papazian

HEAD OF RPA FACTION: RECOGNITION OF KARABAKH’S INDEPENDENCE BY MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO BE FOLLOWED BY SIMILAR DECISIONS OF OTHER STATES

arminfo
Tuesday, August 7, 14:04

The recognition of Karabakh’s independence by the Massachusetts
House of Representatives will be followed by similar decisions of
other states, Galust Sahakyan, Head of the ruling Republican Party
of Armenia Faction, told ArmInfo.

He said that the Armenian diplomacy’s efforts are aimed at making
the international community recognize the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic,
and such decisions of the U.S. states certainly make their essential
contribution to the recognition process. “The more states, cities
and countries recognize the NKR, the better. Everyone should know
the truth, and the truth is that the people of Nagorno-Karabakh have
an undisputable right to build an independent, sovereign and strong
state”, Sahakyan said.

To recall, on August 6 the House of Representatives of the State of
Massachussetts, USA, adopted a resolution on recognition of Karabakh’s
independence. The document calls on the U.S. President Barack Obama and
the Congress to support the sovereignty and independence of the NKR.

From: A. Papazian

PIPELINE EXPLOSION KNOCKS OUT IRAQI OIL FLOWS TO TURKEY, OFFICIALS SAY

PanARMENIAN.Net
August 6, 2012 – 12:12 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – An explosion overnight on the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline,
which carries about a quarter of Iraqi crude exports, has knocked out
flows and repairs are expected to take up to 10 days, Turkish Energy
Ministry officials said on Monday, August 6, according to Reuters.

The blast occurred in Mardin province, north of Turkey’s border with
Syria, the officials said on condition of anonymity.

The outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) was behind the attack,
according to Firat news agency, which is close to the rebels.

A fire caused by the explosion continued to burn on Monday, security
sources said.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJAN SELLS SOLDIERS’ BODY PARTS, SLAIN SERVICEMAN’S MOTHER REVEALS

PanARMENIAN.Net
August 6, 2012 – 16:29 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Dead Azerbaijani soldier’s mother Kifayat Iskanderli
said that body parts of her son and eight other servicemen were
sold abroad.

Though suicide was announced as the official reason behind soldier
of Azeri armed forces Parviz Iskanderli’s death, his mother noted
that four officers beat him to death, hanging him on a tree afterwards.

According to Kifayat Iskanderli, her son’s body was brutally beaten
up, with the body parts removed.

“Eighth soldiers have recently died under suspicious circumstances,
with their body parts sold abroad,” the slain soldier’s mother said,
adding that her son’s overhearing a confidential conversation between
two officers served a reason for killing him, Azeri newspaper Bizim
Yol reported.

From: A. Papazian

KURDISH AUTONOMY ACTUAL REALITY, ARMENIAN CAUSE OFFICE HEAD SAYS

PanARMENIAN.Net
August 6, 2012 – 17:00 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Syrian conflict will bring about formation of
a Kurdish autonomy, Armenian Cause Office head said.

“Kurdish autonomy is already deemed as actual reality both in case of
power shift and maintenance of the current authorities,” Kiro Manoyan
told a press conference.

In this context, he noted that Turkey is concerned over possible
establishment of a new Kurdish autonomy within its borders.

Mr. Manoyan further stressed Syria’s political future, as well as
unforeseen “Kurdish spring” as Turkey’s priority concerns.

“Ankara seeks to ‘play first fiddle’ in Syria, with Turkey failing
to assume the role during “Arab Spring” in Egypt and Libya,” he said.

From: A. Papazian

AGBU SETS ASIDE $1 MILLION EMERGENCY FUND FOR ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN SYRIA

Armenian Weekly
August 6, 2012

NEW YORK~WThe ongoing and expanding militarized conflict in Syria
has created a serious humanitarian crisis for the population and is
threatening, among others, residential areas where concentrations of
our Armenian community and institutions are situated, particularly
in Aleppo, Damascus, and Kamishli. Several families have already been
dislodged as a result of the fighting among government and opposition
forces and the use of heavy artillery involved.

AGBU Sets Aside $1 Million Emergency Fund for Armenian Community
in Syria.

In preparation for the imminent need for humanitarian assistance that
is emerging as a result of the unfolding political crisis in Syria,
the Central Board of Directors moved on Aug. 3 to set aside an AGBU
Emergency Fund for Humanitarian Assistance to the Armenian Community
in Syria, in the amount of $1 million.

A special task force, in cooperation with the District Committee of
Syria, is in the process of assessing the emerging needs, to create the
appropriate logistics in compliance with federal and international
guidelines, to help and support our community there. Necessary
arrangements are also underway in AGBU~Rs centers locally in Aleppo,
Damascus, and Kamishli, to make them operational hubs for coordinating
the relief efforts, extending help to families in other locations
as well, wherever the need arises. They will also be prepared to
accommodate those who may have to be temporarily moved out of their
homes. The possibility of making AGBU facilities in Cyprus available
as temporary shelter for families, who may need to move out of the
country, is under consideration.

From: A. Papazian

LES FICHIERS DE LA POLICE REVELENT LES TEMPS SOMBRES DE L’HISTOIRE TURQUE
Stephane

armenews.com
mardi 7 aout 20

Des fichiers secrets de la police turque dates jusqu’en 1963
fournissant des informations sans prix sur les periodes les plus
sombres de la première Republique doivent etre reveles au public,
selon le quotidien turc Aksam

Les fichiers incluent des documents sur le Poète Turc Nazim Hikmet,
le Romancier turc Sabahattin Ali, aussi bien que des fichiers sur les
massacres de rebelles Alevis dans la province orientale de Tunceli
(autrefois connu comme Dersim) entre 1936 et 1939 et qui ont fait
officiellement 13800 tues.

La Direction de Police Generale Turque a remis plus de 500000 fichiers
contenant 250 millions de documents, dont des copies numeriques a la
Direction Generale des Archives d’Etat.

Le directeur de la Police Mehmet Kiliclar a recemment donne l’ouverture
des fichiers au public.

Selon les documents sur le massacre dans le Dersim la police a annonce
que ” un groupe dans la Dersim a tenu une ceremonie religieuse en
langue armenienne “.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA CAN BECOME GOOD DESTINATION FOR EXTREME SPORTS (PHOTO)

August 07, 2012 | 09:00

YEREVAN.- During HayExtreme 2012 festival many young people have an
opportunity to communicate with athletes involved in extreme sports
so that they can be involved in sports activities in the future.

The organizer of the festival Armine Harutyunyan said the festival
aims to become an annual event (photo).

According to her, the festival is attended by athletes from different
countries, thereby increasing Armenia’s image as a country with
unique landscape.

“One of the events of the festival is the international championship
on high mountain diving which will create great conditions for the
further development of this area of â~@~Kâ~@~Ksports tourism.

Armenia is considered a difficult area for diving which is of great
interest to divers all over the world,” she said.

The festival which kicked off on August 1 on the shore of Lake Sevan
brought together teams from Russia, Denmark, France, Bulgaria, Germany,
Ukraine, Georgia and other countries.

The festival program included the following extreme sports: sailing,
windsurfing, hiking and rock climbing, airsoft, paragliding, cycling
tour, aquabike, off-roading.

Armenia is represented by Ayas marine researchers’ club, Federation
of Airsoft after Movses Gorgisyan, paragliding club, “Spitak” rescue
squad, “Legion” paintball club, sailing club of Yerevan and others.

Members of the club, Ayas club came to the festival by Cilicia ship,
which is a reconstruction of the Cilician merchant vessel of the 13th
century. The Armenian News – NEWS.am correspondent also participated
in the journey.

The HayExtreme-2012 festival is held at the initiative of the
windsurfing club and supported by the Armenian MOD, the Ministry of
Emergency Situations, and Yerevan city hall.

From: A. Papazian

FOREIGN MINISTRY: AZERBAIJAN RAISES ILLEGALITY OF SYRIAN ARMENIANS SETTLEMENT IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH BEFORE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Trend
Aug 6 2012
Azerbaijan

After Armenian media reports about resettlement of Syrian Armenians in
the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh territories occupied by Armenia, Baku
raised issue of illegality of these activities before international
organizations and OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries, Azerbaijani
Foreign Ministry told Trend on Monday.

Issue of illegality of settlement in Azerbaijan’s historical
territories was also mentioned in earlier reports of the OSCE mission
and Minsk Group, the ministry said.

“Nagorno-Karabakh is ready to accept Syrian Armenians, provide them
an opportunity to study in Artsakh free of charge, as well as provide
them with accommodation,” Prime Minister of the separatist regime of
occupied Nagorno Karabakh, Ara Harutyunyan said addressing Armenian
youth resting in the camp “Aspet” (Knight), Armenian media outlets
reported.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France and the U.S. –
are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

From: A. Papazian

ISRAELI “CELINE DION,” PERSIAN SENSATION ANDY AND A SONG OF UNITY

The Jewish Journal of Greater L.A.

Aug 6 2012

Performing at the Greek Theatre last weekend, 23-year-old Israeli
singer and philanthropist Liel Kolet joined Iranian-Armenian pop star
Andy for a song of peace.

The power ballad, “We Hear Your Voice,” brought together Andy and
Kolet and musicians from across the world, including exiled Afghan
singer Ehsan Aman; “Korea’s Got Talent” star and South Korean opera
singer Sung Bong Choi and American singer Shani Rigsbee, Andy’s wife.

“Coming from Israel,” it was particularly meaningful for Kolet to
take part in the performance, she said, onstage.

“I’m really happy to be here and take part in this beautiful thing…to
promote peace is something that I love and to let all the people all
over the world know we hear your voice,” she said.

Made up of thousands of people in attendance at the Aug. 4 concert,
the crowd swooned, including Oren Nadav, 28, a general contractor who
was born in Tel Aviv and lives in Sherman Oaks and attended with his
Armenian girlfriend, who is a big Andy fan. Nadav didn’t know who
Kolet was prior to the show-and he didn’t know that she’d be coming
out to perform – but given his personal connection to Israel and
Israel’s ongoing conflict with Iran, he was happy to see Kolet and
Andy perform together.

“I love it. I actually think it’s great,” he said. “We need peace in
the world, and in Israel it’s not so easy to have peace.”

“I love it,” he said one more time, dancing with his girlfriend.

A popular vocalist in Persian and Armenian communities who has
performed all over the world and released more than one dozen albums,
Andy (real name: Andranik Madadian) headlined the two-and-half hour
performance on Saturday night. He performed with a 12-piece band and
blended dance music, Middle Eastern rhythms, pop vocals and Farsi
lyrics. Born in Tehran and currently living in Los Angeles, Andy is
internationally known. But his music is banned in Iran.

On Saturday, thousands of Armenians and Iranians of all ages –
including couples, groups of friends and families-attended his concert.

“Put your hands together and clap!” Andy yelled in Farsi between
songs. The audience abided.

Relentlessly high energy throughout the evening, and reveling in
the adoration, Andy invited Kolet onstage to perform one song with
him around 90 minutes into the concert, which began at 8:30 p.m. and
lasted until 11 p.m.

Born on a kibbutz in northern Israel, Kolet’s participation in charity
events has put her onstage with artists such as Elton John, U2’s Bono
and Andrea Boccelli and she has even sung with Bill Clinton. She has
tried to establish herself as an international Celine Dion.

“We Hear Your Voice,” the song that Kolet performed with Andy and
the others, was written by Rigsbee as part of a charity project to
improve children’s welfare throughout the world.

Andy’s brother and manager, Varouj Madadian, said that the concert’s
message was a “message of unity. The only message we have tonight.”

“Every human in the world is the same, and the message is only unity,”
he said.

Varouj also said that Andy has performed in Israel as recently as
last year.

Also among the crowd: 20-year-old Israeli student and Beverly Hills
resident Avital Hasid. Attending with her Middle Eastern friends,
Hasid is half-Persian and said she grew up with Andy’s music.

“I was just very proud of it. I didn’t expect an Israeli person to
be here. I thought it was going to be a Middle Eastern thing, but I
was glad to see her represent,” she said of Golet appearing.

If there were other Israelis in the crowd, they were scarce, but
even non-Israelis appreciated the gesture of Kolet and Andy appearing
together.

The collaboration sent the right message,” said 33-year-old Baha’i
Persian P.J. Hak. “The Iranian and Israeli governments [are] not
good together, [but] at least if we’re doing something like this,
[it] brings all the people together,” Hek said. “It shows we don’t
care what the government does.” Hak had traveled from Atlanta for the
show, and the wallpaper on his cell phone is a photo of him and Andy.

Hak also spoke of his connection to Israel. He has visited Haifa,
where there is a place of worship for the Baha’i community, he said.

His life involves border-less connections between cultures, much like
the evening’s concert.

From: A. Papazian