Author: Andres-Papazian

APA, Azerbaijan
July 5 2012

Herman Van Rompuy: `Both Azerbaijan and Armenia need to take decisions
to reach a lasting and peaceful settlement based on the Madrid
principles’

[ 05 Jul 2012 17:25 ]

Baku – APA. `The relations between Azerbaijan and European institutes
develop successfully and this cooperation has a partnership
character’, said Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the statement
for media following his meeting with President of the European Council
Herman Van Rompuy, APA reports.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and President of the European
Council Herman Van Rompuy made statement for media following the
meeting at presence of delegations.

President Aliyev noted that the relation with the European Union cover
economic cooperation, energy security and the other spheres. `We have
strong relations with EU member countries, these relations also rely
on mutual interests’ – said the president and underlined that all
these formed the topic of discussions held in Baku.

Azerbaijani President noted that many measures were taken in our
country towards protection of human rights and ensuring the democratic
freedoms.

The Head of State touched on Nagorno Karabakh conflict and said that
Armenia have been holding 20% of Azerbaijani territories under
occupation, more than one million people have been living in refugee
and IDP conditions. Despite decisions and resolutions on liberation of
occupied Azerbaijani territories adopted by the international
organizations, including the UN Security Council, Armenia ignores
these.

President Aliyev expressed satisfaction with the statement of
presidents of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries concerning
the status-quo and spoke about the main energy projects of the region.
`We are the first country that put forward an initiative on delivering
the Caspian Sea’s hydrocarbon resources to European and world markets’
– said the Azerbaijani president and noted that our country will
further participate closely in the ensuring the energy security of the
European partners. Speaking about newly-discovered fields,
significance of TANAP project, President Aliyev noted that Azerbaijani
gas is a new source for Europe and world and this project covers the
next decades, maybe the centuries.

President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy expressed
satisfaction with his first visit to Azerbaijan. He said he have seen
many signs of rapid modernization in our country and congratulated
Azerbaijan for the hosting of the Eurovision Song Contest in May. He
noted that they had good discussions today and highly assessed
Azerbaijan-European Union relations.

`We have seen an intensification of our relations in various fields.
Our energy cooperation continues to develop fast as an important
positive dimension of our bilateral relationship. The ongoing
negotiations on the Southern Corridor and on the Trans Caspian
Pipeline are of strategic importance to Azerbaijan and the European
Union. In this regard, I welcome that Turkey and Azerbaijan recently
formalized the understanding that they reached on the Transanatolian
Pipeline. There is, however, still a huge potential to develop and
diversify our ties. The activity carried out within Eastern
Partnership program is very successful, we are on track in reaching
the goals set out in the Roadmap in time for the next Eastern
Partnership summit in Vilnius 2013.

Herman Van Rompuy noted that Azerbaijan is a secular society and
underlined that he highly assessed the attitude here to the religious
values and tolerance: `The European Union and the region need a
stable, progressive, and tolerant Azerbaijan committed to democratic
reforms and modernization’.

Speaking about Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the President of the
European Council noted that the progress on the settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should remain a top priority: `Both
Azerbaijan and Armenia need to take decisions to reach a lasting and
peaceful settlement based on the Madrid principles’

From: A. Papazian

Trend, Azerbaijan
July 4 2012

European Council head: EU will continue its support in resolution of
Nagorno Karabakh conflict

Azerbaijan, Baku, July 4 / Trend, E.Mehdiyev /

European Union (EU) will continue to insist that Armenia and
Azerbaijan step up their efforts to reach agreement, EU official
website quotes European Council head Herman Van Rompuy as saying
during his speech at the Armenian parliament.

He said the so-called Madrid Principles remain a valid basis for
peace, in accordance
with the commitments made by the Presidents of both your countries to
France, Russia and the United States as co-chairs of the OSCE’s Minsk
Group.

Expressing his great concern about the recent serious armed incidents
on the contact line between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Rompuy deeply
regretted the loss of human life. He said the clock cannot be turned
back on these tragic incidents, but lessons can be learned.

“The European Union calls on both sides strictly to respect the
ceasefire and exercise
restraint, on the ground and in public statements, in order to prevent
a further escalation of the situation. Threats and the use of force do
not contribute to a resolution of this persisting conflict,” he said.

Rompuy stated that the efforts of the Minsk Group and its co-chairs to
seek a peaceful resolution have our full support. Where useful, we
stand ready to provide extra assistance for confidence building
measures.

He underlined that once there is a settlement agreement the EU will be
ready to help implementing it including with rehabilitation
assistance.

From: A. Papazian

ITAR-TASS, Russia
July 5, 2012 Thursday 04:16 AM GMT+4

Armenia seeks to strengthen relations with Russia – FM

YEREVAN July 5

Russian presidential special envoy for relations with the CIS
countries, head of the Federal Agency for the CIS Affairs, Compatriots
Living Abroad and International Cooperation, Konstantin Kosachev, met
Armenian Foreign Minister Edvard Nalbandyan on Wednesday, July 4, for
talks on the dynamical development of relations between both
countries, the Foreign Ministry reported.

“Cooperation between the two countries develops actively and
regularly. The countries join efforts to step up economic,
inter-parliamentary and inter-regional cooperation and create a solid
legal base,” Nalbandyan stressed. In his view, “this will lay a good
foundation for strengthening bilateral relations.”

The Armenian minister noted “special importance of the development of
humanitarian relations”.

Kosachev and Nalbandyan also discussed cooperation within the CIS.

From: A. Papazian

Gas price to rise from October

11:25 . 06/07

The price of Russian gas supplied to Armenia will rise from October 1
of the current year, `Haykakan Zhamanak’ daily [Armenian time] informs
citing a source close to Russian GazProm. Thus, 1000c/m gas will cost
280USD on RA border.

According to the same sources, gas will already cost 320USD starting
from January 1, 2013. Presently, the Armenian side is negotiating with
GazProm to prevent price rise or at least big rise.

But in the first phase of the negotiations it was not succeeded to
reach such an agreement. The talks still continue, but there is little
optimistic perspective for them.

According to official data, presently GazProm supplies gas at 180USD
for 1000c/m, and according to the data published by RA customs service
-at 220USD for 1000c/m. If the price of gas rises for Armenia, it will
rise for Armenia’s consumers at least by the same amount.

From: A. Papazian

Council of Europe launches 2012-2014 Action Plan for Armenia

armradio.am
06.07.2012 13:23

The Council of Europe will launch a three-year action plan on 12 July
in Yerevan to support Armenia’s agenda for reform in the areas of
human rights, the rule of law and democracy, CoE Yerevan Office
reports.

The new plan will cost 15 million to implement. It will focus action
on effective implementation of the European Convention on Human
Rights, strong democratic institutions and procedures at national,
regional and local level, and better participation of key social and
civil actors in public decision-making process.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian, will
open the launch conference. The Director General of Programmes and
Deputy Secretary General elect of the Council of Europe, Gabriella
Battaini-Dragoni, will present the action plan.

Armenia joined the Council of Europe in 2001 and will chair the
Committee of Ministers from May to November 2013.

From: A. Papazian

TURQUIE
L’or volé aux Arméniens en 1915 retrouvé par l’Institut turc d’histoire

L’Institut turc d’histoire a affirmé que l’or qui a été obtenu à
partir de la vente aux enchères des actifs arméniens à l’époque
ottomane a été saisi par les forces alliées comme réparations de
guerre à la suite de la Première Guerre mondiale a affirmé le journal
Bugün.

Environ 5 millions de pièces d’or Ottomanes ayant appartenu aux
Arméniens ont quitté l’empire saisies par les forces alliées peut-être
par la Grande-Bretagne, selon une récente étude ayant durée deux ans
menée par l’Institut turc d’histoire.

Un groupe d’arméno-canadiens aurait été indemnisé par une banque
britannique à partir du fonds saisis, ce qui équivalait à plus de 1,3
millions de livres.

L’argent aurait été initialement transféré vers une banque allemande
et a ensuite été divisé entre les Alliés.

Le gouvernement américain a enquêté sur les sources du transfert dans
le budget des Alliés a signalé le journal Bugün.

vendredi 6 juillet 2012,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

Rencontre Fabius-Davotuglu : la Turquie place ses pions

Publié le : 05-07-2012

Info Collectif VAN – – Le ministre turc des
Affaires étrangères Ahmet Davutoglu tiendra des pourparlers bilatéraux
avec son homologue français Laurent Fabius ce 5 juillet à Paris : «
Ankara espère que la France cessera de bloquer cinq chapitres de
négociations sur l’accession de la Turquie à l’Union Européenne. » «
Le renouvellement de l’accord de 60 ans sur la coopération dans le
domaine de la culture est également important. La mise à jour de cet
accord permettra à la Turquie d’ouvrir des instituts culturels Yunus
Emre en France, tandis que la France pourra renforcer ses trois
instituts en Turquie. » « Il ne fait aucun doute que la puissante
diaspora arménienne continuera à exercer des pressions sur les
législateurs français, pour faire adopter une loi pénalisant la
négation du génocide arménien, et ce jusqu’en 2015, année du
centenaire du prétendu génocide. » annonce le journaliste. Tout est
dit en quelques phrases. Un article du journal Zaman, proche de l’AKP,
laissait déjà entendre le 27 janvier dernier que les instituts
culturels Yunus Emre serviraient à propager à l’étranger la stratégie
négationniste de l’Etat turc pour 2015¦ Le Collectif VAN vous livre la
traduction d’un article en anglais paru sur le site turc Hurriyet
Daily News le 4 juillet 2012.

Légende photo: Laurent Fabius, ministre français des Affaires
étrangères et son homologue turc Ahmet Davutoglu

Une nouvelle page s’ouvre pour Ankara et Paris

ANKARA – Hürriyet Daily News

Serkan DemirtaÅ? [email protected]
4 juillet 2012

Parmi tout le bruit et la fureur concernant la Syrie, et, en
particulier, suite à l’histoire de l’avion turc abattu par les forces
syriennes, un autre événement très important pour la politique
étrangère turque a eu lieu cette semaine.

Le ministre des Affaires étrangères Ahmet Davutoglu tiendra des
pourparlers bilatéraux avec son homologue français Laurent Fabius le 5
juillet, après des mois de froideur entre les deux alliés, en raison
de l’attitude inexplicablement hostile de l’ancienne administration
française à l’encontre d’Ankara.

Le départ de Nicolas Sarkozy du Palais de l’Elysée, suite à la
victoire du socialiste François Hollande, est déjà un signe qu’un
processus de réconciliation peut maintenant s’engager entre Ankara et
Paris. Hollande a rencontré le président Abdullah Gül à Chicago et le
Premier ministre Tayyip Erdogan au Brésil, en marge des sommets
internationaux.

Mais le vrai coup d’envoi est prévu à Paris cette semaine. Les deux
parties Å`uvrent sérieusement pour que cette première réunion soit un
succès et un début significatif pour accroître la coopération dans de
nombreux domaines. La question la plus importante, cependant, sera la
Syrie. Étant donné que la rencontre bilatérale entre les deux
ministres aura lieu juste un jour avant la troisième réunion des Amis
de la Syrie, Davutoglu et Fabius évalueront les développements
récents, suite aux réunions du Caire et de Genève. On peut s’attendre
à davantage de consultations entre les deux capitales désormais, car
les deux pays hébergent des personnalités importantes de l’opposition
syrienne, qui doivent cependant réussir à établir un front uni contre
le régime de Bachar al-Assad.

Suite à cette réunion bilatérale, la France espère que les sanctions
militaires que la Turquie lui a imposées, après que le Parlement de la
France a adopté le projet de loi pénalisant la négation du génocide
arménien le 22 décembre 2011, seront levées. Bien qu’Erdogan ait
appelé Ã annuler ces huit sanctions, ses instructions n’ont pas encore
été appliquées. Les avions militaires français ne peuvent pas utiliser
l’espace aérien turc et on interdit toujours aux navires d’entrer dans
les eaux territoriales turques. L’Attaché français de la défense est
toujours sur la liste noire du commandant de l’État-major.

La France s’attend à ce que Davutoglu annonce formellement la levée de
ces sanctions pendant les pourparlers à Paris.
En retour, Ankara espère que la France cessera de bloquer les cinq
chapitres des négociations d’accession de la Turquie à l’Union
Européenne. Fabius indiquera probablement à son homologue turc que la
nouvelle administration ne veut pas bloquer les pourparlers d’adhésion
de la Turquie, comme Hollande l’a déclaré pendant la campagne
électorale.

Cependant, la levée de ces blocages prendra un certain temps. Et, en
raison du fait que Chypre grec a pris la présidence tournante de l’UE
pour les six derniers mois de 2012, les deux parties pourront utiliser
cette période pour travailler activement sur ces chapitres et achever
les préparations pour la présidence de l’Irlande en 2013. [Nota CVAN :
s’il y a bien une appellation « Chypre-Nord » pour la partie de l’île
occupée illégalement par l’Armée turque depuis 1974, ce que le
journaliste appelle ici « Chypre grec » ne correspond à aucun des
standards internationaux pour désigner un Etat qui s’appelle
simplement Chypre et qui est membre de l’Union européenne.]

Le renouvellement de l’accord de 60 ans sur la coopération dans le
domaine de la culture est également important. La mise à jour de cet
accord permettra à la Turquie d’ouvrir des instituts culturels Yunus
Emre en France, tandis que la France pourra renforcer ses trois
instituts en Turquie.
Mis à part toutes ces questions positives, il ne fait aucun doute que
la puissante diaspora arménienne continuera à exercer des pressions
sur les législateurs français, pour faire adopter une loi pénalisant
la négation du génocide arménien, et ce jusqu’en 2015, année du
centenaire du prétendu génocide. Le fait que le Conseil
Constitutionnel français a imposé son veto à cette loi en avril rendra
sûrement les futures tentatives plus difficiles, mais cela n’arrêtera
pas les efforts de quelques législateurs français fervents à l’avenir.
Pendant leur rencontre, Davutoglu et Fabius aborderont aussi ce sujet
et ils rechercheront des moyens permettant d’éviter au mieux une crise
potentielle future.

©Traduction de l’anglais C.Gardon pour le Collectif VAN ` 4 juillet
2012 ` 08:00 –

Lire aussi :

Tour de France-Turquie : prochaine étape au Quai d’Orsay

Les liaisons dangereuses de nos universités

Qui dénoncera le Goulag turc ?

Euro 2012 : Erdogan passe le ballon à Hollande

(en
turc)

Retour à la rubrique

Source/Lien : Hurriyet Daily News

From: A. Papazian

Fars News Agency, Iran
July 5 2012

Iranian VP Felicitates Sargsian on Reelection as Armenia’s PM

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Rahimi in a
message extended his congratulations to Tigran Sargsian on his
reelection as Armenia’s Prime Minister.

In a message, cabled on Wednesday, Rahimi hoped for further
expansion of Iran-Armenia relations in all spheres.

He wished health and success for the Armenian Prime Minister and
happiness and prosperity for the Armenian government and nation.

Iran has long taken various diplomatic initiatives to expand its ties
with the neighboring states, specially those in the Central Asia.

In recent years, Iran and its Northern neighbor Armenia have boosted
cooperation, signed agreements on energy cooperation and agreed to
cooperate in technology and research and to enhance ties in commerce
and economy.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Sargsian pledged in December
2011 to further expand “high-level relations” between their nations
and, in particular, give new impetus to the implementation of joint
energy projects that have fallen behind schedule.

From: A. Papazian

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
July 4 2012

Syrian and Egyptian prospects

Yesterday Russian and Armenian political scientists expressed their
views on new Middle East realities during the video bridge
Moscow-Yerevan `Challenges for Moscow and Yerevan.’

Vladimir Sazhin, Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of
Sciences, believes that `the situation in Egypt is unstable and the
prospects are unclear. I would like to say that although the military
retreated a little, it does not mean that they have given up their
positions completely and I do not think they will do it until the very
last moment. Egypt forms something like a double power. One needs to
take into account external factors, because Egypt is not isolated.
There is a strong influence of the US and Israel. We know that during
the time of the revolutionary troubles Egypt lost a lot of money, it
has a big currency deficit and an economic crisis. I do not think that
it can restore its pre-revolutionary levels without external aid. From
where can it expect aid? Of course, Saudi Arabia can help. However,
the main help traditionally comes from the US. The role of the US is
not only in economic help, but also in the supervision of internal
policy. I would not mention Israel.

The statements made by the Iranian Information Agency are a
provocation. As far as I know, the president of Egypt even wants to
sue them. Why was it done? Iranian-Egyptian relations have been
discussed for a long time now, even under Mubarak. There were some
developments and retreats. It is very difficult to talk about close
relations between Iran and Egypt. I think it will not happen in the
near future. They can restore economic or diplomatic relations,
although this requires time, but there can be no close alliance like
between Iran and Syria.’

According to Ruben Safrastyan, Institute of Oriental Studies, Armenian
Academy of Sciences, `Egypt is at the start of a new road, but the
main landmarks of this road are still unclear. We can state that the
new president is trying to find a consensus with the highest military
officials. I agree with Professor Sazhin that an external factor
should be taken into account. External factor means the US that
provides big military support for this country – more than a billion
dollars a year- and there is information that President Morsi would
not interfere in a military budget that guarantees the free flow of
American aid to the military leadership, sometimes staying in their
pockets. It means that the US can influence the political situation in
Egypt. As a specialist on Turkey, I can stay that Egypt could try to
follow the Turkish way. We see that in Turkey the power is gradually
passing from the military to the civilian government. We can assume
that Egypt would follow the same road.’

Alexander Iskandaryan, political scientist, Director of the Institute
of the Caucasus, thinks that `the introduction of elements of
democratic choice inevitably involved a certain element of Islamism
and political change, we see it already in Egypt. I am particularly
interested in how relations between the Muslim Brotherhood and the
Salafis will develop. Speaking from Yerevan, I can say that Egypt
seems far away from us, beyond Syria and Israel. The situation there
is unstable, but Syria can only envy it. Syria has everything ahead.
The situation there is very difficult and I am afraid that the
possibility of consensus between the different sides of the Syrian
conflict is almost impossible. Syria is difficult to compare even with
Libya. Libya is also broken and as a result of democratization it just
fell into three pieces. In Syria this process doesn’t follow a
geographic line, with the exception of the Kurdish part, but the
streets of every village and town. And when the current riots that are
already on the verge of the civil war become more serious, it is
difficult to say what will happen to the Alawis, who now compose about
15% of the population, what will happen to the Christians, or whether
the authorities will be able to control the situation in some way. I
do not know when it will happen – this July or next year – but it is a
fact that there is a big threat. When it happens, God forbid, it will
be a true humanitarian catastrophe, and not in the metaphorical but
the literal sense. This is very important for Armenia. Already
thousands of ethnic Armenians, citizens of Syria, have arrived in
Armenia asking for citizenship. As I read in the press, last year
there were about 3000 of them and in this half year already about
2000. These are only those who asked for citizenship, while some just
come or ask for a residence permit. The Syrian factor already plays a
role in the housing market. People coming from Syria have started
buying apartments. The Armenian community there consists of about
50-60 thousand, which is quite big for a country like ours.

Secondly, Syria is a key country for its region. What happens in Syria
is connected to the role of Turkey and Iran in the region. Northern
Iran, the Kurds and everything connected to them. The reformatting of
this big region – from Tunisia to Iran and the smaller region close to
our borders – has a big meaning for our country and Russia. Armenia
cannot influence anything, but there is an acute necessity to adapt to
the new reality that is changing very rapidly and we can see the
concerns, if not of the wider public, but at least among the
professional community.’

Alexander Ignatenko, Institute of Politics and Religion, Member of the
presidential council for interaction with religious organizations,
noted that `the events in Syria, the conflict, the war between the two
regional powers – Saudi Arabia and Iran. The events in Syria are
connected to this contradiction. It should be mentioned also that the
conflict was initiated by Saudi Arabia. I do not mention Shia, Sunni,
Alawi, everybody understands it. Saudi Arabia and Iran cannot resolve
it by themselves, therefore they attract other forces – Saudi Arabia
to a greater degree, Iran to a lesser degree, because it is a big
military force unlike Saudi Arabia The ideal option for them will be
if at this site Russia, or better Russia and China on one side, will
face up to the US and NATO. The events in Egypt were also greatly
influenced by the Arabic monarchies, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. It is an
established fact that Qatar supported the Muslim Brotherhood, Saudi
Arabia supported andsupports the Salafis. The fact that the Muslim
Brotherhood and the Salafis took so many places in the parliament is a
clear result of external support. By the way, Saudi Arabia is ready to
provide support to Egypt, much more than the US, but of course on
their conditions. They are observing the situation in Egypt and
influencing it, but aren’t giving money so far.’ .

From: A. Papazian

Contemporary Armenian Women Writers Read their Works in New York

Arts | July 5, 2012 2:07 pm

>From left, Lola Koundakjian, Nora Armania, Lucine Kasbarian and Aida
Zilelian-Silak

WOODSIDE, N.Y. – On Thursday, April 12, at the Armenian Center here,
four female writers of the diaspora presented their works at Literary
Gems and Wine – a program sponsored by the New York Chapter of the
Hamazkayin Cultural Association.
Nora Armani, Lucine Kasbarian, Lola Koundakjian and Aida
Zilelian-Silak shared writings that explored the rich complexities of
the human condition. The collective result was an eclectic compilation
of vocal pieces that reflected a poignant and contemplative look at
life in the diaspora.

In her introduction, program organizer, rare book librarian and
literary devotée Arevik Caprielian expressed her satisfaction in
showcasing accomplished Armenian `creatives.’ `These writers need not
be heralded beyond the Armenian milieu in order to be recognized as
credits to the global Armenian nation,’ she said. `While Hamazkayin
remains true to its mission of preserving and disseminating Armenian
traditional literature and arts, it also moves forward with the times
and inevitable changes in diaspora,’ she continued. `Therefore, it
embraces contemporary authors writing in various languages,
considering them contributors to the body of Armenian literature.’
Caprielian concluded by affirming, `A nation maintains its distinction
through arts and literature.’

Actress and storyteller Armani read, in English, the opening chapter
from an untitled novel-in-progress. She also read an excerpt from her
unpublished novel, The Armoire, about four Armenian sisters flung to
the four corners of the earth, and a short story, `Waiting to Arrive,’
about journeys, memories and being, published in an anthology called
In Our Own Words: A Generation Defining Itself. To close, she played a
musical recording whose lyrics contained her poem about exile. Armani
acted in, directed and co-produced the award-winning play, `Sojourn at
Ararat.’ This year, Armani co-stars in the CBS television pilot
program, `Golden Boy,’ and her film, `Moving Stories,’ was screened in
the Short Film Corner at the Cannes Film Festival.

Writer and political cartoonist Kasbarian read, in English, two short
stories. The first, `A Subway Tautology,’ explored the social and
philosophical underpinnings of an absurd train travel incident. The
second, `Elixir in Exile,’ chronicled her suspenseful quest to locate
an ancestral family recipe, and will be published in r.kv.ry Literary
Journal. Her latest published work is an illustrated children’s book,
The Greedy Sparrow, an Armenian folktale retold which will be
performed at children’s literature workshops and a children’s book
festival.

Poet and artist Koundakjian read several works in Armenian and
English, including `Kalov Antsyalin’ and `Mazerut,’ describing times
spent with loved ones. She then read a thought piece called, `In
search of Rilke at the Metropolitan Museum of Art,’ and `Anonk Meran,’
memorializing those lost to mass murder. Her tribute, `Three Armenian
Artists in New York City’ recalled Arshile Gorky, Reuben Nakian and
Marcos Gregorian. And her inspiring, lyrical prose poem, `Khurad Hay
Panasdeghdzin,’ counseled writers struggling to find their muse.
Koundakjian’s latest published work is a collection of poems called
The Accidental Observer. Founder of the Dead Armenian Poets Society,
she is also the curator of the Armenian Poetry Project, which presents
classic and contemporary Armenian poetry and other writings on
Armenian topics.

New York writer and editor Zilelian-Silak read, in English, her short
story, `He’s the One For Her.’ This narrative piece deconstructed the
ambitions of a young Armenian woman searching for an elusive,
Armenian-speaking mate, and first appeared in Ararat. Her stories have
been featured in journals such as Pen Pusher, Slushpile and Wilderness
House Literary Review. Her novel, The Hollowing Moon, was one of five
finalists for the 2011 Mercer Street Books Fiction Prize. Aida
organizes an ongoing reading series she established in Queens, NY
called Boundless Tales.

The writers can be reached at: noraarmani.com, lucinekasbarian.com,
lolakoundakjian.com and aidazilelian.com.

In the future, the New York Chapter of Hamazkayin hopes to launch an
ongoing reading series spotlighting contemporary Armenian writers.

From: A. Papazian