Author: Andres-Papazian

ARMENIA SHOULD REJECT BAKU’S PRECONDITION
Naira Hayrumyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 12:18:38 – 20/06/2012

The head of the Armenian delegation to PACE David Harutyunyan
hinted that both at the meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani
foreign ministers in Paris, and in Mexico, where Putin, Hollande
and Obama issued a joint statement, deep issues and a larger agenda
were discussed.

The absence of any disappointment or excitement by the parties after
the Paris meeting means that the sides were proposed some new version
as well as time to answer.

Apparently, Armenia, just like the world community, is demanding
that a peace agreement on ceasefire is signed. In particular, it
may suppose also for the deployment of peacekeepers, which would be
more binding, creation of mechanisms for the investigation of border
incidents, removal of snipers from the frontline, which will enable
to open partially the communications – transport and energy. Anyway,
the statements of the U.S., French and Russian presidents and the
foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, focus on the refusal of
a force solution.

Azerbaijan has already put forward its conditions – withdrawal of
troops from the territories adjacent to Karabakh. Armenia has not yet
given a categorical refusal, though, no precondition is mentioned in
any of the statements.

Next week, the co-chairs will arrive in the region. It is noteworthy
that after the meeting of ministers in Paris, no meeting between the
presidents of the countries was advertized.

During this week, Azerbaijan is evidently trying to “convince” the
world community to make the Armenians cede come territories. The
fact that Azerbaijan hopes to succeed is proven by the absence of any
categorical refusal by Armenia of this condition of Azerbaijan. But
the fact that world community does not openly insist on this means
no one besides Baku is interested in such a prospect.

Now the issue is what version the world community will offer to Baku
to remove their precondition and keep their image at the same time.

Will Baku be directly pressures? Will they accuse Baku of the border
incidents? Or the U.S. will recall the 907 amendments, which makes
Azerbaijan fear.

Anyway, Armenia should clearly announce that it won’t accept Baku’s
precondition and will keep insisting on security guarantees and opening
of the border without any precondition. Even if the authorities agree
to such a condition, even the mediators understand that they will
stop being such.

From: A. Papazian

L’OPPOSITION VOTERA CONTRE LE PROGRAMME DU GOUVERNEMENT
Laetitia

armenews.com
mercredi 20 juin 2012

Le Parti Armenie prospère (BHK) et les trois principaux partis de
l’opposition ont fait clairement savoir mardi 19 juin 2012 que leurs
legislateurs voteront contre le programme du nouveau gouvernement
armenien soumis au parlement.

L’Assemblee nationale va ouvrir des debats sur le programme des
cinq ans a venir mercredi. Le BHK a annonce sa decision de rejeter
le document après une reunion de son groupe parlementaire. Tigran
Urikhanian, le porte-parole du parti a affirme que ce programme
contient de nombreuses failles. Il a egalement souligne le fait que
la grande majorite des ministres du gouvernement ont conserve leurs
postes après les elections legislatives du mois dernier dans lequel
le BHK a termine deuxième.

Le parti du BHK, dirige par le businessman Gagik Tsarukian, a quitte
la coalition du gouvernement de Serge Sarkissian a la suite des
elections du 6 mai. Les trois partis de l’opposition, le Congrès
national armenien, la Federation revolutionnaire armenienne et le
parti Zharangutyun (Heritage) ont aussi l’intention de voter contre
le programme.

Khachatur Kokobelian, un depute du parti Zharangutyun, a affirme au
sujet du programme : ” C’est un grand echec de la part du gouvernement
“.” Ce document ne propose pas de solutions aux problèmes auxquels
est confrontee la Republique d’Armenie. ”

Le ministre des Finances Vache Gabrielian a rejete ces objections,
en disant que les deputes du parlement seraient physiquement incapable
de contrôler le programme s’il contenait des solutions concrètes pour
atteindre les objectifs strategiques fixes par le gouvernement.

Ceux-ci incluent la creation de 100.000 nouveaux emplois et prevoient
une croissance economique moyenne entre 5 et 7% .

La position de l’opposition ne devrait pas empecher le gouvernement
d’obtenir un vote de confiance.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN-GERMAN COOPERATION IMPORTANT FOR ARMENIA IN EUROPEAN INTEGRATION PROCESS – PM

news.am
June 19, 2012 | 18:07

YEREVAN. – Armenian PM Tigran Sargsyan received German outgoing
Ambassador to Armenia Hans-Jochen Schmidt.

“We are interested in reinforcing and enlarging Armenian-German
bilateral relations. The cooperation is of great importance for
Armenia in its European integration process,” the PM said, adding
that German projects stand out with their productivity, expressing
hope that their number will increase in Armenia.

The Ambassador thanked Sargsyan for the cooperation and his support
in including German investments. The German envoy stressed that his
country also is interested in holding active relations in various
fields. The sides discussed issues of bilateral projects in energy,
educational, humanitarian and other fields in this context. They
touched upon Armenia’s European integration process, in particular,
the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area talks.

From: A. Papazian

POLITICAL EXPERT: SUPERPOWERS HELP THE COUNTRIES WHICH HELP THEMSELVES

arminfo
Monday, June 18, 18:39

Superpowers help the countries which help themselves, political expert
Aleksandr Iskandaryan told journalists today.

He said that one should not think that external political forces have
been ruling local processes in Armenia and that Vladimir Putin and
Barack Obama do not sleep at night thinking how to capture golden
mountains of Armenia. He also added that every party of Armenia
separately has links with external political world, and often uses
them for its own interests.

“Thanks to his position Vardan Oskanyan as well as Gagik Tsarukyan
and Armenian National Congress have got good relations in abroad
and use them actively. Here the point is that Tsarukyan traces his
own interests. Many members of the Prosperous Armenia Party have
joint it so that to occupy ministerial positions and start working
constructively. Many of them are not ready to become oppositionists,
go to the streets and protect any ethereal ideas”, – Iskandaryan said.

From: A. Papazian

AIWA SAN FRANCISCO AFFILIATE ORGANIZES BALLET WORKSHOP, NETWORKING EVENT

Published: Tuesday June 19, 2012

AIWA networking event in San Francisco.

San Francisco – On June 10 AIWA San Francisco affiliate welcomed young
Armenian and non-Armenian ballet students to an exclusive ballet
workshop led by Victoria Ananyan, world-renown Armenian ballerina,
at the Pacific Ballet Academy in Mountain View, California.

As part of its mission, AIWA is committed to identifying distinguished
Armenian women worldwide and introducing their talent to a broader
Armenian community. Victoria is a perfect example of such talent. She
was invited to the United States in 2011-2012 as a soloist to perform
at the San Francisco Ballet, captivating its audience with her first
class performances. “I live as I dance, I dance as I live. Ballet is
simply my life”, said the ballerina.

Since childhood, until the age of sixteen, Victoria was trained
by her mother, Zhanna Muradyan. She graduated from the Perm State
Ballet School by Ulanova in 2003 at the age of nineteen, and danced
at the Perm Ballet Theatre prior to her move to Netherlands in 2007
to join the Dutch National Ballet as a soloist. Her rich repertoire
at the Dutch National Ballet included Nikiya in La Bayadere; Clara
in Nutcracker; Aurora, princess Florine, Fairies in Sleeping Beauty;
Swanhilde at Coppelia and many other roles including George Balanchine
ballets and contemporary choreographers.

The accomplished ballerina brought her vast experience and knowledge
to students to improve their style and expression, fostering greater
appreciation for the performing art.

The workshop concluded with a spectacular performance of Kroonk,
choreographed by Noemi Araxi, an exceptional Armenian ballerina, who
was one of the principal dancers at the National Opera and Ballet in
Armenia for many years, prior to relocating to the United States. The
students and parents were mesmerized by the passionate performance

Kroonk in Armenian means crane bird, and it is the symbol of the
nation. As Noemi Araxi explained “When I first met Victoria, I knew
that she should be featured in one of the most authentic and moving
Armenian musical pieces created by a legendary Armenian composer,
Komitas, whose music has always inspired me.

Networking event On May 31 over fifty Armenian women throughout the
San Francisco Bay Area gathered together for an evening of wine
tasting and networking at the picturesque offices of Deloitte &
Touche in downtown San Francisco.

“We were thrilled to see such a diverse group of women come together
for AIWA, “commented, Gaiane Khachatrian, President of the newly formed
San Francisco affiliate. “Our executive committee is already planning
a variety of upcoming events and programs to support and promote the
professional growth of women in in the Bay Area and Armenia.”

The evening opened with warm welcoming remarks from Laura Dirtadian,
AIWA SF executive committee member and manager at Deloitte, who
also introduced her fellow committee members. Guests then had the
opportunity to introduce themselves while mingling over wine and
delicious food.

After, AIWA SF Vice President Lusine Yeghiazaryan highlighted the
vision of the new San Francisco chapter and specific initiatives
currently in production. “We’re looking into providing workshops
focused on college acceptance prep, critical interviewing and
resume writing skills, as well as confidence building, career and
time management sessions led by trained professionals, remarked
Yeghiazaryan. “There will also be some social activities as well!”

The warm and pleasant environment that was created by the AIWA SF
executive team made everyone feel welcomed and content.

San Francisco AIWA affiliate launch Over forty Bay Area supporters of
the Armenian International Women’s Association gathered at the home
of Gregory Matsoyan and Elena Sagayan in Pleasanton, California on
the evening of March 18, to celebrate completion of the initial steps
in the formation of the AIWA San Francisco Affiliate. The event was
attended by numerous Armenian and non-Armenian supporters, who had
the opportunity to learn about AIWA and the remarkable work of the
organization in pursuit of the empowerment of Armenian women worldwide.

The affiliate’s Executive Committee President, Gaiane Khachatrian,
opened the event with an expression of gratitude to the hosts:
“Gregory and Elena have always been active participants in Bay Area
Armenian community affairs and their generous act today is once again
a testimony to the great level of their commitment to supporting
Armenia.”

The program included a presentation of the two projects selected to be
the focus of the San Francisco AIWA affiliate over the next few years
to improve the economic and social advancement of women in Armenia.

Vice President, Lusine Yeghyazarian and Executive Committee Member
Susanna Cogswell, summarized the first project, which plans to provide
micro-loans to socially vulnerable, talented, motivated young women
entrepreneurs in Armenia. President Khachatrian noted that numerous
studies have documented how access to financial services improves the
status of women within the family and the community, making them more
assertive and confident. Dr. Elena Sagayan introduced the formative
steps underway to pursue a second project that will focus on the
reproductive health care of women in the rural areas of Armenia.

Guests responded enthusiastically to invitations to join the affiliate
and to donate to help the organization carry out its mission to build
a positive, productive and peaceful environment to enable women in
Armenia to thrive.

AIWA members and supporters enjoyed a musical program of selections
from several operas and stunning performances of “Tsitsernak”
and “Erebuni Yerevan”. Throughout the evening guests continued to
socialize and enjoy bountiful food. All expressed their appreciation
for an informative and fulfilling event.

The Armenian International Women’s Association is a tax-exempt
501(c)(3) organization. For more information about AIWA, please visit

From: A. Papazian

TURKISH TROOPS ‘KILLED BY KURDISH REBELS’

BBC
19 June 2012

The army has been authorised to pursue insurgents At least eight
Turkish soldiers have been killed and 15 wounded in an ambush by
Kurdish rebels.

The attack took place in Yuksekova, near the border with Iraq and
Iran. Ground troops and combat helicopters are pursuing the assailants,
according to state TV.

Several thousand Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebels are believed
to be based in hideouts in northern Iraq.

Tens of thousands of people have died since the PKK took up arms
in 1984.

Security sources told Reuters that the rebels had crossed the border
to carry out the attack on an army post, and had then retreated back
to Iraq.

Clashes between the PKK and the Turkish armed forces have increased
in south-eastern Turkey over the past year, and the PKK has in the
past carried out bombings in other parts of the country.

A powerful bomb in Ankara in September last year killed three people
and wounded 15.

The BBC’s Jonathan Head in Istanbul said the attack near Yuksekova
followed the same pattern as other recent operations by the PKK.

They launched their assault on the isolated military base at night.

The Turkish authorities say 10 insurgents were killed in the fighting.

The government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken an
increasingly hard line towards the PKK, our correspondent says.

Thousands of Kurdish civilians believed to support the movement have
been arrested, and the army has been authorised to pursue and engage
insurgents.

The government acknowledges that the conflict cannot be solved through
military means, although negotiations have made little headway,
our correspondent adds.

From: A. Papazian

DRIVER HITS, KILLS MAN IN YEREVAN

news.am
June 19, 2012 | 15:56

YEREVAN. – Armenia’s Police received an anonymous call, on Monday
at 12:45pm, informing that a Mercedes had hit a man nearby a capital
city Yerevan supermarket.

It was found out that the driver of a Mercedes Benz E430 hit, Mikayel
Davtyan, 45, in front of a building at around 12:45pm, and as a result
Davtyan died on the spot, the Police press service informs.

And the driver handed himself in at the Police precinct at 1:05pm.

An investigation is underway.

From: A. Papazian

13% DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SUICIDES IN ARMENIA
Karen Ghazaryan

“Radiolur”
19.06.2012 18:00

195 suicides have been registered in Armenia this year, which means
a 13% decrease as compared to the same period of 2011. This does not
mean, however, that the concerns have been soothed. The reasons of
suicide are different. However, social problems are the main factor,
sociologist Aharon Adibekyan says.

According to the sociologist, the number of suicides will considerably
decrease, if people start viewing life as an important value.

Adibekyan believes it’s necessary to launch a hotline, where
psychologists will speak to those, who have found themselves in a
hard situation. In this case 80 out of 100 people will refuse from
the idea of suicide.

According to psychologist Mihrdat Madatyan, the increase of the number
of suicides is connected also with the existence of sects. Besides,
people in Armenia are not used to applyoing to psychologists.

From: A. Papazian

RUSSIA TO DOUBLE ARMENIA BASE CONTRACT STAFF

Russian base at Gyumri

RIA Novosti
19/06/2012
MOSCOW

Russia will double the number of contract personnel at its military
base in Armenia, a senior official said on Tuesday.

“The number of contract servicemen at the Russian base at Gyumri
will be doubled by the end of 2012,” Col. Igor Gorbul, a spokesman
for Russia’s Southern Military District, told reporters in Moscow.

Permanent staff numbers, however, will remain at the current 5,000,
Gorbul added.

Russia’s parliament voted last year to extend the country’s lease of
the base through 2044.

The base, near Armenia’s border with Turkey, is part of the post-Soviet
Commonwealth of Independent States air defense system and is home to
S-300 anti-aircraft missiles and Mikoyan MiG-29 fighters.

From: A. Papazian

PARUYR SEVAK GAVE ARMENIAN LITERATURE NEW SPIRIT, SAYS CONTEMPORARY

tert.am
18.06.12

Paruyr Sevak’s genre brought an absolutely new spirit to the Armenian
literature, one of his contemporaries, Hovhannes Grigoryan, remembers.

“His new figurative-expressive means and European schemes imparted
novelty and a fresh spirit to the Armenian literature. I used to be
under his influence too, trying to gain a maximum advantage of that
freshness,” he told Tert.am, characterizing Sevak as very important
personality for himself.

Yesterday marked the 41st anniversary of the great poet’s death. On
June 17, 1971 Paruyr Sevak was killed in a car crash together with
his wife, Nelly Menagharishvili. He was aged 47.

Speaking of Sevak’s literary heritage, Grigoryan dwelled on his
collection, Man in a Palm, considering all the poems in the book
unique and interrelated.

“When the book was first published, it created a lightning effect as
it was so fresh and new. It remains my most favorite collection to
date,” he said.

Grigoryan recalled a very sorrowful fact about Sevak – his trembling
hands in the final years of his life.

“When the news on his death came a couple of days later, I wasn’t
surprised, because he couldn’t drive long with those hands. He
shouldn’t have been allowed to sit behind the wheel. Besides, he used
to drink a lot. I do not believe in the hypothesis that what happened
was a pre-arranged crime stemming from [Sevak’s] negative attitude
to the Soviet authorities,” he said, adding that the poet was not on
very good terms with the Soviet Government before the publication
of his book, God’s Secretary. But Grigoryan added, that the writer
continued facing pressure in later period.

Paruyrs Sevak was born on January 24, 1924 in the village of
Chanakhchi, Ararat region. He began reading and writing from age five.

After leaving school with excellent grades, he enteried the Yerevan
State University’s Armenian Philology Department. Upon completing
his post-graduate studies (1948), he began working for the local
newspapers Avanguard and Grakan Tert (literary newspaper). In 1955,
Sevak Graduated from the Gorky Literature Institute of Moscow.

His most prominent books are Immortals Command (1948), Irreconcilable
Intimacy (1953), Path to Love (1954), The Unsilenceable Belfry (1959),
Man in a Palm (1964), Sayat Nova (1969), Yeghitsi Luys (Let There Be
Light; 1969), Your Acquaintances (1971).

From: A. Papazian