Author: Andres-Papazian

FRENCH SENATOR CONSIDERS UNDISPUTABLE THE RIGHT OF NKR TO DISPOSE ITS OWN

ARMENPRESS
24 May, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 24, ARMENPRESS: In the hall of sessions in National
Assembly of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic on May 23 took place the meeting
between members of French Senate and National Assembly of Artsakh.

Armenpress was informed from press office of Parliament of
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic that before that Chairman of The NKR
National Assembly Ashot Ghoulyan had a separate short conversation
with French senators during which were present Deputy Chairman of
the NKR National Assembly Arthur Tovmasyan, presidents of standing
committees Janna Galstyan and Vahram Atanesyan as well as acting
Foreign affairs minister of NKR Vasily Atajanyan, minister of culture
and youth Narine Aghababyan, minister of science and education Slava
Asryan and other responsible officers.

Opening the meeting Ashot Ghoulyan welcomed the guests. He mentioned
that this visit spoke about the loyalty of France and its people
to freedom, equality and fraternity that had declared Great French
Revolution. “This also speaks that French is the bearer of special
mission of universal values defender in European Association which is
difficult but honorable commitment” he added. Continuing reverberation
to history he stressed: “France gave shelter to thousands of Armenians
who had suffered from Genocide”. About Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Ghoulyan said: “For us the role of France as Co-Chair country in OSCE
Minsk group is important in negotiation process with Azerbaijan. We
seek for peaceful and fair settlement” added Chairman of the National
Assembly.

The head of Finance Committee of French Senate, Mayor of Compiegne
Philippe Marini also had a welcoming speech. Stressing the importance
of the fact that the National Assembly of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
had established friendly relations with French National Assembly he
recorded with satisfaction that French senators being in the country
for the first time were in the hall of sessions of National Assembly.

He informed that since 1992 he had been interested in events taking
place in this region and especially in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Reverberating to the process of international recognition of
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic French senator recorded with dissatisfaction
that though international community did not deny the existence of
the country at the same time did not recognize its independence which
makes the situation uncertain. “I think all players of International
community if they are honest must recognize the peace in South Caucasus
and particularly in Nagorno-Karabakh as it is undisputable value as
is undisputable your right to dispose your own destiny” said Marini.

From: A. Papazian

SOIL FROM CLARA BARTON’S GRAVE IS PLACED IN ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MEMORIAL WALL

news.am
May 24, 2012 | 11:06

YEREVAN. – On the initiative of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute
(AGMI) and with the support of the US Embassy in the Republic of
Armenia, commemorative events dedicated to Clara Barton, the founder
of the American Red Cross and a great humanitarian, took place at
the Museum on Wednesday.

Hayk Demoyan, the AGMI Director, John Heffern, the US Ambassador
to Armenia, Armenian Deputy FM Ashot Hovakimyan, and Kevin Patti,
American historian representing Clara Barton National Historic Site,
made remarks during the event.

The commemoration event included the presentation of the English and
Armenian editions of Clara Barton’s “American Relief Expedition to Asia
Minor under the Red Cross” report. The translation and publication
of the Armenian edition of the report was made possible through the
support of the US Embassy.

Also, the AGMI Scientific Council issued a Clara Barton Golden Medal
under the “Gratitude” nomination to award individuals and organizations
for their humanitarian support and for strengthening Armenian-American
friendship. Demoyan presented these awards to Ambassador Heffern,
Ashot Hovakimyan, and Kevin Patti. And, by way of the US Embassy,
golden medals will be awarded to US President Barack Obama and
Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.

Afterward, the soil brought from Clara Barton’s grave was ceremoniously
placed in the Memorial Wall of the Armenian Genocide Memorial and
the memorial plaque was put in place.

From: A. Papazian

NKR PARLIAMENT SPEAKER: INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF NKR ONLY GUARANTEE OF COUNTRY’S SECURITY

arminfo
Thursday, May 24, 13:11

France gave hostage to dozens of thousands of Armenians who survived
the Genocide and found motherland and dignity in that hospitable
country. They and their descendants have made significant contribution
to development of France. NKR Parliament Speaker Ashot Ghulyan made
such statement receiving a delegation of French senators who are in
Karabakh on a fact-finding visit.

In the years of the fight against fascism thousands of French Armenian
fought for free and democratic future of France. Ghulyan said that
NKR assigns high priority to France’s mediation in resolution of the
Karabakh conflict as co-chair of the OSCE MG.

“We strive for peaceful and fair resolution of the conflict. Having
organized self-defense and resisting the strong enemy in the war
forced upon us, we prevented a real threat of genocide in Artsakh.

After declaring independence our efforts have been aimed to ensure
conditions for free and proper life of the people,” he said.

Unfortunately Ghulyan stressed, the people of Artsakh is facing
xenophobia and militarist rhetoric backed by the Azerbaijani
president. In the given situation recognition of de-facto independence
of NKR is the only way to provide security and peaceful life to the
people of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Ashot Ghulyan recounted the previous mutual visits of NKR and French
parliamentarians and highlighted enhancement of the inter-parliamentary
ties of the two countries.

From: A. Papazian

BAKU NO MORE IN THE RUNNING FOR 2020 OLYMPIC GAMES

news.am
May 24

The winning bid will be announced on September 7, 2013…

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced Wednesday that
Istanbul, Tokyo and Madrid have made it on to the shortlist of cities
bidding to host the 2020 Olympic Games.

Baku and Doha likewise had made their bids, but they were unable to
make the shortlist.

The winning bid for the 2020 Olympics will be announced on September 7,
2013, during the Buenos Aires conference, the IOC’s official website
informs.

From: A. Papazian

UKRAINE TO CELEBRATE HOVHANNES AYVAZOVSKI’S 195TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY

tert.am
24.05.12

Ukraine will celebrate the 195th birthday anniversary of renowned
artist Hovhannes Aivazovski on July 17 on a state level.

According to Analitika.at.ua, some 297 MPs of the Ukrainian parliament
(Rada) voted for the decision.

The ministerial cabinet has been assigned to set up an organizational
committee for the preparation and conduction of events.

Within the framework of the event thematic exhibitions will be
conducted in museums and libraries dedicated to the artists’ life
and activity.

The state “Ukrpost” has been tasked to issue stamps dedicated to
the anniversary.

Hovhannes Aivasovsky, originally Aivazian, world-renowned painter
of Armenian descent living and working in Crimea was born in 1817
and is most famous for his seascapes, which constitute more than
half of his paintings. Aivazovsky is widely considered as one of the
greatest seascape painters of all times. Aivazovsky was born in the
town of Theodosia, Crimea to a poor Armenian family. His brother was
the Armenian Archbishop Gabriel Aivazovsky. His family moved to the
Crimea from Galicia (then in southern Poland, now in Ukraine) in 1812.

He spent his last years in Theodosia where he supplied the town with
water from his own estate, opened an art school, began the first
archaeological excavations in the region and built a historical
museum. Due to his efforts a commercial port was established at
Theodosia and linked to the railway network. Aivasovsky died in
Theodosia in 1900.

From: A. Papazian

TURQUIE: DES INSCRIPTIONS HAINEUSES SUR LES MAISONS DES ALéVIS

Publié le : 23-05-2012

Info Collectif VAN – – Le Collectif VAN vous
propose cette information publiée sur le site susam-sokak.fr,
le blog d’Etienne Copeaux, le 11 mai 2012. Ã~Itienne Copeaux est
un historien spécialiste du monde turc. Chercheur au Groupe de
recherches et d’études sur la Méditerranée et le Moyen-Orient a
Lyon, il s’intéresse particulièrement au nationalisme en Turquie.

Légende photo: La porte d’un appartement d’une famille alévie a
Didim : “Mort aux alévis” (5 mai 2012)

susam-sokak.fr

Vendredi 11 mai 2012

Une vague de stigmatisation inquiétante pour les alévis de Turquie

Lorsque j’ai évoqué la question alévie en Turquie dans mes articles
précédents (” esquisses ” n° 26 et 27), je faisais état de
la crainte vivace qui pénétrait la population alévie dans les
années 1990.

Heureusement, celle-ci n’a pas connu de nouvelles violences depuis
1995. Mais des faits récents viennent raviver l’inquiétude.

A la veille du pogrom de Marache en 1978 (111 morts), les domiciles
des alévis avaient été marqués pour faciliter le ” travail ”
des assaillants. Voici que cette pratique de stigmatisation a repris –
heureusement cela n’a pas été plus loin que les marques de peinture
et inscriptions haineuses.

Dans la nuit du 26 février dernier, dans le quartier Karapınar
d’Adıyaman (sud-est de la Turquie, entre Marache et Diyarbakır),
45 maisons ont été marquées de signes mystérieux. Leur point
commun est d’être le domicile de familles alévies. La similitude
avec les préparatifs du massacre de Marache est venue a l’esprit
immédiatement.

Le muhtar a prévenu les organisations alévies locales qui se sont
rendues en délégation a la SÔreté. Les gens du quartier ont
organisé des tours de garde. Le quartier est majoritairement kurde
et alévi, mais jusqu’ici on n’y a enregistré aucun problème de
cohabitation avec les habitants sunnites. Selon le président de
l’association Pir Sultan Abdal, ce serait la l’Å”uvre d’un ou deux
provocateurs seulement. ” Mais cela crée un état d’esprit ”.

Lire la suite ainsi que les commentaires sur le blog d’Etienne Copeaux,
susam-sokak.fr

Retour a la rubrique

Source/Lien : susam-sokak.fr

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN GROWTH EASES IN APRIL AS EXPORTS FALL
BY: Venla Sipila

Global Insight
May 22, 2012

According to the latest indicator of economic activity published by the
Armenian National Statistical Service, growth in April 2012 reached
4.8% year-on-year (y/y), AMINFO News reports. This result signals
moderation in economic growth and follows a gain of 6.6% y/y in March
2012, while bringing the expansion rate for January-April 2012 to 7.2%
y/y. Growth of economic activity in April benefited greatly from a
surge of some 45% y/y in agricultural activity, while the domestic
trade and construction sectors expanded. For the January-April period,
industrial output led growth with an estimated expansion rate of 15.3%
y/y. The Statistical Agency also reported on customs-based foreign
trade, noting that exports in January-April increased by 17.8% y/y,
while falling by around the same rate in April alone and plummeting by
43.4% from March. Meanwhile, imports in the four-month period increased
by 8.7% y/y. Exports in January-April totaled USD439.5 million;
imports were valued at USD1.3 billion. The resultant four-month
trade deficit of USD872.4 million represents widening of around 4%
in annual comparison.

Significance:The fairly recently introduced index of economic activity
reflects overall trends in the economy, while its growth of 5.9% over
the last year as a whole exceeded the reported GDP increase of 4.6%.

However, the message given by the growth index, whereby economic
activity still remains fairly respectable but is at present losing
some momentum, fits fairly well with IHS Global Insight’s current
view of the economy. Growth is likely to weaken over the next few
quarters, together with easing expansion of the industrial sector. The
construction sector’s outlook is also relatively subdued at present.

Then again, assuming a good harvest, growth should easily exceed
3% this year. Meanwhile, the recently very strong boost to exports
from very elevated metal prices now seems to be fading, as we have
projected. This will be reflected further in weakening industrial
growth. While overall easing of growth should also start to have
a stronger suppressing impact on imports, the trade gap definitely
remains wide enough to present a clear source of external financial
risks.

From: A. Papazian

INTERFAITH SERVICE AGAINST GENOCIDE

Armenian Weekly
May 22, 2012

CHELMSFORD, Mass.-A display of 11.9 million grains of rice,
representing the lives of the various ethnic groups lost in the Great
Holocaust during World War II, was one of the moving artworks displayed
at the second annual Interfaith Service Against Genocide, co-hosted by
Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church in Chelmsford and the Greater Lowell
Interfaith Leadership Alliance (GLILA). Muslims, Jews, Orthodox
Christians, Catholics, Protestants, non-denominational Christians,
and Buddhists were all invited to hold a handful of rice in their palm,
pause, reflect, and stand together against genocide in all forms. The
rice, weighing 525 pounds, was later donated to the Pine Street Inn,
a homeless shelter serving the Greater Boston Community.

Participants gather at the Genocides Memorial on the plaza at Sts.
Vartanantz Church for final prayer in remembrance of all genocide
victims.

Prior to the service, approximately 80 people viewed a documentary on
the Armenian Genocide, which detailed the horrific story of the mass
murder of 1.5 million Armenian men, women, and children during World
War I by the Young Turk government. The one-hour film was at times
difficult to watch, as many present were in disbelief of the misery
and suffering experienced during the genocide. “I never realized that
an event with such devastation ever befell the Armenian population
in Turkey,” remarked Dr. Stephen Fisher, a spiritual psychologist
and member of GLILA sub-committee responsible for planning the event.

Deacon Ara Jeknavorian of Sts. Vartanantz Church began the Interfaith
Service by noting that the joint commemoration of genocides and
tragic events with a massive loss of lives began last year with
a vision by Rabbi Dawn Rose of the Temple Emmanuel in Lowell, who
wished to expand the annual Holocaust Remembrance Day to include all
ethnic groups that have suffered some form of genocide. Jeknavorian
remarked that this extension to other ethnic groups was to emphasize
the understanding that man’s inhumanity to man has no geographic or
historical boundaries. Furthermore, the healing within our own ethnic
experiences can be complimented through better understanding of each
other’s genocide experience and its aftermath.

Welcoming remarks were offered by Farook Taufik, co-president of GLILA
and representing the Islamic Society of Greater Lowell, and Rev. Fr.
Khachatur Kesablyan, the pastor of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church.
Father Khachatur expressed his heartfelt appreciation to GLILA for
the opportunity to host this second annual commemorative event, as
well as the opportunity to allow the Armenian community to share
firsthand the continued pain caused by the Armenian Genocide. He
further commented on how this commemorative event has brought the
general community together to pray for healing and initiate a call
for action against future genocides.

The interfaith service then proceeded with five presentations from
various victim groups. Representing a relatively unknown American
Indian group, the Miknak tribe of Vermont, was “grandma” Judy, a
tribal elder who described forced sterilization of the female tribe
members in order to eliminate indigenous native populations during
the 20th century.

A remembrance of the Cambodian Genocide was expressed by Niem Nay-Kret,
a bilingual, bi-cultural behavioral field specialist specializing
in healing for genocide survivors; Ven. Sao Khon, president of the
Lowell Community of Khmer Buddhist Monks; and Brandon W. Eang, a
graphic design teacher at Westford Academy, who provided an eyewitness
account of the mass murder of innocent Cambodian citizens.

Prayers were also for victims of the Cambodian Genocide.

Rabbi Dawn Rose, along with congregants from the Temple Emanuel of
Lowell, offered prayers and the chant “Ani Maamin” (“I believe”)
in remembrance of the Jewish Holocaust. Some 70 labor concentration
camps were cited, where over 4.3 million Jews and other ethnic groups
were murdered.

Ryuoh Faulconer, Shonin, Nichiren Buddhist Sangha of Greater New
England, Ryusho Jeffus, Shonin, Myosho Temple, North Carolina, and
Kairen Warren chanted prayers for the tragic deaths resulting from
the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Deacon Jeknavorian began the presentation on the Armenian Genocide by
highlighting that the absence of recognition and justice has been a
contributing factor for subsequent genocides. ACYOA member Sam Balian,
a member of the church’s youth group, offered a reflection on the
responsibility of today’s youth to honor the memory of the Armenian
martyrs by taking on the responsibility of demanding recognition from
Turkey. Father Khachatur, deacons, and the choir then conducted a
Requiem Service praying for the souls of all victims of genocide.

The entire congregation sang a verse of “Der Voghormya” (“Lord Have
Mercy”) chant following each presentation as a unified expression of
healing for each victim group.

The inter-faith program concluded with a prayer and the laying of
carnations by the Armenian Genocide Memorial on the church’s plaza. A
reception followed in the Kazanjian Pavilion, where numerous brochures
and information tables were available for those seeking further
information about genocide issues.

From: A. Papazian

HERAND MARKARIAN’S ‘SILENCE’ SPEAKS LOUD AND CLEAR ABOUT GENOCIDE
By George Maksian

May 22, 2012

Lorraine Serabian Excels in Powerful Off-Broadway Drama

Over the past several decades, Herand Markarian has had such a wide
and varied career as an actor, playwright, director, and poet. You
name it, he has done it.

I urge everyone to make every effort to see it. Hopefully, there will
be a road tour after its New York run on May 24.

It would be hard for me to select just one of his many works as my
personal all-time favorite experience.

That is, until Fri., May 4, when I attended the opening night
performance of his latest play, “Silence,” which is being presented
at the Off-Broadway Shell Theater on West 43rd Street in Manhattan,
as a Libra-6 production through the end of May.

The play, commissioned by the New York State Theater Institute, is a
powerful, well-produced and executed drama worthy of huge accolades and
honors. It blew me away for its professionalism and expert performances
by an outstanding cast of characters. The story itself is riveting.

It is set in the ancestral Armenian city of Van in Turkey before,
during, and after the Armenian Genocide in 1915, which resulted in the
annihilation of more than 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Turks.

Most of the action of the play takes place in the luxurious home of
an Armenian family in that city (designed by Kyle Dixon). The home
is eventually confiscated by the Turks.

The play tells the heart-wrenching story of a relentless Armenian
American woman’s search for her long-lost son who was caught up in
the genocide.

The tour-de-force role of the mother is played by the Tony-nominated
actress-singer Lorraine Serabian (“Zorba,” “Maria Callas in Master
Class,” and so many other Broadway shows).

Serabian plays the role with such skill and perfection, I can’t
imagine any other actress filling the role as well as she does. Brava.

Her Armenian husband in the play, portrayed by David Farrington, is
a doctor accused of treason and executed in Van on April 24, 1915,
the start of the Turkish massacres.

Her son, portrayed by Andrew Raia, along with 250 Armenian children,
are slated to be burned inside a building, but a Turkish doctor-friend
of the Armenian doctor saves some of the children, including possibly
the missing boy.

Being American by birth, the mother is able to escape the massacres
and return to the States where she becomes an ophthalmologist. Several
years later, she returns to her ancestral homeland in search of her
son. She is helped in the search by the Turkish doctor, played ably
by Todd Licea.

Ironically, the doctor’s father, played superbly by veteran stage actor
Charles Karel (Met Opera, “Zorba,” “Hello, Dolly,” etc.), is seen as
an evil Turkish Nazi-like Gestapo who hounds the Armenian family.

He plays the role so well that after the show, I approached him and
shouted, “I hate you!” And he shouted back, “That’s what we villains
like to hear.”

The two-hour-plus drama moves along very swiftly, thanks in large
part to the excellent work by its director, Kevin Thompson. The
background music by Josh Millican is hauntingly heard; the massacre
scenes are extraordinarily seen behind a meshed screen curtain. Kudos
to the costume designer, Christina Giannini, for wonderful wardrobe
selections. The mother’s outfits fit the period perfectly. Other
production credits go to Iris Checkenian, dramaturge; John Eckert,
lighting design; Aime Minassian, make-up; John Cooper, production
manager; and Rebecca Perlman, stage manager.

Congrats to one and all and especially to playwright Herand Markarian
for a job so well done. I urge everyone to make every effort to see
it. Hopefully, there will be a road tour after its New York run on
May 24.

All proceeds from the play go to aid the schools of Border Villages
in Armenia.

For ticket and other information, visit SmartTix.com or call (212)
868-4444.

George Maksian is a former TV columnist for the Daily News in New York.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN ENVIRONMENTALISTS ADDRESS ALARMING CASES

news.am
May 22, 2012 | 16:44

YEREVAN. – The “Trchkan” environmental civil initiative and
“Environment” Facebook group have sent a letter to Armenia’s Minister
of Nature Protection and Minister of Agriculture.

The letter says that photos of construction site on Dalarik River,
Armenia, have been recently spread on the web.

The environmentalists call on the Ministers to answer whether the
construction is underway in the protected area. They also asked to
clarify who initiated the construction and whether the initiator has
license for construction.

The activists claim that construction in this territory is damaging
ecosystem urging the Ministers to stop it.

From: A. Papazian