Author: Andres-Papazian

ARMENIA PROLONGS METSAMOR NUCLEAR POWER PLANT EXPLOITATION

Vestnik Kavkaza
April 19 2012
Russia

The government of Armenia approved the prolongation of the exploitation
of the second energy block of the Armenian nuclear power plant
in Metsamor on April 19. Armenian Minister for Energy and Natural
Resources Armen Movsisyan noted that the license for the energy block
expires on September 1, 2016, but it has been prolonged by 4 years,
PanArmenian reports.

Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan stressed that the issue is
under regular discussion in the press. The government’s functions
are clear. It requested the IAEA to support prolongation of the
block’s exploitation. He added that the international organization
will provide Armenia with necessary support.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA MAY GET GERMAN FUNDS FOR HYDROPOWER PLAN, ARMENBROK SAYS
By Helena Bedwell

Bloomberg
April 19 2012

Armenia may get 40 million euros ($52 million) for renewable energy
projects from Germany’s state-run development bank, Armenbrok
Investment Co. said.

The plan is part of a program set up in 2007 with 24 million euros
and will be used for hydropower, it said today in a report, citing
German-Armenian Fund Director Gevorg Tumanyan.

From: A. Papazian

There Are Red Lines Which Are Of Principle For ARF-D

19:03 . 19/04

ARF-D representatives in groups hold meetings in different settlements
of Armenia in addition to the rallies-meetings accompanied by concerts
held in the major cities. The aim is the same- to present to the
voter the party’s programmes and the steps through which they can
become a reality.

The regional meetings of ARF-D representatives were held in the regions
of Aragatsotn and Kotayk. Presenting ARF-D’s election programme,
MP Artsvik Minasyan said the problems of villagers were not bypassed.

“The issue of not cultivated lands is important. There are many such
lands here. We will also solve the problems of water and gas,” he said.

MP Lilit Galstyan, in turn, urged to defend their vote. This is an
election which can solve many problems and bring the people out of
the poor situation.

“A rule of game was created in Armenia, each person has an inner fear,
as he/she is frightened by the authority representatives, one has a
soldier, one has a shop and is not sure what he/she will do tomorrow.

We must find courage to kill the slave living in ourselves,” Lilit
Galstyan said.

“ARF-D has entered into the election fight with a resolute posture,
as a force which can both fight and work,” the deputy chairman of
“Socialist International” organization Maria Titizyan said.

ARF-D member Aghvan Vardanyan says that the dominating political
monopoly is the reason of the failures of both internal and foreign
policy of our country.

“The authority cannot belong to one force, when this force is
an exceptional majority and it stagnates and becomes satiated,”
Vardanyan said.

During the meeting with Charentsavan residents a young person
inquired from ARF-D Armenia representative Armen Rustamyan with
which political force ARF-D is ready to make a coalition after the
elections. He answered there are red lines which are of principle
for ARF-D. ARF-D will cooperate with the force which will declare
about abandoning the Armenian-Turkish protocols. Armen Rustamyan also
attached importance to the Artsakh problem. No concession must be
made from the independence established by two referendums. In case of
possible cooperation between the party and other forces the issue of
increasing the sums allocated for the social sphere will also be axial.

“No salary below the minimum consumption basket can be in our country,”
Rustamyan said.

On the completion of the meeting the residents of Charentsavan
presented their problems and concerns. A man said an interesting thing
that those who have large consumption baskets will hardly think about
the people who live at the expense of the minimum consumption basket.

Armen Rustamyan once again reminded about the legislative projects
which were rejected by the parliamentary majority, who give such
promises today only to gain votes.

From: A. Papazian

EUFOA: MEPS COULD AVOID AZERI TRAPS IN KARABAKH ISSUE

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 19, 2012 – 21:47 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On April 18, 2012, the European Parliament (EP)
adopted two resolutions in the context of the negotiations for the
new Association Agreements with Armenia and with Azerbaijan. European
Friends of Armenia hails that the EP prevailed its core values for the
Eastern Partnership, especially on a continued democratization and
a balanced approach to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The report is
particularly supportive for Armenia but also reminds of the remaining
homework. Below we provide a summary of the most relevant points,
EuFoA reports.

On Nagorno Karabakh, the EP strongly supports ALL points of the Minsk
Group’s Madrid Principles as a package, including for the first time
explicitly “international security guarantees that would include
a genuine multinational peacekeeping operation in order to create
suitable conditions for the future legally-binding free expression
of will concerning the final status of Nagorno Karabakh”.

Referring to Nagorno Karabakh, MEP Dr Andrey Kovatchev, member of the
Europe-Armenia Advisory Council, said in the Plenary that “it can only
be resolved by peaceful means within the framework of international
law and in accordance with Minsk Group principles. The stronger role
of the EU in the region requires us to be cautious and correct in
our assessments so that we should not be like a ball in a china shop,
and instead of helping to achieve a mutually acceptable solution to
the conflict [we might] actually make it more difficult.”

On the same issue, Kambeck remarks that “the EP again fully supports
the OSCE Minsk Group efforts and defended this balanced position
against an unprecedented lobbying campaign from Azerbaijan. I am
glad that, once the MEPs looked into the issues more closely, they
recognized the traps. Many MEPs felt that this was very inappropriate.”

From: A. Papazian

200 ACTIVISTS CONVERGE ON SACRAMENTO FOR ANCA-WR ADVOCACY DAY

asbarez
April 19th, 2012

Genocide commemoration at the California Senate chamber

SACRAMENTO-Some 200 activists traveled to Sacramento from all around
California for the annual ANCA-WR Advocacy Day to commemorate
the Armenian Genocide and advocate for issues of concern to
Armenian-American community.

Resolutions in both houses of the California State Legislature
commemorating the Armenian Genocide were introduced and unanimously
passed.

Activists will hold meetings throughout the day with their elected
officials to develop and strengthen relations of the Armenian community
in California.

“The sizable participation by our community, traveling hundreds of
miles from around California to be in Sacramento, underscores the
active involvement of Armenians in the processes which directly affect
their lives,” said Executive Director William Bairamian.

More details forthcoming.

From: A. Papazian

URUGUAY’S STUDENTS TO BE TAUGHT ABOUT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 19, 2012 – 13:00 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Considering the proposal of Uruguay’s Institute of
Human Rights, the National Council for Education of Uruguay passed
a decision to include Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day in major
world event calendar for the country’s educational institutions,
Hay Dat office reports.

The message, disseminated by the National Council for Education,
read that April 24 will henceforth be marked as Armenian Genocide
commemoration day, stressing the need for instructing the teaching
staffs of preschool, secondary and higher education institutions to
inform the students about the tragedy, as well as create conditions
for them to express their views on it.

Uruguay, which was the first to officially recognize the Armenian
genocide in 1965, reaffirmed adherence to its principles. The decision
will raise awareness on details of the Armenian Genocide.

From: A. Papazian

MOSCOW TO HOST RALLY ON APRIL 24 GENOCIDE ANNIVERSARY

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 19, 2012 – 11:17 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – “Armenian Genocide – a crime against humanity”
rally will take place in Moscow on April 24.

Russian political and public figures will speak at the event, Moscow
commission for coordination of events on Armenian Genocide 100th
anniversary reports.

The initiative aims to condemn the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and demand
that Turkey should officially acknowledge the atrocity it committed.

Russia’s State Duma condemned the Armenian Genocide by a special
decree of April 14, 1995. The Duma’s statement names April 24 as the
commemoration day of 1.5 million victims of the genocide.

From: A. Papazian

ARTHUR BAGHDASARYAN’S PROPERTY

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 10:29:55 – 19/04/2012

The Haykakan Zhamanak Daily reports that the money on the bank account
of the leader of Orinats Yerkir Party Arthur Baghdasaryan decreased in
the past five years. Instead he acquired different kinds of property,
namely real estate after the 2007 election.

According to his declaration of property and income presented to the
Central Election Commission, Arthur Baghdasaryan owns an apartment
of 215.3 square meters at the center of Yerevan, as well as a 34.8
square meter garage.

According to the declaration presented at the past parliamentary
elections, Baghdasaryan did not have any property at all. The other
purchase is a VAZ 2121 car which he did not have four years ago,
as well as his Gavex Company (owns 100% of its shares).

Last year he earned AMD 4 million 295 thousand. It is his annual
salary. As of 1 March 2012, he had USD 5,020,000 on his bank account.

In 2007 he had declared AMD 8,100,000 and USD 190,000, the newspaper
reported.

From: A. Papazian

PRESS RELEASE
ARS of Western USA, Inc.
Regional Office
517 W. Glenoaks Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91202
Tel: 818-500-1343
Fax: 818-242-3732
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web:
FB:

Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, Regional Executive

Food, Folk Dancing and Fun Games at ARS’ 11th Annual Armenian Festival

The Armenian Relief Society of Western USA will host its 11th Annual
Armenian Cultural and Food Festival in Glendale on Saturday, May 5 and
Sunday, May 6, featuring music by popular Armenian singers, folk dance
groups and instruction, a costume show, games and activities for kids,
delectable foods and pastries.

Year after year, the festival draws thousands of people over the
course of two days in activities and entertainment suitable for
adults, and children of all ages. Traditional Armenian foods will
include kufta, sarma, kebab skewers, and more.

Festival hours are 1 pm – 12 midnight on Saturday, May5th and 11 am to
7 pm on Sunday, May 6th.The Glendale Civic Auditorium is located at
1401 N. Verdugo Rd., Glendale, CA. Admission is $3 per person.

Don’t Let Their Voice Be Forgotten

First-ever Chair for Contemporary Armenian Studies at USC Announced at
USC Armenian Institute Gala

The USC Institute of Armenian Studies Seventh Anniversary Gala Banquet
was held on Sunday, April 15, at which the announcement was made that
the Turpanjian family had endowed a $3 million Chair in Contemporary
Armenian Studies at USC.

The Institute’s Leadership Council also announced the establishment of
a $2 million Armenian Genocide Studies Fund that will provide for the
teaching of Genocide-related courses at USC.

Among the Armenian community organization representatives, who
attended the event were ARS-WUSA Regional Executive members Dr. Nyree
Derderian and Liza Santikian, and ARS Regional Center Manager Jasik
Jarahian. Several other ARS members were among the 800 guests at the
banquet held at the Beverly Hilton International Ballroom.

ARS Gala 2012 Sold Out

On Friday, April 27th,over 500guests will attend the ARS Gala 2012 at
the Glendale Hilton Hotel. The event will celebrate the ARS Western
U.S.A. Region’s 28th anniversary and service to communities in need
both locally and internationally.

ARSmembers from nearlyall of the region’s chapters will be honored at
the event in recognition of their exceptional service as part of the
driving force of ARS activities in their local communities.

Special thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Zareh and Melineh Issakhanian of Remedy
Liquor for their generous donation toward the ARS Gala.

Attend Armenian Genocide Commemoration Events in Your Local Community

San Fernando Valley Commemoration Event: Sunday, April 22nd at 6:30
pm, Avedissian Hall, 5300 White Oak Ave., Encino, CA 91316

Orange County Genocide Commemoration Featuring “Bolis”: Sunday, April
22ndat 4 pm, Gugasian Hall, 5315 W. McFadden Ave., Santa Ana, CA

Armenian Genocide Monument Gathering: Tuesday, April 24th from 1:30 pm
– 3:30 pm, 2445 W. Whittier Blvd., Montebello, CA

Candlelight Vigil at Burbank City Hall: Tuesday, April 24th at 7:30
pm, 275 E. Olive Ave., Burbank, CA

For a complete listing of genocide commemoration events, please visit

Send your comments to [email protected]

Open Class Workshop for ARS School Teachers & Principals

ARS school teachers and principals gathered at the ARS Talin Chapter’s
Saturday School on Saturday, April 14th for an “Open Class” workshop
organized by the Board of Regents of ARS Schools.

Attendees observed the Talin Chapter’s Saturday School class in
session, along with principal Kevork Bedikian offering
instruction. The workshop concluded with a roundtable discussion,
which offered a forum foran exchange of ideas and suggestions amongst
administrators.

ARS AnahidChapterReceives Computer Training

The ARS San Fernando Valley Anahid Chapter recently wrapped up an
8-week computer course they had organized with instructor Raffi
Hagopian.

20 members participated in the class, which focused on teaching
various computer skills including basic operation, creating email
accounts, saving documents, internet, etc.

Make Your Reservation for the ARS 3rd International Cruise!

The ARS Third International Cruise, organized by the Armenian Relief
Society, Inc., will be held on June 30 – July 14, 2012, touring
Western European and Mediterranean cities aboard Royal Caribbean’s
“Independence of the Seas.”

For more informationor to makea reservation, please contact Shakeh
Basmajian (248) 683-8666 or the ARS, Inc. International Office (617)
926-5892.

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other”
~John F. Kennedy

Save These Dates for Regional Programs

April 27, 2012
ARS Gala

May 5-6, 2012
11th Annual ARS Festival

June 4, 2012
Public HS Graduates’ Awards Night

June 5, 2012
Ararat Home Luncheon
Mission Hills, CA

Check us out and “Like”
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Donate to ARS Programs by credit card or PayPal

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Or mail your check to: ARS of Western USA, 517 W. Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale, CA 91202

From: A. Papazian

MUSICIAN ROUBEN GREGORIAN COMMEMORATED IN TEHRAN

On Line: 20 April 2012 14:35
In Print: Saturday 21 April 2012

TEHRAN – Tehran’s Armenian Hur Translation and Research Institute
held a commemoration ceremony for composer Rouben Gregorian during
a ceremony on Wednesday.

The event was organized to discuss Gregorian’s role in Persian
folk music.

Armenian Ambassador Grigor Arakelyan attended the ceremony, which
was held at the Ararat Armenian Cultural Organization.

The ceremony began with the screening of a short film on the life
of Gregorian.

One of Gregorian’s disciples Amir-Ashraf Aryanpur who is a music
researcher spoke about the life and artistic characteristics of
his master.

Music researcher Farid Dehdazi was the next speaker who reviewed the
style and melodies composed by Gregorian.

Afterward, a choral group conducted by Razmik Ohanian performed ten
folk songs composed by Gregorian.

Born in Tbilisi in 1915, Rouben Gregorian moved to Tabriz with his
parents when he was one year old. The young Rouben received his
musical education under the auspices of his father, Levon Gregorian,
a renowned musician, conductor and educator.

He played an instrumental role in the development of the Tehran
Conservatory of Music, where he served as its director. He was later
the music director and conductor of the Tehran Symphony Orchestra. His
role in the collection and documentation of Iranian folk tunes remains
unmatched yet has failed to be fully recognized. From 1949 to 1951,
he headed the musical section of the Iranian National Commission
of UNESCO.

From: A. Papazian