Author: Andres-Papazian

COMMUNITY HONORS BISHOP ANOUSHAVAN TANIELIAN ON 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION
By Tamar Haratunian

April 12, 2012

NEW YORK, NY-In commemoration of the 40thanniversary of the ordination
of His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, vicar general of the Eastern
Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, into the holy
priesthood, a celebratory mass took place on March 25 at St. Sarkis
Church in Douglaston, followed by a banquet at Terrace on the Park
in Fresh Meadows, N.Y.

Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan with members of the
anniversary committee The day began with a memorable service at
St. Sarkis Church where Bishop Anoushavan served as pastor for
14 years. With Archbishop Oshagan, prelate of the Eastern Prelacy,
presiding, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Bishop Anoushavan. In
the middle of the service, a special Pontifical Message from His
Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, was carried
in a procession by Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, pastor of St. Sarkis
Church, as the choir sang “Ourakh Ler” (Rejoice, O Holy Church),
and taken to the altar where the Pontifical Message was read by
the prelate.

The banquet that followed was attended by 355 people from various
parishes of the Eastern Prelacy, as well as special guests from France
and Canada, who gathered to celebrate Bishop Anoushavan’s dedication
and service to the Armenian Apostolic Church. Following the welcoming
remarks of the master of ceremonies, Dr. Aram Cazazian, and the singing
of the U.S. and Armenian national anthems by Siran Tchorbajian, three
testimonials were presented of programs Bishop Anoushavan helped
establish as part of the Eastern Prelacy’s youth ministry.

Zarig Baghdadlian presented an overview of the St. Gregory of Datev
Institute, a youth Christian education program established and directed
by Bishop Anoushavan for 25 years under the auspices of the Eastern
Prelacy. She noted that, under Bishop Anoushavan’s fatherly guidance
and direction, the Datev Institute has been a place for Armenian
youth to learn and share their faith and Armenian culture.

For young adults between the ages of 18 and 35, Bishop Anoushavan
organized the Eastern Prelacy’s LinkediN Workshop. LinkediN participant
Nevair Oranjian shared heartfelt words on behalf of the workshop’s
attendees, who see the workshop as a means to enhance their spiritual
lives beyond the instruction from their school years.

Shant Simonian spoke on behalf the “Yeraz” Dance Group of St. Sarkis
Church. He said that the “Yeraz” Dance Group was Bishop Anoushavan’s
vision that blossomed into a successful example of the triumph of
the Armenian identity and heritage, and that has led to many lasting
friendships among the Armenian youth.

A musical interlude was presented by Martha Sieger, who performed the
Nocturne from the Masquerade by Aram Khachaturian. Seta Balmanoukian
then captivated the audience with a moving recitation written about
and dedicated to Bishop Anoushavan. Garen Nazarian, the permanent
representative of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations,
presented words of appreciation for Bishop Anoushavan’s service and
dedication to the priesthood and to the Armenian community. Bedros
Givelegian, the chairman of the anniversary committee, shared memories
of Bishop Anoushavan’s dedication in strengthening St. Sarkis Church
during the church’s trying times. Siran Tchorbajian entertained the
audience with her beautiful voice, singing “Desnem Anin u nor Mernem”
and “Der Getzo.”

Bishop Anoushavan’s classmates Rev. Archpriest Nerses Manoogian,
pastor of St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Pa., and Dr. Hovhannes
Hovhannesian, who came from France to celebrate the blessed occasion,
provided the attendees with personal stories and insight regarding
Bishop Anoushavan and his lifelong devotion to the Armenian Church and
community. On behalf of the Religious Council of the Eastern Prelacy,
Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, pastor of St. Sarkis Church and secretary
of the Prelacy’s Religious Council, spoke of Bishop Anoushavan’s role
as mentor when Terterian succeeded him as pastor of St. Sarkis Church.

Following the dinner, a beautiful video was presented detailing
Bishop Anoushavan’s life and work, illustrating not only his personal
dedication to the Armenian Church but also the hard work of those who
he has labored with, including sister organizations, in strengthening
the church and Armenian community at large. Through the video,
attendees saw how Bishop Anoushavan has humbly served the Armenian
Church both by word and by deed, providing all with an example of a
servant of God wholly devoted to serving His flock.

After a performance by Thomas Sieger of the Prelude in C# Minor by
Sergei Rachmaninoff, the prelate, His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan,
gave his message to the attendees. Archbishop Oshagan presented Bishop
Anoushavan with an Episcopal Panagia on behalf of the Eastern Prelacy
in acknowledgement and thanks for his exceptional service. Bishop
Anoushavan then shared his own message with the attendees, thanking
all for their support of his mission and work during his 40 years of
service to the Armenian Church. He said that serving the Lord through
His people is a privilege because through service we follow in the
footsteps of Jesus Christ, which in turn strengthens the community
and showers it with success and joy.

From: A. Papazian

KARABAKH CONFLICT: STATUS QUO AS THE LEAST OF EVIL
By Aris Ghazinyan

ArmeniaNow
12.04.12 | 13:16

Photo: OSCE/David Challenger

Thursday, April 12, OSCE is holding a monitoring on the line of contact
of Azeri armed forces and the Defense of Army of Nagorno Karabakh
Republic; meanwhile the Armenian foreign minister is in Warsaw to
discuss the Karabakh issue settlement with OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs.

This year has seen so many similar monitoring and meetings that yet
another one wouldn’t be worth reporting, if not for one circumstance:
2012 initially did not promise such activity, as all three co-chairing
countries had presidential elections to take care of.

March saw the presidential elections in Russia, France will face it
on April 22, and in the United States they are scheduled for November.

This circumstance logically minimizes mediator efforts to achieve
the conflict settlement.

Nonetheless, right from the beginning of this year the USA, France
and Russia representatives have repeatedly stated that the status
quo in the Karabakh conflict zone has exhausted itself, and it is
high time to settle the issue. What does it imply? Is it that the
co-chairing countries are really determined to settle the issue as
soon as possible?

In this connection analysts point out the April 2-3 visit of Russian
foreign minister Sergey Lavrov to Armenia and Azerbaijan. His
diplomatic voyage was of symbolic value as it was timed to the
twentieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and the
two countries of South Caucasus.

Russian political analyst Sergey Markedonov says: “The April visit
created the appearance of festive trips to both countries. But the
paradox is that the two Russia-friendly countries are divided by
an unresolved ethnic conflict, and the prospects of settlement are,
frankly, far from bright.”

While in Yerevan and Baku, Lavrov said that status quo is not in the
interest of the conflicting sides.

However, Markedonov, well-known in Russia, disagrees with Lavrov:
“The truth is that the status quo is greatly in Moscow’s interest, as
both Armenia and Azerbaijan are not ready to make compromises. Moscow
is trying to hold a restrained position in its relations with Yerevan
and Baku. Armenia seems like a closer partner, and is more dependent on
Russia considering the growing cooperation in the spheres of economy,
defense and security. However, Azerbaijan is Russia’s most important
neighbor sharing the troubled Daghestani sector of its border and
the common Caspian Sea.”

In other words, Moscow is interested in the current state of affairs
as, in case more decisive measures are taken to settle the conflict,
hostilities might be resumed, and Russia would have to take sides
with one of the parties, namely, support Armenia as a member of
Collective Security Treaty Organization. And to Russia that is the
least desirable scenario.

Lavrov’s visit shortly preceded Vladimir Putin’s inauguration. To some
extent it became another signal to both Baku and Yerevan, meant to
say that Moscow’s interests in the South Caucasus remain unchanged,
and that Russia will keep trying to preserve status-quo and the
leveled relations with both countries.

From: A. Papazian

STOP THE “STOP” FESTIVAL!: ANGERED GYUMRI RESIDENTS DEMAND CANCELLATION OF FILMS OF AZERBAIJANI ORIGIN
By Gayane Abrahamyan

ArmeniaNow
12.04.12 | 15:12

Photo: Edgar Barseghyan/Via Facebook

Gyumri sees pickets against the Azerbaijani Film Festival to be held
on April 12

‘Stop’ Azerbaijani Film Festival which will be hosted by Gyumri,
on Thursday raised a big clamor among Gyumretsis; the organizers
of the festival even receive threats of physical revenge along with
pickets which are being held for several days. Nevertheless, despite
the public discontent, the festival will be held in the hall provided
by Gyumri’s Asparez Club of Journalists.

Enlarge Photo Activists in Yerevan rallied against the Azerbaijani
film festival to be held in Gyumri Georgi Vanyan, Chairman of the
Caucasus Center of Peace-Making Initiatives, who is the organizer of
the festival, says Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan is behind the threats and
stirring up public anger.

Ghukasyan has said that the festival – which is scheduled for April
12 is a “shameful betrayal” and his chief adviser Levon Khachatryan
insisted that it must be banned “at any cost.”

“I have received threats several times, they call me and threaten,
saying that they will kill me if I hold such a festival. Now I know
for sure who stands behind the threats, and after the festival I am
planning to call a press conference and clarify everything,” Vanyan
told ArmeniaNow.

A series of four short films: one documentary and three feature films
produced in Azerbaijan in 2007-2008 will be shown during the festival.

The organizers are sure, that “the Festival is an island of secure
environment for direct communication surrounded by the conditions of
distorted human values, and propaganda that poisons healthy civilized
relations.”

This festival was supposed to be held yet in 2010 in Yerevan and
Vanadzor, however it was cancelled because no space was provided for
hosting it.

Many people in Gyumri urged head of Asparez Club of Journalists
Levon Barseghyan not to provide a space, accusing him of “betrayal
of the nation.”

Barseghyan clarifies that “the hall of freedom of speech of Asparez
Club of Journalists has been given to everybody who wished to have it
for 12 years without a preliminary or other censorship.The creation of
an opportunity for freedom of expression, as well as the defense of
freedom of speech and expression is the main principle of the club,”
Barseghyan said.

Along with other youth groups, the Youth Union of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (ARF, Dashnaktsutyun) also released a
statement on Thursday, urging to “join their picket, which is based
on principles of each Armenian person.”

From: A. Papazian

JOURNAL OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE STUDIES TO BE RELEASED

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 12, 2012 – 13:35 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – In order to represent the academic outcome of
the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute (AGMI) for a wider audience,
as well as to publish the articles of the Armenian and international
scholars on the subject of the Armenian Genocide, AGMI announces the
publication of the English language “International Journal of Armenian
Genocide Studies.”

It is planned to be published twice a year for the initial period of
time. Besides scholarly articles, the journal will publish also book
reviews. Prominent genocide scholars are included in the editorial
board of the journal, according to a press release.

From: A. Papazian

TURKEY MUST APOLOGIZE TO ARMENIANS FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AND MUST PAY COMPENSATION – TURKISH PAPER

news.am
April 11, 2012 | 00:04

Orhan Kemal Cengiz, the columnist of the Turkish Radical paper
published his second article on the Armenian Genocide entitled
‘Compensation and Decision’ where he talks about the possible steps
Turkey can make towards the Armenian Genocide.

We present a part from the article.

“Turkey can solve the Armenian issue both on a humanitarian and on
a legal level. We acknowledge that a great human tragedy occurred in
1915. We condemn the Government of the Young Turks, who organized it
and apologize to our Armenian brothers. Turkey must not stop at only
apologizing but must develop a legal approach for compensation.

Believe! Turkey can realize that and solve the problem easily.

However, in order to realize it Turkey must stop the denial policy
which humiliates us before the world. We must face the tragedy of
the Ottoman Armenians. The most important thing is to be honest with
ourselves. The rest can be easily solved,” the reporter of Radical
writes.

To note, in his first article Cengiz had mentioned that no one doubts
the Armenian Genocide occurred in Turkey in 1915.

From: A. Papazian

L’ENERGIE RENOUVELABLE REPRESENTE ENVIRON 7% DE L’ENERGIE EN ARMENIE
Stephane

armenews.com
mercredi 11 avril 2012

La part de l’energie produite a partir de sources d’energie
renouvelables en Armenie est d’environ 7% de la production totale,
a declare le vice-ministre des Ressources naturelles et de l’energie
Levon Shahverdyan.

“Comme en 2010, le volume de l’energie a partir de sources d’energie
renouvelable est d’environ 450 kW / h ” a dit M.Shahverdyan lors de
la presentation du programme INOGATE.

Au cours des neuf permiers mois de 2011, la croissance de cet
indicateur etait de 7,1% par rapport a 2010.

A la fin des annees 90 – debut des annees 2000 lorsque l’Armenie
a juste commence a lancer le production d’energie renouvelable le
potentiel dans ce domaine etait a un niveau de zero.

From: A. Papazian

SEANCE PLENIERE DE L’AP ” EURONEST ” A BAKOU
Stephane

armenews.com
mercredi 11 avril 2012

L’ensemble de presse reproduit le discours ” inattendu ” du President
Aliev a la session d’Euronest, qui, malgre un accord entre les
delegations sur un respect reciproque, a ” abuse de son privilège
d’hôte “, recourant a des expressions outrageuses a l’adresse de
l’Armenie et des Armeniens, les traitant de ” fascistes et xenophobes
” et consacrant entièrement son discours au conflit du HK. Selon les
deputes armeniens, ce discours a suscite non seulement la colère de la
delegation armenienne, mais aussi des autres membres de l’AP ” Euronest
“. Le chef de la delegation armenienne, Vahan Hovhannissian a diffuse
une lettre de protestation exprimant son mecontentement et suggerant
a l’Assemblee parlementaire d’etre dorenavant plus prudente quant au
choix du lieu de sa session. Commentant le comportement du President
azeri et rappelant l’accueil de la delegation azerie par le President
armenien lors de la dernière session d’Euronest, Hovhanes Sahakian,
membre de la delegation armenienne, a declare que, par leur culture
politique et leurs valeurs, l’Armenie et le peuple armenien etaient
” 10 pas ” en avant de l’Azerbaïdjan.

” Hospitalite azerbaïdjanaise ” titre Hayastani Hanrapetoutioun.

Ambassade de France en Armenie

Service de presse

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN DASHNAKTSUTYUN PARTY HOLDS MEETING IN DOWNTOWN YEREVAN

NEWS.AM
April 10, 2012 | 20:08

YEREVAN. – ARF Dashnaktsutyun party comes in order to return power to
the nation, the head of ARFD’s parliamentary group Vahan Hovhannisyan
announced during the party’s meeting on Liberty Square in Yerevan
on Tuesday.

“We did not come to take the power by force or bye it with bribe like
others do. We did not come to beg for the power. We came to take what
belongs to us according to the Constitution – the power. We want to
return the power to you. They took the power from us taking advantage
of our weaknesses,” Vahan Hovhannisyan mentioned. “The revolutionary
spirit is not in screams and noise. Even political people announced
that our last program was the best and the most real. This is it,
the real revolutionary spirit. If we manage to make it a part of our
lives with your help, then not the coming generation but you too will
witness the revolution.”

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Dashnaktsutyun is one of
the oldest Armenian political parties. It was founded in the end of
19th century.

Following the Sovietization of Armenia in 1920, the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun
was banned by the Communists and its leadership exiled. The
ARF-Dashnaktsutyun officially re-emerged in Armenia after the collapse
of the USSR, in 1990.

In June 2003, the party signed a coalition memorandum with the
Republican Party of Armenia and Orinats Yerkir (Rule of Law). However,
in 2009 ARFD left the coalition in protest against signing the
protocols with Turkey.

Party’s proportional list includes 85 candidates. Eight candidates
will run for an MP seat with majority system. The party’s motto is
‘Freedom, Justice, Dashnaktsutyun.’

From: A. Papazian

‘FREE’ MEDICINE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN MEDICAL INSURANCE
by Elita Babayan

arminfo
Tuesday, April 10, 18:53

Medical insurance is little known to most of the Armenian citizens,
but it has a century-old history in many economically developed
countries. Necessity and usefulness of this product is no longer
disputed, though many countries still have problems in the medical
insurance system. Although there is lack of the best practice of
medical insurance, the system exists and settles one of the major
problems of the public – health safety.

The healthcare system in Armenia has proved in an extremely problematic
situation after the collapse of the Soviet Union (before the collapse
it was considered the best in the Soviet area). The country with
imperfect model of economic relations is experiencing quite “marketable
relations” in the sphere of medical services. A patient is reluctant to
pay (formally or informally) rather big amounts of sum for once free
services. Therefore, people began to appeal for medical assistance
very rarely.

There is a serious need for a conceptually new healthcare model. Both
the authorities and the medical society of the country have alarmed
of that and, in fact, serious reforms were launched in the given field.

Unfortunately, these reforms are still fragmentary and many legislative
initiatives on the free medical aid are often populistic and doomed to
failure, for instance, the law on free obstetrics and free treatment
of children below 7 years adopted yet in 1996.

The law on free obstetrics was put into practice (not-fully) yet in
2008, while the law on the free inpatient treatment of children below
7 years came into effect yet in the beginning of the year. It is
noteworthy that in 2006 free ambulatory treatment of the population
was introduced in the country. In addition, a certain group of the
citizens, specifically, the people of the first and second disability
categories have a right to free drugs. The people of the third
disability category can buy drugs for half price. However, health
workers often say that the budgetary financing does not cover even
half of the needs of patients. In fact, many vulnerable adults have
to wait for “the next time”, which often leads to grave consequences
for the health of patients.

Health workers say that there are very long queues for “free treatment”
at hospitals. They are not satisfied with the bonuses they receive
as part of the free medical assistance and complain for lack of any
additional payment to nurses. Health workers say that the salary of
physicians would grow for several times in case of full financing of
the (free) medical services from the state budget, which is, however,
not within the interests of some local officials. This problem is not
new for the medial workers and they think it will be hindering normal
work of medical establishments for many years creating additional
corruption risks in the enough corrupt field.

The sector still has many relevant problems. Many medical
establishments, especially in the regions, lack the necessary
infrastructure and funds to acquire technical equipment. There are
no single quality standards of medical aid. Neither there is a single
price making system for all the medical establishments. The healthcare
system needs optimization.

Experts in the insurance sector say that compulsory medical insurance
is able to settle many of the above problems, however, they think
that the country has no relevant economic and social background
for introduction of the given institute. High level of unemployment
and low salaries in the country is the problem number one hindering
introduction of compulsory medical insurance in the country, experts
and officials say.

Nevertheless, to transfer to the compulsory medical insurance, the
country has chosen quite a good scenario designed for a mainstream
audience, particularly, civil servants. Favoring them the authorities
rely on their loyalty especially on the threshold of elections. In
addition, they hope to test the new system of medical insurance on
civil servants. This system will prove its vitality, and reveal the
tariff efficiency of medical establishments and the quality of medical
services. The government, in turn, will have useful “informers” in
the face of civil servants regarding the problems that may emerge
when transferring to the compulsory medical insurance. The latter
will fully test the healthcare system, adjust insurers and medical
establishments to the new system of work, coordinate money flows
inside the system and reveal all its positive and negatives sides.

Executive Director of INGO Armenia Insurance Company Levon Altunyan
says the government’s initiative will result in a threefold growth
of the medical insurance market in Armenia and will pave the way
to introduction of compulsory medical insurance in the public life
of Armenia. “The program will become an impetus for development for
the institute of insurance and the market of medical services in the
country. The quality of medical services will become more prior for
insurers; adequacy of medical aid to pathologies, reasonability of
expenses on treatment and diagnostics,” Altunyan says.

Today, the medical insurance market capacity does not exceed 1.5
billion drams. Insurers reached such scales only after the government
amended the Law On Income Tax in 2010. Thanks to the given amendments,
the fees paid by the employers under medical insurance contracts with
employees are not taxable. Before that, annual insurance premiums of
companies did not exceed 1 billion drams, and the market was growing
mostly due to the corporate insurance (foreign companies). However,
as Executive Officer of Nairi Insurance Company Gor Khachatryan says,
this system had been developing on own specific rules for long years
deviating from the theoretical and practical bases of development.

Therefore, it is unable to pave the way to compulsory insurance like
it was done in many developed countries.

So, predicting the future of medical insurance in Armenia one should
not forget about the economic situation in the country.

Social-economic situation in the country impedes insurance relations,
deteriorates the market situation, and dilutes the economic nature
of insurance and its role in the financial system of the public.

Nevertheless, compulsory insurance in Armenia may become a real goal.

It requires a proper model of financing of the medical insurance
system, active financial support and political will of the
authorities. Simultaneously, on the example of the motor third party
liability insurance, it is necessary to set up a special Bureau that
would toughly regulate and control the sector. This system should
not be left unattended, for wild and unregulated competition leads to
unfair tricks and shadow plans to “beat” the rivals. The new system
should redistribute benefits and undertake a serious public burden
to restore the system of social security and protection.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION LEADER CALLS FOR REVENGE

Tert.am
10.04.12

At his public meeting in the village of Ohanavan, Aragatsotn region,
Armenia, Chairman of the opposition bloc Armenian National Congress
(ANC) Levon Ter Petrosyan stressed the need for putting an end to
“this 14- 15-year-long nightmare.”

“Dear people, I would like to express my gratitude to you for
consistently casting your votes ‘for’ the opposition,” Armenia’s
first president said.

“You have always voted for the opposition, but the authorities
have proved winners. It is time to take revenge. We must put an
end to this nightmare. We must do what we did in 2003 and in 2008,”
Ter-Petrosyan said.

It is time for the people to “get rid of this evil.” “The authorities
will not dare resort to violence as they used to,” the ANC leader said.

As regards election bribes, Ter-Petrosyan said that, although people
take bribes, they do not vote for the bribe-giver forces.

According to him, no violations will be committed this year.

Stepan Demirchyan, who ranks 2nd on the ANC list, called on the people
to vote for the ANC, which, according to him, will “essentially change
the political situation.”

From: A. Papazian