Author: Andres-Papazian

EACH CITIZEN OF ARMENIA OWES EXTERNAL CREDITOR $100 THOUSAND – POLITICIAN

news.am
April 10, 2012 | 19:06

The Democratic Party of Armenia had its first meeting in the framework
of the pre-election campaign on Tuesday.

After presenting the party’s program, the chairman of the party Aram
Sargsyan mentioned that the program aims to solve many problems.

According to Aram Sargsyan, if the illegal economy was eliminated,
which makes up 70 per cent of the economy, and if the oligarchs were
removed, the Armenian State Budget would increase by $1.5-2 billions.

He mentioned that because of Armenia’s external debt currently each
Armenian citizen owes $100 thousand to the external creditor.

The Democratic Party of Armenia is a left-wing party established in
1991. Chairman of the party is Aram Sargsyan.

The proportional list includes 45 names. The party’s motto is “If
Justice then Democrats”.

From: A. Papazian

PROSPEROUS ARMENIA PARTY TO VISIT EVERY ARMENIAN VILLAGE

Panorama.am
10/04/2012

Today leader of Prosperous Armenia Party Gagik Tsarukyan has met with
the population in the towns of Yeghvard, Byureghavan and Nor Hachn,
Kotayk region as part of election campaign, spokesperson for PAP
leader Khachik Galstyan told Panorama.am.

In his speeches, Gagik Tsarukyan presented party’s election program
and the prior challenges the party is going to address.

PAP activists, divided into 7 groups, will visit Armenian regions
during the campaign, according to the party spokesperson.

“The party plans visits to every village of Armenia,” he stressed.

Gagik Tsarukyan will visit Charentsavan and Hrazdan tomorrow.

From: A. Papazian

ANOTHER NEW BOOK IN ENGLISH TELLING ABOUT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE SURVIVORS

ARMENPRESS
APRIL 10, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 10, ARMENPRESS. With the means of new book the
international society will learn the Armenian Genocide history by
witness generation who lived those disaster years.

The third book on Armenian Genocide by Rubina Pirumyan, researcher
in California University, was presented Armenpress reports. The
author stated that the Armenian generation witnesses have left little
heritage to us.” Armenian literature giants who would have depicted
their tortures and passions became martyred, while not many of the
survivors turned their anguish to literature piece” Rubina highlighted.

The author said that the existing little literature is the result
of inner struggle.” I was not intended to hold public discussion;
my goal was to identify from the selected literature the obstacles
encountering the path of our nation. The whole truth is hidden in
the lap of literature” the author testified.

Rubina Pirumyan stated with regret that the life history of million
and half Armenians should be revealed to show to the international
society the real image of the crime.

Hayk Demoyan Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute Director noted the
book is very significant as the memoirs of the survivors are depicted.

” The English version is in the favor of the book, as the number of
the readers will incomparably increase” Rubina noted.-

From: A. Papazian

103-YEAR-OLD SURVIVOR CALLS FOR JUSTICE
Tom Vartabedian

April 10, 2012

WORCESTER, Mass.-Heghine Minasian considers her life miraculous on
two accounts.

‘Obama promised us recognition and delivered us empty words,” she
says. “It bothers me and all other Armenians, too. He failed to live
up to his promises.’ First, that she survived a horrific genocide
in her village of Kharpet. And second, that she’s still alive and
kicking at the ripe age of 103.

Heghine doesn’t look upon herself as a poster child of her generation.

Nor any great geriatric wonder as the city’s oldest genocide survivor.

Instead, she prefers a more subtle role, away from unnecessary fanfare.

She’s content living an independent lifestyle in the comfort of her
own home, watching “Jeopardy” every night, doing her knitting and
crocheting, and enjoying the love of her family.

Three daughters tend to dote after her, including one next door,
along with 8 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

But make no mistake about it. When it comes time to speak her piece
about the massacre, Heghine is most opinionated. If President Obama
is in the area, this is one person he may want to avoid.

“Obama promised us recognition and delivered us empty words,” she
says. “It bothers me and all other Armenians, too. He failed to live
up to his promises.”

In the background is daughter Alice Kanaley, who is not surprised by
her mother’s actions. She’s heard this before, including publicly
two years ago when Heghine was given the keys to the city by the
Worcester mayor. A TV station was on hand to document the event and
interviewed the woman.

“She handled it like a charm,” the daughter said.

In accepting the honor, Heghine used the moment to remind everyone
about her feelings and how Armenians should band together in the name
of unity for greater impact.

“Mom’s really feisty when it comes to matters like this,” Alice
reminds you. “She’s a true ambassador for our cause.”

Heghine was old enough to remember the Turks invading her city. She
doesn’t go into details only to say it was a sad experience. Her
mother died when she was eight. Heghine never met her father. He had
come to America and was never seen again.Her husband Garabed was more
exposed to the brutality of conflict.

The two enjoyed a happy and rewarding life together in France, Canada,
and in Worcester for 49 years before his death in 1976. They ran a
hair dressing salon in the city and enjoyed giving their clientele
a bright new look after they entered.

“Worcester has always been home to the immigrant population,” says
Alice. “It’s been a wonderful city to live and work, to practice your
heritage, too. Mom’s enjoyed it here.”

Word around town is that nobody made a better choreg than Heghine.

Cooking was always a passion and you got to sample her fare at church
dinners and other public gatherings.

Twice a week, elder care drops by to check on her. A visit to her
apartment unveils a meticulous setting. Except for a blood pressure
pill, there’s no other medication.

“Jeopardy” is not the only daily ritual she cultivates. Her Bible
also gets a workout. Heghine is a woman steeped in faith.

“God must be keeping me for a reason,” she notes. “I’m blessed in
many ways and wish the same for others like myself.”

On occasion, Alice will take her mother to Avak lunches at the church.

She’ll play cards, relish the hospitality of others, and pass along
her wisdom regally.

“My mother is my pillar of strength,” notes Alice. “Mentally, she’s
90 percent with it. Except for her knees, she’s the perfect picture
of health. When I’m with her, it keeps me going. She’s an inspiration.”

Much of it has to do with her lifestyle. She never drove and refrained
from tobacco. Except for a sociable glass of wine, alcohol was never
consumed. Another hobby hasn’t lost its zest: She still reads books
and periodicals.

The fact both mother and daughter communicate in Armenian and not
English keeps the language alive in their home. It’s been an Armenian
family that hasn’t lost its spirit.

“She wanted us to live the dream,” says the daughter.

To what does Heghine attribute her longevity? She doesn’t give it a
second thought.

“You must have faith in God,” she answers. “Miracles are keeping me
alive. You have to believe in miracles.”

As the 100th anniversary rolls around in three years, Heghine may
not live to see 106. But she offers this message to those who will.

“Stick together,” she says with conviction. “Remain strong and fight
for recognition. Above all, keep our culture and history alive by
practicing it every day.”

From: A. Papazian

V. BOSTANJIAN DIDN’T EXCLUDE THAT ONE DAY HE WILL JOIN ARF

Aysor.am
09.04.2012, 16:04

MP of NA PAP faction Vardan Bostanjian was present at the presentation
of the ARF election program. Bostanjian thinks it was a high level
program.

During the interview with the asyor.am correspondent Vardan Bostanjian
said, “It is a well carried out mechanism and I was to about say it.”

Answering the question whether it is possible that Bostanjian will
leave the PAP and join the ARF Mr Bostanjian said that he has always
had sympathy towards ARF.

However he also mentioned, “I do not think about leaving the party,
and as for excluding, I have one formula in my life which says that
nothing can be excluded in the world and in politics in particular.”

From: A. Papazian

ARTSAKH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FACTIONS TO BE CONSISTENT MARAGHA CRIMINALS ARE SUBJECTED TO RESPONSIBILITY

ARMENPRESS
APRIL 10, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 10, ARMENPRESS. Nagorno Karabakh Republic National
Assembly ” Hayrenik” , “Democracy”, “Federation” parties and
“Artsakhatun” parliamentary group came forth with joint statement on
the 20th anniversary of Maragha village tragedy. Artsakh National
Assembly press service told Armenpress. The statement ran “In 1992
April 10 Azerbaijani armed forces subdivisions , with the assistance of
mercenaries , attacked Maragha residents of Nagorno Karabakh Martakert
district, which presented no danger to Azerbaijan from the military
point of view.

Military actions were aimed to exterminate Maragha, implement mass
murder and deportation of civilians. Hundreds of Armenians reportedly
were displaced, taken prisoners; the fate of many is still unknown.

Maragha crime was too grave, though the perpetrators remain unpunished
and the Maragha settlement occupied. More than thousands of former
Maragha residents are currently asylum seekers in several countries
of the word.

Nagorno Karabakh Republic National Assembly factions strongly
condemning the crime asses it as Genocide and declare ” we shall
be consistent that the organizers and executers of the crimes
against innocent civilians stand before the court and be subject
to responsibility.

From: A. Papazian

PAPER: TYCOON SAMVEL ALEXANYAN’S WIFE URGED HIM TO AVOID JOURNALISTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 10, 2012 – 10:01 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Businessman Samvel Alexanyan’s wife has allegedly
urged him to keep away from journalists, at least during the
pre-election period, Yerkir paper says.

According to the paper, she advised him to do so in order to escape
ridiculous situations, and not mention her name to the reporters.

It is unclear how a candidate running for the parliament may keep
silent during his election campaign; however, the paper tried to
confirm the news with the tycoon personally.

Alexanyan was quite surprised to hear the rumors, then responded by
saying “Nobody can ban me from speaking”, paper says.

From: A. Papazian

DANGEROUS “GAMES” OF AZERBAIJAN

ARMENPRESS
APRIL 10, 2012
YEREVAN

EREVAN, APRIL 10, ARMENPRESS: Last week an interesting, but not
altogether surprising, article was authored by Mark Perry on a
secret deal Israel had reached with Azerbaijan. According to Perry’s
sources within the U.S. intelligence community, Azerbaijan has granted
Israeli fighter planes access to its airfields for a potential strike
on Iranian nuclear facilities, reports Armenpress citing Political
Developments Research Center. The article also suggested that access
to Azeri airfields near the Iranian border would give Israeli fighter
planes logistical advantages in carrying out attacks because Israeli
war planes would no longer have to refuel in mid-air for the flight
back to Israel. The regime in Baku was quick to deny the report and
called it ‘absurd’ and a ‘foreign provocation’ aimed at worsening
relations with official Tehran. It is ironic that the Aliyev regime
tries to pass off the blame to a foreign source as trying to ruin
relations between the two countries when in the last few months alone
Azerbaijan has made very provocative moves against Iran.

First, Azerbaijan has provided a base for Mossad agents to carry
out assassinations against Iranian nuclear scientists, and to gather
general military and intelligence reports on Iran.

Second, an initiative by certain Azeri members of parliament to rename
Azerbaijan the ‘Republic of North Azerbaijan’ further infuriated
Iranian officials, since it implied that the Iranian provinces of
East and West Azarbaijan are Azeri territory.

Third, the Russians lease on the Gabala radar station is coming to an
end, if Russia does not re-sign, Baku has hinted that it may lease out
the base to another country. Likely candidates are Israel or the U.S.

Moreover, the recent purchase of over $1.6 billion worth of armament
from Israel by the Azeri military did not please Iran either.

If Azerbaijan has indeed made a deal with Israel they are playing
a dangerous and potentially regime ending game. Two years ago Iran
warned official Baku not to become a staging ground for either Western
or Israeli forces to attack Iran. It was made clear that Baku would
be bombed in retaliation, and a land invasion would likely ensue
as well. Of course this would also mean that Iran would support
Armenia unconditionally in the conflict against Azerbaijan over the
independence of Artsakh. Furthermore, Russia does not want a war to
erupt against Iran either, and Azerbaijan helping bring about such
a situation would displease the Russians too. With that said, why
would Azerbaijan risk such grave possibilities in order to help Israel?

Two potential outcomes favorable to Azerbaijan come to mind.

First, Azerbaijan does not want to see Iran export Islamic theocracy
to Baku, something they have strived to prevent since establishing
diplomatic relations with Iran. Perhaps, the regime in Baku believes
that a strike against Iran may ignite a wider regional war and also
bring the U.S. into the fray as Iran would likely retaliate against
Israel. With the U.S. now involved, the Ayatollahs may be severely
weakened and possibly lose control of Iran to forces more favorable
to the West and Azerbaijan. While this may seem like a bold or even
reckless calculation by the Azeris, it could be a last ditch effort
to finally rid themselves of what they perceive as a hostile regime
in Tehran, and possibly gain territory in northern Iran.

Second, and more likely, Azerbaijan has probably been promised more
military equipment, which in all likelihood, they will attempt to use
against Armenia and Artsakh. With the Azeri military bolstered by new
armaments, the regime in Baku may decide to launch a military offensive
on Armenian positions, hoping to achieve a quick victory, all while
the attention of the world’s major powers is focused upon Iran. This
reasoning of Azerbaijan seems more calculated since they think time is
not on their side and with each passing year their chance of conquering
Artsakh dims. Yet, this too is a great gamble for the Azeris because
war is unpredictable, and in case their offensive is stopped by the
Armenian military, there will not be much stopping Armenia’s forward
advance to Baku, neither geographically nor politically.

It would seem that neither scenarios above are truly favorable to
Azerbaijan nor are there any definitive confirmations that a secret
deal to allow Israel to use airfields in Azerbaijan have been agreed
upon. Of course, no deal between Israel and Azerbaijan on such an
issue would be in writing, and what this author is able to piece
together from open sources is very limited in comparison to the
information available to regime strategists in Baku. However, these
three assumptions remain unchallenged: Azerbaijan continues to allow
Mossad agents to operate within its borders in order to infiltrate
and spy on Iran, Aliyev and his minions do not like the status quo
over Artsakh and wish to change it, and Israel is barely being held
back from attacking Iran.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN ONE OF SURVIVORS FROM TITANIC WRECK

news.am
April 09, 2012 | 22:01

Canadian CBC TV channel shot a film ‘Titanic: the Canadian
Survivors’ on Titanic wreck. One of the episodes is devoted to
the Canadian-Armenian Neshan Krekorian, told by his grandson Van
Solomonian.

Neshan Krekorian’s father advised him to make a new life in Canada –
far away from the persecution of Armenians in what is now Eastern
Turkey. Krekorian bought a third-class ticket for the Titanic hoping
to start everything again in Canada.

According to his grandson Solomonian, his grandfather carried nothing
more than the clothes on his back and a small suitcase. He was part
of those passengers, who spoke little or no English.

Krekorian said that when the accident happened, electricity has gone
and panic rose, but later it was back and people started to calm down.

However, Neshan did not see the iceberg, just pieces on the water. At
first, they had to use axes to open way to the port. The grandfather
also said that first and second class ticket holders were assisted and
given priority. Neshan remembered also how the sailors died of hunger,
but he could survive. He never told witnessing the Titanic went down.

Generally, he spoke very little of the accident. Probably he was chosen
by the destiny to survive for later to call his brothers in Canada,
who created their families, concluded Krekorian’s grandson.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA TO PARTICIPATE IN TELECOMMUNICATION CONFERENCE HELD IN ISTANBUL

NEWS.AM
April 11, 2012 | 11:53

Armenia will participate in Caspian Telecoms 2012, an international
conference and exhibition of telecommunications, investments and
information technologies held in Istanbul.

Caspian Telecoms Conference & Showcase is the only event for the
telecoms industry for Turkey, CIS, the Black Sea States and their
neighboring Caspian and Central Asian regions.

The representatives of Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan,
Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Belarus,
Moldova, Mongolia, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Bulgaria and Greece
will participate.

Conference is a platform from which communication ministries and state
telecoms companies can outline their concept for the modernisation
and privatisation of the telecoms and IT industries to an audience
of international telecoms companies and investors.

An exhibition comprising 20 desks will be held within the framework
of the conference. It will enable telecommunication companies to
demonstrate new technologies and services.

From: A. Papazian