Author: Andres-Papazian

LA COMEDIE MUSICALE ” SAYAT COLA ” A CONQUIS LE PUBLIC A BOURG-LES-VALENCE
Krikor Amirzayan

armenews.com
samedi 24 mars 2012

Pour ses adieux -Bourg-Lès-Valence etant après Marseille, Paris, Lyon,
Aix-en-Provence, sa dernière representation- la comedie musicale ”
Sayat Nova ” de Serge Eurdekian et mise en scène par Hagop Kalfayan
a conquis les quelque 400 spectateurs de la salle ” Theâtre le Rhône
“, dimanche 18 mars. Un spectacle haut en couleur, a l’invitation
de l’UCFAF-Valence. L’un de ses membres, Varoujan Kalfayan dans sa
presentation a donne quelques notes humoristiques avant d’appeler sur
scène Vertkes Vartanian le president de l’UCFAF-Valence. V. Vartanian
remercia le large public venu suivre le spectacle, ainsi que les
personnalites qui etaient très nombreuses dans la salle. Parmi ces
dernières, Alain Maurice, Maire de Valence, le sculpteur Toros et
Edmond Yanikian, le president de l’UCFAF-France.

Durant près de deux heures, le public fut pris de passion pour cette
comedie hilarante de la vie des Armeniens de la deuxième a la quatrième
generation, confrontes a leur double culture. Entre la France de raison
et l’Armenie de c~ur et d’ideal, bien des debats furent ouverts dans
cette comedie où une douzaine d’acteurs-chanteurs invitaient au rire et
a la reflexion tout en se divertissant avec les quelque onze chansons
originales. Avec pour leitmotiv l’integration ou l’assimilation qui
se degageaient au bout des reflexions. La comedie de Serge Eurdekian
a charme le public tout en l’aidant a se poser les vraies questions
sur l’identite armenienne de France. L’Armenie est-il toujours notre
pays reve ? La diaspora est-elle notre finalite ?

Pourquoi ne pas vivre son temps et se laisser aller par la vie, la joie
et le bonheur sans penser a son armenite ? Vastes debats… Avec le
rire, ” Sayat Cola ” a allie la detente et la reflexion. Une comedie
qui a enchante les spectateurs qui ont acclame la troupe par des
applaudissements nourris.

Après le spectacle, l’UCFAF-Valence a invite ses amis et personnalites
a une reception autour de specialites armeniennes. Vartkes Vartanian,
Edmond Yanikian et Alain Maurice ont alors remercie les acteurs,
dont Serge Eurnekian.

Krikor Amirzayan a Bourg-Lès-Valence, texte et reportage-photo (avec
Sonia Sarkissian)

Un très large public 400 specteteurs venus assister a “Sayat Cola”
Varoujan Kalfayan (UCFAF-Valence) “Sayat Cola” La troupe de “Sayat
Cola” très applaudie Ovation du public Edmond Yanikian s’adresse a
Alain Maurice

A gauche Alain Maurice, Maire de Valence Edmond Yanikian et Vartkes
Vartanian Toros, Serge Eurdekian, Sonia Sarkissian, Alain Maurice Au
centre Serge Eurdekian très applaudisamedi

From: A. Papazian

LOVE LETTER TO ARMENIA.

Reviewed by Jirair Tutunjian, Toronto,

15 March 2012

While Minas Der-Sarkissian’s collection of essays is called “With My
Fatherland,” another title could have been Love Letters to Armenia.

The nineteen essays, which have appeared over the years, in Diaspora
Armenian publications, are about the author’s love, admiration,
loyalty, nostalgia… for his homeland. The essay titles in the first
part of the book say it all: Letter to My Beloved, Armenian Ode,
Armenian Sanctities, Capital Love, From Yerevan to Ararad, I Yearn
to See, Lost Eden, and Why Do I Often Go to Armenia? The singular
theme continues in the second part with I Come from Yerevan, With My
Fatherland, Death of the Hero.

In the Letter to My Beloved essay the author quotes his wife’s
plaintiff words: “It’s always Armenia which has been your muse.

Couldn’t you have also dedicated two lines to me?” Der-Sarkissian
admits that his spouse is right, and then he goes to explain his
intense and unabashed dedication to his fatherland.

Born in 1931 in Beirut, the author is a graduate of Melkonian
Educational Institute in Cyprus (1945-’50). After his graduation,
he attended Lebanon’s Middle East College. Soon after, he joined
Trans-Arabian Pipeline. Over the years, Der-Sarkissian has contributed
to Zartonk, Ayk, Nor Or and later to Harach and Nor Harach in Paris.

In 1996 he settled in Paris.

In the second part of the 144-page book the author writes a short
humorous memoir about his student days at Melkonian. There is also an
interesting long essay about the circumstances of General Antranig’s
death, his burial in Fresno, then at Pere Lachaisse in Paris, and
eventually in Yerevan. It will come as interesting news to readers
that the reason the great Armenian hero was buried, in the late
’20s, in Paris was because an Azeri at the Soviet consulate in Los
Angeles successfully plotted against General Antranig’s burial in
Soviet Armenia.

The essays have a great many such interesting nuggets of information.

For example, few Armenians would know that two of the eight athletes
representing the Ottoman Empire at the Fifth Olympic Games in Stockholm
in 1912 were Armenian-V. Papazian and M. Mgrian. The latter was leading
a track-and-field event when he slowed down near the finishing line
because he didn’t want to see Turks celebrate “their” victory with
their crescent flag.

The essay titled Idol is a summary of the author’s feelings for
Armenia. He says he goes to Armenia like

–an orphan heading to his mother, like an exile returning to his
family hearth, like a father who approaches his newborn’s cradle,
like the lover who hurries to the site of the tryst, like a new groom
who dream’s about the conjugal bed…

If a reader substituted Armenia, fatherland, motherland with the name
of a person of either gender, the book could be become a fascinating
compilation of passionate billets doux.

Minas Der-Sarkissian 197A, Ave. Du General Leclerc 94700 Maison-Alfort,
France Telephone: +331-43.53.98.24

From: A. Papazian

LET’S BLIND ARMENIA’S JUSTICE
BY GAREN YEGPARIAN

asbarez
Friday, March 23rd, 2012

Everyone has seen those statues of Lady Justice (derived from various
Egyptian, Greek, and Roman deities), with the scale in one hand, a
sword in the other, and a blindfold over her eyes. Most have probably
not given it a second thought. Yet that which is represented by the
figure is one of the things the Republic of Armenia (RoA) most needs.

Everyone is also aware of the corruption and antics that plague
government, business, and the common man in the RoA. Whether
that’s through personal experience, friends’ stories, news sources,
international assessments, YouTube videos, or some other means, it,
too, like Lady Justice, probably elicits little response two decades
into the RoA’s life. Yet, that attention is one of the things the
RoA sorely needs.

The development of civil society is trumpeted as the means to
establishing a truly democratic order in newly democratizing states.

This is a multifaceted, difficult, and long-term process. It struck me
at the panel discussion about Teghood that many of the ills plaguing
the RoA today, are not so distant historically in the U.S.

Unfortunately, all the things that need to be done to achieve a
better society are intertwined and there is no pre-set sequence,
formula to arrive at the desired state of affairs.

So I want to address one aspect of what makes a society function
relatively freer of corruption-the courts. By all accounts, Armenia’s
courts do anything but fairly and equally administer the law,
without corruption, avarice, prejudice, or favor- as symbolized by
Lady Justice. But how do we achieve this?

The judges in the RoA are dependent on, and beholden to, the political
branches of government for their positions and livelihood. The key
is to break that dependency. So why not create a new constitutional
entity composed of disinterested parties that funds the judicial
system and oversees it to prevent corrupt practices and conflicts
of interest, without getting involved in the actual administration
of justice? It would be exceedingly difficult to maintain that last
distinction. This would be no mean feat, but done right, might help
break the web of odious judicial practices.

What I envision is a body composed of individuals from different parts
of the Diaspora who hail from the legal professions- judges, lawyers,
legislators (preferably retired), bringing to bear the experience
gained by functioning within the various legal systems in effect in
places as diverse as Argentina, Egypt, France, Greece, India, Iran,
Lebanon, Russia, the U.S. etc. Imagine, Armenians from the places
overseeing the behavior (not actual judgments) of the judges in our
homeland. What a wealth of knowledge, conscience, and intellect that
would be, all in the service of our young and developing state!

As already noted, it would be tremendously difficult to implement
such a project. The oversight body would have to be given the power
to remove judges from office. They would also serve as the source of
pay, which means a serious funding commitment from the Diaspora.

Please express your views on this.

I apologize to readers, and thank the person who caught two errors in
my article two weeks ago. For the record, I misidentified the states
represented by two anti-Armenian members of Congress, Dan Burton is
actually from Indiana, Dan Boren from Oklahoma.

From: A. Papazian

ANCA-WR ENDORSES ADRIN NAZARIAN FOR STATE ASSEMBLY

asbarez
Thursday, March 22nd, 2012

Adrin Nazarian (center) meets with students during a campaign stop

GLENDALE-The Armenian National Committee of America, Western Region
on Thursday announced its endorsement of Adrin Nazarian for the newly
drawn San Fernando Valley’s 46th Assembly District . The primary
election for the seat will take place on June 5.

Adrin Nazarian, the chief of staff to L.A. City Councilmember Paul
Krekorian, has been a longtime supporter, and active member, of
the Armenian community. Nazarian also served as the chief of staff
to Krekorian when the latter was in the State Assembly himself and
where both of them worked dependably to ensure the Armenian American
community had a voice in Sacramento.

“Our district deserves a proactive state government that will be
responsive to our needs and not party to the whims of dysfunctional
politics,” said Nazarian in a press release. “For too long, politics
have short-changed the long-term interests of our state as students,
homeowners and those concerned about basic services have paid the
price. When elected, I will fight for the structural reforms this
state needs and bring back the core services our Valley deserves.”

Nazarian, who grew up in the San Fernando Valley, received his
Bachelor’s degree in economics from UCLA. Upon graduation, he was a
participant of the CORO Fellowship in Public Affairs program. He has
served as an aide to Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) and was appointed
by former California Gov. Gray Davis as a Special Assistant to the
California Trade and Commerce.

He is a Class of 1991 graduate of Ferrahian Armenian School and,
also, a former member of the Armenian Youth Federation and Homenetmen
Athletics.

“The ANCA-WR is happy to support one of our own in Adrin Nazarian as
he pursues the newly-created 46th Assembly District seat,” said Acting
Chairwoman, Nora Hovsepian. “His candidacy is an example of the type
of civic engagement we hope to see more of from our community members
and Adrin is the ideal person to be an example for that.”

The newly drawn 46th Assembly District includes the Los Angeles
neighborhoods of Sherman Oaks, Toluca Lake, Studio City, Valley
Village, Valley Glen, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Panorama City,
North Hills, Lake Balboa and the Hollywood Hills.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the
largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy
organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination
with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the
Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country,
the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community
on a broad range of issues.

From: A. Papazian

IN SPITE OF HER LAST POSITION IN HERITAGE PARTY’S TICKET LARISA ALAVERDYAN WILL REMAIN ACTIVE IN POLITICS AND IN PARTY

arminfo
Thursday, March 22, 17:18

In spite of her last, 41st position in the joint list proportional
representation of Heritage Party and Free Democrats Party, Larisa
Alaverdyan will remain active in politics and in party. L. Alaverdyan
made such statement talking to ArmInfo.

Earlier, local Mass Media reported that Alaverdyan allegedly refused to
participate in Heritage party’s campaign and declared her disagreement
with the party’s political course.

“The last position in the list was my choice. If our voters want
to see me in the parliament and they are satisfied with my work,
they will vote for our party. There is nothing extraordinary in
that,” Alaverdyan said. She said that the deputy mandate has neither
contributed not impeded her 25-year-old active political work. Even
if she is not elected to the parliament of the 5th convocation,
it will not hinder her political activity.

To recall, the two parties approved a joint list proportional
representation on March 18. The first two positions in the list belong
to the leaders of the two parties Raffi Hovannisian and Khachatur
Kokobelyan. There are some disputes over the positions in the list.

Thus, Secretary of the Heritage Party Board Karine Hakobyan has
officially announced her withdrawal from the party. Hakobyan said that
many members of the party disagree with the decisions of the party
leadership, specifically over the list proportional representation
of the party, but they do not express their discontent out of respect
for the Party Leader Raffi Hovannisian.

From: A. Papazian

GREEN ACTIVISTS REFUSE TO ATTEND PUBLIC HEARINGS ON TEGHOUT PROJECT

arminfo
Thursday, March 22, 17:38

The green activists refuse to attend the public hearings on the
Teghout project.

The green activists’ statement sent to ArmInfo says that the public
hearings will be held in Vanadzor on March 23 on the initiative of
the Government of Armenia. However, there is no information on the
issues to be raised at the hearings, the statement reads. Thus, it is
not clear to the activists what the hearings are aimed at and how the
results of the hearings will influence the governmental decisions. In
this connection, the activists have decided not to participate in
the public hearings on the Teghout project.

“The Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee will hold a sitting
in Geneva on March 27-31 to discuss the process of Armenia’s
implementation of the demands on Teghout. We suppose that the
Government of Armenia is trying to create a false impression that it
is exerting efforts to implement the Aarhus Convention provisions”,
says the statement.

The activists say that they are ready to start discussions with the
Government provided that the agenda will include issues related to
lawfulness of Teghout deposit development. The statement has been
signed by green activists Mariam Sukhudyan, Apres Zohrabyan, Yeghia
Nersisyan, Gor Hakobyan, Head of EcoLur NGO Inga Zarafyan, filmmaker
Tigran Khzmalyan, and others.

To note, the program on development of Teghut copper-molybdenum
deposit was approved by the Armenian government in November 2007. It
has repeatedly been reported that the environmental risks in the
project submitted for consideration of the government were reduced
several times. In addition, the development of Teghut deposit runs
counter to the country’s legislation and the ratified international
conventions. In autumn 2010 the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee
in Geneva ruled that Armenia failed to implement certain commitments
it assumed as a party to the Convention.

The deposit will be launched in 2014. In Feb 2012 Vice President of
Vallex Group, Director of Armenian Copper Programme, Gagik Arzumanyan,
said that Vallex Group invested about 130 mln USD in the project of
construction of a mining and processing combine and development of
the Teghout deposit. The total package of investments in the project
will be more than 320 mln USD.

From: A. Papazian

NA DEPUTY SPEAKER EDUARD SHARMAZANOV CONDUCTS NEXT “OPEN LESSON”

22.03.2012

On March 22 within the NA “Open Lesson programme the NA Deputy Speaker
Eduard Sharmazanov hosted a group of students from Yerevan State,
Armenian-Russian Slavonic and Gladzor universities.

Welcoming the students the NA Deputy Speaker urged them to be
unconstrained, promising to be sincere.

The young people were more interested in pre-electoral processes, the
preconditions of holding free and fair elections, the bases of making
up pre-electoral lists, the degree of women’s involvement in them.

One of the students was interested in the NA Deputy Speaker’s opinion
on the increase of the women’s number in the parliament, and how
the existence of the representatives of performing art, sport and
other spheres in the parliament was justified. Mr Sharmazanov has
noticed that the parliament is not only a political body, but also
a representation one, where the representatives of different layers
of the society should have a seat and will present the problems of
their sphere. Touching upon the increase of the number of women in the
electoral lists Mr Sharmazanov has said that he is against any quota
and artificial separations, as in the Armenian environment the woman,
mother permanently had their unique, important role.

The students also addressed questions concerning the pre-electoral
and post-electoral elections. Referring to the reasons of negative
phenomena coming across with the above-mentioned processes, Mr
Sharmazanov also presented the achievements recorded in the republic
during the last years, the steps taken towards provision of plurality
and the authorities’ efforts to eradicate the negative phenomena.

The NA Deputy Speaker greatly highlighted the activeness of civil
society in building democratic country, the resoluteness of possessing
its voting and the voter’s conscience that every vote is decisive.

Wounding up the talk and thanking the students for interesting
questions Mr Sharmazanov has noticed that in their name he sees the
generation of independence with new way of thinking and civil posture.

From: A. Papazian

DANGEROUS BEAT: PAKISTANI JOURNALIST MUSARRAT ULLAH JAN HAS BEEN SAVED BY THE ALMIGHTY FIVE TIMES
Sona Avagyan

hetq
16:04, March 22, 2012

Musarrat Ullah Jan is a Pakistani journalist working in the Peshawar
Bureau of Dunya Television Network. He specializes in covering crime
and court related activities, bomb blasts, suicide attacks in Peshawar,
the capital of Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa Province, and making documentaries
about families that have been affected. But he considers “the top story
in his journalist career” to be a TV story covering a 2010 gay marriage
in Peshawar. As a result of this broadcast, people in Pakistan started
speaking about the rights of homosexuals. Musarrat also works as an
author for a US based web-site and is a photo
journalist for a UK based web-site He is a graduate
of the Department of Arts. During his career he has also worked as
an interpreter translating from English to Urdu (national language of
Pakistan) and Pashto (native language of Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa Province)
for the media. Following is the interview Musarrat Ullah Jan gave to
“Hetq.”

Pakistan was ranked 151st out of 179 countries in the Press Freedom
Index 2011/2012 of “Reporters without Borders”. According to the
organization’s web-site, “Pakistan was the world’s deadliest country
for journalists for the second year running”. Do you agree with this
or is it biased in your opinion?

Yes, I agree with the “Reporters without Borders” report. After
the 9/11 incident our journalism totally changed, mostly in tribal
areas in our province, because militants mostly live there and
journalists from those areas were facing difficulties. For example,
if a journalist from his tribal area reported anything to a newspaper
which was published in big cities and militants didn’t like the story,
the journalist would be punished – kidnapping, killing, beating or
their homes bombed. That’s why most journalists from the tribal areas
left; for security reasons. On the other hand, if they write anything
which the security forces don’t like, they will face the same problems.

That’s why most journalists are targeted, sometimes by militants
and sometimes by security forces. Peshawar has become deadly for
journalists. 70% of our people live in rural mountainous areas. 50%
of them live in tribal areas where there are no newspapers. There
are newspapers and Internet facility only in the big cities.

As a TV journalist, how free are you when preparing TV materials? Are
you allowed to present events to the audience in the way you consider
correct?

We try our best to show the reality which occurs, but the policies
of some TV stations create difficulties for us. Besides, most TV
head offices are in the big cities like Lahore and Karachi. We send
stories but they ignore our provincial problems. Sometimes the head
office changes the stories sent by us for its own purposes.

Is there wide-spread self-censorship among journalists in Pakistan?

Yes. I have more than 12 years experience in both print and electronic
media. Self censorship frequently occurs in journalism. In both
media there is limit for every journalist. As a journalist I can’t
say anything against the security forces, police, or the government
in power, even if I have proof. I know that if I write such news,
the paper will not publish it because the newspaper owner gets
advertisement from government. The owners don’t want to damage their
business.

Many experts say that one of the main problems with Armenia’s media
is that it reflects reality in shades of either black or white,
either too pro-opposition or too pro-government. That’s to say it
fails to provide its audience with variety of viewpoints. Is this
problem characteristic of Pakistani media as well?

The same problem is in Pakistan. PTV is the state-run TV channel and
most programs of the state-run TV channel are like “everything is
OK in the country.” The same position is followed by the state-run
news agency APP. On the other hand, newspapers are controlled
through Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the government’s
Department of Information. The Press and Information Department, with
offices in every province, gives advertising to newspapers. Most
newspapers are pro-government. During the Pervez Musharraf era,
in 2001, private TV channels were launched. So, the situation has
changed compared to 20 years ago. But it still needs improving.

Can a good and factual investigative article exposing illegal
activities, for example corruption among high-ranking officials,
lead to resignations, arrests and court cases against those officials
in Pakistan or will it change nothing? Are there precedents when
the exposes of journalists have resulted in officials being held
accountable?

Yes, in the current situation such articles lead to change because
the courts now operate freely and they make decisions openly without
any directives from above. But there are difficulties for journalists
who write the investigative reports. The main thing is that court
rulings take 3, 4 even 10 years to be handed down. Justice is delayed
in Pakistani society.

Does the Quran impose any limitations or rules on spreading information
and news reporting?

No, there is no limitation for journalism in the Quran. The Quran
supports truth. As a journalist we try to show the truth to everyone.

According to “Reporters without Borders”, 11 journalists have been
killed so far this year worldwide. One of them is Pakistani journalist
Mukarram Khan Atif, a reporter from Dunya News, who was killed in
January. Has his murder been investigated properly?

Mukarram Khan Atif was my close friend. We mostly covered bomb blasts.

After his death everyone is scared in our province, especially the
journalist community. Although he always reported in an unbiased
manner, he was targeted by the Taliban. The Taliban took responsibility
for the death of Mukarram Khan Atif and the case was closed because
the government has no access to those areas where the Taliban operates.

Musarrat, has the murder of Mukarram Khan Atif resulted in your making
changes and revisions in your own work, in the sense of being more
cautious and avoiding things you didn’t avoid in the past?

Yes, my friend’s death also scared me. Now, during live programs we
are worried. If there is any program about terrorism, I am especially
worried that maybe I might state something factual that will anger
the Taliban. Thus, reporting is not easy.

In general, are the murders of journalists in Pakistan being
investigated properly? Are those guilty of such crimes against
journalists being punished?

No. Not even Saleem Shahzad’s murder case. Saleem Shahzad was a
Karachi-based journalist attached to Asia Times Online. Last year, an
unknown person tortured him to death but the latest report circulated
in journalist community says that he was killed by a security agency.

But there is no proof. Daniel Pearl was a US journalist. That’s why
the people who were involved in his murder were detained. Had he been
a Pakistani journalist, his family would still be seeking justice.

Do you often receive threats? What do you do in such cases?

This month, the security forces detained top militants from the
mountain areas. Because the court has ordered the security forces to
provide these people with medical treatment, they were admitted to
hospital. Most of them are ill due to torture. I was in the hospital
and was filming. A security officer started to threaten and harass me.

He said that “the media creates a mess in the country. You people are
under observation. People will kill you and birds will eat your body
parts.” This person is a plain-clothes security agent. I replied:
“Shut your mouth. If you want to threaten me, then come and say what
you want to say in front of the camera.” He left. Afterwards, I filed
applications to the Khyber Union of Journalists and the Peshawar Press
Club (I am the senior vice president of Peshawar Press Club). Every
one told me “Don’t make aggravate a tense situation. Just work and
forget what he said. They have the right to do anything.” It’s the
advice that senior journalists gave me.

Have you ever been physically assaulted during your work?

During my work the Almighty has saved me 5 times. Twice, security
forces started firing at me. God saved me once in a suicide attack
and twice in bomb blast. Most security forces misbehave during
working hours. Once, when interviewing the Taliban leader Mangal
Bagh, I asked a sharp question. After the interview he told me:
“Your question makes me angry. I will kick you from the mountain.” At
the time we were standing on top of a mountain at the Khyber Agency
(Khyber tribal district. Most tribal areas of Pakistan are situated in
the mountains). I was worried that he might do something to me, but
he left. My question was – “What type of Islam do you spread? Islam
is the religion of love but you lift the sword.” That made him angry.

Have you ever considered leaving your country and working as a
journalist somewhere else?

Yes. Sometimes I want to leave the country because there is no safety
here. I am not worried about my living or dying. I am always concerned
about my family. That’s why I sometimes think it would be OK if my
family lives in another country and I work here.

Musarrat, what motivates and inspires you to work as a journalist
in Pakistan?

When I look around, I see many people seeking justice. My work provides
a forum to those who don’t have access to justice or open speech. That
gives me the courage to work as a journalist. For example, my coverage
of a bomb blast led to a family being helped.

Their only son was killed in the blast. After reading my story about
the family’s plight, a person gave financial support to them. To help
as a journalist is a motivation for working. Journalism is an ideal
and respected profession if the person is devoted to it.

Can you earn your living by working only as a journalist in Pakistan?

Not completely. That’s why I try to collaborate with foreign media
to earn some money for my family. I have a graduate degree. Graduate
education is 14 years and master is 16 years. I passed exam and was
admitted to 2-year master course. After studying for one year I left
due to financial problems. I had to support my family. But still I
want to get a master degree from the Department of Films because in
movies you show a lot of things like on a big canvas. I wish I got
a scholarship.

Have you ever come across news stories regarding Armenia in the
Pakistani media?

There is not much coverage. I come across such news stories regarding
Armenia about once a month. Otherwise there is no news; Armenia doesn’t
even have an embassy in Pakistan. I wish I could visit Armenia and
met with journalists there.

From: A. Papazian

AYF ARMENIA PUTS THE SPOTLIGHT ON WOMEN’S ROLE IN POLITICS

March 10, 2012

On March 10, AYF Armenia’s seminar on “Women’s role in politics” took
place at the organization’s premises. Keynote speakers were ARF-D
Member of Parliament Ruzan Arakelyan and Socialist International’s
Vice-President Maria Titizian.

Although women are more than half of the population and 70% of them are
of higher education still very few women engage in social-political
life. Arakelyan noted that however gender equality is stated by
law, in real life is quite different. She argued that people with
intellectual background provide a country’s development. “And we have
no bigger treasure than our intellectuals” she said. There are 11
women members of the Armenian Parliament, today and are very active,
stated Arakelyan.

“We idealize the Armenian mother. If that is so, then we have to
struggle to build a country where our children will want to stay” said
Titizian. “I believe that women’s participation will improve political
culture” she added and cited a few Western European countries’ examples
where because of the large number of women involved in, social reforms
have been rooted better and implemented faster. International rates
show women’s engagement in politics around 20-22% whereas in Armenia
is 9%. “If women decided to go on a 24-hour strike all activities in
Armenia would pause. There’s a lot of power in women’s hands but it’s
not being used” said Titizian.

To achieve polyphony and form a more representational youth
audience, AYF Armenia had invited members from other political youth
organizations, as well.

From: A. Papazian

TCA Arshag Dickranian Armenian School
1200 N. Cahuenga Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038

Tel: 323-461-4377
Fax: 323-323-461-4247
Contact: [email protected]

TCA Arshag Dickranian School High School Wins 1st Place
In `Franklin Lu Hands-On Competition’ of DWP’s Science Bowl

Los Angeles, March 19, 2012 – On Saturday February 25th, TCA Arshag
Dickranian School’s high school students won first place in the `Franklin
Lu Hands-On Competition’ of the Regional Science Bowl Competition held at
the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s John Ferraro Building in
downtown. This was the second time ADS students impress the science
community of LADWP after winning first place in the same competition in
2008.

Under the guidance of the senior science teacher Ms. Nanor Markarian,
twelfth graders Morris Sarafian and Armine Sanosyan, eleventh graders Aram
Ekimyan and Onnig Ashikyan, and 10th grader Artur Mazloumian answered
science related questions and built a remarkable mechanical claw to pick
up and transport objects.

The LADWP Science Bowl is an official regional competition of the
Department of Energy National Science Bowl and is open to all public and
private schools of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) or in
Inyo and Mono counties.

`Success in this competition shows how our teachers are dedicated, how
serious our students are and how well they are prepared to present their
school and their community in the scientific community of Los Angeles…I
sincerely congratulate our teachers and students for this prestigious
success,’ said Principal Vartkes Kourouyan.

Located at 1200 North Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, the TCA Arshag
Dickranian Armenian School is a federally tax exempt, Pre-K to 12th grade
private educational institution. For more information visit

From: A. Papazian