Author: Antonian Lara

‘Orinats Yerkir’ does not intend to leave ruling coalition under any
diplomatical landscape upon results of election for Council of Elders
of Yerevan

2009-05-31 11:44:00

ArmInfo. ‘Orinats Yerkir’ party does not intend to leave the ruling
coalition of Armenia under any diplomatical landscape upon the results
of the election for the Council of Elders of Yerevan, Secretary of the
National Security Council of Armenia, "Orinats Yerkir" party leader
Artur Baghdasaryan told journalists today after having voting.

‘I do not think the election of the Mayor may become a reason of our
withdrawal from the coalition. In any case, we shall act as always: we
shall wait for publication of the official election results, draw our
conclusions and make the relevant statement’, he said. A. Baghdasaryan
expressed confidence that the election will be held peacefully and
fairly.

The election are held on a proportional system, that is, on party
lists. The Council of Elders will comprise 65 members. The first
candidate in the list of the party that gains the majority of votes,
will automatically become Yerevan Mayor. About 30 local monitoring
organizations, as well as the delegation of CE Congress of Local and
Regional Authorities will monitor the course of voting.

CONGRESSMAN BECERRA REAFFIRMS HIS SUPPORT TO RESOLUTION ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Noyan Tapan
May 29, 2009

LOS ANGELES, MAY 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Congressman Xavier
Becerra continues his support to the resolution on recognition of
the Armenian Genocide, which was authored by another Congressman
Adam Schiff. He announced about this at the event cosponsored by
the Armenian Assembly of America, the American Hellenic Council of
America and the Armenian National Committee of America. He noted
that regardless of the strong relationship between USA and Turkey
the Armenian Genocide should be recognized.

Assembly Western Region Director Yeghig Keshishian stated that the
Assembly appreciates him as an active member of the Armenian Caucus
and as a cosponsor of H. Res.252, the Armenian Genocide Resolution.

Keshishian and members of the Southern California Regional Council –
Joyce Stein, Talin Yacoubian, Al Cabraloff and Richard Mushegain –
also met Congressman Becerra to discuss a number of issues confronting
U.S.-Armenia relations. Keshishian expressed his disappointment with
President Obama’s decision of 38 percent cut in assistance to Armenia
and increase of military assistance to Azerbaijan.

RUSSIA TO DISBURSE $500 MLN LOAN TO ARMENIA BEFORE END OF WEEK – KUDRIN

Interfax
May 27 2009
Russia

Russia will disburse a loan of $500 million to Armenia before the
end of the week, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Alexei
Kudrin said.

"The agreement with Armenia on a loan of $500 million for 15 years
was signed last week. The money will be disbursed this week," Kudrin
said at a meeting with President Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday.

Kudrin recalled that a preferential loan of $300 million and a grant
of $150 million had already been disbursed.

"As for our relations with Kyrgyzstan and Armenia, we have helped
and will help our close partners in line with those decisions made
earlier," Medvedev said.

TO REPRESENT NEWLY OUR HISTORICAL-CULTURAL INHERITANCE DEVOTED TO THE
Nvard Soghomonyan

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27-05-2009

Shushi, Handaberd abbey, Tigranakert" exhibition, devoted to the
17th anniversary of liberation of Shushi and International day of
Museums, was exclusive by its contents and crux, size, organization,
and it was not casual, that after openning and welcome speeche the
visitors didn’t leave the foyer of the Palace of Culture and Youth of
Stepanakert for a long time, they were watching the exhibited samples,
were asking questions, were listening to interpretations of the leader
of Artsakh’s expedition of Institute of archeology and ethnography of
RA NAS Hamlet Petrosyan, members of the expedition, architect Lyuba
Kirakosyan, archeologist, professor Vardges Safaryan.

Speaker of NKR NA Ashot Ghoulyan was among the exhibition’s
visitors. In his welcome speech he has emphasized the role of museums
in the work of preserving of the nation’s historical-cultural
inheritance and representing it to international community. The
Speaker of NA has noted, that today’s exhibition gives real idea
about the works done last years and the works being done now in this
cultural sphere in the territory of the republic.Ashot Ghoulyan has
emphasized, that Artsakh’s museum and other museums had been having
the unique chance to inform the foreigners about Artsakh’s armenian
historical-cultural inheritance, and that today these chances have
grown in the sense of not only keeping them, but doing serious
scientific works.

In connection of openning of the exhibition the chief of administration
of tourism of NKR government Sergey Shahverdyan has performed with
welcome speech. He has emphasized the great work of the expedition,
in the result of which numerous materials have been appeared, which
once again aprove, that these territories are armenian.

The leader of the expedition Hamlet Petrosyan said, that it was the
7th exhibition in number, but the first in Artsakh, he expressed
gratitude to those who had assisted organization of the exhibition –
RA Ministry of Culture, NKR authorities, Administration of tourism
of NKR government. He also noted, that they collaborated with museums
of Stepanakert and Shushi. It is foreseen to represent the exhibition
in RA and NKR regions, and it is only beginning of cultural new policy.

ARTHUR JAVADYAN TO ATTEND THE SITTING OF CENTRAL BANK PRESIDENTS IN ASTANA

armradio.am
27.05.2009 16:55

>From May 28 to 31 the President of the Central Bank of Armenia,
Arthur Javadyan, will participate in the 21st sitting of the Club
of Central Bank Presidents of Central Asia, the Black Sea Region and
the Balkan States.

The following topics will be discussed during the sitting of Central
Bank Presidents: "Global theory of economy and finance: Problems
the developing countries face," "The era of regress of assets: What
could the US, Europe and China learn from the example of Korea in
1990-2005?" and "Monetary-credit policy under the conditions of
instability."

IMF Deputy Managing Director Takatoshi Kato, Chief Economist of
Nomura Research Institute Richard Koo and Professor of Economics at
the University of Columbia Guillermo Calvo are expected to deliver
speeches at the meeting.

PRESS RELEASE
PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212)-686-0710
Fax: (212)-689-1934
<;

May 26, 2009

_______________________________

KAY ARMEN MANOOGIAN HONORED AT DIOCESAN CENTER

Kay Armen Manoogian was awarded the St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Medal and
Pontifical encyclical issued by His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. The medal was presented by
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), at St. Vartan Cathedral on Wednesday, May 20.

Ms. Armen was honored for her dedication to the Armenian Church and her
accomplishments in the performing arts. This award was given to her as part
of the celebration of St. Vartan Cathedral’s 40th anniversary. Other
recipients include Lucine Amara, Anahid Ajemian, and Lili Chookasian, who
were honored with a medal and Pontifical encyclical from the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin in October 2008.

Forty people gathered at the Diocesan Center on Wednesday to commemorate Ms.
Armen’s achievements and accomplishments. She recalled how her mother
brought home a shovel used at the groundbreaking of St. Vartan Cathedral
over 40 years ago and how involved her family was in the Armenian Church,
and especially in the life of St. Vartan Cathedral.

"I love the church," said Ms. Armen. "Everywhere I’ve gone, I have found an
Armenian Church. I’ve loved every Armenian Church I visited."

"Kay Armen Manoogian has been closely involved in the Cathedral since the
very beginning," Archbishop Barsamian said. "As a community, we all felt a
part of her great artistic achievement."

Ms. Armen is a singer, composer, and actress who has made many records and
performed in theatres, night clubs, films, and on television. She joined the
American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) in 1953. Her
popular song compositions include "Be Good to Yourself," "My Love and I,"
and "It’s a Sin to Cry Over You."

###

Photo attached: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian presents the Pontifical
encyclical to Kay Armen Manoogian at St. Vartan Cathedral.

YEREVAN HOSTED A PRESENTATION OF COLLECTED STORIES BY MACHADO DE ASSIS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
25.05.2009 17:48 GMT+04:00

RA National Library hosted a presentation of collected stories by
Machado de Assis. The event was dedicated to the farewell of the
first Brazilian Ambassador, Renate Stille to Armenia.

The book includes 12 collected stories by Brazilian classical author,
whose 100th anniversary is celebrated by the world in 2009.

Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis often known as Machado de Assis (June
21, 1839-September 29, 1908) was a Brazilian novelist, poet and short
story writer. He is widely regarded as the most important writer
of Brazilian literature. Machado’s works had a great influence on
Brazilian literary schools of the late 19th century and 20th century.

Within first 3 years of his work, Brazilian Ambassador to Armenia,
Renate Stille opened departments of Portuguese language in YSU and
Bryusov Linguistic University, launched Brazilian Cultural Center
and published a number of booklets on Brazil in Armenian.

ANC FINDS OBVIOUS BREACHES IN ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
25.05.2009 20:09 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "During its session held on May 21, RA Central
Election Commission (CEC) ignored our authorized representative
Patvakan Hovakimyan’s letter on putting stamps in voters’
passports. Avoiding to discuss the issue, CEC made decision not to
use any stamps during elections, although under RA Electoral Code,
elections to Elders’ Council should be held in compliance with the
norms envisaged for Parliament elections," ANC Press Secretary Arman
Mousinyan told a news conference today. According to the opposition
activist, stamps in passports somehow prevent falsifications, and
CEC’s inaction in this case paves way for electoral wrongdoings.

"The Commission’s next wrongdoing is the approval of lists violating
15% requirement for women’s representation," Mousinyan said, adding
that RA Cassation Court reasons ANC representative’s claim by
arguing that an authorized representative is not entitled to apply
to court. "The same court recently accepted the same representative’s
claim on another issue. It committed gross violation because in case
of accepting this claim, it would have to make decision on CEC’s
breach of RA Electoral Code," Mousinyan said.

ANC Press Secretary also added that their party is studying the
voters’ lists, and although they are in the middle of the process,
there are already perplexing results. "Voters’ lists contain names
of 2038 individuals not having residence permits. Besides, there are
300 names and surnames repeated several times," he noted.

"Such obvious violations are additional proof that authorities use
all resources to disport the real picture," Mousinyan confirms.

The Jamestown Post Journal, NY
May 24 2009

How Are You Going To Take Care Of Your Family?

It’s been some time since we discussed gun-control issues and with
recent developments coming out of Albany, the sharing of some facts is
long overdue.

This past week a nice little piece came across my desk. The following
has no author and I took some liberties in changing a few items to
make it more updated.

– – –

My people have asked me why I enjoy shooting, hunting and carrying a
gun. Here are some reasons that might be the same as yours.

I carry a gun to avoid being killed; I don’t carry a gun to scare
people.

I carry a gun because sometimes this world can be a scary place; I
don’t carry a gun because I’m paranoid.

I am not evil because I carry a gun; I carry a gun because I have seen
more evil in this world to make me smarter.

I carry a gun because I understand the limitations of the governments;
I don’t carry a gun because I am angry.

I carry a gun so that I don’t have to spend the rest of the life
hating myself for failing to be prepared.

I carry a gun because I want to die at a ripe old age in my own bed
surrounded by family and loved ones, not alone on some street or
sidewalk.

I don’t carry a gun because I am a cowboy; I carry a gun because I
want to go to heaven and be a cowboy.

I don’t carry a gun because it makes me feel like a man; I carry a gun
because I am the man of house and it’s my responsibility to protect my
family and loved ones.

I don’t carry a gun because I love it; I carry a gun because I love
life and want to live it to the fullest.

And finally, I carry a gun because I am too young to die and too old
to get my butt kicked.

– – –

Here are few facts about gun control in other countries that are worth
refreshing our memories with. The following is a little history about
world events.

In 1911, Turkey established gun control and from 1915-1917, 1.5
million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and
exterminated.

Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945 a total
of 13 million Jews and others that were unable to defend themselves
were rounded up and killed.

From 1964 until 1981, 100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend
themselves, were rounded up and killed.

Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979 300,000
Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and killed.

Roughly over a year ago citizens in Australia were forced to give up
their guns. In the roundup, 640,381 personal firearms were destroyed
by their government, at the price tag of over $500 million. The
first-year crime results have been recently made public. In Australia
homicides are up 3.2 percent while assaults are up 8.6 percent and the
biggie, armed robberies, are up 44 percent.

Sounds like that half a billion dollars was money well spent – for the
criminals.

In the last month news from Albany has leaked out that our governor
wants to lead the charge on gun control in New York State. Now I am
not the best political mind in the room, but it looks like our
government has its hands full with the economy. It’s everything from
high unemployment to skyrocketing fuel prices, and from monster
businesses and every other small business closing and leaving their
financial mess for the average tax payer to pay off.

I would think that our elected officials have more important items to
take care of than taking our 12 gauge shotguns and .50 caliber
muzzleloaders away.

If our governor has his way, how are you going to protect your family?

SUPPORT FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION GROWS

armradio.am
20.05.2009 11:14

H. Res. 252, the Armenian Genocide Resolution, reached another
milestone with the bi-partisan support of 125 cosponsors, reported
the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly). Congressmen Bruce Braley
(D-IA), Peter Defazio (D-OR), Bobby Rush (D-IL) and John Yarmouth
(D-KY) are the latest Members to lend their support to this human
rights initiative.

"Reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide will not be sidelined in the
111th Congress," stated Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "The
Assembly will continue to educate Members of Congress on the importance
of H. Res. 252 and, through its activists across the nation, energize
the community on the local level to contact their Representatives
directly," adding that "by passing the Armenian Genocide Resolution,
we can further the cause of genocide prevention."

H. Res. 252, a congressional resolution which reaffirms the historical
record of the United States on the Armenian Genocide, was introduced by
Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA), George Radanovich (R-CA) and Congressional
Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chairmen Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and
Mark Kirk (R-IL) and is modeled after H. Res. 106, which passed the
House Committee on Foreign Affairs during the 110th Congress.