Author: Arpi Talalian

More than 70% of Yerevan residents are not going to leave the country

Arpi Talalian
Public Radio of Armenia

Aug 8 2017
11:11, 08 Aug 2017
Armradio

According to many experts, the Armenia economy standard will increase for 2.5-3%, Arman Ghukasyan, “Vox Populi” NGO expert, said at a meeting with journalists.

“Last few months may be considered favorable for Armenian economics. The export increased by 21%. We see rather large perspectives in the net of EAEU. If those achievements are used in a proper way, migration decrease is expected in January 2018”, Ghukasyan mentioned.

According to the expert, the citizens of Armenia rely on the Government activity.

In turn, NGO expert Covinar Kostanyan told that a small sociological inquiry has been carried out among 900 Yerevan residents. “Responding to the question if they are going to move to another country forever, 72% responded negatively, 19% were not aware and only 9% responded positively”, Kostanyan said.

The question if the republic citizens expect reforms in social and economic sphere received 79% positive, 15% negative answers and 6% of the respondents were not aware.

Lydian International takes receipt of major equipment as Amulsar construction continues

Arpi Talalian
Proactive Investors UK

Aug 8 2017


17:14 08 Aug 2017
“We are very pleased that our vendors are meeting fabrication schedules and deliveries..,” said Lydian’s chief executive
Lydian is developing a huge gold mine in Armenia. Pictured are the administrative buildings

Lydian International Inc (TSE:LYD) says major equipment has now arrived on site at its giant Amulsar gold mine in Armenia, which is under construction.

These include components for the crushing plant, including the jaw crusher, a rock breaker, pan feeders, and screen liners.

Components have been shipping since the second quarter this year, as fabrication is completed, noted Lydian.

“Equipment lead times and delivery logistics present unique challenges for many projects, said Howard Stevenson, Lydian’s chief executive.

Iran intends to register 450 Armenian churches in its territory

Arpi Talalian 
ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
August 7, 2017 Monday
Iran intends to register 450 Armenian churches in its territory
Yerevan August 07
Tatevik Shahunyan. As part of the tourism development program, Iran
has allocated $ 370,000 for the restoration of churches registered in
UNESCO World Heritage List. This was stated by the deputy head of the
Organization of Cultural Heritage, Crafts and Tourism Mohammad-Hassan
Talebian during his visit to the Armenian monastery of St. Thaddeus.
According to Iran Today, in UNESCO World Heritage List at the
territory of Iran, there are three churches - Armenian temples of St.
Thaddeus, St. Stephen and Chapel Dzorzor. "It is necessary to preserve
the image of the historical churches of the country, therefore the
Organization of Cultural Heritage is trying to draw public attention
to them, organizing religious ceremonies and implementing restoration
projects," Talebian said.
The organization also plans to register 450 Armenian and 150 Assyrian
churches. In 2008, the monastery of St. Thaddeus, together with the
monastery of St. Stephen (Stepanos) and Chapel Dzorzor, was inscribed
on the UNESCO World Heritage List under the general title Armenian
Monasteries in Iran. According to UNESCO representatives, these
facilities underscore the power and grandeur of Armenian architectural
traditions.

Armenian-American David Tikoian Named North Providence Police Chief

Arpi Talalian
Armenian Weekly
Aug 4 2017

By Contributor on August 4, 2017

NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. (The Valley Breeze)—North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi has chosen retired Rhode Island State Police Major David Tikoian as the town’s new police chief. Tikoian replaces embattled Acting Chief Chris Pelagio, who is currently out on suspension.

David Tikoian (Photo: Providence Journal)

Tikoian, a Greenville resident who works as manager of transmission and distribution for the Providence Water Supply Board, comes to North Providence “with a wealth of experience in law enforcement,” said Lombardi in a statement.

“His background, knowledge, and experience are the perfect fit for our department and its challenges,” he said.

Lombardi said, “It’s no secret that our police department has experienced a few bumps in the road during the past 18 months or so, but now the time has come for us to turn the page and move on.”

“It is time a new leader has the opportunity to make the North Providence Police Department the best in the state,” he said.

As public safety director, said Lombardi, “I cannot stand by and allow a few malcontents and disgruntled officers (to) stand in the way of a department with such great potential. My goal is to have one of the most professional and respected police departments in the state of Rhode Island.”

Just as the town’s fire department had some problems a few years back, said Lombardi, and is now the only Class 1 department in the state, he expects Tikoian to take the police department to the same place.

“Our residents deserve nothing less,” he said. “I ask all the men and women of our police department for their full cooperation.”

The mayor warned anyone who wants to stand in the way of the department achieving its full potential to “lead (with me), follow, or get out of the way.”

Tikoian has been hailed for his integrity. In 2015, shortly after his retirement, he found $4,000 in a binder in the middle of Smith Street in Providence and tracked down its owner to return it.

Tikoian served 23 years with the State Police before his retirement in May 2015. As chief administrative officer, he was responsible for a $97 million budget and managed a human resource office overseeing more than 600 employees, among other duties.

During his career, he served at all five barracks as a member of the Uniform Bureau, the Rhode Island State Police Training Academy, detail leader of the Governor’s Executive Security Unit, night executive officer, and weekend officer in charge of the division. Prior to his promotion as major, he was captain of the inspectional service, responsible for evaluating the operations of the agency.

The new chief is a graduate of Smithfield public schools and graduated cum laude from Bryant University in 1990. He was inducted into the Smithfield High School Hall of Fame last year.

An antique car enthusiast, Tikoian is active in his home community of Smithfield.

Tikoian will be formally sworn in on Aug. 21, at 6 p.m., in the North Providence High School auditorium.

Cultural: Qara Kelisa holds Badarak ceremony

Arpi Talalian
Iran Daily
Sunday

Over $466,000 allocated for renovating churches
arasbaran.org

Some 14 billion rials ($466,666) has been allocated for renovating globally registered churches across Iran, said deputy head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization.

Speaking during the annual Armenian religious ceremony, known as ‘Badarak’ at Qara Kelisa Church (meaning Black Church) in Chaldoran, West Azarbaijan Province, Mohammad-Hassan Talebian further said that the identity of historical churches should be safeguarded.

He said Chaldoran has good cultural and historical potentials.

Talebian added that Qara Kelisa is the ninth Iranian monument registered on UNESCO World Heritage List.

Holding rituals in churches is indicative of the attention given by Islamic Republic of Iran to various religious and ethnic groups, he said.

Iran has an amicable and peaceful attitude toward other religious and ethnic groups, he added.

Followers of various religions and faiths co-exist peacefully in Iran, he said, adding they perform their rituals in a peaceful and secure environment.

Presence of tourists, including Armenians from countries such as Armenia, Georgia, Italy and Germany, in Chaldoran shows the security and freedom within the framework of law in Iran.

Qara Kelisa hosted annual religious ceremony of the Armenians known as ‘Badarak’ during July 27-29.

The occasion was observed to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Saint Thaddeus — one of the apostles of Jesus Christ (Peace Be Upon Him).

During the ceremony, the worshippers performed religious rites, including sacrificing sheep, lighting candles, baptism of infants, etc.

There are 400 churches across Iran such as Saint Tadeous Cathedral, Qara Kelisa, St. Stepanous Church and St. Mary Church.

Iran boasts hundreds of churches, of which 172 have been registered on the National Heritage List and one on UNESCO World Heritage List.

Qara Kelisa (Black Church) or Thaddeus Church is known among the Armenians as Saint Thaddeus. The church is the oldest in the Christian world and dates back to the 7th and 12th centuries.

Chaldoran is situated 220km north of Orumieh, the provincial capital of West Azarbaijan.

Interpol Rejects Azerbaijani Request for Arrest Warrant Against European Parliamentarian

Arpi Talalian
Armenian Weekly



By Weekly Staff on  

PRAGUE, Czech Republic— International police cooperation agency Interpol has rejected a request for an international arrest warrant to be served on a Czech Member of the European Parliament (MEP), reported Prague based Czech Radio.

Interpol refused the request for the arrest of MEP Jaromir Štětina following an appeal from authorities in Azerbaijan. The request was done following a visit by the MEP to Artsakh in February, during which Štětina denounced Azerbaijani authorities.

Jaromir Štětina

According to Czech Radio, Azerbaijan said his comments helped fuel heightened tensions in the Artsakh conflict. The Czech said that the demand for the arrest warrant was aimed at scaring off international experts and commentators against speaking out against Azerbaijan’s government.

In the past, Azerbaijan has also issued international arrest warrants against fellow MEPs Frank Engel of Luxembourg and Eleni Theocharous of Cyprus—both for visiting Artsakh.

Monument in memory of April war hero Ashot Shahbazyan unveiled on his birthday

Arpi Talalian
Panorama, Armenia
July 5 2017

July 5 marks the birthday anniversary of Senior Lieutenant Ashot Shahbazyan, an Armenian solder heroically fallen at 2016 four-day April war. The lieutenant would turn 24 years old today.

A monument and fountain have been unveiled on Wednesday in Ashot Shahbazyan’s native village Akhurian inn tribute to the hero’s memory.

Born in 1993 in Akhurian village of Armenia’s Shirak Province, Ashot Shahbazyan studied at the local school, afterwards continuing his studies at Vazgen Sargsyan Military Academy. After graduating from the academy, Ashot went to Jabrail to continue his military service. While studying at the Military Academy, he stood out with his high academic progress and active public activity. Ashot had a wide range of interests and practiced sports, namely boxing and football.

Ashot Shahbazyan did not choose the military path accidentally. At the Artsakh war, his father  Karapet Shahbazyan, together with the latter’s cousins, left for Karabakh. His cousins lost their lives at the war, later on Karapet decided to name his two sons after the fallen brothers Ashot and Hunan.

Lieutenant Ashot Shahbazyan fell on April 2, 2016. During Azerbaijan’s sudden attack launched at the Armenian military posts, he did his best to defend the positions and repel the enemy. Ashot sustained an injury in the middle of heated battles, however refused to abandon the positions: he continued the combat and fell as a hero. Ashot Shahbazyan was posthumously warded with “For Service in Battle” medal and “Combat Cross” 2nd degree order of Armenia.

Overnight April 1-2, 19 Artsakh servicemen of that positions and the neighboring posts lost their lives. To note, two of the Artsakh Defense Army commanders – Hovsep Kirakosyan and Ashot Shahbazyan – were donors of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry Foundation.

Film: Polish, German and French film days to be held on the sidelines of ‘Golden Apricot’ Yerevan Film Festival

Arpi Talalian 
Armenpress News Agency, Armenia
July 3, 2017 Monday
Polish, German and French film days to be held on the sidelines of
'Golden Apricot' Yerevan Film Festival
YEREVAN, JULY 3, ARMENPRESS. The best French, German, Polish,
Brazilian and Russian films will be screened at the 14th ‘Golden
Apricot’ Yerevan International Film Festival on July 9-16, reports
Armenpress.
The festival organizers and representatives of embassies in Armenia
gave a press conference on July 3 speaking about the films.
“The cooperation with the French and German embassies has become a
good tradition since those countries have high-performing movie art.
We pay great attention to the European movie and try to screen their
best ones during the festival”, artistic director of the festival
Susanna Harutyunyan said.
German Ambassador to Armenia Bernhard Matthias Kiesler said within the
frames of the festival July 13 has been declared as German film day.
“According to statistics, 120 German movies have been screened during
‘Golden Apricot’ since 2004. I think we had our contribution to the
development of the festival”, he said.
6 German movies are presented at various programs of the festival.
Cultural adviser at the French Embassy in Armenia Alex Bortolan stated
that perfect French movies have been screened within the frames of the
festival of different years.
Meline Yeghoyan, Attaché of the Cultural Department of the Republic of
Poland in Armenia, said the festival is recognized not only in the
region but also in the world.
10 films are presented in the festival’s competition and
non-competition program.

Recent Violence and Casualties in Nagorno-Karabakh

Arpi Talalian 
State Department Documents and Publications
June 21, 2017
Recent Violence and Casualties in Nagorno-Karabakh
Press Statement
Heather Nauert
Department Spokesperson
Washington, DC
June 21, 2017
________________________________
The United States is deeply concerned over the recent violations of
the ceasefire, which have resulted in multiple casualties on the Line
of Contact over the last week. We urge the sides to avoid escalation
and encourage immediate consideration of measures to reduce tensions
along the Line of Contact and the international border between Armenia
and Azerbaijan.
In their statement released June 19, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs
called upon the parties to re-engage in negotiations on substance, in
good faith, and with political will. The Co-Chairs further underscored
that such negotiations are the only way to bring a lasting peace to
the people of the region, who expect and deserve progress toward
settlement of the conflict.
The United States continues to engage intensely with the sides. Our
longstanding policy, shared by the Minsk Group co-chairs, is that a
just settlement must be based on international law, which includes the
Helsinki Final Act, in particular the principles of non-use of force,
territorial integrity, and self-determination.