Author: Babajanian Karo

NO SILENCE GROUP LAUNCHES NEW VIDEO SERIES IN ARMENIA

Tert.am
27.10.11

The No Silence youth action group has launched a new series of video
interviews under the general heading of “No silence: at what cost?”

“Twenty-nine claims have been filed against newspapers since amendments
decriminalizing libel were enforced in Armenia. To ‘protect’ their
honor, the rich folk demand ‘compensations’ totaling millions from
journalists. The result is that newspapers with a small circulation
face bankruptcy.

“Next Monday and Wednesday, the No Silence action group, citing the
examples of four newspapers, will inform the public of the disgraceful
situation the Armenian press has found itself in.

“The claims lodged against freedom of speech are evidence of a clear
policy of reprisals against it,” the group’s statement says.

MICHAEL BAZYLER TO SPEAK AT ‘ANC GRASSROOTS’ PANEL ON TRANSNATIONAL JUSTICE
Michael Bazyler

asbarez
Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

Chapman University Law Professor to Discuss U.S., European Cases for
Genocide Reparations

GLENDALE–The Armenian National Committee-Western Region announced that
Michael Bazyler will serve as a panelist in “Transnational Justice:
Contemporary Approaches,” which will discuss current strategies for
Armenian Genocide recognition and reparations. The panel is part of
the ANC Grassroots weekend that will take place from Friday, November
25 to Sunday, November 27 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel.

Bazyler, along with fellow panelists Ambassador Ara Papian; Professor
Jermaine McCalpin; and ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian, will
discuss the current approaches to genocide reparations. Bazyler is
presently a consultant on the case against the Republic of Turkey and
two Turkish banks concerning Armenian-owned land that composes a U.S.

airbase in Incirlik, Turkey. The plaintiffs have alleged that Turkey
has run commercial operations and thereby profited after committing a
violation of international laws – moreover Turkey’s own constitution
and the Lausanne Treaty – by confiscating those properties from their
rightful owners.

Bazyler is the author of “Holocaust Justice: The Battle for Restitution
in America’s Courts,” the definitive analytical study of how the
American courts and system of justice were used to address the
mass-scale theft initiated by the Holocaust. Bazyler also wrote the
introduction to the book “Raphael Lemkin’s Dossier on the Armenian
Genocide,” and has asserted that Lemkin was one of the greatest
and most influential lawyers and human rights activists in the last
century. Lemkin not only coined the word ‘genocide’ but was also the
key figure in the enactment of the 1948 United Nations Convention
for the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide.

Bazyler is currently a Professor of Law and The “1939â~@³ Club Law
Scholar in Holocaust and Human Rights Studies at Chapman University
School of Law in Orange, California. He is also a research fellow at
the Holocaust Education Trust in London; and the holder of previous
fellowships at Harvard Law School and the United States Holocaust
Memorial Museum in Washington.

The three-day ANC Grassroots program is a groundbreaking weekend of
workshops and panel presentations that will educate the community
about civic leadership arising from grassroots efforts. ANC Grassroots
will bookend the Armenian National Committee of America – Western
Region Annual Banquet, which will take place on Saturday, November 26
at 7 p.m. The conference and Annual Banquet are open to interested
individuals throughout the entire United States, and participants
are encouraged to register early.

Tickets for ANC Grassroots, which includes the Friday night cocktail
in the Starview Room; as well as conference sessions on Friday,
Saturday and Sunday, which include breakfast, post-banquet dance,
and a keynote luncheon on Sunday, are $150. Tickets for the Annual
Banquet are $200. Those interested in attending the Annual Banquet
and ANC Grassroots can purchase a package for $300.

Students with valid ID can purchase discounted tickets to the Annual
Banquet and Conference.

Visit the Web site for more information, to register and purchase
tickets.

The Armenian National Committee-Western Region is the largest
Armenian American grassroots community 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 ANC-WR works to
promote understanding regarding issues of concern to the Armenian
American community.

LE HHK SOUHAITE DOMINER LA SCENE POLITIQUE
Laetitia

armenews.com
vendredi 28 octobre 2011

Le Premier ministre Tigran Sarkissian a declare mercredi que le
Parti Republicain d’Armenie (HHK) a l’intention de dominer sur la
scène politique.

” Les partis qui coopèrent avec nous profiteront de cela, tandis que
les autres finiront bredouille “, a declare Tigran Sarkissian aux
journalistes. ” Je tiens a avertir ceux qui propagent des rumeurs
au sujet du Parti republicain qu’ils se trompent lourdement dans
l’evaluation de nos capacites. ”

” Le Parti republicain est aujourd’hui la plus grande force politique
en Armenie et il ne suffira pas seulement de conserver ses positions,
mais aussi de les renforcer.Je pense donc que nous devons transmettre
ce message a nos partenaires et a notre public “, a-t-il dit.

Sarkissian n’a pas precise si l’avertissement s’adresse en priorite
aux forces de l’opposition ou au parti prospère(BHK), le principal
partenaire du HHK dans la coalition au pouvoir.

Le chef du BHK, Gagik Tsarukian, souhaitait renouveler le debat
au sein de la coalition au debut du mois. Il a refuse de soutenir
le leader du HHK et les projets du president Serge Sarkissian pour
gagner un second mandat en 2013. Il avait vaguement commente la tenue
des prochaines elections presidentielles de 2013.

La presse armenienne a affirme ces dernières semaines que Tsarukian
est desormais sous la pression de l’administration presidentielle
afin qu’il soutienne la reelection du president Sarkissian. Les
representants du HHK ont implicitement refuse.

Tsarukian s’est lui-meme deja engage a soutenir le president sortant
dans une declaration signee avec Serge Sarkissian en fevrier dernier.

Tigran Sarkissian a fait reference a cette declaration mercredi. ” Nous
sommes unis autour du President de la Republique “, a-t-il declare.

GRIGOL VASHADZE SAYS GEORGIA READY TO MEDIATE IN NK CONFLICT SETTLEMENT ISSUE

ARMENPRESS
16:42, 26 October, 2011

Georgia is ready to assume the mediation in the settlement of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Citing Azerbaijani media, Armenpress reports
that it was stated by the Foreign Minister of Georgia Grigol Vashadze
at the joint news conference with the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan
Elmar Mammadyarov.

“Any format of negotiations is better than conflict. The South
Caucasus is a united organism and all the states must realize that
we “are sitting in one boat”. In case of necessity Georgia is ready
to assume the role of a broker in the conflict settlement process,”
Vashadze said.

SANAHIN COMPLEX IN FOCUS OF THE STATE

ARMENPRESS
10:39, 26 October, 2011

The issue of preservation of Sanahin monastic complex has been raised
on the international level. Not only the province of Lori and the
Republic of Armenia are concerned with it but foreign countries
as well.

With the assignment of the RA Government specialists have been sent
to the province of Lori to study the situation and assist in the
solution of the issue. They have studied the restoration, water
removal and water isolation issues and are working on the basis of
collected information after which professional conclusion will be
given. German specialists have also visited the complex and ended
their studies connected with the wall paintings.

With the efforts of the RA Government and Ministry of Culture, days
ago a group of specialists headed by Alberto Torsello arrived from
Italy to study the wall paintings. They brought with them contemporary
devices and for five days studied the resistance of the wall paintings
of the whole monastic complex.

Scientific worker of the Lori provincial service of the Preservation
of Historic Environment Hrachik Marukyan told Armenpress that the
experience of the invited specialists is well-known all over the world,
and they have arrived in Armenia after the successful completion of
works over monument-reserve in China.

L’AZERBAIDJAN AU CONSEIL DE SECURITE DE L’ONU
Laetitia

armenews.com
mercredi 26 octobre 2011

Les dirigeants politiques armeniens ont minimise mardi l’importance
de l’adhesion de l’Azerbaïdjan au Conseil de securite de l’ONU,
affirmant que cela n’aura aucun impact sur la resolution du conlfit
du Nagorno-Karabagh.

L’Azerbaïdjan a obtenu son premier siège lundi après avoir obtenu 155
voix sur 193 a l’Assemblee generale de l’ONU. Il rejoindra en janvier
le Pakistan, le Maroc, le Guatemala et le Togo en tant que membres
temporaires du Conseil des 15 nations pour une duree de deux ans.

La Slovenie et l’Azerbaïdjan ont ete en lice avec la Hongrie pour un
siège reserve a l’Europe orientale. La victoire de l’Azerbaïdjan a
ete confirmee après que la Slovenie a abandonne la course. Le ministre
des Affaires etrangères slovène, Samuel Zbogar, a declare que son pays
“n’a pas approuve” la facon dont les elections ont eu lieu.

Dans un communique publie pour l’occasion, le president azerbaïdjanais
Ilham Aliyev a salue le developpement comme une ” grande victoire ”
pour sa nation. ” Le nombre de nos amis dans le monde est en croissance
“, a-t-il annonce.

Aliev n’a pas precise si son gouvernement utilisera le siège du
Conseil de securite pour faire avancer un arrangement pour la region
du Karabagh.

En 2008, Bakou a presente devant l’Assemblee generale de l’ONU une
resolution visant a reconnaître la region du Karabagh comme une
partie internationalement reconnue de l’Azerbaïdjan et a exige ” un
retrait immediat, complet et inconditionnel ” des forces armeniennes
des territoires azerbaïdjanais occupes. La resolution a ete soutenue
par 39 Etats a majorite musulmane.

Le gouvernement de l’Armenie, qui est fermement oppose a toute
implication de l’ONU en qui concerne une mediation pour le conflit du
Karabagh, n’a pas officiellement reagi a l’election de l’Azerbaïdjan
au Conseil de securite mardi soir. Mais de hauts representants du
Parti republicain du President Serge Sarkissian (HHK) ont fait des
commentaires sur la question.

Dans un discours au Parlement armenien, Edouard Sharmazanov,
le porte-parole du HHK a affirme que Bakou a remporte le siège au
conseil grâce ” au soutien de pays musulmans et du tiers-monde. ”

” Cette election ne peut avoir aucune influence serieuse sur la
resolution du conflit de l’Artsakh (Karabagh)parce que les pays qui
co-president le Groupe de Minsk sont membres permanents du Conseil de
securite et que leurs points de vue sont en phase avec la position
de l’Armenie [sur le Karabagh,] ” a affirme Sharmazanov, en faisant
reference aux Etats-Unis, a la Russie et a la France.

Les trois puissances mediatrices ont vote contre la resolution 2008
sur le Karabagh a l’Assemblee Generale. Ils ont egalement convaincu
Bakou de retirer un projet de resolution similaire en 2010.

Hovannes Sahakian, un autre depute du HHK, a declare a RFE / RL
(Azatutyun.am) que Bakou ne peut pas influencer le processus de paix du
Karabakh par le conseil. Il a declare que le Groupe de Minsk restera le
principal organisme international qui tentera de mettre fin au conflit.

Edouard Nalbandian, ministre des Affaires etrangères armenien,
paraissait resigne(ghnj face a l’adhesion de l’Azerbaïdjan a l’ONU le
mois dernier. Il a affirme qu’il irait a l’encontre de la mission du
Conseil de securite pour promouvoir la paix internationale, soulignant
les menaces regulières de Bakou sur la fin du conflit du Karabakh
par la force.

TURKEY OPENS BIGGEST ARMENIAN CHURCH IN MIDEAST FOR WORSHIP

TRT Tv
Oct 24 2011
Turkey

The Official Turkish Radio and Television Corporation has issued the
following news release:

The biggest Armenian Church in the Middle East, “Surp Giragos”,
opened for worship in Diyarbakir.

The opening of the church was attended by thousands of people from
Turkey and abroad. Among those who attended the opening of the church
were the ones who had prayed in the church 30 years ago.

“Surp Giragos Church” in Diyarbakir is as important as Ahtamar Church
in Van for the Armenian community.

Many Armenians from Turkey and abroad attended the opening of the
church. “We came from the United States to take part in the opening.

We thank everyone who has contributed to this.”, said a lady.

“30 years ago we emigrated from here to Istanbul and then to the
Netherlands. We came here once again from the Netherlands. We thank the
government for such an organization”, another Armenian lady told TRT.

“At a ceremony called “Tirimpat” First clergymen sanctified the church
and the cross and then the church was opened for worship.

Among those who took part in the opening were the ones who had prayed
in the church years ago.

“Although I am a Muslim I regard it as the house of Allah. This is
very nice” said a believer.

AZERBAIJANI, GEORGIAN, ARMENIAN RELIGIOUS LEADERS TO MEET IN YEREVAN

news.az
Oct 25 2011
Azerbaijan

Religious leader of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia will meet in
Yerevan in late November.

The statement came from Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II
at a meeting with mediators in the Karabakh conflict resolution,
Interfax reports.

The Caucasus Muslims Board was not available for further comments.

ARMENIAN RESCUERS READY TO JOIN RESCUE OPERATION IN TURKEY

ITAR-TASS
October 24, 2011 Monday 01:49 AM EST
Russia

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan offered condolences to his Turkish
counterpart Abdullah Gul over a devastating earthquake, which rocked
eastern Turkey on Sunday. He sent an urgent telegram to Ankara from
Moscow, where he is currently on a state visit.

“I accepted with a deep sorrow the news report about a strong
earthquake, which destroyed the buildings, caused casualties and
buried people under the debris of buildings in Van,” the Armenian
president said in a message of condolence.

“I mourn over the quake victims and sympathize with you,” the message
of condolence runs.

Sargsyan said in the message to the Turkish president that “a special
team of rescuers from Armenia is ready to arrive in the quake epicenter
and to join the rescue operation immediately.”

“President Serzh Sargsyan will continue his state visit in the
Russian Federation under the agenda agreed beforehand,” a source in
the Armenian delegation said. The Armenian delegation rejected some
media reports that the Armenian leader changed the agenda of his
visit in Russia over an earthquake in the region.

The aftershocks of a devastating earthquake in Turkey were felt
in Armenia, but they do not cause any destroyed buildings or other
major aftermaths.

The aftershocks were also felt in Georgia and Iran.

Serzh Sargsyan arrived in Moscow on Sunday at the invitation of his
Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev. The leaders of the countries will
have negotiations in the Kremlin. The agenda of Sargsyan’s three-day
visit envisages meetings with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, the
speakers of the Federation Council and the State Duma and the Moscow
mayor. Meanwhile, the Armenian president will deliver a speech for
the students of the Moscow State University.

Medvedev and Sargsyan “are expected to discuss a broad range of topical
issues in bilateral cooperation, the prospects in the development of
the political dialogue and trade and economic cooperation, as well
as several topical issues on the international agenda,” the Kremlin
press service told Itar-Tass.

“A major package of intergovernmental and interdepartmental agreements
in humanitarian and youth exchanges, health care, economy and foreign
political issues will be signed as a result of the negotiations,”
the Russian presidential press service reported.

RUSSIAN-ARMENIAN TRADE TO EXCEED $1 BLN IN 2011 – MEDVEDEV

Interfax
Oct 24 2011
Russia

Russian-Armenian trade is expected to top $1 billion in 2011, Russian
President Dmitry Medvedev has said.

“Political relations have been developing intensively between the two
countries and trade and economic relations are becoming increasingly
balanced,” Medvedev said after talks with his Armenian counterpart
Serzh Sargsyan. “We have overcome the effects of a crisis in our
relations and we will surpass the pre-crisis level and bring trade
to over $1 billion,” Medvedev said.

“Russia’s accumulated investment in the Armenian economy has topped
$2.8 billion,” he said.

“Cooperation has been broadening in the energy, high-technology and
transport sectors, which is a good signal. Business partnership will
be promoted further by the amendments made today in the agreement
that scraps the double taxation of profit and assets,” he said.

Serzh Sargsian’s current visit to Moscow is the first visit to have
been paid by an Armenian president to Russia, he said. “Our talks
are a conversation between two friends and the heads of two allied
states,” the Russian president said.