Author: Babajanian Karo

KODI SCHEER TALKS ‘INCENDIARY GIRLS:’ FICTION, MEDICINE, AND AN EAR IN A LAUNDRY HAMPER

Bustle Magazine
6 May 2014

By Claire Luchette

A severed ear in a laundry hamper, a mother reincarnated as a horse,
a boyfriend who has turned into a camel — these are the weird
and surprisingly poignant images that make Kodi Scheer’s stories
unforgettable. Incendiary Girls (New Harvest), Scheer’s debut
collection of stories, contains 11 tales that explore the absurdity
of having a human body and its relationship with the spirit. There’s
“No Monsters Here,” in which the worried wife of a soldier finds his
body parts strewn in random spots in her house. In “Transplant,”
Angela wakes up with a donor’s heart with different skin and hair
and spiritual inclinations. And in the title story set during the
Armenian genocide, an unorthodox angel watches Vartouhi, a girl who
escapes death.

Scheer’s stories examine our states of nature through the lens of
the supernatural, the spiritual, and the strange. Her protagonists
encounter pain and possibility, and Scheer presents their realities
with poise. Scheer discussed the overlap of fiction and medicine,
her work as a writer-in-residence at the Michigan Cancer Institute,
and how weird reality can be.

Read the interview at

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION

Nouse, UK
May 6 2014

By Katy Sandalls | Tuesday 6th May 2014

Defining genocide is never an easy job, especially when the event
happened nearly 100 years ago and the last remaining survivors are
nearly gone. This however is the situation that Turkey findsitself
in now. Last week, Turkey came the closest it has ever done to
acknowledging the devastating events that took place in Armenia in
1915 under Ottoman rule.

Startlingly little is known about the Armenian genocide in comparison
to other comparable tragedies such as the Rwandan genocide of 1994
or the mass extermination carried out by the Nazis. The facts of the
case are not nearly as clear, with many people still trying to make
excuses for the event. What is known is that from around April 1915
onwards Armenians were massacred and deported by the Ottoman Empire
in frightening numbers.

Though still refusing to acknowledge officially the term ‘genocide’,
the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his sympathy
to the families of those involved in the systematic killings which
are thought to have claimed the lives of around 2 million Armenians
with many men being worked to death and many women and children being
marched across the Syrian desert.

Armenia’s reaction to the statement was one of condemnation, with
Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian accusing Turkey of “utter denial”
and calling on Turkey to finally acknowledge the facts surrounding the
event that it has been denying for nearly a century. As far as the
international community is concerned the statement is an impressive
step forward for Turkey. But the issue itself is still rather raw,
with formal recognition of a genocide as having taken place being
slowly pushed through against strong Turkish objections.

Whilst many nations such as France, Cyprus and Canada officially
recognise the existence of the genocide, many more have yet to make
an official stance, with Denmark going so far as saying that it is
not the job of politicians but of historians to decide whether an
event was a genocide or not.

Interestingly, within Britain it is only England that has not
officially recognised the event as a genocide, with Westminster
reluctant to define the event retrospectively, while Wales, Scotland
and Northern Ireland have all declared a genocide to have occurred.

It appears unlikely that Turkey is going to acknowledge the event any
time soon with little pressure internally to do so. Indeed, in Turkey
it is still actually illegal to talk about what happened in Armenia.

They also maintain that the events taking place during the First World
War killed many ethnic Turks, and that the events themselves were just
skirmishes in the war. Some members of Turkey’s People’s Liberation
Party deny that the event even took place, calling it a wedge created
by the Armenians, intended to cause tension in the area. The debate
comes at a time when relations between Turkey and Armenia are still
problematic and borders are still shut. The centenary of the genocide
next year will be telling of just how much things have changed,
with increased political pressure on Turkey sure to feature.

SIGNEES OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION MEET IN YEREVAN

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
May 6 2014

6 May 2014 – 11:15am

Yerevan is hosting the 13th meeting of Eastern European signees of
the Chemical Weapons Convention, News.am reports.

Efforts of the OPCW to destroy Syrian chemical weapons improved the
authority of the organization, said head of the Armenian structure
for realization of the Chemical Weapons Convention Samvel Lazarian.

He noted that chemical weapons were found in Libya and Syria. The
official added that the OPCW had received the Nobel Peace Prize
in 2013.

The three-day meeting will be attended by 23 countries. Croatia hosted
the meeting in 2013.

IRAN’S SPEAKER, ARMENIA’S FM DISCUSS BILATERAL, REGIONAL ISSUES

Tasnim News Agency, Iran
May 6 2014

May 06, 2014 – 14:48

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani and the
visiting Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian in a meeting in
Tehran discussed bilateral and regional issues.

During the meeting on Monday, Larijani reiterated Tehran’s support
for self-determination of the Syrian people and a diplomatic solution
to the country’s crisis.

Political solution, using the means of dialogue and negotiation,
as well as determination of Syria’s destiny by its own people have
always been supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran, Larijani stated.

Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011. The UN says
more than 130,000 people have been killed since the beginning of
the unrest in 2011. More than 2.2 million Syrians have fled to
neighboring countries while an estimated 4.25 million have been
displaced internally.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Larijani also touched upon Iran-Armenia good
relations and called for closer cooperation between the two countries.

He emphasized that the exchange of views between political figures
of the two countries to pursue common interests on regional and
international issues will certainly promote Tehran-Yerevan ties.

Nalbandian, for his part, attached great significance to exchange of
visits by both countries’ senior officials, and said the visits will
promote the relations in all spheres.

MAJLIS SPEAKER: GROUNDS PREPARED FOR EXPANSION OF TEHRAN-YEREVAN COOPERATION

Islamic Republic News Agency IRNA, Iran
May 5 2014

Tehran, May 5, IRNA – Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said on Monday that
grounds are prepared for expansion of Tehran-Yerevan cooperation
in various fields such as technical and engineering services and
trade exchange.

Larijani made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Armenian Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandian in Tehran.

Iranian Majlis is very optimistic about expansion of cooperation with
Armenia, Larijani said.

There is close cooperation between the two neighboring states
which requires more endeavor from both sides to reach its climax,
Larijani said.

Exchange of views between the two sidesË~H officials at international
fora and maitaining common stands on regional and international
developments have deepened their friendship, he said.

The two sidesË~H officials should seize existing opportunities to
enhance their cooperation, he said.

Referring to the current developments in Syria, he said the countryË~Hs
problems should be resolved through peaceful dialogue and political
means give the fact it is the Syrian people that should decide
their fate.

The Armenian foreign minister, for his part, said exchange of political
and parliamentary delegations would upgrade the level of relations
between the two countries and both sidesË~H governments are determined
to support the move.

Referring to Iran-G5+1 nulcear talks, he said Armenia strongly backs
progress in negotiations between the two sides.

He expressed the hope that talks between Iran and G5+1 would finish
the earliest and all would witness its positive impacts on expansion
of relations between Iran and Armenia.

They also exchanged views on regional and international developments
such as crises in Syria and Ukraine.

IRANIAN , ARMENIAN FMS SUPPORT PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH DISPUTE

Islamic Republic News Agency IRNA, Iran
May 5 2014

Tehran, May 5, IRNA – The Iranian and Armenian foreign ministers on
Monday underlined support for peaceful settlement of Karabakh dispute,
while calling for further expansion of bilateral relations in line
with mutual interests.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif and his Armenian
counterpart Edward Nalbandian in Tehran on Monday exchanged views on
key regional developments, including crises in Syria and Ukraine.

Zarif in the meeting briefed his Armenian counterpart on the foreign
policy of Iranian president, especially the part concerning promotion
of cooperation with neighboring countries, and emphasized significance
of ties between Iran and Armenia.

He urged mutual cooperation in the economic, transportation, energy
and banking sectors.

Re-activation of Iran-Armenia Joint Economic Cooperation Commission
was among other topics discussed by the two ministers.

Nalbandian aid his country is ready for promotion of mutual cooperation
given positive atmosphere governing dialogue between their officials.

He hoped for further expansion of relations in line with mutual
interests.

He invited Zarif to pay an official visit to Armenia.

ARMENIA 13/8 TO WIN FIRST EUROVISION SEMI-FINAL WHILE ENGLAND IS A 10/1 SHOT TO BE CROWNED OVERALL WINNER!

Unreality TV
May 5 2014

It’s been reported today by top bookmaker Ladbrokes that Armenia are
the hot favourites to leave the first Eurovision semi-final victorious,
while in terms of an overall winner, the bookie is offering odds of
10/1 on England winning.

A press release from Ladbrokes states, “The stage is set and rehearsals
are ongoing, and the bookies are now betting on which act will take
the first victory during Eurovision week.

“It’s no surprise to see Aram MP3 and Armenia lead the market at 13/8
to win semi-final 1 on Tuesday night.”

Apparently, Sweden are next in line at 11/4, while it’s a 4/1 shot
that Hungary can cause an upset to the favourites at this point in
the competition.

Ladbrokes spokeswoman Jessica Bridge of said, “All the money suggests
Armenia are home and dry as far as this year’s Eurovision is concerned.

“Punters can’t see where else the winner could come from.”

Here’s Ladbrokes latest betting

Eurovision winner 2014

2/1 Armenia 3/1 Sweden 9/1 Ukraine 10/1 United Kingdom 12/1 Denmark
14/1 Hungary 20/1 Azerbaijan 25/1 Norway 25/1 Ireland 25/1 Austria
33/1 Romania 33/1 Russia 33/1 Israel 33/1 The Netherlands 40/1 Belgium
40/1 Spain 40/1 Greece 50/1 Germany 50/1 Italy 50/1 Finland 66/1 bar

Winner of semi-final 1

Armenia 13/8 Sweden 11/4 Hungary 4/1 Azerbaijan 5/1 Ukraine 6/1
Belgium 16/1 Russia 20/1 The Netherlands 25/1 Iceland 33/1 Estonia
50/1 Moldova 100/1 Montenegro 100/1 Albania 100/1 Latvia 100/1 Portugal
150/1 San Marino 150/1

Will you be having a bet on the outcome of Eurovision this year? And
if so, who’s your money going on?

For now, here’s a reminder of the contest…

HEAD OF AZERBAIJANI POLICE: I WILL KILL ARMENIAN GIRL AND DRINK HER BLOOD

15:44 01/05/2014 ” LAW

To the question posed in Azerbaijani by one of the figurants in the
video “why there were no police-woman officers escorting Leyla Yunus”
the head of the police answered that they did have women in police,
but they were calmly sleeping at home, as they were brought up by
Azerbaijani women in contrast to Leyla Yunus.

After the question was asked for the second time, the head of the
police said that they sent for her a man police officer, as Yunus
was neither a woman, nor an Azerbaijani.

“I will not only go after her (the Armenian â?” edt.) toilet, moreover
I will kill her too and will drink her blood, just as they had done
with thousands of our countrymen,” the head of the police stated.

When he was objected that there were other circumstances then –
it was war, he noted that in peacetime Yunus must love Azerbaijani
nation and not her own.

During the interview given to Yeni Musavat the head of the police
Asadov also stated that the officer who allowed unethical actions
against Leyla Yunus won’t be punished. “Everything is legal. The
policeman was standing behind the door when she entered the toilet,
in order to protect that blackmailer to cause injuries to herself. What
if she hang there herself up?” Ismail Asadov stated.

Fars News Agency, Iran
May 4 2014

Armenian FM Due in Iran Tonight

TEHRAN (FNA)- Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian is due to
arrive in Iran tonight to explore new ways for expanding
Tehran-Yerevan relations.

The top Armenian diplomat is scheduled to meet with his counterpart
Mohammad Javad Zarif, President Hassan Rouhani and other senior
Iranian officials during his stay in Tehran.

He will also submit the written message of Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan, and discuss bilateral relations as well as regional and
international developments with senior Iranian officials.

In recent years, Iran and its Northern neighbor Armenia have boosted
cooperation, signed agreements on energy cooperation and agreed to
cooperate in technology and research and enhance ties in commerce and
economy.

ran exports South Pars products to 29 countries
Economic Desk

On Line: 04 May 2014 16:38
In Print: Monday 05 May 2014

BUSHEHR- Iran exported over 1.405 million tons of petrochemical
products from the South Pars gas field to 29 countries in the first
Iranian calendar month of Farvardin (March 21-April 20), IRNA News
Agency quoted an Iranian senior customs official as saying.

Pars Special Economic Energy Zone (PSEEZ) Customs Office Director
Khodadad Rahimi said on Sunday that more than $1.266 billion worth of
products, mainly heavy polyethylene, methanol, butane, diethylene
glycol, propane, and gas condensate, were exported from PSEEZ in the
mentioned period of time.

China, Japan, the UAE, India, Turkey, Iraq, Taiwan, Thailand,
Malaysia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Armenia, Russia, Mozambique,
Egypt, Syria, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Qatar, Tanzania,
Philippines, Ghana, Kenya, Azerbaijan, Georgia, South Korea and Mexico
were the destinations for the exported goods, Rahimi said.

Exports from the South Pars gas field rose by 11 percent in weight and
28 percent in value compared to the same period in the previous year,
he added.

Iran will boost production at its South Pars gas field by 100 million
cubic meters per day in the current Iranian calendar year, which began
on March 21, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said on April
5.

The South Pars gas field covers an area of 9,700 square kilometers,
3,700 square kilometers of which are in Iran’s territorial waters in
the Persian Gulf.

The remaining 6,000 square kilometers, i.e. North Dome, are in Qatar’s
territorial waters.

The Iranian gas field, which is divided into 29 phases, contains 14
trillion cubic meters of natural gas, about eight percent of the
world’s reserves, and more than 18 billion barrels of LNG resources.

Iran’s crude oil output is forecast to increase by about 200,000
barrels per day to 4 million barrels per day, and its daily natural
gas output is forecast to increase by about 100 million cubic meters
per day to 400 million cubic meters per day.

Iran is estimated to hold 33.7 trillion cubic meters of natural gas
and 157 billion barrels of recoverable crude oil reserves.