Author: Babajanian Karo

Purpose of cynicism

Aravot
December 27 2013

Although this is the last editorial for this year, however, I can not
accommodate to merely the New Year style, and I would like to talk
about a wide-spread phenomenon: impudence (stubbornness, cynicism).
What is missing in Shmice’s life? It seems like nothing: sit in your
corner and eat your businesses’ money. But, no. He wants to prove
something. What? That he can “take precedence” of any opposition or
journalist with his literacy and intellectual level. With what?
Naturally, with his irreverent vocabulary, maybe, with his his
bodyguards’ punches. In other words, every time, the representative of
the authorities should prove that “nothing can stop him”. The same for
Taron Margaryan. Why does he need the PhD title? Neither his salary,
nor his reputation will grow from it. Nor, of course, he has the time
and desire to be engaged in research and come up with an inventions in
this field. The purpose is different: to humiliate and degrade
sciences and those engaged in sciences, and, ultimately, devalue not
only academic titles, but, the notion, intellectual activities. “I can
do whatever I want. And you, Rector of the University, and members of
Academic Council and HQC, will not utter a word and will declare me a
scientist,” here is his “message.” The problem is the same, “nothing
can stop me.” That’s the reason that the mayor understands the phrase
“defend the thesis” as a “defense from the journalists”, which was
carried out by young Republican members of “Bazeh” headed by the
Rector of Economic Sciences. And the problem is not that the
journalists would suddenly see that the mayor does not read text
written in advance: Taron Margaryan and his “bodyguards” are
absolutely indifferent to such findings. There is a problem of proving
own all-mighty, the right to arbitrariness. Just as it should be in a
country of the “Customs territory”. ëÏÇÏ ÈÏÞÕ ÐÏÍÉÌÕÀ,/ëÏÇÏ ÈÏÞÕ –
ËÁÚÎÀ/. úÁËÏÎ – ÍÏÅ ÖÅÌÁÎÉÅ!/ëÕÌÁË – ÍÏÑ ÐÏÌÉÃÉÑ!/õÄÁÒ
ÉÓËÒÏÓÙÐÉÔÅÌØÎÙÊ,/õÄÁÒ ÚÁÏÄÒÏÉÔÅÌØÎÙÊ,/õÄÁÒ ÓËÕÌÏ×ÏÒÒÒÏÔ. (I would
mercy whomever I want./I would execute whomever I want./My desires are
the law! / My fist – my police! /A flashing punch. /A furious punch.
/A cheekbone punch.) The same in the international relations. Do you
think that it is a problem for Russia to sell gas at a price in an
area where the number of subscribers is ten times less than in Moscow?
No, it’s a trivia. It was set an objective to write down clauses in
the agreement that would offend our dignity: we would do whatever we
want for 30 years. So, whether in small or large scales, the mechanism
is the same. Also, the forms of protecting human or national dignity
are the same. This is to come for the next year.

ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
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Le JDD, France
29 dec 2013

Les arméniens de France interpellent Hollande

Le président de la République doit effectuer un déplacement officiel
en Turquie les 27 et 28 janvier 2014. Les principales associations
arméniennes de France s’interrogent sur son opportunité alors que le
pouvoir du Premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan, en prise aux
affaires de corruption qui secouent son gouvernement, est contesté par
la rue. François Hollande devrait en tout cas se rendre en Arménie en
mai, à quelques mois des célébrations du centenaire du genocide.

AZERBAIDJAN
Total : ne serait plus intéressé par le projet Tanap.

Total et Statoil auraient décidé de ne pas exercer leurs options
d’achat sur des participations dans le projet de gazoduc Tanap,
d’après un article du Financial Times qui cite des sources proches du
dossier.

Il explique que les deux groupes pétroliers français et norvégien, qui
auraient pu prendre des intérêts de 5% et 12% respectivement,
s’inquiéteraient de l’augmentation des coûts de ce projet, dont
l’estimation serait passée de 7,5 à environ 12 milliards de dollars.

Le journal financier rappelle que le gazoduc Tanap permettrait de
transporter du gaz naturel produit sur le site de Shah Deniz 2, en
Azerbaïdjan, vers l’Europe, en passant par l’Anatolie.

dimanche 29 décembre 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

ARMENIE
Ameria finance la création d’une classe spéciale dans l’école de la
commune d’Argatsavan

La société Ameria a annoncé qu’elle avait financé la création d’une
classe spéciale dans l’école numéro 2 dans la commune d’Argatsavan
située dans la région d’Aragatsotn en Arménie.

La salle est conçue pour la formation de 30 étudiants. Elle est dotée
d’un tableau numérique, d’ordinateurs et de mobilier mobile permettant
aux étudiants de travailler de façon autonome, en couples ou en
groupes. La classe a également un logiciel appelé Logo Microcosms, qui
est un environnement d’apprentissage de l’ordinateur universel moderne
avec de nombreux graphiques, des animations et de la programmation.

Ameria a déclaré que le milieu créatif contribuera au développement de
la pensée créative des enfants, rendra possible la mise en `uvre des
activités multi-usages, en particulier, à travers une combinaison de
conférences et de débats, de lectures et de jeux.

« Nous sommes confiants qu’un environnement scolaire attrayant
contribue à l’intérêt des enfants dans l’apprentissage et encourage
les enseignants à utiliser des techniques qui attirent l’attention et
l’intérêt des élèves » a déclaré le directeur du Fonds des Enfants
d’Arménie (COAF), Serob Khachatryan qui a été l’exécutant du projet.

dimanche 29 décembre 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

ARMENIE
Religion : Conférence à Tsakhkadzor

Les 2 et 3 décembre, avec les bénédictions de Sa Sainteté Karékine II
, Patriarche suprême et Catholicos de tous les Arméniens , une
conférence a eu lieu à Tsakhkadzor afin de souligner le rôle important
des écoles du dimanche dans les communautés paroissiales et visant à
résoudre les défis actuels en fournissant des normes pour améliorer l’
efficacité des programmes. La conférence s’est tenue à l’initiative du
Centre d’éducation chrétienne du Saint Siège d’Etchmiadzine en
collaboration avec l’Office arménien de l’organisme de bienfaisance
World Vision International.

Etaient Présents à la conférence les membres du clergé, des
enseignants et les représentants des bureaux régionaux de World
Vision, qui gèrent la surveillance des écoles du dimanche .

Le Père Vardan Navasardian , chef du Département de l’éducation
chrétienne au Saint Siège, a prononcé le discours d’ouverture , fait
une réflexion sur la mission et l’importance des écoles du dimanche
dans la vie de la communauté . Le Père Vardan a examiné les objectifs
et les activités des deux journées qui seront utiles dans la création
de l’ordre du jour pour les deux années à venir .

Des discussions de groupe ont été organisées sur des questions telles
que l’organisation , l’instruction, et les problèmes concernant la
teneur et la logistique . Des rapports ont été préparés à l’issue de
la discussion avec des solutions proposées à chacune des questions .

dimanche 29 décembre 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

ECHECS
Aram Hagopian (Arménie) champion du monde des échecs des -12 ans

A Al Eïn, aux Emirats Arabes Unis, l’Arménien Aram Hagopian a été
sacré champion du monde des moins de 12 ans. Lors du dernier tour,
Aram Hagopian a fait partie nulle. Un nul qui lui suffisait au jeune
représentant de l’Arménie de remporter le titre mondial avec 9,5
points sur un maximum de 11 points.

Krikor Amirzayan

dimanche 29 décembre 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
dec 27 2013

Not a New Start At All

by Yusuf Kanli

Three ministers became mayoral candidates; four others were shot down
by a web of graft and irregularity scandals; two were sacked and one
minister shifted from one position to another. This was the summary of
the government reshuffle Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
announced. If elections will be held on schedule, the reshuffled
Cabinet will hardly have 19 months in office. If the allegations of
other and indeed stronger waves of corruption probes implicating the
prime minister and his family members come through, irrespective such
claims might be substantiated and court cases followed or not the
country may even go to an early election in 2014. Well, the boss
-according to latest revelations in the graft probe the prime minister
loved to be referred as such -has been categorically against early
elections, but none the less, everything is possible in politics. Well
we have heard him slapping a minister like a child, but who would bet
two weeks ago on a claim that Erdogan would sack or force four
ministers to resign. By the way, the minister who claimed to have
received slap in the face at least twice from Erdogan was sacked as
well.

Whatever, Turkey is becoming ungovernable. There were hopes that
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu -for some, the worst foreign minister
the country ever had, while some still consider him the “Kissinger of
Turkey” -would be replaced in the reshuffle. Alas, he maintained his
seat! Why? Erdogan probably still thinks the one who pulled the
foreign policy of the country in the current mess should work to take
it out as well. Is there hope? Lately, Turkey has started making some
overtures towards restoring normalcy in its foreign affairs, on the
one hand, but creating some new oddities on the other. For example
what was that persistent “blame the United States” obsession? Well the
US might not be happy with the current political team governing
Turkey. Indeed, some lobbies in Washington might be discussing behind
doors a “Turkey minus the AKP.” The AKP government might be unhappy
with such “intelligence.” Is it reasonable at all to attack the US
ambassador and accuse him of gathering EU envoys and talking of a
Turkey without Erdogan? Is it sane to believe claims that a
businessman was approached last year by the US diplomatic mission and
was urged to join an effort to wipe out the AKP?

Well, if people who were advising Americans “not to wipe down the
drain but use Erdogan” are still in government in Ankara, such
evaluations and indeed obsessions might appear normal. These guys are
apparently unaware of the diplomatic code of conduct or believe the
American ambassador is fool enough to engage in acts that would force
his hosts to declare him a persona non grata and land US-Turkish ties
in a deep coma.

All these oddities might be a product of an insane “we have an Eastern
alternative… If you do not want us in Brussels, we shall go to
Shanghai” mentality. What is the EU and what is Shanghai Five? Do we
see us as partners of some democratic countries; or are we in the same
league of the advanced democracies of the Shanghai group? Turkey
should, of course, have good relations with the West as well as the
East, but can it see its future being with the East? Come on, be
realistic!

Syria, Iran, Iraq as well as Armenia, Cyprus and Egypt… A ring of
“no problem” around Turkey. With some opium, perhaps the current mess
might be believed to be one of “no problem,” but unfortunately under
the guidance of the current team, this country was turned into one of
having no friends. Worse, our allies no longer trust us and consider
the Turkish position vis-a-vis problems around Turkey as appalling.

Is this a nice photograph of a country trying to make a fresh start
with a new Cabinet?

Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
Dec 28 213

Aivazovsky’s works on sea at Naval Museum

ISTANBUL

Oil paintings by Russian artist Ivan Aivazovsky will come to
Istanbul’s newly opened Naval Museum.

The Istanbul Naval Museum will continue its `Selected Painters’
exhibition series with Russian painter Ivan Konstantinovich
Aivazovsky, who is considered one of the most prominent Russian
artists and one of the greatest marine artists of the 19th century.

The Aivazovsky exhibition that will open on Jan. 1, 2014 will showcase
his oil paint works on canvas, according to a written statement made
by the Naval Forces Command.

The Istanbul Naval Museum, which was opened on Oct. 4 in BeÅ?iktaÅ?, has
a painting collection of around 700 oil paint, water paint, pencil
drawing and gravure works. The museum will display the collection of
works on maritime and naval history.

Aivazovsky was born in 1817 in the town of Theodosia, Crimea, to an
Armenian family. In 1845, he went to Istanbul upon the invitation of
Sultan Abdülmecid I. During his long sojourn in Istanbul, Aivazovsky
was commissioned for a number of paintings as a court painter by the
Ottoman Sultans Abdülmecid, Abdulaziz and Abdulhamid, 30 of which are
currently on display in the Ottoman Imperial Palace, the Dolmabahçe
Museum and many other museums in Turkey. His works are also found in
dozens of museums throughout Russia and the former Soviet republics,
including the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. The largest
collections of his works are at the Aivazovsky Art Gallery in
Feodosiya, Ukraine, and the National Gallery of Armenia.

December/28/2013

World War II veteran and wife are presented Armenian passports (PHOTO)

December 28, 2013 | 13:23

YEREVAN. – Vazgen Hovhannisyan (born in 1921) and his wife Lusya lived
in Russia for over seventeen years.

Ultimately, however, they returned to their homeland, Armenia, and are
living in capital city Yerevan for about two years.

At the age of 94, Vazgen Hovhannisyan, who is a World War II veteran,
had expressed a wish to become an Armenian citizen and be issued a
citizenship passport.

The Passport and Visa Department of Armenia’s Police not solely
carried out Hovhannisyan’s wishes with great willingness, but the
Department staff decided to personally visit him.

The staff members on Friday paid a visit to Vazgen Hovhannisyan’s home
and presented him his Armenian citizenship passport.

It was a memorable day also because Hovhannisyan’s wife likewise was
presented with a passport.

Taking this opportunity, the Passport and Visa Department workers also
congratulated the Hovhannisyan on the coming New Year.

WHAT WEAPON SHOULD BE USED TO FIGHT AGAINST AUTHORITIES SPEAKING IN A LANGUAGE OF “JERK” AND “NOTHING CAN STOP ME”?

December 27 2013

“That his right, and from the point of view of the outcome, I do
not think that something will change”,- so responded Ara Papyan,
Head of “Modus Vivendi” Center, to the question of Aravot.am of how
he assesses Nikol Pashinyan’s “Civil contract” initiative. He is
pessimistic that it is possible to change something in Armenia with a
political initiative. According to him, the fight has been moved to
a pretty harsh field, when “the government openly says that it has
the majority and nothing can stop it.” Mr. Papyan brings the example
that the European countries conducted a referendum on EU membership,
they amended even the Constitution, and in Armenia, the fate of 2-3
million people is decided by 70-80 people. To our question of what
weapon should be used to fight against the authorities speaking in
a language of “jerk” and “nothing can stop me”. Ara Papyan replied,
“I particularly do not see a form of struggle as the main form of
fighting is the elections. And, I do not think that the elections
may change something in Armenia, consequently, people have chosen
age-old proven form of fight, the migration.”

Tatev HARUTYUNYAN

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