Author: Babajanian Karo

Trend, Azerbaijan
May 17 2013

U.S. President, Turkish PM discuss situation in Caucasus region

Azerbaijan, Baku, May 17 / Trend A.Taghiyeva /

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Barack
Obama discussed the situation in the Caucasus region, the Star
newspaper reported on Friday.

In particular, the sides discussed the situation in the region between
Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the situation in Iran, Afghanistan,
African countries and Myanmar.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the U.S. are
currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

Trend, Azerbaijan
May 17 2013

U.S. congressmen present act on so-called “Armenian genocide”

A group of U.S. congressmen presented an act on the so-called
“Armenian genocide” in Congress, the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA), Armenia Today reported.

The document was submitted by Congressmen Frank Pallone, Adam Schiff,
Michael Grimm and David Valadao.

Armenia and the Armenian lobby claim that Turkey’s predecessor the
Ottoman Empire committed genocide in 1915 against Armenians living in
Anadolu. Their efforts have achieved the recognition of the ‘Armenian
Genocide’ by the parliaments of several countries.

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
May 17 2013

Elections in an atmosphere of fear and money – 2

17 May 2013 – 8:25am

David Stepanyan, Yerevan. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza

See Part 1

The opposition doesn’t intend to accept `the republican’ activity.
`Hello, Yerevan!’ and the ANC plan to appeal to the Administrative
Court for recognizing the results of the elections in the Council of
the Elders of Yerevan invalid. At the same time, Prosperous Armenia
which presents itself as the opposition didn’t follow an example of
the opposition camp. According to the secretary of the parliamentary
fraction of the party, Naira Zograbyan, `after long discussions
Prosperous Armenia has made a decision to accept its mandates in the
Council of the Elders of Yerevan.’ According to Zograbyan, the moral
responsibility to thousands of Yerevan residents who voted for PA
doesn’t let the party reject mandates.

Considering the true motivation of PA which made the party participate
in the elections of the mayor, this intention cannot be a surprise.
Participation of Prosperous Armenia in the elections of May 5th
dispersed the opposition votes and let the republicans win. In this
uneasy task PA was supported by the ANC, Dashnaktsutyun and even
Orinats Erkir which easily drew protest electorate over to its side.
As the result, the bloc `Hello, Yerevan!’ by Ovannisyan who got almost
43% in the presidential elections gained only 8.5% in the elections to
the Council of the Elders. Therefore, playing in the opposition games
at ballot stations, Tsarukyan’s party brought grist to the
republicans’ mill.

According to the head of the Armenian Institute of National and
Strategic Studies, Manvel Sarkisyan, PA became a key figure in hands
of the ruling regime, through which a deep gap between the republicans
and the bloc `Hello, Yerevan!’ was established. In the end of the last
year PA, the ANC, and Dashnaktsutyun rejected participation in the
presidential elections, explaining it by the fact that their results
were predetermined by the authorities. At the same time, the same
parties suddenly began to state that the elections of Yerevan’s mayor
were a real chance to change the leadership in Yerevan. So, these
three parties appeared to be short-sighted when decided to take part
in the mayor elections. Probably, they appeared to be simple
implementers of the republicans’ will, and this idea seems to be
truthful, unfortunately.

West Proposes Beginning With Samvel Alexanyan

The mayoral election of Yerevan concluded a stage of political
development. Although experts say nothing has changed, new trends are
outlining.

The first trend: Gaguk Tsarukyan waited till the end of the election
and tried to achieve a national conciliation, announcing that he will
not be opposition. It means that two ruling parties balance each other
to neutralize the opposition.

After the election the ex-members of the ANC decided to revive the
Armenian Pan-National Movement and turn it political opposition.

When Raffi Hovannisian disappeared from the actual political field,
Pre-parliament Civic Initiative took on the opposition function. While
Raffi has disappeared, Levon Yer-Petrosyan’s Congress justifies Gagik
Tsarukyan, one can agree with Galust Sahakyan that there is no
opposition in Armenia.

The next trend: public protest. They are more aggressive now.
Immigration is no longer considered as a punishment for the government
and a form of progress. However, the absence of opposition and civic
organizations allow Speaker Abrahamyan claim that social revolt is
impossible in Armenia.

One more trend: the population perceived the statement of the prime
minister on subsidizing 30% of gas not as a favor but as a waste of
the public budget. In Armenia the public budget is treated like
`family budget’ rather than the government’s slush funds. Every spent
coin is discussed.

After the election the IMF representatives published an article
declaring the end of evolutionary development of Armenia and calling
for decisive action.

The U.S. ambassador and Coca Cola HBC bluntly declared that it is
necessary to begin with Samvel Alexanyan, the sugar monopolist. Ending
his monopoly could be a positive signal to foreign investors.

However, as long as the ruling party supports oligarchs and
monopolies, the deputy president of the RPA called to respect Samvel
Alexanyan who employs 25,000 people.

Finally, after the election Tigran Sargsyan stated likely to issue
government bonds and repay the debt to Russia. It means that Armenia
is transforming from a post-Soviet to pro-European country. After the
election Russia stated to raise the gas price, causing another wave of
anti-Russian sentiment.

Naira Hayrumyan
20:50 17/05/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

328 individuals died of HIV/AIDS in Armenia in 1988-2013

06:55 PM | TODAY | SOCIAL

Numerous events dedicated to the World AIDS Memorial Day are held in
the world these days. The observance is held on the third Sunday of
May to commemorate victims of AIDS and raise public awareness of
HIV-related issues.

There are 493 HIV carriers in Armenia who are treated with long-term
antiretroviral therapy and have the opportunity to live a long and
full life, marry and have healthy children.
The only necessary prerequisite for them is to make HIV testing, and
if necessary, receive consistent treatment.
As of April 30, there are 1445 HIV carriers in Armenia and their
number is growing. The most cases (228) were reported in 2012.

Some 328 people died of HIV/AIDS in Armenia between 1988 and 2013.

PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710
Fax: (212) 779-3558
Web:
Email: [email protected]

** TOP STORY May 16, 2013
————————————————————
Pentecost
In the words of the Armenian hymn of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit `armed
the disciples with fire while they were sitting in the holy Upper
Room.’

** Sunday is the Feast of Pentecost
————————————————————

The Dove came down with great sound from on high,
Like the flashing of light. It armed the disciples with fire
While they were sitting in the holy Upper Room….
Today, O new people, rejoice for the coming of the Holy Spirit!

These are the words of the sublime sharagan, Arakeloh aghavnoh, sung
in the Armenian Church on Pentecost-the feast day we will celebrate on
Sunday, May 19.

The disciples had been awaiting the `comforter’ Christ promised-and
while they had little idea what this comforter might do, they had
faith that the Holy Spirit would inspire them and make them new.

On the first Pentecost, the Holy Spirit inspired the birth of the
Christian Church; and in time it went forth to inspire the conversion
of the Armenian people, the founding of parishes across our Diocese,
and the faithful acts of countless people down to the present day.

Pentecost coincides with `Vocation Day,’ which reminds us that the
Holy Spirit calls every member of the church to a greater purpose, in
the service of our Lord. It’s a timely message during this Diocesan
year dedicated to promoting lay ministry: The Ministry of the
Faithful.

Click here
()
to learn more about Pentecost.

St. Mark Church

** Primate to Visit St. Mark Church
————————————————————

On Sunday, May 19, Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian will
visit the St. Mark Church of Springfield, MA. In the morning the
Primate will celebrate the Divine Liturgy, after which he will preside
over the parish’s 55th anniversary celebration banquet.

The community’s original house of worship, known as St. John Church,
was consecrated in June 1958. As the parish grew, a new building was
built and consecrated in May 1983. Sunday’s anniversary dinner will be
held in the church hall, located at 2427 Wilbraham Road, in
Springfield.

Click here
()
to visit the parish website for information on its history, and on the
May 19 celebration.

** Scripture of the Week
————————————————————

Acts 2:1-21
Jn 14:25-31

** Prayer of the Week
————————————————————

May you pour on us, O Lord, the grace of your spirit-the spirit of
wisdom, knowledge, power; the spirit of understanding and of the
mystery of worship in God-which you received in the River Jordan. Fill
us with the spirit of fear towards you. Hear, O Lord, and have
mercy. Amen.

** Upcoming Saints & Feasts
————————————————————

19 May: Pentecost

** CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
————————————————————
St. Hovhannes Church in Abovian, Armenia
The newly-consecrated St. John the Baptist Church in Armenia’s Kotayk
region.

** New Church Consecrated in Abovian, Armenia
————————————————————

On Tuesday, May 14, a new church for the city of Abovian, in Armenia’s
Kotayk region, was consecrated by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. The service went forward
before distinguished clergy and government officials as well as local
residents.

Attending were Armenia’s President Serge Sargsyan as well as the
President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko. Diocesan Primate
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, visiting Armenia to attend a meeting of
the Supreme Spiritual Council, took part in the ceremony.

Following the consecration, Archbishop Arakel Karamyan, Primate of the
Kotayk diocese, celebrated the inaugural Divine Liturgy on the altar
of the new Sourp Hovhaness Mgrditch (St. John the Baptist) Church.

The architect of the splendid new house of worship is Artak
Ghoulyan. Construction took seven years, and was made possible by
benefactor Gagik Tzarookyan.

Click here
()
to view photos.

** DIOCESAN NEWS
————————————————————
Nazarians with His Holiness Karekin II
His Holiness Karekin II with Mr. and Mrs. Nazar and Artemis Nazarian.

** Catholicos Honors Nazar and Artemis Nazarian
————————————————————

On Friday, May 10, His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, honored Mr. and Mrs. Nazar and Artemis
Nazarian-two lifelong benefactors of the Armenian Church and the
worldwide community.

Presiding over a gala event at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, His
Holiness personally bestowed the `Knight of Holy Etchmiadzin’ Medal on
the honorees, in grateful recognition of their lifetime of commitment,
service, and philanthropy, which has been truly international in
scope.

The Eastern Diocese and the Armenian General Benevolent Union
co-sponsored the event, which drew close to 400 people. Diocesan
Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and AGBU President Berge Setrakian
were among the evening’s speakers.

The Nazarians’ generosity has benefited countless institutions across
the globe, including Holy Etchmiadzin, the AGBU, the Eastern Diocese,
and their home parish, St. Thomas Church of Tenafly, NJ. In addition,
the Nazarians have sponsored numerous educational, cultural, and
religious programs, and have been heroic supporters of the Republic of
Armenia. Click on the links to read more
()
, view photos
()
, and view a video
()
of the evening.

His Holiness met with the Diocesan Council
During his brief visit to the U.S., His Holiness Karekin II met with
members of the Diocesan Council.

** Catholicos Karekin II Meets with Diocesan Council
————————————————————

Outgoing as well as newly-elected members of the Diocesan Council
gathered at the Diocesan Center in New York City on May 10, for a
special luncheon with His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians. His Holiness was visiting the U.S. to
preside over the event honoring benefactors Nazar and Artemis
Nazarian.

>From the Catholicos, the council members heard about international
developments in the Armenian Church, as well as various initiatives
being undertaken by Holy Etchmiadzin. His Holiness expressed his
personal gratitude to outgoing council members the Rev. Fr. Arakel
Aljalian, Dr. Raffy Hovanessian, Papken Megerian, and Oscar Tatosian,
and congratulated the newly-constituted council.

Prior to the meeting with His Holiness, the council members elected
new officers. The new officers and members of the Diocesan Council are
James Kalustian (chairman), Paul Mardoian (vice chairman), Richard
Norsigian (secretary), Thomas Ashbahian (assistant secretary), Howard
Atesian (treasurer), Antranig Garibian (assistant treasurer), Very
Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian, Rev. Fr. Vasken Kouzouian, Rev. Fr. Krikor
Sabounjian, Rev. Fr. Aved Terzian, and Lisa Esayian. Diocesan Primate
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian is the president of the Diocesan Council.

Julia Tashjian
Julia Tashjian (1938-2013).

** In Memoriam: Julia Tashjian (1938-2013)
————————————————————

The Eastern Diocese mourns the loss of Julia Tashjian, who passed away
suddenly on May 9. She was 74.

Born in Rhode Island, Julia Tashjian (née Zakarian) lived most of her
life in Connecticut, where she was an active leader of Hartford’s
St. George Armenian Church, and a beloved fixture at Diocesan
functions. She had a long career in local and state politics,
distinguishing herself as a woman of utmost conviction and honesty.

In a letter of condolence, Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian remembered Mrs. Tashjian’s `sterling career as a government
official. She was a pioneer in this field, both as an Armenian and as
a woman, eventually ascending to become Connecticut’s Secretary of
State for two terms, as well as president of the National Association
of Secretaries of State…. Julie’s career in politics, her Armenian
ancestry, and her moral vision all came together in her successful
efforts to advance the cause of Genocide recognition and education,
and also in her stewardship of the funds collected in [her] state for
the relief of the 1988 earthquake in Armenia.’

She is survived by her husband, Jack; their children Sherri, James,
Lisa, Charles and their families; and her brothers Albert and Jacob
Zakarian.
Donations in Julia Tashjian’s memory may be made to the St. George
Church, 22 White St., Hartford CT 06114.

FAR
A GTech student competes in the International Microelectronics
Olympiad.

** FAR’s GTech Hosts Olympiad for Engineers
————————————————————

On April 16, the Fund for Armenian Relief’s GTech hosted the first
stage of the Annual International Microelectronics Olympiad of
Armenia.

The two-stage Olympiad was organized by Synopsis Armenia CJSC to
stimulate further development of microelectronics in Armenia and in
participant countries. The 12 participants of the first stage of the
Olympiad were engineers and students from Photon College, SEUA Gyumri
Branch, and GTech. Four GTech students received the highest scores in
the first stage of the competition and have been shortlisted for the
final stage of the Olympiad, which will be held in Yerevan.

GTech was established in 2005 by FAR, in partnership with U.S. and
Armenian technology companies, and with strong support from FAR’s
Young Professional alumni community. The goal of the center is to
strengthen the information technology skills of young Armenians and to
expand employment and business opportunities in the region for young
professionals. GTech also helps to bolster development by providing an
incubator space for new start-up IT businesses.

For information and to view photos, click here
()
.

Holy Cross
Spaces are still open for FAR’s Young Professional’s Trip to Historic
Armenia, July 8-22.

** FAR Young Professionals Trip Scheduled for July
————————————————————

For the third year in a row, the Fund for Armenian Relief’s Young
Professionals Trip will include a tour of historic Armenian lands in
eastern Turkey. Participants will be able to visit incredible historic
sites like Armenia’s magnificent former capital of Ani, the holy
island of Aghtamar, as well as Kars and Van. The two-week trip, now in
its 18th year, will also include an extensive and enriching tour
around Armenia.

FAR’s trip provides an ideal opportunity for young professionals
between the ages of 23 and 40 to travel to Armenia as a group, and to
go beyond a tourist’s itinerary to learn firsthand about Armenia’s
place in the world. Participants will visit FAR’s projects, engage in
dialogue with religious and government leaders, and gain an
understanding of how Armenia’s future is being shaped with the support
of the diaspora.

The trip is scheduled for July 8-22. Click here
()
to learn more about this year’s program, or contact Arto Vorperian at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) for information..

** PARISH NEWS
————————————————————
Oscar Tatosian
Oscar Tatosian.

** Evanston Honors Oscar Tatosian
————————————————————

Parishioners of the St. James Church in Evanston, IL, paid tribute to
a `favorite son’ of the community on May 12, when they honored Oscar
Tatosian for his service to the Diocese and the worldwide Armenian
Church.

More than 150 people attended the special luncheon to congratulate
Mr. Tatosian for his sixteen years of devoted service and leadership
on the Diocesan Council, which culminated in his distinguished tenure
as Diocesan Council chairman. He retired from the council this year.

Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, who was at Holy
Etchmiadzin in Armenia at the time, sent a message extolling the
virtues of the outgoing Diocesan Council chair: `Good friend; valued
counselor; a stalwart leader of the Armenian Church: Oscar has been a
true and faithful servant of our Lord, extending a family legacy the
reaches back several generations.’

Evanston pastor the Rev. Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan, parish council
chair Bob Simon, Diocesan Council member Lisa Esayian, and former
director of the Diocese Dr. Sam Mikaelian all added their personal
tributes to Mr. Tatosian, who was presented with a plaque of
appreciation from the St. James parish.

To view photos of the day, click here
()
.

Chris Bohjalian
Novelist Chris Bohjalian.

** Wynnewood Parish Hosts Chris Bohjalian
————————————————————

On Friday, April 26, the St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church of Wynnewood,
PA, hosted an informative event with best-selling novelist Chris
Bohjalian, closing out his tour for The Sandcastle Girls, a love story
set against the backdrop of the Armenian Genocide.

Organized by the parish Women’s Guild and co-chaired by Laraine
Kazanjian Ballard and Nanette Zakian, the event drew nearly 150
people. Sponsors of the evening had the rare chance to have dinner
with the author beforehand, prepared by members of the Women’s Guild.
It was an excellent opportunity to get to know Bohjalian on a more
personal level.

Following the author’s talk, a Q-and-A session, and a book signing,
parish pastor the Very Rev. Fr. Oshagan Gulgulian expressed his
gratitude to Mr. Bohjalian for writing about the Genocide, and for
sharing his pride in his Armenian heritage with the world.

To read more about the evening, click here
()
.

Hye Spirit
Students of Worcester’s Sunday School performed with “Hye Spirit” on
May 11.

** `Hye Spirit’ Entertains Worcester
————————————————————

On Saturday, May 11, the Armenian Church of Our Saviour in Worcester,
MA, presented `Hye Spirit 2013,’ a performance of local talent under
the direction of Linda Bullock. The program was a mix of education and
entertainment, with the large audience delighting in Armenian and
English songs, as well as various genres of dance-including a surprise
dance performance by a group of ladies and men of the parish.

Thematically, the production revolved around `the cross,’ with
creative explorations of Armenian faith, history, and culture, as
depicted through the performing arts. The primary performers were
Sunday School students, but the parish-wide project involved eager
volunteers of all ages.

The event concluded with thanks from parish pastor the Rev. Fr. Aved
Terzian, after which performers and audience alike enjoyed a sampling
of homemade Armenian foods.

Fr. Tateos
Fr. Tateos Abdalian and young members of the Jacksonville mission
parish.

** Jacksonville Mission Parish Honors Mothers
————————————————————

Faithful of the Armenian Church of Jacksonville, FL, gathered to
celebrate the Divine Liturgy and to honor the mothers of the
community, in conjunction with the Mother’s Day holiday.

During his trip to the area, Diocesan director of Mission Parishes
Fr. Tateos Abdalian visited several parishioner families to offer home
blessings and prayers of healing, conducted a religious education
class for children, and led a Bible study for adults.

One of his visits was to Ashot Nalbandian, a local artist who has been
working on a vemkar (or altar stone) to be used in the future church
sanctuary. Using only hand tools specific to the art of stone-carving,
Ashot has crafted a khatchkar that will be consecrated as the altar
foundation.

Fr. Tateos also met with the community building committee to review
the progress of its work. To view a gallery of photos, click here
()
.

Upcoming Events

** Upcoming Parish Events
————————————————————

St. Mary Church | Washington, DC
St. Mary Church of Washington, DC, will host its annual food festival
from Thursday, May 16, to Saturday, May 18. Enjoy Armenian cuisine,
including shish kabob, rice pilaf, eggplant, lahmajoon, kufta,
yalanchi dolma, and more. The festival will be held on church grounds
at 4125 Fessenden Street NW in Washington, DC. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. Leon Church | Fair Lawn, NJ
St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, will host an illustrated lecture by
Professor Richard Hovannisian on Friday, May 17, beginning at 8
p.m. Professor Hovannisian will speak about the destruction of Smyrna
in 1922, and discuss the city’s role in Armenian history. The event is
co-sponsored by the Diocese’s Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information
Center, among other organizations. Click here
()
to view a flyer.

St. John Church | Detroit, MI
The Women’s Guild of St. John Church of Detroit, MI, will host “A
Royal Luncheon” and fashion show featuring the latest styles for
spring and summer from the Somerset Collection on Saturday, May 18,
beginning at 12 noon.

Tickets are $45; reservations must be made by May 1. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information, or call the church at (248) 569-3405.

St. Vartan Cathedral | New York, NY
The Diocese’s Khrimian Lyceum graduation will be held on Saturday, May
18, at New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral, beginning at 12 noon. A
cultural program, `Dagh oo Daghant,’ will follow in Haik and Alice
Kavookjian Auditorium.

On Sunday, May 19, the St. Vartan Armenian School will hold its
graduation ceremony, beginning at 1 p.m. in Haik and Alice Kavookjian
Auditorium. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church | Providence, RI
The Holy Translators Armenian Language School of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob
Church of Providence, RI, will host its year-end program following
services on Sunday, May 19. The program will be dedicated to Khrimian
Hayrig.

The Sports Scholarship Committee of Providence, RI, will host its 44th
Annual Sports Banquet on Friday, May 17, in the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob
Church Egavian Cultural Center. The event will begin at 6 p.m.

Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church will host “Kef Time Providence”-an
evening of Armenian music and dancing-on Saturday, May 25. The event
will be held at the Providence Warwick Crowne Plaza hotel, beginning
at 8:30 p.m.

Soorp Haroutiun Church | Orlando, FL
On Sunday, May 19, Soorp Haroutiun Church of Orlando, FL, will host
its spring picnic, beginning at 12 noon. Enjoy traditional Armenian
foods and activities for children. Reservations are recommended. Click
here
()
to view a flyer.

Holy Trinity Church | Cambridge, MA
The Friends of Holy Trinity 1000 Club will host its 36th annual
“Spring Dinner and Drawing” on Thursday, May 30, beginning at 6:30
p.m. The evening will be held in the Charles and Nevart Talanian
Cultural Hall at Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge, MA. Click here
()
to view a flyer.

** EVENTS
————————————————————
Questions of the Badarak

** Book Reception at Diocese for Badarak FAQ
————————————————————

To celebrate the publication of a new book, Frequently-Asked Questions
on the Badarak, by the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, the Eastern
Diocese will hold a `kinetson’-a traditional Armenian book
presentation and reception-on the evening of Tuesday, May 28.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian will preside over the occasion, which is
being organized by the Krikor and Clara Zohrab information
Center. Zohrab Center director and author Fr. Findikyan will discuss
the book, which addresses the history and meaning of the badarak, as
well as its rituals and significance for worshippers, in an accessible
Q-and-A format.

The reception, which is open to the public, will begin at 7 p.m. in
the tahlij of the Diocesan Center (630 Second Avenue, New York
City). Please RSVP by May 24 by calling the Diocese at (212) 686-0710,
ext. 130, or by e-mail (mailto:[email protected]) .

Aram Kachaturian

** Aram Khachaturian Concert at St. Vartan Cathedral
————————————————————

On Wednesday, June 5, New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral will
host a concert in celebration of the 110th birthday of Aram
Khachaturian.

Pianist Kariné Poghosyan will perform selections from Spartacus and
Gayaneh, as well as piano works by Khachaturian.

The evening will begin at 7 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.
Ayvazovski
Detail from “Parade of the Black Sea Fleet,” by Aivazovsky.

** Evening of Fine Art to Benefit Hovnanian School
————————————————————

The Hovnanian School will hold a special fundraising event on
Saturday, June 1, at the home of renowned art collector Andreas
Roubian, in Saddle River, NJ. Mr. Roubian is a leading authority on
the great 19th-century Armenian painter, Ivan Aivazovsky.

Proceeds will support the Hovnanian School Education Fund. Tickets are
$500 per person. Cocktails and appetizers will be served. Space is
limited. For information, contact Meliné Toufayan at (201) 236-2276,
or visit the Hovnanian School website at
()
.

For inquiries about the Hovnanian School, in New Milford,
NJ-celebrating 37 years of academic excellence in ELC through
eighth-grade education-contact Yeghsa Ohanian at (201) 967-5940, or
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

** YOUTH NEWS
————————————————————
ACYOA Chapter Workshop

** ACYOA Central Council Sponsoring Chapter Workshop
————————————————————

On June 14-16, the ACYOA Central Council will sponsor an ACYOA Chapter
Workshop, hosted by the St. Hagop Armenian Church in Pinellas Park,
FL.

In a program of discussions and activities, participants will hear
about the leadership style of Jesus, consider how “twenty-somethings”
view the the church, and learn tips and tools to build successful,
active local ACYOA chapters.

The workshop will be led by Diocesan Vicar Fr. Simeon Odabashian,
St. Hagop pastor Fr. Hovnan Demerjian, ACYOA Executive Secretary Nancy
Basmajian, and ACYOA Central Council members Adrienne Ashbahian, Ani
Grigorian, Danny Mantis, and Jonathan Pelaez.

The gathering is open to all ACYOA members. The registration fee-which
covers program expenses and two nights at the Marriott in
St. Petersburg-is $180. Click here
()
to view the schedule. To receive a registration form, contact the
ACYOA Central Council at [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .

Writer Hrant Matevosian’s nephew killed in Vanadzor

Thursday,
May 16

Tovma Matevosian, a 35-year-old forest warden, was stabbed to death
last night in the city of Vanadzor. Police said the murder was
committed by Tigran Melikian, 37, an environmental expert of the
Vanadzor unit of the Nature Protection Inspection. An investigation is
underway. A criminal case was opened.

Aysor.am was informed that Tovma Matevosian was a nephew of the famous
Armenian writer Hrant Matevosian.

TODAY, 16:12
Aysor.am

Marat Terterov: Armenia’s long term security will be better served by
strengthening economic security, rather than defining national
security on the basis of the Tsarist Russian catch-cry `armiya i flot’

ArmInfo’s interview with Dr. Marat Terterov, Director of European
Geopolitical Forum (EGF)

by David Stepanyan

§719420-BE17-11E2-8CB9F6327207157C
Thursday, May 16, 14:58

Armenia gradually turns into an area of purpose-oriented cooperation
of leading geopolitical actors having quite different interests when
it comes to other issues. Many analysts say that Yerevan’s inertial
foreign policy should be stopped sooner or later, as the country needs
breakthrough decisions given the acute economic and political
challenges. What do you think of that?

I am not sure that we will see any `breakthrough tendencies’ emerging
out of Armenian foreign policy at any time soon. Despite the fact that
I would agree with the view that Armenia – and more so the entire
South Caucasus region – has evolved as a playground for larger
geopolitical forces, both Armenia and its immediate neighbourhood have
become subject to a certain `power balance’ in terms of foreign
policy. Armenia holds the territorial and military high ground in
relation to the unresolved conflict over Karabakh, whilst also
entertaining a strong axis with Iran.

Azerbaijan, whilst clearly unsatisfied over the current state of
affairs with Karabakh, has emerged as the region’s energy locomotive,
and is unlikely to risk war with Yerevan lest it loses the gains the
country has made with respect to its energy economy. Georgia too has
entrenched its position in the region, and despite the recent election
of an evidently more Russia-friendly Prime Minister, Tbilisi continues
to advocate its pro-EU path. None of these regional stakeholder states
are likely to risk any major foreign policy adventures – or change of
course – at any time soon. Armenia, in particular, is likely to
continue favouring the status quo and exercise an extremely cautious
foreign policy.

Maintaining the status quo over Karabakh provides the current
political elite in power in Yerevan with a certain degree of
legitimacy and as long as links with Moscow remain strong, I cannot
see any territorial or other types of concessions which Armenia could
be compelled to make to Azerbaijan. Neither is Armenia an EU
membership candidate country, although it is seeking to modernise
based on European standards, this is clear.

This means that there is not really much leverage that Brussels has
over Yerevan to make concessions, particularly in regional foreign
policy making. All of this points to more conservative foreign policy
making coming out of Yerevan, looking ahead, rather than any
breakthroughs or audacious steps. I would only see scope for radical
change in Armenian foreign policy if the region is hit by some form of
major crisis (such as a major spill-over of the Syrian conflict into
the region, particularly that which may involve Iran), or regime
change either in Armenia or some of the neighbouring countries.

Do you see any upward trends in the influence of the USA and Europe
in the South Caucasus amid Russia’s policy, which is assessed as
inconsistent and uncoordinated even by Russian experts?

I think that most Western experts of the region’s geopolitics would
agree that the South Caucasus is not exactly the top foreign policy
priority for Washington, Brussels or the top EU member states. This
has been quite clear since the time of the late Bush presidency (US),
in contrast to earlier years, when Washington was placing visible
political capital behind the Saakashvili regime in Georgia. Many
experts would agree – I feel – that the August 2008 war was a kind of
watershed in terms of regional geopolitics – the return of Russia and
the departure of the West.

While this may not exactly be the case (one can argue that the West is
still there, and that Turkey, remains largely a pro-Western state in
the region), we have certainly been seeing a more active role played
by Russia, as well as Turkey, in the region’s geopolitics (esp in the
area of the wider Black Sea). The more important point regarding this
question lies well beyond the Caucasus, however. The South Caucasus is
clearly a very important geopolitical arena for a number of external
powers. However the region today does not exactly constitute one of
the world’s `hot spots’ in terms of military conflict, civil war, etc.
When it comes to major foreign policy questions, the physical time of
high level Western policy makers today still remains dedicated to the
regions of the world which have been an arena of crisis for much of
the Cold War period – the Middle East (in 2011 Libya, in 2012 and
today: Syria), the Gulf and the Korean Peninsula. Today, even
countries like Mali demand more time from top foreign policy makers in
London and Paris than does the Caucasus. The states of the South
Caucasus are not bereft of their problems, but the sad truth is that
the region needs another war to really `buy into the time’ of the top
Western foreign policy makers.

Would you make any forecasts on Armenia’s most probable vector of integration?

I really don’t think this is a question capable of sparking any real
excitement among specialists on the region at the present time, as I
don’t really think that it’s a choice of East Vs West for Armenia.
Armenia’s main domestic policy challenge at the present time is
modernisation of the state and commensurate institutions: which type
of political and economic strategy to implement in order to put the
country onto a more effective development path so that the Armenian
people can start to realise their maximum human development
capacities. I do not see this question being answered by a choice of
`we either join the Russian-led project or promote deeper economic
integration with the EU. One should not be seen in total exclusion of
the other: it is just as inconceivable that Armenians based in Russia
will stop channelling capital into the country as Diaspora Armenians
living outside of the ex-USSR. The Armenian Diaspora is the real
driver for foreign capital coming into the country, and the real
bridge between Yerevan and the outside world. None of this is
contingent on Armenia having to make a choice: East or West. The
patronages that the Diaspora creates within the country have become
rather strong since the end of the Cold War, although they should not
necessary be seen as a panacea for the county’s problems. I see this
scenario as largely continuing into the future, continuing to
underscore Armenia’s close political and economic ties with both East
and West. One should also take into account Armenia’s special
geographical position as it is seen by Armenian national patriots, and
the need to securitize it: the fact that the `300 Spartans are
surrounded by Xerxes and the armies of Asia’ should not be taken
lightly. Despite the fact that Armenia since the end of the USSR has
often been seen as a weak state due to its lack of economic progress,
it is security issues, rather than the economy, which have shaped
Armenia’s foreign policy in recent years.

The OSCE Minsk Group is said to have exhausted its opportunities to
resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Do you see any alternatives to
it? What if Armenia recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence? What
effect will it have on the process?

Yes, people tend to ridicule the Minsk Group now days and widely
refer to its incapacity of conflict resolution over Karabakh. This
position is often brought up by Azerbaijan, since the Minsk Group is
often seen as unable to break the status quo over Karabkah, by which
Azerbaijan feels discriminated. In fact Baku would most likely prefer
to change the entire architecture around the Karabakh peace process –
bring it within the framework of the UN, involve more Muslim
countries, as well as the EU, etc. This is quite normal from Baku’s
perspective: it feels that it has lost territory and desires its
return. However Armenia will not budge an inch in the present climate.
Yerevan stands behind the Minsk Group and the so-called Madrid
Principles as the primary means of promoting conflict resolution. It
is likely to continue doing so. This is also normal (from an
international relations theory perspective) – Armenia has the high
ground and wants to keep itself there. Hence we have stalemate over
Karabakh and the Minsk Group led peace process – as a peace process –
is going largely nowhere. This scenario is likely to remain as long as
the current architecture remains in place and as long as Russia has a
commanding `equity stake’ in the process.

In terms of alternatives, well, if we are serious about resolving the
conflict (or at least convince people that we want to move into that
direction), we need to radically alter our approach to the game
altogether. We need to push for a new breed of external stakeholders
to become far more actively – even audaciously – involved. My
colleague George Niculescu and I recently wrote a study about how
economic incentives (through the promotion of regional energy and
infrastructure projects) might contribute towards breaking the
stalemate over Karabakh (see: ). I have also briefed
Armenian decision makers on the `possible merits’ of economic
incentives at a conference in Yerevan last November.

I argued that Armenia’s long term security will be better served by
strengthening the country’s longer term economic security, rather than
defining national security purely on the basis of the Tsarist Russian
catch-cry `armiya i flot’.

Would you dwell upon the necessary instruments and mechanisms?

In this context it is fundamentally important to start building the
type of regional economic space in the entire South Caucasus that
large scale foreign investment and the international community would
like to see: highly interdependent regional economies, open borders,
free movement of people, a more relaxed approach to the concept of
state sovereignty in a region comprised of both states and entities.

Throwing in a gas pipeline project connecting Azerbaijan to Armenia
and Turkey would be the ideal scenario for long term peace building,
as unrealistic as it may seem at present. This approach would include
Armenia making concessions to Azerbaijan, possibly even returning some
territory, or granting territorial concessions of some kind.
Azerbaijan would then have to be bound by security guarantees and
non-aggression towards Armenia. The Minsk Group – which I don’t think
should be disbanded – would then serve its real mandate of separating
the sides and keeping them from waging war against one another.

Further international engagement could come from not just the
traditional stakeholders like Moscow, Washington or Brussels/EU
national capital, but totally new actors such as the International
Olympic Committee (IOC), which could be used to promote foreign
investment and regional economic integration, and dis-incentivise
conflict altogether. We need to revive the spirit of Baron Pierre de
Coubertin, Founder of the modern Olympic movement at the end of the
19th Century, and the Olympic Games as the ultimate symbol of peace.
However, this is not just utopia. The IOC could act as a broker, not
just a symbol, of peace. An Olympiad typically brings billions of
dollars to the host cities and countries where the games are held.

I have participated in four Olympiads and have seen what the games
have done to Barcelona and Athens from that perspective. Could Armenia
and Azerbaijan swallow their pride and move towards a regional peace
if the IOC would be persuaded that the Olympics should be jointly held
in Baku and Yerevan in 2024 ? The IOC, working in coordination with
the Minsk Group and the UN, have the power to radically alter the
existing peace building architecture in the region. They also have the
clout to demand that both Armenia and Azerbaijan keep the peace in
exchange for the 50 billion or so dollars that an Olympiad could bring
to the region.

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

MAY 10-16, 2013

HIGHLIGHTS:

PERSPECTIVE
TELEVISION HAD LOST ITS MONOPOLY ON THE FORMATION OF PUBLIC OPINION

“PRESS CLUB” CYCLE: TV RATINGS AND ETHICS

POLICE TRIES TO IDENTIFY PERSON, WHO THREATENED “HETQ” CORRESPONDENT

NCTR MONITORING FOUND NO VIOLATIONS IN COVERAGE OF YEREVAN COUNCIL OF
ELDERS ELECTIONS

OSCE/ODIHR ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION FINAL REPORT ON FEBRUARY 18, 2013
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

PERSPECTIVE
TELEVISION HAD LOST ITS MONOPOLY ON THE FORMATION OF PUBLIC OPINION

Below is the presentation, “Dominant Trends in the Mass Media in Armenia in
2011-2012”, by Boris NAVASARDIAN, Yerevan Press Club President, made at 9th
South Caucasus Media Conference,
“From Traditional to Online Media: Best Practices and Perspectives”,
organized by the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
on October 11-12, 2012 in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Changes in the media are lately occurring so rapidly and dynamically that a
depiction of the static situation as it looks today provides little in terms
of understanding the problems. Especially because changes in one dimension,
for example, technology, inevitably leave their mark on others – the
legislative, political and professional dimensions. Therefore, in my
presentation I will try not so much to state the realities at the moment
when we Armenian participants left Yerevan for Tbilisi, so much as to
describe basic trends, and to bring correctives into the media field even in
the hours that we are here meeting and which will define the development of
the information space of Armenia in the near term. The determination of
trends is like a forecast; it cannot be 100-percent accurate, so certain of
my judgments could be debatable.

Since our country is in between election campaigns – parliamentary and
presidential – and Georgia is also living with just finished elections, I
will start with this topic then. After the spring parliamentary elections in
Armenia, the statement “who owns television will win the elections” seems
entirely dubious. During the official election campaign, the owners of
Armenian television controlled by the authorities (and the concentration of
property here has reached an unprecedented level), essentially rejected the
practice of unequal allocation of airtime to candidates and political
forces. For the first time in the history of national elections in Armenia,
both the YPC monitoring conducted with the support of the OSCE and the
European Commission, as well as international observers and even the
Armenian opposition testified that during the period of election
campaigning, broadcasters largely provided equal opportunities for
campaigns.

Of course, it would be a great exaggeration to attribute this phenomenon by
the authorities’ good will, although it was their political decision that
influenced the television channels’ behavior. Particular significance was
given by the international community, above all the European Union, to the
quality of these elections, and the importance of evaluations from outside
for the political leadership of the Republic of Armenia; hence, the interest
of the latter in respectable monitoring results does not fully reveal the
reasons for the metamorphosis. A significant factor was the awareness that
television had lost its monopoly on the formation of public opinion, and the
continuation of ruthless exploitation of this resource for the achievement
of desired results in elections could be a futile exercise.

To be sure, during the period between elections, control over television
content remains for the authorities a fairly important component of the
management of political processes and public sentiments. In the absence of
the attention of international organizations, a one-sided and selective
coverage of events and opinions, and a deficit of discussion of
public-interest problems, are, as before, characteristic traits of Armenian
television.

Yet the topic of biased mass media broadcasting nevertheless is gradually
losing its urgency. It is possible that this South Caucasus conference will
be the last where we will speak of the domination of television as the chief
source of information for citizens. Already today, the audience for Armenian
Internet news sites is comparable in size to the audience for news programs
on Armenian television channels. And the situation is radically changing in
favor of the former literally every six months.

In this sense, we need to look at the broadcasting legislation from a
somewhat different angle. For a long time, this legislation was the
number-one topic in the context of securing freedom and pluralism for
Armenian mass media. From the moment the Law on Television and Radio was
passed in 2000, it needed a conceptual re-working. But despite numerous
discussions, alternative draft laws proposed by journalists’ organizations,
including the Yerevan Press Club and Internews Media Support NGO, PACE
resolutions and expert conclusions from OSCE and the Council of Europe, the
Law, if it was amended, in fact went in the opposite direction from what was
recommended.

A key problem all this time has remained the bodies intended to regulate and
manage broadcasting – the National Commission on Television and Radio (NCTR)
and the Council for Public Television and Radio Company (PTRC). Precisely
their exceptional dependency on the government became a factor leading to
the political monopolization of the airwaves. Several options were proposed
to obtain at least relative independence for these bodies. In particular,
the possibility was studied of forming them on the basis of independent
civic institutions (on the example of councils of public broadcasters in a
number of European countries) – with labor unions, industrial associations,
organizations representing various social groups, religious communities and
so on. This option could have been seen as the most acceptable, but
unfortunately, such institutions in Armenia are either not independent (by
virtue of the control over them by the government) or not sustainable (by
virtue of the lack of stable sources of existence).

An orientation toward political pluralism in the composition of national
regulators could serve as an alternative. Balancing participation in these
bodies of representatives of rival parties (50% from the ruling coalition
and 50% from the opposition) would create a definitive basis for making
decisions in the interests of the whole society. This model, in some
respects similar to what was adopted in Georgia, is possible but has a
number of flaws – international experience indicates the undesirability of
politicizing bodies that regulate broadcasting and manage public TV and
radio. There is no doubt, however that with such a model, Armenian
broadcasting media would not be so far from the real and diverse information
needs of the society as it is now. And when we acknowledge the rapidly
growing role of the Internet in informing the population of Armenia, we have
to admit that a significant portion of this audience is television viewers’
discontent with the quality of news and discussion on the airwaves.

However, today, it is evidently already too late to speak about the
possibility of a certain independence of the regulators by reflecting among
them the pluralism of the Armenian political arena. The opposition in
Armenia is so weakened by the lack of resources that it has to survive by
attaching themselves to two oligarchic parties. And restoration of real
political pluralism now must be tied to the prospects of economic pluralism,
when business circles have free resources that are so independent from the
government that they can permit themselves the financial support of
opposition . But that is a completely different topic and an entirely cloudy
prospect.

In other words, thinking about legislative guarantees for an independent
broadcasting industry in Armenia today is a big luxury. It remains only to
rely on the famous “political will” about which so many speak, like the
Abominable Snowman, but which no one believes has ever been seen.
Nevertheless, reform of broadcasting legislation, despite the reduction of
its strictly political relevance, remains a priority for the media
community. For an effective development of this industry in the period of
transition to digital broadcasting, civilized procedures and an informed
strategy are needed. Meanwhile, since 2006, there has been talk of a
conception for digitalization , but no one has ever seen a serious document
that first, justifies the selection of standards; second contains a
calculation of resources and technological decisions for a national digital
broadcasting network; third, forecasts the long-term expenditures of
television companies to use this network; and fourth, proposes a model for
subsidies. To be sure, a few years ago, the Ministry of Economics of the
Republic of Armenia, which at that period for some reason was involved in
broadcasting issues, happily informed the public that Italian specialists,
including some from the company Mediaset, would help us in resolving all
television problems. These specialists then managed to do some things, but
in light of subsequent events around this company, I think no commentary is
needed regarding their contribution to the development of the Armenian media
industry…

Reforming legislation, when the conceptual issues remain undecided regarding
the transition to digital broadcasting is a very complicated task. And
nevertheless, these journalists’ associations, together with their partners
and with the substantial expert support of the OSCE and Council of Europe,
proposed in parliament draft amendments to the Law “On Television and
Radio”. In particular, it provided for a whole number of procedures which
are now absent, but which would have acquired particular important from the
first days of digitalization – the licensing of private multiplex operators,
the distribution of channels for these multiplexes, taking into account the
public interest in the process of developing the industry, and so on. In
connection with the traditional political sensitivity regarding everything
that concerns television, there is no reason to expect that the draft will
be reviewed in the coming months, as the preparation for the presidential
elections is under way. But we do have certain expectations regarding the
spring session of the National Assembly.

A special topic is the Public Broadcaster. In the above-mentioned draft law,
there is an article providing for more precise regulation of the activity
and accountability of the PTRC, which remains as a unique state institution
that does not answer to anyone under the law! Meanwhile, as sad as it is to
admit, Public Television in Armenia, never having been established, is now
leaving the scene as a significant institution. It was stated above that in
the current civic and political realities, legislative guarantees for the
independent management of PTRC are practically impossible. Accordingly, the
chance that it can propose to its audience in the foreseeable future a
diverse and high-quality coverage of current problems is approximately zero.
The authorities, for which the so-called state, and then the so-called
public television was one of its chief instruments for guaranteeing its
self-reproduction is now successfully resolving this problem through
controlled private channels. If until recently, PTRC, enjoying the blessings
from above, was an aggressive player in the advertising market and
implemented commercial projects with no less effectiveness than the leading
private television companies, then today ruling circles are interested in
removing it in general from the ranks of business rivals.

It can be supposed that Public Television, no longer needed, will be left to
go fallow with what in the Soviet era were called “the creative
intelligentsia” that is loyal representatives of culture, literature and
art. Under market conditions, they feel themselves deprived not only of
material assistance but of attention and honors. For several years now, the
representatives of the “creative intelligentsia” have publicly complained of
the “coercion of bad taste”, “the undermining of the moral foundations of
the nation”, and “insufficient propagation of spiritual values” on Armenian
television, and have written letters to the President as well. Their claims
are largely founded, but the methods which they propose to correct the
situation have the scent of mothballs about them with Soviet-era concepts
like “Glavlit” (the Soviet Chief Directorate for Protection of State Secrets
in the Press, or censor), “Khudsoviet” (Arts Council) and so on. The Public
Council under the Armenian President took hold of this topic “seriously”.
Naturally, private channels that earn money for their owners precisely due
to all these “depraved phenomena”, and also extinguish the civic activism of
society and its interest in real problems, can hold their own. But,
evidently, the upper echelons of government are not opposed to present
public television to this still influential sector of the electorate, thus
pledging guaranteed support for a certain time. Without advertising, it can
fill the airwaves with low-cost broadcasts on just the state budget alone –
concerts and shows without commercial pretensions, endlessly long interviews
about national culture, domestic films the rights for which do not require
the payment of large fees. It does not matter if the broadcasts will have a
small audience or that the last modern-thinking professionals will leave
PTRC; meanwhile, there will be no worries about the political loyalty of the
public channels and their new old heroes.

I will deliberately not dwell in detail on the most traditional of
traditional mass media, the paper press in Armenia. Unlike television, it
was always if not independent at least pluralistic and reflected the basic
contrasts of domestic political life. But numerous economic problems
dictated by poor local market and world trends hardly favorable to print
media were aggravated in our country by the awful state policy regarding
them in the course of 20 years of independence. As originally a journalist,
with most of my experience in newspapers, it pains me to have to admit that
there are no prospects even in the near future for the Armenian print press.
The only salvation for them is to go on to the Internet and create
convergent editorial offices.

Thus, the dominating role of alternative, convergent media in the Armenian
information market is inevitable and it will move from the category of
forecasts to the category of reality faster than many of us could have
imagined at last year’s meeting here in Tbilisi. But that is the topic for
another speech, by Manana Aslamazyan, director of the “Alternative Resources
in Media” project. I will just briefly touch upon one aspect of social
networks (or social media). Their growing role in the life of Armenian
society astounds the imagination. It is a question above all of the
development by means of social media of “web” civic activism. Environmental
protection, urban planning, elections, corruption – this is an incomplete
list of the areas where “web” activism has managed to demonstrate itself
fully. If you count the most vivid examples of recent months, when the
activism of society has brought a specific result, then it is the
achievements of “web” activism that prevail, and not the traditional
institutionalized segment of civil society which has developed and been
nurtured in Armenia for almost two decades.

Meanwhile, the development of social networks as a resource for information
for civic activism contains serious risks. There is too little time between
signal and action in order to fully evaluate a situation, its background,
and its accompanying factors in order to make an accurate decision. Roughly
speaking, all the networks activists have “at their disposal” can be drawn
upon effectively to save a tree that is going to be cut down, but meanwhile
somewhere else an entire forest can be destroyed. I will deliberately cite
an example from an area where “web” activism has been the most organized,
concentrated around a few competent informal leaders who cannot be so easily
disoriented. But even here, and all the more in other spheres where the
planting of disinformation, a provocative signal, an initiative of a
manipulative nature are all quite possible. Contemporary PR and political
technologies are penetrating further into social media, making “web”
activism vulnerable, and in recent months in Armenia the attempts to exploit
“honest, sincere enthusiasm” for unseemly ends have grown more frequent.

These challenges require a more active participation of professional,
responsible players in the information field (journalists, experts,
independent representatives of institutionalized civil society) in social
media. Their knowledge and ability to analyze and verify signals in
combination with the motivations aimed at operational reaction of “web”
activists reduce the likelihood of the prevalence of “bad” content and the
manipulation of social media. The advancement of such cooperation is a new
and promising direction for the activity of media organizations.

The rapidity of the receipt and reaction to information is becoming a new
factor in social segmentation. If “web” activists – mainly young people of
student age and also a new type of professionals not strictly stuck to their
workplace – manage to achieve in this sense incredible speeds and advantages
then the representatives of many traditional professions are disadvantaged.
I recently had repairs done in my apartment and involuntarily entered into
the situation of fairly highly-qualified specialists in their field, for
example, plumbers who, although they wish to stay abreast of events and in
the thick of public life are falling far behind its pace. The majority of
participants of our conferences not only listen to speeches but without
stopping, continue in parallel to follow what is happening far from this
room thanks to laptops, iPhones and so on. Thus, we and other categories of
society for whom “web” activism is accessible conduct ourselves at work, in
the student lecture hall even on public transportation. But unlike you, the
hands of the plumber are constantly busy during work hours; his gaze is
constantly directed at concrete objects; he does not have time for an
iPhone… Even a few years ago, a person could calmly, without thinking
about anything else, work for eight hours, come home, have dinner and only
later, when he had laid down on the couch, take the remote control of the
television in hand or the newspaper. Such a regimen would not mean a
significant information delay for him. Today, it would undoubtedly mean
this.

And no matter how primitive this sounds, the solution for media, which I
recently characterized as almost lost for the Armenian news industry, is
radio. At that time, it seemed that radio had finally receded to the musical
and entertainment niche. Today, more and more Armenian radio stations
broadcast news and talk about serious topics. “ArmRadio FM 107” is the main
talking media, although only a year ago, only jazz could be heard on this
frequency 24 hours a day. I and many others who love to listen to good music
in the car regret this “re-branding”, but the plumber and representatives of
dozens of other professions, without distracting from their jobs, obtain the
opportunity to listen to news and opinion in a wide spectrum of civic and
political topics. Public radio of Armenian has been speaking a great deal.
“Yerevan FM” (102.0) successfully combines quality music with quality news,
for which it received the Yerevan Press Club prize this year. Moreover, in
rebroadcasting the Radio “Liberty”, “Yerevan FM” is focused on the high bar
of the latter and in its own news shows.

By the way, the return of Armenian radio channels to formats offering civic
and political information is largely stipulated precisely by “Radio Liberty”
broadcasting. For many years, the Armenian authorities thought up various
methods to artificially frustrate the access of this radio station to an
Armenian audience. Thank God, this did not work. They had to resort to more
civilized forms of attracting radio listeners and stimulate competition to
Radio Liberty. Whatever notions were behind this, the audience only gains.

In closing, I would like to cite one more even more convincing “success
story” from the life of Armenian media. It is connected to the
decriminalization of libel and insult in 2010, which at first was conceived
by some of our circles close to the government as a “clever joke”. On the
one hand, liability for defamation was moved from criminal to civil law,
enabling the praise of international organizations, but on the other hand,
it became a “club” for opposition and critical media which saw criminal
prosecution as the lesser evil than paying compensation for moral damages.
The second half of the concept seemed at first to work – judges began to
churn out the maximum amounts of compensation for moral harm to litigators,
a selection representing the political and business elite, and several
publications were threatened with bankruptcy. But the first part of the plot
against disobedient media did not work out – Armenian journalists’
organizations, the press itself, and then after them, the international
community began quickly to call things as they in fact were. Cases in the
European Court for Human Rights loomed ahead, and all calculations indicated
that the “clever joke” had not justified itself. The authorities had to
extricate themselves from the unpleasant situation they themselves had
created.

In May 2011, at the initiative of the Human Rights Defender of the Republic
of Armenia, the Information Disputes
Council (IDC) was formed, and both of those from Armenia giving a talk today
became members. The expert conclusions of the IDC on defamation cases in
the courts began to really influence law-enforcement practice, and the
assistance of the OSCE enabled the establishment of the IDC on a regular
basis. Already by 2012, it could be confidently stated that citizens
pursuing the goal not of rehabilitating their name, but only punishing
journalists through the pocket ceased to obtain what they wished from the
courts. The statute in the Civil Code of the Republic of Armenia on libel
and insult did not become a “club” against the media. The number of cases
began to drop sharply and the chances of regulation information disputes
through extrajudicial means rose, in particular, through appeals to the
self-regulation body, Media Ethics Observatory
(MEO).

The main problem of this structure, created in 2007 by the media outlets
themselves on a voluntary basis at the suggestion of the YPC was and
remains the lack of awareness and understanding of the principles of
operation of the MEO on the part of citizens. But the most effective form of
solving that problem is the televised versions of the review of specific
disputes and conflicts of ethics. The production of this show, named “Press
Club”, has attracted the attention of a fairly wide audience and raised the
interest in the activity of the Media Ethics Observatory and increased the
number of complains to it as alternatives to appeals to the court. Today,
the Armenian media community is contemplating how to extend to maximum
effect the action of the mechanisms of self-regulation to the Internet,
especially since there already is a precedent for review by a court of a
lawsuit for insult and dignity on Facebook.

The trends analyzed in this report bear witness to the fact that objective
processes in the information sphere of Armenia force the authorities to lose
their appetites for restricting freedom of speech. Meanwhile, the effort of
the political elite to control the mass media is capable of causing serious
damage to the development of certain branches of the media industry as
occurred in its day with the print media and is now happening with
television. Therefore, consistent and coordinated efforts from the
journalist community and international organizations are required to advance
progressive approaches in this sphere.

“PRESS CLUB” CYCLE: TV RATINGS AND ETHICS

On May 13, another talk show of
“Press Club”
cycle, dealing with journalistic ethics, went on “Yerkir Media” TV channel.
The weekly TV cycle is produced by Yerevan Press Club with the support of
Deutsche Welle Academy.

The limits of permissible in top-rated TV talk-shows were considered on the
example of “Let them Talk” popular program of the Russian First Channel,
specifically of its September 24, 2012 issue “Say Sorry!”. The teenagers
from a Moldovan village were the heroes of the “Say Sorry!”. The latter was
disputed by the Moldovan Press Council, which brought a complaint at the
Russian Public Collegium for Press Complaints against the “Let them Talk”
and its host Andrey Malakhov. The

resolution of the Collegium was adopted on January 29, 2013.

The “Press Club” discussants – Yuri Kazakov, Co-Chairman of the Russian
Public Collegium for Press Complaints, and Naira Martikian, producer of
“Shant” TV company, expressed their opinions on the case and in general on
the topic. The experts of the program were Manana Aslamazian, Director of
“Alternative Resources in Media”
program, film director Ara Shirinian, lawyer David Sandukhchian and
journalist Serob Ohanian. YPC President Boris Navasardian hosted the talk
show.

The next “Press Club” will be aired on “Yerkir Media” on Monday, May 20 at
18.00 (rerun – on Saturday, May 25 at 12.00).

Watch “Press Club” of May 13, 2013 here

POLICE TRIES TO IDENTIFY PERSON, WHO THREATENED “HETQ” CORRESPONDENT

As we have earlier informed, “Hetq” (online publication of Investigative
Journalists NGO) reported to the Armenian law enforcement bodies about the
threats received by its correspondent Ani Hovhannisian. The threats to
finish up with the journalists were made in the readers’ comments to a
dubious video material, placed on
May 3 on Nrnak.com. Five days
after this, Ani Hovhannisian “received a threatening telephone call from a
cell number”, and “the caller told her to keep her nose out of business that
does not concern her, otherwise it would wind up bad for her and her family
members” ( “Reporter and Members of her
Family are Being Threatened”, “Hetq”, May 8, 2013). “Hetq” requested the RA
Special Investigative Service and the RA Police to take urgent steps for
ensuring the security of the journalist and finding the guilty persons (see
details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, May 3-9, 2013
).

On May 9, the Armenian Service of Radio “Free Europe”/Radio “Liberty” with
reference to Ashot Aharonian, the Head of the RA Police PR and Information
Department, reported that the law enforcement bodies are trying to identify
the person who called “Hetq” correspondent. In the May 16 interview to Radio
“Liberty”,
Ani Hovhannisian found it difficult to mention the real reasons for the
ongoing. In the same interview, Edik Baghdasarian, the Head of Investigative
Journalists, expressed doubts about the version that the telephone threats
may be linked to the April 27 incident at the Northern Avenue of Yerevan:
when police officer Vardan Ghukasian was dismissed of his duties for
insulting and offending Ani Hovhannisian, who stood up for the street
musician (see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, April 26 – May 2, 2013
). Edik Baghdasarian assumed that
the real reason of the threats could be the journalistic investigation on
offshore zones. Specifically, he and Ani Hovhannisian are currently
examining the issue of investments by Armenian officials and deputies in
Georgia.

NCTR MONITORING FOUND NO VIOLATIONS IN COVERAGE OF YEREVAN COUNCIL OF ELDERS
ELECTIONS

On May 8, the National Commission on Television and Radio released the data
on the monitoring of the ensuring of equal conditions for parties/party bloc
by Armenian TV and radio companies during the official campaign of the
Yerevan Council of Elders elections, held on May 5, 2013. As we have
reported, the monitoring was implemented by NCTR in line with the RA
Electoral Code (see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, March 8-14, 2013
).
According to the NCTR report , in the
period of pre-election promotion (April 7 – May 3, 2013), as well as on May
4 and 5 (days, when the pre-election promotion is forbidden), the
broadcasters did not violate the Electoral Code and the RA Law “On
Television and Radio”.

OSCE/ODIHR ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION FINAL REPORT ON FEBRUARY 18, 2013
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

On May 8, OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission published the Final Report
on February 18, 2013 Presidential
Elections in Armenia. The document presents different aspects of the
electoral process and offers recommendations on its further improvement.

The February 19, 2013 Statement
of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions of the International Election
Observation Mission (OSCE/ODIHR, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe and the European Parliament) stressed that “the election was
generally well-administered and was characterized by a respect for
fundamental freedoms”: contestants were able to campaign freely, media
fulfilled their legal obligation to provide balanced coverage, and all
contestants made use of their free airtime. At the same time, the observers
expressed their concern with the lack of impartiality of the public
administration, misuse of administrative resources, and cases of pressure on
voters; during the election day some serious violations were observed, too
(see YPC Weekly Newsletter, February 15-21, 2013
).

The Media Section of the OSCE/ODIHR EOM Final Report, particularly,
mentioned the monitoring by the National Commission on Television and Radio,
which oversaw the Armenian broadcasters’ activities during the pre-election
promotion. The EOM noted that the regulatory body did not conduct a
monitoring before the official election campaign. However, as the monitoring
of Yerevan Press Club showed, during the period preceding the pre-election
promotion, the media pretty intensively covered activities of the incumbent
RA President Serzh Sargsian not as a candidate but as an official. As a
result, Serzh Sargsian received significant information advantage against
his competitors. However, coverage of the incumbent President in his
official capacity changed dramatically with the start of the pre-election
promotion, and as the day of the voting was getting closer, this coverage
was becoming less active. “The contrast between the period directly before
the pre-election promotion and the rapid pre-election promotion itself
another time proves the necessity of regulation and monitoring of a more
lengthy period than the 4 weeks of pre-election promotion. Otherwise, it
would be difficult to talk about equal information opportunities for
candidates”, emphasized Yerevan Press Club in its Report on monitoring of
Armenian broadcast media
coverage of RA presidential elections in 2013.

Given the abovementioned, the OSCE/ODIHR EOM recommended the Armenian
authorities to give consideration “to enhancing the capacities and resources
needed by the NCTR for conducting its media monitoring fully and
independently, instead of tasking broadcasters to provide broadcasting data
themselves”. “Moreover, consideration could be given to enhancing the
methodology so as to allow the NCTR to monitor and assess the tone of
coverage. Additionally, it could be considered that the NCTR implements its
oversight role by conducting random media monitoring outside the campaign
period”, stressed the OSCE/ODIHR EOM.

Further the Observation Mission’s Final Report reminded that the RA
“Electoral Code requires presenting impartial and unbiased information about
contestants. The NCTR did provide unofficial and somewhat unclear guidance
on how to interpret the law. Media also interpreted these provisions
cautiously and appeared to be concerned that analytical information could be
perceived as bias”.

In this regard, the EOM recommended that the “Electoral Code could be
amended to provide for generally applicable guidelines for election-related
coverage by the broadcast media. Such provisions could be based on the
existing requirement of impartiality and balance, while at the same allowing
for independent editorial coverage of campaign events”.

The OSCE/ODIHR Observation Mission also highlighted the January 25, 2013
Yerevan Press Club statement,
calling the broadcasters and candidates to presidency to hold TV debates.
While some private stations offered to do so, no debates were organized
after the incumbent and the other candidates declined to participate. “As a
result, voters were not given the opportunity to see meaningful dialogue
that could address the contestants’ platforms or the incumbent’s performance
in office”, the OSCE/ODIHR EOM stated.

When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.
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Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
____________________________________________
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
0002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

`Without Money the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) Is Just the Castles
on the Road to Abovyan,’ Makeyan Says to Naira Zohrabyan

May 15 2013

Naira Zohrabyan, the PAP parliamentary group secretary, commented on
Gagik Tsarukyan’s statement during a conversation with and
explained why they didn’t want to be opposition. `Yes, we will not be
the opposition that has its `opposition’ activities verified by the
government, yes, we will not be the opposition whose `opposition’
speeches are written in the notorious buildings. We are not going to
be such opposition as Davit Shahnazaryan, Aram Sargsyan, Makeyan,
Gimishyan and the likes of them. Yes, we will not be the opposition
that can hold 10-people rallies at the most and make elevated speeches
inadequate to them.’ With regard to this criticism of him, Petros
Makeyan, the leader of the Democratic Motherland Party, said during a
conversation with `What comment shall I make on the
statements of a representative that has no political values, because
without money, that organization is just, say, castles on the road to
Abovyan, Kotayk. In reality, they are neither opposition nor an
alternative nor pro-government. Rather, they are the government’s
servants. It has been a servant up to now. That party was established
by Robert Kocharyan, and it continues to serve Kocharyan, the
government, and external forces. Lukashenka’s presence at the opening
of the church yesterday is proof of that. I said many times 2 years
ago that this organization could not be independent, could not make
independent decisions, and our main contradiction with the Congress
was that. I have been opposition for 15-16 years. Now Naira Zohrabyan
tries to twist my predictions and statements and besmirch people, so
that they can carry out a bourgeois democratic revolution in the short
run. That’s the whole story.’ Petros Makeyan stated that the people
assessed a political force and a politician, but the people should be
offered an opportunity to choose. `Unfortunately, our people are not
offered an opportunity to choose. Money and administrative levers are
in effect. If the government didn’t favor them, if there was no
permission from the government, they would get 0 percent. If they
don’t serve the government, why did they give out money? All the
people know the reality. The Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) would
give out 10 thousand drams, whereas they would add 5 or 10 thousand.
Was it not the same thing during the city council election? Members of
the RPA started with 10 thousand, the PAP raised. Nothing happens in
this country without the government’s goodwill, let alone giving out
money, election bribes. It is a crime. The government takes the
liberty of committing that crime and saying that it has done nothing.
Therefore, this organization serves the government’s interests.’
Hripsime JEBEJYAN

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