Aravot: Marxist David Hakobyan received no money from Gagik Tsarukyan
10:55 06/04/2013 » DAILY PRESS
When leader of Marxist Party of Armenia David Hakobyan said that he is
going to support Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) in Yerevan elections,
rumors spread that PAP leader Gagik Tsarukyan gave the Marxist a round
sum. Aravot daily asked Hakobyan how much money he received. Hakobyan
answered with the words of a movie hero: `Usta, Hamo has not given the
money.’
Source: Panorama.am
Yura Movsisyan supported Armenian community’s decision to miss
Rostov-Spartak match
17:00, 6 April, 2013
YEREVAN, APRIL 6, ARMENPRESS: The football player of Moscow’s Spartak
and the Armenian National team Yura Movsisyan supported the decision
of the Rostov’s Armenian community not to go to the Spartak-Rostov
match. As reported by Armenpress, before the game, which started at
16:30 Yerevan time, the representatives of the local Armenian
community met with Movsisyan, who signed on 60 tickets bought by
Armenians.
`We talked to Yura for more than 20 minutes. He supported our
decision. The tensed situation should not spoil the football
festival’, – told one of the representatives of the Armenian community
to Sovsport.
On March 28 the fan of Rostov team Alexander Terekhov was
knife-killed. The criminal case revealed two suspected: Nika
Kharchilava and Garegin Mnatsakanyan. That is why in Rostov people are
cautious of provocations against Armenians.
Necessary To Create Alternative Economies In Teghut And Shnogh
Interview with Al Eisaian, U.S.-based Armenian businessman, Teghut
activist, Environmentalist
What were the main objectives of going to Shnogh-Teghut on February 10th, 2013?
I first went to Teghut and Shnogh in June of 2012 to learn more about
the mine and the general situation on the ground. I have been a hiker
/ nature-lover and environmentalist for as long as I can remember.
After I read Dr. Jared Diamond’s book “Collapse” I became an even more
committed environmentalist. What I witnessed in Teghut in June of last
year was devastating and I resolved to try and do my part to save that
beautiful forest.
In our first visit to Shnogh-Teghut, we met a young lady, who was the
leader of the Women’s Resource Center. I felt that this young lady was
genuinely interested in learning more about the alternative ways to
develop an economy that was based on the natural riches of the area
and tourism. We had several conversations via Skype and Facebook chat
and I promised that I would come back to spend more time with her and
the villagers to explore possibilities.
I then emailed a few friends and asked if they’d like to join me on
the trip… One thing led to another and close to 80 people decided to
join me on the trip.
As such, the main objective of the trip was expanded to include ideas
from the folks that decided to join me. The objectives are listed
below:
1. Community-building through the arts.
– Anna Meschian: Who is from Boston organized the musical event
planning. She is from Boston and trained in the famous El Sistema
method. She taught the children of Shnogh and Teghut some new songs
and along with the local music teachers prepared the children to sing
for the community. She also asked the famous Yerevan band Nairi to
come and perform several songs. In addition she invited Raffi
Wartanian, another American-Armenian artist from Philadelphia to join
and sing a few songs.
– Barenk Hayeren dance group came and taught the local children
traditional Armenian dances and hundreds of kids participated.
– Lucineh Kassarjian of ReAnimania Festival came and 40 children did
beautiful paintings.
2. Let the Shnogh and Teghut Communities know that we care.
– By simply being in the community and listening to the villagers, we
can learn more about their lives and try to be friends and lend a hand
if we can.
3. Spend Money in the local economy by purchasing local products and
spending the night.
4. Educate ourselves on the best way to make allies of the villagers
in preserving the local environment.
– It’s so important NOT TO LECTURE the villagers. They know full well
the negative aspects of the mine. But we need to develop alternative
means for them to earn a living otherwise the short term needs will
ALWAYS beat the intermediate or long term needs.
How can we stop the imminent dangers to the environment and the the
communities that live in Teghut-Shnogh and surrounding areas?
I believe that the only rational and workable alternative is to
rapidly and resolutely collaborate with villagers and the young folks
in Teghut and Shnogh to create alternative economies. We are either
committed to preserving this forest for generations to come or we are
just giving lip service. There were ten rooms prepared by the
villagers to accommodate overnight stays that would stimulate a bit of
the local economy. But unfortunately only 7 people decided to stay.
What is worse is that the villagers felt disrespected by some
activists as being talked “down to.”
This is unacceptable! These people are no different than human beings
everywhere. We need to learn to calmly and patiently listening to them
and not act like we have all the solutions. They want alternatives,
they want to work with activists and diasporans. But we must respect
them and understand their predicament.
Alternative Economy?
As I have expressed in many meetings in LA and in Yerevan, we should
all collectively put our money where our mouth is. If we care about
this area, if we care about its people then we must work together to
bring new jobs to the area to counter what Vallex is offering. We have
a formidable foe but I believe, I HAVE TO BELIEVE, that our brothers
and sisters in these communities will make the right decision and stop
working in the mines once we are able to help and provide
alternatives. Thats what I like to work on.
Do I know that Vallex had tried to interfere and disturb our
community-building efforts?
Yes and I was not very surprised by it. I noticed the hostile demeanor
of some folks towards Yeghia Nersesian and some other folks. All I can
say is that I encourage all of us to be smarter than that and not
allow saboteurs control the agenda. Sometimes working silently and
diligently and establishing one-on-one deep connections is much better
than public and aggressive actions. I was unable to deliver 80% of
what I had personally prepared to deliver in the form of training
because so many community-members were coerced into leaving. I was
disappointed but again because I had insisted on an open and organic
approach versus a tightly-controlled approach, I was not
fully-surprised.
One thing is clear, we have to continue building bridges of
understanding with the community if we are to win their hearts and
minds to what we believe is the right course of action.
In the final analysis, I was SO GRATEFUL for all the 80+ people that
cared so deeply to join in the trip. I was equally GRATEFUL for the
warmth of the local community and I hope that we will continue our
collaboration for a better future for all of us.
13:25 06/04/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:
If you don’t recognize genocide, you only encourage it
14:33 06.04.2013
Some people who know about the Armenian Genocide 98 years ago ask,
`What difference does it make? It was so long ago.’
The answer, says Harry Mazadoorian, is if you don’t recognize
genocide, you only encourage it.
New Britain native, Harry Mazadoorian, active in Armenian causes, is a
commercial arbitrator and mediator, and distinguished senior fellow at
the Quinnipiac University School of Law Center on Dispute Resolution,
Scott Whipple writes in a article published by The New Britain Herald.
On Saturday, April 20, he and other Armenians in the area will attend
the 98th annual Armenian Genocide Commemoration at the Connecticut
State Capitol.
Marc Mamigonian, director of academic affairs at the National
Association for Armenian Studies and Research, will be the keynote
speaker.
A ceremony on the capitol lawn to raise the Armenian flag over the
state Capitol building will precede the commemoration.
Announcement of the event was made by state Rep. Christopher Wright,
D-Bristol, chairman of this year’s Armenian Genocide Commemoration.
`I am very pleased that Marc will be joining our ceremony as keynote
speaker,’ Wright said. `He is a noted scholar and we look forward to
his participation.’
In addition to the commemoration, there will be an Armenian Day
Exhibit and Ceremony on Wednesday, April 24 in the North Lobby on the
capitol building’s first floor.
During the period of the Genocide, between 1915 and 1923, more than
1.5 million people suffered and perished at the hand of the Turkish
Government; 500,000. Others were driven into exile.
Mazadoorian says he lost three grandfathers during the Genocide and
all his father’s siblings. His father’s father came to America in the
1890s, then tragically returned to Turkey where he was killed in 1915.
Mazadoorian says many scholars believe that genocide was a
premeditated program to exterminate an ethnic minority group on the
eve of World War I. However, Turkey dismisses evidence about the
atrocities and calls them simply `allegations.’ Although France,
Greece and Russia have officially recognized the Armenian Genocide,
the Republic of Turkey denies that genocide was committed against the
Armenians during World War I.
`The New York Times published over 100 stories from 1915 documenting
genocide,’ Mazadoorian says. `Ironically, the U.S. Congress refuses to
take a position acknowledging genocide.’
Mazadoorian said this is because the U.S. relies on Turkey as an ally.
However, in 1915 American political leaders gathered in support of
Armenia; they included President Woodrow Wilson, former President
Teddy Roosevelt, John D. Rockefeller and Paul Mellon. Nurse Clara
Barton traveled with the American Red Cross to Turkey as a show of
humanitarian support. Over the years this support dwindled in the face
of political realities.
`There has never been an acknowledgment or an apology from Turkey,’
Mazadoorian said, `and that leads to one of the greatest ironies.
Recently, in Turkey there has been a critical mass of academics,
journalists and humanitarians who have acknowledged that genocide
happened. They want the government to end this charade and apologize.’
Still, the Turkish government continues to keep the Genocide out of the schools.
Mazadoorian would like President Obama to make good on his campaign
promise to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
`Once Obama took office, he backed down,’ Mazadoorian said. `He avoids
the `G’ word.’
`As always, we invite everyone to join us on the 20th,’ Wright said.
`It’s time to remember the victims and celebrate the triumph of those
who survived.’
Foreign firms boost ticket price to Russia after Armavia bankruptcy
April 6, 2013 – 13:38 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net – Armavia air company’s bankruptcy prompted a new
development of events. Immediately after cancellation of the Armenian
air company’s flights, foreign companies boosted prices for plane
tickets to Russia.
With Armenian officials unable to change the situation, foreign
companies are now free to change prices the way they see fit, Mir 24
TV channel says.
The officials, however, promise to deal with the problem. `Air
companies who’ve had longstanding partnership with Armenia and who’re
hoping for their further development mustn’t use this situation to
reap benefit,” Deputy Economy Minister Ara Petrosyan said.
On April 1, Armavia airway company declared bankruptcy. The company
will be returning money for the purchased tickets starting April 11.
Proshyan village headman murder: one arrested
TERT.AM
10:49 PM ¢ 4/5/13
As part of the investigation into the murder of Proshyan village
community head Hrach Muradyan, Armenia’s police have brought charges
against Araik Petrosyan (31).
On Friday, the minor court of the Center and Nork-Marash communities
approved judicial restraint of Araik Petrosyan.
Two days after the murder, Armenia’s law-enforcers detained Araik
Petrosyan and his brother Artak Petrosyan.
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AZERBAÏDJAN-SOCIAL
Les membres des minorités sexuelles présents au sein du gouvernement
d’Azerbaïdjan
Sadar Djalaloghlu le leader du Parti démocrate d’Azerbaïdjan a évoqué
sur la chaîne de télévision azérie Kanal13 la situation des «
minorités sexuelles dans le pays ». « En Azerbaïdjan tant la
prostitution masculine que féminine est liée aux conditions
socio-économique du pays (…) après l’indépendance de l’Azerbaïdjan,
de nombreux étrangers sont venus ici. Certains d’entre eux montraient
un intérêt pour les minorités sexuelles (…) dans un pays
économiquement pauvre tel que l’Azerbaïdjan, ces étrangers peuvent
facilement trouver des jeunes prêts à se prostituer pour l’argent ».
Le Président du Parti démocrate d’Azerbaïdjan affirme par ailleurs que
plusieurs ministres azéris sont membres de minorités sexuelles « dans
leurs cercles ils ne s’en cachent pas, mais ils le cachent au peuple »
dit-il. Il ajoute qu’appartenir à une minorité sexuelle « est mal vue
dans notre pays ».
Krikor Amirzayan
samedi 6 avril 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com
NKR ARMY SPOKESMAN: AZERI WARPLANES DIDN’T FLY OVER CONTACT LINE
April 5, 2013 – 19:36 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net – According to Azerbaijan Press Agency (APA),
2 Azeri warplanes conduct flights over the contact line between
Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijani armed forces.
In a conversation with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, NKR defense army
spokesman Senor Hasratyan said the flights are conducted at a 20 km
distance from the border, not along the line of contact.
“No airspace violations have been reported,” he said, adding that
any attempt to violate NKR airspace will be countered.
MOLDOVA TO SELL WEAPONS PACKAGE TO ARMENIA
Trend, Azerbaijan
April 5 2013
A shipment of weaponry is awaiting delivery to Ukraine and Armenia,
1in.am wrote with reference to Moldovan OMEGA News Agency, a source
from the country’s Stationery Office told Trend.
According to the source, “after the media sensation over weapon sales
and the respective resolution of the parliamentary inquiry commission,
the deliveries were suspended and the rest of the weapons were stored
at military depots.”
The source noted that the Attorney General’s Office’s verdict that
the transaction was “clean” allows the continuation of the dispatch
of the remaining weaponry, “which will be made on Prime Minister
Filat’s order”.
“Arms and equipment subject to dispatch are the following: 11
combat vehicles 9P140 equipped with ‘Uragan’220-mm MRLs; 27 9P149
‘self-propelled launchers of Shturm-S’ complex; 1344 C-8 KOM rockets;
219 ‘Shturm-S’ 9M114 guided antitank missiles; one ‘Shturm’ 9B868
checkout vehicle. All the equipment except over 1.5 thousand C-8
rockets is subject to dispatch for Ukraine. The rockets will be
delivered to Armenia,” the source concluded.
FILM: SMYRNA: THE DESTRUCTION OF A COSMOPOLITAN CITY
The New York Times
April 5, 2013 Friday
Late Edition – Final
Destroying a City With Hate
Smyrna: The Destruction of a Cosmopolitan City (1900-1922)
By NEIL GENZLINGER
“Smyrna: The Destruction of a Cosmopolitan City (1900-1922)” might
have been a stronger documentary had it been made a few decades ago,
when more people were alive who had experienced the events of 1922
as adults. But it is still a sobering study in how individual human
beings can become afterthoughts in the face of broad movements like
nationalism, a phenomenon that is still much in evidence almost a
century later.
The film, by Maria Iliou, depicts the Ottoman port of Smyrna (now
Izmir, Turkey) as a cosmopolitan paradise where people of various
faiths and nationalities, including significant populations of Greeks
and Armenians, lived harmoniously, if not necessarily as social
equals. But rising nationalism and World War I disrupted the balance
and led, in September 1922, to a catastrophic purging in which Turkish
troops marched in and the city burned. Giles Milton, author of a book
on the subject, says half a million people were stranded on the quay
during and after the fire; some died, and many others became refugees.
The film recounts this with vintage footage and photographs and
interviews with a few survivors and descendants of survivors. It
relies too much on overheated interviews with Mr. Milton, but it will
certainly be of interest to the many people who are still debating
what happened there and who was responsible.
Opens on Friday in Manhattan. Directed by Maria Iliou 1 hour 27
minutes; not rated
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