Author: Badalian Vardan

ZHOGHOVURD: ARMENIAN FM’S SHANGHAI TRIPS COSTS BUDGET $3.5M

09:25 * 09.04.15

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian’s recent visit to Shanghai
has cost the State Budget an equivalent of over $3,500, the paper
has learned.

But the trip would not have been so expensive had Nalbandian chosen
a flight by Econom Class, where the paper says the price for one air
ticket is slightly above $1,700 (850,000 Drams).

“So those people [top government officials] do all their best to day
by day impoverish Armenia and its population in return for a bonus
to travel exclusively by business class,” the paper says, commenting
on the report.

CSTO ARMY CHIEFS DISCUSS CREATION OF JOINT AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM

13:16, 09.04.2015
Region:World News, Armenia
Theme: Politics

The Armenian delegation headed by chief of staff of the Armenian
armed forces, Colonel General Yuri Khachaturov participated in the
regular session of a military committee of the army chiefs of the
CSTO member states in Kayrakkum, Tajikistan.

They discussed existing challenges and threats in CSTO area, holding of
joint events, creation of joint air defense and anti-missile system,
as well as improvement of activities of educational organizations
to prepare military staff, Armenian Defense Ministry’s press service
reported.

Armenia News – NEWS.am

PRESS RELEASE
Date: April 7, 2015

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
Contact: Taniel Koushakjian
Telephone: (202) 393-3434
Email: [email protected]
Web:

`ICONIC IMAGES OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE’ TO BE EXHIBITED AT THE NATIONAL
PRESS CLUB

WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly), in
cooperation with the Armenian National Institute (ANI) and the Armenian
Genocide Museum of America (AGMA), is pleased to announce that the `Iconic
Images of the Armenian Genocide’ exhibit will be on display at the National
Press Club on Wednesday, April 22nd from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and on Friday,
April 24th from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Assembly and ANI staff will be on hand
to present and discuss the exhibition with guests.

The fourth in a series of digital exhibits released free of charge, `Iconic
Images of the Armenian Genocide’ brings together as a single collection key
images recording the brutal mistreatment of the Armenian population of the
Ottoman Empire and the utter destruction of their historic communities.
“The exhibit creates a panoramic view of the entire duration of the
Armenian Genocide,” stated ANI Director Dr. Rouben Adalian. “All facets of
the genocide that the photographic record allows, ranging from the
deportations, executions, massacres, murders, starvation, extermination and
destruction, are reconstructed panel by panel.”

Many invaluable pictures were destroyed during the war years and what
remain today are scattered across continents. In view of how much was lost,
these photographs are also survivors, many waiting for the time when they
would be identified and reconnected to the events to which they attest.
These scattered images are now gathered and organized into a narrative
exhibit that reconstructs many episodes of the Armenian Genocide. Together
they recreate a sense of the terror exercised by the Young Turk regime and
reveal the extent of the dispossession and decimation of the Armenian
people in their historic homeland.

“The exhibit,” stated Assembly Board of Trustees Co-Chair Van Z. Krikorian,
“was created to honor the exemplary figures in the United States diplomatic
service whose conscientious reporting remains a permanent testament to the
horrors of the Armenian Genocide, among them Jesse B. Jackson, US Consul in
Aleppo; Leslie A. Davis, US Consul in Harput; Oscar Heizer, US Consul in
Trebizond; George Horton, Consul-General in Smyrna; and in Constantinople,
Gabriel Bie Ravndal, Consul-General; Hoffman Philip, Charge d’Affaires;
Abraham I. Elkus, Ambassador; and Henry Morgenthau, Ambassador.”

The photographs were collected from numerous repositories, sources and
individuals, including the US National Archives, Library of Congress, Near
East Foundation, Oberlin College Archives, University of Minnesota Library,
California State University Fresno Armenian Studies Program, Republic of
Armenia National Archives, Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, AGBU
Nubarian Library, Armenian Assembly of America, Armenian National Institute
collections, Maurice Kelechian, and National Geographic photographer
Alexandra Avakian.

The exhibition is free and will be open to the public on Wednesday, April
22, 2015 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and on Friday, April 24, 2015 from 9:00 AM
to 11:00 AM in the First Amendment Lounge, National Press Club, 529 14th
Street NW, 13th Floor, Washington, DC 20045.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and
awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt membership organization.

###

NR: # 2015-020

Available online at:

BOULDER, COLORADO, TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

14:08, 08 Apr 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

The city of Boulder, Colorado, will recognize April 24 as a day of
remembrance of the Armenian Genocide,Daily Camera reports.

City Councilman George Karakehian opened the City Council meeting
Tuesday night by reading a resolution in support of the Day of
Remembrance, which will be recognized at the state level as well.

Karakehian, who is of Armenian descent, choked up slightly as he
noted that Hitler famously said, “Who, after all, speaks today of the
annihilation of the Armenians?” as he justified a policy of genocide
in Europe. Karakehian asked the people of Boulder to remember the
Armenians.

LES CONCLUSIONS D’UNE ENQUETE SUR LES RELATIONS ENERGETIQUES ARMENO-RUSSES

Contestees au Parlement

Un depute pro-gouvernemental, qui a mene une enquete parlementaire
armenienne sur les relations energetiques controverses de l’Armenie
avec la Russie face a des allegations de l’opposition de fraude,
a presente ses conclusions a l’Assemblee nationale hier.

Le Parlement a debattu de ce rapport de Vartan Ayvazian, adopte par
une commission ad hoc presidee par lui.

La commission multipartite a ete forme il y a un an au milieu d’un
tolle de l’opposition contre un accord gazier signe au cours de
decembre 2013, lors de la visite du president russe Vladimir Poutine
en Armenie. En vertu de cette entente, le gouvernement armenien a
cede sa participation residuelle de 20 % des parts dans le reseau de
distribution de gaz a Gazprom a la Russie et a accorde aux geants du
gaz 30 ans de droits exclusifs sur le marche de l’energie armenienne.

Ces privilèges sans precedent accordes a Gazprom avaient suscite
un tolle auprès des principaux groupes d’opposition. Meme l’ancien
president Robert Kotcharian avait ajoute sa voix aux condamnations,
en disant que l’affaire pourrait tourner prendre en “otage” le secteur
de l’energie armenienne par les Russes.”

Le gouvernement et sa majorite parlementaire avaient nie ses
accusations, avant d’accepter une enquete parlementaire.

S’adressant au Parlement, Ayvazian a dit que l’enquete a conclu que
l’operation etait legale et economiquement benefique pour l’Armenie.

“Nous avons examine entre 5000 et 6000 documents,” a t-il dit.

Cependant, le rapport de la commission a ete rejete comme frauduleuse
par le Congrès national. Levon Zurabian a insiste pour dire que le
document est nul et non avenu parce qu’il n’a jamais ete formellement
adopte par le Parlement. Il a dit qu’Aram Manoukian du HAK et d’autres
membres de la commission representant la minorite d’opposition du
Parlement n’ont pas assiste aux reunions de la commission.

mercredi 8 avril 2015, Claire (c)armenews.com

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN TO ATTEND ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MASS IN VATICAN

17:38, 08 Apr 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan will leave for Italy tonight, where
he will have meetings with high-ranking officials, President’s Press
Office reported.

President Sargsyan will visit the Vittoriano Museum of Rome to watch
the “Armenia: People of Ark” exhibition dedicated to the Armenian
Genocide centennial.

On April 11 the President will participate in the Mass to be celebrated
by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, and Cardinal Sepe at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of
Naples. As part of the ceremony the copy of one of the cross-stones
of Jugha will be unveiled in memory of the Armenian Genocide.

In Italy President Sargsyan is expected to meet with the Director
General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

On April 12 Serzh Sargsyan will visit Vatican, where he will
participate in the Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica Pope Francis will
celebrate to mark the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

ARTUR SAKUNTS: THE SAME CAN HAPPEN TO ANY POLITICAL FORCE THAT WILL SEEK CHANGE OF POWER (VIDEO)

16:31 | April 8,2015 | Politics

Didn’t the law enforcement agencies violate human rights by arresting
seven members of the opposition Founding Parliament group?

“I shall refrain from making any comments as the investigation is in
progress,” Minister of Justice Hovhannes Manukyan said on Wednesday.

Asked how he assessed the arrest as a lawyer, Mr Manukyan said, “From
the legal point of view, I shall assess it as the man who serves as
Minister of Justice.”

The minister does not see a violation of the presumption of innocence
while the Investigative Committee of Armenia said yesterday it
prevented possible ‘mass disturbances’ during public events scheduled
for April 24 – the day when Armenians will be commemorating the
centennial of the Armenian Genocide.

“No names are given,” said Mr Manukyan.

Human rights activist Artur Sakunts says the arrest of the opposition
activists is ungrounded and the charges are fabricated. “They arrested
the people who, according to Serzh Sargsyan, are key figures in the
movement that is demanding his resignation,” he said.

Mr Sakunts says Serzh Sargsyan is doing everything to retain his power;
he is even applying violence and force against public.

“Today they are trying to intimidate the Founding Parliament. Tomorrow
it can be the Civil Contract or some other political force that will
seek a change of power,” he added.

ARMENIA LIBERALIZED AIR COMMUNICATION WITH SIX COUNTRIES – MINISTER

YEREVAN, April 8. / ARKA /. Armenia has liberalized air communication
with Austria, Russia, Iran, Spain, Turkmenistan and Iraq, economy
minister Karen Chshmarityan said today during a Q&A session in the
parliament.

The Armenian government liberalized the domestic civil aviation
sector in late October 2013 saying that all local and foreign airlines
meeting safety standards will be allowed to fly to and from Armenia
without special authorizations or other restrictions.

According to the minister, relating negotiations are being held
now with Qatar, Poland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Kuwait, Jordan,
Thailand, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway and Greece.

He said the three major goals of this policy is opening of new
destinations, ensuring the lowest possible prices for tickets and
providing quality services.

According to Civil Aviation Department of Armenia, last year passenger
traffic through local airports surged by 18.5% from 2013 to 2,082,755
people.-0-

FIVE COUNTRIES SEEK TO CARRY OUT RUSSIA’S TURKISH STREAM PROJECT IN EUROPE

(c) Sputnik/ Igor Zarembo
BUSINESS
14:48 08.04.2015Get short URL
40430
Hungary, Serbia, Macedonia, Greece and Turkey seek ways to diversify
routes and channels of natural gas deliveries to Europe through Turkey,
according to a declaration foreign ministers of the five countries
signed in Budapest on Tuesday.

(c) AP PHOTO/ PETR DAVID JOSEK Turkish Stream May Bring Energy Security
to Europe – Senior Greek Official The declaration paves the way for
the five countries to participate in the project based on the so-called
Turkish Stream gas pipeline, according to the Kommersant newspaper. The
Russia daily added that Austria could also join the venture.

The Turkish Stream pipeline is an alternative to the South
Stream, which Russia terminated in December 2014, citing Brussels’
opposition to the project. The pipeline with an annual capacity of
63 billion cubic meters will deliver gas to Turkey via a gas hub on
the Turkish-Greek border for further distribution to consumers in
southern Europe.

The declaration reflects only political intent. The five countries
and companies interested in the project will have to convene again
on multiple occasions to discuss details of the venture. The next
ministerial meeting is expected to take place in July but bilateral
talks will start earlier.

The first leg of the Turkish Stream pipeline is scheduled to be
completed by the end of 2016.

Gas talks could become on the key issues during talks between the
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who is on a two-day visit to
Moscow, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

(c) AP PHOTO/ MURAD SEZER, FILE Putin, Tsipras to Discuss Connecting
Greece to Turkish Stream If the countries decide to take part in the
Turkish Stream project, Gazprom will have an opportunity to deliver
gas to Europe bypassing Ukraine without drastically altering existing
deals with the customers, Kommersant pointed out. But it has other
implications too.

Cordial relations with current and aspiring EU members, who try to
carry out independent foreign policy, are of high value to Russia
against the background of Moscow’s current relations with the West.

The European Commission will likely be against any joint ventures,
focusing on Russian gas. The EC is developing legal mechanisms, which
will allow it to block any intergovernmental agreements and business
contracts deemed harmful for the EU energy security.

Read more:

KNITWEAR PRODUCTION GROWS IN ARMENIA

11:56, 8 April, 2015

YEREVAN, 8 APRIL, ARMENPRESS: In the beginning of the year of 2015 the
production of knitwear registered a growth of 42,4% in Armenia. If
in the first two months of 2014 377,700 pieces of knitted products
were produced in Armenia, this year its volume reached 537,800.

Armenpress was informed about it by the National Statistical Service
of Armenia.