Author: Badalian Vardan

ARAM I CLAIMS CHURCH-OWNED PROPERTY SEIZED BY OTTOMAN TURKEY

ARMENPRESS
18:37, 24 February, 2012

“Armenian Genocide: From Recognition to Compensation” international
conference was held February 23 in Antelias Mother Cathedral with
participation of Armenia and foreign lawyers, political scientists,
genocide research specialists and representatives of different
structures.

As an official from the Catholicostate of the Great House of Cilicia
told Armenpress, Nora Bayrakdaryan, lecturer of international law
during the conference, said it is already 100 years justice has not
been restored in the issue of Armenian Genocide, and discussed the
issue from judicial, legal viewpoints and human rights forwarding
the idea of claimant.

Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I, stressing the
wording “genocide”, cited from U.N. Convention on the Prevention and
Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. He said the church-owned estates
and community properties seized by the Ottoman authorities must be
returned by Turkey to its real owner – Catholicostate of the Great
House of Cilicia.

Judge of international judicial institution Joe Verhov noted he
has read numerous studies and books about Armenian Genocide and is
surprised at the denial position of Turkey.

ARMENIAN TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION MINISTER AND WORLD BANK REPRESENTATIVE VISITED INTERSTATE ROAD IN ARMENIA

news.am
February 24, 2012 | 20:20

YEREVAN. – Armenian Minister of Transport and Communication Manuk
Vardanyan and World Bank Armenia Country Manager Jean-Michel Happi
visited an interstate road leading to Aghveran on Friday.

The Ministry offered to reconstruct the road this year based on
Lifeline Roads Improvement Project (LRIP) of the WB, ministry’s
spokesperson Susanna Tonoyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Manukyan and Happi touched upon the preparation process of the new WB
investment project (amounting to $40 million). Both sides discussed
the issue of concluding road reconstruction, their further operation
and maintenance of works.

V. HOVHNANNISYAN: “AUTHORITIES STARTED RIGGING ELECTIONS”

While the authorities continually say they are not going to rig the
upcoming parliamentary elections, they have already started violations,
says member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun)
Vahan Hovhannisyan.

“Election fraud started ahead of elections. They are bribing voters
in advance,” Hovhannisyan told reporters on February 24.

To get out of the situation, he suggests that the country should
switch from the majoritarian electoral system to the proportional one.

“Bribes are mainly given by majoritarian candidate(s) or their
headquarters,” said the Dashnak MP.

Mr Hovhannisyan says his party will also name candidates on the
majoritarian system if they fail to eliminate the majoritarian
voting system.

“We know that the authorities will show resistance since they
understand that if they do not have a majority of seats in the
parliament they cannot be in the minority either.”

UNICEF, ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT DISCUSS INTEGRATED SOCIAL SERVICES TO REDUCE POVERTY

ARMRADIO.AM
24.02.2012 16:40

UNICEF and the Government of Armenia convened today a high-level
conference to discuss integrated social services model as a way to
reduce poverty and ensure full access of the most vulnerable families
to social support and protection services.

“This conference represents a major milestone in the progress of a
strategic reform which we all consider determinant for the improvement
of lives of the most vulnerable families and children in Armenia,”
UNICEF Representative in Armenia, Henriette Ahrens said, addressing
high-level participants, including Prime Minister, Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister of Labour and Social Issues of Armenia.

“Our objective is to put in place a system where individuals can come
to one place and receive all possible information and services they
need. We need a system where social protection offices and social
workers will have comprehensive information about the needs of each
vulnerable family,” Armenia’s Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said,
addressing the conference participants.

The Prime Minister noted that the Government of Armenia has shifted
its policy of provision of income for vulnerable families onto a
policy of strengthening resilience of vulnerable families through
building up their human capacity. Social inequity stems from two
main reasons that are unemployment and inaccessibility of education,
the Prime Minister stressed.

“Budgetary resources will be channeled to provide socially and
economically vulnerable families with employment and quality
education,” the Prime Minister said.

ARMENIA TAKES PART IN WORKS OF INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR RELATIVISTIC ASTROPHYSICS

ARMENPRESS
FEBRUARY 24, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 24, ARMENPRESS: The regular annual sitting of
the board of directors of International Center for Relativistic
Astrophysics (ICRA) was held February 20 in Pescara, Italy. The results
of the center’s activity over 2011, the budget 2012 and tendencies
for further development were discussed. Representatives of ICRA
member states Italy, Vatican, Armenia, Brazil and U.S. Stanford and
Arizona Universities participated in the sitting, an official from
the Armenian Astronomical Society (AAS) told Armenpress. From Armenia
Director of NAS Byurakan Observatory Hayk Harutyunyan participated.

For the first time 10000 euros was intended to provide to ICRA
Yerevan Office from ICRA annual budget for obtaining engineering. In
general, presence of small countries like Armenia, is of importance
in international structures, as they always get more from these
organizations than they invest. In the given case the circumstance is
continuously highlighted that being a country of advanced science,
Armenia is also a bearer of European and Christian cultures in
our region. Besides that, the branch of Armenia is of strategic
significance: Armenia is considered a regional center of ICRA for
connecting it with states of Middle East and Middle Asia.

AZERBAIJANIS SPREAD PROPAGANDA UNDER A VEIL OF TRADE

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 25, 2012 – 11:44 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Armenian community in Prague, Czech Republic,
gave a proper response to the event organized by Azerbaijanis on the
20th anniversary of the “Khojalu massacre”.

Azerbaijan’s embassy, with support of Azerbaijani businessmen and
Heydar Aliyev Foundation organized an event on February 24 on a Prague
square dedicated to the so-called “Khojalu genocide”. Organizers of
the event placed a tent in the square with Azerbaijan’s flag beside
it. The event aimed at spreading Azerbaijan’s position on Khojalu
events, says the report received by PanARMENIAN.Net

During the event free foodstuff was distributed in the tent and Azeri
souvenirs and carpets were being sold. In addition to propaganda
materials, the tent also hosted restaurant advertisements, as the
event supporters demanded. Sponsors also insisted that the organizers
get a permission qualifying it as an ad and trade event and not a
propaganda action.

The report says that 6-7 students in the tent were distributing
propaganda materials to passers-by. The Armenian community in
Czech Republic could not remain indifferent to such initiative of
Azerbaijanis. From the very beginning of Azeri action, Armenian were
spreading Czech-language leaflets to passers-by refuting Azerbaijan’s
misinformation. Coming as a surprise for Azerbaijanis, Armenian
activists entered the very tent and distributed their brochures inside
as well.

Armenian activists spread a total of 300 leaflets and 50 brochures.

Ambassador of Turkey to Czech Republic, Cihad Erginay also arrived on
the scene. The ambassador’s speech was suddenly disturbed by a rally
of Krishna supporters that passed by with loud drum-roll and singing.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE KICKS OFF IN LEBANON

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 25, 2012 – 13:27 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On February 23, 2012, the International Conference
on the Armenian Genocide: from Recognition to Reparation began in
Antelias, Lebanon, in the presence of 120 experts from all over the
world, ambassadors, current and former government ministers and members
of the Lebanese parliament, heads of Armenian religious communities and
representatives of Armenian political parties and other institutions.

His Holiness welcomed the guests and the participants and explained the
background leading to the conference. After stating his expectations
from the Conference, in which he referred at length to the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Prevention and
Punishment of Genocide, Catholicos Aram I concluded with the following
remarks: “Turkey must return the church and community properties
confiscated by the Ottoman Turkish authorities to their legal owner,
the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia. As the Catholicosate of Cilicia,
we claim the ownership of our properties confiscated by the Turkish
authorities”.

Prof. Nora Bayrakdarian introduced the agenda and the two speakers:
H.E. Judge Fausto Pocar, Former President of the International Criminal
Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and H.E. Judge Joe Verhoeven,
ad hoc Judge, International Court of Justice.

Speaking from his experience, Judge Fausto Pocar said that although it
is important to list the acts of the Genocide Convention, it is equally
important to consider intent and incitement. After mentioning examples
from the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and that of the
Former Yugoslavia, he said that in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia,
the Tribunals clarified the crime of genocide by both applying the
acts listed in the 1948 Genocide Convention and showing evidence of
intent and incitement. Judge Pocar stated that the same process could
take place in the case of the Armenian Genocide.

Judge Verhoeven began by saying that recognition of the Armenian
Genocide is an established fact and that the Turkish State is denying
part of its own history. He also said that the fact that the Genocide
Convention had not been written at the time of the Armenian Genocide
is irrelevant and that there is no statute of limitations on the
act of the illegal killing of people. The State of Turkey and its
territories still exist and it is therefore accountable. Speaking of
Church properties, he said that these were semi-public properties:
part of the historical heritage of the Armenian people and a necessary
component of their identity. Turkey cannot deny the identity of a
people. Turkey should respect it and make reparation to the Church,
which is responsible owner of this heritage.

The opening session ended with the anthem of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia and the prayer of His Holiness Aram I at the Martyr’s Chapel.

BLAME GAME: DIASPORA INVESTORS SQUARE OFF WITH ARMENIA’S TAX OFFICIALS DURING LIVE TV LINK-UP
Kristine Aghalaryan

HETQ
21:07, February 24, 2012

On February 24, a special live TV link-up between Armenia and the U.S.
brought together diaspora investors, lawyers and tax authorities
from Armenia to take a look at the issues involved regarding doing
business in Armenia.

The link-up was organized by a group in Armenia that come out in
support of the interests of diaspora investors. No one would argue
that there is a lot of ground to cover on the topic.

One such investor, Edmond Khutyan, related how his company Arin
Capital, had been criminally charged with tax evasion and premeditated
bankruptcy eight months ago but he has yet to be questioned by Armenian
tax officials on the matter.

Khutyan lawyer Nikolai Baghdasaryan noted that this negatively reflects
on Armenian tax officials.

“If they don’t call the director in while at the same time charging
the company doesn’t it leave the impression that a double standard
is at work?” Baghdasaryan asked.

Participating in the discussion was Armen Alaverdyan, First Deputy
to the President of the RA State Revenue Committee.

Alaverdyan confessed that he didn’t know the details of the Khutyan
case. He only said that if the SRC has taken the matter to court it
would definitely see it to its conclusion. The tax official promised
to look into the matter, adding that if premeditated bankruptcy is
the charge he didn’t believe that it would take a mere 1 or 2 months
to resolve.

Alaverdyan stressed that diaspora investors can not only take advantage
of the same rights as local Armenian businesspeople but aspects of
foreign legislation as well. He sounded a more optimistic note than
the lawyers representing diaspora investors and pointed to several
success stories like VivaCell, Tufenkian and even Parisian Coffee. (The
latter establishment was recently sold by its diaspora owner after
she complained of heavy-handedness by Armenian tax officials.)

Alaverdyan noted that oftentimes diaspora investors are not adequately
informed as to Armenian tax laws and this leads to a feeling that
they are operating on an unlevel playing field. He said the government
must do more to assist investors in this area.

He added that diaspora investors procrastinate in terms of petitioning
the SRC and other agencies when problems arise. “They want to use the
tax agency as a tool to force people to assume their obligations,”
Alaverdyan said.

Also on hand was Vardan Marashlyan, Deputy Minister for Diaspora
Affairs, who said that the ministry was doing all it could to assist
diaspora investors and businesspeople who sought help.

Heritage Party MP Stepan Safaryan countered by saying that the ministry
needs to be more pro-active in this regard and offer more outreach
and information to prospective investors.

Marashlyan noted that the ministry was not involved in the Nareg
Hartounian case since no one had asked for their assistance.

(Hartounian and his family’s GH Storage Enterprises has been charged
with tax evasion)

MP Safaryan recounted a recent visit to Armenia by a group of U.S.

Congressmen. Safaryan noted that during meetings with the Armenian
president and speaker of the parliament, the congressmen declared
outright that Armenia was sliding backwards due to the lack of a
favourable investment environment and that even diaspora investors
didn’t want to do business in the country.

MP Safaryan said what’s at issue isn’t the case of one or two
individual investors but a more widespread and systematic lack of
faith in getting a fair shake.

He warned outside investors not to be taken in by sweet-talking local
Armenian con artists who apply for a job, present a good face, and
then take the investor for a ride.

MP Safaryan noted that problems are exacerbated since diaspora
Armenians can’t really understand the ins and outs of the business
reality and mentality at work in Armenia and avoid settling matters
in the way things are traditionally done in the country.

The Heritage Party legislator pointed to the Lincy Fund backing out
of further investment in Armenia and the Millennium Challenge Grant
stopping further aid as two glaring examples of the problem.

SRC’s Alaverdyan pointed to the case of Parisian Coffee as a success
story, noting that when owner Askhen Gortzounian launched the business
in 2007 it got off to a promising start. The official noted that
in 2010 the business (newly registered as Parisian Coffee Factory)
had sales of 90 million AMD and 320 million in 2011.

He said that if the company, say, imported 92 million AMD worth of
product in 2010 and paid 6.5 in tax, in 2011, the company had imports
of 171 million and paid 31 million in tax. Alaverdyan claimed that
such figures pointed to a profitable business.

Alaverdyan argued that most of the problems faced by diaspora investors
stemmed from getting involved with unscrupulous individuals who are
placed in positions of management. This, he said, oftentimes leads
to civil disputes regarding property and ownership issues.

The SRC official advised prospective investors to get in touch with
his agency first before actually starting any commercial enterprise
in Armenia.

Alaverdyan conceded that tax agencies in Armenia needed to improve
the way complaints are handled and to make the process all the more
transparent.

ARF MP Ara Nranyan said these issues are faced not only by diaspora
investors but everyone dealing with the tax agencies, court system
and property registry (Cadastre).

MP Nranyan cited the example of George Tomasyan, a resident of Germany
who managed a business in Armenia and was swindled out of 70 million.

Emotions flared when Asya Asatryan, a reporter from the States,
got into the discussion.

She argued that if Armenia got its act together on this issue, people
in the diaspora wouldn’t be raising such a fuss.

“You won’t find one American-Armenian who wants to discredit Armenia.

If the name of Armenia is being dragged down, it’s the fault of the
government’s failure to set things right,” Asatryan charged.

Armen Alaverdyan found the reference to Armenia’s dignity a bit much
to take. He responded by saying that individual cases of corruption by
Armenian official or citizens should be reported, rather than taking
cheap swipes at the entire government.

“I am proud that I am a citizen of Armenia. Twenty years ago we had
nothing and now we are discussing these matters out in the open. I’d
say we’re on the right track,” Alaverdyan said.

ASK CONGRESS TO PRESS CLINTON FOR ANSWERS ON ARMENIAN ISSUES

news.am
February 25, 2012 | 11:23

WASHINGTON, DC. – Below is an appeal from Elizabeth Chouldjian,
ANCA Communications Director.

Dear Friend,

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in the wake of her offensive
dismissal of the Armenian Genocide “as a matter for historical debate,”
will testify and answer questions before four separate U.S.

House and Senate panels this coming week.

Please take a few minutes today to call on your Senators and
Representative to ask Secretary Clinton questions about her offensive
remarks and on the full range of other issues of special importance
to Armenian American voters.

Please click here to get the names and phone numbers of your Senators
and Representative as a well as a relevant sample phone script
for each.

You will be asked to provide your ZIP code, and our alert system will
guide you through the calls to your Senators and Representative. The
phone script will change depending on whether your elected officials
are on the key committees or not.

All four of these hearings will be webcast live, so please watch to
see if your elected representatives act on your request. Links will
be posted on the ANCA website – .

Tuesday, February 28th at 10:00 pm: Senate Appropriations Subcommittee
on State-Foreign Operations

Tuesday, February 28th at 2:00 pm: Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Wednesday, February 29th at 10:00 am: House Appropriations Subcommittee
on State-Foreign Operations

Wednesday, February 29th at 2:00 pm: House Committee of Foreign Affairs

Please let us know when you have made your calls to your Senate and
House members by filling in the forms on the action alert pages or
emailing [email protected]

All best,

Elizabeth Chouldjian

GREATER WASHINGTON DC AREA ARMENIAN AMERICANS MARK AZERBAIJANI MASSACRES IN SUMGAIT, KIROVABAD, BAKU

news.am
February 25, 2012 | 10:40

WASHINGTON, DC. – Greater Washington, DC area Armenian Americans braved
the cold and rain earlier today to mourn the victims of Azerbaijani
aggression and stand in solidarity with the people of the independent
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, in their effort to secure a fair and
lasting peace.

The silent protest, organized by the Greater Washington, DC Armenian
Youth Federation “Ani” Chapter and the St. Mary’s Armenian Church
Youth Organization (ACYO), coincided with the 24th anniversary of
the Azerbaijani pogroms against the Armenian population of Sumgait,
which set the stage for attacks in Baku in 1990, outright Azerbaijani
aggression, and a cycle of anti-Armenian violence that continues
to this day. The demonstrators also called special attention to
Azerbaijan’s destruction of the 1,300 year old Armenian cemetery
in Djulfa, Nakhichevan, demolishing thousands of intricately carved
cross-stones (Khatchkars).

“We gathered at the Azerbaijani Embassy to remember those who perished
in Sumgait and Baku, but to also condemn the Aliyev regime’s ongoing
threats and attacks against Artsakh and Armenia,” said AYF Ani Chapter
Chairwoman Tevin Polatian. “Just this week, another Armenian soldier
was killed by an Azerbaijani sniper – an all too common occurrence
resulting from an international community that turns a blind eye to
Aliyev’s military build-up and attacks. We will continue to stand
strong with the Republic of Karabakh, as they continue to defend
their right to self-determination – a fundamental value the U.S. was
founded upon.”

Following the vigil, Soorp Khatch Armenian Church pastor, Fr. Sarkis
Aktavoukian and St. Mary’s Armenian Church Pastor, Fr. Hovsep
Karapetyan led activists in a prayer in honor of the Sumgait,
Kirovabad, and Baku victims. Participants lit candles and brought
pictures of those who perished in the massacres – making a memorial
in front of the Azerbaijani Embassy.

In what has now become an expected practice at annual Armenian
Genocide and Sumgait/Baku pogroms commemorative protests, flag-wearing
Azerbaijani and Turkish protesters jovially celebrated the atrocities,
dishonoring the memory of those who perished. This year’s counter
protesters included a group of teenagers from a neighborhood home,
who apparently participated as part of an after-school “drinking game.”