Author: Badalian Vardan

MilAz.info, Azerbaijan
Jan 4 2012

South Caucasian republics purchased 107 324 small arms in 2005-2010

17:32 04-01-2012
The South Caucasian republics purchased 107 324 small arms from
various countries of the world in 2005-2010.

APA reports quoting the UN Register of Conventional Arms that Georgia
takes the first place among the South Caucasian republics on purchase
of small arms during this period.

Georgia bought 76 377 small arms from 7 countries. The submachine
guns, short rifles, pistols, automatic rifles, pistol-machineguns,
heavy machineguns, grenade launchers as well as the short rifles used
in the early 20th century, are among them. Ukraine and Bulgaria took
the main place among the countries which sold arms to Georgia. US,
Croatia, Czech Republic, Romania and Turkey also sold arms to Georgia.
Georgia bought 20 12,7mm caliber `Barret’ sniper rifles, 5000 M4A3 gun
from the USA, MP-5 pistol-machinegun FROM Turkey.

Armenia takes the 2nd place among the South Caucasian republics.
Armenia bought 20 967 various small arms, most of all from Ukraine and
Russia. Armenia also bought 250 12,7mm `Black Arrow’ submachine guns
from Serbia, 480 AK-105 submachine guns, 52 new SV-98 sniper rifles
from Russia.

Azerbaijan takes the 3rd place with 8862 arms which it bought most of
all from Ukraine and Turkey. Azerbaijan most of all bought automatic
rifles, pistol-machine guns, machine guns and pistols.

Ukraine takes the first place among the countries which sold weapons
to the South Caucasian republics. Thus, this country sold 85 288 arms
(79.4%) to the South Caucasian republics. Bulgaria takes the 2nd place
with 12357 arms (11.5%), then US with 5020 arms (4.6%), Russia with
1276 arms (1.1%) and Turkey with 1160 arms (1%). The other arms fall
into share of Romania, Serbia, Austria, Czech republic, Croatia and
Slovakia.

news.am, Armenia
Jan 4 2012

World community doubts Ankara’s readiness to normalize relations with
Armenia – expert

January 04, 2012 | 15:47

YEREVAN. – Society approaches and existing governance in Turkey
suggest that no significant changes in the settlement of
Armenian-Turkish relations should be expected in the near future,
expert in Turkish studies Ruben Melkonyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

`Way of thinking and actions of the Turkish political machine do not
contribute to the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.
Moreover, recent developments show that stereotypes and exaggerations
are typical for the Turkish political mechanism,’ said deputy head of
oriental studies department at the Yerevan State University Ruben
Melkonyan.

He considers Turkey’s leadership has no real desire to settle the
Armenian-Turkish relations. Meanwhile, ratification of
Armenian-Turkish protocols has become real pain and problem for Turkey
which requires urgent solution.

During the last months of 2011 different international organizations,
heads of some states have issued statements to put it mildly,
condemning Turkey, said Meklonyan.

These statements show that the international community doubts Ankara’s
readiness to normalize relations with Armenia.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office, UK
Jan 3 2011

AU REVOIR BUT NOT ADIEU

Technical difficulties have hampered me from posting recently, coupled
with the Christmas-New Year break and preparations for leaving
Armenia. This is my last post as Ambassador here and I will shortly
hand over the reins to Kathy Leach and Jonathan Aves.

Looking back over four years, I can see plenty of good work and useful
contributions that we’ve made as an Embassy, including defence
cooperation, peacebuilding projects and work on human rights and
governance. We’ve seen an increase in the amount of trade and
business: UK exports to Armenia are up 60% January-October year on
year. And there are more British high street names on the streets than
four years ago (at least in central Yerevan). And we’ve seen a marked
increase in the number of visitors here: figures suggest the number of
British tourists was up 3.5 times in the first half of 2011. And we’ve
seen a steady increase in the number of Armenians visiting the UK for
business, education and tourism: visas issued have gone up around 10%
a year each year.

Of course there have been frustrations too: I’d love to have seen the
“football diplomacy” initiative with Turkey bear fruit and lead to
open borders: that could only benefit Armenia, Turkey and the region
as a whole. I also hoped we would see some more progress towards
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh issue.

We’ve seen some progress on domestic political issues and governance
since I arrived (I presented credentials during the state of emergency
following the 1 March demonstrations and killings). But there is still
a lot to do to tackle pervasive corruption, to tackle the commercial
monopolies and blurring of official, business and political domains.
We’ve heard regular commitments from senior figures that the coming
parliamentary and presidential elections will be an improvement on the
previous ones. I certainly hope that will be the case and there will
be the political will to ensure that not just election day itself but
the campaign and the pre-campaign period reflect international
standards, including access to media, and the misuse of administrative
resources.

The economic crisis means poverty is as serious an issue as ever,
though I’ve written before now on some good work being done by NGOs,
including Oxfam. There’s also been some progress on gender issues and
it’s possible now to hope for some progress on the question of
domestic violence in a way I didn’t think possible when I first
arrived. There’s even been some limited progress in reporting of
lesbian and gay issues, though there’s still a long way to go to
overcome some deep-rooted prejudices.

Encouragingly, I think we’re seeing more active participation by young
people in both formal and informal politics, including campaigning on
particular issues, such as the environment. That’s something we’ve
supported and encouraged and meeting bright, active young people has
always been one of the things that gives me hope for Armenia’s future,
whatever the challenges ahead. The biggest issue though is to ensure
that those young people see their future in Armenia, and that they
have the opportunity to put their talents to work here, rather than
joining the steady outflow of people away from the country.

I have occasionally apologised for adding to that outflow by marrying
one of those bright young Armenians, and I will be forcing her to
leave, at least temporarily to come with me to Vienna for my next job.
As she pointed out though, it’s open to debate if I’m taking her away
from Armenia or she is taking me to Armenia. At any rate, I look
forward to returning to this fascinating country.

When asked for my feelings on departure, I’ve tended to say that I’m a
frustrated optimist: there is a lot of potential and I’ve come across
many capable, smart people. But somehow the necessary changes have
rarely moved as fast or as far as I would hope. But I remain
optimistic that positive changes can and should continue.

So I close with a positive thought from one of my favourite writers,
Evelyn Waugh, who encountered a number of Armenians in Ethiopia (then
Abyssinia) while working as a reporter covering the coronation of
Emperor Haile Selassie in 1930 (in ‘Remote People’). Waugh described
walking around the town of Harar,with the owner of the Leon d’Or
hotel, Mr Bergebedgian:

“We went through the bazaar…We went into several private
houses…Everywhere he seemed to be welcome; everywhere he not only
adapted but completely transformed his manner to the environment. When
I came to consider the question, I was surprised to realise that the
two most accomplished men I met during this six months abroad, the
chauffeur who took us to Debra Lebanos and Mr Bergebedgian, should
both have been Armenians. A race of rare competence and the most
delicate sensibility. They seem to me the only genuine ‘men of the
world’.

“I suppose everyone at times likes to picture himself such as person.
Sometimes, when I find that elusive ideal looming too attractively,
when I envy among my friends this one’s adaptability to diverse
company, this one’s cosmopolitan experience, this one’s impenetrable
armour against sentimentality and humbug, this one’s freedom from
conventional prejudices, this one’s astute ordering of his finances
and nicely calculated hospitality, and realise that, whatever happens
to me and however I deplore it, I shall never in fact become a
‘hard-boiled man of the world’ of the kind I read about in the novels
I sometimes obtain at bookstalls for short railway journeys…then I
comfort myself a little by thinking that, perhaps if I were an
Armenian I should find things easier.”

PanArmenian News, Armenia
Jan 3 2012

Turkey plans to send ambassador back to Paris to fight Genocide bill

January 3, 2012 – 13:53 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net – Turkey plans to send its ambassador to France, who
was recalled to Ankara for consultations in the wake of French
National Assembly’s approval of a bill seeking to penalize denial of
the Armenian Genocide, back to Paris to step up efforts to prevent the
approval of the bill by the Senate, Today’s Zaman reported citing
Turkish media outlets.

Reports quoting Turkish diplomatic sources say Turkey’s move to recall
its ambassador, Tahsin BurcuoÄ?lu, does not mean it is downgrading
diplomatic ties with Paris as he was recalled simply for consultation.
Since the bill has not yet been enacted, Turkey will make the utmost
effort to prevent it from becoming law, the same sources said.

On December 22, 2011, French National Assembly passed a bill
criminalizing public denial of the Armenian Genocide. If passed and
signed into law by the Senate, the bill would impose a 45,000 euro
fine and a year in prison for anyone in France who denies this crime
against humanity committed by the Ottoman Empire. Following the vote,
Ankara recalled its ambassador from France.

news.am, Armenia
Jan 3 2012

Movement in Armenia-Turkey reconciliation not expected – expert

January 03, 2012 | 17:12

YEREVAN. – One should not expect resumption of Armenia-Turkey
reconciliation process in 2012, the year of parliamentary elections,
said Armenian political analyst Stepan Grigoryan adding that
presidential elections in 2013 will not further the process as well.

According to him, in this period no tangible progress will be
registered even if Ankara proposes the initiative.

The expert considers Turkey is much more concerned over the Arab
revolutions and in particular situation in Syria rather than
Armenian-Turkish relations. There is also Kurdish issue, relations
with Israel and Iran – these problems are more important for Turkey.

`Turkey is taking certain steps concerning the Armenians living in
Turkey. Ankara has tackled some problems with churches, the Armenian
community. However, Armenia expects something else, namely
ratification of the protocols,’ Grigoryan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

He stressed that despite the assurances of Ankara that the protocols
are not frozen, the process is delayed, and in these circumstances,
the future of Armenian-Turkish protocols is uncertain.

`Under such circumstances, Armenia’s position should remain the same –
Yerevan must remain a supporter of protocols’ ratification without
preconditions,’ he concluded.

Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
January 2, 2012 Monday

Turkish Figures Hold Their Government Responsible for Tense Atmosphere
in Region, Particularly Due to Stances Regarding Syria

– Official spokesman of the Turkish Felicity Party (Saadet Partisi)
Mustafa Yilmaz said that Syria and Turkey are neighboring countries
brought together by deep-rooted fraternity, but recently there were
attempts to destroy the historic relations between which upset the
Turkish people.

In an interview with the Syrian TV’s correspondent in Ankara, Yilmaz
said that the recent stance of the Justice and Development Party
caused concern among the Turkish people and politicians, stressing
that the biggest winners if a confrontation occurred between Syria and
Turkey are Israel and the United States.

He pointed out that the Turkish people believe that Turkish media
isn’t portraying the reality of what is happening in Syria, and that
media sources are increasing the disputes among the two countries
through the material they broadcast in an attempt to damage bilateral
relations, which is why most Turks are suspicious of them.

In turn, head of the Turkish Authors Association Gokhan Cengizhan said
that the Justice and Development Party has always been two-faced,
particularly in terms of foreign policy, noting that after it
announced a policy of resolving issues with neighboring countries, it
flipped this policy upside down, causing Turkey to have problems with
Iran, Iraq and Syria, adding up to the existing problems with Greece
and Armenia.

Cengizhan said that this returns Turkey to a state of cold war which
upsets all the Turkish people, stressing that a government such as the
Turkish government which is facing an internal and social war that it
can’t resolve cannot possibly have a say in others’ problems.

H.

January 1, 2012 16:14 IST

Madras miscellany
Aerial view of George Town in 1905

A forgotten name-change

With all these articles recalling the centenary of the Delhi Durbar
and the announcement that was made there that thenceforth Delhi would
be the capital of India and not Calcutta, completely overlooked has
been the fact that George V was remembered in Madras too in 1911. That
was the year Black Town became George Town.

This Black Town, however, was the second. The first was the Indian
town that developed just north of Fort St. George, on what is the High
Court-Law College campus. The use Comte de Lally’s troops made of the
buildings in this settlement during his siege of the Fort in 1758-59
led the English, once they had blunted the French threat, to demolish
this first Indian settlement they had been responsible for developing
and create an esplanade and, beyond it, in the villages of Muthialpet
and Peddanaickenpet, a new, planned Black Town, a gridiron pattern
consciously followed.

When George, Prince of Wales, visited Madras in 1905 and proved a
popular figure at every venue where he was feted in the growing city,
it was much debated what kind of a permanent memorial to him should be
created in Madras. Little came of the debate till he became King
George V in 1910. A competition was organised in Madras for Carnatic
singers to compose classical eulogies in honour of the occasion and it
was Sriram V. singing a couple of them during his talk ten days ago in
the `Namma Chennai’ series organised by the Park Sheraton and
MetroPlus that reminded me of the centenary of the way New Black Town
became renamed. The visit of George V, King Emperor of India, for the
Delhi Durbar was occasion enough for Madras to remember him by naming
New Black Town after him.

Near the southwest corner of George Town he was further remembered in
1914 with a statue presented to the city by one of its leading
Gujarati merchant-princes, Chatoorbhoojadoss Govindoss of the
Kushaldoss family (Miscellany, March 6, 2006). The statue by Joseph
McLure, to whom the king gave a couple of sittings in Britain, cost
Rs. 45,000, quite a sum for the times.

*******

The first cinema theatre

Another centenary this year is one which really should have been
celebrated by all connected with Kollywood, given the close kinship
Tamil Nadu has with the film industry. This one celebrates the opening
of the first cinema theatre in the South, the `Bioscope’ on Popham’s
Broadway. It was started by a Mrs. Klug who regularly screened a
number of short silent films at each show. Despite crowds that had
gathered to watch `animated photographs’ at venues like the Victoria
Public Hall, Museum Theatre and tents on the Esplanade from 1896,
Mrs. Klug’s theatre with its permanent seating in a well-conceived
hall was something different, but it just did not take off. In fact,
it closed within a few months. But it certainly had demonstrated the
possibilities of the medium.

It was to be 1913, by when the silent film had developed to a smoother
running display, that Madras got its next cinema theatre, the
`Electric’, owned by Warwick Major and Reginald Eyre. It was `a large
corrugated iron shell with a brick façade’ in what is now the Mount
Road Post Office campus. The shell developed into a more ornate
building that still survives but was acquired by the Post and
Telegraphs Department in 1915, bringing to an end its brief cinema
history. In recent years, the façade of the building and a part of
its interior have been restored and serve, since 1998, as the city’s
Philatelic Bureau, where exhibitions are a regular feature.

Kitty corner from it to the east was what was home of Misquith & Co
(the forerunner of Musee Musicals,) and in 1907 a man called Cohen
opened on its first floor a hall for entertainment called the
`Lyric’. In a challenge to the `Electric’, he started screening
silent films there in 1913. A fire in 1914 put paid to Cohen’s hopes
of being a successful challenger. The fire also led to the building
being sold to J.F. Madan of Calcutta who at the time ran the largest
cinema theatre chain in India. In 1915 he opened the `Elphinstone’
(almost Madan’s brand) Theatre there – the first with a balcony in
South India – and with it the cinema theatre was to become a major
feature of life in Madras.

But before the `Elphinstone’ opened, Madras got its first
Indian-owned theatre, the `Gaiety’ – which survived till just a
couple of years ago – kitty corner to the west of the
`Electric’. Film pioneer Raghupathy Venkaiah who built it opened two
more theatres in the next three years, the `Crown’ (1916) and the
`Globe’ that became the `Roxy’ (1917). Both buildings were also
pulled down only recently. From these beginnings – and with sound –
cinema theatres in Madras began to increase. But even during those
boom years closer to their beginnings, few remembered Mrs. Klug’s
`Bioscope’.

*******

An Armenian representation

The Armenian Ambassador to India, H.E. Ara Hakobyan, was in Madras
last week to inaugurate the Consulate office of Armenia in the
city. The first Honorary Consul of Armenia in Madras is Shivkumar
Eashwaran, a businessman. The inauguration was an occasion to remember
the Armenian presence in Madras as far back as the 1660s, a fact
attested to by the finding of a tombstone with the date 1663 near
Little Mount. The name engraved on it was `Khoja David Margar’.

The Armenian presence in Madras began to increase from 1688 when the
East India Company, finding the Armenians `sober, frugal and
wise’, gave them the same trading rights as English
freemen. These privileges were granted after negotiations between Coja
Panous, Calendar of Isphahan, and the Company in London. The agreement
was dated June 22, 1688 and was in due course communicated to the
principal Armenian merchant in Madras, `Gregorio Paroan’, and his
fellows. By these terms, they could not only trade on the same terms
as the English but also had all the rights of British subjects in
Madras, including the right to own land in Fort St. George, White
Town.

It was also promised to them that as soon as there were 40 Armenian
merchants in Madras, ground would be granted to them to build a
permanent church.

This was done in 1712 and for the next seven years the church received
£50 a year from the Company to maintain a priest, under terms of the
grant.

The first known house of an Armenian in Fort St. George is what is
called Admiralty House today. It was built by Coja Nazar Jacob Jan who
arrived in Madras in 1702. On his death in 1740, it passed into the
hands of Coja Sultan David to whom it had been bequeathed. On Coja
David’s death the house, by then known as `The Great House on
Choultry Street’, was inherited by his son, Aga Shawmier Sultan
(Suthanoomian). This house was taken over by the Company post-1757 and
served in town, as Governor’s residence, Governor’s entertainment
space and the venue of sessions of the Admiralty Court.

Robert Clive too lived in this building after his marriage.

Aga Nazar Jan was the first of the great Armenian merchants of Madras
and was followed by the legendary Coja Petrus Uscan – who has
warranted much space in this column in the past – Aga Shawmier Sultan,
and Aga Samuel Moorat. When Samuel Moorat died in 1816, his son Edward
Moorat ran through his huge patrimony in enjoying a life of
luxury. With his death, the Armenian presence in Madras began to fade.

One Armenian of this era who left a different kind of mark was the
Rev. Harathun Shimavonian, who started in Madras in 1794 the first
Armenian journal in the world, Azdarar, and published several Armenian
classics before he died in 1827.

Madras once had a substantial Armenian presence, but the Armenians
followed the seat of power (they had started in Agra) and were a few
thousand in number in Calcutta during the heyday of the Raj. Their
numbers warranted starting a school there and Armenian College still
exists, struggling on with an intake of orphans from Armenia. Perhaps
it’s time to establish a branch of that institution in Madras. It was
a thought that struck me at the reception when I met one of the few IT
entrepreneurs in Armenia. Why doesn’t he partner someone in Madras and
establish an IT training centre for young Armenians in an Armenian
College, Madras branch?

Times of India
Jan 3 2012

It’s Xmas time for Armenians

TNN | Jan 3, 2012, 04.23AM IST

KOLKATA: The Holy Church of Nazareth at Armenian Street off Burrabazar
is bustling with activity. It’s time for celebration and merriment for
the 200-odd Armenians in the city. Yes you heard it right,

The city is gearing up for yet another Christmas, the Armenian
Christmas, on January 6.

The Armenian Apostolic Church shares doctrinal beliefs of the Eastern
Orthodox Churchand retains traditional Armenian rites

The church follows the Julian calendar which celebrates the birth of
Christ on January 6 (also known as Old Christmas).

‘Armenian Christmas’ is a culmination of celebration of events related
to Christ’s Incarnation. It centers around Theophany or Epiphany (or
Astvadz-a-haytnootyoon in Armenian), meaning “revelation of God”.
which is the central theme of the Christmas season in the Armenian
Church.

“When we wish someone Merry Christmas in Armenian, we are actually
saying that Christ is born and revealed, and blessed is Christ’s
revelation,” said Rev Father Khoren Hovhannisyan, pastor (priest) of
Armenians in India.

During the Armenian Christmas season, a series of major events is
celebrated which are the major events that are celebrated are the
Nativity of Christ in Bethlehem and His Baptism in the River Jordan.
Also, a ceremony called ‘Blessing of Water’ is conducted in the
Armenian Church to commemorate Christ’s Baptism.

“Until the fourth century, Christians worldwide celebrated Christ’s
birth on January 6. The Roman Catholic Church changed the birth date
to December 25 to override a pagan festival dedicated to the birth of
the sun. The Armenian Church just kept the original date. Armenia is
the first country to adopt Christianity as the state religion in 301
AD,” said the priest.

Armenian Christmas is quite unique in its celebration and dotted with
various rituals.

To prepare themselves for the great festival, Armenians fast for a
week to cleanse themselves to be worthy of a great miracle and prepare
for the celebrations of the great festival

The menu for this week, hence, comprises vegetarian dishes only.

The celebrations will begin with the Christmas Eve mass on January 5
at 4pm. After the mass, there will be the Home Blessing ceremony at
the Armenian College. Father will then bless the congregationwith
salt, bread and water. and thereafter sprinkle blessed water on the
four corners of the house. This will be followed with a special dinner
comprising fish and Anushabour for dessert for the Armenian staff and
students of Armenian College.

On Christmas day Armenians will feast on roasted lamb, Pilaf and Anushabour.

Christmas Day celebrations will begin with the Christmas mass at
9:30am. at the Armenian Holy Church of Nazareth. The Christmas mass or
the Divine Liturgy is also very special. On a usual Sunday, the Church
is attended by barely 10-15 people. But come January 6 and it will
wear a different look, packed with will be choc-a-bloc with more than
150 or more Armenians on January 6. The grand altar will be decorated
with flowers and candles and instead of being seated on the pews, the
congregation will remain standing instead of sitting on the pews

Christmas Day celebrations begin with the Christmas Mass which will
start at 9:30am at Armenian Holy Church of Nazareth.

The church choir will perform at the mass whereand sticking to its
original roots, the hymn is sung in Armenian. A special service will
be held for ‘Blessing of the Water,’ to commemorate baptism of Jesus
Christ. The Cross will be immersed in water to symbolize the baptism
of Christ. Thereafter, the holy water will be distributed to the
congregation.

Once the service at the Church comes to an end, After the service at
the Church, the action shifts to the lawns of the Armenian Sports Club
at the Maidan. In the afternoon, the Church committee has organised a
Christmas Tea Party for Armenians and Armenian College students at the
Armenian Sports Club where Santa Claus and a magic show will entertain
the children.

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Jan 1 2012

Prosecutor launches probe on former chief of staff

ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News

Istanbul specially authorized prosecutor’s office has launched an
investigation on former chief of staff Gen. Ä°lker BaÅ?buÄ? within the
ongoing “Internet Memorandum” case.

A court had filed an official criminal complaint on Dec. 31 against BaÅ?buÄ?.

The ongoing Internet Memorandum case refers to an alleged document by
the General Staff about setting up 42 Internet sites to distribute
propaganda against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) the
outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and Greeks and Armenians.

Gen. Nusret TaÅ?deler, former head of the Aegean forces and later
appointed as head of the army’s educational command, is a suspect in
the `Internet Memorandum’ case.

January/02/2012

Tert.am, Armenia
Jan 1 2012

Turkish premier unable to stomach Armenian Genocide bill
14:16 – 01.01.12

Turkish Premier has once more criticized France for a bill
criminalizing the denial of Armenian Genocide.

No one must pursue policy of exploiting Turkey for electoral gains –
it is unacceptable. France is not considering its own role in the 1915
events – its provocations and logistical support to gangs, the Turkish
premier said in a televised addressed to the nation.
Recep Erdogan called for opening archives and stated Turkey is against
distorting historical facts.

Depending on France moves with respect to the Armenian Genocide bill,
Turkey will consistently implement retaliatory measures. `We are not
going to conceal anything. We are not against revealing historical
facts, but we are against distorting history,’ Erdogan said.