Author: Badalian Vardan

ARA ABRAHAMYAN AND SAMVEL KARAPETYAN – LAUREATES OF “MAN OF THE YEAR-2011” AWARDING

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 16, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS: Chairman of the Union of Armenians
of Russia and World Armenian Congress Ara Abrahamyan and Chairman of
“Tashir” company Samvel Karapetyan have been recognized laureates of
“Man of the Year-2011” national awarding. The Union of Armenians of
Russia told Armenpress that the awarding ceremony was held in “The
Savior” church, Moscow.

“Man of the Year-2011” has been established in 1993. The more worthy
citizens of Russia and foreign states, who have made outstanding
contribution to development of Russia in the spheres pf politics,
religion, economy, science, education, culture, medicine and innovative
production, are awarded with this diploma and silver cross.

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia His Holiness Kirill, Russian Prime
Minister Vladmir Putin, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin and others are
among the laureates of “Man of the Year-2011” national awarding.

TURKS SECRETLY LISTENING TO AZNAVOUR MUSIC

PanARMENIAN.Net
December 16, 2011 – 17:11 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Turkish Posta daily’s representative Hakan Celik
reported an amusing incident which occurred during a traditional
meeting of Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leaders.

During MHP’s news conference in Ankara’s Shraton Hotel, world-known
Armenian chansonnier Charles Aznavour’s “Hier Encore” was played in
the background.

“The nationalists would have been rather uneasy, did they recognize
the singer known for his harsh political views,” Celik noted.

MILITARY-PATRIOTIC UPBRINGING UNDER THE LIMELIGHT OF MINISTRIES OF DEFENSE AND EDUCATION

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 16, 2011
YEREVAN

Armenian ministers of defense and education and science summed up
today the passing year at the “Issues of Military-Patriotic upbringing
of the Growing Generation and ways of their Solution” conference
conducted in the new building of Matenadaran. Minister of Defense
Seyran Ohanyan noted that thanks to collaborative efforts success
has been registered during the recent years. Ministries of defense,
education and science are leading establishments interested in the
patriotic upbringing, Seyran Ohanyan said.

Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan said the issue of
military-patriotic upbringing preserves its up-to-datedness even during
the development of the society. He noted that the defense, spiritual
and education systems are mainly being attacked in the information
wars. “Our goal is to protect these systems as much as possible. We
will not allow our generations to divert from the systems taking to
the formation of a complete citizen,” Ashotyan said.

NKR Education and Science Minister Vladik Khachatryan highlighted the
patriotic upbringing among the young people. “We are a country that
saw a war, it is necessary to make joint efforts,” the minister noted.

The minister said it is necessary to start patriotic upbringing from
low grades.

CIRCLE OF SUPPOSED CRIMINALS ON ARTAK NAZARYAN’S CASE IS ALREADY KNOWN

arminfo
Friday, December 16, 15:06

The circle of the supposed criminals on Lieutenant of Armenian Armed
Forces Artak Nazaryan’s case, killed in the army, is already known but
not made public for the benefit of investigation, the lawyer of the
Nazaryan’s family, Ruben Martirosyan, said at today’s press-conference.

He also added that he directed many applications to the prosecutor
general with a request to initiate a criminal case, but the prosecutor
general did not do that and directed the applications to the court.

“Our applications were directed to the court which actually does not
have powers to initiate a criminal case. And prosecutor Harutyun
Harutyunyan hinders impartial investigation of the case”, – the
lawyer said.

To recall, Artak Nazaryan was killed on 27 July 2010 at the military
position “Gozlu”. The preliminary investigation in the Investigation
Service of Armenian Defence Ministry ended and the case qualified
like “stimulation of suicide” was directed to the court. Meanwhile,
Artak Nazaryan’s relatives insist on wrong holding of the preliminary
investigation up to falsification of facts.

TROUBLE IN THE REGION: RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE IN ARMENIA AS FACTOR IN POSSIBLE WAR ON IRAN
By Naira Hayrumyan

ArmeniaNow correspondent
16.12.11 | 14:20

The United States has stepped up sanctions against Iran amid ongoing
information preparations for the possible application of force against
Iran. Both the Islamic Republic and Russia, which remains a major
player in the region, have warned that a military strike against
Teheran may entail unpredictable consequences.

But Russia has gone further and, in fact, stated that it will take
part in the possible war, because it may affect its vital interests.

Among these ‘vitally interests’ for Russia may also be its military
base, which is located in Armenia and which also has the functions
of protecting the security of the South Caucasus ally.

The influential Russian Nezavisimaya Gazeta newspaper published
an article on Thursday quoting sources as saying that the situation
forming around Syria and Iran “causes Russia to expedite the course of
improvement of its military groups in the South Caucasus, the Caspian,
Mediterranean and Black Sea regions.” The paper quotes sources at the
military department as saying that the Kremlin has been receiving
information about plans for a U.S.-backed Israeli strike against
Iran’s nuclear facilities. “The strike will be a sudden one and will
happen soon, but the data is unspecified. Tehran’s response is likely
to be quick, too, with the possibility of a full-scale war, whose
consequences could be unpredictable,” the Russian newspaper writes.

“Military base 102 [situated in Gyumri, Armenia] is a key point,
Russia’s outpost in the South Caucasus. It occupies a very important
geopolitical position. But the Kremlin fears lest it should lose this
situation,” the periodical adds.

Remarkably, the Russian newspaper suggests a new war is possible
between Russia and Georgia. It says that Georgia now blocks the only
land transportation route for Russian military cargoes meant for the
military base in Armenia, and even fuel now has to be obtained from
Iran. “In fact, the Russian-Armenian group in the South Caucasus is
already isolated. The war in Iran would mean the cutting of supplies
through this channel.”

Russia has also decided to “strike” Azerbaijan, dropping hints that
it is from its territory that Israel might attack Iran. On Thursday
it was officially stated in Baku that Azerbaijan will not be used
as a springboard for an attack on Iran. But military expert Colonel
Vladimir Popov thinks that in such a situation Azerbaijan may also
solve some of its problems as well.

“If against the background of the war in Iran, Azerbaijan, with the
support of Turkey, attacks Armenia, then, of course, all the attacks of
the enemy aircraft against Armenia will be resisted by Russia together
with air defense units of the armed forces of Armenia. It is hard
to say whether this will be considered as Moscow’s participation in
military operations. Undoubtedly, Russian troops will not participate
in hostilities in the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. But in the
event of a military threat to Armenia, for example, from Turkey or
Azerbaijan, Russia is likely to engage in ground battles,” says Popov.

SERZH’S WEAPON IS HIS LONELINESS
Hayk Aramyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 12:51:16 – 16/12/2011

Serzh Sargsyan is alone, completely alone with his coalition,
opposition and state figures. This situation has occurred objectively.

The system which has been shaping the Armenian political class for
two decades, including Serzh Sargsyan, collapsed in the result of
home and foreign events but there is no replacement. No replacement
is there because the Armenian political class is a conglomerate of
political adventurers, criminals and small vendors which is unable
to work out and propose solutions both at home and foreign front terms.

The political class was used to a situation when others made decisions
for it, and it gets its “share” from the feeder. Declared as political
forces, the political and criminalized business interfered in the
management of the country which dictated their rules and laws.

So, the “blessed life” ended hit by new developments. And it is found
out that the political and criminalized business “elite” are confused,
not knowing what to do in the new situation.

Under these conditions, when they need to take a decision, they
evidently fail because no similar mechanism has ever been introduced
in Armenia. For example, BHP keeps mysterious silence, failing to
announce whether it is with Serzh Sargsyan, the Congress, Kocharyan
or alone. ARFD reminds vendors standing in line at night in front of
a wholesale market who think what to buy. Now and then, the Congress
makes proposals first to the BHP, then to Serzh Sargsyan. The RPA
does not understand whether to work with Serzh Sargsyan or Robert
Kocharyan. Let alone the other parties.

Most people affirm that Serzh Sargsyan, for his part does not know
what to do. He also needs to determine with who he needs to cooperate.

Unlike the political forces, Serzh Sargsyan’s situation is dual. On
the one hand, the former methodology of the system “overwhelms”
him because he is not used to other mechanisms. On the other hand,
he cannot ignore all the changes in home and foreign spheres in the
result of which a completely new situation has occurred.

All of Serzh Sargsyan’s statements and steps, or their absence rather,
accelerate the degradation of the system. Everyone is dissatisfied with
him, including his political party. Evidently, Serzh Sargsyan is not
doing it on purpose. On the contrary, he is trying to build a system
to replace the former one. But the charm of the situation is that
the former system does not allow it and the “systemic” crisis persists.

This is a chance for the society, in the sense that it has the
time and possibility to return its legal right to participate in
the country’s life. Most people in Armenia alarm “systemic crisis”
but they do not explain the meaning of preservation of this system,
and the interests of the society regarding it. Does the society have
a chance to realize its legal rights under this system, or can the
representatives of the system which seized this right for decades
give such guarantees to the society for the future?

Of course, there are concerns relating to the outcome of all this. But
the society’s task is to be consistent with the situation. As to
Serzh Sargsyan, his real weapon is his loneliness which will either
lead to his inglorious departure, or make him resort to the society’s
assistance. Serzh Sargsyan has no other way.

TURKISH FM DISCUSSES BILL ON ARMENIAN ALLEGATIONS REGARDING 1915 INCIDENTS WITH POLISH AMBASSADOR

Anadolu Agency
Dec 15 2011
Turkey

Ankara: Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu discussed the bill
on Armenian allegations regarding 1915 incidents with the ambassador
of EU term president Poland.

Davutoglu told Polish ambassador to Turkey Marcin Wilczek that
initiative at the French parliament on draft law criminalizing
rejection of Armenian allegations pertaining to the incidents of 1915
was unacceptable.

Officials said Davutoglu, who met with Wilczek over a luncheon,
told him that the matter must not be taken up by politicians but
by historians.

The initiative in France aimed to restrict freedoms of expression
and thought, he said.

The meeting also focused on visa procedure for Turkish citizens,
the latest developments in Cyprus issue and Turkey-EU relations,
officials added.

TURKEY MAKES HISTORIC WARNING TO FRANCE ABOUT ARMENIAN ALLEGATIONS

Anadolu Agency
Dec 16 2011
Turkey

Turkey’s prime minister sent on Friday a letter to French president
in order to warn the country about Armenian allegations regarding
the incidents of 1915.

In his historic letter of warning to Nicolas Sarkozy, Premier Recep
Tayyip Erdogan said common sense should prevail political concerns
in bilateral relations.

Erdogan said Turkish-French relations should not be harmed by demands
of third parties.

“This is a sensitive and serious issue, and it is important for common
sense to prevail over political concerns,” Erdogan said.

Erdogan’s letter came after a French resolution criminalizing rejection
of Armenian allegations pertaining to the incidents of 1915.

The premier said such initiatives would have grave impact on
multilateral relations between Turkey and France, and noted that
Turkey had exchanged views on several issues with President Sarkozy.

Erdogan said Turkey and France could not reach compromise on some
issues but signed agreements on some common issues.

Premier Erdogan quoted Sarkozy as saying during one of their former
meetings that after the French Parliament adopted a resolution
criminalizing denial of Armenian allegations, he did not bring it up
to the Senate and to make things more grave.

Erdogan said Turkey was disappointed with the new initiative, and
was closely monitoring the developments.

“This resolution directly targets at Turkish state, nation and
community living in France, and is hostile,” he said.

Erdogan said resolution on denial of Armenian allegations not only
violates freedom of thought and expression but also contradicts
principles supported by France.

“Adoption of such a resolution will seriously limit freedom of
expression of people who have a different perspective on the Armenian
issue. Moreover, such initiatives do not contribute to discussion of
this historical conflict between Turkey and Armenia through dialogue,
but instead it prevents efforts to reveal the realities,” Erdogan said.

Erdogan said Turkish diplomats and state officials were a target of
Armenian terrorism in France in 1970s and 1980s, and this was still
fresh in Turkish people’s memories.

“I sincerely hope that you will keep your promise that such resolutions
will not be concluded, and prevent steps that are impossible to be
compensated,” Erdogan also said.

A French parliamentary commission adopted a resolution on Armenian
allegations regarding the incidents of 1915 last week. The resolution
will be voted at the general assembly on December 19.

The resolution envisages “one-year prison term and 45,000 Euro fine
for those who deny genocide recognized by French laws.”

The French Parliament ratified a resolution saying that “France
recognizes the Armenian genocide of 1915” on January 29, 2011.

A SWEET STORY FROM CORK

Irish Times

Dec 17 2011

Our man in South SudanWeekly wisdomMade by an Armenian in the city
of Cork, Hadji Beys Turkish delight has a story that beggars belief,
writes MARIE-CLAIRE DIGBY

HADJI BEYS TURKISH DELIGHT, made in Cork city by an Armenian, Harutun
Batmazian, who arrived in the city in 1902 as an exile fleeing the
pogroms sweeping across the Ottoman empire, was once one of Ireland’s
most successful exports, selling in Harrods of London and Macy’s in
New York, and being supplied to Buckingham Palace.

The opulent pink and yellow boxes, embossed in silver, went back
on shop shelves last year when Newbridge confectionery maker Leo
Cummins re-established the brand, 40 years after Eddie Batmazian,
Harutun’s son, closed the business in Cork.

Hadji Bey Milseain na Tuirce i gCorcaigh is a TG4 documentary directed
by RoseAnn Foley and presented by her sister Catherine Foley, which
tells the story of Batmazian and his exotic sweetmeats. It is being
screened tomorrow at 9.30pm (repeated on Wednesday at 11.30pm).

The film includes rarely viewed footage of Cork city in the early
1900s by filmmakers Mitchell Kenyon, with contributions from historian
and writer Diarmuid Ó Drisceol, TV presenter and producer Pat Butler,
writer Prof Alan Titley, and Pol Ruiseil of Ionad na Gaeilge Labhartha,
the Centre for Oral Irish, at UCC.

Two of Batmazian’s grandchildren, Dolores Cunningham and Derek
O’Sullivan, also feature, and describe the difficulties their
grandfather and his wife Esther had to overcome in their early years
in Cork.

Having fled persecution in their homeland, the couple were mistakenly
identified as Turks by soldiers returning from the first World War,
and their shop on Lower Glanmire Road was burned down. When they
reopened on McCurtain Street, Batmazian had a legal document drawn up,
called Live and Let Live, which he hoped would explain his heritage
and protect his business. In the event, his superior confectionery,
made with ingredients imported from all over the world, spoke for
itself, and became a firm favourite in Ireland and beyond.

Hadji Bey: Milseain na Tuirce i gCorcaigh is on TG4 tomorrow at 9.30pm
and repeated Wednesday, December 21st, 11.30pm

ERDOGAN URGES SARKOZY TO BLOCK ARMENIAN GENOCIDE LEGLISATION

Bloomberg

Dec 16 2011

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan asked French President
Nicolas Sarkozy to block legislation criminalizing denial of the
Armenian genocide in 1915, according to state-run Anatolia news agency.

Passage of the measure would have “perilous” results for the two
countries’ political, economic and cultural ties, Erdogan wrote in a
letter to Sarkozy, according to the news agency. Erdogan said he hopes
Sarkozy will stand by promises to prevent the bill from becoming law,
the agency said.

The French parliament will vote Dec. 22 on a measure that would punish
people saying that the events of 1915 aren’t genocide by a year in
prison and a 45,000 euro fine ($59,000), the agency reported yesterday.

The Turkish government denies that any genocide occurred, saying tens
of thousands of ethnic Turks and Armenians died in clashes during World
War I under the Ottoman Empire after Armenian groups sided with Russia.