Author: Badalian Vardan

ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS ARE ‘FROZEN ISSUE’ ON ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT’S AGENDA

Tert.am
24.10.11

The Armenian-Turkish protocols are a “burden” on the Armenian
Parliament’s agenda, passing from one session to another, Stepan
Safaryan, Chairman of the Heritage parliamentary group, stated in
Parliament.

He asked if the political majority plans to remove the issue from
the agenda. Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan said that the issue is within
the president’s frame of reference. “I am sure that he, being aware
of all the steps, will settle the issue in the course of time. He is
responsible for foreign policy and is better informed. If time comes,
a relevant proposal will certainly be put forward. So the protocols
are a ‘frozen issue’ on the agenda,” Abrahamyan said.

MOSCOW’S BLESSED CATHEDRAL: SARGSYAN ATTENDS CEREMONY AT LARGEST CHURCH COMPOUND OUTSIDE ARMENIA

News | 24.10.11 | 11:47

Photo:

Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan, who is in Moscow on a state visit
attended October 23 the ceremony of blessing of the newly constructed
Armenian Apostolic Church compound in Moscow and the ceremony of
consecration of the doom cross of the Cathedral, the press service
of the Armenian president reported.

Enlarge Photo President Serzh Sargsyan and his wife Rita Sargsyan
and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II attend the Cathedral dome
cross consecration ceremony in Moscow

The Armenian Church compound built in the center of Moscow occupies
territory of 1.32 hectares. The construction work based on a new
design commenced in 2006. The compound comprises the Cathedral, a
small Saint Cross church, the building of the Diocese administration,
reception and conference halls, and a museum. The structure is built
in the traditions of the Armenian national architecture. The Cathedral
is built of the rose-colored tuff, while the other structures – in
light apricot color tuff. The tuff has been delivered from the town
of Ani. The gem of the compound – Cathedral of rose-colored tuff –
is girded with crosses, statues and Mesporian letters.

The construction works of the Cathedral have been concluded and
now finishing works of the interior of the Cathedral and adjacent
structures are underway.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

October 21, 2011

_______________________________________________

A Celebration of Marriages at Holy Trinity Church IN CAMBRIDGE, MA

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), visited Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge, Mass., on
Sunday, October 16, as the community came together for a special celebration
in its yearlong observance of the church’s 50th anniversary.

Titled “A Day of Celebrating Marriages,” the gathering recognized couples
who were married at Holy Trinity Church over the past five decades.
Archbishop Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy, and at the conclusion of
the service offered a blessing to the couples and their families.

In his sermon, Archbishop Barsamian reflected on this year’s Diocesan theme
of “Ministry of the Faithful,” and noted that marriage is itself a ministry,
which encapsulates the spirit of the call to serve the Lord.

“Whenever two souls come together to form a single unit, it demands courage,
humility, sacrifice, and faith from both parties,” Archbishop Barsamian
said. “Each member in a marriage cares for, comforts, and supports the
other-and this activity is almost a perfect illustration of what true
ministry in Christ represents.”

The Primate also blessed the church’s wedding crowns, which recently
received a fresh layer of gold plating. During a champagne reception held
later in the afternoon, the crowns were at the center of an arrangement of
wedding photographs highlighting the many families that began their journey
at Holy Trinity Church.

David Maher, the mayor of Cambridge, extended congratulatory remarks to the
parish on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. Parish delegate James
Kalustian also offered a toast to Archbishop Barsamian on the occasion of
his 40th anniversary of ordination into the priesthood and his 60th
birthday.

“What better way to honor our parish’s 50th anniversary than celebrating
with our Primate,” said the Rev. Fr. Vasken Kouzouian, parish pastor. “What
was particularly joyful to witness was the fellowship that took place during
our reception-it resembled a family reunion.”

Holy Trinity Church was originally located on Shawmut Avenue in Boston. But
as families began moving to the suburbs in the boom of the post-war years,
the parishioners decided to relocate their church to Cambridge, where the
present building was consecrated in September 1961.

The parish is planning additional events as part of the 50th anniversary
year, with a series of programs scheduled for the spring and fall of 2012.

###

Photos attached.
Photo 1: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian blesses Holy Trinity Church’s wedding
crowns, which recently received a fresh layer of gold plating.
Photo 2: Archbishop Barsamian and Fr. Vasken Kouzouian with altar servers at
Holy Trinity Church.

PRESS RELEASE
United Nations Development Programme / Armenia
14 Petros Adamyan St., Yerevan 0010
Contact: Mr. Hovhannes Sarajyan, Communications Associate
Tel: +37410 566 073
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site:

Regional and Local Perspectives on Social Cohesion

Yerevan, 19 October 2011 – An estimated 35 percent of people in the
post-socialist countries of Europe and Central Asia (ECA) are excluded
from society, ranging from 12 percent of the population in The Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to 72 percent in Tajikistan.

UNDP’s Regional Human Development Report (RHDR) on social inclusion:
Beyond Transition: Towards Inclusive Societies looks at the vicious
cycle of poverty from the perspective of those who experience it
firsthand. It turns out that poverty is not just about money and
income.

“The report intends to initiate a discussion in the region and beyond
and focuses on what excludes people, and the ways that they can be
included in society. In our view, this is a promising way to achieve
our ultimate goal – improved human development through social
inclusion,” said Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP
Resident Representative in Armenia, during the launch of the RHDR at
“Erebuni-Plaza” Business Center in Yerevan.

According to data collected in a six country study (Kazakhstan,
Moldova, Serbia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
Tajikistan, and Ukraine) – in all countries but Tajikistan, access to
social services rather than economic exclusion was the biggest reason
people are left out of society. The surveys carried out in these
countries suggest that the elderly, children, youth, those living in
rural areas, and the unemployed and undereducated are being left out
of society.

Recommendations from the report include improved vocational education
and active labor market policies, radical improvement of services for
the elderly, and a region-wide overhaul of social protection, as
current social policies do not promote social inclusion. The report
also calls for each country in the region to develop a strategy to
promote social inclusion, based on involvement of people and groups
who are experiencing social exclusion.

“We want policy makers to know that they can help to lift people out
of poverty by increasing access to income, social services and social
networks,” said Balazs Horvath, UNDP Poverty Practice Leader in the
Regional Bureau for Europe and CIS.

As part of UNDP “Enhancing Dialogue and Trust Building in Armenia”
project, the social cohesion study in Armenia was also launched. The
research was carried out by UNDP, in partnership with the Caucasus
Resource Research Center (CRRC), and is the first comprehensive study
on social cohesion in contemporary Armenian society.

The nationwide survey was conducted with 3,200 adults over the age of
18 years old. UNDP’s goal was to initiate an in depth assessment of
the status of social cohesion based on quantitative and qualitative
surveys and consultations. In other words, the research gives, for the
first time, an understanding of social cohesion that is based on solid
evidence and analysis. The research identifies practical ways and
recommendations to improve social cohesion and calls for a renewed
local and national collaboration as the way forward.

The study has revealed that Armenia has a huge resource of social
cohesion at the level of families, local neighborhoods and
communities. However, this resource is almost solely utilized to
address the problems of individuals or families. At the level of
community infrastructure, this resource remains idle, primarily due to
the lack of ownership of anything which goes beyond households,
e.g. community roads, school playgrounds, public parks or forests
adjacent to communities.

Based on the findings of the research, the spirit of survey’s
recommendations to policy makers on national and local levels is that
any projects aimed at improving the lives of people – in every sphere
ranging from healthcare to construction – should include careful
planning of interaction with communities to ensure their engagement in
the process and ownership of the results. The implementation of such
policies will not require additional resources, but utilizing the
existing ones, which ultimately will lead to multiplier effects on
community level and beyond.

The study provides with Social Exclusion Index – a tool developed
within the framework of RHDR “Beyond Transition: Towards Inclusive
Societies” – a mechanism for policy makers to consider the social
exclusion component while drafting regional development programs. Its
application for regions in Armenia identifies Yerevan with the lowest
level of social exclusion, while Gegharkunik region has the highest
rate of social exclusion.

“This research is only the very initial step. UNDP expects that it
will trigger a countrywide discourse and more research. To that end,
we will share the available database with the government, think tanks,
universities and research centers across Armenia. UNDP expects this
exercise to influence decision-making processes at all levels with the
ultimate aim to equip national and local authorities with
comprehensive social cohesion strategies,” concluded Dafina Gercheva.

***
UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and
connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help
people build a better life. We are on the ground in 177 countries,
working with them on their own solutions to global and national
development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on
the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners. UNDP in Armenia was
established in 1993 and supports the Government of Armenia to reach
its own development priorities and the Millennium Development Goals by
2015.

Trend, Azerbaijan
Oct 21 2011

Russia and West interested in promoting negotiations over Nagorno-Karabakh

21 October 2011, 18:15 (GMT+05:00) Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 21 / Trend
E.Tariverdiyeva/

Both Russia and Europe and the United States have objective interests
in promoting the negotiating process and neutralizing risks of
resumption of military actions in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone,
member of Azerbaijani parliamentary committee on international and
inter-parliamentary relations, MP Rasim Musabeyov told Trend.

“However, Russia wants not to hurt Armenian partners and promote its
goals in the region, and then Moscow’s interests clash with the
interests of the West,” said a member of Trend Expert Council
Musabeyov, commenting on Russian leader’s recent statement.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev assured on Oct. 20 that Moscow will
continue to assist in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, but the
two nations should seek for an agreement. Russian President stated
that Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is one of the several frozen conflicts
in Europe that can be solved, RIA Novosti reported.

According to Musabeyov, much in the future will depend on difficult
economic and demographic situation of Armenia, which should encourage
Yerevan to restrain from its appetites in the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

“Azerbaijan has objective concerns and questions to which it can not
receive satisfactory answers. And although the issue of
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains on the agenda and the negotiations
should be continued, it is not worth to count on speedy breakthrough
in the peace process,” said the expert.

According to him, Russia’s next president will have to start to deal
with priority policy issues, which do not include the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.

“If most likely candidate – the current prime minister and former
president Vladimir Putin comes to power in Russia, he, as a sane
person, would realize the importance of Azerbaijan and will have to
try to pave the way for a compromise. But this is unlikely to happen
soon,” Musabeyov said.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. – are
currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

Marin Independent-Journal
Oct 23 2011

Sorry, Simitian, no more summering in Azerbaijan

Cross Azerbaijan off state Sen. Joe Simitian’s list of future travel
destinations. The Azerbaijan government has banned the Palo Alto
Democrat from returning after his visit last month as part of a
California delegation.

We first wondered which Democratic Party honchos Simitian had hacked
off to draw such an assignment. Azerbaijan, a Minnesota-sized republic
on the western shores of the Caspian Sea between Russia and Iran,
isn’t exactly Monte Carlo. The CIA describes it as a place beset with
territorial disputes, corruption and authoritarianism.

In other words, a lot like Sacramento.

But the earnest senator is such a foreign affairs junkie that he not
only wanted to join the Senate Office of International Relations
delegation — a trip, he notes, that wasn’t billed to taxpayers — he
also extended his trip on personal time.

That’s where Simitian ran afoul of the Azerbaijan government.
Simitian, of Armenian descent, tacked on a visit to Nagorno-Karabakh,
a primarily Armenian-populated region east of neighboring Armenia.
Azerbaijan claims the territory and has been fighting with Armenia
over Nagorno-Karabakh for decades.

Azerbaijan leaders saw Simitian’s subsequent travel to the region
without their permission as a snub. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry
publicly announced earlier this month that Simitian would be
blacklisted from the country for his disrespect, with a ministry
spokesman reportedly calling it shameful that a lawmaker would violate
another country’s laws.

Azerbaijan’s requirement that foreigners seek its permission before
visiting Nagorno-Karabakh is about as widely disregarded as Simitian’s
law banning drivers from yakking into hand-held cellphones. But
Simitian said his high profile as a state official made him stand out.

Simitian said he was aware that visiting the disputed territory could
trigger a ban on future travel, but that U.S. officials told him it
was “entirely lawful” for him to do so. He has since spoken with
Azerbaijani officials and they agreed to disagree on the matter in a
conversation he described as “cordial.” He told them they’re always
welcome in Sacramento.

“The world is a complicated place,” Simitian said. “To the extent we
understand each other better, that’s a good thing.”

Azerbaijan keeps violating ceasefire on Contact Line

14:43 – 22.10.11

The Azerbaijani armed forces violated the ceasefire on the Contact
Line with Nagorno-Karabakh (NKR) 180 times within the past week.

According to a press release by the NKR Defense Army, the frontline
subdivisions of the Azerbaijani army opened more than 1,000 gunfires
on the defense positions of Karabakh.

More intensive violations were observed on October 18, with the enemy
releasing around 200 gunshots.

The NKR anti-air defense forces also observed unmanned drones
belonging to the Azerbaijani army in the above period.
Despite the enemy’s activeness, the Defense Army refrained from
retaliation, establishing surveillance both on land and air.

Tert.am

6-7 new documents to be signed during Armenian President’s state visit o Russia

October 23, 2011 – 15:29 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – President Serzh Sargsyan’s state visit to Russia in
response to Dmitry Medvedev’s state visit to Armenia a year ago
testifies to extremely cordial relations between our countries,
reported Armenian Foreign Minister, Edward Nalbandian in an interview
with Interfax. According to Nalbandian, forty high-level meetings have
been recorded for the past three years. When Government heads meet
more than 40 times, they have a lot to talk about. A discussion of
wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues is on the
agenda of the upcoming state visit, noted Nalbandian. According to
Armenian Foreign Minister there is a solid legal base between Russia
and Armenia. `More than 200 agreements have been reached, new ones are
prepared, the old ones are updated’, he noted adding that the
six-seven new documents will be signed during Sargsyan’s state visit
to Russia.

Armenian-Russian alliance, strategic relations cannot be stable
without deep ties between the nations, without mutual sympathy and
warm ties between nations’, reports INTERFAX.RU.

Turkey’s inclusion in Karabakh settlement is Turkish phantasmagoria –
Nalbandian

12:29 – 23.10.11

There is no need to change the OSCE Minsk Group format over the
Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian has said in an interview with the Russian news agency
Interfax.

Speaking about Turkey’s intentions to be involved in mediation efforts
over the Karabakh conflict, Nalbandian said it is `Turkish
phantasmagoria’.

`Regarding Turkey, I think it is Turkish phantasmagoria. When it comes
to changing the format, there is no such need,’ Nalbandian was quoted
as saying.

Asked whether the Armenia-Turkey reconciliation would continue,
Nalbandian said that the `ball is in Turkey’s court’.

`I would like to remind the numerously-stated statement that Armenia
has walked down half of the way, and the ball is in Turkey’s court,’
said Nalbandian.

`Turkey should deliver on those obligations it has assumed in front of
the international community,’ he added.

According to Nalbandian, this `view has been stated and is being
stated by the leaders of several states and international
organizations.’

`We share this view completely,’ Nalbandian added.

Tert.am

Armenian woman boxer wins silver in Rotterdam

13:17 – 23.10.11

Armenian boxer Armine Sinabyan has won a silver medal at the European
Women Boxing Championship held in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

According to the Armenian sports news website Armsport, Sinabyan
(64kg) lost to Gulzum Tatar from Turkey at 4:10 score in the final.
Four Armenian women boxers were taking part in this championship in
Netherlands.

Sinabyan, who currently lives in Sweden, was the only Armenian athlete
to win a medal.

Haykuhi Nahapetyan, Karine Gevorgyan and Ashkhen Simonyan lost in
their first battles and were left out of competition.

Tert.am