Author: Badalian Vardan

Armenia, Azeri presidents dispute at news conference in Tajikistan

September 3, 2011 – 16:03 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Karabakh settlement, free elections, security and
economic cooperation were discussed at recently completed CIS leaders’
summit in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

At news conference following the summit, Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan commented on Karabakh issue, noting that NKR could use its
right to self-determination, as Azerbaijan did in 1918.

Azerbaijani Prime Minister Artur Rasi-zadeh who substituted for
President Ilham Aliyev at the summit, retorted, stressing the
non-constructive position of the Armenian leader.

The issue wasn’t followed by any comments.

Dushanbe, Tajikistan hosted CIS leaders’ summit on September 2-3.

The presidents of Tajikistan, Armenia, Russia, Kazakhstan and
Turkmenistan attended the summit. Kirghizia and Moldova were
represented by transition president Roza Otunbayeva and acting
president Marian Lupu respectively. Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and
Byelorussia were represented by the countries’ prime ministers.

Re-Building Khatchkars

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 10:14:18 – 03/09/2011

Although repeated protests have been lodged by the Armenian
Authorities, petitions have been taken by various groups or sent by
numerous committees and individuals to most UNESCO offices worldwide
complaining about the systematic destruction of our Khatchkars, but
the issue remains ignored and every effort to preserve or renovate our
Khatchkars appears fruitless.

Maybe we, Armenians in the Diaspora, can create and build our own
Khatchkars in all the cemeteries of the world where Armenians have to
be buried, by erecting a Khatchkar instead of a Headstone upon which
all the details to be engraved on the headstone can be transferred,
making it a unique display which will remain forever for future
generations to see.

In every cemetery where an Armenian has to be buried, the headstone
carries the name , date of birth and death of that person and
invariably a Cross is always included , making that grave a
recognisable Christian grave .

WHY DON’T WE, ALL ARMENIANS IN THE DIASPORA, REPLACE OUR HEADSTONES
WITH A KHATCHKAR ?

I am confident that each community can sponsor and support financially
its resident Khatchkar Maker invited from Armenia and instead of
commissioning a Headstone, we can erect a Khatchkar engraved with our
own choice of design. The Armenian Clergy being involved with each
Armenian burial, will be therefore the appropriate Authority to
organise that commission.

I see sometimes strange engravings and objects displayed on various
headstones: there is even one where a stethoscope has been engraved,
in memory of the doctor buried underneath. Therefore Khatchkars –
which are a work of CHRISTIAN ART – will always be allowed, by the
Councils managing the cemeteries, to be installed on Armenian graves.

Let the Azeris and the Turks and the Kurds destroy our Khatchkars. We
will build them again and again and in countries where the destroyers
will have no access for impunity and demolition.

Odette Bazil
UK

Armenian Genocide bill may re-emerge on Knesset agenda after recess

September 3, 2011 – 12:47 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Members of Israel’s Knesset reacted angrily to the
downgrade in diplomatic relations with Turkey, the Jerusalem Post
reported.

`Turkey, who supports terrorist organizations that shoot rockets at
Israeli citizens every day, are those who need to apologize and take
responsibility,’ coalition chairman Ze’ev Elkin (Likud) said. `Turkey,
who cruelly represses the national longings of the Kurds are the last
ones who can preach to us.’

`Israel needs to stand strong before the chutzpah and the extortion of
Turkey’s Islamist government,’ Elkin added.

Likud MK Danny Danon said: `Turkey crossed the line in supporting the
flotilla and supporting terror, and they have the nerve to ask us for
apologies. Turkey needs to apologize to Israel and abandon the ways of
terror and the axis of evil.’ Danon also called for the US to declare
Turkey a state that supports terror, because of its close ties to
Iran.

MK Yohanan Plesner (Kadima) called the expulsion of Israel’s
ambassador to Turkey `a new low in our declining relations with Turkey
over the last two years.’

Kadima MK Otniel Schneller called for restraint in reacting to the
downgrade. `Our interest is to maintain relations with Turkey as much
as possible,’ he said. `This is in Israel’s interest and in the
interest of the entire Middle East. Israel has a responsibility to
maintain stability in the region.’

MK Arye Eldad (National Union) said Israel should expel the Turkish
ambassador and demand payment of damages to the soldiers injured
during the flotilla incident.

He added that he plans to propose a bill to recognize the Armenian
Genocide by the Turks, as soon as the Knesset recess ends.

WikiLeaks: Catholicos tells US Ambassador he is open to dialogue on churches

14:02 – 03.09.11

Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II told the US ambassador earlier
this year that the Armenian Apostolic (AAC) is willing to participate
in a joint commission with the Georgian Orthodox Church to discuss the
historical ownership of a number of disputed churches in the country.

According to a WikiLeaks-leaked confidential cable disclosing the
details of a February 17 conversation between Ambassador Marie
Yovanovich and Garegin II, the Armenian patriarch expressed
willingness to include in the discussion churches claimed by the
Georgians in Armenia. He told the Ambassador that she could share the
information with Embassy Tbilisi.

“The Catholicos expressed frustration over the condition of churches
claimed by the AAC in Georgia. The Catholicos said that many of these
churches are in danger of collapse, (and in fact the St. Gevork of
Mughni Armenian church did collapse last November (ref B)), but
because the churches are owned by the Government of Georgia (GOG), the
AAC is unable to undertake restoration work to prevent their further
deterioration. The Catholicos said the AAC owns only two churches in
Tbilisi: St. Gevork, which serves as the seat of the Diocese, and Holy
Etchmiadzin, where the AAC recently spent over $700,000 in
renovations. (Note: AAC “ownership” of these two churches is not in
the strictly legal sense, as there is no document conferring such
ownership. However, the two churches were the only Armenian churches
in Georgia allowed to operate during Soviet times, and the Georgian
authorities have continued to permit the AAC to use and refurbish them
since ndependence. End note.) He pointed out that ethnic Armenians in
Samtskhe-Javakheti use their own money to repair disputed churches and
then hold services in them, without asking for official permission.
The Catholicos considers
this an unsatisfactory – and risky – way of operating,” Yovanovich
said in her message.

Tert.am

Yerkir: Former chair of cultural foundation joins Marxist Party?

12:13 – 03.09.11

The paper says it has learned from sources that the former chair of
the One Nation, One Culture Foundation, Tamar Poghosyan, has joined
the Marxist Party of Armenia.

It says further that it did not manage to contact Poghosyan herself to
verify the report, but sources close to the Foundation reportedly said
their former chairwoman is now the deputy head of the party.

“Tamar Poghosyan is well known for her pessimism, something that the
Marxist party members, and their leader, David Hakobyan need badly,”
the paper comments.

Tert.am

Bako Sahakyn congratulates Karabakh people on Independence Day

11:52 – 03.09.11

President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR, Artsakh) Bako
Sahakyan has congratulated his people on the 20th anniversary of the
country’s independence.

“It was our nation’s centuries-old dream to re-establish its lost
statehood and have a free and independent homeland. Artsakh has always
been the bearer and pioneer of these ideas. There is no coincidence
that it symbolizes unity and the revivial of national
self-consciousness of the world spread Armenians,” he said in his
congratulatory address delivered in Stepanakert on Friday.

Recalling Karabakh people’s long and difficult path to freedom and
independence, Sahakyan praised the heroes of the Karabakh war who
spared no effort for the liberation of their land.

“On this holiday, we bow down to the memory of the brave sons of the
Armenian nation, who sacrificed their lives for our homeland’s bright
future. Eternal glory and honor to them!

Recalling the friends of Artsakh, I would like to express a deep
gratitude to them and to all those who have been with us in the 20
years of independence and helped us make our voices heard by the world
community. We are thankful to them for the invaluable support to
Artsakh,” the president added.

Tert.am

CIS Summit opens without Azeri president

11:18 – 03.09.11

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is not taking part the CIS Summit
that kicked off in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on Friday.

The country’s prime minister, Artur Rasizade has attended the meeting
instead. The Azeri leader is said to be offended by Russia’s policies
on Karabakh settlement.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan left for the Tajikistani capital on
Friday to attend the 20th summit of the former Soviet republics.

Tert.am

Darchinyan vs. Mbamba: Yerevan gets ready for first-ever professional
boxing fight

armradio.am
03.09.2011 16:05

The first-ever professional boxing bout will take place in Yerevan tonight.

Three-weight world title holder Vic Darchinyan will fight in Armenia
for the first time in his career tonight as he fulfils a lifelong
dream of defending a world title in the country of his origin.

The 35 year-old puts his IBO bantamweight belt on the line against
South African southpaw Evans Mbamba, 29, at the Karen Demirchyan
Sports Complex in Yerevan.

NATIONAL GALLERY TO HOST EXHIBITION ON ARMENIAN FOOTPRINTS IN BRAZIL

news.am
Sept 2 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – Embassy of Brazil in Armenia and the Ministry of Culture
with the support of Armenian-Brazilian community will hold an
exhibition “Armenian Footprints in Brazil.”

The exhibition will open on September 7 at the National Gallery of
Armenia as a part of events devoted to the Brazilian national holiday
and the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence.

The exhibition will present the Armenian community in Brazil where
they found shelter. Armenians contributed to the development of
the Brazilian society dealing with various spheres: business, art,
politics, and education.

ACTIVE OPERATIONS IN ARMENIAN FINANCIAL MARKET

news.am
Sept 2 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – This week foreign currency transactions grew more actively
in Armenian financial market.

According to the Central Bank, banks purchased a total of $81,5
million and sold $93,2 million between August 29 and September 2.

Increase in foreign currency transactions basically accounts for
growth of demand for stationery and other educational staff.

On August 22-28 banks provided loans in national currency in the
amount of AMD 25, 5 billion (around $70 million) and dollar loans of
$42 million. These figures are considered rather high on weekly basis.