Author: Badalian Vardan

ARF Between Principles and Quotas

Naira Hayrumyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 15:17:01 – 20/08/2011

The ARF-D Central Committee of West America made serious allegations
against President Sargsyan. The ARF of California refused to attend
the reception which will be organized in Los Angeles on the 20th
anniversary of independence of Armenia, `in honor of President Serzh
Sargsyan’. ARF-D accuses Serzh Sargsyan of leading the country to
social collapse, causing people to emigrate, yielding in the Karabakh
issue and relations with Turkey, discrediting the idea of
independence.

Giro Manoyan, the head of the ARF-D Bureau Office of Political
Affairs, has already issued a disclaimer, noting that `Armenian’ ARF-D
disagrees with this position, and does not think the 20th anniversary
of independence should be used for similar statements. For their part,
the `American’ ARF-D thinks the 20th anniversary of independence
cannot be used for honoring a discredited president.

The American ARF-D’s refusal to support Serzh Sargsyan may lead to an
interesting transformation.

It has been brought up for a number of times that the economic
disaster in Armenia, oligopolies, `criminal’ laws, imitation of
democracy is rooted in the dependence of the Armenian government of
Russia where the vicious soviet traditions persist. It has been
brought up for a number of times that the Western Diaspora may help
change the social and political psychology in Armenia. But so far, the
Diaspora has been reluctant to interfere with the process in Armenia,
accepted its government as symbols of the homeland.

The Diaspora is divided by their support of one political party or
another, and the ARF-D has influence on a significant part of
Armenians living outside Armenia. In this context, rejection of Serzh
Sargsyan by pro-ARF-D Armenians traditionally supporting the Armenian
government may influence general moods in the Diaspora.

The government of Armenia may say they don’t need the support of the
American Diaspora and they will be right to some extent because in the
past few years the government became reliant on the Armenian Russian
tycoons. And this is only one side of the issue.

The other side is the approach of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun itself. In
the past few years, the leadership of the party moved to Yerevan,
accreted with the government, receiving both economic and political
quotas. Sometimes, the Armenian leadership of the party, despite the
opinion of the ARF-D worldwide, openly or tacitly supported the
Armenian government. Even though the ARF-D left the coalition, it did
not demand the president’s resignation and did not take abrupt action.
The behavior of the ARF-D in Armenia regarding the Armenian-Turkish
normalization was softer than outside Armenia.

Despite few seats in parliament and small electorate, the Armenian
government needs the ARF-D’s support. At the same time, the Armenian
Dashnaktsutyun would hardly wish to lose its quotas and be pushed out
of the way. The statement of the ARF-D of West America will certainly
give rise to questions to `local’ Dashnaktsutyun. They will either
have to announce that they do not share positions or they agree with
the evaluation of their American friends. This would lead to a
break-up with the government, resulting in a new division of property
and business.

ARF-D may announce that the CC of West America said nothing new, and
`local’ Dashnaktsutyun has announced the same thing for a number of
times but less roughly. But obviously, it will not be true.
Dashnaktsutyun in Yerevan has never boycotted any event which was
attended by Serzh Sargsyan.

The ARF-D may also say that the statement was agreed with the `local’
leadership and was a so-called precaution in case the ruling coalition
and the Armenian National Congress reach agreement and `divide’ seats
in parliament. ARF-D warns that it will not silence.

Bar Association to Hold Meeting in Detroit

Sat, Aug 20 2011

By: Betty Apigian-Kessel

It may interest you to know that we have an active Armenian Bar
Association here in the metro Detroit area. If you look through the
listings in the yellow pages, you will be impressed by the sheer
number of attorneys whose names end in `ian,’ male and female alike.

The exciting news is that the Armenian Bar Association will be holding
its Mid-Year Meeting in downtown Detroit from Sept. 22-24. Plans have
been made to assure that those attending will always remember Detroit
as a city that treats its guests in a warm and welcoming Mid-Western
fashion. You’ll be happy you decided to attend.

According to attorney Kathryn Ossian, a Bar Association Board member,
the official kickoff reception will be held on Friday evening at the
firm of Miller Canfield on Jefferson Ave. Guests will dine on
delicious Middle Eastern cuisine with continuous entertainment by the
Les Williams Trio playing Motown favorites. Jazz violinist, the
incomparable Harry Hovakimian, will be offering sweet Armenian
melodies.

On Saturday, the business meeting will take place at the Detroit
Marriott at the Renaissance Center, located on the Detroit River with
Windsor, Ontario just across the river – a really lovely sight,
particularly in the evening with thousands of lights reflecting off
the river. The Renaissance Center is also General Motors’ world
headquarters.

The first panel of the day will focus on `Birthright Armenia,’ a
non-profit organization that offers diasporan young adults the
opportunity for true cultural immersion in Armenia. Panelists Linda
Yepoyan, the executive director, and Mandy Ani Messer, a 2009
participant, will enlighten the audience about the organization and
share their experiences in Armenia.

The second panel will be on `The Use of Economic Experts in
Litigation.’ Panelists Mick Kahayian, director of Stout Risius, will
present the expert perspective, and attorney Richard Apkarian,
partner, Dickinson Wright, will offer the litigator perspective on the
topic. The final panel will discuss corporate compliance and the
foreign corrupt practices act. Panelists Richard Hartunian, U.S.
attorney, Albany, N.Y., Joe Papelian, deputy general counsel, Delphi
Corporation, and Tom Cranmer, principal and managing director, Miller
Canfield, will offer varying perspectives from the corporate,
prosecutorial, and defense side of this important topic.

Saturday night’s optional dinner will be held at Fishbone’s in
Detroit’s popular and colorful `Greektown.’ Other optional events are
also planned. On Thursday night, for example, you’ll be able to join
the group in Miller Canfield’s Comerica Park suite to see the Detroit
Tigers take on the Baltimore Orioles. On Friday, the group will take a
tour of the historic Ford Motor Rouge factory, always an exciting and
educational opportunity where visitors can see F-150 Trucks being
assembled in a state-of-the-art plant.

Downtown Detroit offers three casinos for trying your luck, fine
restaurants, a world-class art institute, and other cultural venues
should one wish to extend his/her visit.

Registration is now open. Don’t miss out on the 2011 Mid-Year Meeting
in Motown. For more information, go to

***

Kathryn Ossian provided me with information on this upcoming event.
She is currently the only Board member from Michigan, serving since
May 2010. She is also chairing the planning committee for this
meeting, assisted by eight Armenian attorneys located in southeast
Michigan and one in Toronto, an associate in her firm’s Toronto
office.

Ossian is a principal and leader of Miller Canfield’s Information
Technology Team, as well as deputy leader of the Litigation and
Dispute Resolution Practice Group, with over 25 years of extensive
experience negotiating and drafting software licensing agreements,
distribution, maintenance and other information technology agreements,
computer law, and intellectual property dispute resolution.

She is a certified faculty member at the University of Phoenix,
teaching graduate-level business law courses. She is listed in the
information technology law Section of `The Best Lawyers in America,’
as well as in `Michigan Super Lawyers.’ Ossian is a frequent speaker
and has published several articles relating to her areas of practice.
She graduated magna cum laude from the Detroit College of Law and has
been a licensed attorney since 1984.

***

The Armenian Bar Association was formed in 1989 to provide an arena
for lawyers of Armenian heritage and other interested individuals to
come together socially and professionally to address the legal
concerns of the Armenian community.

Based in southern California are Edvin Minassian, Armenian Bar
Association chair, and Jackie Boyadjian, executive director.

To receive the special room rate of $104 per night, available Thursday
through Sunday, reference the Armenian Bar Association group code
`abmabma.’ Call the hotel at (313) 568-8000 or

(888) 236-2427. The deadline for reservations is Thurs., Sept. 1.

My thanks to Krista Lacata Haroutunian of Bingham Farms law firm of
Haroutunian, Lacata, Haroutunian for introducing me to Kathryn Ossian
of Miller Canfield, so that I could inform Weekly readers of the
accomplishments of our fellow Hyes in the world of law.

Armenian soldier commits suicide in army?

15:27 – 20.08.11

A soldier in a military unit of Armenia was reported dead on Friday.

According to a press release by the Ministry of Defense, Vardan
Sevyan, 20, committed suicide, reportedly with firearm.

A criminal case has been launched. An investigation is underway.

Tert.am

ARF-D of West America Against Serzh Sargsyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 14:19:16 – 20/08/2011

ARF-D Central Committee of West America congratulated the Armenian
people on the 20th anniversary of independence

In the statement the ARF-D CC welcomes the efforts of the Armenian
Consulate General to Los Angeles which organizes a series of events to
mark the holiday. A solemn reception in honor of President Serzh
Sargsyan will be organized at the Beverley Hills Hotel. In this
connection, the CC noted the presence of Serzh Sargsyan, as well as
the reception organized in his honor, may discredit the idea of
independence and play down the struggle of our people for justice.

`The Independence Day cannot be a reason to honor a disreputable
president `thanks to’ whose policy independent Armenia is getting
bogged deeper and deeper for the sake of the reproduction of the
regime. Gross violations of human rights, lack of justice and
independence of the judicial system and an unhealthy climate have
annihilated the belief of the Armenian people in justice and
independence. The oligarchs who have taken in their hands the economic
system based on monopolies and the leverages of the parliament and
government continue to oppress people. The level of social injustice
and poverty cause the citizens of Armenia to emigrate, seeking their
future elsewhere,’ the statement runs.

We cannot honor a president who surrendered in the issue of Artsakh
and announced ready to hand over the territories set down in the NKR
Constitution. We cannot honor a president who has led Armenia along
the humiliating and defeatist path for normalization of relations with
Turkey, the ARF-D CC of West America announced. Hence, the CC declared
to boycott the reception `in honor of Serzh Sargsyan’.

Hraparak: As long as Sargsyan is police chief

11:03 – 20.08.11

The paper says that the Head of Staff of Armenia’s Police, Edward
Ghazaryan, was relieved of his position in May after he turned 63.

However, the paper claims, the Police Chief Alik Sargsyan, who treats
Ghazaryan with special attention, has appointed him as his advisor,
and Ghazaryan continues to head that department.

Further, the paper says that the staff department has no head, while
Alik Sargsyan has said that as long as he is in that position,
Ghazaryan will be the head of staff.

The paper claims that they have found a way to evade the law:
Ghazaryan is not the chief of staff but is doing the duties of the
chief of staff, while the chief of police does not appoint new person
to that position.

Tert.am

Haykakan Zhamanak: Law enforcers commit 3 suicides within a week

10:18 – 20.08.11

The paper claims that David Avetisyan, a resident of Kuchak village in
Aragatsotn province and an officer of the Police Patrol Service of the
Republic of Armenia, committed suicide by hanging himself on August
15.

The relatives of Avetisyan, 25, told their fellow villagers that
before committing suicide he received a phone call and left the house
to answer it. Some time later he was found hanged.

Further, the paper mentioned that this is the third occasion when an
officer of law enforcement bodies is committing suicide in the recent
week.

On August 16, the paper continues, 37-year-old prosecutor Aram
Grigoryan committed suicide near the grave of his mother by shooting
himself.

On August 18 the body of 41-year-old Tonik Harutyunyan was found in
the Botanical Garden in Yerevan. According to the preliminary version,
the paper claims, Harutyunyan had taken several pills.

Tert.am

REVUE DE PRESSE
A Deir Ezzor, un semblant de normalité

Au nord-est de la Syrie, sur les rives de l’Euphrate, Deir Ezzor n’a
pas été épargnée par la contestation qui s’est emparée depuis la
mi-mars de la plupart des villes moyennes du pays.

Le 7 août, à l’aube, les chars de l’armée syrienne ont fait feu sur
des quartiers de cette cité d’environ 280 000 habitants. Selon une
tactique militaire déjà éprouvée, l’armée a ensuite organisé le siège
de la ville, le temps de nettoyer les poches de résistance.

L’Observatoire syrien des droits de l’homme ( OSDH), basé à Londres, y
a répertorié une vingtaine de morts et de nombreuses arrestations.

« Une large partie de la population choisit l’attentisme » Hier, dans
le cadre d’une visite organisée par les autorités, une journaliste de
l’Agence France-Presse a pu voir une douzaine de blindés quitter la
ville et des habitants lancer du riz et des fleurs sur les soldats.

De nombreuses cités sont ainsi partagées entre des opposants virulents
au pouvoir, des partisans inféodés au régime, et une large partie de
la population qui choisit l’attentisme.

Deir Ezzor est une cité des confins désertiques, à 450 km de Damas,
marquée par les traditions bédouines très vivaces dans la région, et
par une population kurde bien implantée le long des routes conduisant
à l’Irak et à la Turquie.

Cette cité très ancienne a vu de nombreux conquérants, des armées
entières et des caravanes de commerce, traverser l’Euphrate. Au temps
du mandat français sur la Syrie (1920-1944), elle représentait une
position défensive avancée.

Pétrole et tourisme Depuis un quart de siècle, la construction d’un
barrage sur l’Euphrate, qui a fortement augmenté les surfaces
agricoles irriguées, et l’exploitation de gisements de pétrole dans la
région, lui ont donné un rôle économique important.

Deir Ezzor est aussi, en temps normal, une escale touristique non loin
de la frontière irakienne.

C’est le point de départ pour la découverte des antiquités
mésopotamiennes, sur les rives de l’Euphrate et de son affluent, Al
Khabour, qui ont vu naître et se développer de grandes civilisations
antiques, puis des métropoles grecques et romaines.

“Fin mars, des touristes s’y promenaient encore” À 85 km au sud se
trouve Doura Europos (As Saliha), fondée au IVe siècle avant J.-C. et
qui vit se succéder Perses, Romains, et Palmyriens.

En 1915-1916, des dizaines de milliers d’Arméniens expulsés par
l’armée turque d’Anatolie y ont été déportés et massacrés.

Un mémorial a été érigé dans la ville. Les visiteurs peuvent aussi
marcher sur le « pont des Français », pont suspendu piétonnier
construit sous le mandat français en 1924.

Fin mars, des touristes s’y promenaient encore. Aujourd’hui, les
hôtels sont vides dans un pays où insurrections et répression
paralysent une économie fragile.

Agnès ROTIVEL

samedi 20 août 2011,
Sté[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

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‘THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE IS THE LIFELINE OF OUR NATION; WITHOUT IT OUR NATION
WILL DISAPPEAR’
Said Aram I

On Thursday August 18, 2011, the third in a series of conferences on Western
Armenian, entitled “Challenges and Prospects for Western Armenian opened at
St. Mary’s Monastery in Bikfaya.

The conference was organized by the Catholicosate of Cilicia under the
leadership of His Holiness Aram I. Specialists of the Armenian language from
Armenia, Europe, Lebanon, North and South America, Syria, Turkey and other
countries of the Middle East were invited to the conference.

Mr. Jirair Tanielian welcomed the participants on behalf of the preparatory
committee. He then invited His Holiness Aram I to make the keynote speech.
After his opening prayer, Catholicos Aram stated that the purpose of the
meeting was to identify the foreign expressions that are commonly used in
Western Armenian and propose plans to safeguard the language. He went on to
say, “We need to prepare linguists and teachers of the Armenian language who
will study the foreign words, analyze their usage and propose solutions. We
should preserve our language because it is our lifeline. Without the
Armenian language our diaspora communities will disappear.”

The second speaker, Mr. Levon Ananian, President of the Writers Association
of Armenia, said that the conference was also significant for Armenia
because modifications in Western Armenian would also impact Eastern
Armenian.

The conference then continued with presentations from the conference
participants. During the first day they discussed four themes: “the use of
different Armenian grammar books to teach the Armenian language,” “the need
to prepare a special curriculum to teach Armenian in the Diaspora,”
“preparation of new textbooks and dictionaries for Western Armenian” and
“training teachers for studies in Armenology.”

A lively discussion followed each presentation. Divergences surfaced because
of the different context in the Diaspora and Armenia. A group of listeners,
who recorded the discussions, will present the conclusions and
recommendations of the conference, which will end on Saturday.

##
Photos:

FORMER ARMENIAN FM LEAVES OPPOSITION PARTY

news.am
Aug 19 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN.- Former Armenian Foreign Minister Alexander Arzumanyan
submitted an application on Wednesday to leave the Armenian National
Movement party.

Talking to the Armenian News-NEWS.am correspondent, Arzumanyan
confirmed the reports adding that his membership to the party was
suspended after the party’s congress held on July 17.

Earlier, deputy chairman of Free Democrats Party Anush Sedrakyan told
Armenian News-NEWS.am that Arzumanyan will soon join them.

Armenian National Movement was founded in 1990. Presently it is a part
of the Armenian National Congress – an oppositional union comprising
17 political parties which was founded in 2008 and is headed by first
president of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan.

ARMENIA WILL BE IN FAVOR OF USSR RESTORATION, SAYS RUSSIAN MP

Tert.am
19.08.11

A Russian MP has said that the United Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)
will reborn in the coming 10-15 years and that Armenia will join it.

“I am also convinced that the Soviet Union will be restored,” Sergei
Lisovsky said, following a similar view expressed by Kyrgyzstan’s
former President Askar Akayev earlier.

“In the near future Belarus, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, in short,
all previous Soviet republics will unite,” said Lisovsky.

According to him, the Transbaltian countries will also join the USSR
as the Europe does not need them.

Further, he said that Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan too will join
the USSR. In the meantime, according to him, “if Armenia and the
Transbaltian countries will join the USSR later, then Georgia and
Azerbaijan will crawl to it”.