Author: Badalian Vardan

ARMENIA’S CONSUMER CONFIDENCE INDEX FELL BY 3 PERCENTAGE POINT IN QUARTER 4 OF 2014

YEREVAN, February 17. / ARKA /. In the 4th quarter of 2014 Armenia’s
consumer confidence index was down 3 percentage point from the previous
one standing at 41.2 after a period of protracted growth since the
beginning of the year, the Central Bank said. Compared to the 4th
quarter of 2013 it was down by 0.8 percentage points, it said.

The indicator used to assess current conditions in the 4th quarter
fell by 4.3 percentage points from the previous quarter to 30.5,
largely due to a 7.5 percentage points decrease in the index used
to assess households’ current financial status and by a 5 percentage
point drop in the indicator that assesses households in the context
of common economic conditions of the country. The index used to assess
large purchases did not change noticeably standing at 50.

According to the Central Bank, the index used to assess future
conditions fell by 1.9 percentage points from the previous quarter,
but when compared to the same quarter of 2013 it was higher by 1.8
percentage points, standing at 51.8.

The only indicator that rose was the one used to assess employment
expectations. It grew by 0.8 percentage points to 55.5. After showing
a growth in the previous quarter, the indicator that evaluates the
financial condition fell by 3.6 percentage points to 44.3. The index
assessing expectations in large household purchases decreased by 2.9
percentage points to 55.6.

The Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) is an indicator designed to measure
consumer confidence, which is defined as the degree of optimism on
the state of the economy that consumers are expressing through their
activities of savings and spending.

Since early 2005 the Central Bank of Armenia has been conducting
quarterly surveys of non-financial, financial institutions and
households to assess changes in current economic conditions compared
to the previous period, to assess the economic expectations of the
subjects under study and based on survey data to calculate and publish
composite economic indexes.

The surveys are conducted over the Internet, telephone, letter and
fax. Based on the survey results indices of business environment,
economic activity and consumer confidence are calculated on a 100-point
scale. The score above 50 shows high activity and below 50 a low
activity, and 50 a steady-state condition. -0- –

LEBANESE ARMENIAN MUSICIAN TO DEDICATE CONCERT TO GENOCIDE

14:21 * 17.02.15

Lebanese-Armenian violinist Ara Malikyan is going to dedicate one of
his upcoming concerts to the Armenian Genocide.

El periodico reports that the musician will appear before public on
March 25 on the sidelines of Suite Barcelona 2015.

“It will feature the most different works I have performed and authored
in the past 30 years of my career. The oriental trend prevails in my
compositions. And whatever is oriental, normally sounds tranquil. And
there is a difference in what I present,” he added.

Twelve musicians will join Malikyan as specialist of the Armenian
music during the concert.

“The centenary of the Armenian Genocide is drawing near. It is a
way of recognizing the historical truth and paying respect to the
1.5 million victims. We, the Armenians, do not need anything. There
are countries which haven’t recognized the Genocide. So the 100th
anniversary is a good occasion for doing that,” he added.

GEORGIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER VISITS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MEMORIAL

16:27 17/02/2015 >> SOCIETY

On February 17, the delegation led by visiting Speaker of the Georgian
Parliament David Usupashvili visited Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide
Memorial Complex, accompanied by the Armenian National Assembly Deputy
Speaker Hermine Naghdalyan and member of the Inter-Parliamentary
Committee on Cooperation between the Armenian National Assembly and
the Georgian Parliament Vladimir Badalyan, the parliament’s press
service reported.

The guests laid a wreath and flowers at the monument eternalizing the
memory of the genocide victims and observed one minute’s silence for
the innocent victims.

On behalf of the Georgian people, David Usupashvili once again
expressed his condolences to the Armenian people in connection with
the tragedy that occurred to the Armenian people 100 years ago.

“We should do our utmost so that not only such tragedies do not
recur, but also there are no wars, and peace reigns in the world,”
said Usupashvili.

He noted that the Georgian people stand by the Armenian people both
in the moments of sadness and joy.

ARMENIA’S OFFICIAL POSITION ON 1915 GENODCIDE: TER-PETROSYAN CALLS FOR FACE TO FACE MEETING WITH SARGSYAN

15:00, February 17, 2015

Levon Ter-Petrosyan has called for a one on one meeting with Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan to personally convey his concerns regarding
the recently issued Pan-Armenian Proclamation on the occasion of the
100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

The proclamation was drafted by a state commemorative organizing
committee and Ter-Petrosyan argues that the body has overstepped
its authority by claiming that it speaks for the “united will” of
all Armenians.

Armenia’s first president also argues that given that the proclamation
was addressed to the international community it would have been imbued
with greater gravitas and legal-political significance had it been
signed by the presidents of Armenia and Artsakh and church ;eaders
rather than some faceless committee.

Ter-Petrosyan also faults the proclamation as a little more than an
ultimatum to Turkey, calling on Ankara to recognize and condemn the
Armenian Genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire, but that it fails to
specify what Armenian plans to do if, and when, Turkey fails to do so.

In his open letter to Sargsyan, Ter-Petrosyan also broaches the idea
of organizing an consultative committee to finally delineate the
position of the Republic of Armenia vis-a-vis the Genocide issue.

Ter-Petrosyan says that such a committee would use the proclamation
as a basis to draft a new memorandum, signed by the president of
Armenia, to be forwarded to the United Nations Secretary General,
the presidents of the OSCE and the EU, and to all heads of state.

In conclusion, Ter-Petrosyan says that such a memorandum must not
damage the solution of the most important problems now facing Armenia,
namely a resolution of Armenia-Turkey relations and the Karabakh
conflict.

Ter-Petrosyan then suggests people to sit on the consultative
committee; individuals who have already proven capable of rising
above traditional perceptions and who can view the matter from
the perspective of Armenian state interests and in the context of
contemporary adopted global principles.

The individuals suggested are:

>From Armenia: Babken Ararktsyan, Vazgen Manukyan, Gagik Harutyunyan,
Vano Siradeghyan, Vardan Oskanyan, Stepan Demirchyan, Arman Grigoryan,
Ruben Shugaryan, Alexander Arzumanyan, Ashot Voskanyan, Ara Sahakyan,
Ruben Vardanyan, Ashot Sargsyan, Hrant Ter-Abrahayan, Ktrich Sardaryan.

>From the U.S. – Jirair Libaridian, Khachig Tololyan, Ruben Atalian,
Ara Sanjian, Hampig Sarafian and Raffi Urfalian.

>From France – Arman Sarian, Jirayr Malkhasian, Michel Marian,
Raffi Kalfayian.

>From Turkey – Levon Zekiyan

>From Argentina – Rupen Mozian.

Ter-Petrosyan says that he would be willing to participate in the
activities of the committee and that he doesn’t care how his “hostile
friends” perceive his initiative.

Ter-Petrosyan ends by saying that the imperative of his initiative,
regardless of the uproar it will cause, is made all the more urgent
given the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Genocide.

AKSOR, LE RETOUR DES ENFANTS ARMENIENS

GENOCIDE ARMENIEN

Présentation détaillée du projet

“Aksor”, Õ¡O~DÕ½Õ¸O~@ : la déportation, l’exil.

L’HISTOIRE

Dans la nuit du 24 au 25 avril 1915, entre 235 et 270 intellectuels
sont arrêtés a Constantinople. Des médecins, des journalistes, des
avocats, des hommes politiques. Parce qu’ils sont Arméniens, ils sont
enfermés, déportés puis, pour la plupart, assassinés. Cet épisode
sanglant marque le début de l’un des génocides les plus tragiques
du XXe siècle, qui coÔtera la vie a près d’1,5 million Arméniens.

Cent ans plus tard, ils sont 9 a oser le voyage du retour. Des
déracinés, attachés a une terre ancestrale qui leur ” colle a
la peau ”. Arpig, Edouard, Annie… Tous sont des petits-fils et
arrières-petites-filles de rescapés du génocide. De Décines,
” la petite Arménie ” de la banlieue lyonnaise, jusqu’au sud-est
de la Turquie, en plein cÃ…”ur de l’ ” Arménie historique ”, ils
partent en quête d’identité et de mémoire. Pour certains, c’est le
quarantième voyage. Pour d’autres, c’est la première fois…. Cent
ans après, ils suivent les traces du génocide de leurs ancêtres.

Edouard, Hélène, Edgar et Arthur

LE PROJET

Pendant deux semaines, du 12 au 26 avril 2015, le collectif de
journalistes indépendants We Report suivra le parcours de neuf
Francais de la diaspora arménienne dans le sud-est de la Turquie,
près de la frontière syrienne. D’Adana, la grande ville du sud,
aux villages de l’Anatolie profonde, en passant par Diyarbakir,
la ” capitale ” du Kurdistan turc, jusqu’a Istanbul, a l’occasion
du centenaire de la commémoration du génocide arménien, toujours
officiellement nié par les autorités turques.

Carte-1423666191

UN REPORTAGE MULTIMEDIA

Le voyage servira de fil rouge a un reportage multimédia (texte,
photos, sons, vidéo) sur l’identité arménienne en Turquie. Ã~@
travers la question de la reconnaissance du génocide, se détachent
des histoires fortes de survivants, surnommés les ” restes de
l’épée ”, de familles islamisées, d’enfants cachés, d’églises
dévastées et de tabou arménien. Un voile qui commence a se lever
depuis l’assassinat tragique et médiatisé en 2007 du journaliste
turc d’origine arménienne, Hrant Dink.

Les reportages ont pour vocation d’être publiés dans la presse
francaise et européenne, sur des supports web, radio et papier. Le
collectif collabore avec différents médias européens, parmi lesquels
Radio France Internationale (RFI), Mediapart, Slate, La Tribune de
Genève ou Les Inrockuptibles.

QUI SOMMES-NOUS ?

We Report est un collectif international de journalistes indépendants
créé en juillet 2014.

L’objectif est de développer des projets communs, multimédias et
transfrontaliers, en toute indépendance éditoriale. Basés dans 7
pays, ses journalistes collaborent avec la presse francophone (RFI,
Europe 1, Le Monde, Libération, Mediapart, Slate, La Tribune de
Genève, RTS, La Cité…), mais aussi européenne (Die Zeit, Der
Spiegel, Der Standard, La Stampa, Il Corriere della Sera…).

Quatre journalistes de We Report, Jean-Baptiste Cocagne, Daphné
Gastaldi, Pierre Gouyou Beauchamps et Mathieu Martiniere sont du
voyage en Turquie :

Jean-Baptiste Cocagne

Journaliste de radio, il s’est plongé pendant deux ans dans la culture
arménienne au sein de Radio Arménie, a Lyon. Après un voyage en
Arménie en 2011, Jean-Baptiste a couvert les débats au Parlement
francais a propos de la proposition de loi Boyer sur la pénalisation
de la négation du génocide, en 2012. Aujourd’hui installé a Rome
depuis deux ans, il continue a suivre de près l’actualité de la
communauté arménienne. Dans le projet, il sera a Istanbul pour suivre
des Turcs qui ont récemment découvert leurs racines arméniennes, et
pour qui le 24 avril ne sera désormais plus une date comme les autres.

Daphné Gastaldi

Journaliste radio et presse écrite sur le projet, co-fondatrice du
collectif We Report, Daphné Gastaldi collabore avec Radio France
Internationale, France Télévisions ou encore Slate et Lyon Capitale.

Dernièrement, Daphné a réalisé de nombreux reportages sur les
questions des migrations. Marquée par ses études d’histoire,
elle s’intéresse a la question de la récupération de la mémoire
arménienne.

Pierre Gouyou Beauchamps

Journaliste indépendant depuis 2007, photographe et rédacteur sur
le projet, ce Lyonnais d’adoption travaille a la fois sur des sujets
de société pour L’Humanité et sur des grands reportages pour des
publications nationales comme Terre sauvage, Alpes magazine ou le
Journal du WWF. Le voyage et le reportage sont ses deux moteurs.

Mathieu Martiniere

Journaliste presse écrite et web sur le projet, basé a Lyon et
indépendant depuis 2011, Mathieu Martiniere collabore sur des sujets
de société pour la presse francaise (Slate, Mediapart, RFI, Lyon
Capitale) et européenne (La Tribune de Genève, Die Zeit). Il s’est
notamment spécialisé sur les questions d’immigration et a signé
plusieurs reportages sur la liberté d’expression en Turquie pour
Les Inrockuptibles et Le Mouv’. Ã~@ quoi servira la collecte ?

La collecte servira a couvrir les frais de reportage des quatre
journalistes de We Report en Turquie, du 12 au 26 avril 2015
(transports, hébergement, fixeurs). A savoir :

Transports (x4) : avions AR Lyon-Istanbul (1 150 â~B¬) + vols
intérieurs (800 â~B¬) + transports terrestres (400 â~B¬) = 2 350 â~B¬

Hébergement (x4) = 1 150 â~B¬

Fixeur/Traducteur : 1 000 â~B¬

Au-dela des frais de reportages, le dépassement des dons de campagne
servira au développement d’un webdocumentaire et a l’organisation
d’expositions-débats avec les journalistes et nos partenaires : le
Club de la presse de Lyon, Profession pigiste et l’Atelier des médias.

mardi 17 février 2015, Stéphane ©armenews.com

BEATEN PAP BOARD MEMBER: KHACHATARYAN URGES CLEAN INVESTIGATION, SAYS HE WON’T LEAVE PARTY

HUMAN RIGHTS | 17.02.15 | 14:28

Alina Nikoghosyan
ArmeniaNow intern

The Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) civil board member Artak Khachatryan
who was kidnapped and beaten last week, hopes that the investigation
of the case will be objective.

According to Khachatryan, he was kidnapped by three armed men dressed
in black and masks, five hours after which he was found unconscious
and beaten in front of his house.

“As a law-abiding and lawful citizen, I expect quick disclosure of
the case by law enforcement bodies, I do not want to put anything
under suspicion,” the PAP activist told reporters Tuesday.

This incident appears to have caused tensions in the PAP and the
Republican Party (RPA) relations, while some media circulate the
version of some law enforcement bodies that Khachatryan was kidnapped
and beaten as a PAP scheme.

Khachatryan urged against looking for a political context in the
criminal case and said that he will not leave the PAP.

“I have been a PAP member for years and I am the bearer of the ideology
of that party. I announce that as before, nothing has changed in my
life; I remain a member of that party. If need be I am ready to do the
hardest job in favor of that party and the interests of that party,
I am standing behind (PAP leader) Gagik Tsarukyan.”

PLATOON COMMANDER FACES CHARGES, AFTER MILITARY STUDENT IS FOUND HANGED FROM CHIN-UP BAR

by Ashot Safaryan

Tuesday, February 17, 11:17

Platoon commander of the Military Academy after Vazgen Sargsyan,
Artyom Avetisyan, has faced charges over the murder of the military
student Haykaz Barseghyan, according to the investigation Committee
press-office,

According to the source, Avetisyan stood by the quarreling students
Haykaz Barseghyan and Arshak Martirosyan and did nothing to stop them,
prevent violation of the military regulations, as well as failed to
report the senior officials of the incident.

Avetisyan is charged with Article 375.1 of the Criminal Code of
Armenia (Abuse of power, excess of power or responsibilities by an
officials, as well as failure to use the authority when necessary
for personal reasons or other mercenary motives, which results in
systemic damage). Avetisyan has been arrested.

The body of Haykaz Barseghyan was found hanged from a chin-up bar on
the sports ground at his military unit on Jan 29 morning.

The Investigation Committee of Armenia told ArmInfo the Chief Military
Investigation Department of the Investigation Committee has opened
a criminal case based on Article 104.7.2. of the Criminal Code of
Armenia (murder committed by a group of persons of organized group)
after relevant examination of the spot and preparation of materials.

Four fellow-students of the murdered officer were arrested, including
the son of the deputy head of the Academy. Defense Minister Seyran
Ohanyan dismissed the Academy leadership.

HOLLYWOOD SHOOTS MOVIE BASED ON WILLIAM SAROYAN’S NOVEL

ARTS AND CULTURE | 17.02.15 | 11:27

A new Hollywood movie based on Armenian American writer William
Saroyan’s Human Comedy novel is due to be presented this year.

Enlarge Photo

According to IMDB.com, the United States premiere of the movie shot
in the genre of drama with a budget of $5 million will take place
on December 31. The director of the movie is Hollywood star Meg Ryan
and producer is an equally meritorious actor Tom Hanks.

Armenpress says that the Hollywood Reporter included the movie in
the most expected hundred list. According to the Magazine, a great
role in it was played not only by the work of William Saroyan, but
also the cast. Besides directing, Meg Ryan will play the role of the
hero’s mother. Among other actors involved in the movie are Melanie
Griffith, Sam Shepard and Lois Robbins.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Museum of America, Inc.
65 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Tel: 617-926-2562

Email: [email protected]

The Armenian Museum of America

presents

Lecture and Book Signing by Matthew Karanian:

‘Historic Armenia after 100 Years: Ani, Kars,
and the Six Provinces of Western Armenia’

Sunday, March 1, 2015

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Adele & Haig Der Manuelian Galleries, 3rd floor

Matthew Karanian in Historic Armenia

Award-winning author, Matthew Karanian presents his newest book:

‘Historic Armenia after 100 Years: Ani, Kars, and the Six Provinces of
Western Armenia.’

This new book is the first-ever guide to cultural sites of the vast
and ancient Armenian homeland that is located in today’s Turkey. The
book features all six Armenian provinces of Western Armenia, as well
as the Eastern Armenian region of Ani and Kars. ‘Historic Armenia’ is
lavishly illustrated with 125 color photographs and maps. In many
cases, historic images from 100 years ago are included, illustrating
the once-magnificent condition of the Armenian churches, monasteries,
and towns
that are now either in ruins or were razed after 1915.

Light refreshments will be served

Free Admission

Donations kindly accepted

PRESS RELEASE – Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (+961- 4) 410001, 410003
Fax: (+961- 4) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

His Holiness Aram I receives the newly elected Bureau of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (Tashnak Party)

Antelias – 14 February 2015. On Saturday morning, the newly elected
Bureau of the Tashnak Party, led by representative Hrant Markarian met
with Catholicos Aram I in his office in Antelias.

The members of the Bureau discussed with His Holiness the activities to
be held in Armenia and the Diaspora to commemorate the 100th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide and the reception by Armenians and the
international community of the Centennial Pan-Armenian Declaration.

`Armenian parents should transform the family into a `little
Church,’ a blessed structure of our community,’
Stated His Holiness Aram I on the eve of the feast of the Presentation
of Jesus in the Temple (Dyarentarch)

Antelias – Friday 13 February 2014. On Thursday evening, a large
number of parents and their children gathered at St. Gregory the
Illuminator Cathedral to attend the evening service prior to the Feast
of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. His Holiness Aram I presided
over the ceremony and preached.

After recounting the story of Jesus’ parents taking the 40-day-old
baby to the Temple, according to the Jewish tradition, His Holiness
spoke of the two symbols of the feast, light and presentation of Jesus
to the temple. Jesus brought light to the world through his birth to
save the people who were involved in evil deeds and living in darkness.
He prayed that the faithful would take the light from the altar of the
Cathedral to their homes and fill their lives with Jesus. Referring to
the ritual of the presentation of Jesus to the Temple, he told the
parents that by bringing their children to the church, they were
offering them to God, promising that they would grow in the church with
its spiritual and religious values. The Catholicos then talked about the
family as the `little church’ and the role it plays in bringing up
their children as Christians according to the teachings of the Armenian
Church.

At the end of the service, the clergy, the seminarians and the
congregation gathered around the traditional bonfire to celebrate the
ancient church tradition of Dyarentarach with poetry and songs.

`The ideals of Vartanantz heroes continue to inspire our courageous
people in Karabagh,’
Said His Holiness Aram I

Antelias – On 12 February 2015, at the Feast of the Vartanantz Heroes,
the dean of the seminary, Rev. Torkom Donoyan, celebrated the Holy
Liturgy, presided over by His Holiness Aram I. In his sermon, Rev.
Torkom spoke of the urgency of national unity and the importance of
Christian faith in shaping the struggle of Armenians for justice.

After the Holy Liturgy, the clergy and faithful went to the Main Hall of
the Catholicosate. Catholicos Aram I gave his message, followed by a
cultural celebration with spiritual hymns and poetry prepared by the
seminarians.

In his message, the Catholicos quoted the commanding general of the
Vatananz battle, Vartan Mamigonian, who said, `we cannot remain
indifferent to external pressures that force us to give up our
independence and freedom.’ The Catholicos continued and said that this
same spirit that guides the people of Karabagh in their struggle today.
After greeting the people of Karabagh for their commitment, he blessed
the faithful; the celebration ended with the singing of the `Cilicia’
anthem.

The Central Committee of the Catholicosate of Cilicia concludes its
deliberations and adopts a programme for the commemoration of the 100th
Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide

Antelias – 9 February 2015. Under the leadership of His Holiness Aram
I, after three days of meetings, the Central Committee representing the
dioceses of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, its Executive Committee, the
Council of Religion and the plenary of the Prelates adopted the document
whereby:
1. They welcome the activities planned by the Catholicosate of
Cilicia on national and international levels for the commemoration of
the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, as well as those
activities planned by the dioceses. They strongly support the proposal
to pursue the political and legal aspects of recognition and restitution
related to the Genocide and commend the Pan-Armenian Declaration
recently adopted in Erevan.

2. They are aware of the profound meaning of the decision of the two
Catholicoi to make the martyrs of the 1915 Genocide into saints on 23
April 2015, during a special ceremony in Holy Etchmiadzin.

3. They are grateful for His Holiness Aram I’s ecumenical
commitment despite the dwindling interest of many churches in ecumenism.
They also support Catholicos Aram I’s commitment to Christian-Muslim
dialogue to help Christians and Muslims live together and condemn
fundamentalism.

4. They will organize a pilgrimage from their respective dioceses to
Lebanon for the blessing of the Holy Muron at the St. Mary’s Monastery
in Bikfaya in July and the commemorative activities at the Bird’s Nest
and Antelias.

5. They share His Holiness Aram I’s vision of the Seminary as an
important pillar of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in preparing the clergy
and sustaining the spiritual and moral values of the church. They
promise to support the seminary financially and morally.

6. They acknowledge the role of the Christian Education Department
in enabling the women and the youth to learn the basic teachings of the
church and her diakonia. They also urge the department to use modern
educational approaches and technology to improve its teaching methods.

7. They concur with His Holiness to include youth in the structures
of the diocesan committees and other organizations of the community.

8. They express their gratitude to the constructions and renovations
committee for preparing the locations for the commemorative events.

9. They thank the Board of the Khatcher Kaloustian Foundation for
its effort in promoting the Western Armenian language and introducing
new pedagogical approaches.

10. They recognize the financial dependency of the Catholicosate on the
dioceses and benefactors and appreciate deeply His Holiness Aram I’s
achievements despite the limited funds.

11. They share the pain of the Armenian community in Syria, and promise
to accompany them during these difficult times and help them later to
rebuild their lives. They consider the presence of Armenians in the
Middle East extremely important for the whole nation and call upon all
Armenian organizations to demonstrate their solidarity with Armenians in
Syria.

12. They are indebted to His Holiness Aram I for his initiative in
preparing a litigation against the Turkish authorities demanding the
return of the historical centre of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Sis,
in cooperation with international human rights lawyers. They also thank
all those who have helped His Holiness realize this project.

# #
Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
PO Box : 70 317 Antelias – LEBANON
Tel: (+961-4) 410 001 / 3
Fax: (+961-4) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]