Author: Badalian Vardan

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
July 23 2014

Nagorno-Karabakh: silence provokes crime

23 July 2014 – 9:39am

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Italian President Giorgio
Napolitano, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and President of the Italian
Senate Pietro Grasso signed a declaration of strategic partnership
between Azerbaijan and Italy, a maritime transportation agreement and
a memorandum of understanding in economy, culture and sports.

Baku granted Italy funds for archeological studies at the Mercati di
Traiano Museum. Rome Mayor Ignazio Marino said that he was aware of
the successful realization of cultural and humanitarian projects by
the Heydar Aliyev Fund. “With this help, we will carry out excavations
on Alexandria Street. We promise to demonstrate the results of our
work at the next visit of Mr. President to Italy,” the mayor assured.
Ilham Aliyev replied that architectural and cultural heritage belong
to all mankind, not Rome alone, and Azerbaijan had great knowledge of
Italian history and culture.

Italy is one of the main trading partners of Azerbaijan in the world.
They cooperate in the energy sector. The TAP project will change the
energy map of Europe, it is of great value for Azerbaijan. The sides
discuss cooperation in infrastructure, construction, high-tech and
other sectors of the economy. Numerous Italian companies working in
Azerbaijan play an important role in development of
Azerbaijani-Italian ties.

President of the Italian Senate Pietro Grasso said that his country
treated Azerbaijan as a guarantor of stability in the Caucasus. At a
meeting with Grasso and other Italian authorities, Ilham Aliyev
discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh problem and it seems he managed to put
the message across to Italian public opinion.

“I have heard that Nagorno-Karabakh was “a forgotten conflict,” but
the truth is elsewhere. The truth is that nothing is said about the
conflict. Maybe it is because the population of one of the sides of
conflict are Christians?! But we, Italians, never pick friends by
their religion. Maybe we do not want to offend any of the sides?! But
the situation harms international law in any case, especially the
truth. The truth is that over a million refugees and displaced persons
live in Azerbaijan at the moment because of the conflict between
Armenia and Azerbaijan,” says the writer of “Silence of the press on
the Nagorno-Karabakh” published by an Italian portal Daily Cases.

Now, Rome knows that 20% of Azerbaijani territory recognized by the
world has been occupied for over 20 years. “The fact is that on
February 26, 1992, the Armed Forces of Armenia, having killed many
peaceful residents – 613 people, 106 of them being women, 63 children,
exterminated all the population of Khojaly. All these are facts. We
should not be afraid to talk about it. We should not fear silence
hidden behind the biggest tragedy of our modern history. The “silence
of the press” turns the issue into a co-participant of great
injustice.

Glendale News Press, CA
July 23 2014

College educators examine success rates

Glendale Community College officials release new ‘Student Success
Scorecard’ data.

By Kelly Corrigan
July 23, 2014 | 6:02 p.m.

At Glendale Community College, 54% of students who were tracked from
2007 through 2013 went on to earn a certificate, degree or transfer to
four-year school, according to data released this week showing the
college’s student success rates.

Across the state, an average of 48% of students achieved the same
success, putting the college six percentage points higher than the
state average and well above the 41% average reached by campuses in
the Los Angeles area.

The figures are part of a data set that makes up Glendale Community
College’s “Student Success Scorecard,” giving the Glendale campus and
fellow community colleges a comprehensive look into whether or not
students are prepared for college, how they perform in remedial and
regular classes and whether they are on a path to a degree.

Significant achievement gaps among certain ethnic subgroups emerged as
a common thread throughout the data, said Edward Karpp, dean of
research, planning and grants for the college, during a trustee
meeting on Tuesday.

“Those gaps persist and they exist for most of these measures,” Karpp said.

About 30% of Hispanic students who enrolled at the college — initially
unprepared to take college-level math or English classes — would go on
to complete a degree, certificate or transfer. That compares to the
47% of Armenian students, 47% of white, non-Armenian students and 46%
of Asian students who did the same.

Meanwhile, 41% of Glendale’s Filipino students who were not ready to
take college-level math or English classes went on to complete a
degree, certificate or transfer, while just 32% of black students
accomplished the same.

“It tells me that we have a lot of work to do,” said college trustee
Vahe Peroomian.

Mary Mirch, vice president of instructional services, said educators
have tried offering students various pathways to successfully complete
college courses they may find challenging.

One option gives students the choice to spend two semesters taking a
math class that would typically be offered for a single semester.

“We are trying as many different options as we can come up with for
the underprepared,” she said.

The figures also showed that 81% of female students on the Glendale
campus proved to be more “persistent,” meaning they enrolled in three
consecutive semesters upon starting at the college, compared to 74% of
male students.

,0,1768335.story

Russian military base in Armenia updates arsenal

18:18 23.07.20140

The Southern Military District of Russia has said its military base in
Armenia continues a regular update of its stockpile of modern military
vehicles and equipment, RIA Novosti reports.

The Russian military base has modernized about 40 percent of its
weapons this year, the report said.

The new replenishment is expected next month.

PRESS OFFICE
National Centennial Committee to Commemorate the Armenian Genocide
Contact: PR Committee (100th Anniversary Commemoration DC)
E-mail: [email protected]

July 23, 2014
__________________

COMMEMORATION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CENTENNIAL PLANNED IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL

Leaders of the Armenian Church in the United States have joined to plan a
special remembrance of the Armenian Genocide next year. Commemorating the
passage of 100 years since the start of the first genocide of the 20th
century, a schedule of events including an ecumenical prayer service at the
National Cathedral, a memorial concert, public exhibitions and a Pontifical
Divine Liturgy will take place from May 7 to 10, 2015, in Washington, D.C.

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians,
and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, will both
journey to the United States to lead and participate in the commemorative
events.

A National Centennial Committee has been formed under the auspices of the
Diocese and the Prelacy to oversee and guide the commemorative activities.
The Committee, chaired by Dr. Noubar Afeyan, Boston-based entrepreneur and
philanthropist, includes leaders from Armenian religious, political, and
civic organizations from across the United States. The Committee includes
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America; Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western
Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America; Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of
America; Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of
the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, and Archbishop Vicken Aykazian,
Legate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America.

“We are organizing these events in the nation’s capital in order to involve
the country’s political leaders, raise awareness in the non-Armenian
community, and honor countries and individuals that have helped Armenians
during and after the Genocide,” said committee chair Dr. Afeyan. “We are
honored that Catholicos Karekin II and Catholicos Aram I will be among us,
blessing the occasion, as together we stand up for the Armenian presence in
America and in the world,” he added.

The National Centennial Committee has met several times and is working
together with Washington D.C.-based sub-committees to plan the various
events and activities. The Committee is working closely with the Central
Commemorative Committees for the United States and Armenia to coordinate the
activities.

###

Minsk Group has realized Azerbaijan is real threat – Richard Giragosian

20:37 * 23.07.14

In an interview with Tert.am, Richard Giragosian, Founding Director of
the Regional Studies Center (RSC), commented on the mediators’
statements on the need for an Armenian-Azerbaijani presidential
meeting in Paris.

With respect to the new deadline for Armenia’s accession to the
Eurasian Economic Union (EaEU), January 1, 2015, and whether it is a
realistic deadline, Mr Giragosian said:

“The latest delay in Armenia’s accession to the EaEU show the process
is being derailed. The reason is the opposition by Kazakhstan and
Belarus. And it is beyond Armenia’s jurisdiction irrespective of what
Armenia’s premier and other officials say.”

As regards one of the preconditions for Armenia’s accession to the
EaEU, namely, a customs station between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh,
Mr Giragosian said:

“This is not actually a precondition, and I do not think Armenia will
ever join the EaEU. The point is that Kazakhstan and Belarus are
speaking out against the 800 product items Armenia is producing.
However, Russia and the Customs Union could theoretically demand a
customs station between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. And if such a
demand is made Armenia will reject it. This is evidence that joining
neither the EaEU nor the Customs Union meets Armenia’s interests.”

As to Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s statement in Argentine that
Armenia is concerned over the Russian-Azerbaijani arms deals, which
evoked varied responses, including criticism against Russia by
Armenian public and political figures, Mr Giragosian said:

“I welcome the president’s stance, but I should voice my criticism
over two points. First, that statement should have been made in
Armenia rather than in Latin America. Secondly, the Armenian
president’s statement was rather late, and Serzh Sargsyan realized too
late that Russia’s arms supplies to Azerbaijan posed a threat to
Armenia. I am more critical of Russia because it does not behave like
Armenia’s ally.”

As to whether Russia will try to involve Azerbaijan in the EaEU, Mr
Giragosian said:

“No, it is not a serious problem. During my visit to Baku it became
clear that Azerbaijan would never consider this fact. It is as
unrealistic as to speak of the possibility of Turkey joining the
Customs Union.”

According to him, international experts’ discussions of Turkey’s
accession to the Customs Union are not serious.

As regards the previous discussions on the ‘neither…nor’ option, and
the possibility of developments in Armenia’s favor in the center of
clashes of geopolitical interests, Mr Giragosian said:

“The real threat is that the September 3 decision was a strategic
blunder. The graver problem is Armenia’s continuous isolation and its
diminishing role as a state. I object to Armenia’s accession to the
Eurasian Union. I think that Armenia not joining it will not in any
way affect its relations with Russia and with the neighboring states.
Under the circumstances Armenia still has strong positions as compared
with Turkey and Iran, despite some positive developments there.”

French Ambassador to Armenia Henri Reynaud and, later, US Co-Chair of
the OSCE Minsk Group James Warlick called for an Armenian-Azerbaijani
presidential meeting in Paris. Official Yerevan is, however, silent,
and some analysts believe President Serzh Sargsyan is unwilling to go
because, according to one comment, “the Paris meeting is supposed to
sum up the years of the Minsk Group’s work – either the Madrid
principles will be signed or the sides will consent to place the
Nagorno-Karabakh peace process under the jurisdiction of the UN
Security Council.”

“The Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents will meet. But I do not think
their meeting will take place in Paris. And it is most unlikely to
take place before the end of summer. And it is Azerbaijan’s conduct
rather than the Madrid principles that is the real problem. The Minsk
Group has finally come to realize that it is Azerbaijan rather than
Armenia that is the real threat. And the latest developments on the
Line of Contact, as well as Azerbaijan’s attacks, have actually been
aimed at the Minsk Group. And one more concern involving
Nagorno-Karabakh is Russia’s new policy following the Crimea-related
developments. The question is whether Russia will continue working
with the United States and France within the Minsk Group,” Mr
Giragosian said.

Part of Nairit assets to be transferred to Vorotan Cascade CJSC against deb

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

By a decision of the Armenian government, 53.27% of Nairit-2 CJSC
(book cost is 7320.8 million drams) and 3.5967% of Nairit Plant (book
cost is 983.4 million drams) to Vorotan Hydro Complex CJSC.

The draft decision was included in the agenda of the government
session due on July 24.

The government said that after receiving the assets, Vorotan Hydro
Complex CJSC will pay debts of Armgazpom CJSC in the amount of the
contract price of the acquired assets.

By the same decision of the government, budgetary loans and other
liabilities of Armgazprom CJSC to Armenian Finance Ministry will be
repaid through transfer of 46.73% of assets of Nairit-2 CJSC and
Tech-Stepanakert gas pipeline to the government, including the right
to claim receivables regarding Armenian Defense Ministry.

Thus, under the decision, 46.73% of Nairit 2 assets and
Tech-Stepanakert gas pipeline will be transferred to Armenian Ministry
of Energy and Natural Resources, while the minister of energy and
natural resources will be vested with authority to manage the
company’s assets.

TODAY, 17:55
Aysor.am

Sos Gimishyan: Levon Ter-Petrosyan destroyed HAK because of BHK (video)

15:05 | July 23,2014 | Politics

The more [Armenia’s first President] Levon Ter-Petrosyan tries to
deepen cooperation with the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), the more
he is left alone, says Sos Gimishyan, Chairman of the Christian
Democratic Renaissance Party.

Speaking about the first president’s recent interview in which Levon
Ter-Petrosyan warned the BHK of the authorities’ stick policy, Sos
Gimishyan said, “Ter-Petrosyan thought the more he alienated the BHK
from the authorities, the easier it would be to destroy the regime,
but it was the other way round: Ter-Petrosyan’s Armenian National
Congress (HAK) was destroyed in the result, and we had ten victims.”

Mr Gimishyan says he cannot still understand what connects Levon
Ter-Petrosyan with the BHK. “The Prosperous Armenia Party frankly
admits that it is not an opposition force and the other three
opposition parties are obliged to act as non-governing forces in order
to establish some form of relation with the BHK. The Prosperous
Armenia Party does not have any ideology; it is a simple structure
headed by a tycoon, whereas Levon Ter-Petrosyan is a serious political
figure and I wonder what he has to do with the BHK. What can they talk
about during their meetings? Their relation can be compared with
apiculture and potato growing which are quite different things.”

Sos Gimishyan dies not believe the opposition quartet and sees
Armenia’s future in pro-Armenian forces. “The quartet can hold one or
two meetings, spend money but this cannot last for a long time. People
are disappointed and if they do not stand up for their rights nothing
will be changed in this country.”

Police chief once accused of negligence in Dink case arrested

July 23, 2014 – 14:36 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – A former Istanbul police intelligence chief who was
recently in row with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ?an was among the
69 officers detained as part of a criminal probe into allegations of
`espionage’ and `illegal wiretapping,’ as the total number of officers
in custody rose to 102 on Wednesday, July 23, Hurriyet Daily News
reported.

Ali Fuat Yılmazer recently drew public attention after claiming that
it was ErdoÄ?an who demanded the arrest of former army chief Ä°lker
BaÃ…?buÄ?, sparking the latter’s anger. `These are lies from A to Z,’
ErdoÄ?an had said in response to Yılmazer during a televised interview
following BaÃ…?buÄ?’s release, before adding: `He will pay the price for
this.’

Yılmazer’s name first became publically known after he was accused of
negligence after the assassination of the Turkish-Armenian journalist
Hrant Dink, while he was in charge of intelligence at the Istanbul
police department. He was subsequently promoted, despite being
implicated in a report prepared by the Prime Ministry Inspection Board
on Dink’s murder.

As he was brought to the police station, Yılmazer turned to the
cameras and photographers and raised his handcuffed arms to protest
the operation.

`Turkey will see; these are medals of honor,’ he said, claiming the
operation was staged in retaliation for the arrest of businessmen
close to the government during the Dec 17, 2013 probe on corruption
claims.

Yılmazer then accused the officers detaining him of `making a show.’

We wish we could put a candle before dying, say elderly people (video)

13:32 | July 23,2014 | Social

The Armenian border village of Berd will soon have a church.

The construction of Surb Gevorg (Saint Gevorg) Church was discontinued
in 2007, without any explanation. The work resumed in 2012 with the
financial assistance of Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, a US-based
philanthropist and the community.

Priest Ter Aram Mirzoyan says the new church will become a meeting
place with God and will fill people with faith in these difficult
social conditions.

I am glad to see that people are looking forward to the competition of
the construction. The elderly people of the village say, “We wish we
could put a candle before dying.” Young people want to get married
there and christen their children,” he told A1+.

The solemn opening of the church is set for September 14.

Charles Aznavour calls on Russin authorities to release Armenian businessman

14:15 | July 23,2014 | Politics

World renowned chansonnier Charles Aznavour has expressed his concerns
over the arrest of Armenian businessman and philanthropist Levon
Hayrapetyan. The singer has also called on Russia to change
Hayrapetyan’s restraint considering his ill health.

Charles Aznavour has met Levon Hayrapetyan many times and hails the
philanthropist’s activities aimed at developing Artsakh and Armenia,
Artsakh Today reports.

Levon Hayrapetyan, a native of Karabakh known for his investments and
charity projects in his homeland, was detained in Moscow last week
over alleged links with a notorious Russian criminal gang. Russian
media immediately reported that Hayrapetyan is suspected of ‘illegal
financial machinations’ in an oil company purchase deal.

Hayrapetyan is expected to be officially charged on July 24.