Author: Badalian Vardan

EUTHANASIA HYPOCRISY AGAINST JUSTICE – OPINIONS

15:38 ~U 15.01.14

An Armenian clergyman expressed on Wednesday his criticism of
euthanasia, considering the practice a condemnable intervention in
a human being’s life.

“Euthanasia has to do with human suffering and love. The intervention
is unwelcome, if not unacceptable. I characterize fantasy as hypocrisy
against social justice. We could apply the same to the homeless,”
Bishop Bagrat Yesayan told a news conference on Wednesday.

He described euthanasia as a manifestation of selfishness, noting
that very often, people taking care of a terminally ill patient may
agree to have that person killed on the grounds that they rid him or
her of suffering.

Marat Zakaryan, a psychologist also attending the news conference,
referred to the etymology of the word – sweet death.

“There are passive and active forms of euthanasia. A failure to assist
in [a patient’s] recovery is the passive form; when drugs are injected
to cause the patient’s death, that’s the active form,” he said noting
that the physician-assisted suicide, which is prohibited in Armenia,
is accepted in several countries in Europe.

He noted further that not all doctors accept the practice, having
very often slight flashes of hope.

Commenting on the problem, Deacon Zhora Sargsyan stressed the need
of considering the moral responsibility issue when dealing with
euthanasia or bioethics in general.

“Suffering reveals the profundity of human life. The idea behind
overcoming suffering is that it is a chance, not a punishment. There
is life and death, the two boundaries of life, so a human being has
no rights beyond those lines; it’s not within his or her competences,”
he said.

Armenian News – Tert.am

POPE FRANCIS SENDS HIS BLESSINGS TO THE ARMENIAN NATION

17:14 15.01.2014

Armenia, Pope Francis, Vatican

On January 13 Pope Francis received the Ambassadors accredited to the
Vatican, Press and Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs reports.

During the traditional annual reception Armenia’s Ambassador to the
Holy See Mikael Minasyan had a short conversation with Pope Francis.

The Leader of the Catholic Church asked to convey his warm greetings
to Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and his blessings to the
whole Armenian nation.

ARMENIAN ENERGY MINISTER RESPONDS TO SECOND PRESIDENT -TERT.AM

January 15, 2014 | 12:06

YEREVAN. – Energy and Natural Resources Minister of Armenia, Armen
Movsisyan, spoke withTert.am.

Movsisyan commented on the recent interview with secondPresident
Robert Kocharyan, who had spoken about the Russian natural gas being
supplied to Armenia. Below is an excerpt from Movsisyan’s interview.

Robert Kocharyan accused the incumbent authorities of concealing the
real price of gas and, as a result, accruing debts. How would you
respond to this accusation?

“We have announced, ever since 2010, that negotiations are underway
with [the Russian energy giant] Gazprom [Company]. The negotiations
lasted for about three years and in the meantime, [and] due to the
difference in prices, around $300 million in debts accrued. But the
Armenian party agreed to the Russian party’s proposal to pay about half
of the debt. This deal is in the best interests of our country and it
is developed very well, and it will give life to numerous initiatives.

Robert Kocharyan had reflected on the sale of the [Armenian
government’s] 20-percent shares in [the] ArmRusGazprom [Company]. How
would you comment on his view?

“The Armenian government, Gazprom, and [the Russian] Itera [Company]
were the founders of ArmRusGazprom. The total investment [to Armenia]
by Gazprom amounted to around $550 million. Moreover, $250 million were
directed at subsidizing the [price of] gas for Armenia’s consumers,
compensating for the difference in the prices on the purchase of
gas at Armenia’s border. By 2006, Gazprom had already bought Itera’s
shares [in ArmRusGazprom]. Gazprom’s representation formed an absolute
majority at the company’s board of directors, and such a situation
made it impossible for the Armenian party to have an impact on the
decisions made by Gazprom, and this fits within the framework of the
business logic.”

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

ARMENIAN SOLDIER DIES IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH

13:13 ~U 15.01.14

An Armenian army private has died of a disease in one of the military
units of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The deceased is Hayk H Maakaryan, 21, according to the Defense
Ministry’s website.

A probe has been launched into the circumstances of the tragic
incident.

The Ministry has extended condolences to the soldier’s family and
fellow servicemen.

PRESSE ARMENIENNE : REVUE DU 14 JANVIER 2014

Publie le : 15-01-2014

Info Collectif VAN – – Le Collectif VAN vous
presente cette Revue de Presse parue sur le site de l’Ambassade de
France en Armenie le 14 janvier 2014.

Ambassade de France en Armenie

Revue de la presse armenienne du 14 janvier 2014

I. Politique interieure

1. La guerre des mots entre l’ex-President et le PM se poursuit :
Robert Kotcharian de plus en plus critique envers le Gouvernement
actuel/ La presse du jour rend compte de la deuxième ” manche ”
du debat entre Robert Kotcharian et Tigran Sarkissian declenche
fin decembre, lorsque le PM avait qualifie, lors d’une conference de
presse de fin d’annee, de ” bulle eclatee ” le boom de la construction
qu’avait connu l’Armenie sous la presidence de Robert Kotcharian (cf.

revue du 9 janvier). Celui-ci a repondu au PM en termes ” durs “,
mettant en question ses capacites ” mentales “. Le PM a, a son tour,
publie un article presentant des ” analyses economiques ” sur la
vulnerabilite de la croissance a deux chiffres qu’avait enregistree
l’Armenie dans les annees Kotcharian.

Dans un entretien l’ancien President reproche notamment au Gouvernement
d’avoir cache a la societe l’augmentation en 2011 du prix du gaz
russe et d’avoir ainsi accumule une dette de 300 M USD a l’egard de
Gazprom. Il a juge les explications du Gouvernement ” extremement
peu convaincantes “, estimant qu'”il aurait ete preferable de tout
simplement demander pardon a la societe “. Cette transaction a, selon
lui, saborde les ” derniers elements de confiance de l’opinion dans le
Gouvernement “. R. Kotcharian a aussi exprime ses inquietudes quant
aux droits exclusifs dont jouira Gazprom en Armenie jusqu’en 2044,
estimant que le Gouvernement armenien n’aura plus dès lors qu’un
statut de simple ” observateur sur la marche national du gaz ” : ”
J’ai en vain cherche des exemples d’accords similaires dans le monde “,
poursuit-il. Enfin, il estime qu’il est vain de polemiquer avec un PM
” qui a passe les six dernières annees a tenter de justifier ses echecs
en les mettant sur le compte de ses predecesseurs “, ajoutant que ” le
principal critère pour evaluer le travail d’un Gouvernement quel qu’il
soit est très simple : les gens vivaient-ils mieux ou moins bien sous
ce Gouvernement ? “. Et de conclure que : ” j’ai parle et continuerai
a parler des questions vitales relatives au present et a l’avenir de
l’Armenie, independamment de mes eventuelles activites politiques. Je
ne peux rester indifferent devant les problèmes croissants auxquels
est confronte le pays et me dois de m’exprimer en toute franchise a
ce sujet “.

Edouard Charmazanov, porte-parole du parti Republicain, a repondu
a l’ex-President, ” qui semble etre reste dans le passe et dont les
propos comportent des expressions inadmissibles, voire vexantes “.

Selon lui, ses propos sont intempestifs et ne proposent aucune solution
pour l’avenir.

Selon Haykakan Jamanak, l’opinion armenienne se demande quel est le
veritable objectif de l’ex-President et de ses attaques contre le PM.

2. Un soldat transporte a l’hôpital après avoir ete violement battu/
Hayots Achkhar et Haykakan Jamanak rendent compte de l’hospitalisation
d’un soldat appele en decembre et tabasse [d’après ses proches
par les commandants] dans une unite du HK. Une enquete est en
cours. Selon Arminfo, le Ministre de la Defense, Seyran Ohanian,
suit personnellement cette enquete. Il lui a rendu visite a l’hôpital.

II. Questions regionales

1. 65 000 euros du budget d’Etat armenien pour couvrir les depenses
de transport de la base militaire et des gardes frontières russes
bases en Armenie / Selon Haykakan Jamanak, le directeur du Service de
securite nationale a sollicite 65 000 euros du Gouvernement armenien
pour que celui-ci couvre les depenses de transport de la base militaire
russe stationnee a Gumri et des gardes-frontières russes stationnes
le long de la frontière armeno-turque. Haykakan Jamanak ecrit avec
ironie que le Gouvernement armenien finira par couvrir lui-meme les
depenses des militaires russes, ” au nom de l’amitie armeno-russe “.

Redaction : Meri Hakobian

Retour a la rubrique

Source/Lien : Ambassade de France en Armenie

SA SAINTETE ARAM IER A RECU LEILA SOLH RIYAD ANCIENNE MINISTRE ET VICE -PRESIDENT DE LA FONDATION WALID BIN TALAL

LIBAN

Mardi 17 Decembre 2013, Leila Riyad Solh , accompagne par le directeur
de la Fondation Walid Bin Talal et du depute armenien Hagop Pakradouni
, a rencontre Sa Saintete Aram I. La vice-president Mme Leila Riyad
Solh a discute de l’ education et des activites humanitaires de la
Fondation au Liban . Sa Saintete a exprime sa gratitude pour le soutien
que la Fondation donne a ceux qui en ont besoin , independamment des
differences religieuses ou culturelles . Il a ensuite mentionne le
soutien de son père a la communaute armenienne , quand il a ete le
premier Premier ministre du Liban. S.E. Riyad Solh a souvent visite
le Catholicos de Cilicie de 1945-1951 , exprimant a plusieurs reprises
sa preoccupation pour la communaute .

Reconnaissance le travail de la Fondation Walid Bin Talal au Liban
, Sa Saintete Aram Ier a donne un cadeau special au vice-president
Leila Solh Riyad . Remerciant le Catholicos pour ses activites dans
les relations interreligieuses et sa contribution a la cohesion de
la societe libanaise , Mme Leila Solh Riyad a promis de poursuivre
son soutien a la communaute armenienne .

mercredi 15 janvier 2014, Stephane ©armenews.com

LES PARENTS DES VICTIMES DE VIOLENCES DE 2008 PREOCCUPES PAR KOTCHARIAN

Politique

Les parents des manifestants de l’opposition tues lors des violences
post-electorale ont denonce hier l’ambition de l’ancien president
Robert Kotcharian de revenir sur la scène politique et ont mis en
garde les groupes d’opposition a ne surtout pas cooperer avec lui.

Ils ont dit que Kotcharian n’a pas le droit moral de gouverner
a nouveau l’Armenie en raison de son rôle cle dans les violences
mortelles des manifestations.

Huit partisans du principal candidat de l’opposition presidentielle,
Levon Ter -Petrossian, et deux militaires de police ont ete tues
alors que les forces de securite ont tente de disperser des milliers
de personnes qui se sont barricades dans le centre-ville d’Erevan.

Kotcharian a vigoureusement defendu l’usage de la force letale
a l’epoque, disant qu’il dejoue un coup d’Etat prevu par Ter
-Petrossian. Ce dernier a tellement insiste, cependant, que les
autorites ont tue ceux qui ne respectaient pas les resultats officiels
de l’election.

Plus d’une centaine de partisans de Ter- Petrossian ont ete arretes et
inculpes dans les semaines suivantes. En revanche, aucun representants
de la loi ou d’autres personnes ont ete poursuivis dans le cadre des
dix decès.

” Je vous conseille, Robert Kotcharian, ne pas revenir en la
politique. Honte a vous “, a declare Sargis Kloyan, dont le fils Gor
etait l’une des victimes, en commentant les dernières declarations
publiques de l’ex-president qui ont alimente la speculation sur son
retour en politique.

” Il doit etre expulse d’Armenie “, a dit Kloyan. ” Je suis sûr qu’un
jour il va passer en jugement. Il a peut-etre oublie, mais pas nous “.

Alla Hovannisian, la mère de Tigran Khachatrian, un autre jeune homme
tue dans les troubles, a declare : ” il y a beaucoup d’apathie, mais
cela ne signifie pas que les gens ont oublie ce que Kotcharian a fait.

”

” Je ne crois pas qu’il y ait des desaccords entre [ Kotcharian
et Sarkissian , ] ” a ajoute Hovannisian. ” Je crois qu’il y a une
certaine entente secrète. Ils se moquent de nous “.

Les deux parents ont souligne qu’ils croient que les deux presidents
sont egalement responsables de ce qui reste la pire violence dans
rues dans l’histoire de l’Armenie. Ils ont egalement reprimande les
forces de l’opposition pour leur non-reaction face au possible retour
de Kotcharian

” Je suis surpris que personne ne rappelle a Kotcharian son sang sur
les mains “, a declare Hovannisian . ” Une force politique debout
derrière Kotcharian serait un ennemi du peuple armenien. ”

mercredi 15 janvier 2014, Claire ©armenews.com

FUNDAÇÃO CALOUSTE GULBENKIAN
Armenian Communities Department – Service des Communautés Arméniennes
Av. de Berna, 45 A, PT-1067-001, Lisboa, Portugal
Tel: +351 21 782 3658
E-mail: [email protected]

Oscar O’Sullivan
Gestor de Projetos Junior
Serviço das Comunidades Arménias
FUNDAÇÃO CALOUSTE GULBENKIAN

‘Steel Gates’, by producer / director Armen Khachatryan, won Best Film
at the Festival Temps D’Images

The Armenian film was one of 34 films shown at the festival, out of a
total of 210 submissions. The director Armen Khachatryan, who also
produced the film, was able to attend the festival thanks to a grant
from the Armenian Communities Department of the Calouste Gulbenkian
Foundation.

‘Steel Gates’ is an intimate portrait of Armenian contemporary artist
Apresik Aloyan. Apresik lives, rather exists in a small town. “I
cherish a hope I’m going to end up with the eternal life in the
paradise”, he says. He is fond of repeating the idea everything will
be okay in heaven at least, since many of us are going to bump against
the steel gates of hell. The festival’s international audience was
charmed by his love of animals, many of which appeared alongside him
in the film as well as in his artwork.

The prize was one of only two awarded. The other prize went to
director Pedro Sobral’s film ‘Enxoval’ in the Portuguese film
category.

Watch the film here:

The Armenian Communities Department supports artists from Armenia and
the diaspora as part of its mission to create a viable future for the
Armenian people in which its culture and language are preserved and
valued.

11,000 SYRIAN-ARMENIANS SETTLED IN ARMENIA: ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS CARRIED OUT

10:45, 14 January, 2014

YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS: One of the programs, sponsored by
the Austrian Government to assist the needy Syrian Armenians living in
our Republic, has been partially launched and the other one is in the
preparatory stage. In the second half of 2013 Austria stated that it
will allocate ~@600,000 to the refugees, who were forced to leave their
houses in Syria because of the violence and get settled in Armenia.

The Red Cross Armenia will implement a program costing ~@280,000 of the
allocated money and the other part has been provided to the Armenian
Caritas to implement another related program. The money allocated by
the Austrian Government will serve the Red Cross Armenia to provide
300 Syrian Armenian families with assistance.

The Head of the Department for Disaster Management and Population
Displacement of the Red Cross Armenia and the Head of the program
“Assistance to Syrian Armenians” Edmon Azaryan told Armenpress that in
the framework of the program for seven months the needy families will
be provided with hygiene products, the people with chronic diseases –
with corresponding medicine, winter clothes and shoes, present cards
to purchase household accessories, applicable in different shops.

We clarified the final information about the number of the Syrian
Armenians, settled in our country from the Head of Staff of the
Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia Firdus Zakaryan. He
informed that during the last three months the Syrian Armenians come to
Armenia through Lebanon. “300-400 Syrian Armenians monthly arrive in
Armenia, parallel to which they leave to Syria from Armenia. It seems
that the roads are closed but they leave by land, moreover, they go
to their homes and shops and then come back”, – said Firdus Zakaryan.

Currently about 11,000 Syrian Armenians live in Armenia, who are
permanently supported by the Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic
of Armenia in apartment and job issues. About 1000 Syrian Armenians
applied to the Ministry and were provided with jobs.

© 2009 ARMENPRESS.am

ARMENIA NEEDS $90,000 TO MAINTAIN TROOPS AT RUSSIAN BASE IN GYUMRI

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Jan 14 2014

14 January 2014 – 11:29am

Gorik Akopyan, Head of the National Security Service of Armenia,
asked the government to grant about $90,000 to maintain Armenian
soldiers on the Russian base in Gyumri, Trend reports.

Part of the sum will be spent to cover the debt for services of the
South Caucasus Railway. The government will respond to the request
on January 16.

The 102nd Russian military base in Gyumri was established in 1995
to protect the territory within the framework of the CIS joint air
defenses. The base is part of the Russian forces of the North Caucasus
Military District in Trans-Caucasus.