Author: Badalian Vardan

Today marks 20 years of adopting Armenia’s national currency

12:56 – 23.11.13

Armenia’s national currency, the Dram, turns 20 years old today.

On November 23, 1993, the national currency unit was put into
circulation, replacing the Soviet Rouble. On this remarkable occasion,
Tert.am has interviewed Hrant Bagratyan, Armenia’s then prime
minister, who now represents the parliamentary opposition.

Tell please the history of introducing the Dram.

The Dram was introduced by the Supreme Council [current National
Assembly] as Armenia was in the Rouble zone until August 26, 1993. On
August 26, Russia declared the new [national] Rouble. We had purchased
the Dram, together with the Lumas, under one of the former prime
ministers, I mean Gagik Harutyunyan, and asked Poland to transport the
full amount to Armenia. Armenia’s economic records were the best in
the CIS [Commonwealth of Independent States] as of January-October
1993. I took over the cabinet in late February, after the catastrophic
decline. We were hopeful to get through 1993 with a relative economic
growth and be the first among the CIS states. We got in touch with
Moscow to know what precisely the new Rouble’s meant, and the response
we got was the the Rouble would be made available only to the
countries which Russia believed were to join an economic union. They
said further that Tajikistan was the only candidate at the moment.
That was the situation until late October. As early as in October, we
were given a certain amount of the August 26 Rouble. On October 18, we
met with the Russian government’s expanded staff together with [first]
President Levon Ter-Petrosyan. They clearly told us that Armenia was
very unlikely to qualify for the Rouble. The International Monetary
Fund too, insisted – until the summer of 1993 0 that we avoid
switching over to the national currency. We were back from Moscow on
October 18. And we applied to the Supreme Council, proposing the Dram
as the national currency. We did not have a serious law on the Central
Bank then. So the cabinet initiated the new law. After consultations,
the Supreme Council made a decision to launch the Dram. The process
was entrusted to the Supreme Council Committee (Tigran Sargsyan, Levon
Barkhudaryan, Isahak Isahakyan).

And what did the cabinet do then? How was the Dram introduced?

When the Dram was introduced, it was [current Prime Minister] Tigran
Sargsyan’s decision to propose the 1:45 ratio. The cabinet proposed
that the ratio be 1:40. The Dram had 20 times lost its value upon
being launched; had our proposal been passed, it would have been
devaluated by five times. After the situation took a catastrophic turn
10 days later, the cabinet applied to the Supreme Council [warning of]
a danger of losing the republic. It proposed that all the functions of
managing the Dram be vested with the cabinet. The National Assembly
did not pass the law, but the cabinet was de facto vested with those
authorities. We then launched several stock exchanges with rapid
efforts and established a market [exchange] rate, abandoning the
`fixed’ 1:14 ratio. In the period spanning from October until January,
I recorded a growth, but the introduction of the dram in such a way
spoiled everything. In 1994, we already managed to ensure an economic
growth, being the first in the CIS area.

Georgia is disappointed by the decision of Ukraine, the EU recalls
Armenia’s mistakes

November 23 2013

`The EU respects Armenia’s sovereign rights on Customs Union
accession,’ said Traian Hristea, Head of EU Delegation to Armenia,
today, at the conference on `From Warsaw to Vilnius: at the crossroads
– Armenia and Georgia’. Continuing, he said. `EU will continue
supporting Armenia in the fields that are focused on ensuring human
rights and fundamental freedoms, with regard to which there are some
drawbacks in terms of implementation of legislative initiatives. EU
remains Armenia’s cooperating organization, and after Vilnius we will
try to find ways of cooperation that will be consistent with the
directions of Armenia’s foreign policy.’ The Eastern Partnership
Roadmap 2012-2013 monitoring reports for Armenia and Georgia were
presented. Executive Director of `Transparency International’
Anti-Corruption Center Varuzhan Hoktanyan referred to electoral
standards, `Armenia is among the countries where there is a systemic
corruption, and it was logical that the political corruption will
emerge during the elections. Abuse of administrative resources by the
ruling political force is the main corruption manifestation during
elections. During the last elections in Armenia, we were witnesses of
these manifestations with some variation differences.’ OSF-Armenia
Executive Director, Larisa Minasyan, said, `We will try to show that
the defect of democracy and non establishment of institutions give
rise and great opportunity to pressures, and as a result of conceding,
decisions are made, which we witnessed when the direction was such
dramatically changed’. Aravot.am asked the representative of Open
Society-Georgia Foundation, Vano Chkhikvadze, how he assesses
Ukraine’s decision of not signing the EU agreement. He replied,
`Viewing from Georgia’s standpoint, this is a very disappointing
decision. Ukraine’s example may serve a bad example. Russia’s pressure
is obvious here. We have no guarantee that Georgia or Moldova would
not be the next. Georgia is the only country in the South Caucasus,
which is still consistent to its decision to go to the EU, which is
pretty hard. As for Armenia’s membership to the Customs Union, then
it’s your government’s decision. But, here, Europeanization of the
region becomes more complicated.’

Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
Read more at:

Genocide Denial at Center of Mass. Judicial Nomination

Thursday, November 21st, 2013
Joseph Berman

BOSTON – Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick’s nominee for a seat on
the Commonwealth’s Superior Court is facing opposition because of his
leadership role in the Anti-Defamation League and that organization’s
refusal to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

The Boston Globe reported Thursday, that Joseph S. Berman’s nomination
is being opposed by members of the eight-person elected panel that
approves judicial nominations.

Councilor Marilyn M. Pettito Devaney, a Democrat from Watertown, led
the opposition to Berman, saying she had the five votes needed to
reject his nomination.

She stood and denounced Berman’s affiliation with the Anti-Defamation
League, as the governor, who chairs the panel, looked on, chagrined,
reported the Boston Globe.

`In 1939, Hitler, carrying out his horrific mission to exterminate the
Jews, said, `Who remembers the Armenians?” Devaney said, her voice
trembling and eyes filling with tears. `I do. And many others do,
too,’ according to the Boston Globe.

Devaney said if she belonged to `a group who denied the Holocaust,’
she would resign. Several other councilors agreed that Berman’s ties
to the Anti-Defamation League are a concern, while raising their own
separate objections.

The opposition forced Gov. Patrick to postpone Berman’s approval to December 4.

Berman’s nominations and the ADL’s Genocide denial took center stage
in 2007 when the organization launched its `No Place for Hate’
campaign, causing backlash from the Armenian-American community in
Massachusetts, which claimed that an organization that unequivocally
denies the Armenian Genocide had no place in public schools promoting
anti-discrimination.

A campaign called `No Place for Denial,’ led by the Armenian National
Committee of America Eastern Mass. Chapter and including a
cross-section of the Armenian-American community vocally opposed ADL’s
efforts.

In 2007, the ADL fired its New England regional director, Andrew H.
Tarsy, after he acknowledged the Armenian Genocide in opposition to
the national leadership.

ADL’s national director Abraham Foxman has gone on record to say that
the events of 1915 were `tantamount to Genocide,’ but did not label it
as such. He has also actively lobbied against Armenian Genocide
resolutions in Congress.

According to the Boston Globe, Councilor Devaney stood firm on her
opposition, saying: `We’re not going to change our minds. To prolong
this serves no purpose.’

Councilor Terrence W. Kennedy agreed, saying that even though he
supports Berman, a delay will not save the nomination, reported the
Globe. `It’s a democracy, and I don’t think the vote is going to
change,’ he told Patrick.

Turkish parliament grades Davutoglu `0′ on Armenia (PHOTO)

November 23, 2013 | 00:04

YEREVAN. – The parliament ofTurkey put FM Ahmet Davutoglu in a
difficult situation because of the foreign policy failures of the
country.

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) MPs of the
parliament’s budget committee had come especially prepared for the
meeting with the FM of the country, Vatan daily of Turkey reports.

To evaluate the Turkish FM’s performance, the opposition MPs had
prepared a student’s report card-like board, on which the countries
and Davutoglu’s evaluation on relations with these countries were
`graded.’

According to this `report card,’ Davutoglu received a grade of `0′ on
Armenia,Egypt, and Libya.

Armenia and US discuss bilateral launch of visa liberalization process

November 23, 2013 | 14:53

The 22nd U.S.-Armenia Joint Economic Task Force (USATF) was held in
Washington on Friday.

On November 22, the U.S. Department of State welcomed Armenian
Minister of Finance Davit Sargsyan and his delegation, including
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ashot Hovakimian and Armenian
Ambassador to the United States Tatoul Markarian

Both sides held discussions on mechanisms to deepen economic ties,
increase trade and investment, and advance market reforms, says the
statement issued by State Department.

Armenia and the United States welcomed the new $180 million investment
in Armenia’s hydropower sector by the U.S. company Contour Global.

This investment, which is expected to be partially financed by the
U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation, represents the largest
U.S. private investment in Armenia’s history and the first U.S.
investment in Armenia’s critical energy sector. Participants discussed
the bilateral launch of a visa liberalization process with the goal of
achieving a visa-free regime for American travelers and ten-year
multiple entry visas for Armenians, leading to increased bilateral
trade and investment. The United States also encouraged implementation
of Armenia’s civil aviation liberalization reforms.

The United States highlighted Armenia’s selection as one of 20 focus
countries for the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID)
Science, Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships. Through this
initiative, both countries have agreed to undertake a signature effort
in the areas of clean energy and water.

The U.S. Government was represented by Deputy Assistant Secretary of
State for European and Eurasian Affairs Eric Rubin, USAID Assistant
Administrator Paige Alexander, and Coordinator of Assistance for
Europe Daniel Rosenblum. The U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of
Armenia John A. Heffern and USAID Armenia Mission Director Karen
Hilliard also attended.

ARMENIE-FRANCE-HUMANITAIRE
Sarkis Arbajian avec Terres d’Ailleurs veut apporter chaleur et
réconfort aux enfants handicapés et orphelins en Arménie
le combat d’un jeune arménien de France pour les enfants d’Arménie

Le chemin de Sarkis Arbajian (34 ans) globe-trotter, né en France et
habitant près de Grasse (Alpes-Maritimes) s’est arrêté en Arménie.
Face à la misère qu’il vit dans certains quartiers, orphelinats ou
centres pour jeunes handicapés à Erévan, Sarkis Arbajian ne peut
rester indifférent. Avec ses maigres économies il aide les plus
démunis. Mais face à l’ampleur de la situation, il décidera de fonder
une association Terres d’Ailleurs pour venir en aide plus
efficacement, surtout aux enfants handicapés. Sur le site de son
association à l’adresse , Sarkis Arbajian
détaille ses actions menées en direction des enfants handicapés et des
personnes en grande difficulté en Arménie.

Il précise sur ce site que « Plus de 8000 enfants y ont été recensé en
2010, atteints de cancer ou malformations graves. Ces anges, parfois
abandonnés de leurs parents, ont besoin de soins, d’attentions et
d’amour ! Nous sommes capables de le leur apporter en améliorant leurs
conditions de vie et prise en charge ». il rajoute « l’amour et la
gentillesse des personnes rencontrées, nos échanges et amitiés
partagés m’ont inspiré à aider mon prochain. Lorsque je ferme les
yeux, et replonge dans mes souvenirs des moments notamment vécus en
Inde, c’est le sourire de ces enfants de la misère que je revoie.
C’est eux qui me donnent la force de ne pas abandonner et de
continuer. Les projets humanitaires se déroulent pour le moment en
Arménie, à Erevan plus précisément. Je suis sur place autant que
possible pour apporter mon modeste soutien, tant financier qu’humain.
Une amie m’a rappelé un jour que ce qui est peu pour nous est beaucoup
pour les autres ! Ainsi, en Arménie, 100 permettront la prise en
charge totale de 5 enfants malades pendant un an (Vêtement, activités,
soins, nourriture). Leur sourire est et restera notre plus belle
récompense ».

L’opération des « Nouveaux lits » pour les enfants handicapés lui
permit en juin 2012 de renouveler 21 vieux lits dans un centre de
rééducation pour enfants handicapés d’Erévan. Une autre de ses
initiatives permit récemment à 13 orphelins de réaliser une sortie et
des rencontres entre jeunes gés de 10 à 15 ans dans une ambiance
chaleureuse et conviviale à Aghveran. sur les hauteurs d’Erévan.

L’association loi 1901 « Terres d’ailleurs.fr » se donne pour mission
d’améliorer la qualité de vie et de prise en charge des enfants
handicapés. « Grce à votre soutien, l’association `Terres d’ailleurs’
a pu acheter 21 nouveaux lits pour les enfants handicapés du centre de
rééducation de Noragyux. Les photos de la mission sont disponibles sur
notre site » nous dit Sarkis Arbajian que nous avons rencontré à
Erévan. Il nous confia avec un très grand enthousiasme « nous sommes
conscient que nous ne changerons pas le monde et qu’a l’échelle
mondiale, on ne verra pas beaucoup de différence mais pour chaque
enfant pris en charge, ça fera une sacrée différence ».

Il affirme après une opération réussie en août 2012 qu’à travers ce «
geste de générosité, vous semez l’amour et les encouragements ! ». De
plus, effectués sur le site Terres d’Ailleurs.fr les dons supérieurs à
15 bénéficieront d’une attestation fiscale pour une réduction des
impôts. Les virements bancaires son à adresser à la Société Générale
(Titulaire du compte : TERRESDAILLEURS.FR, Code banque : 30003, Code
guichet : 00639, Compte Num : 00037260102, Clé RIB : 36, Iban : FR76
3000 3006 3900 0372 6010 236, Bic adress – Swift : SOGEFRPP. Dans tous
les cas, indiquer le libellé « Terres d’Ailleurs »

Les dons peuvent également être réalisés par chèques et adressés à
l’adresse « Terres d’Ailleurs » S. Arbajian, 2157, Bd du Grand Pré-
Les Fougères- 06620 Gréolières les Neiges.

Krikor Amirzayan à Valence-Marseille-Erévan

(JPEG)
Nouveaux lits pour les enfants handicapés
(JPEG)
Sortie pour les enfants orphelins
(JPEG)
Repas de Noël pour Manig
samedi 23 novembre 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

ISRAËL
Charles Aznavour : « les Arméniens et les Juifs qui ont survécu à des
tragédies auraient disparu depuis longtemps s’ils n’aimaient pas la
vie »

« Nous, Arméniens et Juifs avons tellement survécu aux tragédies que
si nos peuples n’aimaient pas la vie ils auraient disparu depuis
longtemps » confie Charles Aznavour (89 ans) aux médias israéliens
venus l’interviewer à l’hôtel « Dan » de Tel-Aviv. Charles Aznavour
qui va donner ce soir son premier et unique concert en Israël. « Je
sais que nous naissons pour mourir, mais en attendant il faut vivre
pleinement sa vie (…) la soif de la vie me pousse en avant » aurait
ensuite déclaré le célèbre chanteur et acteur Français d’origine
arménienne.

A la question d’un journaliste qui demandait à Charles Aznavour
pourquoi il se produisait en concert pour la première fois en Israël,
le chanteur aurait répondu que « malheureusement c’est la première
fois qu’on m’invite en Israël ». Mais il précisa qu’il ne venait pas
en Israël pour la première fois. Il fut le premier chanteur qui a
visité le pays juste après la fondation de l’Etat hébreu. Charles
Aznavour qui s’est déclaré « surpris de pas géants réalisés durant ces
dernières années par ce jeune Etat ». Le spectacle de Charles Aznavour
est titré « concert au nom de la Paix ». Charles Aznavour qui lors de
sa visite en Israël a désiré également se rendre sur le territoire
autonome de la Palestine. Mais cette dernière visite n’a pu se
réaliser en raison des conditions de sécurité qui obligèrent à
l’annuler. « Je suis venu en Israël pour chanter et non faire de la
politique » a toutefois précisé le chanteur.

Les journalistes ont alors demandé à Charles Aznavour son avis sur le
refus d’Israël de reconnaitre le génocide arménien. Charles Aznavour
aurait alors répondu que la reconnaissance du génocide arménien par
Israël revêt une très grande importance et qu’en tant qu’Arménien il
connait lutte pour la reconnaissance du génocide. Il comprend
également l’importance que revêt le mot « génocide » auprès des Juifs.
Il s’est dit toutefois confiant qu’un jour Israël reconnaitra le
génocide arménien.

Charles Aznavour a également confié qu’il avait dans sa famille des
catholiques, des protestants, des juifs et des musulmans. Et s’est
déclaré convaincu que les hommes pourront vivre ensemble dans la paix
et ceci quelles que soient leur religion et de leurs opinions
politiques.

Ci-dessous un article paru vendredi 22 novembre 2013 sur le site de Radio Canada

« Pour la première fois de sa carrière, le chanteur français Charles
Aznavour donnera un premier concert en Israël, samedi soir. En
conférence de presse vendredi à Tel-Aviv, il a expliqué qu’il venait «
chanter pour la paix », une invitation qu’il ne pouvait refuser.
Toutefois, l’artiste de 89 ans a déploré le fait qu’il chanterait
exclusivement devant un public israélien. Charles Aznavour qui a aussi
la nationalité arménienne regrette qu’Israël n’ait toujours pas
reconnu le génocide arménien perpétré par l’Empire ottoman en 1915. En
2009, il a été nommé ambassadeur d’Arménie en Suisse, où il vit.
Durant toute sa carrière, il a toujours défendu la mémoire du peuple
arménien. Charles Aznavour a rappelé qu’il était allé plusieurs fois
en Israël. Il avait même chanté dans un cabaret de Tel-Aviv tout juste
après la création de l’État d’Israël en 1948 ».

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 23 novembre 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

ARMENIA’S PUBLIC COUNCIL CONCERNED OVER CUMULATIVE PENSION BILL

22:05 ~U 21.11.13

Armenia’s Public Council has concerns over the plan to introduce the
compulsory pension accumulation system in the light of the increasing
complaints by different citizens.

A special working group has now been launched to study the
appeals filed, Vazgen Safaryan, the chairman of the Council’s
Financial-Economic and Budgetary Affairs, told Tert.am.

“We have received over 2,000 appeals, complaints from [citizens]
working in high-salaried positions, [particularly] in the IT sector. A
working group has been set up by the Public Council’s president to
study the questions, organize public debates and submit corresponding
proposals to the Government,” he said.

Safaryan noted that the law, adopted three years ago, contains
several controversial clauses whose implications hadn’t been properly
studied then.

“Particularly, the selection of regulating operators. Secondly, the
law envisages [compulsory] payments in the amount of 10 percent of
the income, but when the income tops 500,000 Drams (over $1,200),
the Government’s share decreases, imposing a higher pay duty on the
one from whom the money is to be charged,” he said.

Safaryan added that the proposed bill also conflicts the constitutional
provision allowing a person to fully control his property. He said
that by making compulsory payments for years, a person thus becomes
deprived of that freedom until reaching the retirement age.

Armenian News – Tert.am

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Assembly of America
1334 G Street, N.W., Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20005
Tel: (202) 393-3434
Fax: (202) 638-4904
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

*Armenian Assembly of America Participates in `Look into the Future’
Youth Expo in Armenia *

November 21, 2013

*YEREVAN**, ARMENIA* – Last week, the Armenian Assembly of America
(Assembly) participated in a three-day youth conference and expo organized
by the Republic of Armenia entitled `Look into the Future,’ reported the
Assembly. From November 12-15, Armenian youth packed the Republic of
Armenia’s main Conference Hall where they were joined by the Prime Minister
of Armenia, Tigran Sargsyan.

Over 60 youth organizations took part in the expo-conference throughout
Armenia. It was organized in the framework of events dedicated to the World
Youth and Students International Days. At the expo-conference in Yerevan,
the Armenian Assembly of America was well represented as a strong supporter
of youth initiatives in Armenia.

Prime Minister Sargsyan, accompanied by Assembly youth activist, Hayk
Mamijanyan, walked through the expo booths and discussed the activity and
programs of the Armenian Assembly of America.

The participants of Assembly’s Young Activists (AYA) program presented
their implemented projects, published materials regarding their
achievements, as well the first two volumes of *Regional Affairs
Journal,*which contains articles written mostly by the Assembly’s AYA
scholar fellows.

`Such a representative, pan-Armenian youth conference was long-awaited.
It’s difficult to overvalue the role of our youth in Armenia’s future
development. That is precisely why the Armenian Assembly of America has
become a nucleus of youth activity in Armenia, unifying several of the most
constructive and forward looking youth groups in our young republic,’
stated Assembly Country Director Armina Darbinian.

###

Photo Caption 1: Armenian Assembly of America booth at the `Look into the
Future’ Youth Expo in Yerevan, Armenia

Photo Caption 2: Table of Assembly published materials and *Regional
Affairs Journal*

Photo Caption 3: Assembly Young Activist (AYA) member Hayk Mamijanyan
(left) introduces Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan (center) to the Assembly’s
publications

Photo Caption 4: Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan (left), Assembly AYA member
Hayk Mamijanyan (second from left) and AYA members review youth publications

Available online:

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SENDS CONDOLENCE TELEGRAM TO PRESIDENT OF CYPRUS

Thursday,
November
21

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan sent today a telegram of condolence
to Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades in connection with the death
of former President of Cyprus Glafcos Clerides, the press service of
the Armenian president said.

Serzh Sargsyan highly appreciated the ex-president Glafcos
Clerides’s contribution to the strengthening of Cypriot statehood
and socioeconomic prosperity, as well as his personal contribution
to the development of centuries-old Armenian-Cypriot friendship and
his kind attitude to the Armenian community of Cyprus.

Glafcos Clerides died on November 15 at the age of 94.

TODAY, 20:14

Aysor.am