Author: Badalian Vardan

Kuwaiti News Agency, Kuwait
Nov 22 2013

Al-Asimah Governor meets with Armenian officials

22/11/2013 | 04:35 PM|Kuwait News
Al-Asimah Governor Sheikh Ali Al-Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah met with
Mayor of Armenian Yerevan city Taron Margaryan

KUWAIT, Nov 22 (KUNA) — Al-Asimah Governor Sheikh Ali Al-Jaber
Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah met with Mayor of Armenian Yerevan city Taron
Margaryan on Friday, to discuss a number of projects which Armenia
aims to offer to foreign investors, including infrastructure projects.
Kuwait Municipality said in a statement that the meeting which was
attended by Kuwaiti Ambassador to Armenia Bassam Al-Qabandi, and
Armenian Ambassador Fadeh Charchoglian, discussed a Yerevan center
consisting of residential areas, diplomatic headquarters, and shopping
centers.
Margaryan discussed renovating the Erebuni Museum, together with other
projects regarding light and medium industries in the country. He
noted that these projects aim to present Yerevan as a tourist
attraction, adding that the government is ready to provide the
facilitations and legal consultation to investors.
The Mayor praised the outcomes of his Kuwait visit and the two
countries’ cooperation especially in the field of governorates, local
administration systems, and exchanging experiences. Moreover, he noted
the difficulties Yerevan faces such as environment protection, health,
education, and transportation issues, and finding ways to solve these
problems, adding that his country will sign a twin-city cooperation
agreement with Kuwait.
Sheikh Ali, on his part, praised the Armenian attention towards
cultural, touristic, educational, and entertainment projects, adding
that Al-Asimah will provide all the help needed to execute these
projects. He noted that this visit was an opportunity to see the
system followed in Yerevan, and to strengthen the two countries’
relations, also praising the efforts of both ambassadors in the
process.
Ambassador Charchoglian thanked Kuwait for its prominent role in
helping the Armenian Syrian refugees, adding that Kuwait is known for
its great efforts in helping refugees.

VAHAN HOVHANNISYAN: ARMENIAN POLITICAL SCIENCE HAS BEEN CLARIFYING THE RUSSIAN NATIONAL INTERESTS TO RUSSIANS FOR ALMOST THREE CENTURIES

by Emmanuil Lazarian

Friday, November 22, 16:23

For almost three centuries already the Armenian political science
has been clarifying the Russian national interests to Russians, Vahan
Hovhannisyan, MP, member of ARFD Bureau, told ArmInfo’s correspondent
in the lobby of the recent International Conference “The CSTO and
the Modern Security Challenges”. The MP thinks that it’s time to
stop doing that and to focus on elaboration of national priorities
on the basis of our own interests and “to pursue these interests in
any situation, to insist on them and not to try to naively correct
the foreign political activity of Europeans, Russians or Americans,
because Armenia’s significance in the international arena is not big
enough for the powers to give ear to Armenia”.

Hovhannisyan thinks that Russia is a huge country with an imperial
past, a federal system and a big problematic economy. Many topical
regional issues of great importance to Armenia are non-essential and
secondary for Russia. “It is a simple lack of foresight not to see the
direct bridge between the ongoing developments in the Greater Middle
East and the danger nestled in Russia itself. To all appearances, the
political science of Russia sees no correlation between the regional
challenges and the disintegration processes inside the country,
whereas these processes are clearly visible through the growth of
nationalistic separatist movements and especially the movements
supported by the terrorist groups”, he stressed.

In the meantime, the MP thinks that “its’ high time Armenia minded its
own business”. “Over the two decades of independence, our country’s
significance in the international arena has not only failed to rise
but also dropped, unfortunately. We failed to use the period when
we were of more significance, especially after the Karabakh war and
the ceasefire. These twenty years were absolutely empty for us. Then
the situation started deteriorating for both internal and external
reasons, but we did not prepare the country for that and today we
reap the bitter fruits”, said Hovhannisyan. Nevertheless, he thinks
that the situation is not hopeless yet. “There is a way out of the
bad situation, but there may be losses and victims. So, everything
should be done to prevent fatalities and loss of statehood and the
whole population. Unfortunately, the concept of how to do that is
not clear yet and the Armenian Government does not yet realize this
danger”, said Hovhannisyan.

To recall, when commenting on the ongoing integration processes
during the Nov 19 CSTO conference in Yerevan, ARFD Bureau member
Vahan Hovhannisyan said that if Armenia and Russia are allies, there
should be no pressure. He recalled that Russia and later the Soviet
Union had both allies and rivals in the West. Today the situation
is quite the opposite. “They try to make us understand that Armenia
should make a civilized choice between Russia and Europe. When did
Russia stop being Europe?” the parliamentarian said.

ARMENIA’S GYUMRI BECOMES PUTINVILLE

November 22, 2013 – 7:38am, by Giorgi Lomsadze

Armenia Foreign Policy

Russia

Armenia’s second-largest city of Gyumri is becoming a Potemkin — or
rather a Putin — Village for a two-day visit this December by Russian
President Vladimir Putin. In the best Soviet tradition, when the
South Caucasus would tidy up and put on a show for a Communist big wig
visiting from Moscow, Gyumri is having a long-overdue face-lift to look
good for Putin, who himself is said to have a soft spot for facials.

Potholed roads are being fixed, facades are being painted, garbage
is being carted away on a scale that Gyumri residents have not seen
since communism. “If Putin comes to town twice a year, Gyumri will
become a great city,” joked municipal council member Levon Barsegian
in comments to the Tert.am news service. “It is shameful that it takes
a visit of a head of foreign state to renovate the city,” he added.

Gyumri Mayor Samvel Balasanian said he is not even sure what Putin’s
itinerary is going to be during the December 2-3 visit. Some expect
the Kremlin boss to skip the capital Yerevan and head straight to
Gyumri’s Russian military base, a major strategic foothold for Russia
in the Caucasus.

So, with that in mind, workers also are busy renovating the road from
the local airport to the base, and everything around it.

The city will also be hosting an Armenian-Russian economic forum and
its venue, a local drama theatre, is covered in scaffolding after
10 years of neglect. The forum is now more important than ever after
Yerevan opted this September to go with the Russian-led Customs Union,
a decision that put the kibosh on accelerated integration with the
European Union.

But looks like Yerevan has more to give Moscow than just its economic
ambitions. It also will be handing over additional territory to the
Gyumri military base, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported. In
exchange, Russia will be handing over 18 helicopters to Armenian
troops.

Yerevan seems to have done enough to please the Russian leader,
but why stop when the going’s good, some might ask. Landlocked as
Armenia is, “at this rate, they may even open an sea port in Gyumri,”
joked Bersegian.

Chronicle of a tragedy

November 23 2013

The famous film director and actor Vardan Petrosyan appeared in a
terribly difficult situation, and this is the case about which people
say `I would not wish it even to my worst enemy.’ Vardan is not an
enemy, on the contrary, he is loved by thousands, and it’s obvious. It
is very likely that the victims of this tragic incident and their
family members were once fascinated by Vardan Petrosyan’s artistry.
Personally, I do think that Vardan does not belong to those who
escape, and his preliminary and hasty detention was not mandatory.
Aspirations of Vardan’s supports and especially his defending partners
were more natural. They (Michael Poghosyan, Hrant Tokhatyan and
others) are heartily willing to assist their friend and colleague in
any way, who has appeared in a terrible psychological condition. The
same is done by many of Vardan’s other friends and fans, and it’s very
possible that this kind of support really leaves a beneficial effect
on Vardan Petrosyan’s terrible mental condition. It is natural that
severely injured the other side (Vardan, in fact, is also a
full-affected side) would have received a certain psychological
support of their relatives and friends, but their support was mainly
audible and visible for the `Niva’ staff, because the Internet users
were primarily and mainly Vardan’s supporters, and the support of
Vardan’s supporters was prevailing in the internet. Actor and
playwright Sergey Danielyan’s (Yozh, trnaslator’s note `hedgehog’)
support was a bit different from the others. He tried to objectively
and equally be in the skin of both sides, and it seems the result was
positive (unless, of course, it is possible to expect any positive
result in this complex situation). The only positive thing in this
situation would be if we do not deepen the abyss incurred between
affected sides by fate with our words and opinions. In this situation,
perhaps, keeping silent would be more correct rather than speaking.
But, as you can see, I am also not good at keeping silent. I guess
this is not the case when silence is gold. If the case had been handed
over to a reasonable investigator, and if Vardan Petrosyan were not
kept in pre-trial detention, keeping silent would be difficult again.
I do not refer to constant activeness of Facebook and Internet users.
This is the unique case when those constantly complaining about the
existence of the Internet felt the need for the network and took
advantage of it. And this is the case, I guess, when you have the
difficulty to guess about who is correct: those keeping silent or
those speaking. Because what happened was not a conflict between two
hostile parties, but a terrible and cruel fate. And in the meantime,
the most audible and comprehensive, perhaps, was Vardan Petrosyan’s
words from the bottom of the heart, which was really on demand, and
which, apparently, found its place in the souls of people who were
tuned differently. Unfortunately, this wound will not be cicatrized
easily and quickly for both sides, and if our words would deepen the
wound, then let’s try to keep silent, and if our silence would deepen
the wound, then, let’s speak and dialect something, but carefully and
in conscience, and the only thing that we must learn from this tragic
incident is as follows: difficult and mandatory reconciliation has no
alternative, and if we are unable to contribute to it, at least, let’s
not obstacle.

Voskan YEREVANTSY
Read more at:

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