Author: Badalian Vardan

Armenian community visit Sourp Magar Monastery in Cyprus

10:40 21.05.2013

THE Office of the Representative of the Armenian Community, Vartkes
Mahdessian, in co-operation with the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus,
organised the sixth visit-pilgrimage to the Sourp Magar Monastery, the
Famagusta Gazette informs.

Around 150 Armenian Cypriots visited the monastery on Sunday, some of
whom came especially from abroad.

The monastery was founded by Copts around the year 1000 AD and in 1425
it was inherited by the Armenians.

It is dedicated to Saint Makarios the Hermit of Alexandria and it is
located in the eastern part of the Turkish-occupied Pendadhaktylos
mountain at an altitude of 530 metres and a small distance from
Halevga, within the Plataniotissa forest.

The vast land of the monastery, which is about 8.500 donums, includes
30.000 olive and carob trees, extends up to the sea and is known to be
picturesque and idyllic.

>From the monastery one can see right opposite the Taurus mountain
range in Cilicia.

The Armenian Monastery had been for centuries a popular pilgrimage for
Armenians and non-Armenians and a place of recuperation for Catholicoi
(Patriarchs) and other Armenian clergymen from Cilicia and Jerusalem,
as well as a popular centre for local and foreign travellers and for
pilgrims en route to the Holy Land.

Furthermore, the monastery was used as a summer resort, where Armenian
scouts and students would camp, including students of the Melkonian
Educational Institute, many of whom were orphans of the Armenian
Genocide.

A large number of exquisite and priceless manuscripts, dating back to
1202, as well as other valuable ecclesiastical relics were housed
there.

Fortunately, in 1947 some of them were saved when they were
transferred to the `Cilicia’ Museum of the Catholicosate of the Great
House of Cilicia.

The Magaravank is the only Armenian monastery in Cyprus and together
with the church of the Virgin Mary in occupied Nicosia, are the most
important Armenian monuments on the island.

It was occupied in August 1974 during the Turkish invasion and ever
since it remains at the mercy of nature, silent, ruined, desecrated
and deserted, awaiting for its rightful owners to return.

ARMENIE
Des dissidents de l’opposition veulent faire revivre un ancien parti

Quatre éminents hommes politiques de l’opposition ont décidé de
relancer un ancien parti qui a mené l’Arménie à l’indépendance et
avait été incorporé dans une nouvelle force politique mis en place par
l’ancien président Levon Ter-Petrosian plus tôt cette année.

Le Mouvement Pan-National Arménien (HHSH), qui a gouverné le pays de
1990 à 1998, a joué un rôle central dans la transformation récente de
l’Alliance du Congrès national arménien (HAK) de Ter-Petrosian en un
seul parti politique. Le HHSH avait changé son nom pour le HAK lors
d’un congrès en Février.

Levon Ter-Petrossian a déclaré plus tôt cette année que l’ancien parti
au pouvoir, qu’il a dirigé dans les années 1990, a depuis longtemps
perdu sa popularité et devenait un groupe moribond. Cette déclaration
a été publiquement dénoncée par plusieurs personnalités vétérans du
HHSH qui avaient rompu avec l’ex-président après son échec de 2008 de
revenir au pouvoir.

Quatre de ces dissidents – Alexander Arzoumanian, Ararat Zurabian,
Karapet Rubinian et Hovannes Igitian – ont annoncé le lancement d’un
processus de `re-enregistrement` du HHSH auprès du ministère de la
Justice.

Dans une déclaration écrite lue lors de leur conférence de presse
commune, ils ont décrit la dissolution du parti comme un `affront à
notre histoire moderne` et ont rejeté le parti HAK comme une `unité
artificielle.`

Ils ont fait valoir que de nombreux « principes » ont été chassés de
l’ex-parti au pouvoir au cours des dernières années en raison d’un «
culte de la personnalité » créée par l’entourage de Ter-Petrosian.

« Nous sommes fiers de notre passé », a déclaré Arzumanian, qui avait
assuré la campagne électorale de Ter-Petrosian de 2008 et a ensuite
été emprisonné par les autorités.

« Une des raisons de la création de ce parti, c’est qu’il y a un
régime dictatorial en Arménie, contre lequel nous avons lutté pendant
des années, et nous voulons continuer cette lutte », a déclaré
Zurabian aux journalistes. Il a déclaré que la relance du HHSH est
actuellement soutenu par quelque 200 anciens membres du parti. Le
nouveau parti tiendra son congrès fondateur en Septembre a-t-il dit.

mardi 21 mai 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

Sonya Orfalian a Padova

Palazzo Moroni (Sala Livio Paladin) – Via Municipio, 1 – Padova

VENERDI’ 24 MAGGIO 2013 – h. 18.00

L’Associazione Naìri Onlus, in collaborazione con l’Associazione di
ricerca culturale “Casa di Cristallo”, organizzano un incontro con
Sonya Orfalian, autrice del fortunato volume “La cucina d’Armenia.
Viaggio nella cultura culinaria di un popolo”, edito da Ponte alle
Grazie. L’incontro sarà presentato e condotto dalla scrittrice Antonia
Arslan.

Dr. Paul Haidostian on Haigazian’s Success
By Betty Apigian-Kessel

May 19, 2013

It’s always a thrill to learn about Armenian successes, and Dr. Paul
Haidostian, the affable president of Haigazian University in Beirut,
on May 7 provided interesting information to diasporans about his
liberal arts school of higher learning during his talk at the Armenian
Congregational Church, including insights into the Syrian situation.

Haidostian, a theologian and pastor, was introduced by Rev. Dr. Vahan
Tootikian, Emeritus, of the Armenian Congregational Church. It was a
rare opportunity to learn about Haigazian, its educational offerings
and its many successes. We were surprised and proud to learn that in
1960 a group of Haigazian students, under the guidance of math and
physics instructor Manoug Manougian, produced the first rocket shot in
the Arab world. It was a single stage solid propellant rocket
launched, and it reached an altitude of one kilometer. It later became
known as the Lebanese Rocket Society launching a two-stage rocket.
This was Armenian scientific ingenuity that few know about. A film
about this has recently been made and released to the public.

The highly rated university, founded in 1955, is the highest Armenian
educational institute in the diaspora. Haidostian says, `We call it an
Armenian university open to the larger world. We are also popular with
Muslims. There are some who live in the Middle East by chance and some
by choice.’

Haigazian is supported by the Armenian Evangelical community. The
university uses English as the main language of instruction. It offers
bachelor of arts, business, and science, and master’s programs, too.

`We are the cradle of so many major religions. Conflicts, too, started
in the Middle East and never ended. Lebanon continues to be a vibrant
place for science, business, and culture. I don’t know what kind of
fertility is there but once they are born here they stay. Maybe that’s
why it remains an attractive place.’

He continued, `We were having a conference and a U.S. advisory board
was warned not to fly to Beirut. I wrote all the potential comers,
said hello, and I bombarded them with activities that we had planned
for their pleasure. That was my way of saying, `We’re okay.’ Twelve
people came from the U.S. Only one person bowed out.’

The Armenian community in Beirut has education covered, from nursery
school to university, as well as two old age homes, a radio station,
and three newspapers.

`What does community life mean? That is why Lebanon is vibrant. In the
infrastructure of Armenian life we still find opportunity here,’ the
president said. The university has a staff of 55, and graduates that
number 3,300. `Haigazian is the only university owned by Armenians
outside of Armenia. Fifty-eight percent of students are non-Armenian.
Why do they come to our school? They come for their educational
benefit. We like our reputation to be like it is – caring. Almost half
the enrollment is Armenian. For those who are not Armenian, the
atmosphere is attractive.’

`There is something neutral in every Armenian in Beirut regardless of
political or religious belief. On April 24, it was a sea of Armenians
walking together for a memorial observance. For the 100th anniversary
of the genocide it will be the same. Haigazian University is seen as a
neutral place for all people regardless of race, nationality, or
creed.’

Their ties with Armenia have been further strengthened. Financially
$1.2 million is available to support university students.

Armenian President Serge Sarikisan visited and asked if he could
address the student body. The offer was considered a privilege by all.

Haidostian comes from a family of educators. His father, Rev. Lufti
Haidostian, was principal of Bethel Armenian Evangelical School, where
Badveli Tootikian’s wife Rosette Tootikian was a student. His uncle,
Rev. Dr. Hovannes Aharonian, was president of Near East School of
Theology. The college was founded in 1955 in honor of Prof. Armenag
Haigazian, who received his Ph.D. from Yale and went back to become
president of St. Paul College in the Ottoman Empire. Although he had a
chance to escape to the U.S., he chose to stay and continue his
ministry. Like the other intellectuals of the time, he was rounded up
and marched to the Syrian desert. He died in prison in Kharpert in
1921, thus ending his service to his compatriots.

The Armenian Evangelists had 8 colleges in the Ottoman Empire before
the genocide, and 250 high schools. All were destroyed.

In 1955, the Mehagian family of Phoenix, Az., and others donated
capital through the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA)
to get Haigazian University started. It has since produced
businessmen, educators, and scientists; the prime minister of Lebanon
is also a graduate.

Haigazian’s doors are open to all Armenians and to people of all
beliefs. Yeretzgeen Tamara Kevorkian of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic
Church is also one of its graduates.

Concerning Syria, Haidostian said, `People in Syria don’t know what
they want. Confusion exists as to what is happening. Most of us know
the `Spring’ was not what we wanted. It’s a switch of power. Some will
prosper, some will suffer more. The loss of life is heavy.’

`A number of Armenians have left the country. Some Armenians who went
to Armenia returned to Syria because of economic difficulties.
Conditions were not good. The transition by Armenians to Beirut is
smoother, modified lifestyle, more comfortable.’

`Relief has not been easy,’ he added. `One reason is Armenians have a
high sense of dignity, they do not want to live in a tent. This is the
Armenian pride. You are not sure which Armenians need what.’

The informative evening ended with coffee, refreshments, and
socializing. If you get the opportunity to hear Dr. Paul Haidostian,
take advantage. He is an erudite, knowledgeable gentleman who knows
how to communicate.

Farmers expect larger-than-life income from dried fruits – Armenian producer

May 18, 2013 | 01:52

YEREVAN. – The farmers of Armenia expect unsubstantiated high income
from the production of dried fruits.

Lidia Devejyan, the deputy director of a confectionery manufacturing
company, told the aforesaid to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

In her words, their company wants to purchase dried fruits solely from
Armenia.

`Of course it is expensive, but the taste is more distinct,’ Devejyan added.

Armenia’s local industry uses dried fruits that are imported almost
entirely. As a rule, the local ones are either sold in retail or
exported in small volumes.

`We try to solely use local raw materials, but not without problems.
One of them is the high prices by the farmers that offer us their
produce. That is why it [i.e., the local produce] gives in to the
imported products. All that we need is the quality and the proportion.
We hope our demand will help regulate the supply, at least to some
extent,’ Lidia Devejyan noted, in particular.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

ARMENIE-EUROPE
Inauguration de l’exposition « Arménie, le secret des pierres » au
Parlement européen

Le 16 mai fut inaugurée officiellement l’exposition « Arménie, le
secret des pierres » au Parlement européenne à Strasbourg en présence
du ministre arménien des Affaires étrangères Edouard Nalbandian, du
Secrétaire du Conseil de l’Europe ainsi que de nombreux représentants
du Parlement européen. Dans son discours, le chef de la diplomatie
arménienne dit « l’Arménie est un pays de hautes montages et il est
naturel que la pierre est la première matière de notre expression qui
s’est traduite en langage de l’art (…) grce auquel le peuple
arménien a exprimé son me créatrice et en premier lieur par
l’architecture. Il s’est développé de façon originale durant des
siècles pour devenir un élément indissociable de la culture mondiale.
Nous sommes heureux de présenter par cette exposition cet art lors de
notre prise de la présidence du Parlement européen ».

L’Arménie a pris pour six mois la présidence du Conseil des ministres
du Parlement européen.

Krikor Amirzayan

dimanche 19 mai 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

“STOP BEFORE NOTHING FOR THE SAKE OF KARABAKH” WITH THIS SLOGAN, AYAZ MUTALIBOV COMMITTED MILITARY AGGRESSION AGAINST A SELF-DETERMINED NATION.

Friday, 17 May 2013 16:01

Azerbaijan’s foreign propaganda purposes in the Karabakh
issue have long been evident – to ascribe the Azerbaijani military
aggression against the Republic of Artsakh to the Armenian party,
to consider the Karabakh-Azerbaijani conflict as a conflict between
Armenia and Azerbaijan, and to claim the historical Armenian
territories liberated during the war imposed on the Armenians of
Artsakh as Azerbaijani territories.

Baku’s propagandists, using similar forgeries, try to draw the
attention of the international community from the essence of the
conflict, distorting its historical-political and legal grounds.

The facts on the armed stage (1992-1994) of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh
conflict undeniably prove that Azerbaijan responded to the demand of
the population of Artsakh with large-scale military activities. The
numerous proofs of this indisputable fact were added by another one –
Russian political scientist Dmitry Nefyodov has recently published the
details of the January 29, 1992 meeting convened at Azerbaijani former
president Ayaz Mutalibov, which also testifies to the intention of the
Azerbaijani military aggression and the country’s top leadership to
implement brutal violence against the civil population of Artsakh. The
basic issue of the meeting, which was stated by the country’s leader –
that all the Azerbaijanis should focus on Karabakh and should stop
before nothing for the sake of it – deserves special attention for
the proper perception of Azerbaijan’s military-political ambitions
and far-reaching goals.

What was the political situation around the NKR on the threshold of
1992? Recalling that period will mean to recall the most horrible
and tragic events of the Artsakh War.

The enemy carried out various forms of economic blockade – isolation
of the NKAO from the outer world, especially from Armenia, impeding
the import of economically significant luggage, food products, fuel
and other essential items. The internal communications of the region
were blocked; the Armenian population in Sumgait, Gandzak, and Baku
was massacred and displaced; these were peculiar manifestations of
military activities against the Armenian people. The first targets
of the Azerbaijani aggression were the areas of Nothern Artsakh.

In early January 1992, the Azerbaijani armed forced launched attacks
in the Askeran direction and captured the village of Khramort. That
time, the NKR territory was regularly shelled by Grad station. Fierce
battles were taking place along the entire border of the Shahumian
region. Special police detachments attacked the Karachinar and Buzlukh
directions; Erkej, Manashid and Verinshen were intensively bombed. The
Azerbaijani armed forced were aimed at the destruction of all the
settlements of Artsakh, or at physical extermination of the Armenian
population living in the historical Armenian territories. “Now,
we should elaborate a general plan on launching attacks in all the
directions”, Mutalibov stated to the meeting participants. “And to
this end, we should have corresponding fighting means, manpower,
supply of food products and medicines, putting into operation field
hospitals. We should work in the information field for impacting
the international community, intensify the activity of the foreign
ministry, and take foreign policy actions; they are all components of
the struggle for Karabakh… We should hire people. It is no matter
to whom we pay. He will work. Block the air, block the borders with
manpower and then direct the works of separate people and groups in
place for discovering fighters!”

The Azerbaijani president was inspired by the two-day ongoing shelling
of the Martuni and Askeran regions’ settlements. “I demand every time
the number of casualties to know the losses on the opposite side… You
should realize that the fate of those present in this hall and
those absent is being determined in Karabakh. The fate of everyone”.
Ayaz Mutalibov urged the meeting participants to move forwards by all
means, increasing the human losses of the Armenian party. The subtext
of all this is, surely, clear – to achieve successes in the battle
field, which could be the best guarantee of maintaining his power.

Let’s recall early 1992. Implementing the instructions of the
country’s leader, the Azerbaijani troops, headed by Dadash Rzayev,
launched a large-scale attack on the Askeran direction, which ended in
full failure. The report on the investigation of the reasons of this
failure, in particular, emphasized that the attack had taken place
just in the Aghdam direction, meaning the presence of the Azerbaijani
president’s representatives there. The distribution of arms in the
settlements, which were turned into military bases for committing
aggression against Nagorno Karabakh was under the direct control of
the Azerbaijani president, prime minister and government structures.

Thus, the Azerbaijani prime minister instructed to allocate
corresponding financial means to the republic’s regions, especially
to those bordering with the NKR Shahumian and Martakert regions –
the Geranboy and Tartar regions (correspondingly 6 and 5 million
rubles), as well as to the Shushi region and Khojalu. This fact
shows the importance and urgency of the planned aggression in the
noted directions. “It is necessary to implement centralized firing
of all the Armenian settlements of the Askeran region. For diverting
the forces from Shushi and Khankendi, attack and conquer Khramort,
Ghlzhbagh, Nakhijevanik, Prjamal and Aranzamin villages and Askeran.

Open the Aghdam-Askeran road” – this was the task set by Ayaz
Mutalibov. On February 8, 1992, by a resolution of the National
Security Council under the Azerbaijani president, a list of measures
aimed at “resolving” the Karabakh issue was endorsed, including seizure
of the arms of the former Soviet Army’s military units, provision of
vouchers for studying at the Turkish military institutions, preparation
of diversion-terrorist groups, which had to move deep into the NKR
territory. On February 13, 1992, Mutalibov signed an order “On the
Establishment of Common Commandership in the Karabakh Zone”.

Special attention should be paid to the February 25, 1992 letter of
famous activist of the Azerbaijani Popular Front, deputy chairman of
the republic’s Supreme Soviet Tamerlan Karayev to Mutalibov. That time,
as we know, Azerbaijan’s act of aggression failed, and the Azerbaijani
forces located in Khojalu were defeated by the NKR self-defense forces.

We also know that the events around Khojalu were used by the Popular
Front and the forces, supporting it, for a domestic struggle – to
overthrow Mutalibov’s power. In this context, perhaps, should be
considered also the activities of Karayev and the local authorities
of the Aghdam zone. Today, when the Artsakh Republic is celebrating
another anniversary of the victory over the Azerbaijani gangs,
we can state unambiguously that the country’s foreign policy has
become more aggressive towards the Republic of Artsakh. The reason
is that the lack of any adequate political and legal assessment of
the massacre and ethnic cleansing against the Armenian population by
the international community created a favorable ground for rooting
morbid hatred towards the Armenian people in Azerbaijan.

Today, Azerbaijan is ignoring peoples’ right to self-determination
provided by international law, is speaking of its intention to resolve
the issue by force, is regularly accusing the states involved in the
mediation mission on the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict,
is trying to distort the issue’s essence via distributing lies and
forgeries at international platforms and via market diplomacy.

Fascist slogans remain dominant in our neighboring country so far. The
Azerbaijani fascism and militant rhetoric haven’t got their adequate
assessment yet. Currently, the domestic political processes taking
place in the country that are still unpredictable, the increase of the
social-economic discontent and the opposition sentiments, as well as
the covert struggle between different clans can always give rise to
provocations on the line of contact between the NKR and Azerbaijani
armed forces.

Celebrating the regular anniversary of the victory at the Artsakh War,
we again stress the significance of strengthening the guarantee of our
defense and security – the Armenian Army, maintaining the territorial
integrity of our country, and consolidating our people around the
ideas of statehood and national unity.

Ruzan ISHKHANIAN

OVER Q1 2013 ARMENIAN BANKS INCREASED RETAIL LENDING BY 5.8% AND CORPORATE LENDING BY 0.5%

2013-05-16 14:35:00

ArmInfo. Over Q1 2013 the Armenian banks’ aggregate retail lending
was up 5.8% versus Q4 2012 and up 20% versus Q1 2012, having totaled
571.2 bln AMD ($1.4 bln) by 1 April. In addition, lending to related
parties and bank employees grew by 10% in Q1 2013 (up 46.8% versus
Q1 2012) to 70.3 bln AMD ($168 mln). Corporate lending grew by 0.5%
in Q1 2013 (up 20.5% versus Q1 2012) to 937 bln AMD ($2.2 bln). The
press service of the Central Bank of Armenia told ArmInfo that the
share of corporate loans in the banks’ loan book was up from 57% to
58%, and corporate loans – from 38% to 39% in Q1 2013. In Q1 2013 the
commercial banks’ investments in government securities dropped by 2.8%
(18.7% growth versus Q1 2012) to 176.2 bln AMD ($421 mln). The funds
on nostro accounts were up 50.3% in Q1 2013 (more than twofold growth
versus Q1 2012) to 124.4 bln AMD ($297.2 mln). Cash funds dropped by
1.9% (25.7% growth versus Q1 2012) to 97.2 bln AMD ($232.1 mln). In
Q1 2013 the aggregate assets of Armenia’s banking system grew by 3.7%
(up 26.2% versus Q1 2012) to $6.1 bln (2.6 trillion AMD). The source
says that the total liabilities of the banking system amounted to 2.2
trillion AMD ($5.2 bln) by 1 April 2013 (up 4.2% versus Q4 2012 and
up 29.3% versus Q1 2012). The aggregate total capital grew by 1.2%
(11.7% growth versus Q1 2012) to 405.4 bln AMD ($986.6 mln). As of 1
April 2013 there were 22 banks in Armenia (including the Pan-Armenian
Bank) and 476 branches (against 444 branches as of 1 April 2012 and
479 as of 1 January 2013).

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION MEMBERS SPEAKS ON LAST THREE ELECTIONS

May 17, 2013 | 12:53

YEREVAN. – For the most part, the expectations of Armenia’s opposition
Heritage Party did not come true.

Heritage’s vice-chairman Armen Martirosyan, who headed the Heritage-led
“Barev [Hello], Yerevan” bloc’s list in the capital city Yerevan
Council of Elders election on May 5, stated the aforesaid on Friday.

As per Martirosyan, they were expecting different results from last
year’s parliamentary and the recent Yerevan municipal voting. And
even though they did not have great expectations from the presidential
election on February 18, the vast majority of the citizens supported
Heritage’s chairman, ex-presidential candidate, former FM Raffi
Hovannisian.

He noted that elections are rigged in Armenia ever since 1995, and
the Yerevan municipal vote was much worse than the last parliamentary
and presidential elections.

The Heritage Party official noted that during the Yerevan election
the voter punished the oppositional forces, “saying that I am in an
extreme situation, whereas you continue the petty party ambitions.”

Martirosyan also argued that the “Barev, Yerevan” bloc is the only
political force that won seats in the Yerevan Council of Elders
without distributing election bribe and in line with the letter of
the Electoral Code. He is confident that they will work effectively
in the council and perform a function of oversight.

“Again we will have to protect the interests of the citizenry. A
difficult duty is placed [upon us], which we will try to carry out,”
Armen Martirosyan said.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

AZERBAIJAN CONSIDERS LEGISLATIVELY PROHIBITING FOREIGNERS TO ENTER NAGORNO-KARABAKH

ARMINFO
Friday, May 17, 13:28

The Azeri Parliament is discussing a bill “On Occupied Territories
of the Republic of Azerbaijan,” saying that citizens from countries
having visa-free agreements with Azerbaijan and people that are
not Azeri citizens may enter the “occupied territories” only after
obtaining a visa from the Azeri Foreign Ministry or Azeri embassies
abroad and permits from the Azeri interior and defense ministries.

Those who will break this rule will be held criminally liable.

Though having no such law so far the Azeris have still been very
negative to people visiting Nagorno-Karabakh. As a result a whole
group of artists, writers, scientists, journalists and politicians
have been declared personas non grata in Azerbaijan.