Author: Badalian Vardan

POLISH NATIONAL SECURITY BUREAU DELEGATION TO VISIT ARMENIA

March 27, 2013 – 17:09 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenia’s delegation headed by National Security
Council (NSC) Secretary Artur Baghdasaryan arrived in Poland on an
official visit.

The delegation met with the head of the Polish National Security
Bureau StanisÅ~Baw Koziej, with deepening of cooperation in defense
industry discussed. The officials hailed the collaboration results and
the establishment of joint ventures. An agreement envisaging the visit
of Polish National Security Bureau’s delegation to Yerevan was further
reached, with deepening of the cooperation between intergovernmental
committees on the agenda.

The current stage of Armenian-Polish security cooperation, as
well as regional and international issues were discussed, with the
parties agreeing to continue the monitoring of implementation of the
international agreements.

Poland’s support to Armenia’s European integration process in the
framework of Eastern Partnership (EaP) project was also discussed.

SOME 177 BUILDINGS TO BE DISMANTLED ON SEVAN LAKE

YEREVAN, March 27. / ARKA /. As the level of Armenia’s biggest Lake
Sevan continues to rise, owners of buildings that are threatened by the
rising water have to dismantle them,. Speaking at a news conference
at Novosti international press center, he said 177 such buildings
will be dismantled before the end of 2013. These are the buildings
that are below the level of 1900.25 meters.

“We can not wait for the flood to cover them and dismantle them under
water,’ he said. According to him, over 4,000 buildings are located
below 1905 feet meters (the lake is located at 1905 meters above sea
level) of which 27% are made of stone.

He also said that these structures are illegal, since in 1987 the
government of Armenia adopted a decision banning major construction
on lake’s coasts below 1908 meters. Some 451 structures have been
already dismantled.

There were, rumors that the government will stop raising the level
of Lake Sevan in order to prevent flooding of coastal areas and the
buildings owned by influential people.

Lake Sevan, one of the largest alpine lakes in Europe and Asia,
is located in the heart of the Armenian plateau, at an altitude of
1914 meters. The lake stretches over 70 kilometers from northwest to
southeast. Its water surface area is nearly 1500 square kilometers.

The lake is the main source of drinking water in the region. By 2030,
the lake’s level will be raised to 1903.5 meters. -0-

THE MEMORIES ARE STARTING TO FADE, BUT THE PAIN REMAINS
Posted by Taleen Babayan

March 27, 2013

A vintage ornate silver frame encasing a black-and-white photo of
Perouz Kalusdian on her wedding day hangs on her bedroom wall at the
Armenian Home in Flushing, N.Y.

Perouz Kalusdian Young, fresh-faced, and draped in a wedding dress
reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour, she is holding a rich bouquet of
white roses, the lace and ribbon of the arrangement dripping down the
length of her dress and sheer veil, which travels down to the floor.

One could easily mistake the striking Kalusdian for a carefree
debutante on her wedding day. But the beauty of the Old World photo
masks the agony that she continues to carry to this day.

“It was very ugly,” said Kalusdian, now 103 years old, her abundant
black hair muted to grey but her youthful spirit remaining intact. She
sits with her hands folded on her burgundy armchair, the sun peeking
through the window shades behind her. “I hate to talk about it. They
didn’t want us to live our lives.”

While she cannot recall every detail of her escape from her birthplace
of Harput to New York City when the Young Turk government waged a
full-scale genocide against the Armenians in 1915, there is a shade
of sorrow on her face that is undeniable. It is the same anguish that
has been shared by scores of other survivors around the world. While
Kalusdian was able to physically escape the genocide, she is still
haunted by the horrific images she witnessed at the tender age of six.

“They came and took my father and two uncles away,” she said. “They
tied them up two by two and threw them over the bridge into the
Euphrates River.”

For Charlotte Kechejian, 101, a fellow resident at the Armenian
Home, it has become increasingly difficult to retrieve memories of
her childhood. But she has not forgotten that her father was killed
during the onset of the genocide and that she was a victim of the
deportations, walking miles through the desert to escape persecution.

Charlotte Kechejian “I remember feeling so tired and hungry,” she
said in a soft voice.

“My mother kept telling me to walk just a little more.”

Kechejian arrived in New York as a 10-year-old with her mother,
who supported them as a seamstress. Kechejian earned her high school
diploma and worked at various department stores before getting married
and having three children.

Unlike millions of other Armenians, Kechejian was able to live a full
life, but not without leaving a piece of her heart in her birthplace
of Nikhda.

“I miss my father,” she said shaking her head. “I miss him.”

Kalusdian and Kechejian are 2 of the 4 genocide survivors currently
living in the Armenian Home, which once housed up to 21 survivors.

“I lost my grandparents in the genocide, so I never had any,” said
Aggie Ellian, the executive director of the Armenian Home for the past
17 years. “To me, the survivors here are my parents, grandparents,
my children. They’re our children.”

The Armenian Home, nestled in a quiet street 10 miles outside
of Manhattan, was founded in 1948 by Sarah Sanossian and is an
Armenian-only, private, non-funded home for the elderly. Along with
Associate Director Jenny Akopyan and a caring and dedicated staff,
it provides around-the-clock care for residents in a culturally
rich setting, in particular those who survived the atrocities of
the genocide.

“The Armenian Genocide continues to be an ‘alleged’ genocide,” said
Ellian. “But the survivors are still here to tell you it happened.”

As the 100th anniversary of the genocide approaches, and the
opportunity to hear the survivors’ stories in person is quickly
diminishing, it is the duty of the following generations to ensure
that the survivors’ voices do not disappear, and that their brave
spirits are honored for years to come.

The 98th anniversary commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, sponsored
by the Knights and Daughters of Vartan, will be held in Times Square
(46th St. and Broadway) on Sun., April 21, from 2-4 p.m.

NO CHANGES IN HOVANNISIAN-SARGSYAN STANDOFF: SIDES EXCHANGE LETTERS AS OPPOSITION LEADER CONTINUES HUNGER STRIKE

Photolure

By SIRANUYSH GEVORGYAN ArmeniaNow reporter

Opposition leader Raffi Hovannisian disputing the February 18 official
presidential election results, said commenting on the suggestions
he had made to incumbent president Serzh Sargsyan, that he is not
bargaining with the authorities, it is not a deal offer, and that he
is unwilling to assume any post in the future government.

To Sargsyan’s appeal for Hovannisian to stop his hunger strike
and start a dialogue, Hovannisian replied with a letter on Tuesday
inviting him to Liberty Square to commence that dialogue or to send
in writing his further suggestions.

The Heritage leader now on the 17th day of hunger strike is demanding
from President Sargsyan to either hold snap presidential elections
or early parliamentary elections this year, punish those involved in
ballot rigging, and give five governors’ positions and administration
of key spheres to Hovannisian-appointed people.

The official runner up in the race, Hovannisian believes that his
demands are the minimum requirements to resolve the situation at hand
and that they imply “shared responsibility between the authorities
and the people”.

“The complex of solutions I have sent to Mr. Sargsyan is undividable,
so if Mr. Sargsyan makes up his mind to meet tet-a-tet and discuss,
he has to consider that those are our minimum threshold. It does not
mean that he cannot delete one point, but he would have to replace
it with an equivalent one,” said Hovannisian.

Hovannisian said he would decide when to stop the hunger strike and
that he would no more go to the presidential residence and wants
people to witness the negotiations either at Liberty Square or in
one of the Opera House’s loggias, or at an adjoining cafe.

“I believe that in terms of political culture it would be very
educational to meet at a cafe, and so people would witness how two
citizens of Armenia are trying to find a solution to this pan-national
issue formed as a consequence of the stolen ballot on February 18,”
he said.

Hovannisian, who two years ago went on a 15-day hunger strike and has
now broken his own “record”, today, on day 17 of his hunger strike,
seems rather active and “up and running” despite weight-loss and
weathered skin. He assures he is feeling very well and is no stranger
to this condition.

‘ORPHANS OF THE GENOCIDE’: AN INTERVIEW WITH BARED MARONIAN

March 27, 2013

On Sat., Feb. 23, the ARF “Azadamard” Gomideh and the Armenian Youth
Federation (AYF) “Kopernik Tandourjian” Chapter of Detroit screened
four-time regional Emmy Award-winner Bared Maronian’s “Orphans of the
Genocide” documentary at the Novi Middle School Auditorium in Novi,
Mich. Armenian National Committee of Michigan (ANC-MI) member Hovig
Kouyoumdjian caught up with the director for an interview after the
presentation.

AYF ‘Kopernik Tandourjian’ Chapter President Haigan Tcholakian
introducing Bared Maronian ***

Hovig Kouyoumdjian: Tell us about your personal and career background.

Bared Maronian: I was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon. I graduated
from Haigazian University and like thousands of Armenians I moved to
the United States due to the civil war that erupted in the mid-1970’s.

My interest in filmmaking stems from my love of photography during my
high school and college years in Lebanon. Once I moved to Florida, I
attended Palm Beach State College of Florida and the Broadcast Career
Institute of Palm Beach.â~@¨I worked for PBS [Public Broadcasting
System] in Miami, post-producing local and national documentaries,
concerts, and business shows. I was fortunate to be a four-time
regional Emmy Award winner. One of my works, a concert by Willie
Chirino, was nominated for a Latin Grammy. Five years ago, I founded
the Armenoid Team that specializes in producing thematically Armenian
documentaries, and so far we’ve produced four Armenian films. â~@¨As
you’ve seen today my latest work is ‘Orphans of the Genocide,’
a 20-minute documentary about the plight of Armenian Genocide orphans.

The seven-minute trailer of this documentary was a regional Emmy
Award nominee in the category of Historical Documentary, a Telly Award
Winner, and was a part of the NYC Filmmaker’s Festival. I currently
reside in Coconut Creek, Fla., with my wife Lina and daughter Kaliana.

HK: Can you tell us more about Armenoid?

BM: The Armenoid Team is a subsidiary of Armenoid Productions, Inc. It
is an independent documentary production company. The Armenoid Team
produces primarily thematically Armenian documentaries. It consists
of media professionals who are experts in TV or film production.

HK: What got you interested in the orphans aspect of the Armenian
Genocide?

BM: The inspiration for “Orphans of the Genocide” was an article
by Robert Fisk in the Independent entitled, “Living Proof of the
Armenian Genocide,” which internationalized independent researcher
Missak Kelechian’s findings about a college building in Antoura,
Lebanon, that once housed 1,000 Armenian Genocide orphans destined to
Turkification by direct orders from the Ottoman authorities. After
interviewing scholars and historians on the topic, it was apparent
to us that the orphans aspect of the genocide was still uncharted
territory. … After three years of primary and secondary source
research, the evidence of the existence of hundreds of thousands of
genocide orphans was overwhelming. The stories, both live on-camera
and prerecorded first-person accounts and supporting documents were
too many to fit in one documentary film, so we decided to publish
a companion book and incorporate some of those stories in print. We
still believe that what we discovered is only the tip of the iceberg…

HK: What kind of difficulties did you face in making this documentary?

BM: The main difficulty we faced throughout those three years was
financial difficulties. Although we had generous seed money to jump
start the project donated to us by the Bezikian family, without which
we couldn’t have started this project, at times we had to stall work.

Nevertheless, with the help of other generous supporters we were able
to bring our project to fruition.

Bared Maronian while filming ‘Orphans of the Genocide’ in Yerevan HK:
When do you intend to release the documentary?

BM: We are in negotiations with a few TV stations to air “Orphans of
the Genocide” as early as March 2013.

HK: As we approach the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
how would you comment on the state of genocide-related documentary
filmmaking? What should be done to ensure global recognition of
the genocide?

BM: At Armenoid, our ultimate goal is to spread genocide awareness
and prevention by way of educational entertainment. Documentary
film production is an exemplary educational tool. Not to undermine
the crucial importance of a good book or a great novel in telling a
historical story or a unique human experience, the documentary film
has a larger palette of creative elements to put to good use. Besides
narrating the story with an authoritative-impressive voice, a
documentary enhances the delivery of the story with related visuals
and complementing music or song, thus capturing the viewer’s attention
and relaying the message, which in this case is the complex concept
of genocide, its awareness and its prevention. In the last 10 years,
a good number of genocide-related Armenian and foreign filmmakers
have produced a number of quality documentaries on this topic.

Now that we are at the doorsteps of the Armenian Genocide’s 100th
anniversary, we should use this educational tool to its fullest and
encourage both professional filmmakers and newbies to tell genocide
stories in compelling documentaries.

HK: Any future plans?

BM: Our next project is under the working title of “Women of 1915,”
on one hand dealing with the plight of the Armenian women during the
genocide, and on the other, putting all of those non-Armenian women who
came to the rescue of their sisters on pedestals. This unprecedented
phenomenon that defied all physical and social boundaries of the
time paved the way to a sisterhood that was a major aspect of the
perpetuation of the Armenians as a nation.

To produce these documentaries we dedicate our knowledge, expertise,
and time. That’s our contribution. And what we expect from the public
is to continue to encourage us morally and financially. Without the
generous donations of our supporters, the “Orphans of the Genocide”
project wouldn’t have been possible. We thank them all from the bottom
of our hearts. Similarly, “Women of 1915â~@³ needs the financial
support of good-hearted supporters, be they individuals, organizations,
or corporations. We have a set of partnership programs available to our
supporters. Interested parties may e-mail us at [email protected]
for more information.

HK: What is your message to the Armenians of Michigan, and especially
to the youth?

BM: The Armenians of Michigan are one of the oldest communities in
the country. Two years ago we had the honor of interviewing a son of
Michigan, the late Dr. Jack Kevorkian, and a daughter of Michigan,
author Mae Derdarian, who are two integral parts of “Orphans of
the Genocide.” The former was the son of a genocide orphan, and the
latter is the author of the novel Vergeen, which tells the story of
a 13-year-old genocide orphan girl.

I would like to thank the Michigan ARF “Azadamard” Chapter and the
local AYF “Kopernik Tandourjian” Chapter for organizing the screening
of “Orphans of the Genocide” at the exquisite auditorium of Novi Middle
School. â~@¨About 300 community members attended the screening event
and among them were a noticeable number of high school and college
students. Despite the 26 degree weather, extended families arrived,
with grandparents, grandchildren, and cousins. I also spotted a young
family of four–mom, dad, a toddler, and a newborn in the stroller. I
couldn’t have expected stronger support than that. Thank you, Detroit!

Readers interested in screening Orphans of the Genocide for their
community or university can contact Bared Maronian by e-mailing
[email protected]. To learn more about the AYF and ANC-MI, visit
and

THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF GREATER LOS ANGELES PREPARES FOR THE COMMEMORATIVE EVENT OF THE 98TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

16:06, 27 March, 2013

YEREVAN, MARCH 27, ARMENPRESS: The United Armenian Council for the
Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide invites all community members
to attend the commemorative event at the Armenian Genocide Monument
at Bicknell Park in Montebello, California. As reports Armenpress
referring to UACC ‘s press release, the United Council also calls
upon everyone to take part in great numbers in all other commemorative
events on the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

The Armenian community of Greater Los Angeles will commemorate the
98th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on April 24, 2013, at the
Armenian Genocide Monument at Bicknell Park in Montebello, California.

The event will start with a moment of silence for the souls of our
one and a half million martyrs, followed by a full program that
includes remarks and messages from invited political dignitaries,
a religious service with the participation of representatives of all
religious denominations of the Armenian community, and placement of
wreaths at the Monument by participating organizations.

The Los Angeles United Armenian Council for the Commemoration of the
Armenian Genocide, which consists of more than 50 Armenian religious,
political, compatriotic, and other community organizations, is the
organizer of this commemorative event.

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN DOES NOT FEAR LONG AND EXHAUSTING TALKS WITH ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES

ARMINFO
Wednesday, March 27, 13:06

The leader of the Heritage party Raffi Hovannisian does not fear
endless and exhausting talks which the Armenian authorities will
start with the opposition, and weaken the protesting movement in
such a way, Hovannisian said at today’s open press-conference at the
Liberty Square when replying to ArmInfo correspondent’s question.

“I am not scared, as after the presidential election on 18 February
the people have already felt the test of the victory, and they cannot
take the wrong turning. In their fight the people are ready to go to
the mat, till the final fixing of their victory”, – he said.

He also added that it is quite natural that parallel to the protesting
movement, the opposition has been negotiating with the authorities
trying to choose the effective ways for fulfillment of tasks. “The
fight at the square and the talks with the authorities are two
complementary machineries. The people should not become a victim of
the combinations of the authorities, but have to impose their agenda”,
– Hovannisian said.

WHOM SHALL WE BELIEVE? HAS THE POVERTY IN THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA REDUCED OR HAS IT INCREASED?

March 26 2013

“Armenia made further progress towards meeting the objectives of the
Action Plan in the area of macroeconomic policy, poverty reduction
and social cohesion, although there was limited action against
high-level corruption. The current framework of cooperation between
government and civil society is insufficient,” this is an excerpt
from the 2012 European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) Country Progress
Report. It was made public on March 20. inquired during
a conversation with specialists carrying out researches in the field
of economy whether the progress asserted by the ENP report could
be noticed in our country. Ara Galoyan, the economic commentator of
168 Hours, noted that even the government of the Republic of Armenia
hadn’t officially stated about poverty reduction and stated: “It is
hard for me to say on what grounds they give such an assessment. I
haven’t seen even our officials formally say that poverty has been
reduced. Therefore, I don’t think that it is serious information. Our
officials do everything so that the economic growth exceeds inflation,
but in reality, it is not so. I haven’t heard official statements about
poverty reduction; on the contrary, the poverty rate that reduced to
¼ has become roughly 1/3 again due to the crisis.” In response to a
question what such statements of the outside world aimed at, Mr.

Galoyan said: “I don’t view the phenomena from the political
perspective, but there may be political reasons too. Perhaps, that
publication was made for forming a certain positive image of the
economic leadership or for supporting it. For example, they may
hint at the fact that the new political leader of Armenia is more
suitable for them, or it is more pleasant to work with these economic
leaders and stuff like that.” Tatul Manaseryan, an economist and the
manager of the Alternative research center, agreed that there had
been progress in terms of improving economic indexes, in particular,
in recent years, but we hadn’t seen a desirable result in the area of
poverty reduction. We inquired whether he didn’t see contradictions
between the ENP report and the Armenian reality. T. Manseryan replied:
“The problem is that economic growth cannot always be transformed into
human progress. This has been a problem for the Republic of Armenia
for a long time, since while elaborating models for the economic
progress of the Republic of Armenia, liberals or neoliberals have
given priority to improving indexes and not so much to improving
indexes of human development, and that tendency is still there. I
think that our main task should be to do everything necessary in
the next few years so that economic growth transforms into social
development. The poverty increased, but over the past year there
have been processes of overcoming poverty, and it is important to
turn those into regularity. What is mentioned by the ENP report is
based on the data we have given, and there is no contradiction or
coercion here.” Tatev HARUTYUNYAN

Read more at:

© 1998 – 2013 Aravot – News from Armenia

GAGIK BEGLARYAN TALKS TO PROTESTING CABMEN

01:56 PM | TODAY | SOCIAL

Cabmen in Armenia again gathered in Yerevan’s Shengavit community in
protest against the government-proposed legislative initiative which
suggests that yellow license plates be replaced by stick-on labels.

Minister of Transport and Communication Gagik Beglaryan approached
the group a while ago and said he wanted to talk to the demonstrators
in person. However, the conversation started in the presence of
journalists. Beglaryan stated that taxi drivers will benefit from
the legislative package while the protesters disagreed with him,
saying that the adoption of the law will create new obstacles for them.

Lawmakers of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) were also in Shengavit
community at the request of the drivers. Talking to A1+ BHK member
Vartan Oskanian said, if necessary, they would raise the issue in
parliament.

KIM KARDASHIAN MAY GIVE BIRTH IN PARIS

TERT.AM
10:56 ~U 27.03.13

Kim Kardashian has said she may jet over to Paris to give birth,
according to Fox News.

“We’re thinking of having the baby in Paris, maybe,” she has told ET.

“We’re still deciding.”

She said she and boyfriend Kanye West are also still mulling over
names for their baby, due in July.

“We have ideas but we haven’t picked out a name,” she said.

Kardashian also opened up about her seemingly never-ending divorce
from basketball star Kris Humphries.

“I guess everything take time,” she said. “I am just anxious and
excited just to close that chapter in my life.”

In the meantime, the fashionista is keeping busy by working out and
shopping for pregnancy gear-including some more baby friendly shoes.

“I went to go get flats this weekend…and I just cannot wear them,”
she said. “Flats are just uncomfortable to me.”