About 1,000 Armenian Americans support Raffi Hovannisian (video)
Monday,
March 04
A meeting was convened in the city of Glendale, California, on March
3, in which some 1,000 Armenians took part. They expressed willingness
to join the postelection opposition movement in Armenia and support
the struggle of the movement leader Raffi Hovannisian.
TODAY, 19:03
Aysor.am
“Armenia” mural by Minas becomes a hostage of bureaucratic acrimony
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Monday, March 4, 18:20
The bureaucratic acrimony has given birth to the question: “Will or
won’t the “Armenia” mural by Minas be restored?”
The mural is in Vahramaberd village, Shirak region. The well-known
artist Minas Avetisyan drew it in 1973 on the wall of the Culture
Palace. After the quake in 1988 the building collapsed almost
completely, and later the mural, which had a miraculous escape, was
put into a protective box. The Minas Foundation has repeatedly raised
the issue of the necessity to restore the mural, however, the rural
community was against taking the mural out of Vahramaberd. A new House
of Culture should have become the new shelter of Minas’ work. As a
result, the mural was damaged in several parts in the course of
construction of the House. In addition, the builders poured concrete
on the right side of “Armenia”.
Arman Avetisyan, Minas’ son and the head of the Minas Foundation, told
ArmInfo that though the mural is in a disastrous condition, its
restoration has not started yet. Earlier the Minas Foundation, which
has been cooperating with Palazzo Spinelli Institute of Art
Restoration (Florence), controlled the restoration of the artist’s
murals. However, all of a sudden, the Agency for Protection of
Historical and Cultural Monuments of the Armenian Culture Ministry
interfered with the issue. Avetisyan says that now the Agency does
not allow the Foundation to participate in the restoration of the
mural without a relevant license.
“The absurdity of the situation is that there is no license for
restoration in Armenia. The matter concerns the license provided for
construction and other operations having nothing to do with
restoration of murals”, said Avetisyan. He added that he had raised
this issue during a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Culture of
Armenia, however, the meeting gave no results. The situation is even
complicated by the fact that the Italian specialists refuse to work
with anyone, except the Minas Foundation. Thus, the issue of the mural
restoration has reached a deadlock, as the Agency itself has no
specialists in art restoration. “The mural “Armenia” suffers from this
situation; it needs to be restored urgently”, he said.
Kidnapped Armenian released in Aleppo suburb
17:58, 4 March, 2013
YEREVAN, MARCH 4, ARMENPRESS: Gevorg Karagulian who was kidnapped
about 3 weeks ago in one of Aleppo suburbs has been released.
Armenpress was informed from its Aleppo sources. News is spread that
Karagulian has been released after paying the ransom.
Armenian Gevorg Karagulian was kidnapped in one of Aleppo suburbs on
February 14 on the way to the work. Kidnappers demanded a big sum of
money for the release of Karagulian.
What is about Aleppo Armenian Nazaret Sabunjian, who was kidnapped
days ago together with taxi driver, he hasn’t been released yet.
Aleppo Armenians note there is no serous change in the city. Situation
is relatively calm in Armenian districts; nevertheless, there are
still problems with electricity.
Due to UN data, Syrian conflict lasting for already 23 months has
caused the death of about 70 000 people, including about 40
Armenians.
– See more at:
S.Surenyants didn’t come to court again. Decision of the court about
his detainment was not implemented as well
Mon, 03/04/2013 – 15:43
Criminal law
PanARMENIAN Photo
Today again the court hearing of the political scientist Suren
Surenyants in Arabkir and Qanaqer-Zeytun court of first instance did
not happen, because of the absent of the latter.
Surenyants’s attorney was not informed as well and was unaware of the
reasons of his absence. The court hearing cannot continue without the
defendant, and during the prior hearing the court made a decision
about his detainment, so the court decided to send a reminding notice
to the appropriate department of the police about the decision being
in force. It should be noted, that in fact the decision about the
detainment of Surenyants was not made as well.
The next court hearing will be held on March 15.
It should be noted, that Suren Surenyants is charged with fraud, he
allegedly stole someone else’s property intentionally, and with the
abuse of his acquaintance G. Ghasabyan’s trust, fraudulently took
508.000 AMD. Surenyants is charged with Article 178 Section 2 of the
Criminal Code. The preventive measure used against him was the
signature for not leaving the country. During the previous hearing, it
turned out that the prosecutor in the case changed and instead of
Nelly Ashrafyan the duties are being performed by Hayk Martirosyan.
Author:
Factinfo
– See more at:
Bulgaria wrestling coach Armen Nazaryan on hunger strike
4 March 2013
The coach of the Bulgarian Greco-Roman wrestling team has started a
hunger strike to protest against the decision to drop the sport from
the Olympic programme from 2020.
The Bulgarian Wrestling Federation said Armen Nazaryan “will not eat
until the start of the European Championship on 22 March and will only
drink juice”.
Armenia-born Nazaryan won gold at both the 1996 and 2000 Olympics.
With 16 golds, wrestling is Bulgaria’s most successful Olympic sport.
Last month, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) made the
surprise recommendation to drop the ancient sport from the 2020 Summer
Games.
Play media
Wrestling faces participation drop after Games elimination – Non Evans
The decision has outraged the global wrestling community, prompting
two former champions, Bulgaria’s Valentin Yordanov (currently head of
the country’s wrestling federation) and Russia’s Sagid Murtazaliev, to
return their Olympic gold medals to the IOC.
Wrestling was part of the first modern Olympics in 1896 and has been
in every Games since, bar the 1900 edition in Paris.
It now joins seven other candidates battling for one spot in a
revamped Olympic programme.
The IOC executive board will meet in May to determine which of them
will be put to the vote in Buenos Aires in September.
Nazaryan won gold in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 1996 Atlanta Games
[left in picture above] while competing for his native Armenia.
He then switched his allegiance to Bulgaria, winning his second
Olympic title four years later in Sydney, and also won three world
titles for Bulgaria from 2002 to 2005.
Azerbaijan calls for strong Turkish support to settle Karabakh conflict
Mon 04 March 2013 06:05 GMT | 6:05 Local Time
‘If the status quo continues, war with Armenia is inevitable’.
Azerbaijan is hoping for more than just support from Turkey to change
what is being called an `unacceptable status quo’ in order to make
significant progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh talks, as the conflict
has already dragged on for many years.
`Armenia might display a constructive position only after it
recognizes that Turkey will never leave Azerbaijan alone in the
region. Only after recognizing Turkish-Azerbaijan solidarity in the
region, Armenia might show a real understanding of a peaceful
settlement [of the conflict] at the negotiating table,’Azerbaijani
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Elman Abdullayev said in an exclusive
interview with Sunday’s Zaman.
`If the status quo continues, war with Armenia is inevitable,’ said
Ali Hasanov, an Azerbaijani politician who is also the national
adviser to the president of Azerbaijan in Ankara. He says Azerbaijan
will never give up its territories, referring to Nagorno-Karabakh.
Speaking to the state-owned Anatolia news agency, Hasanov noted that
if Armenia insists on continuing the status quo in Nagorno-Karabakh
and does not make any clear effort to resolve the issue, Azerbaijan
will have to think about other options. `We are in the process of
strengthening our army and economy.’
Commenting on the Turkish-Armenian rapprochement process that started
with the soccer diplomacy back in 2009 and ended in stalemate after
Azerbaijan resisted the efforts at normalization between Ankara and
Yerevan, Abdullayev said that any gesture from Turkey to Armenia
adversely affects the peace talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
pointing out that Turkey is doing its utmost to positively change the
status quo, but unfortunately, the way it is doing it hampers the
whole negotiation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
`Leading the Nagorno-Karabakh peace talks in parallel with the
Turkish-Armenian rapprochement process is impossible, as Armenia
insists on the talks [with Turkey] without any conditions. What are
the conditions? Of course, Nagorno-Karabakh,’ Abdullayev said,
underlining that reset of diplomatic ties between Ankara and Yerevan
will be a blow to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Today’s Zaman
Azerbaijan says will face Russian soldiers in Karabakh in case of war
Mon 04 March 2013 10:09 GMT | 10:09 Local Time
News.Az reprints from Today’s Zaman article “Azerbaijan says will face
Russian soldiers in Karabakh in case of war” by Celil Sagir.
The Azerbaijani government has stated that if Baku chooses to settle
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict via wide-scale military operations, it
will face Russian soldiers rather than Armenian, its neighboring
country which currently controls occupied Azerbaijani territories.
`President Ilham Aliyev has always promised a military solution to the
[Nagorno-Karabakh] conflict and he still has the issue on the agenda.
The option of a military solution is always on the table, but the most
important thing is how this kind of operation will be carried out. We
need to become much stronger so that if we become involved in combat
in Nagorno-Karabakh we can stand up to Russian troops, because that is
who we will have to face. Did Armenia occupy our territories? Do you
think Armenia’s power is sufficient for that?’ asked Ali Hasanov,
Azerbaijan’s deputy prime minister, in a press conference held with a
group of Turkish reporters in the capital city of Baku.
Recalling his home city, which is also in the occupied territories of
Azerbaijan, Hasanov said the occupation was accomplished with the
military support of Russia. `I saw Russian soldiers get out of tanks
and celebrate their victory with champagne.’
Russia is considered the dominant power in the region, seeking to
preserve its influence over its former republics and, in particular,
the South Caucasus. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia has
attempted to manipulate the region through protracted conflicts,
including Nagorno-Karabakh, a territorial conflict between Azerbaijan
and Armenia that still remains unsettled.
Azerbaijan lost 20 percent of its territories as a result of the
bloody war over Nagorno-Karabakh in the early 1990s, prompting Turkey
to close its border with neighboring Armenia in a sign of solidarity
with its ally Azerbaijan. Turkey’s isolation of Armenia has
subsequently pushed Armenia toward Russia.
Moscow and Yerevan signed a mutual security agreement and Russia is
known to be backing Armenia militarily, as its only ally in the
region.
While Azerbaijan is developing in economic terms and translating its
economic might into military muscle, Russia continues to pursue its
policy of domination over Armenia through its notorious economic
leverage.
According to diplomatic sources, following the government change in
Georgia, a neighboring country that also acts as a buffer zone between
Armenia and Russia and as a transit country to deliver Caspian energy
resources to Europe, Baku became concerned, as newly elected Georgian
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili is reported to be closer to Russia
rather than the Western powers President Mikhail Saakashvili is known
to be close to.
Moreover, Baku is very concerned about Iran’s position in the region,
as Tehran is easing the blockade of Armenia by lending a helping hand
to Yerevan. Azerbaijan keeps Armenia out of regional projects as part
of its policy to keep Yerevan under economic blockade in a bid to push
its adversary abandon its intransigent position over the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
`If Tehran breaks its ties with Armenia, Yerevan will die of hunger,’
Hasanov said to Today’s Zaman.
Commenting on the Turkish-Armenian rapprochement process that is
currently deadlocked, Hasanov expressed Baku’s pleasure with the
Turkish position in the region. Noting Turkish support for Azerbaijan,
especially in the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Hasanov
recalled the speech of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ?an in which he
said Turkey will never open its borders with Armenia until the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is settled.
According to Ferhad Memmedov, chief of Baku-based Center for Strategic
Research (SAM) under the office of the Azerbaijani president, Turkey
is not expected put the idea of opening its borders with Armenia into
play in a bid to defuse the pressure of Armenians across the world as
they plan to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1915 mass killings in
two years.
Memmedov argues that opening the borders with Armenia will not push
the strong Armenian lobby to abandon their cause seeking recognition
of the so-called genocide and instead will bury the chance for
Armenians to make any concessions in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
While Baku is not optimistic for the peace talks held under the
auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
(OSCE) Minsk Group between Armenia and Azerbaijan for nearly two
decades, neither does it want to abandon the negotiations.
Hasanov complained about the structure of the Minsk Group, which he
said has not functioned properly for 20 years. According to Hasanov, a
change in the format used by the mediators could keep the conflicting
sides busy for another 20 years, similar to the Palestinian and
Kashmir problems.
Hasanov said it is impossible to include any of the Turkic republics
among the three co-chairs of the 15-member Minsk Group since decisions
in the mediating group are taken based on consensus. He also
criticized the fact that no Muslim nation is co-chairing the group and
that all of them are Christian nations. `On the one hand, we are
criticizing the Minsk Group, but on the other hand, we don’t leave
it,’ Hasanov added.
Hasanov believes the US holds the key to the solution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh: `If the US wants to find the solution to this
problem, it should sit down with Russia and solve it. If it cannot do
it, then it should take Armenia out of Russia’s orbit.’
Hasanov claimed that Washington does not want to damage ties with
Russia and won’t do what it has done in Georgia. He was referring to
steadfast US support for Georgia during the 2008 war with Russia.
Criticizing the international community for remaining silent on
Armenia, Hasanov said Armenia, occupying 20 percent of Azerbaijani
territory, also has territorial claims in Georgia and Turkey.
Hasanov claimed that Armenians are training terror groups and
dispatching them to conflict zones in occupied territories, adding
that they are also growing and selling drugs. `The entire
international community is aware of this fact.’
News.Az
Raffi Hovhannisian campaign headquarters to apply to Constitutional Court
TERT.AM
08:54 – 04.03.13
Former presidential candidate Raffi Hovhanisian’s campaign
headquarters has decided to dispute the election results at the
Constitutional Court.
Hovhannisian’s representatives will submit their claim at 5:30 pm
Yerevan time to call for validating what they call the Armenian
people’s real choice at the February 18 election and declaring the
figures published by the Central Election Commission null and void.
Later in the day a spokesperson and legal advisors for the
headquarters will hold an open-air air conference in front of the
Constitutional Court.
Lake Sevan to attract the tourists in a new way
10:53, 4 March, 2013
YEREVAN, FEBRAURY 4, ARMENPRESS: ”Noyan Tapan” complex park is
scheduled to be built in the city of Sevan, within the frame of
Sevan-Grenobol cooperation, co- funded by French ”World
parks”project. The complex will further on make Sevan become more
favorite in the world as a touristic and resort center. Sevan city
mayor Rudik Ghukastan told Armenpress, regardless the fact lately
tourism has spurred considerably in Sevan, new infrastructures,
namely new hotel complexes have been built, the number of tourists
visiting Sevan has increased, the cooperation established between
French Republic Grenobol city has been strengthened and is ongoing,
yet more efforts are necessary to invest in order Sevan could compete
with the world touristic and resort cities.
Seeking to make Sevan touristic and resort center Mayor Ghukasyan
declared Sevan city new map designing competition, as chief map
ordered in 2004 does not completely meets Sevan development prospects,
it faces many shortcomings, meanwhile the city is not included in the
Republic’s touristic development projects.
Further Rudik Ghukasyan suggests create more favorable conditions and
assure qualified touristic service for the tourists. According to the
Mayor of the city both ”Sevan” foundation means, local budget, local
and foreign investors efforts should be targeted for this aim. Steps
are being already made.
”Tourists’ house” is scheduled to be opened in Sevan peninsula.
Here the visitors are set to get information about the sights of
Sevan city and lake Sevan. The next step is the building of ”Noyan
Tapan” park in the frame of ”World parks” project. Infrastructure
works will be financed by City Hall, the rest sum of the money will
be covered ”World parks” project” Mayor Ghukasyan assures.
– See more at:
Aujourd’hui en France
Samedi 2 Mars 2013
« Mon énergie, ce sont mes colères »
Propos recueillis par Éric Bureau et Sylvain Merle
Charles Aznavour, 88 ans
« J’ai une extinction de voix, s’excuse-t-il en nous accueillant.
C’est la première fois que ça m’arrive… » A part ça, Charles
Aznavour, qui fêtera son 89e anniversaire en mai, pète le feu.
Instigateur, coprésentateur et chanteur dans « Hier encore » (ce soir
à 20h45 sur France 2), vibrant hommage à la chanson française qui
avait attiré en septembre près de 4,2 millions de téléspectateurs, il
évoque mille projets.
Vous voilà homme de télé?
CHARLES AZNAVOUR. Non, mais homme d’idées, oui. A part « The Voice »,
ce que je vois à la télé ne me plaît pas. Dans « Hier encore », j’ai
envie de faire entendre au public les grandes chansons qu’il aime tout
en lui faisant découvrir des chanteurs qu’on ne voit jamais comme Yves
Jamait.
C’est vous qui faitesle programme?
Les chansons viennent des longues listes que je fais à la maison. Et
pour les chanteurs, je propose aussi. Sans a priori. Je ne veux pas
que les jeunes artistes soient victimes des mêmes a priori que moi.
Mais vous n’en souffrez plus…
Vous voulez rire!? Je serai toujours le petit Arménien fils d’un
immigrant… Mais je les emmerde.
Vous travaillezsur un nouvel album?
J’ai composé 70 chansons. Ce sera de la vraie chanson française, avec
des thèmes qui me sont chers comme l’amour. Rien de politique…
Vous ne voulez pas fêter vos 90 ans sur scène?
Ça, je le laisse aux jeunes, comme Johnny (il rit). Si cela arrive, ce
sera le fait du hasard. Mon ge n’a pas d’importance.
Vous allez bientôt chanter à Bahreïn et à Moscou.Aucune date en France?
Je fais attention à mettre trois ans entre chaque passage dans une
ville. Et puis, j’ai plein d’autres projets. Je vais bientôt à New
York pour la nouvelle version de « Vive la vie », que j’avais créée en
2000 à Londres, autour de la vie de Toulouse-Lautrec. Je monte aussi
une comédie musicale en France, « Ma vie de femme ».
On ne vous arrête plus?
Et j’écris deux bouquins! Le troisième et dernier tome de mon
autobiographie et, pour la première fois, un roman. J’adore
travailler…
Quel est votre quotidien?
J’ai une vie de famille, je ne cours pas le guilledou. Il y a un
moment où il faut savoir s’arrêter. J’ai eu une vie saine. Je ne me
suis jamais drogué, j’ai évité les excès, je mange peu, surtout le
soir. Une banane, un yaourt. Et j’aime bien rester chez moi.
La famille est essentiellepour vous…
Elle l’a toujours été. Je vis avec ma femme depuis près de cinquante
ans et notre ménage est serein. Mes enfants et petits-enfants sont
très présents. Nous allons ensemble à des concerts, en vacances. Nous
avons traversé récemment la Thaïlande, la Chine, le Cambodge et je
vais bientôt visiter l’Espagne avec mon fils.
Où puisez-vousune telle énergie?
Dans mes colères. Je ne décolère jamais, je suis un emmerdeur. La
politique, mon métier m’apportent tous les jours des raisons de me
mettre en colère. Mais je ne suis pas méchant…
Comment expliquez-vous que votre génération soit toujours sur le
devant de la scène?
Parce que nous n’avons rien eu de tout cuit. Tout ce que nous
voulions, nous sommes allés le chercher sans aide… Nous avons connu
la guerre, la Résistance, le danger, cela nous a donné une énergie de
survie.