Author: Badalian Vardan

Water resources reduce in Armenia

tert.am
20:40 – 03.11.12

The Public Council reported Saturday to the Armenia’s President Serzh
Sargsyan about the necessity of passing from traditional stream fish
breeding systems of Ararat valley to partially closed water usage
system.

Public Council member Yuri Javadyan, chairman of the Agricultural and
Nature Protection Affairs Commission, told the reporters that at the
meeting with the president they briefed on the issue of usage of
Ararat valley’s water resources.

`The permitted volume of usage is 1 billion 226 million cubic meters
while today more resources are being used for fish breeding and
irrigation purposes in particular,’ he said.

`We have stream resources reaching 6.3 billion cubic meters, while we
manage to use just 2.5 billion in all the branches, losing the 3.7,’
Javadyan stressed.

`The main problem is the speedy consumption of water. We propose
creation of automatical management systems to reduce the risks and
getting an opportunity to conduct right water management,’ he said.

Referring to the fish economies, Javadyan said the 70% of water return
principal should be applied here. `The proposals were discussed and
will be presented to the government. A special program will be worked
out. All this should be done in a year as today the consumption of the
resources is very speedy causing complications for us and the fish
economies as well. They will be deprived of water,’ he said.

Javadyan said 122 wells out of 300 near Metsamor have been dried out
while the water generation in 17 wells in Masis has reduced 5.5 times.

`It would have been possible to prevent all this on time in case of
having right management,’ Javadyan said.

British MI6 role in Russian spy Litvinenko’s death to be probed

November 3, 2012 – 18:05 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The inquest into the death of murdered Russian
former spy Alexander Litvinenko could examine the possible role of
British spies in his death, according to BBC News.

MI6 and the Russian secret service, the FSB, may become “interested
parties”, a pre-inquest review has heard.

The inquest is set to be held as soon as possible next year.

Mr Litvinenko, 43, is thought to have been poisoned with polonium-210
after meeting two Russians for tea at a central London hotel in
November 2006.

The pre-inquest review was held on Friday at Camden Town Hall, in north London.

Hugh Davies, counsel to the inquest, said it could extend to include
“the possible culpability of the Russian state”, as well as “the
possible culpability of the British state in the death of Alexander
Litvinenko either: one, in carrying out by itself or its agents the
poisoning; or two, failing to take reasonable steps to protect Mr
Litvinenko from a real and immediate risk to his life”.

He said the Russian state has been invited since January to become an
interested party in the inquest, although the offer had not yet been
taken up.

The BBC’s Gordon Corera said interested party status would mean its
representatives would be able to cross-examine witnesses and examine
documents.

Mr Davies told the hearing there were a “number of competing and
increasingly controversial theories” surrounding Mr Litvinenko’s
death.

He said the inquest’s scope could include involvement of other
parties, including his friend, a fugitive Russian tycoon Boris
Berezovsky, Chechen-related groups and the Spanish mafia.

Hasmik Poghosyan hosted the delegation of the Iranian playwrights

17:02, 3 November, 2012

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. The Minister of Culture of the
Republic of Armenia Hasmik Poghosyan hosted the delegation under the
leadership of the Chairman of the Playwrights Union of Iran Mohammad
Amir Yarahmadi, where writers, critics, playwrights, journalist and
translators have been included. The Ministry of Culture of the
Republic of Armenia informed “Armenpress” about this. The Chairman of
the Writers Union of Armenia Levon Ananyan and other members of the
union also participated in the meeting.

The Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan greeted the guests and said
that Armenian-Iranian cultural relations are on a high level. Among
other things Hasmik Poghosyan spoke about the realization of joint
literary and cultural programs and the projects regarding the literary
translations, that encouraged the creation of the program
“Armenia-Iran: Literary Bridges” and providing steadfast arena for the
reciprocal visits of writers and playwrights and the realization of
literary programs. The cooperation between the Armenian and Iranian
literary circles resulted the publishing of four dozens of books and
translation of a number of plays.

In this respect by the order of the Armenian side the book “Modern
Iranian Drama” has been published in 2012 and the works of ten modern
playwrights were included where.

In the end of the meeting the Chairman of the Playwrights Union of
Iran Mohammad Amir Yarahmadi expressed his gratification to the
Minister of Culture of the Republic of Armenia Hasmik Poghosyan for
warm reception and the support of the Armenian-Iranian cultural
relations.

The Meskhetian Turks will not inhabit in the Armenian regions of Georgia

16:32, 3 November, 2012

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. The inhabitation of the Meskhetian
Turks is not dangerous for the Georgian-Armenians. The head of
“Multinational Georgia” organization Arnold Stepanyan spoke about this
in a conversation with “Armenpress” adding that in accordance with the
present law of Georgia it’s not necessary for them to return to live
in those territories, where they used to live once.

Arnold Stepanyan stated: “In accordance with the law the deadline for
the applications for the status of a repatriate ended on July 1, 2010,
hence nobody else can submit application to return now. The number of
the applicants is about 8, 900, which is a small number. They will
inhabit in different regions of Georgia.” Stepanyan also mentioned
that the Meskhetian Turks will not inhabit in the Armenian regions of
Georgia.

Speaking about the return of the Meskhetian Turks Arnold Stepanyan
said that it’s their own right, notwithstanding this procedure was
encouraged by the provocations of some powers.

Paper: ex-FM Oskanian dismissed from Ameriabank board

November 3, 2012 – 10:56 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – According to Zhoghovurd daily, Prosperous Armenia
party representative, former foreign minister of Armenia Vartan
Oskanian was Ameriabank CJSC board member in 2009, however was later
dismissed from the staff `under the pressure’ of the Central Bank.

Civilitas Foundation issued a statement yesterday, November 2,
claiming the persecution against the former foreign minister was
initiated back in 2009.

Oskanian was elected a board member of one of Armenia’s commercial
banks in 2009, however he was later forced to leave the post over the
threat of the bank shareholders’ bankruptcy, the daily says.

The paper tried to clarify the information from the head of
Ameriabank’s public relations and communication department Elmira
Adamyan, the latter denying the reports.

Georgia to restore ties with Russia
Tbilisi needs relations with Russia no less than with the West,
particularly in view of the latter’s stance during the August 2008
hostilities

The new Prime Minister of Georgia Bidzina Ivanishvili established a
new position for relations with Russia. Zurab Abashidze, well-known
diplomat and former Georgian ambassador to Russia was appointed
special envoy of the Georgian PM on Russian affairs. Paata
Zakareishvili, Georgian Minister for Reintegration told this news
during a press conference organized on Public Dialogues website.
November 3, 2012
PanARMENIAN.Net – `Georgia and Russia, Georgian and Abkhaz, and
Georgian and Ossetian sides can’t but have issues that can be settled
through joint efforts. Still, we always concentrate on problems we
can’t tackle today, and keep knocking our heads against this wall,’
Zakareishvili said.

According to Zakareishvili, lack of a dialogue between Georgia and
Russia harms not only Georgia but also Russia which has its own
interests in Georgia. In addition, the minister believes that the new
political force coming to power in Georgia gives Russia a chance to
normalize the ties with its southern neighbour.

`I think the new Georgian authorities are a chance for Russia to
normalize its relations with Georgia. Much depends now on Russia’s
further moves. Russia declared it would not speak to Saakashvili; now,
with Saakashvili no longer at the power, how will Russia speak to
Georgia, I wonder?’ Zakareishvili said.

For his part, the Georgian PM Ivanishvili said restoration of
diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation is closely linked
with the issue of Georgia’s territorial integrity within the
internationally recognized borders of the country. `The fact of
recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent republics by
Russia is the main reason hampering the restoration of diplomatic
relations between Georgia and Russia, given the existence of Russian
embassies in Sukhumi and Tskhinvali. After trade and cultural
relations between the two countries are resumed, a lot of work needs
to be done to provide conditions for diplomatic relations and further
move of these ties to friendly ones, taking into account the great
history between Georgia and Russia,’ Ivanishvili stressed.

Statements of this kind were expected to be voiced sooner or later;
whatever they may say, Tbilisi needs relations with Russia no less
than with the West, particularly in view of the latter’s stance during
the August 2008 hostilities. Only one like Saakashvili could turn a
blind eye on the increasingly deteriorating attitude of the West to
Georgia and himself. Anyway, the Georgian Dream has won the elections
and started to amend, to some extent, Saakashvili’s foreign policy
doctrine, if one existed at all. Appointment of Zurab Abashidze as
PM’s personal envoy on Russian affairs did not come all of a sudden.

However, the key problem lies not in Georgia, but rather in Russia –
whether Moscow would like to talk to Tbilisi and recall its signature
from the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia’s independence?
Most likely, it would not; this is a too suitable springboard for
building up Russian military presence in Caucasus, and abandoning it
to favour Tbilisi would mean to finally give up the Russian presence
in Caucasus.

Well, the Russian authorities refused to communicate with Mikheil
Saakashvili; Ivanishvili may appear to be luckier in this regard.
However, to much discontent on Tbilisi’s part, Moscow will be the one
to dictate the conditions for `reconciliation’. However hard
Saakashvili had tried, he failed to make his country a serious
regional player. Ivanishvili may try as well, but he too may fail.
Vowing to `pursue a course on integration with European structures’
and continuing the course while trying to reconcile with Moscow are
quite different things.

Karine Ter-Sahakian

Prosperous Armenia party not to attend anti-corruption council’s
sitting, party’s rep says

tert.am
15:00 – 03.11.12

Prosperous Armenia party will not participate in the sittings of
anti-corruption council initiated by the Armenian Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan as the government has refused to put the issue offered
by the party for discussion.

Speaking to Tert.am, Naira Zohrabyan, PAP party’s faction secretary,
said a cabinet representative told her they cannot accept the agenda
offered by the PAP to discuss the issue on 16.6 million USD provided
for lectures for rural population with the Millennium Challenges
Corporation Armenia program.

`If they refuse to discuss this important issue, naturally the PAP
refuses to participate in the sittings, the goal of which we have
already understood,’ she said.

November 2 the PAP offered to put the issue on the agenda, to clear
out what lectures have been read that demanded 16.6 million US
dollars.

Heritage and Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D)
stated they will attend the sitting, while the Armenian National
Congress opposition bloc stated that corrupted people cannot fight
against themselves.

Armenian Parliament is millionaires’ club – newspaper

news.am
November 03, 2012 | 08:34

YEREVAN. – In line with the income declarations which the MPs of
Armenia’s National Assembly have filled, all of their combined
monetary means have constituted more than $138 million as of March 3,
2012, 168 Zham daily reports.

`That is, each MP’s average wealth is a bit more than $1 million.
This, of course, is a ridiculous figure because this number is several
dozens – if not, a hundred – times less than the real wealth of some of
the MPs. This is proved by the fact that twelve MPs from the ruling
party did not at all declared monetary means. And it has become
apparent that some others have lived solely on the MP’s salary for the
past one year, but they drive a Porsche Cayenne [jeep], a Hummer, or,
at the very least, a G-Class Mercedes [jeep].

So, we may record that aside from being a legislative body, or [even]
before that, Armenia’s National Assembly is a millionaires’ club
which, for example, this year voted in favor of the bill on raising
the [monthly] minimum wage by a whole AMD 2,500 [approx. $6],’ 168
Zham writes.

USA urges to find diplomatic solution to operation of Nagorno Karabakh
airport – Victoria Nuland

tert.am
10:26 – 03.11.12

The United States urges the parties to find a diplomatic solution to
issues relating to the operation of the airport in Nagorno Karabakh,
Victoria Nuland, US Department of State spokesperson said at a press
briefing.

She said the parties should keep with the relevant international
agreements, customary international law, and the current practice
between Armenia and Azerbaijan with respect to civilian air travel

`The OSCE-Minsk group issued a statement on this. There was one on
April 14th, 2011. There was another one just this past July 2012,
which represented the views of the United States, France, and Russia
in calling for a diplomatic solution. So I would urge you to take a
look at that,’ she said.

`We also, in those statements, reiterated that the operation of this
airport should not be used to support any claim of change in the
status of Nagorno-Karabakh,’ she concluded.

Parnagian Family Legacy Lives on in San Joaquin Valley

Friday, November 2nd, 2012 | Posted by Contributor

Mr. Parnagian with visiting former Armenian Agriculture Minister Davit
Lokian (center) and community leader and activist Manas Boujikian (far
right) survey the crop

BY TAMAR KARKAZIAN
Special to Asbarez

In the early 1900’s the Armenian-American diaspora began to really
grow as Armenians left the villages of their ancestors in search of a
better life. Many made their way to California because of the richness
of the land and the similarities to home. The Parnagian family,
founders of Fowler Packing, were among those families who settled in
the San Joaquin Valley.

`This Valley was, and still remains, a paradise for those who want
that life of working the land. Armenians seem to have an innate love
for the soil and the food it can produce,’ stated Fowler Packing
President Dennis Parnagian.

The late Sam Parnagian started Fowler Packing because of this love for
the soil, establishing one of the top fresh fruit packinghouses in
California. Today Sam’s four sons Dennis, Randy, Ken, and Philip
strive to ensure that they continue their father’s legacy by `doing
the `right thing’ for growers, employees, customers, and the
community.’

As active members in the Armenian community, they have `done the right
thing’ on numerous occasions, helping the Armenian community in a
variety of philanthropic activities. `As long as we keep our Church
and our faith, there will always be an Armenian community that has
meaning and keeps the flame of our heritage alive,’ said Dennis
Parnagian.

That is why the Parnagian family, along with various other members of
the Fresno Armenian community have worked extremely hard to bring
influential religious figures such as Catholicos Aram I and his
predecessor Karekin II to the San Joaquin Valley.

On the farm

`When religious leaders visit the Valley it is always exciting and
inspiring. We know there are `flocks’ of Armenians scattered
throughout the world but we remain very connected with one another
because of our religion and our spiritual leaders, ‘ explained Mr.
Parnagian. `When they personally visit, it reinvigorates us and
strengthens the feelings we have as Armenians. ‘ He then added, `We
are fortunate to have religious leaders and seminaries to keep the
traditions or our faith strong and sustainable.’

`The Parnagian family has been a beloved presence in the San Joaquin
Valley and faithful members of Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church
and the Armenian-American community for decades. They are a
hard-working and altruistic family who have utilized the resources
they have earned through the sweat of their brow, through their hard
and righteous labor, to make a difference in the lives of their fellow
man and community. The Parnagian brothers, Dennis, Randy, Ken, and
Philip, and now the new generation of the Parnagian family, are
continuing in the faithful footsteps of their late father and
grandfather Sam, and carrying on his legacy by contributing to the
advancement of their local community and the greater Armenian-American
community through their generosity and support. Their boundless love
and devotion to our faith and nation, and their unwavering allegiance
to the Holy See of Cilicia and our Prelacy has played a significant
role in the realization of our endeavors and mission. We are
privileged to have them as our dearest friends,’ stated Western
Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian.

The Parnagians have also helped bring political figures to the San
Joaquin Valley, such as Armenia’s Secretary of Agriculture, Armenia’s
Consul General for the United States and Raffi Hovanissian (member of
the Parliament of Armenia and a Fresno native). Parnagian
emphasized the importance of these visits saying, `The interaction and
exchange of information is helpful to us and to them as we work
together to find ways for improving and developing opportunities in
Armenia. Simply getting to know one another and building relationships
is often the most important step for ongoing and lasting relationships
that benefit Armenians here and in Armenia.’

It is this sense of pride and dedication, that families like the
Parnagians have, which has seen the Armenians in the San Joaquin
Valley succeed.