Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

“Barefoot Diva” Cesaria Evora dies at 70

December 17, 2011 – 21:50 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Singer Cesaria Evora, dubbed the “Barefoot Diva” for
often performing without shoes, has died in her native Cape Verde at
the age of 70, BBC reports.

The musician, forced to retire earlier this year due to ill-health,
began her career singing in the bars of Mindelo in the West African
island nation.

Evora did not begin her recording career until 1988, and won a Grammy
Award in 2004 for her album Voz D’Amor.

She was famed for singing songs of longing with her rich contralto
vocals. Her sultry voice was often compared to blues star Billie
Holliday

Her fourth album, Miss Perfumado, was her breakthrough hit in 1992. It
sold more than 300,000 copies worldwide, and resulted in a number of
tours. She released 10 albums in all.

Evora had a penchant for alcohol and cigarettes, and in later life her
health began to decline. She suffered a stroke while on tour in
Australia in 2008 and later underwent open heart surgery.

In September, she spoke of her sadness at having to retire, saying: “I
have no strength, no energy. I want you to say to my fans: forgive me,
but now I need to rest.

“I infinitely regret having to stop because of illness, I would have
wanted to give more pleasure to those who have followed me for so
long.”

Evora was considered one of the world’s greatest exponents of Morna, a
form of blues considered the national music of the Cape Verde islands,
a former Portuguese colony which gained independence in 1975.

The music is a testament to the country’s history, including the slave
trade and its physical remoteness in the Atlantic Ocean, hundreds of
kilometers off Africa’s west coast.

From: Baghdasarian

Vahan Hovhannisyan: It is impossible to speak of achievements when one
in five in Armenia is beyond the poverty line

arminfo
Saturday, December 17, 18:00

It is impossible to speak of achievements when one in five in Armenia
is beyond the poverty line, Head of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun Party
Faction, member of ARFD Bureau Vahan Hovhannisyan said at today’s
press conference when summing up the results of the outgoing 2011
year. “On the whole, the socio-economic situation in the republic,
which demonstrates a considerable rise of the poverty level, is rather
desperate. Against this background, all the latest personnel reshuffle
in the government does not serve the goals it should. Certainly, there
should be staff reformation, but first of all it is necessary to
understand what for it is needed and what goals it has”, he said.

Hovhannisyan thinks that the personnel reshuffle in Armenia is done
only to create the illusion that the authorities strive to solve the
problems of the country in order to ensure the best results at the
elections. Among the positive results of the year, Hovhannisyan
pointed out the active visits of the Armenian politicians abroad, as
well as the return visits of the foreign high-ranking officials to
Armenia.

From: Baghdasarian

WHY DID SERVICEMAN LOSE HIS EYE?

A serviceman in Armenia lost one of his eyes after a junior officer
hit him with a metal chain. The incident occurred in ‘Eghnikner’
(Deer) military unit in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic on Dec. 14 when
serviceman Narek Avetisyan reportedly was beaten by Armen Tovmasyan
for disobeying his order.

According to Mary Sargsyan, Senior Officer at the Investigation Service
of the Ministry of Defense, a criminal case has been instituted in
connection with the incident.

“The case is filed under Article 375 of the Armenian Criminal Code
((Abuse of power, transgression of authority or administrative
dereliction),” she said.

Narek Avetisyan’s right eye was removed yesterday.

From: Baghdasarian

ENVIRONMENTALISTS TO START SIT-IN IN KAJARAN

A group of environmentalists today held a protest action in support
of the residents of Kajaran village and headman Rafik Atayan.

“The future of our children is endangered,” shouted the
environmentalists.

On December 15, Rafik Atayan resigned from his post and from the
ruling Republican Party as well. Atayan said he had been pressured by
the party to sign a contract that would allocate the village lands
to Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine. He did not agree to the deal
and resigned in protest.

Members of “Trchkan” civil initiative group will travel to Kajaran
at the weekend to support the locals. They are likely to start a
termless sit-in Syunik.

“This is a common cause. We shall not allow the village to weaken
its positions,” said environmentalist Eghia Nersisyan.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN ADVOCACY GROUP VISITS CONSCRIPT WHO LOST EYE AFTER BLOW (VIDEO)

Tert.am
16.12.11

An Armenian activist movement Chenk Lrelu (No Silence) has visited
a soldier who lost one of his eyes after an officer hit him with a
metal chain.

The incident took place at a military unit in Nagorno Karabakh a few
days ago when Narek Avetisyan was beaten by Armen Tovmasyan for not
obeying his order.

Narek’s father, Andranik Avetisyan, told Chenk Lrelu that the friends
and relatives of the perpetrators, Armen Tovmasyan, have been calling
him all this time, asking not to complain about the incident.

In an interview with Chenk Lrelu, he, however, said that there will
be no mercy.

Further, Andranik Avetisyan said that no one from Defense Ministry
has visited his son, while the 24-hour hotline 1-88 is unresponsive.

The movement also said that the perpetrator is at large and no criminal
case bas been filed. But Tert.am learned from the Defense Ministry’s
investigative service that it has already filed a criminal case.

Below is a video made by Chenk Lrelu movement.

From: Baghdasarian

AZERBAIJAN MAY TRY TO RESUME WAR IN CASE ATTACK ON IRAN – ANALYST

Tert.am
16.12.11

Azerbaijan may resort to adventure over the resumption of military
actions over Nagorno-Karabakh in a war is unleashed against Iran,
an Armenian political analyst has said.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Narek Galstyan said that Azerbaijan
might not start military actions against Iran, but take advantage of
the situation.

“An attack against Iran will have very bad consequences for us,”
said Galstyan.

“If Azerbaijan does not attack Iran, then it will take advantage
over the conflict situation over Iran and may resort to adventure
over the resumption of the Karabakh conflict,” he explained.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict sparked in the early 1990s when Karabakhi
Armenians voiced their intention to live independently.

Later it spiralled into a bloody war, leaving around 30,000 killed
and more than a million displaced.

According to Narek Galstyan, in case of such a scenario Russia has
obligations to defend the territory of the Republic of Armenia.

“Military actions against Iran are not only against our interests,
but also that of Russia,” said Galstyan, pointing to the fact that
Armenia and Russian are allies.

“For that reason in such case Russia will respond quickly,” he
explained.

Narek Galstyan also said he believed that an Iranian war would have
far more consequences on Armenia, rather than a Russo-Georgian war.

From: Baghdasarian

RUSSIAN FILMS IN ARMENIA NOW TO BE SCREENED AT MILITARY BASES

epress.am
12.16.2011

The second festival of Russian films in Armenia, which ran from Dec.

10-14, was more saturated with films and more fulfilling primarily
because actors and directors who characterize bright, classic Russian
cinema had come to Armenia, Viktor Krivopuskov, the Rossotrudnichestvo
representative in Armenia and advisor to the Russian embassy in
Armenia, told Epress.am. (Note, Rossotrudnichestvo is the “Federal
Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living
Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation,” a Russian federal
government agency under the jurisdiction of the Russian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.)

It’s the second year that this event has been organized by the
Filmmakers Union of Russia upon the initiative of the two countries’
culture ministries. This year’s festival in Yerevan featured films of
various genres: a family comedy Mujskaya Jenskaya Igra (“Men’s Women’s
Game”) directed by Maria Makhanko, the historical drama Zvezda Inperii
(“Star of Empire”) by Evgeny Sokolov, another historical drama Yunkera
directed by Igor Chernitsky, the melodrama Moy Papa Baryshnikov (“My
Dad Baryshnikov”) by Dmitry Povolotsky, and the melodrama Ne Skazhu
(“I Cannot Say”) by Igor Kopilov.

“Unfortunately, in Armenia there aren’t a significant number of
movie theaters – there’s only the two. And in other cities outside of
Yerevan, there are none. We get out of this situation with indirect
support – through organizing screenings in university and school
classrooms and halls.”

However, the most important, he says, is an agreement with the
Secretary of the Filmmakers Union of Russia Sergei Novozhilov. “We
agreed that in 2012, the Filmmakers Union will participate more
actively in the Golden Apricot and other film festivals in Armenia.”

They have also planned to devote the fifth day of Russian Language
Days in Armenia to Russian cinema. According to the Rossotrudnichestvo
representative, this will allow the films to be viewed by a larger
audience – as, for example, in military units.

“Of course, we won’t forget the border guards and soldiers of the
102nd Russian military base. At the border, Russian and Armenian
guards serve together, so there’s no question. And of course for
officers and staff of Armenia’s Armed Forces, because we know that
they speak Russian. Together, we ensure the security of our countries
and peoples, as both are CSTO and Collective Rapid Reaction Force
members, which means that the Russian language is accessible as a
language of communication among the CIS [Commonwealth of Independent
States]. And I hope the films will support the strengthening of the
Russian language among our friends in arms,” he concluded.

From: Baghdasarian

FAMILY, REPRESENTATIVES OF SLAIN SOLDIER HOLD ARMENIA DEFENSE MINISTER PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE

epress.am
12.16.2011

RA Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan (pictured) is obliged to keep in
check bodies under his defense ministry’s jurisdiction, including
keeping military police from coercing witnesses.

So reads a statement by Tsovinar Nazaryan, sister of rifle platoon
commander Artak Nazaryan, who died suddenly while serving in
Tavush marz (province) during peacetime on Jul. 27, 2010, and
her representatives Mushegh Shushanyan and Ruben Martirosyan. The
parties also insist that Ohanyan is obliged to order the defense
ministry’s Investigative Service to launch a new criminal case on the
circumstances surrounding Artak’s death and carry out a multi-faceted,
impartial and complete investigation.

The statement came about as a result of one of the more important
witnesses in Artak’s case, Arman Mnatsakanyan, not yet being discharged
from military service though the term of his mandatory two-year
service expired on Dec. 4.

On Thursday, Tsovinar Nazaryan informed Epress.am that in court, Arman
Mnatsakanyan’s testimonies often contradicted not only each other but
also his earlier testimony given during the preliminary investigation.

Thus, Artak’s family and their representatives believe military police
coerced the witness.

“In the situation described, Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan as ‘head
of a state body’ is personally responsible in keeping the witness
under military police custody as much as in obstructing objectivity
in the trial of Artak Nazaryan’s case and covering up the truth,”
reads the statement.

Recall, the defense ministry claims that Artak’s death was a suicide;
however, an autopsy and physical examination of the body conducted
later revealed traces of violence on his face and body, inflicted
upon the platoon commander 6 hours before his death. Deputy of the
military base where Nazaryan was employed, Captain Hakob Manukyan,
as well as fellow soldiers Mkhitar Mkhitaryan, Adibek Hovhannisyan
and Harutik (Harutyun) Kirakosyan are named as the accused in the case.

From: Baghdasarian

POST OFFICES REOPEN IN ARMENIA’S SYUNIK PROVINCE

PanARMENIAN.Net
December 16, 2011 – 15:53 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On December 16, Syunik province’s towns of Sisian
and Goris as well as the village of Tatev hosted the official reopening
of post offices within Haypost Marathon 2011 program.

Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Armen Gevorgyan, Managing Director
of Haypost Trust Management Juan Pablo Gechidjian, Haypost CJSC CEO
Haik Avagyan as well as regional authorities attended the opening of
the post offices renovated as part of the program.

Haypost Trust Management company announced the launch of Haypost
Marathon 2011 program for reconstruction, re-equipment and
modernization of 50 post offices in Armenia; the figure will be
increased to 250 in 5 years to come.

From: Baghdasarian

BAKU UNLIKELY TO USE IRAN SITUATION TO ATTACK KARABAKH – COMMANDOS

PanARMENIAN.Net
December 16, 2011 – 14:03 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Nagorno Karabakh war veteran, Artsakh hero
Major-General Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan (Commandos) does not believe in
possibility of a war in Iran.

“Iran is has a powerful war machine and will give a worthy response
if attacked,” Ter-Tadevosyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

“After Tehran’s statements, I do not think that the West or the United
States will risk a war with Iran, which is supported by Russia and
Syria. I believe it’s Israel who stirs up the West into this venture,”
said Commandos.

Reflecting on whether Azerbaijan could make use of the situation in
Iran and renew hostilities in Nagorno Karabakh, he said he does not
rank this scenario as possible.

Major-General Ter-Tadevosyan also suggested that Azerbaijan should mind
solution of its internal problems rather than launching provocative
acts.

From: Baghdasarian