Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

September 26, 2014
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

PRELATE CONDEMNS DESTRUCTION OF DER ZOR
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MEMORIAL

H.E.Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, strongly
condemned the destructionof the Armenian Genocide Memorial Church and
complex in Der Zor on September 21stating, `No one and nothing can
disparage and diminish the memory of ourmartyrs and our commitment to
upholding their legacy. Indeed, heinous act suchas this intensify our
vigilance and drive us to persist undeterred in our causeto achieve the
fulfillment of our just demands by the centennial commemoration.This is
not the first time that our memorial monuments have come under attack.In
the past, the Genocide monument at the Catholicosate’s St. Mary
Monastery inBikfaya was bombed; today, it stands triumphantly, soaring
majestically towardthe sky like the mighty fist of the Armenian people.
The enemy of the Armeniannation is most certainly behind this atrocious
act. We rightfully expect thatthis and similar acts of terror are
condemned not only with words but withaction as well, and for justice to
triumph’.

***

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGYAND `YEAR OF THE ELDER’ EVENT
AT HOLY TRINITY CHURCHIN FRESNO

OnSunday, September 28, 2014, the Prelate will preside over
Divine Liturgy anddeliver the sermon at Holy Trinity Church in Fresno.
Followingthe service, a special event will take place at the
Church Social Hall incelebration of the `Year of the Elder’
proclamation of His Holiness Aram I. Theevent has been organized by the
parish Board of Trustees and ChristianEducation Committee to honor
elders in the community over the age of 70.
ThePrelate will preside over the event and deliver his
blessings to the elders.

***

PRELATE WELCOMES WIFE OF ARMEN
tember 25, 2014, the Prelate welcomed Mrs.
Ruzan Ohanyan, wife ofArmenia’s Defense Minister Colonel General
Seyran Ohanyan, who is in town toparticipate in the American Medical
Society conference. The honored guest wasaccompanied by Dr. and Mrs.
Vartkes and Mary Najarian. ARS member Mrs. JasikJarahian and Prelacy
Ladies Auxiliary Chair Mrs. Dzovig Zetlian and member Mrs.Alvard
Barseghian participated in the meeting.
Thediscussion centered on the state of affairs in Armenia
and Artsakh and ongoingborder incidences. Mrs. Ohanyan highlighted the
nationalism, devotion, andselflessness of the soldiers who risk their
lives to defend our nation, andespecially the borders, noting that our
soldiers need all types of support tosuccessfully carry out their
mission.
At the conclusion of the visit Mrs. Ohanyanpresented the
Prelate with a medal bearing the image of General Antranig. HisEminence
presented the guest with mementos and wished her a pleasant trip.

***

RECEPTION HONORING FOREIGN MINISTER OFLEBANON

– MINISTER ALSO VISITS ST. GARABED CHURCH OF LAS VEGAS

Onthe evening of Friday, September 19, a reception was held
at the Hyatt RegencyCentury Plaza in Los Angeles in honor of the
official visit of Foreign Ministerof Lebanon H.E. Gebran Bassil and Mrs.
Chantal Bassil. The event was hosted byHonorable Consul General Johnny
Ibrahim and Mrs. Maya Ibrahim. The Prelateattended and conveyed his well
wishes to the honored guest. His Eminence wasaccompanied by Rev. Fr.
Boghos Tinkjian.
Laterin the evening, community benefactor Mr. and Mrs. Harry
and Cheryl Nadjarianhosted the honored guest to a dinner at the
Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills,with the participation of the Prelate
and community activists.
OnSaturday, the Foreign Minister and Consul General traveled
to Las Vegas tovisit the parish community of St. Charbel Maronite
Church. During their stay inLas Vegas they had the opportunity to visit
St. Garabed Armenian ApostolicChurch. The dignitaries were welco
ouncil, Construction Committee, and
sister organizations. Following a prayerby Rev. Fr. Arsen Kassabian, the
guests were given a brief background on the constructionof the Church.
The guests were then led to the courtyard where Homenetmenscouts had
gathered for the honor guard. The national anthems were sung as
theLebanese flag was flown for the first time in the Church courtyard.
The guestsreceived a tour of the Cultural Center and were thenhosted to
a reception at the newly renovated Koujakian Hall. Mr. AdroushanArmenian
delivered welcoming remarks and introduced the community memberspresent.
Consul General Ibrahim conveyed his remarks to the community andinvited
the Foreign Minister to deliver his remarks. Minister
Bassilcongratulated the community for preserving their national identity
andremaining faithful to their language, traditions, and history, noting
that thetragedies the Armenian people have endured have resulted in a
strong sense ofunity and belonging. A question and answer period
followed. In conclusion, theForeign Minister and Consul General were
presented with khachkars as mementosof their visit.

***

MUSICAL EVENTS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY

Lastweekend, two special musical events were held within our
community.
OnSaturday, September 20, a concert organized by Lark
Musical Society incollaboration with Serj Tankian was held at the
Ambassador Auditorium inPasadena. The event was one in a series planned
by Lark in commemoration of the100th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide.
Rev.Fr. Boghos Tinkjian and Rev. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian
represented the Prelate.Executive Council Chair Mr. Vahe Hovaguimian and
member Dr. Navasart Kazazianwere among the guests in attendance.
OnSunday, September 21, a tribute concert celebrating the
life and legacy of MaestroAram Gharabekian was held at the Colburn
School Zipper Hall in Los Angeles. HisEminence attended the concert.
Bothconcerts were received with great acclaim by the
community.

From: Baghdasarian

Arthur Abraham beats Paul Smith to retain WBO title

10:35 * 28.09.14

Liverpool boxer Paul Smith put in the performance of his career but
lost out on points to Germany’s Arthur Abraham in their WBO
super-middleweight bout.

The 31-year-old caused the defending champion all sorts of trouble
throughout the fight in Germany.

Smith, the British champion, worked hard throughout, setting the tempo
from the start.

But Abraham put in a strong last round and two judges gave it 117-111
and the third 119-109.

Afterwards Smith described the scoring as ‘disgusting’.

“That’s twice I have been on the end of a wrong decision and it has
shattered my world,” he told Sky Sports.

“I knew I had the beating of him but I did a lot right and was
outworking him in every round.

“I believed I had done enough and won the fight but the judges didn’t.
I feel robbed.”

The Liverpudlian, who was stopped by James DeGale and George Groves in
2010 and 2011 respectively, needed to make a solid start and he
started at a fast pace, putting in a good effort in the opening couple
of rounds but without seriously troubling his opponent.

Abraham gradually came more into the fight and, with some solid
defence, he started to pile on the pressure by the midway point of the
fight.

Smith tried to force the issue in the seventh round and began to land
the bigger punches and, with Abraham showing signs of vulnerability,
he was rocked by a left hook from Smith in the ninth round.

Abraham regrouped and started to look more dangerous by the 10th round
but he was also looking more tired and Smith dug deep for one last
effort but it was not enough.

From: Baghdasarian

Gagged?: Opposition rally electricity cut off in Syunik amid criticism
of local governor

Politics | 28.09.14 | 19:26

Oppositionist Armen Martirosyan, of the Heritage Party, had to make
the best use of his vocal cords to get the message across at a Sunday
rally in Kapan as electricity was suddenly gone seconds after he
voiced criticism against the local controversial governor.

At the gathering initiated by the three major non-governing forces in
the central town of the Syunik province Martirosyan, in particular,
slammed the recent government decision to return Surik Khachatryan to
the gubernatorial position a year after he resigned following a deadly
shootout near his house involving his son and bodyguard.

While the local authorities did not admit to having deliberately
switched off the electricity, the opposition member said he did not
doubt it was part of the government plan to obstruct the holding of
their rallies. He also claimed some community leaders had put pressure
on citizens not to attend the anti-government rallies.

In their speeches in Kapan and earlier that day in Syunik
representatives of Heritage, as well as the Prosperous Armenia Party
(PAP) and the Armenian National Congress (ANC) criticized the
government for its socio-economic policies as well as its plans to
make amendments in the current Constitution, which is seen as an
attempt to perpetuate the power of the ruling party by making a switch
to a parliamentary republic.

Like at the rallies in Abovyan and Hrazdan earlier this week
representatives of the three forces urged citizens to turn out for the
joint rally planned in Yerevan on October 10. Some of them called for
a change of power.

Still in June, the three parties as well as the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation (Dashnaktsutyun), which opted out of the current campaign
due to its differences with the rest of the non-governing forces over
the planned constitutional reform, gave the government until September
30 to fulfill a set of demands. They said they would gather for a
joint rally after that to evaluate how far the government has complied
with the demands.

The PAP, ANC and Heritage will next travel to Ararat (October 3),
Ijevan (October 4) and Vanadzor (October 6) before completing their
provincial tour in Armenia’s second largest city of Gyumri on October
8.

From: Baghdasarian

`Diary for me and everyone.’ `You’re an interesting person, you have come
here and want to decide Armenia’s fate?’

September 24 2014

Said the President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, at the meeting with
Armenians living in the Czech Republic The video cameras were taken out
from the Embassy hall, and only the president’s personal operator was
allowed.

The remaining speech of the president is a monotone conversation:
unprecedented economic growth, migration decrease, and success in foreign
diplomacy. Then comes our questions, as for the president’s responses,
judge for yourself.

Larisa Grigoryan, quoting Aznavour’s interview, `No much time will pass,
and Armenia will resemble an empty snail shell. And who profits from this?
Wealthy gangs? A few Mafioso? I know that we have a small piece of a poor
country, who is dying day by day,’ asked, –

Mr. President, if you agree with this opinion, then how can we prevent the
day by day emigration and increasing poverty?

– I have respect for Aznavour as a musician, but he is very far from
Armenia and is unaware of the reality. As for growing emigration, you are
an Armenian language teacher, but you have not well understood the meaning
of the word `growing’.

(And the president lists numbers. This much and this much economic growth,
growth of gross product, which resulted in a decrease in the rate of
emigration in 2012). Don’t you agree that life has been improved, people in
the streets of Yerevan are better dressed?

– No, shouted Tamara MELKONYAN from the last raw, Armenia is not only
Yerevan, go to the villages and you would see what poverty prevails there.

– Stand up, let me see who you are. How do you know sitting here?

– I know, how much money I was sending to my relatives, the same amount I
am sending now, – and concurrently speaks with the president.

– Let me talk, do not ask your relatives, just believe the international
numbers. There are the data of international monitoring. Trust in this.

– Armen KOLOYAN – Mr. President, by adding and subtracting the numbers you
said, it turned out that 38,000 people abandoned the country in 2012. And
this is a very big number.

– You have come here and worry about, go back and we would be many. Our
statistical department has not yet published the figures for 2013. When
published, we would see.

Bagrat ARAKELYAN – I do not hide that I am one of today’s organized rally
participants. Most of Armenians living outside are against Armenia’s
accession to the Customs Union. Why didn’t you ask the opinion of
All-Armenians when making a decision? Let you hold a referendum.

– You are interesting people, you have come here and want to decide
Armenia’s fate? Let those living in Armenia resolve these matters,
you have
nothing to do with those matters. They should decide whether Armenia be in
the Customs Union or not. I cannot ask for everyone’s opinion overnight.
Have you read the EU Free Trade Agreement? What are the terms?

– I have not read, I have just lived a pretty long time in Russia, then I
moved to Europe and I am able to compare.

– Our choice is not a civilization one. It is a choice that is driven from
the economic interests of our people. We cannot sign a Free Trade Agreement
and increase the gas price and the electricity fee three-fold. If it turns
out that cognac does not meet the European standards, we would not grow
grapes, and so on. Is this what you want? Let’s say you voice a protest
here with 5 of you, what do you want to say by this that you decide here on
how we are going to live there?

– We have expressed our opinion.

– Let you tell your opinion at your home. I do not know a case when the
president goes for negotiations with all of his arguments published. We are
not yet a member of the CU, the parliament has still to pass 150 laws, and
the National Assembly is our people’s voice.

Hakob ASATRYAN – Do you consider it possible that Armenia would sign the
EU Free Trade Area Agreement through the CU?

– `ECOIS’ survey conduction company has published the data. In a short-run,
the Free Trade Agreement will provide 1 per cent growth of Armenia’s gross
domestic income, in a mid- and long-run – 2-3%. Well, let’s compare by
commodity. Only gas, natural diamonds, fuel and lubrication substances. The
benefit of only from this is several times more. In addition, Russia sells
30 % cheaper petroleum to CU member countries, now, what should we do, to
say, no, we would pay more and join the Association plan? The Czech
Republic pays twice more to `Gazprom’ for 1000 cubic meters. We export
aluminum, copper and molybdenum concentrates to Europe. No matter what
other agreements we sign, they will be happy to accept these concentrates.
I do not think that we would be able to sell even 150 bottles of cognac per
annum in Europe in the future, whereas we sell 150 million bottles of
cognac in Russia. We are organically tied to the economy of the CIS
countries, this is the reason for going to the Eurasian Union. We clearly
understand that the economic relations in Europe are 20-30 years ahead, but
what should we do, to sign FTA and increase poverty in the country? I’m
sure that the time for signing an EU Free Trade Area Agreement through the
CU will come. It’s inevitable.

Shushan GHAZARYAN – I cannot turn to you as my president, as I have not
elected you, in other words, I am deprived of that opportunity. I would
like to ask you, when will the right of Armenian citizens living abroad to
voting be restored? Not say, come to Armenia and vote. I prefer sending
this money to my relatives in need.

– It’s really a tough question, because we do not have embassies in all
countries, the dual citizenships have become more. If, let’s say, we open
up a polling station in Prague, someone from Brno would say, open up one
here too. Or, how do you visualize this for the Armenians living in Russia?
How are they going to cross from Siberia to Moscow and Petersburg? Are we
going to open up a polling station everywhere? I understand that you are
helping the Homeland economically, but the election for the president is
first of all the right of the one living in Armenia. But if we develop so
much to ensure transparency and fairness, we can provide an e-voting and
solve the problem, but it is hard and would be challenging in the future.

Anna KARAPETYAN – We are at a disadvantage with Azerbaijan in the field of
information. If it goes on, one day we would lose Artsakh. Isn’t it
possible to establish a European press center here and actively resist the
media war of Azerbaijan?

– Where did you get it from that we would lose Artsakh? If so, why doesn’t
Azerbaijan sign the last agreements? I do not understand what it is about,
what the European press center is. I think we do not need it, because we
are not at a disadvantage with Azerbaijan in the field of information.

– Arsen, entrepreneur, Brno – I would like to talk about the business
monopolization. For instance, why is sugar imported to the country by a
single person?

– So, what do you want? Should ten people import sugar to a small country?

– I am engaged in transport business. They say that allegedly this business
is not advantages in Armenia. If not, give it to others, such as me, I
would make it better. I have experience, and I will set up law and order.

– Come to Armenia, set up your businesses and should you have difficulties,
contact me.

Hakob ASATRYAN – TV programs are not useful, they are in Russian language,
vulgar, children’s programs are broadcast during the nighttime.

– Most of the TV channels are private, and I have no right to interfere. As
for `H1=80³ channel, agree that a lot has been changed, there
are fresh and
interesting headlines. Maybe, something else is broadcast by the satellite,
but in Yerevan, it is very good.

SHUSHAN GHAZARYAN Prague

Read more at:

From: Baghdasarian

MARSEILLE
Chrétiens d’Orient : l’aide s’organise depuis Marseille

Les frappes contre l’État islamique en Irak ordonnées par François
Hollande ont débuté vendredi, dans le cadre d’une alliance réclamée
par Barack Obama. À l’Assemblée nationale, où l’accueil des minorités
chrétiennes chaldéennes, syriaques ou nestoriennes persécutées ne fait
quasiment plus débat, la mission d’études sur les chrétiens d’Orient
compte désormais 111 députés. Elle vient de soutenir une plainte
déposée auprès de la Cour pénale internationale contre “la persécution
et le génocide contre les chrétiens d’Irak”. Présidente du groupe avec
la Vendéenne Véronique Besse (MPF), la députée UMP des Yvelines
Valérie Pécresse est revenue du Kurdistan début septembre en dénonçant
des “pratiques génocidaires”. Des mots qui font frémir, repris par
Henri Jibrayel. Vice-président de la mission au côté notamment de sa
collègue UMP marseillaise Valérie Boyer, le député PS de l’Estaque
revient de Washington. Où il aparticipé, en compagnie des dignitaires
religieux des différentes communautés chrétiennes d’Orient, à un
sommet mondial destiné à amplifier le mouvement international. “Ce qui
était un frémissement devient une secousse, résume Henri Jibrayel.
Alors que les appels des ambassadeurs en Turquie en 1915 n’avaient pas
été entendus, ouvrant le passage au génocide arménien, la couverture
médiatique de ce sommet permet de faire bouger les lignes. Toutes les
minorités chrétiennes savent qu’elles sont soutenues.” Pour l e s
représenter à Washington auprès des religieux, des témoins directs des
massacres ont soulevé l’émoi. “On nous a parlé de viols et de
pillages, de gens égorgés s’ils ne se convertissaient pas et de
déportations de population. Mais le pire que j’ai entendu a été
l’enterrement de 700 personnes vivantes. Ces témoignages sont bien
plus terrifiants que ce qu’on voit à la télévision le soir”, souffle
le député, chrétien maronite d’origine libanaise. Dont le discours au
Capitole s’est concentré sur la nécessité d’accueillir les populations
en danger, mais de “faire en sorte qu’ils puissent retourner dans leur
pays en sécurité et qu’ils vivent autour de leurs églises
reconstruites”. Opération caritative Un retour qui n’est pour l’heure
qu’un mirage. Alors que s’organisent des ponts humanitaires, Valérie
Boyer, appuyée par ses collègues UMP marseillais du groupe
parlementaire Guy Teissier et Dominique Tian, lance une opération
caritative. Une soirée est prévue au chteau de la Buzine, à
Marseille, le 24 septembre, au son des chants araméens, la langue du
Christ.

“En Irak, souligne la députée de ces quartiers de Marseille où se
concentre notamment une partie de la communauté arménienne, la plupart
des Chrétiens survivants et déplacés souffrent de l’extrême chaleur et
souffriront du froid dans quelques mois. Il faut donc leur faire
parvenir médicaments, vêtements et denrées alimentaires, par le biais
d’associations sérieuses.” Le temps presse, effectivement

dimanche 28 septembre 2014,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIE
Les maternités dans les provinces arméniennes ont des problèmes similaires

Un cri de bébé se répand autour du Centre médical de Charentsavan. Les
médecins prennent Minas né il y a trois jours dans sa chambre et
disent avec fierté qu’il est le troisième fils né dans la famille
Vardanyan au cours des deux dernières années et demie. Le bébé pèse
3,4 kg, sa hauteur est de 52 cm

> dit la mère des trois
garçons, Anush Vardanyan 30 ans, que les médecins locaux appellent
une>car ils disent avec regret que peu de femmes osent
aujourd’hui donner naissance à un troisième enfant, en particulier
dans un si court laps de temps.

La gynécologue obstétricien Anaida Meltonyan, qui travaille à la
maternité dans Charentsavan, une ville dans la province de Kotayk
située à quelque 40 kilomètres de capitale Erevan, dit qu’elle a vu
très peu de troisième enfants nés dans une même famille dans le
dernier quart de siècle de son expérience dans la profession. Elle dit
que cela se produit surtout par hasard ou pour avoir un enfant d’un
sexe différent.

>, dit le
médecin.

Chef du service de la maternité Karine Poghosyan, qui a une expérience
de travail de plus de deux décennies, rappelle qu’à un moment donné
les femmes ont commencé à avoir plus de troisième enfant en
considérant que qu’ils seraient admissibles à certaines prestations de
l’Etat, mais cette tendance n’a pas duré longtemps et maintenant ils
semblent être tout à fait satisfait d’avoir deux bébés.

L’allocation proposée pour les deux premiers enfants en Arménie est de
50000 drams (environ 125 $), pour leur troisième enfant, les parents
reçoivent 430 000 drams (plus de 1000 $). (A titre de comparaison, il
est intéressant de noter que le prix de 25 couches jetables est
d’environ 10 $ à 12$, un pack de lait maternisé est environ 7 $ à 10
$).

dit le chef du Département de la
maternité du Centre médical Charentsavan. Le chef du Département
d’obstétrique et de gynécologie du Centre médical Noyemberyan dit la
même chose.

Il y a des problèmes techniques aussi au service de la maternité du
Centre médical Hrazdan qui a été rénové en 2008 grce aux moyens
fournis par la Banque mondiale.

, dit la femme.

Le btiment de l’hôpital Vanadzor a été détruit dans le séisme de
1988, et avant qu’il ne s’installe à son btiment actuel en 1997 la
maternité a été logée dans des expédients en bois. Aujourd’hui, le
chef obstétricien-gynécologue du Lori, chef du Département
d’obstétrique et de gynécologie du Centre médical de Vanadzor Aram
Avalyan montre fièrement le deuxième étage du nouveau btiment de
l’hôpital.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA EXPOSED DOZENS OF PALEOLITHIC ERA’S WEAPONS USED 325K YEARS AGO

Capital Wired
Sept 26 2014

Around 325,000 years ago, thousands of gizmos from the Paleolithic
era recovered from a place in Armenia which allowed the researchers
to gather data regarding how ancient developments developed and spread
around the globe.

The team of researchers from all around the world, including a
group Royal Holloway, University of London had basis to think
that an ancient procedure named as ‘Levallois’ was used to create
hunting weapons. These weapons were actually originated in Africa
and transmitted to the other continents.

The researchers claimed that, they found the evidences at the place
in Armenia capitulated weapons regarding this type of technology.

Moreover, this technology was in fact previously part of these earliest
Armenian groups, which flourished 325,000-335,000 years ago.

Particularly, in this region, the technique is known as ‘Bi-face’
which could be believed as somewhat similar to Levallois. These
instruments were firstly analyzed by the researchers and told that
the volcanic material was used in them, which was discovered in Nor
Geghi in Kotayk Province, Armenia.

With the invention of these ancient instruments, the researchers
would be able to get into the fresh and novel insights that ancient
groups were believed to be more innovative. These groups have adapted
two diverse technologies in order to create instruments which were
essential for their hunting culture.

With the expansion of population around the globe, Levallois and
biface techniques rapidly extended across Africa to Eurasia. After
studying the tools in Armenia, the researchers found that ‘Bi-face’
techniques was actually developed separately and is not a derived from
Levallois. Though, both techniques are somewhat similar to one another.

A mass of stone-shaped is used in both techniques in to hunting tools,
which looks like sharp and thin flakes. Though, the major difference
is that, with the help of Levallois technique, you can shape tools
by prominent flakes from a prepared core evocative of lithic reduction.

Alternatively, the Bi-face technique is basic. It will use two sides
of stone in order to shape out flakes to make big tools like axes.

The study was published in the journal, Science.

From: Baghdasarian

STONE AGE WEAPONS-MAKING TECHNOLOGY UNEARTHED IN ARMENIA

China Topix
Sept 26 2014

Ana Verayo

Thousands of tools from the Paleolithic era some 325,000 years ago
recovered from a site in Armenia have given scientists more data
about how ancient technological developments evolved and spread across
the globe.

Researchers from all over the world, including a team from Royal
Holloway, University of London, had reasons to believe they found
strong evidence that an ancient technique called Levallois used
to make hunting weapons was actually invented in Africa and later
promulgated to other continents.

Proof of this theory was provided at a site in Armenina that yielded
found tools related to this kind of technology. Researchers believe
this technology was apparently already part of these ancient Armenian
communities that thrived some 325,000 to 335,000 years ago.

In this part of the world, this technique is called biface that can
be described as something similar to Levallois. These tools were
analyzed and researchers dated the volcanic material used in the
tools discovered in Nor Geghi in Kotayk Province, Armenia.

The discovery of thousands of these ancient tools provided fresh,
new insights that ancient communities were actually more innovative
considering they existed 325,000 years ago. These communities adapted
two different technologies to make tools that were pivotal to their
hunting culture.

As human populations expanded, the Levallois and biface techniques
quickly spread across Africa to Eurasia. After dating the tools
found in Armenia, scientists concluded the biface technique developed
independently and is not a derivative of the Levallois, although the
two are strikingly similar in technique.

Both techniques use a mass of stone shaped into hunting tools and
weapons that resemble sharp, thin flakes. The difference is the
Levallois technique shaped tools by striking flakes from a prepared
core reminiscent of lithic reduction.

On the other hand, the biface technique is more basic. It uses two
sides of a stone to carve out flakes to form bigger tools such as axes.

This archaeological study was published in the journal, Science.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN UNEASE AT PLANNED RUSSIAN UNIVERSITY

Institute for War and Peace Reporting, UK
IWPR Caucasus Reporting #753
Sept 26 2014

Decision to open a branch of Moscow university seen as attempt to
strengthen Russia’s hand in the country.

By Gayane Lazarian – Caucasus

Opposition politicians in Armenia have denounced the opening of a
branch of Moscow State University in Yerevan. They see it as part of
efforts by the Kremlin to further extend its reach in the country.

Government members welcomed the decision to open a local branch of
the university, one of the world’s leading academic institutions.

Education and science minister Armen Ashotyan told a press
conference on August 25 how delighted he was that after four years
of negotiations, the university would open in Armenia while he was
still in office.

Moscow State University already has affiliates in Azerbaijan and
Kazakstan. As in those cases, the host government will cover the
running costs.

“We believe it’s a justified investment,” Ashotyan said.

Since 1997, Yerevan has also had the Russian-Armenian (Slavonic)
University, which comes under the education ministries of both
countries. Armenia has other international academic institutions
including American and French universities and the European Regional
Academy. In those cases, Armenian state involvement is limited to
funding some scholarships.

Armenia has a longstanding and close relationship with Russia. It hosts
Russian military bases and has handed over its natural gas distribution
network to energy giant Gazprom. (See Russian Energy Giant Captures
Armenian Market.) Last year, President Serzh Sargsyan abandoned
plans to sign an association agreement with the European Union and
announced that Armenia wanted instead to be part of the Moscow-led
Customs Union. (Armenia Faces Delay to Joining Moscow-Led Union.)

Some in Armenia are nervous of the ever-closer embrace of their huge
neighbour. Opponents of the new university see it as just another
way for the Kremlin to project political power.

The head of the Armenian Institute for International Affairs and
Security, political scientist Stepan Safaryan, sees the university
project as part of the process of incorporating Armenia into the
Customs Union, and beyond that the broader Eurasian Economic Union.

“It’s all connected with Russian political aspirations to establish
control over Armenian statehood,” he said, going on to contrast this
with the intentions of other states investing in education. “The
United States hasn’t set itself the goal of getting its imperialist
claws into Armenia. At the American university, all they [students]
do is get a Western-standard education, for example so as to work
in an international organisation. But with Moscow State University,
the context is clear.”

Anahit Bakhshyan, deputy director of the National Educational
Institute, which comes under the education ministry, does not accept
that any initiative of this kind is disinterested, but she says there
are still differences.

“Of course, the establishment of any foreign university has to be
connected to politics,” she told IWPR. “The issue here is that the
US and France are stable democracies and are perfectly aware of how
far they can involve themselves in Armenia’s domestic affairs. In
this case, though, the Russians are clearly exerting pressure.”

While Safaryan is sure the Russian university will not be short of
applicants given its reputation, others are less sure of the academic
need for it.

Heghine Bisharyan, who leads the Country of Law party in parliament,
believes the decision to open a new institution should have only
been taken when the authorities had identified a need for the kind
of degree courses it will be offering.

“I’m not fundamentally against it, although I think it’s possible it’s
connected to Armenian accession to the Eurasian Economic Union,” she
said. “What concerns me most is that student numbers are dropping from
year to year because of societal problems and emigration…. There
were communes [local government areas] in Armenia where schools
didn’t produce a single graduate this year – and they are our future
students.”

Zaruhi Postanjyan, a member of parliament from the opposition Heritage
party objects to the government having to fund the Russian university
branch, paying salaries and even covering staff’s plane tickets to
and from Moscow.

“I’m against this university operating at a cost to our taxpayers,”
she said. “And what about fair competition? The teaching staff at
the American, French and Slavonic universities aren’t paid from the
government budget. This is no more than the continuation of Russian
tsarist policies; it’s one more manifestation of aggression. Of course
we have friendly ties with the Russian people, and let’s not forget
the 2.5 million Armenians living in Russia, but this university branch
should function in a competitive market, just like the rest.”

Margaret Yesayan, member of parliament with the ruling Republican
Party, said she personally was more of a Europhile, but the new
university should not be seen as an extension of Russian policy.

“Armenian policies are strong in Armenia,” she said.

Ashotyan hit back at critics of the new institution, pointing out
that had been no outcry when the government decided to support
English-language studies at the American University.

“No one wrote, ‘What are you doing? Why do we need English-language
education?’ If it works, and a branch of Moscow State University
opens in Armenia, it will encourage competition in the system,”
the minister said.

Gayane Lazarian is a reporter for ArmeniaNow.com.

From: Baghdasarian

CHORRORD ISHKHANUTYUN: KOTAYK GOVERNOR BUYS APARTMENT IN LONDON

10:55 26/09/2014 ” DAILY PRESS

Governor of Kotayk province of Armenia Aram Harutyunyan spent his
vacation in Great Britain, Chorrord Ishkhanutyun writes.

Citing a source in the Kotayk Regional Administration, the newspaper
notes that Harutyunyan bought an apartment in Great Britain with rather
a large sum of money and registered it under the name of a relative.

Source: Panorama.am

From: Baghdasarian