Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

PROTESTS GREET TURKISH PRIME MINISTER ERDOGAN ON VISIT TO FRANCE

RFI , France
June 22, 2014 Sunday

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was met by demonstrators
when he visited the central French city of Lyon on Saturday.

Up to 1,000 French and Turkish left-wingers, Armenians, Kurds and
members of the Alevi religious community protested against Erdogan’s
visit, accusing him of human rights abuses and repression of last
year’s Gezi Park demonstrations.

Erdogan was touring European ahead of August elections, in which
Turkish citizens abroad will be able to vote for the country’s
president for the first time.

Erdogan hasn’t yet declared himself a candidate but is widely expected
to stand for the post after more than 11 years as premier.

In Lyon he met members of the city’s Turkish community, urging them not
to forget their “culture, traditions, identity and especially faith”
while integrating in France.

On Friday he met President Francois Hollande at the Elysee presidential
palace.

He has already been to visit Turks in Germany and Austria and was
greeted by 100,000 opponents in Vienna.

These foreign constituencies are important to Erdogan, as his image
has suffered less damage among expatriate Turks than it has at home,
Dorothee Schmid of the French Institute for International Relations
told RFI.

From: Baghdasarian

Casteddu on Line, Italia
16 giu 2014

Genocidio del popolo armeno: 2015 anno della memoria

Un convegno presso l’Aula Magna di Economia

Martedì 17 giugno, alle ore 18.00 presso l’Aula Magna Economia in via
Sant’Ignazio 74 a Cagliari, si terrà il convegno “Genocidio del popolo
armeno 2015 anno della memoria”, organizzato dall’associazione
Assadakah centro Italo-arabo e del Mediterraneo, in collaborazione con
l’ambasciata della Repubblica d’Armenia. L’evento è stato organizzato
in occasione della visita di S.E. l’ambasciatore della Repubblica
d’Armenia in Italia Sargis Ghazaryan.

Al convegno interverranno S.E. l’ambasciatore della Repubblica
d’Armenia in Italia Sargis Ghazaryan, il Segretario generale del
Centro Italo Arabo Assadakah Raimondo Schiavone, il Senatore della
RepubblicaIgnazio Angioni, il responsabile esteri del Centro Italo
Arabo Assadaka Talal Khrais. L’evento sarà coordinato dal direttore di
Spondasud, Rivista di geopolitica Alessandro Aramu.

Durante il convegno verrà rilanciata la proposta del Centro Italo
Arabo Assadakah affinché l’anno prossimo, centenario del genocidio
armeno, sia riconosciuto dalla comunità internazionale un anno
speciale da celebrare in tutto il mondo. La richiesta è stata avanzata
alle Nazioni Unite e al Parlamento europeo. L’assemblea di Bruxelles
ha già risposto assicurando, in attesa che venga nominato il nuovo
presidente in sostituzione di Martin Schulz, una nuova risoluzione che
consenta di celebrare la ricorrenza in modo solenne. L’iniziativa sarà
l’occasione anche per parlare della difficile condizione in cui si
trovano gli armeni nell’attuale contesto geopolitico, a partire da
quello siriano dove continuano le persecuzioni ad opera dei gruppi
armati jihadisti.

Nel corso della visita nel capoluogo sardo, l’ambasciatore armeno
incontrerà il sindaco di Cagliari, Massimo Zedda, il Prefetto, Alessio
Giuffrida, e il Vescovo, Mons. Arrigo Miglio.

From: Baghdasarian

Le Dauphiné Libéré, France
19 juin 2014

Présence arménienne en Rhône-Alpes

L’histoire des Arméniens installés dans notre région à Décines,
Valence, Vienne, Grenoble, Saint-Chamond, Saint-Étienne, Lyon,
Montélimar.

Rhône-Alpes compte aujourd’hui, parmi sa population, de nombreuses
personnes d’origine arménienne. Le génocide de 1915 est la principale
cause de la venue de leurs familles en France et dans la région. Après
un long chemin, souvent tragique et difficile, à la recherche d’une
terre d’accueil, ces Arméniens se sont installés à Décines, Valence,
Vienne, Grenoble, Saint-Chamond, Saint-Étienne, Lyon, Montélimar…
Arméniens de l’ancien Empire ottoman, du Liban, de Syrie et d’Arménie,
tous, particuliers ou organisations, ont oeuvré et oeuvrent toujours
pour le maintien de leur culture multimillénaire.

“Présence arménienne en Rhône-Alpes”
L’auteur, Jean-Luc Huard, est professeur d’histoire-géographie à
Valence (Drôme).
88 pages
Format : 21 x 15 cm
Prix : 14,90 euros

From: Baghdasarian

Wicked Local Woburn, MA
June 22 2014

Armenian Museum of America receives grant

WOBURN

The Armenian Museum of America has been selected as one of 100 local
nonprofits to receive grants of $100,000 each through Cummings
Foundation’s $100K for 100 program. The Watertown-based organization
was chosen from more than 430 applicants during a very competitive
review process.

The Armenian Museum is a living museum and library that offers
exhibits and diverse cultural and literary programs to its members and
the community at large. It is where Armenian-Americans can discover
their roots and where people of all ethnic backgrounds can see how the
story of the Armenian people plays a vital part within America’s
cultural symphony.

The $100K for 100 program supports nonprofits that are not only based
in but also primarily serve Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties.
This year, the program awarded 38 grants in Middlesex County, 25 in
Essex County, and 37 in Suffolk County.

This year’s very diverse group of grant recipients represents a wide
variety of causes, including underserved populations, education,
healthcare, hunger relief, and homelessness prevention. Most of the
grants will be paid over two to five years.

The complete list of 100 grant winners is available at CummingsFoundation.org.

From: Baghdasarian

No difference between incumbent and previous governments – Isagulyan

18:00 / 20.06.2014

The promises given by the incumbent government after it has been
formed inspired hope, while later it became clear that nothing has
changed, leader of National Security party Garnik Isagulyan told the
reporters on Friday.

“The working style is the same, the methods too, the rhetoric is the
same as well. Regarding this, I think rather serious interior
political developments are expected in Armenia in September agreed not
only with inner political life but with the foreign policy issues as
well. We will have quite interesting autumn,” he said.

From: Baghdasarian

kurdistan
Du pétrole du Kurdistan irakien toujours exporté via la Turquie

Du pétrole produit dans la région autonome du Kurdistan irakien
continue à être exporté via la Turquie, a déclaré jeudi le ministre
turc de l’Energie, Taner Yildiz, réaffirmant au passage la légalité de
ce transit, que Bagdad considère comme illégal.

Le pétrole continue à s’écouler, à ce jour, et quant à demain, s’il y
a du pétrole (à exporter), nous le transporterons, a déclaré M.
Yildiz, lors d’une conférence de presse dans le cadre du Congrès
mondial du pétrole à Moscou.

Revenant sur le conflit qui oppose Ankara à Bagdad sur cette question,
il a réaffirmé la position du gouvernement turc selon laquelle ce
transit est légal et s’est dit confiant sur le fait que son pays
parviendrait à s’entendre avec le gouvernement central de l’Irak.

La République de Turquie est un État basé sur le respect du droit et
(…) agit toujours en ayant la plus haute considération pour les lois
internationales et nationales, a-t-il expliqué, ajoutant que tout
finira par s’arranger avec le temps (…) et nous pensons que nous
arriverons à nous entendre avec nos frères irakiens.

M. Yildiz a par ailleurs indiqué que la Turquie n’avait pas
l’intention d’utiliser ce pétrole sur son marché intérieur.

Interrogé sur les problèmes que pouvaient poser les récents événements
en Irak pour son pays, le ministre a dressé un parallèle avec le
conflit qui déchire la Syrie depuis plusieurs années. Nous sommes des
pays voisins et bien entendu, l’instabilité (en Irak) nous affecte,
c’est une guerre chez nos voisins de palier, comme en Syrie, et la
Turquie fait en sorte de protéger sa propre stabilité et sa
prospérité.

La Turquie a annoncé le mois dernier avoir commencé à livrer sur les
marchés internationaux du pétrole en provenance du Kurdistan irakien,
alors que Bagdad exige que toutes les exportations de pétrole pompé
sur le territoire irakien passent par le gouvernement central.

Le gouvernement irakien, en conflit depuis des années avec les
autorités kurdes d’Erbil à ce sujet, a déposé le 23 mai une plainte
contre la Turquie auprès de la Chambre de commerce internationale
(ICC), basée à Paris.

dimanche 22 juin 2014,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

REVUE DE PRESSE
Bakou attend l’Europe… et David Douillet

Le choix pouvait sembler risqué. Il devrait pourtant s’avérer payant.
A Bakou, capitale de l’Azerbaïdjan, les Jeux Européens ont sans doute
trouvé le meilleur terrain possible pour sortir de terre et se faire
une place au soleil. La ville a célébré mercredi 11 juin, par un
immense feu d’artifice, la date symbolique de J – 365 jours avant
l’événement. Et force est de constater que tous les indicateurs y sont
au vert.

Jeudi 12 juin 2014, un nouveau partenaire économique est venu
rejoindre l’aventure. Et pas le moindre. Le pétrolier BP a signé à la
mi-journée un contrat de sponsoring avec les Jeux Européens 2015. Il
rejoint Procter & Gamble comme partenaire officiel d’un événement qui
compte déjà également un chronométreur officiel, Tissot, et une agence
de billetterie, Tickethour. Une liste qui pourrait prochainement
s’allonger encore. Azad Rahimov, le ministre de la Jeunesse et des
Sports d’Azerbaïdjan, l’a assuré après avoir paraphé le contrat avec
les représentants de BP : >

Côté budget, pas la moindre angoisse, d’autant que l’essentiel des
dépenses est assurée par le fonds publics. Les travaux, de leur côté,
avancent à bonne allure. >, se
félicite Patrick Hickey, le président irlandais de l’Association des
comités olympiques européens (ACNOE). Les organisateurs azéris ont
pourtant vu grand, en faisant sortir de terre la plupart des
installations sportives d’un événement passé en quelques mois de 12 à
19 disciplines sportives. >, pointe Azad Rahimov.

Seule ombre au tableau : l’épreuve de triathlon. Le ministre azéri
n’en fait pas mystère : la qualité de l’eau de la mer Caspienne, où
doit se dérouler la portion de natation d’une compétition dont les
vainqueurs décrocheront un billet pour les Jeux de Rio, n’est pas
encore aux standards exigés par la Fédération internationale de
triathlon (ITU). Un contre-temps qui devrait bientôt n’être qu’un
mauvais souvenir. Pour preuve la diffusion
des images des festivités marquant J – 365, mercredi 11 juin, par
plusieurs chaines de télévision non sportives.

La présence à leurs côtés de partenaires comme BP et Procter & Gamble
devrait accélérer les choses. Selon Simon Clegg, le patron du comité
d’organisation de Bakou 2015, les contrats signés avec ces sponsors
incluent un volet promotion de l’événement, en Azerbaïdjan et à
l’échelle internationale. Autre initiative : la désignation
d’ambassadeurs de renom pour les Jeux Européens. Patrick Hickey en a
annoncé ce jeudi 12 juin le premier : le judoka français David
Douillet, champion olympique des poids lourds en 1996 et 2000. La
liste devrait rapidement s’allonger.

A une année tout juste des trois coups, l’Azerbaïdjan compte les jours
avec un mélange d’excitation et d’impatience. Une réunion des chefs de
mission a débuté mardi 10 juin à Bakou, pour trois journées de visites
et d’inspection.
From: Baghdasarian

SERZH SARGASYAN IS POSITIVE ABOUT GEORGIA SIGNING AA

The Messenger, Georgia
June 20 2014

By Tea Mariamidze
Friday, June 20

The president of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and his delegation paid an
official visit to Georgia on June 18. The Armenian President has
already met with President Giorgi Margvelashvili, Chairman of the
Parliament Davit Usupashvili and other officials. The presidents held
a joint press conference, where they discussed the details of their
meeting, concerning current relations between Georgia and Armenia,
Georgia signing the association agreement with the EU, Armenia entering
the Eurasian Union and so on. The Armenian President also stressed that
restoration of the Abkhaz railway, through which Russia and Armenia
might link, is very important for Armenia. However, he admitted that
it is a complicated issue that requires the involvement of various
political sides.

The both Presidents stressed that signing the AA with the EU on
Georgia’s side and entering of the Eurasian Union by Armenia will
have a positive effect on the countries’ trade relations.

“As we know, our neighbors are joining the Customs Union soon and
Georgia is signing the AA; I want to emphasize that these steps will
have a positive influence on both countries. We have the same vision
in all directions,” Margvelashvili noted.

The President of Armenia also made a comment. According to him,
when Georgia signs the AA, it will become part of a free trade zone
and this will be an extra opportunity for Georgia, as well as for
Armenian entrepreneurs, who want to make investments.

“We always respect each other’s decision. We welcome the efforts of
Georgia. The most important is co-operation, trade and commercial
relations between Georgia and Armenia,” Sargsyan stated.

He also added that, any conflict can be resolved through peaceful
means and within the principles of international law.

In the end, the Armenian President thanked Margvelashvili for
organizing the Gala Concert dedicated to the 300th birthday of the
famous Georgian-Armenian poet Sayat-Nova.

The Parliament Chairman Davit Usupashvili stated that the two countries
understand and respect each-other’s decisions.

“Georgia and Armenia need to work together a lot. Being in different
directions and in different trade unions will not make our relations
worse, just on the contrary. We must strengthen these relations,
because we both are well aware that we cannot maintain security and
stability without each other,” said the Chairman.

Concerning the Abkhaz Railway, Minister of Economy Giorgi Kvirikashvili
said that the issue was not discussed during his meeting with the
Armenian President. Minister of Reintegration Paata Zakareishvili said
that the issue requires a special format and regulation of various
issues with Russia.

From: Baghdasarian

BLOOD ON CLOTHES OF ACCUSED DID NOT BELONG TO MURDERED SCHOOLBOY

06.20.2014 18:59 epress.am

The sample taken from the clothes of Karen Kungortsev (pictured),
accused in the murder of15-year-old Yerevan resident David Hovakimyan,
showed that the blood on his clothes did not belong to the victim,
Kungortsev’s representative, Helsinki Association of Human Rights
attorney Arayik Papikyan told Epress.am.

“The blood sample was taken from that pocket of Karen Kungortsev’s
where allegedly found was the knife that killed the boy. Forensics
showed that the blood sample belonged to a different blood group,”
he said.

The attorney mentioned that prior to getting the results from
forensics, Lori District Court of First Instance Judge Suren
Baghdasaryan for the fifth time granted the investigator’s motion to
extend Kungortsev’s pre-trial detention period by another two months.

“This time, too, the investigator provided no solid evidence or
proof to justify prolonging [my client’s] detention. In fact,
the investigator changes only the date of the petition and though
‘copy-and-paste’ submits the petition once every 2 months.

“Since December 2013, the sole justification for the petition was to
obtain expert opinion and that justification has remained unchanged.

We appealed the court’s decision once, but the Appeal [Court] rejected
it. It makes no sense to appeal again. They’re the same decisions,
[made] on the same basis,” said Papikyan.

Recall, Karen Kungortsev does not admit he’s guilty, and human rights
defenders and his attorney indicate violations recorded during the
preliminary investigations. While behind bars, the accused has resorted
to self harm, as well as beginning a hunger strike. His mother said
that her son was beaten by police while under police custody and
forced to confess.

From: Baghdasarian

AZERBAIJAN OPENED FIRE AT ARMENIAN BORDER VILLAGES

[ Part 2.2: “Attached Text” ]

18:35 20/06/2014 >> SOCIETY

Azerbaijani forces opened fire at several border villages in
Armenia’s Tavush province Thursday evening.

Aygepar village head Andranik Aydinyan told Panorama.am that the
shooting lasted for about an hour and a half. “Shots were
fired at the village between 6:00 pm and 7:30 pm, from large-caliber
weapons. The Armenian side returned the fire.”

Azerbaijani media reported that there were injured people after the
Armenian side opened fire in Tovuz. Commenting on the report, Armenian
Defense Ministry spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan told Panorama.am that
the Armenian side returned the fire and that he has no information
about wounded people on the Azerbaijani side.

Related: Defense Ministry on border incident

From: Baghdasarian