Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

LA CONSTRUCTION DE L’AEROPORT DE STEPANAVAN DEVRAIT ETRE ACHEVEE DANS DEUX MOIS

ARMENIE

La construction d’un aeroport dans Stepanavan dans la region de
Lori d’Armenie sera achevee d’ici la fin de cette annee a annonce le
vice-ministre des urgences Haykaram Mkhitaryan.

S’exprimant lors d’une seance du Parlement a propos de l’execution
du budget de l’annee dernière, il a precise que la construction du
bâtiment de l’aeroport devrait etre achevee dans deux mois. Il a
ajoute que les constructeurs ont repare aussi la piste.

Il a note que le travail est effectue dans le respect des delais
etablis. Il n’a pas dit combien le gouvernement avait depense pour
ce projet.

M.Mkhitaryan a precise qu’une fois que l’aeroport Stepanavan serait
operationnel, ils vont commencer la rehabilitation d’un autre aeroport
celui de Kapan, dans la region sud du Syunik. Il a dit que le plan
est de faire revivre la petite aviation en Armenie.

mardi 10 juin 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

LES TRAVAILLEURS DEVRAIENT ETRE OBLIGES D’EPARGNER POUR LEUR RETRAITE ?

ARMENIE

Un projet de reforme des retraites soutenu par les Etats-Unis est au
point mort en Armenie au milieu d’un tolle populaire quant a savoir
si l’Etat peut contraindre les contribuables a planifier leur retraite.

Les retraites representent environ 18 pour cent de la population de
l’Armenie forte de 2,8 millions d’âmes, selon le Service national de
la statistique. Actuellement, les retraites percoivent des pensions
mensuels de l’Etat de 25000 a 40000 drams ( 61$ – 100$) – des montants
generalement pas consideres comme suffisants pour couvrir les frais
de subsistance de base. Deja aux prises avec une economie relativement
faible, de nombreuses familles armeniennes n’ont pas assez de revenus
pour aider des parents âges.

Citant le contexte economique actuel, les fonctionnaires a Erevan
affirment avec le soutien de l’Agence americaine pour le developpement
international (USAID), que les Armeniens devraient commencer a epargner
pour leur propre retraite. En vertu d’un plan, le gouvernement espère
lancer plus tard cette annee, les salaries nes après le 1er Janvier
1974, auraient 5 pour cent de leurs salaires mensuels retenus par le
gouvernement. Les retenues seraient places dans un fonds de pension
qui pourrait etre reversees aux personnes seulement après avoir atteint
l’âge de 63 ans. L’Etat garantira 80 pour cent des sommes deposees. De
nombreux contribuables s’opposent au plan d’epargne forcee. En reponse
a une motion de militants de la societe civile et des quatre principaux
partis d’opposition du pays (le Parti Heritage, le Congrès national
armenien, la Federation revolutionnaire armenienne et le Parti Armenie
prospère), la Cour constitutionnelle, la plus haute instance judiciaire
d’Armenie, a statue le 24 Janvier en reportant l’introduction de la
reforme au 28 mars au reexamen de sa constitutionnalite.

Les souvenirs des economies perdues dans la Sberbank après
l’effondrement de l’Union sovietique en 1991 conduisent une grande
partie des craintes actuelles sur l’initiative du regime de retraite.

>.

Pendant ce temps, l’economiste Artsvik Minassian, depute de
la Federation revolutionnaire armenienne (FRA), a soutenu que la
reforme serait > en >.

L’administration du president Serge Sarkissian reste attache a la
reforme. Le 24 Janvier, Sarkissian a predit que le regime de retraite
serait .

Le ministre du travail et des affaires sociales Artem Asatrian est
resolument optimiste et il a affirme le 21 Janvier que le changement
apporterait >.

C’est juste ce qui inquiète certains critiques.

Les Armeniens paient maintenant un impôt sur le revenu de 24,4 pour
cent de leurs salaires mensuels sur 45 000 drams (110 $) et de 26
pour cent pour les salaires de plus de 120000 drams (300 $).

En vertu du regime de securite sociale, ils auraient a verser 5 pour
cent de leur salaire en complement. Des deductions seraient retires
du salaire brut du travailleur, ce qui aggrave le retrait du salaire
net, a declare la comptable Maneh Tandilian, membre du mouvement
anti-reforme des retraites >.

Harutiun Mesrobian, professeur d’economie a l’Universite slave a
Erevan, a declare que l’idee a du merite car le regime de securite
sociale pourrait stimuler l’emigration . La taille de l’economie
souterraine en Armenie , largement soupconne de representer une part
importante du marche du travail armenien, pourrait se developper
aussi. Les contribuables > a declare Mesrobian. Compte tenu
de la prevalence de la corruption, certains hommes politiques de
l’opposition se mefient des motivations de l’administration Sarkissian
. Naira Zohrabian, secretaire de la faction parlementaire du Parti
Armenie prospère, est alle jusqu’a qualifier le plan de a-t-il dit.

Des representants du ministère du Travail et de la securite sociale
ont refuse de repondre aux questions sur la reforme, se referant aux
remarques du Premier ministre Tigran Sarkissian. Dans sa conference
de presse de fin de l’annee, le 27 Decembre Tigran Sarkissian a
appele l’opposition a la reforme > puisque >. Mais finalement, a-t-il
souligne, >.

Note de la redaction :

Marianna Abrahamyan est une journaliste independante et redacteur en
chef a Erevan.

Eurasianet.org

mardi 10 juin 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

UN MINISTRE ARMENIEN S’AUTO-ATTRIBUE UNE DECORATION

RIDICULE

Aram Harutiunian, ministre de l’Environnement de l’Armenie jusqu’au
mois dernier, s’est autoattribue une medaille gouvernementale quelques
jours seulement avant la nomination officielle de son successeur.

Le ministère de la Protection de l’environnement a en effet confirme la
veracite de la photocopie du decret qui a ete publie sur l’Internet
par plusieurs medias en ligne. Le document signe par Harutiunian
indique que le ministre sortant a recu la Medaille d’or du ministère
pour sa “contribution importante” a la protection de l’environnement
en Armenie.

Dans un commentaire adresse au service armenien de RFE / RL
(Azatutyun.am), un porte-parole du ministère a precise que la medaille
a ete recommandee par une commission du ministère et que Harutiunian
n’a fait que valider cette decision en la tamponnant.

Les ecologistes, critiques envers le gouvernement armenien, ont ete
prompts a condamner et a ridiculiser cette decoration. >

Zohrabian et des dizaines d’autres militants ont ete particulièrement
actifs contre les projets miniers controverses cautionnes par le
gouvernement. Ils ont pendant des annees accuse le ministère de
l’Environnement de fermer les yeux sur la pollution de l’air, la
terre et l’eau resultant de l’exploitation minière.

Anna Shahnazarian, une autre militante, denonce les pratiques
de corruption d’Harutiunian. Elle affirme que le ministère de la
Protection et de l’Environnement a accorde des contrats lucratifs a
des entreprises de construction contrôlees par Harutiunian.

Shahnazarian etait parmi les deux dizaines d’ecologistes qui ont fait
irruption dans une conference internationale sur l’exploitation minière
qui a eu lieu a Erevan en mars dernier. Harutiunian, qui a assiste a
la seance d’ouverture de la conference, avait menace et insulte l’un
des manifestants en colère qui lui avait demande de boire un verre
d’eau contaminee.

mardi 10 juin 2014, Ara (c)armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

ELECTRICITY SUPPLYING COMPANIES CAN REDUCE THEIR COST BY 10% – EXPERT SAYS

YEREVAN, June 9. / ARKA /. Armenian electricity generating companies
can reduce their expenditures by 10% without damaging their businesses,
said Harutyun Mesrobyan, a management expert in comments on power
plants’ and national distribution company’s plans to raise the price
of electricity for households by more than 10 percent one year after
an almost 27 percent hike, allowed by the regulator.

“I am confident that electricity tariffs can be easily reduced by 10%
and that move will not damage energy supplying companies. This in
turn will benefit all,” he said.

Mesropyan also expressed confidence that these companies can easily
reduce by 30% their indirect expenses, including the expenses on the
maintenance of an army of secretaries, drivers, company cars, and more.

“Take, for example, salaries and bonuses. They have increased over
the past 15-20 years from 10% to 30%, and in some cases even doubled.

This suggests that the companies’ costs increased and to compensate
they want to get into our pockets by increasing electricity prices,
“he said.

The current electricity price is 38 drams (9 U.S. cents) per
kilowatt/hour. The Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC)
wants to raise it to 42 drams per kilowatt/hour. -0-

– See more at:

From: Baghdasarian

HAGIA SOPHIA CAUGHT BETWEEN POLITICS, HISTORY

AL-MONITOR
June 8 2014

Author: As-Safir (Lebanon)
Posted June 8, 2014

It seems that history, or at least parts of it, has left in its
wake countless problems — hatred and feuds, among other things —
which take shape as symbols that express them. The symbol turns
into a warhorse of consecutive or separated rounds, depending on
the circumstances.

One of these symbols is the Hagia Sophia (Church of the Divine Wisdom)
in Istanbul, whose current structure was built by the Eastern Roman
Emperor Justinian the Great and completed in the year 537. For
Christians, especially the Orthodox, it is an important church,
whereas for the Turks and Muslims it is the symbol of the Muslim
conquest and a sign of a historic victory that is still on the minds
of many people, probably because of today’s misery.

During these days, the anniversary of the fall of Constantinople —
the date that was set by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
to reconvert the Hagia Sophia into a mosque — coincides with a call
to the leaders of Islamic countries to pray there.

The Hagia Sophia — this great building — was a church for more than
1,000 years, and was the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate during
that period, except under the Latin occupation of Constantinople
(1204-1261) when the seat was moved to Nicaea. This was before the
Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II (known as Mehmet the Conqueror) turned it
into a mosque in 1453 after he took control and occupied the city. The
Hagia Sophia remained a mosque until 1935, when the founder of modern
Turkey decided to offer it as “a gift to mankind” by converting it
into a museum.

In this context, it is necessary to recall some of the features of
the final stage of the fragmentation of the Ottoman Empire, which can
be dated from its defeat against Russia in the First Balkan War in
1878 to the Second Balkan War in 1913. This significantly redrew the
demographic map of the empire, where the Turks and Sunni non-Turks
receded toward Asia Minor.

Following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in the World War I, and the
partition of Anatolia under the Treaty of Sevres in 1920, a reaction
came from the remnants of the Turkish forces under the leadership of
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. One of the outcomes of the conflict, which
can be called a civil war, was the change in the balance of powers
on the ground. This was reflected in the defeat of the Greeks, the
withdrawal of European forces from Anatolia, the amendment of the
Treaty of Sevres, the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923,
the establishment of the modern state of Turkey and the population
exchange between Greece and Turkey based upon religious identity. The
Orthodox of Constantinople and Muslims of Eastern Thrace were exempt
from this exchange, and the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
remained in Constantinople.

Thus, Ataturk inherited a geopolitical situation whereby Anatolia, the
core of the former empire, remained under the sovereignty of Turkey,
as well as a demographic situation that was more than comfortable,
with Anatolia clean of non-Turks or non-Muslims after the Armenian
genocide, the massacres against the Syrians and Assyrians, the defeat
of the Greeks, the cleansing in their areas and the population exchange
that practically ended 3,000 years of Hellenic presence in the Eyalet
of Anatolia.

The period from 1915 to 1933 was tantamount to a “religious purge”
that affected all the Christians of Anatolia. In addition, the
period witnessed one of the largest property-seizing operations,
resulting in a huge transfer of property from the hands of the
Christian population who had been killed or displaced to the Muslim
population who were refugees from the areas subject to the authority
of the sultanate. The latter group formed a socioeconomic class that
supported the new regime.

The establishment of the new republican system — which was desired by
Ataturk and based on secularism — came as an imported functional tool
in the hands of the state to repress conservative political, social,
institutional and cultural Islamic forces, which were preventing the
achievement of Ataturk and the political elite’s goal. This new system
was not a practical value that resulted from historical experience
to put an end to the religious conflict — as was the case in Europe
— and constitute a new social contract on a nonreligious basis to
neutralize the public sphere to religious influence.

The decision by Ataturk to convert the building from a mosque to
a museum came to block any future Greek demand to return the Hagia
Sophia to its original function as an Orthodox church, and this
established the dispute between the two countries.

The decision sparked widespread objections in Turkish society and among
the ruling class, and the Hagia Sophia remained a symbolic fixture
for political investment or to express a particular orientation.

For example, in 1953, on the 500th anniversary of the fall of
Constantinople and during the era of Prime Minister Adnan Menderes
(one of the founders of the Democratic Party, which opposed Ataturk’s
Republican People’s Party), four large medallions were returned to the
building. These medallions, which carry the names of the first four
caliphs of Islam, had been hanging in the Hagia Sophia when it served
as a mosque and had been removed during its conversion to a museum.

Talk about reconverting it into a mosque remained a demand for a
number of Islamic and nationalist parities and movements.

With the arrival of the Islamists to power via the Justice and
Development Party (AKP) in 2002, an infringement on Kemalist symbols
and foundations began. This included curbing the role of the army in
politics, interfering in the work of the judiciary and introducing
a set of reforms to school curricula, in addition to other issues
that are more symbolic — albeit with practical value — such as the
debate about the headscarf in universities and public institutions.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Erdogan proposed reconverting the Hagia
Sophia into a mosque, and specified May 30, 2014 — the anniversary of
the fall of Constantinople — as the date for executing his order. He
also called on leaders of Islamic countries to pray at the place.

Transforming the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul into a mosque remains more
complicated than other cases that have occurred and are currently
occurring in secular Turkey without facing many hurdles. Complications
include the reaction of the Turkish [public] itself to such a decision,
as well as the available legal means, especially since the building
is a very symbolic and sensitive issue. This is in addition to
international reaction, in particular from Greece. The Greek foreign
minister warned that such a move would provoke the feelings of millions
of Orthodox Christians around the world.

The French philosopher and poet Paul Valery said, “History is the most
dangerous product which the chemistry of the mind has concocted. Its
properties are well-known. It produces dreams and drunkenness. It fills
people with false memories … exacerbates old grievances, torments
them in their repose. … It makes whole nations bitter, arrogant,
insufferable and vainglorious. History justifies what it wants.”

The decision to convert the Hagia Sophia into a mosque would send a
very negative message, after less than a century has passed since
Christian residents — including Armenians, Greeks, Syriacs and
Assyrians — were uprooted. These residents constituted one-third
of the population less than 100 years ago. It would be a message
of stubbornness and a refusal to reconcile with the descendants of
these people in Turkey, who are arrogantly referred to by Turks as
“residue of the sword.” It would also send a negative message to
Christians throughout the world, replacing the current situation based
on reconciliation with provocative boasting in an imperial style for
which there remains no empire, aside from fatal comedy at times.

From: Baghdasarian

STUDENT COMMENCEMENT SPEAKERS TO REFLECT ON UCLA EXPERIENCE

Daily Bruin: University of California – Los Angeles
June 8, 2014 Sunday

by : Kenneth Surajat

Andrew Ho

Andrew Ho has organized two UCLA Dance Marathons, given a 3-year-old
boy a private campus tour and photographed a proposal in Dickson
Court in his four years at UCLA.

Experiences like these are what the fourth-year psychobiology student
will remember when he reflects on his college years.

Ho, who served as president of the Pediatric AIDS Coalition for the
past two years, was chosen to be the student speaker for the 2 p.m.

College of Letters and Science commencement ceremony on Friday in
Pauley Pavilion.

He applied to be one of the speakers in April and was selected after
auditioning in front of a panel in May.

Ho said he plans to focus his speech on celebrating the graduating
class’ accomplishments and how he thinks they have bonded over
the years.

Patrick Matchett, a UCLA alumnus and Ho’s best friend, said he thinks
it would not have made sense for UCLA to choose anyone else to be a
commencement speaker.

“He’s the most involved, modest and grounded human being I’ve ever
met,” Matchett said. “He’s not doing it because it makes him look
good but because he is passionate about what he does and he will put
his heart into it.”

Ho became interested in the fight against pediatric AIDS in high
school while volunteering at a hospital in his free time. After that,
he decided to focus his college career on children’s health.

Through the Pediatric AIDS Coalition, Ho has worked closely with Camp
Kindle, a camp for children who have been affected by HIV and AIDS, the
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and the UCLA AIDS Institute.

“I saw the spirit kids have even though they are going through some
of the toughest things,” he said.

After graduating, Ho said he plans to apply to various nonprofit
organizations focused on children’s health or global diseases before
pursuing a master’s degree in public health.

Sylvia Duzaryan

The large, unfamiliar community at UCLA intimidated Sylvia Duzaryan
when she transferred to the university two years ago.

On Friday, the fourth-year communication studies student will speak
at the 7 p.m. College of Letters and Science commencement ceremony
about how she found her place at UCLA.

Duzaryan, a transfer student from the College of the Canyons, said
that as she got involved with student organizations and on-campus work
opportunities, she gradually began to adjust to the culture of UCLA.

“A majority of my speech will be about the UCLA culture,” she said.

“It will be about the mutual experience we as UCLA students can all
relate to as a community.”

When Duzaryan first arrived at UCLA, she said she tried to gain work
experience through different campus departments, such as UCLA’s media
relations division and the UCLA Anderson School of Management’s media
relations department.

“Ever since she was in elementary school, she had this determination
and desire to create and make things happen for herself no matter
what,” said Lucy Duzaryan, Sylvia Duzaryan’s mother. “She would try
the unknown. That’s what I always got from her teachers.”

During her time at the university, Duzaryan has interned with Target
and The Hollywood Reporter. After graduation, she plans to take on
a full-time management position at Target, but said she is still
keeping her options open.

“I wanted to not only just be a student but also a student developing
herself professionally,” she said.

Duzaryan’s parents said they think that their daughter’s love for
her family is what makes her most special.

“Back when she was in sixth grade, she wrote my life story and it
was very touching,” said Sarkis Duzaryan, Duzaryan’s father. “It made
me cry.”

Though Duzaryan originally chose to participate in the speaker
selection process on a whim, she said she sees her speech as a way
to give back to her parents and grandparents for the sacrifices they
made when they immigrated to the United States from Armenia.

“My family suffered a lot of hardships moving from Armenia to here
and I saw it as my way of saying ‘thank you,'” Duzaryan said. “It
was my way of ensuring them that whatever they went through in the
past wasn’t in vain.”

From: Baghdasarian

PRESS RELEASE
LARK MUSICAL SOCIETY
Contact: Nune Alaverdyan
543 Arden Ave. Glendale, CA 91203
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 818-500-9997
Fax: 818-500-8500
Web:
Facebook:
Twitter: !/LarkMusic

Lark Musical Society Presents Purpose

This summer (June/July 2014), Lark Music Society will host its first
ever Vocal Camp. Held on the grounds of Camp Arev, Lark will enjoy a
two-week excursion into nature – the first week geared towards young
vocalists, ages 10-14, and the second week for those 18 years and
older. Singers have the exciting opportunity to share in a tremendous
musical experience, reveling in choral and communal recreation in a
beautiful setting.

An immersive musical training program in the serenity of Camp Arev is
certain to be an enriching artistic experience and memorable event
for the Lark family. In addition to music classes and choral work,
each participant can expect to enjoy extracurricular activities,
lectures, recitals and lots of fun and games. Each week will be
highlighted with solo, ensemble and choral performances given by the
participants on the last day of camp.

PLACE

Nestled in the beautiful Frazier Mountains, Camp Arev is a premier
location to enjoy a week of musical activities, camaraderie, and
relaxation. Join us in this serene forest retreat, surrounded by fresh
mountain air, the warbling of birds, and the chirping of crickets in
this one-of-a-kind Lark musical experience. Space is limited. We
invite your immediate application (attached to this brochure) to
reserve your place at Lark’s Vocal Camp. Let us whisk you away from
the tensions of the city to this natural wonderland filled with music
and peace.

Please call 818-500-9997 for more information

From: Baghdasarian

Eurasian economic area not to create problems for Nagorno-Karabakh –
Vardan Devrikyan

14:29 * 08.06.14

Literary critic and author of the book entitled “Unstarted and
unfinished war”, which is dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the
ceasefire, Vardan Devrikyan believes that it is a matter of fact
Armenia will not join the Eurasian Economic Union (EaU) together with
Nagorno-Karabakh.

“It is clear because Nagorno-Karabakh is not part of Armenia, and it
declared independence irrespective of being recognized or
unrecognized. Of concern is the possibility of the Customs Union
member-states’ having a common external border because there is no
clear-cut definition of a common external border. And the Eurasian
economic area cannot create any problems for Nagorno-Karabakh,”
Devrikyan told Tert.am.

The implication is setting a customs station between Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh for the other Customs Union member-states to control
Nagorno-Karabakh’s economic activity.

If Armenia’s authorities state they will find solutions, people should
try to believe them.

“At least I believe them as in what concerns foreign policy issues
because no condition has been set by other trade alliances – that
Armenia is to join them together with Nagorno-Karabakh.”

Armenian News – Tert.am

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIE
Accord sur 300 millions de dollars de prêt pour la centrale nucléaire arménienne

Le premier ministre d’Arménie, Hovik Abrahamyan a déclaré vendredi
qu’il avait conclu un accord avec son homologue russe Dmitri Medvedev
sur un prêt de 300 millions de dollars pour la réparation de la
centrale nucléaire arménienne.

Outre la discussion des questions liées à l’Union douanière et de
l’Union économique eurasienne, un certain nombre d’accords ont été
conclu avec Medvedev a dit Hovik Abrahamian.

> a déclaré hovik Abrahamian.

dimanche 8 juin 2014,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

CCTV, China
June 7 2014

International Friendly: Germany dominate Armenia 6-1

Many have tipped Germany to take home the World Cup this summer, but
the side suffered a blow in their final warm-up on Friday. Although
the side played well in a 6-1 thrashing of Armenia, but influential
midfielder Marco Reus’ availability for the tournament is now up in
the air.

Reus was helped off the pitch before the break after twisting his left
ankle. Germany coach Joachim Loew said after the match…that Reus’
ankle was swollen and will have to undergo further examination.

In the 52nd, Germany took the lead. Lukas Podolski finds Andre
Schuerrle for a flick at the near post to open the scoring.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan equalized for Armenia in the 69th, but Mesut Ozil
sets up Podolski jsut three minutes later to give Germany the lead
once again.

Germany took over the game from there. Only a minute later, Benedikt
Hoewedes made it 3-1, as he converts on the second attempt. The
Germans were in control.

Then, in the 77th, a little bit of German history. Podolski crosses
for Miroslav Klose and he heads home his 69th international goal. The
veteran striker…eclipsing the legendary Gerd Mullerfor the all-time
mark for his nation.

Mario Goetze added two more down the stretch…as Germany take a 6-1
win…but after the match, talk focused on the injury to Reus.

From: Baghdasarian