Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

L’ARMENIE PEUT ETRE UN PONT ENTRE L’UE ET L’UNION DOUANIERE DECLARE LE SECRETAIRE DU CONSEIL NATIONAL DE SECURITE

ARMENIE

Erevan peut etre un pont entre l’Union europeenne avec l’Union
douanière car elle possède une vaste experience de la cooperation avec
l’UE a declare le secretaire du conseil national de securite Artur
Baghdasaryan lors de sa rencontre avec l’ambassadeur neerlandais
Hans Horbakh.

Baghdasaryan a informe l’ambassadeur sur l’interaction entre l’Armenie
et l’UE et a declare que le Conseil de securite examinera et approuvera
une liste de mesures pour 2014-2015 visant a la mise en oeuvre du
Plan d’action UE-Armenie.

Le plan envisage que des reformes soient poursuivies dans 160 domaines
couvrant tous les secteurs de la vie publique et sociale de l’Armenie.

Baghdasaryan et Horbakh ont discute des possibilites de developpement
de la cooperation bilaterale.

lundi 17 mars 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

Al-Bawaba News
March 16 2014

Busted! Safinaz’s breach of contract finds her behind bars

Published March 16th, 2014

She was already being sued by the Cairo hotel she’s contracted to work
with and was facing possible deportation as a result, but now
Safinaz’s decision to dance at a private wedding in the capital city
cost her a night in jail. The Armenian belly dancer was arrested by
police officials after holding the performance. Once Safinaz completed
her dance segment, she was apprehended by the Egyptian tourist police
arrested.

Safinaz at first thought she was taken into custy over her costume
choice that is considered to be against regulations, but then
discovered that a complaint was filed against her by the hotel she has
an exclusivity contract with.

According to Sayidaty.net, the management of the hotel has a signed
contract with Safinaz that orders her to only hold performances at
their club and nowhere else.

Safinaz is still in custody and sources revealed that negotiations
with the management of the hotel are taking place to have them drop
charges against her and have Safinaz pay the fine for breaking the
contract.

From: Baghdasarian

Fars News Agency, Iran
March 15 2014

Turkish FM Describes Meeting with Iranian, Azeri Counterparts as Fruitful

TEHRAN (FNA)- Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu underlined that
Ankara is resolved to consolidate ties with the regional states, and
voiced satisfaction in the friendly and constructive atmosphere of his
recent trilateral meeting with his counterparts from Iran and
Azerbaijan in the Turkish city of Van.

Talking to reporters after a trilateral meeting with Iranian Foreign
Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Azeri counterpart Elmar
Mammadyarov on Friday, Davutoglu said the meeting discussed the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, situation in Ukraine and the region as a
whole.

The official also said that during the meeting the parties discussed
the economic and political situation, as well as regional problems.

The top Turkish diplomat noted that the meeting also reviewed the
situation in the Caucasus and the Middle-East.

He went on to say that issue of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and
NATO’s activity in the region were also discussed among other issues.

“The situation in the Ukraine and talks on Iran’s nuclear program were
among the topics under discussion,” Davutoglu said.

The previous ministerial meeting in this format was held last year in
Nakhchivan.

The top diplomats of Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan held a meeting on
Friday to discuss new avenues for expanding all-out ties among the
three neighboring states.

Iran is Turkey’s second biggest gas supplier after Russia.

Turkey uses a significant portion of its imported Iranian natural gas
to generate electricity.

Iran has recently enhanced efforts to boost political, economic,
security and cultural ties and cooperation with the regional and
neighboring countries, specially the Central Asian states, including
Republic of Azerbaijan.

From: Baghdasarian

Sources of wiretapping leaks identified: Turkish deputy PM

15:17 ¢ 16.03.14

Those who leaked the alleged wiretapped phone calls of government,
business and media figures have been identified, Deputy Prime Minister
BeÅ?ir Atalay said on March 15, the Hurriyet Daily News reports.

Scores of wiretaps have been leaked online since the start of the Dec.
17 graft investigation and listened to by millions of people. Prime
Minister Recep ErdoÄ?an had confirmed the authenticity of some of the
recordings, while rejecting the others as `montages.’

The government had repeatedly accused the movement of U.S.-based
Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen of orchestrating the probes and
launched a massive struggle to purge its sympathizers from the civil
service, which is dubbed as `the parallel state.’

`Wiretapping, blackmailing… This is a center of fear… a dark
center… This is not only the parallel state. In Turkey and abroad,
they are unified as a front,’ Atalay said during an interview on Kanal
7 television. Claiming that over 1 million wiretappings were recorded
by this `center’ in 2012-2013, Atalay said: `Some of their members
went abroad. Some of them are still here. We keep working. Almost all
of them are identified.’

Atalay also described the Ergenekon trial as a `disgrace.’ While
stressing that the recent releases did not mean acquittals, `The case
had reached a point where it was impossible to know the guilty from
the innocent,’ he said.

Prime Minister ErdoÄ?an had described the Gülen Movement at an election
rally on March 15 as `the new Ergenekon in Pennsylvania.’

Armenian News – Tert.am

From: Baghdasarian

RUSSIE
Deux Azerbaïdjanais reconnus coupables du meurtre de l’architecte en
chef de Solikamsk, Olga Karapetyan

En Russie, deux hommes accusés de l’assassiner de l’architecte en chef
de la ville de Solikamsk dans la région de Perm en 2010, ont été
reconnus coupables par le jury.

Selon l’enquête un inconnu s’est approché des deux azéris et a offert
de l’argent pour l’assassinat de l’architecte de la ville de
Solikamsk. Ils ont espionné la femme et le matin du 18 Mars, 2010,
elle a été abattu dans la cage d’escalier de sa maison.

dimanche 16 mars 2014,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

BLOG
Fethiye : la charmante station balnéaire et ses jolis loups lyncheurs de Kurdes

Pour le touriste turc ou étranger,la petite ville de Fethiye sur la
mer Egée évoque vacances ensoleillées, baignade dans les eaux
turquoises d’ Ölüdeniz, superbes tombeaux lyciens et accueil alla
turca, c’est à dire chaleureux.

Mais ça c’est pour la belle image. Chaleureux, l’accueil ne l’est pas
pour tous. Une partie de ses habitants qui pourtant sont presque tous
aussi venus d’ailleurs, n’apprécient pas que certains de leurs
compatriotes de l’est du pays aient choisi eux aussi de s’y installer
pour y gagner leur vie. La municipalité y est MHP, c’est à dire
d’extrême droite.

Et c’est ainsi qu’une bande qui a fini par atteindre le millier de
lyncheurs bénéficiant du soutien actif de la municipalité a décidé
d’empêcher le HDP (parti démocratique du peuple) d’ouvrir une
permanence électorale en vue des élections municipales du 30 mars
prochain. Le HDP, c’est le BDP – le parti kurde- ayant fait une
alliance avec un groupe de partis de gauche turcs, destinée notamment
à attirer une partie de l’électorat alévi. Il représente donc tous
ceux que l’extrême droite turque exècre (les trois K de Kurde,
Kizilbas – alévi, Kommunist). Sirri Sürreyya Önder, l’icône du parti,
est aussi un actif artisan du processus de paix entamé avec le PKK et
un des interlocuteurs privilégiés d’Ocalan, le leader du PKK
emprisonné, synonyme pour eux du mal absolu. Il n’était pas question
que ce parti de “traîtres” ouvre une permanence en terre “vraie
turque” !

POUR LIRE LA SUITE CLIQUER SUR LE LIEN

dimanche 16 mars 2014,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

Pension reform protest: Armenian civic group conducts bike race

13:55 * 15.03.14

The Armenian civic group, conducts active protests against the
compulsory pension funds, launched Saturday morning a bicycle race
downtown Yerevan.

For what was thought to be an awareness campaign, scores of bicycle
riders gathered in Liberty Square to voice alarm over the
controversial pension reforms.

Speaking to reporters, one of the protesting activists, Tigran
Martirosyan, said their previous bicycle ride had proven the
effectiveness of that form of campaign.

The amended pension law, which went into effect on January 1, requires
that all the employed citizens of Armenia born after 1973 make monthly
contributions to pension funds in the amount of 5%-10% of their
salaries. The measure met strong protests by the society, with many
expressing distrust in the system. On January 24, the Constitutional
Court issued a ruling to suspend the mandatory component of the law. A
final ruling is due later this month.

“Our purpose is to make the population maximum aware of this law. We
now have an awareness problem, with many not knowing what it really
is,” said Tigran Hovhannisyan, another activist.

The group will distribute leaflets among passers-by in the streets to
inform them of plans for a March 22 rally.

From: Baghdasarian

Service Intended To Punish Officials Ignores Whistleblowing

Roza Hovhannisyan, Reporter
Law – Saturday, 15 March 2014, 09:59

Complaints about the Special Investigative Service are often heard
from human rights activists and advocates, as well as the public at
large. This service intended as a punitive institution for officials
does not fulfill its duties prescribed by law, says Michael Danielyan,
chairman of Helsinki Association. Human rights advocates have blown
the whistle to the SIS but the service almost never proceeds with
their reports.

One of the latest reports to the SIS was that of the Human Rights
Defender on the investigator of actor Vardan Petrosyan’s case. The HRD
pointed to misuse of official position by investigator Haik Hakobyan.
The SIS did not launch proceedings, explaining by absence of corpus
delicti.

Vardan Petrosyan’s advocate Nikolay Baghdasaryan told Lragir.am that
the SIS does not have an identical approach to similar cases. “The SIS
refused to bring a case but we have applied to the first instance
court to eliminate the decision on refusal to bring a case. I know
that another investigator was charged with a similar case. So, what is
the logic? They bring charges in one case, and they do not bring
charges in another case, we need to understand why it is so,” Nikolay
Baghdasaryan said.

Lragir.am sent a written enquiry to the SIS, requesting information on
how many complaints against officials the SIS received from citizens
of Armenia in 2011-2013, how many of them were proceeded with, how
many criminal cases were brought, how many cases were sent to court.

The spokesman for the SIS Michael Aharonyan asked for additional time
to provide statistics but replied in about a month that they cannot
provide any statistics.

“Since the RA Special Investigative Service (as well as the other
investigative services of the Republic of Armenia) provides detailed
statistical data on criminal cases investigated or being investigated,
the results and persons charged to the RA Police Information Center, I
would advise you to apply to the mentioned center to receive more
complete and exhaustive information on your questions,” the letter of
the SIS Press Secretary states.

“This service works upon orders, if there is an order, it will fulfill
it,” the chairman of Helsinki Committee told Lragir.am. He noted that
he cannot remember a single case when any official was punished by the
SIS on the basis of reports of citizens.

Ishkhanyan says the SIS, the Prosecutor General’s Office, were
expected to be independent bodies but the truth is that none of them
is independent, everyone depends on the executive and especially the
president.

“So it is ingenuous to hope that the Special Investigative Service or
the Prosecutor General’s Office would carry out objective and unbiased
investigation on any case, especially those relating to officials.
They are said to be independent but it is not true. As one sees how
the heads of these services are appointed, one understands everything.
They are appointed by the president. So, everything is agreed,” Avetik
Ishkhanyan says.

The latest report of Helsinki Committee to the SIS was related to
Mashtots Park. Recently they have not reported to this service
because, Ishkhanyan says, their expectations are not great.

“We applied to the Special Investigative Service against the police
acts during the developments in Mashtots Park but the case was
dismissed, whereas the police did unlawful actions there,” Ishkhanyan
says.

Another case when the SIS refused to investigate a report was the
application of the advocate of the Budaghyan family Haik Alumyan
against the ex-governor of Syunik Surik Khachatryan. The advocate
enquired whether the SIS has investigated recent press reports on
illicit actions by Surik Khachatryan and his relatives.

“I tried to find out whether the Special Investigative Service
considered those publications as crime reports or not. They replied
that some criminal cases relating to several of cases reported in the
press have been investigated but did not specify the reports and
criminal cases, so we cannot dwell on them. Second, they mentioned
that some other press reports dated from the period when Surik
Khachatryan was not a governor, so the SIS is not competent to attend
to them. The third group of reports, according to their reply, concern
Surik Khachatryan’s relatives, not Surik Khachatryan himself, so the
SIS is not competent,” Haik Alumyan told Lragir.am.

He assesses the actions of the Special Investigative Service relating
to this case as highly negative.

Human rights activist Michael Danielyan says the SIS is a particle of
the Prosecutor General’s Office, not an independent body, and its
activities are titular. “Whenever we submit a report to the Special
Investigative Service, the service supposedly investigates it but in
reality it does nothing, and eventually we receive a reply that they
checked and found out that nothing had happened,” he notes.

The human rights defender says there are many cases when the accused
announce in court that they were tortured and treated inhumanly in
police departments.

“Such cases must be investigated by the Special Investigative Service
but the SIS forwards the complaints to the same investigators working
in the same police who know very well how people are tortured. We have
reported a number of cases of torture to the SIS but this body does
not do its job. At least their office should not be in the premises of
the Prosecutor General’s Office, it is funny, they say they are an
independent body but they are seated in the Prosecutor Office,”
Michael Danielyan says.

“The efficiency of activities of an organization is determined by the
procedure of appointment and dismissal of the head of the
organization. First of all, we must review the independence of this
body against the procedure of appointment and dismissal. At the
moment, this process is not transparent and is not in line with
standards of independence, therefore, I think, the SIS is not the body
that we would consider independent and expect independent decisions
from it,” says Nikolay Baghdasaryan, Vardan Petrosyan’s advocate.

The article has been prepared for the Development of Mechanisms of
Oversight on the RA Special Investigative Service, Prosecution and the
National Security Service to Guarantee Prevention of Violation of
Human Rights project.

– See more at:

From: Baghdasarian

March 14, 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 TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT
HOLY MARTYRS CHURCH IN ENCINO

Sunday, March 16, 2014 is the third Sunday of Lent, Sunday of the
Prodigal Son.
On this day, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will
preside over Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at Holy Martyrs Church in
Encino.

***

PRELACY LADIES AUXILIARY HOSTS
TRADITIONAL LENT LUNCHEON

On Wednesday, March 12, 2014, the annual traditional Lent luncheon
organized by the Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary was held at Carousel Restaurant in
Glendale under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian.
The day began with Sunrise Service at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale
presided over by the Prelate and with the participation of clergy members
and deacons.
Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian delivered the spiritual meditation with the
theme “O Christ, Who are the way and the truth and the life, guide our souls
to ascend from the earth into heaven” from the words of the Sunrise Service
hymn, calling on the faithful to walk in the path of Christ. The service
came to a close with a moving rendition of the “Lord have mercy” hymn sung
collectively by the clergy, and the Lord’s Prayer.
The luncheon followed at Carousel. Among the 250 guests at the
sold-out event where Executive Council Chair Mrs. Rima Boghossian and member
Ms. Ani Mgrdichian-Garikian, representatives of ARS Central and Regional
Executives and local chapters, members of parishes’ Ladies Guilds, and
Prelacy sponsors.
On behalf of Carousel Restaurant greetings were conveyed to the
Prelate and guests, after which Mrs. Alvard Barseghian delivered welcoming
remarks on behalf of the Ladies Auxiliary, stating “we have gathered to
enjoy this lunch reception together but also to renew our faith as members
of the Armenian Apostolic Church”, and that the luncheon is organized
annually to preserve and honor our traditions and customs.
The Prelate then invited the ladies to officially commence the
luncheon with the Lord’s Prayer. After the blessing of tables, His Eminence
conveyed his message, blessing and commending the Ladies Auxiliary for their
diligent service and the guests for their continuous support and
encouragement. His Eminence commended also Carousel’s owners, the Cholakian
family, and thanked them for their donation.
During lunch, Fr. Boghos spoke about Lent, noting that during the
forty-day period, as a sign of mankind’s separation from God, the altar
curtain is closed, the Bible is covered, and Holy Communion is not given;
but we can regain God’s favor through fasting, repentance, and spiritual
renewal during Lent.
Donations were made throughout the luncheon by guests inspired by
the festive atmosphere. The luncheon also featured traditional Armenian
songs performed by the Element band.

***

FERRAHIAN STUDENTS SPEND MEMORABLE DAY WITH THE PRELATE DURING SCHOOL VISIT

By the invitation of the Ferrahian School administration, on
Tuesday, March 11, 2014, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
visited the school’s two campuses, accompanied by Holy Martyrs Church Pastor
Rev. Fr. Razmig Khatchadourian and Executive Council member Mr. Toros
Kejejian.
The day began at Holy Martyrs ARS Ashkhen Pilavjian Pre-School and
Marie Cabayan Elementary School, where the Prelate was greeted by Mr. John
Kossakian, Principal, Ms. Vehik Gabrielian, Pre-School Director, Mr. Tro
Tchekidjian, Assistant to the Principal, and school board members.
The Prelate first visited the Pre-School and Nursery, where he was
greeted with recitations by the young students, to whom he spoke in an
easily comprehensible manner.
An assembly with the third, fourth, and fifth grade students
followed at “Haig Minassian” Hall. Mrs. Azadouhi Ghazarian served as Master
of Ceremonies. Students presented a cultural program of songs, poetry, and
dance dedicated to Vartanants and the Armenian language. The Principal
greeted the Prelate and guests, and then invited His Eminence to address the
students. The Prelate had a warm interaction with the students during a
question and answer session. He then delivered his message in which he
commended the administration for the instruction they are providing and the
students for their program, and emphasized that the spirit of St. Vartan and
St. Mesrob Mashdots will remain alive as long as we speak Armenian, pray in
Armenian, take pride in our identity, and be the faithful descendents of our
forefathers and heroes. The program concluded with the Lord’s Prayer and the
benediction by the Prelate.
His Eminence and guests then had the opportunity to discuss future
expansion plans with the Principal, who briefed them on anticipated
projects.
The visit continued at the Ferrahian High School campus with an
assembly at “Dikranian” Hall. The students greeted the Prelate with
welcoming remarks and recitations. The Principal spoke to the students
about the inspiring visit they had at the North Hills campus earlier in the
day, then invited the Prelate to address the students. The assembly was an
interactive one, with the students asking the Prelate questions and the
Prelate engaging the youth in conversation. The question and answer session
focused primarily on our faith, church life, youth participation in
community life, and canonization of Genocide martyrs. Ms. Ani Bertizlian
moderated the discussion. In conclusion, His Eminence spoke to the students
about the importance of speaking in our native tongue, living as faithful
Christian Armenians by upholding our language, faith, and heritage, and
drawing the youth to our church. The administration and students thanked
the Prelate for the insight and message he conveyed and expressed their wish
for similar visits in the future.
A Lent lunch with the senior class followed, during which the
Prelate spoke to them about the meaning of Lent as a time for
self-discipline, introspection, and spiritual strengthening.
The day was a memorable one for the administration, students, and
for the Prelate as well.

***

PRELATE VISITS SAN FRANCISCO PARISH COMMUNITY

On Sunday March 9, 2014, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, paid a pastoral visit to the San Francisco parish community. In
the morning, His Eminence presided over Divine Liturgy at St. Gregory
Church. Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian celebrated Divine Liturgy and delivered
the sermon. Deacons Khatchig Shannakian and Avo Markarian assisted at the
altar.
Sunrise Service was held at the conclusion of Divine Liturgy
presided over by the Prelate. In his address to the faithful, His Eminence
greeted the parish community and introduced the day’s celebrant and two
deacons, who are also priesthood candidates. The Prelate stated that in the
past year, new clergy assignments were made within the Prelacy, and the time
has come for St. Gregory Church to have a new parish priest as well.
The sermon by Fr. Boghos was on the Sunday of Expulsion, with the
theme “by eating the fruit, they consumed the bitterness of sin and death,”
and the message that through the acknowledgment of our sins and repentance,
we can have the hope of re-entering into God’s favor through the
Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
A reception followed at “Vasbouragan” Hall after the service. Board
of Trustees Chair Mr. Rostom Aintablian welcomed the Prelate and guests.
His Eminence conveyed his blessings, commending the efforts and service of
community members.
In the afternoon, the Prelate, Fr. Boghos, and deacons attended the
ARS “Erepouni” Chapter 80th anniversary celebration held at “Saroyan Hall”
of the Khachaturian Armenian Community Center.
His Eminence delivered the invocation and conveyed his message,
commending the ARS members for their service and wishing them success in
their future endeavors.
The Prelate’s visit concluded with a meeting with Parish Pastor
Archpriest Fr. Khoren Habeshian, Board of Trustees, Delegates, and Executive
Council representative Mr. Sako Shrikian. During discussions on matters
concerning the church and community, His Eminence advised to set aside
personal expectations and wishes and to seek God’s will instead.

***

PRELATE DELIVERS INVOCATION AT ACF ANNUAL GALA

On Saturday, March 8, the annual gala of the Armenian Cultural
Foundation was held at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. The Prelate
attended and delivered the invocation and his well wishes.
In his invocation, the Prelate commended the dedicated service of
the leadership and volunteers of the ACF in carrying out the organization’s
worthy mission. His Eminence commended especially their efforts in
instructing the youth on our history and culture and planting in them seeds
of love and pride for our heritage. In conclusion, the Prelate called upon
the Lord to bless the organization and its members who faithfully and
selflessly devote their time and energies to working together for a common
good, the sponsors and friends who continue to lend their generous moral and
financial support, and to guide us to the fulfillment of our collective
goals.

From: Baghdasarian

SOLVING OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT AND OTHER CONFLICTS REMAIN ON AGENDA

Trend, Azerbaijan
March 14 2014

Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14

By Elchin Mehdiyev – Trend:

The settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and other conflicts
remains on the agenda of the international community, Deputy Foreign
Minister, State Secretary for Strategic Affairs of Romania, Bogdan
Aurescu, told journalists on March 14 during his visit to Baku.

“We don’t want the situation in Crimea to create a ring of frozen
and ongoing conflicts around the Black Sea – such as Crimean
and Transdniestrian conflict, breakaway regions in Georgia
and Nagorno-Karabakh. Therefore the dialogue on this issue and
international attention to these conflicts is very important,”
Aurescu said.

Currently, the situation in the Crimea is very tense, and therefore
the international community is discussing this issue, according to
the deputy minister.

“But it does not mean that other frozen conflicts, including the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have been forgotten. On the contrary,
I believe that the situation in Ukraine will even attract more
international attention to the solution of other conflicts and will
intensify the efforts to settle them,” the state secretary said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the U.S. are
currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

Translated by L.Z.

Edited by C.N.

From: Baghdasarian