Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN: ARMENIA DOES NOT WANT WAR

January 24, 2014 | 18:58

YEREVAN. – Armenia does not want war, but if we are forced, we
have no other option, Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan said during
consultations at Labor Ministry on Friday.

The president was asked about constant threats of the Azerbaijani
leader to resume hostilities, media reports on Azerbaijani build-up
and Armenia’s actions as a counter to this.

“Even in this atmosphere I cannot rule out likelihood of hostilities,
because at least two people in our country – the president and defense
minister – must consider that the hostilities will resume tomorrow.

But I do not see likelihood of renewed hostilities in the near future.

However, if we are forced to do so, we will have to fight,” he said.

“You ask about our actions. We do so that special forces soldiers
sent by Baku, exceeding 3-4 times in number, failed to carry out their
task and in fact ruined the operation, bringing more losses than our
soldiers in positions. I want to say that the combat readiness of
our army is at a sufficiently high level. Secondly, the equipment of
our positions is in accordance with the current situation,” Sargsyan
said, adding that Armenia, not less than others, renews its arsenal,
military stores, arms, ammunition and equipment.

Although the funds allocated from the budget are not excessive,
but the army has no shortage of weapons and ammunition.

“I do not say strong shortage because there are a few armies the
leadership of which is entirely pleased with a number of weapons
and ammunition. Army is a body that always requires new weapons and
ammunition. We do not want war – obviously, we do not want – but if
are forced to, we have no other option. On the other hand, we will
do our best to resolve the problem peacefully,” President assured.

From: Baghdasarian

Tata Steel 2014: Aronian winner in 10th round

21:01 – 25.01.14

In the tenth round of the Tata Steel 2014 chess tournament, Armenian
grandmaster Levon Aronian celebrated a victory over Leyner Dominguez.

The Cuban sportsman was defeated at the 42nd move. Aronian thus scored
eight points, leaving behind the other participants. A drawn match
would have also secured a victory for the Armenian sportsman, as his
closest rivals, Sergey Karyakin (Russia) and Anish Grin (Netherlands),
also tied their score in their Saturday match.

In the final round on Sunday, Aronian will face Loek van Weli of the
Netherlands.

The Armenian chess star has been three times before declared a winner
in this tournament.

From: Baghdasarian

Armenia’s political developments in last 6 months could have been
turning point – opposition leader

January 25, 2014 | 11:16

YEREVAN. – Such developments unrolled within Armenia’s politics in the
last six months that could have become a turning point.

Opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman, ex-presidential
candidate Paruyr Hayrikyan noted the abovementioned at a press
conference on Saturday.

He added, however, that the events did not develop in such a way, and
he recalled the words by a Russian oligarch that Armenia is in their
pocket.

`Today’s political forces [of Armenia] can deal with everything except
for important strategic matters. Are we going toward a civilized
world, or toward the dark Middle Ages? And, under these conditions,
Armenia’s political forces remain silent,’ Hayrikyan stated.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: Baghdasarian

Turquie-culture-tourisme-politique-religion
Un hôtel turc prisé des célébrités contraint de fermer pour cause de
loi anti-alcool

(AFP) – Quatre siècles après avoir reçu ses premiers clients, un
célèbre hôtel turc, lieu de villégiature prisé des célébrités du monde
entier de passage en Turquie, a fermé ses portes, victime d’une
récente loi anti-alcool du gouvernement.

Aux dires de son responsable Ali Acundas, le caravansérail Okuz Mehmet
Pasa, du nom d’un grand-vizir (Premier ministre du sultan) de l’empire
ottoman, situé près de la station balnéaire égéenne de Kusadasi, ne
peut simplement plus fonctionner.

`Nous avons déjà enregistré des pertes ces dernières années à cause de
la situation économique en général`, explique M. Acundas à l’AFP.
`Mais la récente loi destinée à réduire les ventes d’alcool nous a
porté un coup fatal`.

Au pouvoir depuis 2002, le Parti de la justice et du développement
(AKP) a fait voter en mai dernier un texte qui a limité de manière
draconienne la consommation et la publicité de l’alcool, interdite par
l’islam, arguant de la protection de la santé publique.

Les hôtels et les restaurants qui disposent d’une licence de vente ont
échappé à ces restrictions, mais l’établissement de M. Acundas,
construit en 1618, a été écarté de la liste des bénéficiaires à la
faveur de la nouvelle loi, car classé monument historique.

Dans ces conditions, le gestionnaire n’a pu garder sa clientèle
traditionnelle, essentiellement composée de touristes étrangers.

`On ne peut pas demander à un client français de renoncer à un verre
de vin et lui proposer à la place un jus d’orange`, a-t-il regretté.

Dans la longue liste des clients célèbres de son hôtel de 26 chambres,
M. Acundas se souvient de `l’ancien président américain Jimmy Carter`,
de `l’ex-Premier ministre grec Georges Papandréou` et de nombreuses
personnalités de la jet-set.

La loi anti-alcool de 2013 fut l’une des principales mesures
critiquées en juin dernier lors de la vague de manifestations contre
le Premier ministre islamo-conservateur Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accusé
de dérive autoritaire et de vouloir `islamiser` la Turquie.

Malgré le coup porté à son commerce, Ali Acundas s’est voulu
optimiste. `Tout cela n’est que temporaire`, a-t-il pronostiqué, `je
suis sûr que ces erreurs seront réparées`.

samedi 25 janvier 2014,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

COMMUNAUTE-CANNES
Cannes a rendu hommage à Gaspard Kayadjanian

Cannes a rendu hommage à Gaspard Kayadjanian, l’ex-président de
l’Union des Arméniens de Cannes et des environs, disparu en novembre
dernier. Samedi 18 janviers, au Square Verdun dans le jardin d’Arménie
le député-maire de Cannes, Bernard Brochard, dévoilait la plaque
apposée en hommage à Gaspard Kayadjanian. La cérémonie s’est tenue en
présence d’Henri Leroy, maire de Mandelieu -d’origine arménienne et
frère du journaliste Charles Villeneuve-, André Aschieri, maire de
Mouans-Sartoux, Annie Kassighian, conseillère municipale représentant
Chrisitan Estrosi le maire de Nice et de Suzy Parakian, la président
de l’Union des Arméniens de Cannes et des environs. La cérémonie s’est
déroulée devant un large public de personnalités et d’amis. Evoquant
Gaspard Kayadjanian , le maire de Cannes a souligné « son travail pour
la défense de la culture arménienne et son histoire ». Mais c’est le
discours vibrant de la nouvelle présidente de l’Union des Arméniens de
Cannes, Suzy Parakian qui fut la plus vibrante et émouvante. Suzy
Parakian a rappelé « l’homme exceptionnel par sa générosité, sa
fidélité et son dévouement ».

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 25 janvier 2014,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIE
Une adolescente blessée par des tirs azéris dans le nord de l’Arménie

Une adolescente dans un village arménien situé non loin de la
frontière avec l’Azerbaïdjan dans le nord-est du pays a été blessée
jeudi lorsque les forces azéries ont continué leurs violations du
cessez-le-feu selon un responsable local.

Les villages d’Aygepar, de Nerkin Karmiraghbyur, Movses et Chinary
auraient été sous le feu de l’armée azérie toute la journée avec des
tirs vers les maisons et les routes.

Une jeune fille de 16 dans dans le village d’Aygepar a été blessée
selon les rapports des médias citant l’administration locale.

S’exprimant lors de la réunion du Cabinet de jeudi le ministre de la
Défense Seyran Ohanian a déclaré que les tensions sur la ligne de
contact au Karabagh ainsi que le long de la section nord-est de la
frontière arméno-azerbaïdjanaise ces derniers jours étaient plutôt le
résultat de la panique côté azerbaïdjanais en prévision d’une
représailles arménienne pour la violation majeure de la trêve dans la
nuit du 19 au 20 janvier qui a causé la mort d’un militaire arménien
au Karabagh.

samedi 25 janvier 2014,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

AZERIS ‘PANICKING’ AND SITUATION AT BORDER UNDER CONTROL: ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTER

01.23.2014 17:10 epress.am

There is tension on the Azerbaijani front; they are panic-stricken,
said Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan ahead of the government
meeting today, responding to RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan’s
request to report on the incident on the “contact line” on the night
of January 19-20.

“This panic is reflected not only on [Karabakh’s] Line of Contact with
Azerbaijan, but also in shots fired in Armenia’s northeastern region.

We don’t respond to casual shots; we only respond to regular firing
and sniper shots,” he said.

The defense minister said that on the night of Jan. 19-20 the
Azerbaijani sabotage group suffered losses and retreated due to the
selflessness and skilled actions of Sergeant Armen Hovhannisyan,
who was posthumously awarded a medal for courage.

Ohanyan also reassured the cabinet that the situation is currently
under control, and “our compatriots should never fear, as our soldiers
carry out their service as they [always] have.”

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT AUSTRIA

21:43 ~U 22.01.14

Austrian President Heinz Fischer hosted on Monday the heads of foreign
diplomatic missions in Austria.

During a short meeting with Armenian Ambassador to Austria Arman
Kirakosyan, President Heinz Fischer conveyed his greetings to Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan.

The sides discussed the preparations for the Armenian president’s
visit to Austria scheduled for this June.

Armenian News – Tert.am

From: Baghdasarian

CAUCASIAN RED DEER TO BE BROUGHT TO ARMENIA FROM RUSSIA

by Karina Manukyan

Wednesday, January 22, 09:18

The program on restoration of the Caucasian red deer population in
Armenia is entering its crucial phase.

Head of WWF Armenia Karen Manvelyan has told ArmInfo that the talks
on acquisition of the Caucasian red deer are already underway. The
rare species will be brought to Armenia from Russia and probably from
Georgia and Iran, too. Manvelyan said that a total 15 deer (3-4 male
deer and 11-12 female deer) will be acquired in June-July 2014.

Construction of open-air cages for protection and breeding of the
deer will be launched in Dilijan National Park in spring. He said
that Armenia has already received the relevant equipment from Germany.

The program on restoration of the population of the endangered species
has had no analogues throughout the history of independent Armenia.

The first offsprings of the Caucasian red deer will be released in
5 years. To note, this species is listed in the Red Book and the
International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The total cost of the program is about 500,000 EUR.

From: Baghdasarian

PHILANTHROPIST HARRY NADJARIAN TO RECEIVE PRIDE OF HERITAGE AWARD

January 22, 2014 – 11:14 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Well-known humanitarian and philanthropist Harry
Nadjarian will be the recipient of the 2014 Ray R. Irani Pride
of Heritage Award, presented by the Lebanese American Foundation,
organizers announced, according to Asbarez.

Nadjarian, who is the chairman of the Board of Directors of Industrial
Motor Power Corporation, is being recognized for his commitment and
philanthropic efforts, as well as his civic leadership and unyielding
dedication to the local Lebanese-American community.

Born in Beirut, Lebanon, he immigrated to California in 1975, following
the start of the Lebanese civil war. In 1977 Nadjarian entered the
diesel engine and parts rebuilding industry.

In 2000, he founded Industrial Motor Power Corporation. Today, IMP
Corporation is one of the largest privately owned industrial power
equipment trading companies in the world. Headquartered in Burbank,
California, the company supplies industrial generators and power plants
from 500 KW to 200 MW. IMP provides substantial power resources within
the United States, Africa, the Russian Federation, the Middle East,
and South America.

Nadjarian serves on multiple Boards, including the Board of Trustees
of Haigazian University in Beirut Lebanon, The Amideast, Lebanon
Advisory Board, and The Board of Directors of The Lebanese American
Foundation etc.

“There are certainly many far more successful people than me out there,
but so long as I can do my share, I find fulfillment and contentment
in that,” said Nadjarian.

The Nadjarians continuously donate to many charitable organizations,
schools, and religious institutions.

From: Baghdasarian