Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

YOUNG STELLA GETS TRANSPLANT

COMMUNITY | DECEMBER 23, 2013 3:39 PM

CLEVELAND – The Armenian Mirror-Spectator first reported on the case
of Stella Arakelian in August. Arakelian, 17, is a native of Armenia
in Cleveland to receive treatement for cancer at the Cleveland Clinic.

She and her mother, Irena, have been adopted by the local Armenian
community, under the aegis of St. Gregory of Narek Church and its
pastor, Rev. Hratch Sargsyan.

The community, through St. Gregory of Narek Church and its pastor, Fr.

Hratch Sargsyan, is rallying behind Stella Arakelyan, 17, a leukemia
patient from Armenia, has been receiving care at the Cleveland Clinic
since May. Stella is accompanied by her mother, Iren.

The teenager had been diagnosed in Armenia with leukemia. Her family
was devastated as the young Stella had already been fighting diabetes
since age 10.

Doctors treating her at the Cleveland Clinic with monthly chemotherapy
had told the family that Stella’s best chance for beating the cancer
was by receiving a bone marrow transplant. Against all odds, she
found a match earlier this fall and had her surgery on November 8.

The costs, of course, are staggering and well beyond the finances of
the family.

Sargsyan said this past week, “We still continue the fundraising. So
far we have raised over $20,000, plus $10,000 was raised in Armenia.

We had a meeting with Cleveland Clinic staff and assured them on our
continued efforts with fund raising. It was rather an emotional day
for all of the people present in the room; there some tears and hugs
and silent moments. The Cleveland Clinic staff present at that meeting
assured that no matter how fast the fundraising goes that will not
affect the clinical treatment for Stella. It was a big relief for
her mom Irena to hear that.”

Sargsyan said that according to the hospital’s tradition, the medical
staff sang Happy Transplant Day to You for the teen. Among those
singers was her doctor, Rabi Hanna.

The prognosis seems positive. “So far she is doing okay. She even
started to show some signs of success as the reproduction of new
blood cells goes,” Sargsyan said. “We still need people’s support
with prayers and finances because there will be more bills coming as
the treatment continues after she is discharged. We also take this
opportunity to thank all those who responding to the prompting that
God has put in their hearts and considered making a kind donation or
send a heart warming note/prayer or both for Stella. We thank you in
advance if you consider making a donation in this blessed session of
sharing and giving.

Your tax deductible donations can be made online, or send a check made
out to St. Gregory of Narek, memo line: Stella Fund, 678 Richmond Rd.,
Richmond Heights, OH 44143.

– See more at:

From: Baghdasarian

ALMA CHANGES NAME TO ARMENIAN MUSEUM OF AMERICA, INC.

ALMA, ARTS, MASS. | DECEMBER 23, 2013 3:34 PM

WATERTOWN – As of December 24, the Armenian Library and Museum of
America (ALMA) will drop a couple of words from its name and add a
few: it will now be known as the Armenian Museum of America, Inc.,
in recognition of its preeminent function as a museum.

“By this change, this institution will be known for its uniquely
distinct role as probably the largest Armenian museum outside of
Armenia. We continue to enhance the holdings of our expanding adjunct
research library named for the late Mesrop Boyajian,” wrote Haig Der
Manuelian, the ALMA board chairman.

ALMA was founded in 1971, with the dream of capturing and presenting
the 3,000-year-old Armenain heritage which has survived against
serious odds to people within the community or those outside.

“Those of us then involved saw our mission to honor our ancestors and
the victims of the Armenian Genocide by creating a permanent, living
memorial library and museum. At that time, we expected significant
acquisitions mostly for our intended library while hoping against
hope possibly for a modest number of artifacts. For that reason,
when we decided upon a name for our organization, the word ‘Library’
preceded the word ‘Museum,'” DerManuelian added.

In 1996, Dr. James Russell, the Mashdots Professor of Armenian
Studies at Harvard University, wrote, in part, describing ALMA’s
collections: “Over all, it is perhaps the most important Armenian
museum collection after the Armenian State Historical Museum in
Yerevan and the collections of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem
in Israel.” By then, the museum’s holdings had multiplied “beyond our
wildest expectations – including eclectic major collections from the
Bedoukian Families, numerous inscribed Armenian rugs from the late
Arthur T.

Gregorian, Kutahya tiles from the Karabians, among so many other gifts
generously donated to build our collections,” Der Manuelian noted.

He added that recent collections have been even more impressive.

Within the past four years, ALMA has acquired the Yousuf Karsh
collection of photographic portraiture, post-Soviet Armenian paintings
from the famed Norton Dodge Collection, the Berj Garabedian Metal
Arts Collection and the Almasian Family Map Collection, and numerous
other accessions. The museum has more than 20,000 objects and the
Mesrop Boyajian Research Library has more than 27,000 titles.

ALMA has mounted three major travel exhibits, “Who Are the Armenians,”
the “Gamavor Exhibit” and the “The Ongoing Armenian Genocide: Death,
Denial & Desecration.” The Gamavor Exhibit is currently being
translated for a tour of France. The Genocide Exhibit was shown
primarily in various non-Armenian sites including an eight-month
showing at the Virginia Holocaust Museum, the third largest such museum
in the United States. That Holocaust Museum was impressed sufficiently
as to seek to develop its own permanent Armenian Genocide Exhibit.

– See more at:

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA RATIFIES RUSSIAN GAS DEAL DESPITE PROTESTS

Voice of America
Dec 23 2013

The Armenian parliament has ratified a controversial natural gas
agreement with Russia, despite widespread protests by the opposition.

Ruling party lawmakers backed ratification of the deal in a vote Monday
which was boycotted by members of the country’s opposition factions.

Hundreds gathered outside parliament in Yerevan to protest the deal.

Under the agreement, the Russian gas export monopoly Gazprom will
gain full control of Armenia’s natural gas distribution company
ArmRosgazprom. Gazprom previously owned 80 percent of the company
and now receives the remaining 20 percent of shares.

Gazprom will also control all of Armenia’s gas imports until 2043.

Armenia’s Energy Minister Armen Movsisian has said previously that
the deal will clear debts Armenia owes to Russia for gas it has
already accumulated.

Critics accuse Russia of increasing pressure on Armenia, Ukraine and
other former Soviet republics to shun trade deals with the European
Union in favor of closer alliances with Moscow.

Protests erupted in Kyiv last month when Ukrainian President
Viktor Yanukovych scuttled a European Union trade deal in favor of
strengthening economic ties – including a gas deal – with Russia.

Russia is Armenia’s largest trading partner with bilateral trade
reaching nearly $1.2 billion last year.

From: Baghdasarian

Arab League rejects U.S. proposal for Middle East peace deal

December 21, 2013 – 21:15 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Arab League said it rejects a continued Israeli
troop presence on the eastern border of a future state of Palestine, a
proposal Palestinians say was floated by the U.S. earlier this month,
the Associated Press reports.

Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby said Saturday, Dec 21, no peace deal
would work with Israeli presence in a Palestinian state.

Palestinian officials said U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry proposed
Israel control Palestine’s future border with Jordan for at least 10
years to address Israeli concerns about a potential influx of
militants and weapons.

Aides to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas have criticized the plan.
One aide, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not
authorized to discuss the negotiations, said Saturday the Palestinians
are trying to soften the proposal to shorten the span of any Israeli
withdrawal.

From: Baghdasarian

REPRESENTATIVES OF GREEK AND TURKISH POLITICAL PARTIES VISIT MAGARAVANK

With the initiative of the Slovak Ambassador in Cyprus Oksana Tomova
and in co-operation with the Armenian Representative in the Parliament
Vartkes Mahdessian, a visit to Sourp Magar Monastery was organised on
Thursday 28th November 2013 for the representatives of the Greek and
Turkish Cypriot political parties.
The purpose of the visit was to create awareness about the poor state
the monastery is in with a view to secure funding for its restoration.
During the visit Mr. Mahdessian outlined to the political
representatives the historical background of the Monastery and
stressed the importance of this unique monument to the Armenian
community in particular as well as to the island of Cyprus in general.

Images of the visit to Magaravank click here

More images of the visit to Magaravank click here

From: Baghdasarian

PACE Vice-President condemns ECHR’s verdict on Perinçek’s case

13:36, 21 December, 2013

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. French parliamentarian, PACE
Vice-President, Chairman of the Armenia-France friendship
group Rene Rouquet expressed his concerns over the verdict of the
European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on DoÄ?u Perinçek’s case.
As reports `Armenpress’ Rene Rouquet stated that this verdict is a
blow to all those people, who are working for the restoration of the
just memory of the Armenian people.

The PACE Vice-President raised a number of questions. First of all he
emphasized that Switzerland can appeal the verdict within three
months in the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights.
Among other things Rene Rouquet underscored: `In this
respect the verdict is not final and the Grand Chamber can fulfill its
function of protecting the human rights and fundamental freedoms
in accordance with the article 44 of the European Convention on Human Rights.’

In addition the PACE Vice-President emphasized: `After this verdict I
am more than convinced that the denialism has no place at least on
the European level. We must struggle till the final triumph on the
international level. This is our sacred duty before the memory of the
victims of the first Genocide of the 20th century.’

Previously it was reported that the European Court of Human Rights
(ECHR) announced an ambiguous verdict on DoÄ?u Perinçek’s case,
particularly taking into consideration the fact that two of the seven
judges cast their vote against the verdict. The Minister of Justice of
the
Republic of Armenia Hrayr Tovmasyan underscored that while announcing
the verdict ECHR laid a heavy emphasis on the fact that DoÄ?u
Perinçek is a historian and scientist.

The Armenian Cause French Office and the Armenian National Committee
of Europe issued a statement, which in particular runs as follows:
`The court’s verdict is extremely dangerous and provides direct
support to the stream of denialism in Europe orchestrated by Ankara
and
Baku and paves an additional way for them. This infamous decision of
the European Court transgresses the right to dignity of the Armenian
Genocide victims and their descendants.’

From: Baghdasarian

Boycott or Plot?

Some high-ranking Armenian public officials claim there is no
alternative to supply of arms by Russia. Furthermore, they say, `It is
not known what we will get from the West, we don’t know when it will
be, whereas we get weapon from Russia.’

It seems to be an apprehensible and clear idea. The issue of receiving
arms from the West is vague while we actually receive arms from
Russia. It should be noted that such statements are made with full
confidence in their rightness and with an air of winners.

There seems to be no answerability to anyone. But such `equivocalness’
occurs in full isolation of army building from the society, and it
should be noted for the sake of being fair that the Armenian society
has not paid due attention and has not tried to take part in
discussions and elaboration of tasks of the armed forces. Hardly
anyone can explain how come the country is at war. And whether the
armed forces are ready or not, the possible war will be a `patriotic’
war because not only soldiers but also people will fight, and like in
the previous war, the soldiers, not the military genius of colonels
will win.

So how come there is still no alternative to defense cooperation with
Russia after so many years of cooperation with NATO and separate
states of the West? Armenia has been tasked to limit relations with
NATO. Russia goes berserk from intentions to get weapon from the West.
And this footdragging of cooperation with the EaP participants is
related to prevention of perspectives of their cooperation with NATO.

Armenia seems to carry out its commitments in NATO programs with
discipline and consistency and receives good evaluations. However,
Armenia has never asked NATO member states questions about supply of
arms and serious formats. Last year most European states decided to
lift bans on supply of weapon to the South Caucasus irrespective of
interpretations. Azerbaijan does not need supply of weapon from these
states, having a lot of money, because this decision was made out of
the interests of Armenia and Georgia. However, it is possible that
these perspectives opened up for Armenia, and this was the intrigue.

Supply of arms implies costs but it depends on who and when and under
what conditions. The United States would hardly supply arms to the
countries of the South Caucasus, especially Armenia and Azerbaijan.
However, the stance of the United States on the readiness of the
European states for supply of arms to Armenia is apparently positive.

However, the chief circumstance is, and the Armenian political and
military leadership know, that Armenia has a lot of friends in Armenia
who are ready to supply serious weapons. In longer-term and
apprehensible relations the payment for supply of weapons may have a
symbolic meaning. But who has ever asked such questions, who and when
relayed to the West that Armenia is ready for such cooperation? Nobody
and never?

At the same time, NATO and the European Union are trying to conduct a
combined policy when limitations of one of these structures are
complemented with proposals of the other. There is no and there cannot
be full alignment of interests, and such a situation may occur during
the formation of the Transatlantic Common Market and emergence of a
new global currency.

The institutions where such projects are worked out are trying to
establish new rules of international relations for the forthcoming
decades, including reforms in such organizations as the UN or IMF.
With such expectations there are no doubts about highlights in some
global zones, and it will lead to definition of rules of relations
with the countries of `border areas’ and no matter how the conditions
of the `global transition period’ stretch, it will end.

As a global system of security, NATO is not imagined without
cooperation with new partners, and their tasks cannot be actualized
without close cooperation, including in defense. Therefore, the
statements about vagueness of arms supply from the West are at least
negligence or incompetence.

There are enough signs that NATO and some members of the alliance are
ready for bigger supply of arms to Armenia, while supply to Georgia is
a diversion.

Hence, the government of Armenia itself boycotts the perspective and
does nothing to achieve these tasks, announcing that supply of arms
from Russia is real unlike that from the West. Here is a combination
of boycott, plot and demagogy. There are no doubts that the policy of
vassalization of Armenia is not only due to the private interests of
politicians but also some military officials. Nobody will be able to
hide behind pseudo-concreteness, and it is possible to combine really
specific defense and political tasks.

At the same time, nobody in the Armenian society is interested in
discussing this issue due to different goals of the part of the
opposition which has received the right to vote in parliament. Nobody
asks such questions, so there is still an arena for relevant debates.
They are already speaking about the motives of the political and
military officials relating to Russia. This is, as is said, a subject
for future discussion when the role of Russia in the future war in the
South Caucasus becomes known.

Igor Muradyan
15:41 21/12/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

From: Baghdasarian

Turkish FM meets Armenian Deputy Patriarch of Constantinople

14:26 21.12.2013

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu met with Armenian Deputy
Patriarch, Archbishop Aram Atesyan. The meeting was held at the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Turkish media report.

At the start of the meeting, Archbishop Atesyan presented a book to
Davutoglu while the Turkey FM presented a tulip-shape plate to the
Armenian Deputy Patriarch of Constantinople.

From: Baghdasarian

TURQUIE
Des députés pro-kurdes en grève de la faim pour dénoncer l’injustice

Quatre députés pro-kurdes ont entamé une grève de la faim au Parlement
pour dénoncer le rejet par la justice d’une demande de remise en
liberté de cinq députés kurdes, actuellement en détention provisoire,
a indiqué mardi l’un d’eux.

`Nous avons entamé notre grêve à 13H00 (11H00 GMT)`, a déclaré à la
presse le député Ertugrul Kürkçü, dans l’enceinte de l’Assemblée
nationale.

Les députés grévistes de la faim entendent dénoncer une décision d’un
tribunal de Diyarbakir, chef-lieu du sud-est principalement kurde de
Turquie, qui n’a pas tenu compte de l’arrêt rendu la semaine dernière
dans une affaire d’un genre similaire par la Cour constitutionnelle.
Cette dernière avait jugé que la trop longue détention provisoire d’un
autre député avait enfreint ses droits.

Le tribunal de Diyarbakir a ainsi maintenu en détention cinq députés
du Parti de la paix et de la démocratie (BDP, pro-kurde), incarcérés
en 2010, accusés de liens avec le Parti des travailleur du Kurdistan
(PKK, interdit).

Mustafa Balbay, journaliste-député de la principale formation
d’opposition au Parlement (CHP, Parti républicain du peuple), avait
pourtant retrouvé la liberté grce à l’arrêt de la Cour
constitutionnelle après près de 5 ans de détention pour complot contre
le gouvernement.

M. Kürkçü, membre du HDP (Parti de la Démocratie du Peuple, pro-kurde)
a dénoncé une justice de `deux poids deux mesures, discriminatoire
pour les Kurdes`.

La grève ne pourra durer que jusqu’à vendredi soir au Parlement car au
terme des discussions sur le budget de 2014 qui s’y poursuivent, les
députés partiront en vacances.

On ignore pour l’instant si les quatre parlementaires continueront
ensuite leur mouvement.

Le BDP a pour sa part averti que le maintient derrière les barreaux
des députés kurdes pourrait nuire au processus de paix engagé en 2012
entre Ankara et le PKK pour tenter de mettre fin à l’insurrection du
mouvement armé kurde, qui a coûté la vie à 45.000 personnes depuis
1984.

`Cette décision inacceptable de la justice pourrait mettre en danger
le processus` de paix, a déclaré Pervin Buldan, députée du BDP.

Le cessez-le-feu en vigueur depuis mars tient dans l’ensemble, mais la
libération des détenus accusés de lien avec le PKK est l’une des
revendications du mouvement kurde.

AFP

samedi 21 décembre 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

FOOTBALL
Cet après-midi Borussia Dortmund-Herta Berlin. L’international
arménien Henrikh Mkhitaryan jouera

Cet après-midi à 15h30 pour le compte de la 16e journée du championnat
d’Allemagne, le Borussia Dortmund reçoit Herta Berlin. Nous suivrons
l’international arménien Henrikh Mkhitaryan milieu de terrain du
Borussia Dortmund pour ce match qui sera le dernier de l’année pour le
club allemand en Bundesliga. Avec 32 points Borussia Dortmund est
classé 3e du championnat tandis que Herta Berlin est 7e avec 25
points. Borussia est donné largement favori pour ce match. A noter
qu’à travers Armenia TV -diffusé en Arménie, l’étranger ayant une
autre diffusion- le match sera diffusé en Arménie. Par ailleurs les
centaines de milliers de supporters Arméniens d’Henrikh Mkhitaryan à
travers l’Europe et le monde pourront également suivre en direct la
rencontre sur de nombreux sites internet.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 21 décembre 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian