Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

POOF, ANOTHER VILLAGE GONE

Dr. Berge Minassian, Toronto, 28 July 2013

It is summer; sun and scents are intoxicating.

One-hundred-thousand Armenians leaving Armenia each year. That’s
approximately 50 villages of 2,000 people per year, one village
eachweek. Poof, gone, disappeared.

One village each week. Poof, gone, disappeared.

Each week an article by Harut Sassounian about some gaffe by a Turkish
prime minister, or exhorting Armenians to demand their lands back
from Turkey.

Poof, one more village gone.

Each week an article by Migopress about an Armenian winning a chess
championship, an Armenian scoring a great football goal in Dortmund.

See, see that picturesque village? See what? Where? Poof, gone.

Each week “RAG Mamoul”, Appo Jabarian’s “Armenian Life Magazine”
article arrive by email… Oh, it’s a Sassounian column republished,
right, delete.

Hey! What are those starving cows moaning about in the village of
Ani Gayaran across the Akhourian from the ruins of Ani and the huge
village on the Turkish side? Ani Gayaran? Poof, going, going, gone.

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation? In an inexplicable coma.

Poof, another village gone.

It’s an emergency, an entire nation needs to rally together to
save itself.

Rally how? Where are the leaders? The government, composed of crooks
who care not for the people, and sadly the people know it, which
is why…

Poof, one more village gone.

The Diasporan parties? The ARF? Wake up, wake up, wake up! Comatose.

Poof, poof, gone one, gone another.

In Armenia, NakhaKhorhrdaran (NK) and other civic movements; in the
Diaspora, Armenian Renaissance (AR).

Poof, gone yet another village.

NK is not sophisticated enough. AR is too new. How do we know they
can succeed? Why should I bother lending them a hand and helping them
become the rallying cry so critically needed? Won’t I be wasting my
precious time?

Poof, one more village gone. The crooks still milking the famished
Hayastan cow, the ARF still comatose.

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, a nation is dying.

NK, AR, and some others will at least be trying, as poof, poof, poof,
the villages go, and the nation dozes, finding many good reasons to
say and do nothing.

From: Baghdasarian

PROSECUTOR DEMANDS 12 YEAR SENTENCE FOR VARDAN SEDRAKYAN
by Nana Martirosyan

ARMINFO
Monday, July 29, 16:40

The trial of the criminal case into the assassination attempt against
Paruyr Hayrikyan reconvened on Monday.

The state prosecutor motioned for a twelve-year prison sentence for
Vardan Sedrakyan, a thirteen-year sentence for Samvel Harutyunyan,
and a fourteen-year prison term for Khachatur Poghosyan, RFE/RL
Armenian service reported.

Hayrikyan’s attorney, on the other hand, motioned for a payment of
Armenian drams equivalent to $106,000 to his client, in compensation
for causing damage to his health.

To recall, the opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman,
ex-presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikyan was wounded as a result of
an assassination attempt that was staged against him on January 31 at
around 11:20pm in downtown Yerevan, in front of his home, and during
the campaign season for the presidential election that was held on
February 18. First, he was transferred to capital city Yerevan’s Surb
Grigor Lusavorich (Saint Gregory the Illuminator) Medical Center, where
he was operated on. Subsequently, he was taken to the rehabilitation
center of the Armenian Red Cross Society. Next, Hayrikyan headed to
Belgium for treatment, and he underwent a surgery there.

In the criminal case that was launched into this assassination
attempt, ex-presidential candidate, non-party affiliate, and epic
poetry specialist Vardan Sedrakyan, who is imprisoned, is charged with
organizing the attempted murder of a state, political, or a public
figure. Also, Khachatur Poghosyan is charged with attempted murder of
a state, political, or a public figure and with illegal acquiring,
possession and use of a weapon; and Samvel Harutyunyan is charged
with attempted murder of a state, political, or a public figure.

From: Baghdasarian

HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK: PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FARE TO INCREASE ABOUT 50 PERCENT IN DILIJAN

10:02 30/07/2013 ” DAILY PRESS

Haykakan Zhamanak reports that the public transportation fare will
increase about 50 percent in Dilijan from August 1.

Notes about the fare increase are posted on Dilijan buses. The
population is unhappy with that fact, especially as the buses are in
a poor condition.

Source: Panorama.am

From: Baghdasarian

HRAPARAK: MAXIM HAKOBIAN WANTS TO NOMINATE NEPHEW AT PRECINCT #38

Tuesday,
July 30

Following the appointment of Vahe Hakobian as governor of Syunik
province, a by-election at electoral precinct #38 in Syunik will
be held on September 29, but there is still no certainty regarding
candidates.

“In any case, the Republican Party of Armenia is waiting for the end
of Serzh Sargsyan’s vacation and his decision. The name of Arnold
Hakobian, who is the newly-appointed governor’s cousin, is mentioned.

Rumors persist that both Vahe and his father, the director of Zangezur
Copper and Molybdenum Enterprise Maxim Hakobian, want this,” the
daily says.

“Don’t ask me questions about what is untrue,” Maxim Hakobian said
in response to the question of ‘Hraparak’s correspondent.

As regards other political forces, ARFD is going to field former mayor
of Kapan Arthur Atayan as its candidate, while Prosperous Armenia
Party is still discussing the issue and has not yet made a decision.

In all likelihood, Heritage Party will nominate Zaruhi Postanjian.

“Zaruhi is said to like Syunik, while Synik residents are fond of
her,'” the paper notes.

TODAY, 12:00

Aysor.am

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIANS CLIMBED MARUTA MOUNTAIN OF SASSOUN

[ Part 2.2: “Attached Text” ]

10:23, 30 July, 2013

YEREVAN, JULY 30, ARMENPRESS: A group of Armenians implemented an
annual pilgrimage to the Maruta Mountain of Sassoun, located in the
historical Armenia, now in the territory of Turkey. As reported by
Armenpress, this was published by the Turkish Demokrathaber.net.

Accompanied by the Head of the Union of Armenians of Sassoun Aziz
Dagcı, the Armenians climbed the Mountain, prayed and lit a candle in
the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin. Aziz Dagcı informed that they
began climbing the Mountain at night of July 28 and at 04:00 they
reached the Maruta’s peak, from where they admired the sunrise. “As
this year not all the roads were open, we did not manage to attract
many pilgrims from Istanbul and other countries.

But during the next year we hope that the number of the pilgrims
wishing to climb the Maruta Mountain will increase”, – said the Head
of the Union of Armenians of Sassoun Aziz Dagcı.

From: Baghdasarian

AZERBAIJAN HAS TO ADMIT IT IS NOT READY FOR WAR – ARMENIAN ANALYST

July 30, 2013 | 01:03

YEREVAN. – In the 1990s and in early 2000, Azerbaijan purchased large
quantities of weapons and ammunition, but most of them are obsolete.

Military analyst Arkadi Grigoryan told the aforesaid to Armenian
News-NEWS.am.

In his words, Azerbaijan possesses a large number of military
equipment, but the latter’s quality is insufficient.

“This is the reason for the statements on purchasing new consignments
of weapons,” Grigoryan said.

He added that the outdated weaponry, which Azerbaijan purchases,
becomes even more outdated.

“Fifty billion dollars and five to ten years are needed for a complete
modernization of the army. [But] Azerbaijan is unable to immediately
change the weaponry of its army,” Arkadi Grigoryan stressed.

In his view, Azerbaijan has to admit that it is not ready for war.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT’S OFFICE DOES WASTEFUL SPENDING ON HOTELS – NEWSPAPER

July 30, 2013 | 07:02

YEREVAN. – The Office of the President of Armenia has spent about
$7,000 from the state budget for hotel services, Zhoghovurd daily
reports.

“According to the documents under the disposal of Zhoghovurd, with
this amount the Office of the President booked four hotel rooms for
five nights.

“In actual fact, despite the existing social polarization in
the country, the Office of the President is making rather lavish
expenditures and is accommodating its guests in solely expensive
suites of expensive hotels,” Zhoghovurd writes.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: Baghdasarian

TURKISH CROSSROADS HAS PASSED

American experts who used to work in the State Department admit that
the most difficult thing in foreign policy is pursuing at least two
parallel political priorities. Apparently, it is difficult for a great
power and especially such a country as Turkey which has apparently
overestimated its foreign political and economic opportunities.

After several “peaks” of “independent” ambitious appeals Turkey
understood that it is not able not only to conduct an independent
foreign policy but also to ensure its national security. Sent to
freewheeling in the mid-2000s, Turkey encountered complications and,
most importantly, was unable to resolve regional problems and tasks
in any direction.

None of Turkey’s initiatives and claims enjoyed legitimacy at the
Euro-Atlantic arena, which led Turkey to efforts to achieve minimum
goals in the mode of “cooperation” with the United States and NATO.

Neither the United States, nor NATO are interested in supporting
Turkey’s regional policy.

Turkey is in the “habit” of returning to its ideas and goals but one
could notice a very important event which can be conventionally listed
to the period of 2010-2011, i.e. configuration of relations between
the United States and Turkey, as well as between NATO and Turkey.

It marks a strange circumstance. Turkey limits its foreign political
ambitions within the framework of interests of the the Euro-Atlantic
community, first of all in regard to regional policy with the support
of the West – only tasks relating to Turkey’s national security. In
other words, provided that the problems between Turkey and the West
have not been resolved and cannot be resolved, it may not conduct an
“imperial” policy remaining loyal to the West.

All Ankara can do is to hope for better times but Turkish politicians
have apparently understood that they missed the historical change
and the Western community which already has the experience of curbing
Turkish ambitions will hardly be less pliable in the future.

It should be noted that the West has not made any significant efforts
to limit Turkish ambitions. The West has not hindered Turkish pressure
on the regions and, as a result, Turkey has faced resistance of small
and big neighbor states (there must be claims).

Interestingly, Turkey’s neighbors, including Iran, Syria, Iraq, Greece,
Armenia, Georgia, as well as Egypt and probably other states as well,
are absolutely happy with the policy of the West on lack of support
and limitation of Turkey’s regional ambitions. These circumstances
influenced Turkish-Russian relations quite ambiguously.

Russia itself has claims to Turkey. First of all, it would not wish
to appear in the same “weight group” with it, as well as understands
that Turkey need not give up its intentions in the regions where
Russia takes interest. But this is not the problem. Loyalty to the
West means that Turkey must rule out its excessive (“critical”)
rapprochement with Russia. It is possible that Ankara would agree
to such rapprochement if Russia were able to offer its sufficient
advances and concessions. It did not happen because Russia, like Iran,
does not hurry to set up closer relations with Turkey.

Russia need not hope for desirable rapprochement with Turkey, Russia
cannot offer economic, geopolitical and other preferences. The
“crossroads” of hopes has passed, not only for Turkey.

It does not mean that Russia and Turkey were unable to agree on
regional policy in prejudice to any state of the given regions but
not in regard to the Euro-Atlantic community, and it means that the
relations between Turkey and Russia are not “discretionary”.

Igor Muradyan 12:05 30/07/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

From: Baghdasarian

RECENT HISTORY OF RUSSIAN-AZERBAIJANI RELATIONS (POLITICS)

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
July 29 2013

29 July 2013 – 9:06am

Diplomatic ties between Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation were
established on April 4, 1992.

In 1992 the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Russia and the Embassy of Russia
in Azerbaijan were opened. At present, the Azerbaijani Ambassador
to Russia is Polad Byulbyuloglu (since 30.01.2006), and the Russian
Ambassador to Azerbaijan is Vladimir Dorohin (since 17.03.2009).

The Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Security (July 3,
1997), the Baku Declaration (January 9, 2001), the Moscow Declaration
(February 6, 2004) and the Baku Declaration on Friendship and Strategic
Partnership (July 3, 2008) are key instruments for the foundation of
the legal base of bilateral relations.

October 8, 1993 the President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev paid a
working visit to Russia.

September 9, 1994, Heydar Aliyev paid a working visit to Russia.

November 17, 1994 Heydar Aliyev paid a visit to Russia to attend the
birthday of Azerbaijani poet M.Fuzuli.

August 9, 1996, Heydar Aliyev visited Russia to participate in the
inauguration ceremony of Russian President Boris Yeltsin.

July 2-4, 1997, Heydar Aliyev was in Russia on his first official
visit. During the visit, 7 documents were signed.

January 9-10, 2001, Russian President Vladimir Putin paid an official
visit to Azerbaijan. During the visit, 7 documents were signed.

January 24-26, 2002, Heydar Aliyev was on a state visit to Russia.

During the visit, 7 documents were signed.

June 8-9, 2002, Heydar Aliyev was on a working visit to St. Petersburg
and met with Vladimir Putin.

September 23-24, 2002, Heydar Aliyev was on a working visit to Russia.

During the visit, 4 documents were signed.

December 15, 2003 Vladimir Putin and his delegation composed of
100 people arrived in Baku to attend the funeral of national leader
Heydar Aliyev.

February 5-7, 2004, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev paid an
official visit to Russia.

July 3, 2004 Ilham Aliyev at the invitation of Vladimir Putin was
on a working visit to Moscow to watch the races for the Prize of the
President of Russia.

October 18-19, 2004, Ilham Aliyev paid a working visit to Russia.

February 15-16, 2005 Ilham Aliyev paid a working visit to Russia.

May 9, 2005 Ilham Aliyev paid a working visit to Russia to attend
a ceremony in Moscow to mark the 60th anniversary of the Victory in
the Great Patriotic War.

June, 13-14 2005 Ilham Aliyev paid a working visit to Russia to
attend the 9th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and met
with Vladimir Putin.

August 30, 2005 Ilham Aliyev paid a working visit to Russia to attend
a ceremony dedicated to the 1000th anniversary of Kazan.

February 21-22, 2006, Vladimir Putin was on a working visit to
Azerbaijan and took part in the opening ceremony of the Year of Russia.

June 16, 2006 in Alma-Ata a meeting between Aliyev and Putin was held;
they participated in the “Conference on Interaction and Confidence
Building Measures in Asia.”

July 21-22, 2006 Ilham Aliyev attended an informal summit of the CIS
held in Moscow.

November 8-11, 2006 Ilham Aliyev paid a working visit to Moscow.

December 4, 2006 Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov was on an
official visit to Baku and attended the closing ceremony of the Year
of Russia in Azerbaijan. During the visit, the two countries adopted
a Programme of Cooperation in the Humanitarian Sphere for 2007-2009.

March 27-28, 2007 Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva attended
a official reception organized by Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin Palace
in honour of the 80th anniversary of the musician and conductor Maestro
Mstislav Rostropovich; for his great contribution to the development
of international cultural relations and music of Azerbaijan, the hero
of the day was awarded the Order of Heydar Aliyev. At the meeting at
the end of the reception the presidents expressed satisfaction with
the expansion of cooperation between the two countries based on the
principles of reliable partnership and noted the special importance
of high-level meetings to deepen the relationship.

April 25, 2007 Prime Minister of Azerbaijan A.Rasi-Zadeh on behalf of
President Ilham Aliyev paid a visit to Moscow to attend the funeral of
first Russian President Boris Yeltsin and met with Russian President
Vladimir Putin.

April 28-29, 2007 Ilham Aliyev paid a visit to Moscow to attend the
funeral of Maestro Mstislav Rostropovich.

June 9-10, 2007 Ilham Aliyev paid a visit to St. Petersburg to attend
an informal summit of the CIS member states.

June 30, 2007 Ilham Aliyev at the invitation of Vladimir Putin was
on a working visit to Rostov-on-Don to watch the races for the Prize
of the President of Russia.

February 20-24, 2008 Ilham Aliyev paid a working visit to Russia
to take part in an informal summit of the CIS member states. During
the visit he was awarded the title of Honorary Professor of Moscow
State University.

March 3, 2008, Ilham Aliyev sent congratulations to Dmitry Medvedev
on his election as President of the Russian Federation.

April 3, 2008 in Bucharest, within the framework of the NATO summit,
a meeting between Ilham Aliyev and Vladimir Putin was held.

May 8, 2008 Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory message to President
Dmitry Medvedev on the occasion of Victory Day and taking office and
invited him to visit Azerbaijan.

May 14, 2008 Head of the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev
paid a visit to Moscow to attend the ceremony dedicated to the 85th
anniversary of the birth of the national leader Heydar Aliyev.

June 5-7, 2008, Ilham Aliyev was in St. Petersburg to attend an
informal summit of the CIS member states in the framework of the
12th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and met with Dmitry
Medvedev.

July 3-4, 2008 Dmitry Medvedev paid an official visit to Azerbaijan,
held talks with President Ilham Aliyev; met with Chairman of the
Caucasian Muslims Office, the Bishop of Baku and the Caspian Eparchy,
the head of the religious community of Mountain Jews; visited the
Heydar Aliyev Foundation. During the visit, five bilateral agreements
were signed, and among them the main one – the Declaration on
Friendship and Strategic Cooperation.

August 21, 2008 Dmitry Medvedev sent a message to Ilham Aliyev on
Russia’s attitude and opinion regarding the events in South Ossetia,
Russian-Georgian relations and the CIS.

September 3, 2008 Dmitry Medvedev called Ilham Aliyev. The
heads of state expressed satisfaction with the development of
bilateral Azerbaijani-Russian relations at various levels, discussed
international issues, the situation in the region, the settlement of
the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and other issues
of mutual interest.

September 15-16, 2008 Ilham Aliyev at the invitation of the President
of the Russian Federation paid a working visit to Moscow and met with
President Medvedev alone and Prime Minister Putin.

November 1-2 , 2008 Ilham Aliyev paid a working visit to Russia and
met with the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan. After the meeting,
the talks continued in a trilateral format with the participation
of Russian President Medvedev. Following the meetings, the three
presidents signed the Declaration.

November 24-25, 2008, the Minister of National Security of Azerbaijan
E. Mahmudov, at the invitation of director of the Russian Foreign
Intelligence Service Mikhail Fradkov, was on a visit to Moscow. During
the visit Mahmudov met with Fradkov, director of the Federal Security
Service of Russia Bortnikov and Russian Security Council Secretary
Patrushev.

December 28, 2008 the head of the Russian presidential administration
Sergei Naryshkin was on a visit to Baku and was received by Ilham
Aliyev.

April 16-17, 2009 Ilham Aliyev paid a working visit to Russia and
met with President Medvedev. During the meeting they discussed the
economic ties between the two countries, cooperation in the energy
sector, issues related to the expansion of the market sales of
Azerbaijani natural gas, the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the legal status of the Caspian Sea.

June 4-5, 2009 Ilham Aliyev paid a working visit to St. Petersburg
to attend the 13th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and
met with President Dmitry Medvedev.

June 4, a joint meeting of Ilham Aliyev, President of the Russian
Federation Dmitry Medvedev and President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan
was held.

June 25, 2009 in Yekaterinburg the Consulate General of Azerbaijan
was opened. On May 13, 2010 the official opening ceremony of the
consulate was held.

June 29, 2009 Dmitry Medvedev paid a working visit to Azerbaijan.

During the visit, the Joint Declaration on the Caspian Sea and the
Joint Declaration on the basic principles of delimitation of state
borders and the division of water resources of the Samur River between
the Azerbaijan Republic and the Russian Federation were signed. In
addition, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan and the Russian company
“Gazprom” signed a document on the basic terms of the contract for
the sale of Azerbaijani natural gas.

July 17-18, 2009 Ilham Aliyev paid a working visit to Russia and
watched the races for the Prize of the President of Russia in 2009.

July 18, a trilateral meeting of the Presidents of Azerbaijan, Russia
and Armenia was held in Moscow.

November 23, 2009 the head of the Russian presidential administration
Sergei Naryshkin took part in the opening in Baku of a regional office
of one of the largest Russian banks -“VTB” – and in the opening
ceremony of the “House of the Russian Book”, awarded the Order of
Honour to the Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Office, Sheikh-ul-Islam
Allahshukur Pashazade, and was received by President Ilham Aliyev.

November 24, 2009 Ilham Aliyev at the invitation of the President of
the Russian Federation was on a working visit to Ulyanovsk.

January 23, 2010 the head of the Russian presidential administration
Sergei Naryshkin was on a visit to Baku and received by Ilham Aliyev.

At the meeting, it was stressed that bilateral relations were
developing successfully in various fields, including in the
humanitarian sphere. The importance of the First Azerbaijani-Russian
Forum on humanitarian cooperation held in Baku was highlighted; it
was stressed that such actions serve to further deepen the cooperation
between Azerbaijan and Russia.

January 25, 2010 Ilham Aliyev was on a working visit to Sochi,
where a trilateral meeting of the Presidents of Azerbaijan, Russia
and Armenia was held. At the meeting it was agreed to continue the
talks held in this format in 2009.

May 9, 2010 Ilham Aliyev paid a working visit to Russia to attend
a ceremony in Moscow dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the Great
Victory.

June 8, 2010 as part of the 3rd Summit of the Conference on Interaction
and Confidence Building Measures in Asia which took place in Istanbul
a meeting of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister
of Russia Vladimir Putin was held.

June 17, 2010 Ilham Aliyev paid a working visit to St. Petersburg,
met at the Constantine Palace with President Dmitry Medvedev and
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and with the OSCE Minsk Group in
the residence allotted to the President of Azerbaijan.

January 13-14, 2011 the CEO of the Russian Foreign Ministry
Mikhail Vanin visited Baku and held talks with Deputy Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan H.A.Halafov on the signing of an
intergovernmental agreement on mutual provision of real estate to
house diplomatic missions.

January 22, 2011 the head of the Russian presidential administration
Sergei Naryshkin paid a visit to Baku and was received by Ilham
Aliyev and the head of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan
R.Mehtiev. Naryshkin took part in the opening ceremony of Russian
Information and Cultural Center.

February 4-5, 2011 A.V.Kelin, Director of the Fourth CIS Department
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation visited
Baku to participate in the next round of ministerial talks on
Russian-Azerbaijani relations and regional issues. Kelin held talks
with Deputy Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan H.A.Halafov and A.B.Azimov
and had a conversation with the head of the International Relations
Department of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan N.

Mammadov.

March 17, 2011 in Moscow consultations were held between the Director
General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
Mikhail Vanin and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan
H. Halafov. According to their results, the text of the agreement on
the conditions of the placement and maintenance of diplomatic missions
was agreed.

May 26-28, 2011 Deputy Prime Minister of Russia and President of the
National Olympic Committee of Russia Alexander Zhukov was in Baku. He
met with President Ilham Aliyev, as well as the heads of the sports
departments of Azerbaijan.

June 24, 2011 Ilham Aliyev visited Kazan to participate in a
meeting of the presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia over the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He also held meetings with the leaders of
Tatarstan on cooperation between Azerbaijan and Tatarstan.

June 27-28, 2011 the Minister of Internal Affairs Rashid Nurgaliyev
visited Baku. He was received by President Ilham Aliyev and had a
meeting with the Minister of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan Ramil
Usubov. During the visit, an Agreement on Cooperation between the
Ministries of Internal Affairs was signed.

July 8, 2011 Foreign Minister Lavrov was in Baku. He conveyed a
personal message to Ilham Aliyev from Russian President Medvedev on
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

July 17-18, 2011, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan
Elmar Mammadyarov paid an official visit to Moscow. He held talks
with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and a meeting with the
presidential envoy to the North Caucasus Federal District, Deputy
Prime Minister Alexander Khloponin. During the visit, the exchange of
instruments of ratification of the Treaty on the State Border between
the Russian Federation and the Republic of Azerbaijan was held, and
a protocol on consultations between the Russian Foreign Ministry and
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan was signed.

August 9, 2011 Ilham Aliyev paid a working visit to Sochi and had a
meeting with President Dmitry Medvedev.

October 3-4, 2011 Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev visited
Azerbaijan. The Russian Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs
of the Azerbaijan Republic R.Usubov held a workshop in Guba on
co-operation in the internal affairs of the two countries in the
fight against crime in the areas surrounding the Russian-Azerbaijani
state border.

October 4-5, 2011 Deputy Prime Minister and presidential envoy to
the North Caucasus Federal District Alexander Khloponin visited
Baku. He was accompanied by the heads of Dagestan, Ingushetia,
Kabardino-Balkaria and North Ossetia, as well as the chairman of the
Government of Karachay-Cherkessia. The delegation was received by
Ilham Aliyev and had a conversation with Prime Minister of Azerbaijan
A.Rasi-Zadeh. Khloponin also met with the chairman of the Caucasus
Muslims Office Pashazade and visited Baku Slavic University.

Agreements were signed between Dagestan, Ingushetia, the
Karachay-Cherkess Republic and Azerbaijan on trade-economic,
scientific-technical, cultural and humanitarian cooperation. Khloponin
attended the presentation of investment projects of the North Caucasus
Federal District of the Russian Federation. Business representatives
of the delegation held meetings with relevant institutions and the
business community of Azerbaijan.

October 9-10, 2011 the head of the Russian presidential administration
Sergei Naryshkin was in Baku. He was received by the President
of Azerbaijan, attended the opening of the Baku International
Humanitarian Forum, the presentation of the book of the Presidents
of Russia and Azerbaijan “Humanitarian Challenges of the XXI Century”
and the ceremony of awarding the Order of Friendship to the Director
General of the Azerbaijani news agency “AzerTAdzh”, A.Aslanov.

January 19, 2012 Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov was in
Moscow on a working visit. He held talks with Russian Foreign Minister
Sergei Lavrov. An agreement on mutual provision of real estate for
placement of diplomatic missions in Azerbaijan and Russia was signed.

January 23, 2012 Ilham Aliyev paid a working visit to Russia (Sochi).

A meeting of the presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia over
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was held.

April 3-4, 2012 an official visit of Russian Foreign Minister
Sergei Lavrov took place, timed for the 20th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation
and the Republic of Azerbaijan. Lavrov was received by Ilham Aliyev,
had a meeting with Prime Minister A.Rasi-Zadeh and the chairman of
the Milli Majlis Asadov and held talks with the Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov. Following the talks, the
ministers adopted a joint statement. A presentation of the collection
of existing documents in Russian-Azerbaijani relations of 1992-2012 was
held. The Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs visited the Baku branch
of Moscow State University, where he met with students and teachers.

April 8-9, 2012 chairman of the Federation Council Valentina
Matviyenko was in Baku on an official visit. She met with President
Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister A.Rasi-Zadeh and the chairman of the
Milli Majlis Asadov, visited the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and was
awarded the title “Honorary Doctor” of Baku State University. During
the ceremony, Matviyenko made a speech to the faculty and students
of Baku State University.

June 20, 2012 the head of the Duma Committee on CIS Affairs and
Relations with Compatriots Leonid Slutsky was in Baku. He met with
President Ilham Aliyev and the head of the Milli Majlis Asadov.

July 7-9, 2012 Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin was in Baku on an official
visit. The President of Azerbaijan awarded Naryshkin the “Dostlug”
(“Friendship”) Order for outstanding achievements in the development
and strengthening of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and
Russia. At the same time, the Special Representative of the Russian
President for International Cultural Cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoi was
awarded the same Order. Naryshkin also held talks on the development
of bilateral relations with the chairman of the Milli Majlis Asadov
and met with the head of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan
R.Mehtiev and Bishop Alexander of Baku and Azerbaijan.

The Chairman of the State Duma of Russia took part in the graduation
ceremony of the first graduates of the Baku branch of Moscow State
University and met with students and faculty of the Baku Slavic
University, where he was awarded the title of Honorary Doctor of BSU.

On the eve of the visit to Baku, the first joint meeting was held of
the relevant committees – the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs and
Relations with Compatriots and the Committee on Foreign Relations and
Inter-parliamentary Relations of the Milli Majlis – which discussed
issues of cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two
countries.

August 15-16, 2012 Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin was
in Baku and was received by President Ilham Aliyev.

From: Baghdasarian

MARGARIAN SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Monday, July 29th, 2013

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif.-The Law Offices of Hovanes Margarian have
announced the winners of the 2013 Margarian Scholarship. According
to Armen Margarian, “The selection process was extremely difficult
in light of the large number of highly qualified applicants. We were
pleasantly surprised to have over 100 applicants, many of whom had
stellar academic records, extensive community service records and
a clear devotion to the Armenian heritage. Nevertheless, we had to
select only five winners and award them with $1,000 each.”

On August 20, 2013, all scholarship winners, applicants, letter of
recommendation writers, family members, friends, and all community
members at large, are cordially invited to attend the awards and
networking reception at Le Foyer Ballroom by LA Banquets.

“In the process of reviewing applications, interviewing some of the
semi-finalists, and trying to narrow down the list, we realized that
the biggest reward we could give the applicants was not the modest
financial award, but the opportunity to meet their fellow applicants –
the brightest, most driven, and most culturally aware young Armenians;
Armenians who all exhibit a passion and a clear dedication for the
Armenian heritage, culture and nation. The ideas of ‘power in unity’
and ‘strength in knowing the right people’ truly resonated in our
minds,” stated Hovanes Margarian.

It is with this objective in mind that the awards and networking
reception will be tailored to allow the winners, applicants and
prominent community members from various professions to meet and
network, say the event organizers. They want students to have
an unprecedented chance to develop mentorships, internships and
employment opportunities.

“We sincerely hope to have all community members join us in extending
to all applicants our guidance and support in future academic and
career endeavors. These students are the future of our community, of
Armenians both in the Diaspora and in our homeland. Their individual
success, coupled with their devotion to our common cause, is the
ultimate way to bring salvation to the Armenian people. This is why we
hope that the event will be well attended by established professionals
from various fields to provide the much needed support for the future
generation,” stated Hovanes Margarian. “Much too often our community
events are focused on prominent leaders and the students are left in
the shadows of those who have risen to the top. This event is about
putting the spotlight on the students,” added Margarian.

“We hope that our humble $1,000 contribution to these individuals’
education will help ease some of their financial burdens and allow
them to continue to excel, as they have to date. In light of the
extremely competitive applications, we have revised the categories
to award five individuals with equal $1,000 awards. It would be
unfair to distinguish between the five recipients, as each of them
has demonstrated merits of equal value. Once again, we congratulate
the scholarship award recipients and look forward to meeting you all
at the reception,” stated Armen Margarian.

The 2013 Margarian Scholarship winners, in no particular order, are:

The winners of the Margarian Scholarship (from left to right):
Ara Yeghikyan, Emma Dishoian, Hayk Mamajanyan, Ofelya Tevosian,
and Rafik Mughnetsian.

Ara Yeghikyan from Yerevan, Armenia: 2 years of military service on
the front line in Artsakh, distinguished academic record at University
Jean Moulin Lyon, France, French University of Armenia, Armenia,
and Yerevan State University, Armenia. Participation in many human
rights organizations/NGO’s, and much more.

Hayk Mamajanyan from Yerevan, Armenia: associate attorney at one
of Armenia’s premier international firms, Arlex International,
distinguished academic record at Yerevan State University, Armenia,
National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, and University of Oxford,
England. Various publications and involvement in pro bono services,
and much more.

Ofelya Tevosian from Los Angeles, CA: multitude of awards and
recognitions, distinguished academic record in high school, college
and at USC, extensive volunteering/internships, and much more.

Emma Dishoian from Los Angeles, CA: multitude of awards and
recognitions, distinguished academic record in high school and
college, admitted UCLA undergraduate, extensive community service,
and much more.

Rafik Mughnetsian from Los Angeles, CA: multitude of awards and
recognitions, distinguished academic record in high school and at UCI,
extensive community service, including service to the Western Diocese
of the Armenian Church, and much more.

All interested in attending the awards reception are encouraged to
RSVP online at margarianscholarship-efbevent.eventbrite.com. Admission
is free to all. Hosting will be provided complimentary by LA Banquets.

From: Baghdasarian