Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

Young people from 15 countries discussing water management problems in Yerevan

YEREVAN, May 13. /ARKA/. About 100 young people from Canada and CE
countries, including Armenia, Belgium, Croatia, Turkey, Holland,
France, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, Germany and Moldova are currently
taking part in the 11th European Youth Parliament for Water in
Yerevan.

Armenian speaker and honorable guest of the meeting Hovik Abrahamyan
said Armenia has abundant water resources and its water resource
management is assessed as high.

Abrahamyan said Armenia can share its experience with European countries.

A youth parliament for water has been operating in Armenia since three
years ago. The parliament holds intense discussions on water problems
and submits its proposals to the National Assembly, the speaker said.

Head of Armenia’s State Water committee Andranik Andreasyan, in his
turn, said effective water resource management is among key problems
in the world.

`It is extremely important that the young generation is involved in
seeking solutions to these problems. International cooperation is of
key importance to Armenia’, Andreasyan said.

According to the president of the European Youth Parliament for Water
Maria Yermilova, water and democracy is the same. `Both have crucial
importance for the humankind’, she said.

The European Youth Parliament for Water was founded in 1998 to support
youth initiatives on environmental education, exchange of experience
and seeking solutions to environmental problems on a global level.-0 –

From: Baghdasarian

US and UK underestimated the viability of Syria – Armenian analyst

May 13, 2013 | 16:43

YEREVAN. – Tehran’s policy on Syria will not change after the
presidential elections in Iran, political analyst Gagik Harutyunyan
told reporters on Monday.

Harutyunyan, head of Noravank research center, said the result of the
presidential elections in Iran in some way may change the policy
toward Israel and the United States.

`For example, one of the numerous candidates for the presidency
recognizes the existence of Holocaust. He is well treated by the U.S.
However, it is just a little nuance, since any Iranian politician
realizes that as soon as Syria falls it will be the turn of Iran,’
political analyst said.

He also stressed that the U.S. and UK underestimated the viability of
Syria, as a whole, and Bashar al-Assad, in particular.

`Today, they are trying more actively to find a solution to this
problem. On the one hand, the Syrian state has appeared in a situation
in which military actions take place, and on the other hand this war
may last forever,’ he added.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: Baghdasarian

Armenian fish production starts to enjoy greater demand in Russia

17:16, 13 May, 2013

YEREVAN, MAY 13, ARMENPRESS: In the first three months of the year of
2013 the volumes of export of fresh or frozen fish from the Republic
of Armenia to the Russian Federation have increased by about 27% in
comparison with the same period of the previous year.

As reported by Armenpress, during the first three months of 2013 263,7
tons of fresh or frozen fish was exported to Russia with the total
customs value exceeding 2 million 100,000 USD.

By the data provided by the State Revenue Committee at the Government
of the Republic of Armenia, in the same period of 2012 206,5 tons of
fish was exported from Armenia to Russia.

In 2012 the total volumes of the export from the Republic of Armenia
made 1 billion 428 million USD, 280 million USD from which makes the
export to the Russian Federation.

From: Baghdasarian

Turkish fighter jet reportedly crashes near Syrian border

May 13, 2013 – 17:26 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Contact with a Turkish F-16 jet fighter that was
flying over the Amanos Mountains in the southern province of Osmaniye
near the Syrian border was lost on May 13 afternoon, according to
Hurriyet Daily News.

“We have received information that the jet crashed in the Yarpuz
region of the Amanos Mountains in the direction toward Hatay,”
Osmaniye Gov. Celalettin Cerrah said.
The pilot sent a message saying “I’m jumping” before radio contact was
lost, said a written statement from the Turkish Armed Forces.

The jet, which is based at the 5th Main Jet Command in the northern
province of Amasya, was performing a mission flight over the area.

A search and rescue mission to locate the pilot and the debris is
continuing, Gov. Cerrah said.

A Turkish military plane was shot down off of Syria’s Mediterranean
coast by Syria in June 2012, leaving two soldiers dead.

From: Baghdasarian

I am fascinated by what I saw – Belarus emergency minister visits
Armenian ministry (PHOTOS)

May 13, 2013 | 14:04

YEREVAN. – Belarusian Minister of Emergency Situations Vladimir
Vashchenko, who is in Armenia as part of the delegation led by Belarus
President Alexander Lukashenko, visited Monday the Armenian Ministry
of Emergency Situations (MES).

Vashchenko was received by Minister Armen Yeritsyan, MES press service
informs. Yeritsyan briefed his Belarusian colleague on the main
activities, technical condition, accomplishments, and development
prospect of MES.

The Belarusian minister toured the ministry, and paid visits to the
MES Clinic and the Crisis Management Center. In the latter, a direct
Internet connection was established with the operational officer on
duty at the Belarus Ministry of Emergency Situations.

`I am fascinated by what I saw. I am confident that in the case of any
emergency incident, this agency will stand with the people and provide
the necessary assistance,’ Vladimir Vashchenko said, in particular.

`We move forward here by working together. I believe the coworkers of
our ministries will cooperate more closely. I have faith that our
interaction will continue to remain at a high level,’ Armen Yeritsyan
specifically noted, in his turn.

From: Baghdasarian

Flights from Podgorica to Yerevan to start from July 11

13:28, 13 May, 2013

YEREVAN, May 13, ARMENPRESS: The Montenegrin national carrier will
launch flights from Podgorica to the Armenian capital Yerevan this
summer, linking the two cities for the first time. As reports
Armenpress referring to Balkans.com, Montenegro Airlines will operate
scheduled charters between the two capitals starting from July 11
every Thursday until the end of August. The flights are being
organised by the Armenian Sputnik tour operator as well as local tour
operators Globus Tours and Talas M. Montenegro Airlines will operate
the service with one of its Fokker 100s.

A return ticket for the inaugural service will amount to 500 euros or
300 euros one way. Subsequent flights will set passengers back 570
euros return or 380 euros one way. Armenia has never had air links to
any of the republics of the former Yugoslavia. Recently, the Armenian
national carrier, Armavia, declared bankruptcy, leaving the country
without links to several large markets. Throughout the summer
Montenegro Airlines operates charters to several destinations mainly
in Italy – Ancona, Bari, Brindisi and Napoli.

From: Baghdasarian

Black Sabbath guitarist Toni Iommi asks his fans to vote for Dorians
in Eurovision semi-final

13:06 13.05.2013

Legendary British rock musician, Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi
recorded a video asking his European fans to vote for Armenian Dorians
rock band in the semi-final of Eurovision song contest on May 16.

The video is posted on Dorians official site on YouTube:

The video is accompanied by the following comment on the musician’s
official site –

`The first part of our world tour is over and we are heading home,
hurrah! Before we head out again with Sabbath, there’s something for
those of you based in Europe I need help with – check out the clip
below’.

Tony Iommi is the co-writer of Lonely Planet song for Dorians which
will represent Armenia in Eurovision.

An interview with Tony Iommi titled `I’ll be cheering on Armenia in
Eurovision semis’ was published in Birmingham Mail on May 12.

From: Baghdasarian

“Retro”: Sevan Peninsula can still become “green umbrella”

11:32, 13 May, 2013

This time “Retro” exclusive project introduced by “Armenpress” on the
news history and historical news is dedicated to the Sevan Peninsula
and particularly present and past tree planting, necessary activities,
certain lapses and lacks, and their efficiency as well. Yet in 1981
“Armenpress” stated that the complex arrangement of the resort area
launched in Sevan.

The Sevan Peninsula continues to attract the attention of the tourists
due to a number of reasons

YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. The Sevan Peninsula remains an
interesting place for the tourists visiting Armenia and it has become
a tradition to include it in the list of the places, which must be
seen by all means. According to the Deputy Director of “Sevan National
Park” State Non-Commercial Organization Vahe Gulanyan first of all
this is conditioned by the convenient geographical position and the
historical monuments located in this territory. Besides that, its
popularity also plays a significant role. Also he noted: “There is an
ethnic attraction and ethnic charm in the people.”

The Sevan Peninsula – “green umbrella”

In 1981 it was planned to turn the peninsula into a unique “green
umbrella” for the lake. Among other things the Deputy Director of
“Sevan National Park” State Non-Commercial Organization Vahe Gulanyan
noted: “We are not too far from the realization of that objective. The
territory is quite green and it is covered with trees and shrubs.
There are no serious cases of abuse.” (THE FULL VERSION OF THE ARTICLE
IS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN)

Arusik Zakharyan found the connection between the old and new

From: Baghdasarian

Elections
John Heffern demande à l’opposition arménienne d’être plus active

« Les partis d’opposition arméniens devraient se battre davantage et
de façon plus agressive pour gagner des voix s’ils veulent faire mieux
lors des prochaines élections », a déclaré vendredi 10 mai John
Heffern, l’ambassadeur américain à Erevan.

« Tous les partis doivent avoir les mêmes règles et doivent avoir
accès à la presse – et il y a eu quelques progrès dans ce domaine –
pour que les élections soient libres et équitables. Il faut aussi que
les bulletins de vote soient comptés correctement et avec précision,
a-t-il déclaré aux journalistes. Et cela exige que tous les rapports
faisant état de violations du code électoral doivent permettre
d’ouvrir une enquête pour vérifier ces informations. Il faut que les
partis d’opposition soient agressifs, qu’ils s’affirment et qu’ils
démontrent qu’ils travaillent dur pour gagner les voix du peuple
arménien », a ajouté Heffern.

« Par le terme agressif, je veux dire actif. Je veux dire qu’il faut
être actif pacifiquement et tenter de gagner les élections », a
précisé le diplomate.

Les Etats-Unis ont suivi de près toutes les grandes élections
arméniennes, y compris celles du 5 mai à Erevan. Heffern a rencontré
au moins deux dirigeants de l’opposition, Levon Ter-Petrossian et
Raffi Hovannisian, dans la perspective de ces élections.

Levon Ter-Petrossian et Hovannisian ont rejeté les résultats
officiels. Le Congrès national arménien de Ter-Petrosian (HAK) affirme
que le changement de gouvernement par le biais des élections est
devenu pratiquement impossible.

lundi 13 mai 2013,
Laetitia ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

BOSTON YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS COMMEMORATE GENOCIDE
By Lilly Torosyan

May 12, 2013

A scene from the commemoration
BOSTON, Mass.-On April 23, the Armenian General Benevolent Union Young
Professionals (AGBU-YT) of Boston and the Armenian Youth Federation
(AYF) Greater Boston “Nejdeh” Chapter hosted a candlelight vigil at
the Armenian Heritage Park in downtown Boston to commemorate the 98th
anniversary of the genocide. Despite the poor weather conditions, a
hundred-strong crowd gathered to honor the victims together.

Armine Afeyan of the AGBU-YP and Nairi Khachatourian of the AYF
initiated the proceedings by thanking everyone, on behalf of their
organizations, for coming. Afeyan spoke about the tragedy that befell
the city the week before on Marathon Monday, and how all victims of
violence should be honored. Khachatourian spoke about the genocide and
why it is important to continue remembering and honoring those who
lost their lives.

Fr. Vasken A. Kouzouian of the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church
in Cambridge recited “Our Lord’s Prayer” in Armenian, and blessed
victims of terrorism and genocide everywhere, specifically the victims
of the Boston bombing and the Armenian Genocide. Following this, David
Babikian read one of Zabel Yesayan’s poems in English, and Meghri
Dervartanian read Paruyr Sevak’s “We Are Few” poem.

The event concluded with a duduk rendition of “Der Voghormia” by
Martin Haroutunian of the Musaner and Arev Folk Ensembles, and by
David Gevorkian of Rhode Island.

This marked the first genocide commemoration at the Armenian Heritage
Park, which was completed last May.

From: Baghdasarian