Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

Wounded Armenian soldier’s condition assessed as serious, but stable

March 23, 2013 – 16:13 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Wounded Armenian soldier Sargis Karapetyan’s
condition is assessed as serious, but stable, defense ministry
spokesman Artsrun Hovannisyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.
On March 22, Armenian army soldier Sargis Karapetyan, 1985, received a
gunshot wound in the head due to careless handling of service weapon.
He was taken to Agarak town hospital, and later to the Central
Military Hospital due to sudden deterioration of his condition.
As senior officer of defense ministry’s investigative service Meri
Sargsyan told PanARMENIAN.Net a criminal case has been instigated
under Article 373 of Criminal Code of Armenia.

From: Baghdasarian

FOOTBALL
Les 20 sélectionnés Arméniens pour Arménie-République tchèque de mardi

Le sélectionneur national arménien Vartan Minassian a publié la liste
des 20 joueurs retenus pour le match entre l’Arménie et la République
tchèque, le 26 mars (20 heures) au stade Républicain (Vazken
Sarkissian) d’Erévan. Rencontre comptant pour les qualifications de la
Coupe du Monde 2014 (zone Europe).

Les joueurs Arméniens retenus pour ce match international
Arménie-République tchèque sont les gardiens Roman Berezovski («
Dynamo » Moscou, Russie), Kévork Kasparov (« Zop Ahan », Iran), Arthur
Haroutiounian (« Chirag » Gumri, Arménie) ; les défenseurs Robert
Arzoumanian (« Aktopé », Kazakhstan), Valéry Alexanian (« Sanat Naft
», Iran), Artiom Khatchaturov (« Sherif », Moldavie), Kamo
Hovhannissian (« Piunig » Erévan, Arménie), Ardak Yedigarian (« Piunig
» Erévan, Arménie), Varaztad Haroyan (« Piunig » Erévan, Arménie),
Arthur Avakian (« Kantsassar » Ghapan, Arménie) ; les milieux de
terrain Karen Mouradian (« Chirag » Gumri, Arménie), Henikh
Mekhitarian (« Chakhtior » Donetsk, Ukraine), Kevork Ghazarian («
Metalurg » Donetsk, Ukraine), David Manoyan (« Piunig » Erévan,
Arménie), Marcos Pizeli (« Kouban » Krasnodar, Russie), Zaven Badoyan
(« Bate » Borissov, Belarus), Edgar Malakian (« Dynamo » Tcheské
Bouteyovitse, République tchèque) ; et les attaquants Youra Movsissian
(« Spartak » Moscou, Russie), Arthur Sarkissov (« Volga », Russie),
Edgar Manoutcharian (« Oural », Russie).

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 23 mars 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

Informations adressées aux abonnés de l’ACAM et à leurs amis
——————————————
Chers amis,

Vendredi 12 avril 2013

L’Association Culturelle Arménienne de Marne-la-Vallée (ACAM)
et
Le Yan’s Club

vous invitent à la soirée de présentation du livre
« Jean Mardikian et la bande dessinée d’Angoulême au mont Ararat »
de Michèle Armanet
Éditions Le Croît Vif, 2013
en présence de l’éditeur François Julien-Labruyère et de l’auteure
Le vendredi 12 avril 2013, à partir de 20 heures

Au programme :
20 h 00 : dédicace de Jean Mardikian
20 h 30 : présentation du livre par Michèle Armanet et Jean Mardikian
21 h 00 : Le festival de la BD à Erevan par Laurent Mélikian, journaliste spécialisé BD
21 h 12 : La BD en arménien
22 h 00 : Dîner amical au Club

P.S. Jean est un ancien du Collège arménien de Sèvres, il sera heureux à cette occasion de rencontrer ses camarades et tous ses amis.

Réservation pour le dîner : Yan’s Club, tél. 01 45 85 20 48
Information : ACAM, tél. 09 51 73 50 33

Adresse : Yan’s Club, 5 avenue Reille, 75014 Paris
M° Glacière, RER B Cité universitaire, Bus 21,83
——————————————

Mise à jour du site
La Bibliographie est passée à 918 auteurs pour 1 831 ouvrages
Consultez notre base de données bibliographiques.
Lien direct :

——————————————
Adhésion à l’Association (ou renouvèlement)
Les bulletins d’adhésion pour personnes physiques ou morales sont en ligne sur le site.
Adhérez à l’ACAM, maintenant !

——————————————
Publication du Bulletin de l’ACAM, Juillet-Décembre 2012, numéro 80
Sommaire :
– Editorial, par Annie Pilibossian, présidente de l’ACAM
– Activités de l’ACAM : Commémoration du génocide à Charenton-le-Pont ; Télévision : notre présidente à la télévision bulgare “SKAT”
– Culture : Exposition Le livre arménien de la Renaissance aux Lumières : une culture en diaspora, à la Bibliothèque Mazarine à Paris
– Livres : Livres en arménien, livres en français, Notes de lecture
– Carnet : Disparitions
Lien direct vers le Bulletin :

Association Culturelle Arménienne de Marne-la-Vallée

From: Baghdasarian

EUROPEAN CHAMPION IN FREESTYLE AND GRECO-ROMAN WRESTLING DAVID SAFARYAN VISITED “HAYARTUN” CULTURAL CENTRE

21:59, 22 March, 2013

YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS: In the morning of March 21, a delegation
of athletes from the Republic of Armenia, participants of held these
days in Tbilisi the European Championship in Freestyle and Greco-Roman
wrestling, visited the “Hayartun” Cultural Centre of the Diocese of
the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in Georgia. European champion
in freestyle wrestling David Safaryan, his coach Araik Baghdadyan,
and sportscaster on Armenian Public broadcasting Karen Giloyan were
among the guests. Clergymen of Surb Etchmiadzin Church in Tbilisi,
“Hayartun” Cultural Centre staff and the students of the Movses
Khorenatsi kindergarten, functioning at the “Hayartun” Cultural Centre,
who were gathered in the churchyard of Surb Etchmiadzin Church,
greeted the delegation.

As Armenrpess was informed from the press service of Diocese of
the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in Georgia, after receiving
the blessing from the Pastor of Surb Echmiadzin Church Father Manuk
Zeinalayan, guests accompanied by Levon Chidilyan, the Coordinator of
the “Hayartun” Cultural Center, visited the Center. Then a conversation
with the staff members of the “Hayartun” Cultural Center and the
Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in Georgia was
held. Everybody with great interest listened to the story of the
guests about the sport life, hard work and workouts of European
champion David Safarian, a 66 kg weight class freestyle wrestler,
who on 19th of March, on the first day of competition, defeated Gor
Jakub of Turkey and won the gold medal of the European championship.

Tengiz Mikoyants, the Armenian famous artist from Tbilisi, handed
his painting of Tbilisi to the gold medal winner David Safaryan.

The guests left the “Hayartun” Cultural Centre with bright impressions
and best wishes of new victories from the compatriots.

From: Baghdasarian

VAN TO YEREVAN FLIGHTS SET TO BYPASS BLOCKED BORDERS

Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
March 23 2013

Private Borajet company readies to start direct flights from Turkey’s
Van city to Armenian capital Yerevan, opening the first of a kind
route between eastern Turkey and Armenia due to closed borders

Direct flights from the Turkish city of Van to the Armenian capital
Yerevan will start to operate on April 3, despite closed borders,
marking the first of a kind for Turkey’s eastern cities.

The flights, approved by both Turkish and Armenian authorities, will
be hosted by the private Borajet company. Passengers will be boarded
on planes that can hold up to 67 passengers and the journey will take
about 45 minutes. Tickets will cost around $200.

“This is a private flight and the authority that gives permission for
this flight is the Directorate General of Civil Aviation,” Turkish
Foreign Ministry officials said, declining any further comment.

Azerbaijani Parliament speaker Ziyafat Asgarov said it was necessary
to examine the issue more thoroughly before commenting.

“One must take into account that Turkey is protecting Azerbaijan’s
fair interests and has not opened its border with Armenia up to now,”
he was quoted as saying by AzerNews website.

“Turkey is not going to open the border with Armenia in the future. As
far as I know, this flight will be made by a private airline. In
any case, we have the right to know why this has happened. I think
statements will probably be made in connection with this issue
[by Turkey].”

Van Trade Association head Ayhan Fidan told the Hurriyet Daily
News that they expected a high demand for the planned flights. “As
businessmen in Van we want to trade with Armenia, and the main cause
behind these flights is trade,” Fidan said. “However we do not see
the same excitement from the other side yet.”

Cultural interaction

Cultural interaction will also benefit from the flights, he added.

“When the [Ahtamar] church on our island was opened, Van became an
appealing touristic destination. Armenia and its diaspora have shown
real interest in such cultural tourism,” he said. Fidan also said Iran
was initially part of the route, but that the destination was removed
by Iranian authorities in March. Flights to Armenia had previously
taken off from Istanbul, Antalya and Bodrum, but the new route will
not create negative competition, according to the owner of Borajet.

“I don’t think these flights will last very long. They will mostly
be used by tourists. Perhaps in the summer there may be an interest
coming from the diaspora too,” said Dikran Altun, the owner of Towertur
which already operates flights between Istanbul and Yerevan.

In addition to air travel, bus rides from Istanbul to Yerevan are
operated every week.

March/22/2013

From: Baghdasarian

TURKEY INVITES WARY MINORITIES TO RETURN FROM EXILE

Assyrian International News Agency AINA
March 21 2013

Representatives of non-Muslims who have emigrated from Anatolia have
responded to the call by Minister of Culture and Tourism Omer Celik
for them to return home. They say they are hopeful but in practice,
there are still many questions to answer.

President Abdullah Gul, while receiving a Syriac [Assyrian] delegation,
said, “Do not forget this land.” President Gul took Syriac Orthodox
Metropolitan Yusuf Cetin with him on his recent visit to Sweden. Celik
issued a call “to return home” to the non-Muslims who have left
Anatolia. Minister of State and Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc
had taken Laki Vingas of the Greek community with him to Germany in
2010 and 2013.

Minority representatives agree that their inclusion in official
delegations and recent statements has given them hope, but that the
reality is not quite so rosy.

Sait Susin, the president of the Syriac Virgin Mary Church Foundation,
discussed President Gul’s visit to Sweden. Looking at the problem from
a practical viewpoint, he said, “It is hard for a child who grew up
in that culture to return.” Susin said there had been many complaints
about land surveys carried out after 2006, noting, “There is the
question of the Mor Gabriel monastery, where laws have broken the
Lausanne Treaty, a situation which is well known in school textbooks.

In order for minorities to return, these issues must first be
resolved.” He agreed that there have been serious improvements in last
10 years, and added, “There are problems that can be solved through
dialogue. We believe that the state and government are serious.”

Evgil Turker, the chairman of the Federation of Syriac Associations,
evaluated what was said by Celik during his Moscow visit. Turker
said Syriacs are disappointed by legal cases pertaining to the land
surveys. Syriacs were particularly upset with the ruling on the Mor
Gabriel monastery. Turker, who had settled in Midyat after living
abroad for many years, said he believes the sincerity of appeals by
politicians, but there remains one reservation: “Christian minorities
in particular are seen as traitors. Starting with the bureaucracy,
they have to understand and explain the problems of Syriacs. The
state banned the use of the word ‘infidel,’ but the mentality remains.”

Laki Vingas, who represents the Foundations of Minority Communities,
described Celik’s remarks as “very interesting and courageous.” He
went on to say, “We are in a dynamic process and there are serious
openings. For years we were forced to live in isolation. Even if
practical problems continue, such remarks are reaffirmations of good
intentions, while they also require responsibility. Nevertheless,
the adoption of such good will and policies promises to bring us joy
and peace.”

According to Vingas, in practice it won’t be easy to generate an
immediate response to the call to return: “You have to think of
infrastructure questions. You have to clarify who you are addressing
and to what period you are referring when saying ‘return.’ Never mind
the 1915 altercation [with Greece], Syriac villages were evacuated not
long ago. Those who want to return have problems. The Greek community
at Gokceada has problems. Until a year ago, an Orthodox Christian
could not buy property from a Muslim. We have been waiting for three
years for the school to open. There are Armenians living in Malatya
and Sivas, but they have no place of worship.”

Pay attention to problems

Priest Saliba Erden, who came to Turkey in 2004 and settled in the
Basibrin village of Idil, said, “We want tranquility. We will pray
for anyone who provides it.” Erden added: “They come from Europe,
repair their homes but they don’t have much faith in security. They
want to return but they don’t feel secure as there is no peace. We
came here and live with it. We know the situation and that it is
not easy to live here. Those in Europe have been asking me and I say
there is still some risk. I cannot say to those who want to return,
‘All is well, come, you are welcome.’ I simply can’t say to anyone
it is time to return.”

There will be no mass return

The press officer of the Union of Turks in Israel, Rafael Sadi, said,
“It is a pleasant call that warms your spirits” but added that it
will not be easy for those who had emigrated to return.

“Nevertheless, it is a pleasant feeling to know that the door is open.

However, nobody should really expect a mass return,” he said. He
drew attention to the past: “What happened in the past should not
be forgotten. Will the minister say, for example, that the unfair
taxes imposed under ‘Wealth Tax’ will be compensated for? Or will he
say that he will restore the properties lost in the Thrace events or
others which were forcibly sold for a pittance?”

A call to the Kurds

Garo Paylan, an official in Armenian institutions, said, “Those who
left did not leave out of choice.” For him, a return depends primarily
on amending the conditions that made it impossible for them to live
on this land. Paylan, who said they cannot yet see anything concrete,
suggested, “If the solution process that is much debated these days
can be formulated not as a reconciliation of Kurds with Turks, but
as reconciliation of all peoples who were forced to leave this land,
then you may be providing the conditions that will enable the people
who have been made stateless to return.” Paylan said they are awaiting
just such a move both from the government and the Kurdish movement.

By Enis Tayman AL Monitor

Translated from Radikal (Turkey).

From: Baghdasarian

BOMB THREAT MADE AGAINST ARMENIAN HOME

Pascack Valley Community Life (Bergen, North Jersey)
March 21, 2013

by Lisa Spear

The Emerson Police Department is investigating a bomb threat that was
made last Friday morning at the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation
Center.

According to the center’s administrator, Mathew Russo, the front
desk of the facility received a phone call on March 15 stating,
“I’m gonna be putting a bomb in there today, so be ready to run.”

The center immediately called the threat in to the Emerson Police
Department at 11:20 a.m. After the call, three police units and a
Bergen County Police K-9 unit were dispatched to the scene, Emerson
Police Captain George Buono said.

The facility’s staff prepared for a possible evacuation, Russo said,
but after a police search, no signs of any explosives were detected,
and the evacuation was called off. The residents of the facility were
not notified of the bomb threat, Russo added.

At 1:30 p.m., Buono said, police determined that the building was safe.

The Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has already taken
measures to upgrade security, Russo said, but he does not want to
disclose them to the public at this time.

“I am beyond proud of my staff and the way that they conducted
themselves during this crisis,” said Russo, who worked with maintenance
staff to search the outside of the building.

An investigation by the Emerson Police Department is ongoing.

From: Baghdasarian

ENP COUNTRY PROGRESS REPORT 2012 – AZERBAIJAN

Premium Official News
March 20, 2013 Wednesday

The Humane Society of the United States has issued the following
news release:

The European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for
Foreign Affairs and Security Policy published on 20 March 2013 the
annual “neighbourhood package”, consisting of a joint communication
(“Towards a Stronger Partnership”) making an assessment of the ENP
implementation in 2012, a report on the “Partnership for Democracy and
Shared prosperity” with Southern Mediterranean, an Eastern Partnership
progress report, 12 country reports (on developments in 2012 and with
a set of recommendations for the future), including one on Azerbaijan,
and a statistical annex.

Overall, despite progress compared to the past, Azerbaijan needs to
continue its efforts in order to meet its commitments on democracy,
including electoral processes, the protection of human rights and
fundamental freedoms, and the independence of the judicial system.

Negotiations on an Association Agreement gained momentum in September,
following several months of little progress. The macro-economic
fundamentals of the Azerbaijani economy remained largely positive
but corruption continued to be an obstacle to economic diversification.

Azerbaijan addressed only a few of the key recommendations contained
in the last year’s ENP progress report. It started implementing the
Human Rights Action Plan, continued judicial reform and took some
steps to address the problem of demolitions and forced evictions. It
did not cooperate with rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe on political prisoners. Progress is needed also
on the other key recommendations. On the basis of this year’s report
and with a view to the sustained implementation of the ENP Action
Plan in 2013, Azerbaijan is invited to:

Ensure implementation of the January 2013 resolution of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on the honouring of
obligations and commitments by Azerbaijan.

Continue implementation of the Human Rights Action Plan adopted in
December 2011.

Step up efforts with Armenia to reach agreement on the Madrid
Principles, in accordance with the commitments made by the Presidents
of Armenia and Azerbaijan within the Minsk Group.

Ensure unimpeded access to representatives of the EU to Nagorno
Karabakh and surrounding regions in support of conflict transformation
activities in full complementarity with the Minsk Group activities.

Promote an environment conducive to progress in the conflict
settlement, encourage and support related peace-building activities.

Adopt the Law on Defamation which provides for the abolition of
criminal liability for defamation and insult.

Bring electoral legislation into line with the OSCE/ODIHR
recommendations and ensure effective implementation.

Continue to bring legislation on freedom of assembly, freedom of
association and freedom of the media into line with international
standards, and ensure its implementation.

Step up efforts to investigate cases of harassment against journalists
and activists.

Step up efforts to make the judiciary independent.

Address outstanding issues in public financial management, notably
on transparency and accountability in relation to the budget cycle.

Reforms initiated, carried out successfully, or delayed during
2012 in the different areas of cooperation between the EU and
Azerbaijan are described in the annual country report. Some of the
issues reported deserve special attention. Azerbaijan needs to make
significant further efforts to meet its commitments in building
deep and sustainable democracy, including electoral processes,
the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms and the
independence of the judicial system. Azerbaijan finalised its
second anti-corruption strategy. Citizens are asked to inform
the authorities about corruption, notably via hotlines. Corruption
continues to be the main obstacle to development of entrepreneurship
and economic diversification in Azerbaijan. Progress was noticed in
fighting against money laundering and trafficking of human beings. An
increasing number of Azerbaijani students and researchers benefited
from different European programmes in the education area. Negotiations
between Armenia and Azerbaijan to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
regrettably slowed down in 2012.

EU-Azerbaijan – BACKGROUND

THE POLICY

The European Neighbourhood Policy governs the relations between the EU
and Azerbaijan. Since 2009 the EU implements the Eastern Partnership,
the Eastern dimension of the ENP framework, aiming at substantially
upgrading engagement with the six Eastern neighbours via:

a Bilateral track, whose objectives include the establishing of
Association Agreements with Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas,
once conditions have been met, as well as progress on visa and mobility
issues, and

a Multilateral track (i.e. intergovernmental platforms and Flagship
Initiatives).

This approach allows for gradual political association and deeper
economic integration.

FACTS AND FIGURES

1999: Entry into force of the EU-Azerbaijan Partnership and Cooperation
Agreement.

2006: Approval of the EU-Azerbaijan Action Plan.

2006: EU-Azerbaijan Memorandum of Understanding on a strategic
partnership in the field of energy.

2009: Azerbaijan ratified the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection
and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions

2009: Neighbourhood Investment Facility – Azerbaijan is eligible
for three regional projects for a total value of EUR 24 million in
support of the energy and the private sectors

2007-2010: The ENPI1 envelope for Azerbaijan stands at EUR 88 million

1010: Launch of the Association Agreement negotiations with the EU.

2011-13: The new National Indicative Programme (NIP) 2011-13 for
Azerbaijan was adopted in May 2010 and has a budget of EUR 122.5
million. The programme is geared towards supporting the achievement
of key policy objectives as outlined in the EU-Azerbaijan Action Plan
and pursues three priorities: (1) democratic structures and good
governance, (2) socio-economic reform and sustainable development,
trade and investment, regulatory approximation and reform and
(3) Partnership and Co-operation agreement and ENP Action Plan
implementation, including in the in the areas of energy security,
mobility and security.

2011: Joint EU – Azerbaijan Declaration on the Southern Gas Corridor.

For more information please visit:

From: Baghdasarian

AZERBAIJAN TO DO EVERYTHING TO ACHIEVE PROGRESS IN KARABAKH SETTLEMENT – ALIEV

ITAR-TASS, Russia
March 19, 2013 Tuesday 11:11 PM GMT+4

– Azerbaijan will use every opportunity to achieve progress in
negotiations on settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliev said on the occasion of Novruz
Bayram, the arrival of spring holiday, on Tuesday.

“The situation of neither war nor peace cannot suit us. Azerbaijan
has been using and will use every opportunity to achieve progress in
negotiations and the problem’s earliest settlement,” the Azeri head
of state said. He explained that any steps towards the conflict’s
settlement should be based on principles of international law.

“Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity recognized by the world community
should be unconditionally restored,” Aliev said, noting there was no
alternative solution to the conflict.

“Azerbaijan will never accept the current situation,” the Azeri
president stressed.

From: Baghdasarian

HOVANNISIAN CALLS FOR ‘COMPREHENSIVE POWER SHARING’

Friday, March 22nd, 2013

Hovannisian shows the document to the people before presenting his
“final” proposal

YEREVAN-Opposition candidate Raffi Hovannisian on Friday offered what
he called “the authorities’ last chance” to come together and creating
a new Armenia, by reading a document, which among other points calls
for “comprehensive power sharing” with the authorities.

“The time for change has come,” Hovannisian told thousands of people
gathered at Liberty Square. “Either the authorities will change
their attitude toward the people, or the people will rise to change
their authorities once and for all. One way or the other, on April 9,
we shall have our New Armenia.”

The document, which after being read was dispatched to the
president’s office, put forth two options: the immediate conduct of
new presidential elections; or a comprehensive power-sharing deal
between the authorities and “the people.”

The document, distributed by Hovannisian’s campaign headquarters reads:

A. The immediate conduct of new presidential elections; or

B. The sharing of power between the authorities and the people

1. The conduct, by the end of the year, of snap parliamentary
elections. The implementation, before then, of revisions in the
Election Code-to eliminate the majoritarian electoral system and
to realize a transition to a completely proportional system; to
allow for the publication of lists of citizens who actually voted;
to reinstate the political-party principle in the formation of the
Central Election Commission and district election commissions; to
secure the participation of citizens living abroad or to ensure the
removal of their names from the voter lists.

2. The removal of at least five regional governors, to be replaced
by candidates proposed by Raffi K. Hovannisian.

3. The removal of all city and village mayors who violated the law and
their own authority in falsification of the outcome of the February
18 elections.

4. The prosecution of all election falsifiers, including governors,
mayors, party organizers, and other officials.

5. The appointment of candidates proposed by Raffi K. Hovannisian to
head the following ministries and government offices:

a. Prosecutor General

b. Tax and Customs

c. National Security

d. Ministry of Foreign Affairs

e. Education and Science

f. Oversight Chamber

g. Justice Council

h. Anti-Corruption Commission

This contract is indivisible and is subject to bilateral signature.

Its provisions shall remain in force until the conclusion of the snap
parliamentary elections.

Joining Hovannisian, who is on the 12th day of a hunger strike, were
his parents Richard and Vartiter and daughter Shushi, as well as
representatives of major political forces, civic activists and others.

From: Baghdasarian