Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

MARKET BASKET VALUE TOTALS AMD 52 038 IN ARMENIA

February 7, 2013 – 16:05 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The total value of the consumer basket for Q4,
2012 amounted to AMD 52 038, growing by 3,2% as compared with Q3.

As the National Statistical Service of Armenia, the total value of
consumer basket comprised AMD 624 464 on a yearly basis.

Minimal market basket in Armenia includes bread (annual consumption
norm 91,3 kg); meat products (36,5 kg); sugar (18,3 kg); dairy
products, eggs (182,5 pieces); vegetable oil (7,3 kg); fish (11 kg);
margarine (3,7 kg).

From: Baghdasarian

BODY OF AMERICAN WOMAN KILLED IN TURKEY AND TAKEN TO ARMENIAN CHURCH WILL BE SENT TO US

February 06, 2013 | 16:51

ISTANBUL. – The body of American Sarai Sierra-who was found murdered in
Turkey and transported to the Armenian Surp Yerortutyun (Holy Trinity)
Church in Istanbul after an autopsy-will be sent back to US.

Tekin Seker, who is taking care of the matters with respect to
transferring Sierra’s body, informed that the body will be taken
from the Armenian church to Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport,
on Wednesday evening, and it will be sent back to the United States
on the next day, Istanbul’s Agos Armenian bilingual weekly reports.

To note, Sarai Sierra, 33, a mother of two boys, had gone to Istanbul
on January 7 all alone. The news about her disappearance in Istanbul
became known when her husband had waited for her return on January 21,
but she did not come back.

The Turkish police have detained fifteen people in connection with
Sierra’s murder.

From: Baghdasarian

SARKISIAN’S ‘YEGHERN’ REMARK DRAWS HARSH CRITICISM FROM ARMENIA, DIASPORA

February 7, 2013

YEREVAN (A.W.)-President Sarkisian’s remark on the campaign trail
about the term “Yeghern” has drawn harsh criticism in Armenia and
the Diaspora.

President Sarkisian delivering a speech on army day earlier this year.

(File photo) Speaking at the Malatia district of Yerevan on Feb. 5,
Sarkisian said, “[The] words ‘genocide’ and ‘yeghern’ are the same,
and even by not pronouncing the word ‘genocide,’ the U.S. President
has said everything,” reported Armenpress.

Sarkisian was referring to President Obama’s statements on Armenian
Genocide commemoration day in recent years, where the latter
consistently avoided the term “genocide,” employing the expression
“Meds Yeghern” (Great Crime) instead.

“It’s true, we too use the expression ‘Medz Yeghern,’ but not in
order to avoid the term ‘genocide,’ which is a crime against humanity
accordingly to international law,” ARF Hai Tahd (Armenian Cause)
Central Office director Giro Manoyan told iLur.am.

Dr. Ara Papian, director of the Modus Vivendi center in Yerevan,
also criticized the President for the comment, telling iLur.am that
Yeghern is not a legal term in international law. “‘Medz Yeghern’
means genocide for us, but it doesn’t mean genocide to the rest of
the world,” he noted.

“Perhaps the president needs a refresher course-or a tutorial-on
this most critical issue, so that… he does not jeopardize the
pursuit of the Armenian Cause or disrespect the memory of the 1.5
million victims of the Armenian Genocide,” wrote Asbarez English
editor Ara Khachatourian, calling Sarkisian’s statement “pedestrian
and irresponsible.”

“If by now the president has not understood that the word Genocide
carries a distinct set of political implications, then perhaps before
stomping on the campaign trail, he should pick up a dictionary,”
argued Khachatourian.

From: Baghdasarian

PRESS RELEASE
Glendale Public Library
222 East Harvard Street
Glendale CA 91205
Tel: 818-548-2030
Web:

FB:

Central Library to Host Gala Danilova

GLENDALE, CA Gala Danilova from THE HALO TRUST will lecture on the mine
clearance progress in Artsakh, on Tuesday March 12, 2013, 7pm at the
Glendale Central Library Auditorium, 222 East Harvard Street in
Glendale. The presentation will be in both English and Armenian.
Admission is free and the seating is limited. Library visitors receive 3
hours FREE parking across the street at The Market Place parking
structure with validation at the Loan Desk.

The HALO Trust is a non-political, non-religious organization which
specializes in the removal of the hazardous debris of war. HALO began
mine clearance operations in Afghanistan in 1988 and currently works in
11 countries around the world. HALO’s programs in the Caucasus started
on 1995 in Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh).

The 1992-94 war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Artsakh left behind
hundreds of minefields and cluster bomb strikes. It has had profound
impacts upon the day-to-day lives of the rural population, significantly
inhibiting the incomes of thousands of poor families and causing 268
accidents, with almost 350 people killed or injured. This is amongst the
highest per capita civilian casualty rates in the world with a quarter
of these victims being children. HALO Artsakh has returned over 66,718
acres of contaminated land to productive use. Over 67,000 landmines,
cluster munitions and other items of unexploded ordnance have been
safely located and destroyed. Accidents will continue to happen until
the remaining minefields and cluster munition strikes are cleared.

Gala Danilova, is a graduate of Mesrop Mashdots University in
Stepanakert where she studied History and International Relations. She
joined HALO in September 2002 as a Mine Risk Education (MRE) coordinator
in Stepanakert. After several years in the MRE program she was given
responsibility for Logistics and then Statistics in HALO`s Artsakh
office. She also supported HALO`s MRE team in Abkhazia and HALO`s USA
office fundraising efforts in the United States during her three trips
in 2007-2008. In May 2009 she was promoted to her current assignment as
the Director of Finance.

The program is sponsored by the Library, Arts & Culture Department.

###

CONTACT: Elizabeth Grigorian, Glendale Library, Arts & Culture (818)
548-3288

From: Baghdasarian

JANUARY FOOD PRICES IN ARMENIA CLIMB 5.1%

YEREVAN, February 7./ARKA/. Food prices in Armenia ascended 5.1%
in January from December mainly due to hikes in prices for fruit,
vegetables and potatoes by 11.8%-31.8%, according to the National
Statistical Service of Armenia.

The NSA reported jump in prices for potatoes by 7.4%, garlic-9.4%,
beet-18.7%, radish-24.3%, onion-24.4%, carrot-25.0%, cucumbers-25.1%,
cabbage-29%, tomatoes-37.4%, aubergine-59.2%, scallion-64.7%, green
bell pepper-2.2 times.

Fruit prices rose by 11.8% in January from December: bananas-by 12.5%,
apples-16.2%, pomegranates-17.0%, mandarins-20.3%, pears-22.1% and
oriental persimmon-31.0%.

Egg prices jumped 4.6% in January month over month, meat product cost
-by 1%.

Prices for bread products, coffee, tea, cocoa, animal fats and
vegetable oil increased by 0.1-1.1% within the reported period.

Cost of dairy products climbed 2.3% in January month over month,
of fish products-by 1.8%. In Yerevan prices for dairy products rose
by 2.1%. -0-

From: Baghdasarian

MANY WOULD MIND REVELATION OF THE ATTEMPT
Siranuysh Papyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

17:27 07/02/2013

Interview with ethnographer Hranush Kharatyan

Mrs. Hakobyan, what do you think about the attempt on Paruir Hayrikyan?

There is too little information. In general, two versions have been
voiced: it was an attempt on the state and the authorities. Hayrikyan
himself accused foreign forces, various analyses have been made that
it was an attempt to accuse Russia and push Armenia towards the West.

As to the postponement of the elections, then if Hayrikyan thinks the
attempt was aimed at the authorities, then postponement is expedient
to non-governmental forces, that is the opposition and himself. If the
attempt was directed against the state, then Hayrikyan is right if he
does not postpone the elections. There are a number of nuances here,
and the answers may be found if the law enforcement bodies really try
to disclose the authors of the attempt. But I’m sure that it won’t
happen, a lot of people would mind revelation of this crime.

Are reforms after February 18 possible?

Serzh Sargsyan’s further activities are determined by the mosaic of
the parliament. RPA is represented in the parliament by those people
who are to blame for the social, economic and legal crisis in the
country. Serzh Sargsyan’s sincere wish should be reflected in the RPA
list. Now, this wish will clash with the parliamentary staff which
is there to defend all that hinders the development of Armenia.

So the slogan “Secure Armenia” has nothing to do with the reality?

I’m afraid the opposite will happen, and we will become even less
secure. We choose those to whom we link the solution of our own
problems. Those who either do not use this chance or they do not
have that opportunity leave. This means that there will be many more
arbitrary decisions, and a greater possibility to solve particular
issues through a personal connection.

Serzh Sargsyan denies responsibility for emigration.

The responsibility is on the system. Serzh Sargsyan says that in
villages people need to farm the land but this is due to unawareness?

Doesn’t he know that in the result of land consolidation 30-40 people
possess all the farming land of Ararat region and small farmers are
squeezed out of the market?

Will these mistakes impact Sargsyan’s rating?

Definitely not because rating is based on administrative resource –
village heads, taxes, municipalities – while people depend on it so
that all this will not affect the ranking.

Do you see any possibilities of emergence of new elite next year?

If you mean redistribution of property, it is a way of forming new
elite. I think this process will not be intensive, and the property
of the elite will be preserved. There will hardly be people who will
transform the system of values. It is already obvious that no one
will allow arbitrariness. I think in this sense, a new electorate
will be formed.

From: Baghdasarian

V. KOVALENKO INVITED EVERYONE CONSIDERING ARMENIA AN AZERBAIJANI TERRITORY TO VISIT REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

17:20, 7 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 7, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and Russia together face with
the falsifications of history and strive to “restore its forgotten
borders”. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the
Russian Federation to the Republic of Armenia Vyacheslav Kovalenko
stated this at the exhibition entitled “the Armenian Participation
in the Patriotic War of 1812-1814”. The exhibition was held in the
Armenian Institute of Tourism on February 7, 2013.

As reports “Armenpress” the Ambassador stated: “In the capital of
one country we can hear that the Armenian territory is the historical
land of Azerbaijan. Let those people come and see this exhibition. I
invite them.” Among other things Vyacheslav Kovalenko underscored
that presently Armenia and Russia are together, as they used to be
200 years ago. The Ambassador noted: “We support each other protecting
and preserving our independence.”

Azerbaijan regularly puts forward statements contradicting the
actual facts and states that Armenia is situated in the territories
of historical Azerbaijan.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR TO UKRAINE DISCUSSES WITH POLITICAL SCIENTIST MICHAEL BIELECKI KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

13:32 08/02/2013 ” REGION

On February 7 at the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to Ukraine,
Armenian Ambassador Andranik Manukyan met with Michael Bielecki,
Ukrainian political scientist a member of the Public Humanities
Council at the President of Ukraine, Analitika.at.ua reports.

RA Ambassador awarded Michael Bielecki with a diploma of the Ministry
of Culture of Armenia for his active contribution to the preservation
of Armenian culture, for the support in the work with the Armenian
Diaspora and strengthening of the Armenian-Ukrainian relations.

Michael Bielecki expressed gratitude for the attention and
appreciation, and noted that it is necessary to enhance scientific
and cultural bilateral relations.

During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the current state
and prospects of Armenian-Ukrainian relations. Also, much attention
was paid to issues related to the Karabakh conflict settlement and
25th anniversary of the Sumgait pogroms.

Source: Panorama.am

From: Baghdasarian

FROM LIGHT TO BRIGHT: LUYS FOUNDATION CONTINUES MAKING TIES BETWEEN ARMENIAN STUDENTS AND BEST UNIVERSITIES

EDUCATION | 08.02.13 | 12:57

Photo: Luys Foundation

By JULIA HAKOBYAN
ArmeniaNow Deputy Editor

This year, the Luys Foundation for the 5th time will grant
scholarships to Armenian students, providing them with a chance to
study at any of the world’s ten best universities, including
Cambridge, Harvard, Oxford, Columbia and UCLA.

Enlarge Photo
Jacqueline Karaaslanian

Enlarge Photo

The foundation, established in 2008 under the patronage of the
Armenian president, aims to increase the number of Armenian students
attending the best universities worldwide, thus establishing a
generation of high qualified Armenian specialists with progressive and
creative thinking.

Any Armenian (from Armenia or abroad) between 18-40, who succeeds in
admitting to a full time degree-granting academic program (Bachelor,
Master, PhD) at one of the Luys selected ten universities can apply to
Luys Foundation, which would cover up to 50 percent of all expenses.

The Luys ( “light”) scholars are obliged to a number of duties and
assume some responsibilities, which includes initiating and conducting
summer projects with the foundation, run seminars, participate in
Develop Armenia Program in Armenia, become mentors to young students
in Armenia, join or create an Armenian students association within the
university.

Being a Luys scholar however, does not oblige alumni to return to
Armenia, a fact that may raise some concerns in the country, where
officials themselves express concerns over the high rate of brain
drain. In fact Luys is the only Armenia-based organization which does
not oblige alumni to come back.

However Jacqueline Karaaslanian, Luys Foundation’s Education Executive
Director, has another vision on the idea of returning to the homeland
and on the advantages of using the acquired knowledge to the benefit
of Armenia.

“The idea is that the concept of brain drain does not exist any longer
in the world, which develops very fast, creating new challenges and
opportunities. Today every country speaks rather of brain circulation.

Its all about knowledge, its about a person and his keyboard and no
matter where you are sitting. The real question nowadays should not be
“where is your office?” but ” are you working with Armenia?,”
Karaaslanian said.

“If you look at people as ‘hostages’, nothing good will comes out of
this, they will be thinking about how to escape and one day they will.

But if you don’t oblige them to return, they will think about how to
justify the confidence entrusted to them. Luys’s mission is to develop
the network of people who acquired the habit of working with Armenia
and linking their work and ideas to Armenia. Armenia is the heart of
the Armenian society, Luys is a structure, which unites Armenians
around education and we make really huge efforts to establish and keep
this link. This means wherever you are, you do not go beyond the
Armenian world.”

Karaaslanian believes that Armenian alumni will become a part of
global intellectuals, will become the decision makers, rather than
observers, in all areas, from politics to culture to education.

“I believe the real results we will see may be in some 5 years, when
Armenian alumni will be at top of powerful organizations, hopefully
most of them in Armenia.”

Between 2009 and 2012 the number of Luys students and alumni reached
257; 168 of them are currently studying. Over 50 percent of alumni are
back to Armenia, the others are engaged in various organizations
throughout the world, including such powerful corporations such as
Google , Microsoft, Amazon.

One of the Luys’s scholars Sahakanush Sargsyan, who obtained Master of
Education degree (Comparative and International Education) at Columbia
University, says without Luys support she would hardly be able to
afford two-year’s education at the prestigious university.

Sargsyan learned about Luys scholarship from her fellows, while
studying at the Romance-Germanic philology faculty at Yerevan State
University.

“Due to my study, I acquired a new profession, and upon returning I
found a job where I can realize my knowledge. As for Luys, besides the
scholarship, the best thing about it is the idea of Luys network,
which unites students and alumni and when you are part of such a
system, it makes you feel differerent,” says Sargsyan, 26, now an
expert at the Yerevan based Bologna Secretariat.

Another scholar, Stepan Khzrtian who obtained a Commercial LL.M degree
from the University of Cambridge, said soon upon graduation he got a
preliminary job proposal from a company in New York. But he preferred
to return and work in Armenia. Eventually he found a job at Luys
Foundation and now is guiding alumni in the Armenian labor market,
introducing them to potential perspectives, helping to make a proper
choice.

“I spent about 3 months seeking for a job which would meet my
professional interests. Now, I am supporting our alumni to do the same
without the wait,” says Khzrtian.

“The education we obtain gives us the opportunity to see the world as
a global working field. Luys Students are highly mobile. Regardless of
where we are, we strive to connect the best Armenian resources abroad
with the possibilities in Armenia.”

Another Luys mission, which, Karaaslanian said should not be
underestimated, is the Develop Armenia Program- the creation of an
environment where students and alumni get a chance to brainstorm
together, exchange ideas and eventually to built collective
intelligence.

“Luys is not only helping to get good education, it gives the chance
to discover each other’s strengths, to learn to trust each other and
to learn how to work together. What the Luys student is obligated to,
is that when they have mastered in the university, they come up with
the report, or a project, which they will implement in summer, that
should present the most attractive and exiting part of their education
experience.”

Each summer Luys scholars and their mentees, high school and
university students, come together in Armenia for one month to work in
groups throughout Armenia and Artsakh. In such environment they try to
identify the challenges the local community needs and come up with
creative solutions, collective thinking and activities that address
those needs.

“The best consolidation today is the unity of Armenian students and
knowledge,” says Karaaslanian.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA TO WORK WITH TURKEY ON GENOCIDE’S 100TH ANNIVERSARY MATTER? – NEWSPAPER

NEWS.AM
February 08, 2013 | 08:51

YEREVAN. – On January 18, fifteen Armenia-based NGOs petitioned to UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and expressed their concern by the plan
to relocate the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) European
Regional Centre from Bratislava to Istanbul, Aravot daily reports.

“Aravot asked ‘For Sustainable Human Development’ Association
Chairwoman Karine Danielyan as to how this relocation would obstruct
the activities of Armenia’s NGOs.

‘It will obstruct a lot because we need to coordinate all the steps
of our office with the regional office, [and] subsequently, with the
central office. If the regional office were to be in a country like
Turkey, its impact would be huge. It is not a coincidence that Turkey
has gotten active [only] now. The 100th anniversary of the [Armenian]
Genocide is drawing near and we will work with the UN on numerous
[relevant] matters. And it turns out that we will be working with
Turkey [on this matter],’ Karine Danielyan noted,” Aravot writes.

From: Baghdasarian