Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA SENT A LETTER OF CONDOLENCE TO THE PRESIDENT OF LEBANON

ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 22, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 22, ARMENPRESS. President Serzh Sargsyan sent a
letter of condolences to the President of Lebanon, General Michel
Suleiman on the occasion of a terrorist act in Beirut.

Press Service of the President of the Republic of Armenia informed
“Armenpress” that the letter states:

“Your Excellency,

I learned with profound pain and indignation news of an inhuman and
blood-chilling terrorist attack in Beirut on October 19, which claimed
numerous lives and left dozens innocent citizens wounded.

On this grim occasion, please accept on behalf of the people of
Armenia and my own behalf our deepest condolences and support to You,
the brotherly people of Lebanon, and families of the victims, wishing
them resilience and lasting peace.

Please accept, Your Excellency, once again our sincere sympathies.”

From: Baghdasarian

THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC HOSTED THE CHAIRMAN OF FOOTBALL FEDERATION OF ABKHAZIA

ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 22, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Head of the National Assembly of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Ashot Ghulyan hosted the Chairman of
Football Federation of Abkhazia Jemal Goubaz and Galoust Trapizonyan,
who visited Nagorno Karabakh Republic on occasion of football match
between the national teams of Artsakh and Abkhazia, which will take
place the same day in Republic Stadium after Stepan Shahumyan.

As the Press Service of the National Assembly of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic informed “Armenpress” head of the National Assembly greeted
the guests and emphasized the importance of development of sports and
football in particular and restoration of good traditions in that
sphere. Ashot Ghulyan said: “At the same time it’s nice to realize
that good relations of our republics and nations are spreading to
the sphere of sports as well and the first match between our football
teams in the capital of Abkhazia Sukhumi is to prove this”.

In the opinion of the chairman of Football Federation of Abkhazia these
matches between national teams of the two newly independent countries
signify only the beginning of that procedure, which is by all means
promising and perspective not only from the viewpoint of football,
but other sports as well. He said that a large amount of work has
been already done in this direction and he is sure that this football
match will also have a positive impact on the fraternal relations of
both nations.

From: Baghdasarian

SITUATION IN SYRIA EXPLOSIVE, NORAVANK FOUNDATION’S CHAIRMAN SAYS

TERT.AM
22.10.12

The situation in Syria is explosive and there is little optimism,
director of Noravank Foundation Gagik Harutyunyan told the reporters
today.

According to him, the war activities in Syria are not just clashes
between authorities and the opposition but it is a war that engaged
such geopolitical role makers like the USA, Europe and first of
all Turkey from the opposition side and Russia, China and Iran from
the authorities.

“The problem there is Turkey that has already declared a de facto
war against Syria,” he said.

Harutyunyan explained that the West is trying to raise Turkey’s role
in the Middle East and leave Iran in the second plan. He said the
scenarios may be both good and bad.

“According to the bad one, the West will manage to overthrow Syria’s
administration and establish an anti-Iranian regime like it has
happened in Iraq, Libya. With it they will try to violate the power
balance, accentuating Turkey’s significance, rather than Iran’s,”
he said. The second scenario is reconciliation.

According to the foundation’s chairman, the results of the US
presidential polls will too have significant role in the developments.

“If Obama wins the process will continue, if the Republicans win,
the process will slow down,” he said.

Harutyunyan said the bad variant will be a serious threat for the whole
region and in case of pro-Turkish developments, Armenian-Azerbaijani
relations will become more tensed.

Harutyunyan also said all the Armenian communities of the world have
weakened which he said is normal in the conditions of globalization.

“Everywhere, be it in Glendale, Georgia, the Armenian community
weakens. We must think to use this potential in non-traditional way,”
he said.

From: Baghdasarian

THE AZERBAIJANI FLAG, “FUTURE COWSHEDS” AND THE UNFINISHED CONSTRUCTION OF A HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANT

October 19, 2012 14:49

Blogger Tigran Kocharyan wrote on his Facebook page, “After googling
hydroelectric power plants, I found the following picture – the hotel
of Yenokavan and an Azeri flag blowing in front of it. What is this
about, who knows? P.S. I will upload the updates here; I hope the
flag is not there anymore, I am just curious what the name of the
director at the time was.”

One of Armenian news websites wrote on the same subject that this
resort belonged to Artak Chibukhchyan, the owner of the Future Tour
travel agency, and added, “Artak Chibukhchyan has another business
besides the hotel, it is ‘environmental protection,’ in particular, he
was one of the most active protesters – one may say, the instigator –
against building a hydroelectric power plant in the region of Tavush,
along with ‘environmentalists’ who have become known to us recently.

Such people are behind environmentalists and the real face and goals of
environmentalists and the real picture of their activities have been
revealed once again – it turns out that one can wage an active social
‘struggle’ for the sake of grants gotten from different countries,
but if we find out one day that Turkey and Azerbaijan are among these
countries, we will not be surprised.” We called on the phone number
of the Future Tour company, which we found on the internet. Irina who
is responsible for the public relations of the Future Tour company
and is Artak Chibukhchyan’s wife spoke to us. She said that flags
of different countries were hung in front of the resort 2 years
ago. According to our reliable information, the Azerbaijani flag was
hung in front of the Future Cowsheds resort complex located on the
territory of Yenokavan, next to Getahovit, not 2, but 3 years ago.

During a conversation with us, Irina confirmed that there was a
connection between the interview given by Artak Chibukhchyan to one
of the news websites against building a small hydroelectric power
plant called Khachaghbyur-2 on the territory of Getahovit and the

appearance of the resort complex’s picture with the Azerbaijani flag
on the internet, saying, “You can surf the web, if his interview
appears there, then his [Artak Chibukhchyan’s, V. S.] bio appears
as an Azerbaijani spy, you are a journalist, you can conduct your
investigation.”

Let us add that as a result of the struggle between the residents
of Getahovit and environmentalists, the construction of the
small hydroelectric power plant has been suspended for now. The
Trchkan environmental initiative made a request in writing to Aram
Harutyunyan, the Minister of Nature Protection, in which it informed
along with asking questions to the minister, “Megaenergy LLC builds
the Khachaghbyur-2 small hydroelectric power plant on the territory
of two state national parks – Ijevan and Arjatkhleni – however,
the 27th page of the environmental part of the Khchaghbyur-2 small
hydroelectric power plant reads, ‘There are no protected areas on
the construction site of the hydroelectric power plant.'”

Armen Ghularyan, the governor of Tavush, applied to the administration
of Getahovit some 10 days ago asking to provide land for the
construction of the Khachaghbyur small hydroelectric power plant by
Megaenergy LLC on the Pagh Jur tributary of the Aghstev River.

Let us inform that the construction of the small hydroelectric power
plant has been carried out without the Getahovit community’s provision
of land, permission of construction and public hearings among the
residents, a set of environmental laws have been violated.

Voskan SARGSYAN

From: Baghdasarian

A DECREASE IN PHYSICAL ASSAULTS DOESN’T MEAN WE HAVE A FREE PRESS
Narek Aleksanyan

HETQ
13:48, October 22, 2012

Summing up his organization’s 3rd quarter report regarding the state
of freedom of speech in Armenia, Committee for the Defense of Freedom
of Speech President Ashot Melikyan noted that while there had been
less assaults on reporters this year than last, Armenia still has a
long road to go.

He said that there had been one physical assault on a reporter during
the period in question, 9 cases of pressure brought to bear on news
outlets and their staff, and 6 violations of the right to receive
and disseminate information.

On a positive note, Melikyan pointed to the decision of the European
Court of Human Rights to agree to hear the case filed by the newspaper
Haykakan Zhamanak against the government of Armenia for declaring a
“state of emergency” from March 1-20, 2008.

The paper is seeking 9 million AMD in compensation for lost revenues,
20,000 Euros in moral damages and 10,000 Euros for incurred legal fees.

From: Baghdasarian

BODY OF YOUNG GYUMRI WOMEN BURIED IN TURKEY AFTER FAILURE TO TRANSPORT TO ARMENIA (VIDEO)

22.10.12

Gyumri’s Shirak Center has released a video telling about a woman
that went to Turkey for work but died there. The body of the woman
was not possible to transport to Armenia because of documents’ issue.

In 2002 the 24-year old single woman left her two small children
to her mother’s care and left for Turkey to work. In the beginning
everything seemed well, but in 2005 the parents were informed that
their daughter was engaged in traffic accident and was in one of
Trabzon hospitals in grave condition. Her mother left for Turkey…23
days later the young woman died without coming to consciousness. Not
being able to transport the body to Armenia because of documents’
problems she was buried in Trabzon.

The parents try to believe that their daughter died in traffic
accident, while her neighbors and acquaintances claim the young woman
was killed for breaking an arrangement.

From: Baghdasarian

PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710
Fax: (212) 779-3558
Web:
Email: [email protected]

Archbishop Torkom Manoogian Laid to Rest

On Monday, October 22, the funeral service was performed for His
Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, of blessed memory, the late
96th Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, and former Primate of the
Eastern Diocese, who passed away on October 12.

On the prior evening, the casket was carried in a procession from the
Jaffa Gate to Sts. James Armenian Cathedral, where the Divine Liturgy
was celebrated on Monday morning. The Patriarch was subsequently
interred at the Holy Savior Monastery at the Zion Gate.

Archbishop Aris Shirvanian presided over the funeral, in his capacity
as the newly elected Locum Tenens of the Armenian Patriarchate of
Jerusalem. He was elected to that position last Friday, during a
special meeting of the Patriarchate’s monastic brotherhood. He will
lead the organization of a patriarchal election following the 40-day
period of mourning for Patriarch Torkom.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, has been
in Jerusalem this week, to pay his final respects to Patriarch
Torkom. Click here () to read Archbishop
Barsamian’s reflection on the Patriarch’s life and ministry.

Archbishop Torkom Manoogian was also memorialized by the New York
Times in its Sunday print edition. Click here ()
to read the online obituary.

Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)

From: Baghdasarian

FACTS REGARDING MISAPPROPRIATION OF ARMENIAN ART BY AZERBAIJAN AND TURKEY WILL BE REPRESENTED TO ICOM

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Armenian national committee of
International Council of Museums (ICOM) is very anxious about the fact
of misappropriation of Armenian culture by a number of neighboring
countries. In order to find solution of this problem Director of ICOM
of Armenia Marine Haroyan will represent the situation to the Chairman
of ICOM Hans-Martin Hinz. Marine Haroyan said in a conversation with
“Armenpress” that this time the matter is about Armenian museum pieces
being represented in Azerbaijani, Turkish and other museums as their
own. In Marine Haroyan’s opinion the essence of the problem is the
following: “They give the following interpretation to this saying
that if these pieces of art had been created in their territory,
hence these all belongs to them not taking into consideration the
fact that these museum pieces are samples of the Armenian culture”.

The goal of talking about this problem now is not returning these
pieces back to the motherland, but to represent true facts to the
world and international community. Director of ICOM of Armenia
said: “Our purpose is not returning these pieces of art back to the
motherland. It is very important to me, that these all remain in the
British Museum or other museums of different countries, but it must
be mentioned that they all are of Armenian origin. That will be much
more profitable for us, than if we take it all back to Armenia”.

There is no definite information about the number of the museum pieces,
as a large mount of these is not exhibited, but held in depositories
of the museums. Armenia can learn about their existence only after they
appear in international exhibitions. Director of ICOM of Armenia said:
“We are hopeful that this discussion will result in a dialogue and
final solutions”.

From: Baghdasarian

ITALY’S SENATE HOLDS EVENT ON 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIA-ITALY DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

news.am
October 23, 2012 | 16:59

ROME. – Italy’s Senate held on Monday an event dedicated to the 20th
anniversary of diplomatic relations establishment between Armenia
and Italy. Italian MPs, MFA officials, public figures and Armenian
community representatives were present at the event.

The Deputy Chairman of Senate Vanino Chitti opened the event and
read the Senate President Renato Schifani’s message. He touched
upon Armenian-Italian historical ties, Armenian historical presence
in Italy, Armenian MFA informs. The Deputy Chairman rated high the
efforts of the Armenian Embassy in Italy contributing to development
of bilateral relations.

Italian co-chair of the Italy-Armenia Parliamentary Group, MP Sandra
Zampa paid importance to the lawmakers’ visit to Armenia.

In his turn, Armenia’s Ambassador to Italy Ruben Karapetyan spoke
about the radical changes in bilateral relations registered during the
recent three years. He also touched upon the Karabakh peace process.

From: Baghdasarian

FOREIGN POLITICAL STEPS, ACCORDING TO OSKANIAN

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 16:43:31 – 23/10/2012

Vartan Oskanian wrote on his Facebook page about the foreign policy
and, in particular, the Karabakh issue settlement.

He writes that he can~Rt understand the indifference of the
diplomacy, the lack of initiative and the idleness relating to the
events happening around Armenia. The visits of the foreign minister,
according to him, are contradictory to what is happening around us.

According to Oskanian, the regional events are not only related to
us, but also create serious possibilities to change the stress in two
most important issues ~V Karabakh and Armenian-Turkish relations and
render them more beneficial to us.

Those events, Oskanian writes, are: 1. Safarov~Rs extradition to
Azerbaijan. He says it is necessary to use this situation, but Armenia
has not done anything in the past two months. 2. Turkey~Rs involvement
in the Syrian internal conflict. Here Turkey~Rs policy called ~SZero
problems with the neighbors~T failed completely. And it was a serious
opportunity to change the stress in the Armenian-Turkish relations. 3.
The Russian-Turkish tensions due to contradictions relating to the
Syrian issue. 4. The Azerbaijani-Iranian tension due to statement by
Baku about Akrpatakan~Rs belonging to Azerbaijan.

Vartan Oskanian writes that in this new situation it is necessary to
change the stresses both in public statements and backstage meetings
passing from the fight of Karabakh people to self-determination to
the fact that NKR has been self-determined for already two decades.

The first step should be the signing of an agreement by Armenia
and Karabakh guaranteeing Karabakh~Rs security at the level of the
presidents. This would be a clear message to Azerbaijan that Armenia
started doing the first steps to recognize the self-determination
of Karabakh.

Since three years have passed after the signing of the protocols and
Turkey has done no step to ratify them, Armenia should recall them
from the National Assembly at least, if it is not ready to recall
the signature.

These, according to Oskanian, are the steps to react to the new
situation formed in our region.

From: Baghdasarian