Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

LE MINISTRE TURC DES AE ET BARZANI DENONCENT UNE MENACE COMMUNE TERRORISTE EN SYRIE
Ara

armenews.com
vendredi 3 aout 2012

ISTANBUL (Turquie), 02 août 2012 – Le chef de la diplomatie turque
Ahmet Davutoglu et le president du Kurdistan irakien Massoud Barzani
ont estime mercredi que la presence en Syrie de groupes “terroristes”
constituait une “menace commune”, alors qu’Ankara denonce une
infiltration du PKK dans le nord de la Syrie.

MM. Davutoglu et Barzani ont “souligne que toute tentative pour
exploiter le vide de pouvoir (en Syrie) par un groupe ou une
organisation violente serait consideree comme une menace commune, a
laquelle il faut faire obstacle conjointement”, a affirme jeudi le
ministère turc des Affaires etrangères.

“La nouvelle Syrie doit etre debarassee de toute organisation
terroriste et extremiste”, ajoute le communique du ministère, publie
après une rencontre entre M. Davutoglu et M. Barzani a Erbil (nord de
l’Irak). Cette rencontre intervient alors que le Premier ministre turc
Recep Tayyip Erdogan a accuse la semaine dernière le regime syrien
d’avoir “confie” plusieurs zones du nord de la Syrie aux rebelles
kurdes de Turquie, le Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK), dans
le but de nuire aux interets turcs.

Il a prevenu que la Turquie pourrait exercer son droit de poursuite a
chaud en Syrie contre le PKK ou son organisation soeur en Syrie, le
Parti de l’union democratique (PYD).

“Nous ne permettrons pas l’implantation de structures terroristes près
de notre frontière” a pour sa part declare vendredi M. Davutoglu. La
Turquie a procede au cours du dernier mois a plusieurs renforcements
de son dispositif militaire a la frontière syrienne. L’administration
kurde irakienne joue un rôle crucial au sein des differentes factions
kurdes de Syrie.

Le 11 juillet, M. Barzani a parraine a Erbil la signature d’un accord
entre les deux principaux blocs kurdes syriens d’opposition -le
Conseil national kurde, qui regroupe une douzaine de partis
traditionnels kurdes syriens, et le Conseil populaire du Kurdistan
occidental (CPKO), emanation du PYD- pour unifier leurs rangs.

Les Kurdes representent près de 9% des 23 millions de Syriens et se
plaignent depuis des decennies d’etre discrimines sous le regime
Assad.

From: Baghdasarian

HAYPOST ROUVRE DEUX BUREAUX DE POSTES MODERNISES DANS LA PROVINCE D’ARMAVIR EN ARMENIE
Stephane

armenews.com
vendredi 3 aout 2012

Mercredi, deux bureaux de postes d’HayPost CJSC (ArmPost) ont
ete rouvertes aujourd’hui dans les districts de Zvartnots et de
Vagharshapat dans la province d’Armavir après avoir ete renoves
et modernises.

” Le bureau de Zvartnots (132 mètres carres) et l’office de
Vagharshapat (382 mètres carres) ont rejoint la rangee des bureaux
modernises par HayPost affirme un communique de presse de l’entreprise.

Karen Grigoryan, le maire de ville d’Echmiadzin, Juan Pablo Gechigian,
le directeur du conseil d’administration d’HayPost, Hayk Avagyan,
le directeur en exercice d’HayPost CJSC et les residants de la ville
ont suivi la ceremonie inaugurale.

Les nouveaux bureaux de postes modernisees seront en communication en
ligne avec le siège social. Ces innovations permettent aux bureaux
de postes de la societe de fournir des services plus rapides et
plus efficaces.

Les nouveaux bureaux sont aussi pourvus de systèmes de securite. En
plus, les visiteurs peuvent acheter des journaux, des magazines, des
livres et d’autres marchandises au detail dans ces bureaux modernises.

Internet, une photocopieuse, une imprimante et un fax sont aussi
disponibles.

HayPost, l’operateur national postal d’Armenie, a 900 bureuax de
postes.

From: Baghdasarian

RACHMANINOV: MORCEAUX DE FANTASIE ETC – REVIEW

guardian.co.uk
Thursday 2 August 2012 21.48 BST

Nareh Arghamanyan (Pentatone)
Andrew Clements

Armenian born Nareh Arghamanyan is still in her early 20s, but
her first place in the 2008 Montreal piano competition is the most
prestigious in a whole sheaf of awards that she has picked up over
the last decade. This Rachmaninov collection certainly confirms
that Arghamanyan has a remarkable technique, but also suggests
that musically she is not the finished article yet. Her selection
encompasses virtually all of Rachmaninov’s composing career, from
his Op 3 (the Morceaux de Fantasie, which include his best known
solo-piano piece, the C sharp minor Prelude) to the Variations on
a Theme of Corelli Op 42, of 1931. It’s a daunting series of pieces
that she confronts head on, swaddling the pieces in rich, warm tone,
but after a while the sheer unremitting intensity of her playing, and
its rather limited range of colourand dynamics , begin to wear. You
long for some genuinely quiet playing, and for Arghamanyan to ration
her use of the sustaining pedal more carefully. It tries just a bit
too hard to impress.

From: Baghdasarian

CHANGE WE DON’T BELIEVE IN
BY PATRICK BAIRAMIAN

August 2nd, 2012

The author during his recent visit to Armenia poses with “dadig”

Growing up with two older brothers has its advantages, regardless of
being three boys who like to disappear in the mountains for days at a
time and give our parents the mini-heart attacks associated with the
worry if something happened to us. But, those times of being around
them have taught me, the youngest of the bunch, values that build
the core of most of my personality. Take for instance, change.

As Armenian-Americans, we perpetually talk about change. Every day
an article comes out, or a discussion is sparked about the change we
need in our: communities, cities, government, people, politicians,
organizations, businesses, schools, the new generation and the
‘homeland.’ With all this talk of change, comes the fervent flavors
of opinion. After every opinion calling for “change, change, change,”
one would assume the reader, or participant to be fired up.

But fired up at what? It was early on that I realized I was supporting,
and even participating in the opinion stream, and nothing else. We
all wanted change, but that’s all we could do to achieve it; recognize
change needed to happen. OK that step was necessary, but now what? I
answered that question with something that I was raised with, my
brothers. Both of them subscribe to the philosophy that if you want
something in life, you must take it, no one is going to hand it out
to you.

Coming from Armenia recently, I’ve noticed a trend that Diaspora
Armenians love to expose: all the shortcomings of the ‘homeland.’
We point out the negatives, yet are absent to suggest any constructive
solutions that could benefit the same news we are shooting down. After
a while, it just seems like we are playing ‘whack-a-mole’ with anything
that is trying to pop up from the ground.

Teghut, for example, has riddled the news this last year with
reports from every Armenian news media on the ground in the region,
and from Diaspora news outlets. Other than the efforts from various
organizations including the ARF-Shant chapter, whose continuous help
to bring 21st century protest and environmental advocacy methods
to the people has gained traction; there has been little discussion
about what lies beyond the protests. There has been an article almost
every week highlighting the horrid aftermath of the mining, if it
were to reach that level. The news also mentions how, for instance,
the mine will create temporary jobs, but at too high of a cost, because
there won’t be a mountain to go home to after the mining is done. OK,
that’s fair; but now what?

>From the people living in America, I expect more constructive plans.

We talk about destroying old-growth forests. What does that mean to
anyone outside of the United States who has taken a geography class?

We talk about preserving nature and the people. What about a
way to get both, but allow the latter to evolve. We protest about
environmental rights! What environment is worth living in if people
aren’t present? Why do I keep picking on the Armenian-Americans?

Because we descend from the nation that took the idea of national parks
and made it part of the national identity. Why can’t we imagine, ‘The
Teghut National Forest,’ full of campsites, excursions sites, guided
hikes, fishing hotspots, backpacking trails, and community lodges
where school children can visit throughout the year to learn about
environmental issues. Jobs in tourism, construction, cartography,
hotel economies, management, reforestation teams, conservation
officers, a botany institute, environmental awareness programs, and
international research could take the place of the miners. It won’t
be the estimated $20 billion promised by the mining company, but it’s
a start to build a sustainable and permanent future for the country.

People don’t give themselves enough credit. Diaspora Armenians must
shake off the idea that to help Armenia grow and preserve the heritage
and advocate for the ’cause,’ we must be ‘rich, rich, rich!’ As much
as money helps, it isn’t what creates ripples. A fan of Chaos Theory,
I believe that everything is connected. From a geography teacher
of an elementary school in Boston, to a software engineer graduate
living in Gyumri, everyone matters to eachother.

Both professionals stated above might not donate large sums of
money to Armenian organizations, but imagine they meet and create
an interactive software for Armenian-school children to learn about
geography, weather patterns, and natural phenomenon, while at the
same time the software is in English and Armenian to help children
learn and refine both languages. I ask you, is that not change?

I’d like to take the time with the rest of this article to highlight
some aspects of change that many Diaspora Armenian-Americans don’t
believe can help the country succeed. In an effort to rid ourselves
of the idea that only money buys change, we can start with thinking
outside of the rectangle shape of paper currency that we confine
ourselves to, and start investing our time and criticisms into ideas
that must grow and will develop. Enough of the excuse that we are
twenty years old; I’m even sick of saying it. We’re twenty years
old as a country, that means this is the time to make new ideas
germinate and flourish into foundational beams to build on. This
isn’t only the land of opportunity, it is the nation that breeds
scholars, logisticians, business owners, teachers, intellectuals, and
advocates. Put showing the world what we can do on the back burner;
that time will come. Let’s show ourselves what we’re made of; from
what ancient kingdoms we descend from. Let’s give testament to the
kings and queens that live inside every one of us that we are what
create the ideas (and follow through with plans) necessary for change.

The main topics below are the first set of professions I chose
to highlight because most might ignore their profile descriptions
based on the fact that they are not the conventional steps taken to
‘help the homeland.’ Because if it’s anything that you love doing,
it’s going to make a difference in your life and influence those in
the same reality. We, the ‘Armenians,’ are the celebrated rugs we
cherish. Every Armenian is of a different thread, texture and color.

But in the process of the weave, we all add to the unity and patterns
created. Every thread counts, no matter from the corner of the weave
to the center of a pattern, we all make a difference in our own ways.

Digital Revolution E-commerce has become a stand alone economy within
itself. Such websites like ‘Amazon,’ ‘Ebay,’ and ‘Overstock,’ which
have brought together vendors from all over the globe, and allowed them
to set up shop from where they are and sell their products to anyone,
anywhere in the world have dominated the Internet sphere. There is
room for growth, but not only small growth, but rapid expansion
and refinement; a digital revolution not unlike the industrial
revolution that put so many superpowers on the map during the turn
of the twentieth century. There is a benefit to digital data, and
that is its abundance, and absolute ease of transport. Digital data
is one aspect of ‘import/export’ that allows the user, or creator,
to transfer as much of it as they’d like, for cents on the dollar.

Thereon lies the truth of the export of data. Data such as: scientific
research in medicine, chemistry, physics, as well as the jobs in the
service sector that we will briefly preview below.

Graphic Design According to the United States Department of Labor
and Statistics, graphic design jobs averaged $48,140 in 2010. In
the United States alone, and according to the same data, there were
less than 200,000 people that indicated their occupation as being
graphic designers.

What does this translate to you as a graphic designer who wants to
live in Armenia, but be paid an American salary? Opportunity.

The website, , is by far the greatest example of the
potential for a graphic designer to make their fortune from their
computer, as long as they have the skill set necessary to meet client
demands and an Internet connection. As the websites states, “Elance
provides instant access to the world’s top pool of rated programming,
marketing, creative and administrative contractors…hiring on
Elance is easy, just post a job and receive competing proposals from
qualified contractors.” The contractor in this case is the graphic
designer, or the over 80 professions listed on the site. Designers
are encouraged to refine their online profile to be competitive and
attractive to clients, as well as showcase their experience, projects,
and recommendations.

The benefit of going down this career path, and living in Armenia is
the untaxed data being sold to clients. You’re paying Internet fees
and the costs of living (rent, groceries, electricity, etc). But,
since you’re still dealing with clients from the America’s, Europe,
Asia, the Middle-East and Russia, you’re getting paid the same as you
would in the United States. But in this case, there are no office
building owners to raise your lease, no worry about location, and
there is no risk of extortion or corruption.

There are countless examples of who would require these services.

Small businesses in need of logos, brochures, fliers, and information
pamphlets. The Department of Tourism needs more animated themes on
their websites to attract tourists. Schools, universities, existing
businesses need better graphics to refine their image in the eyes of
potential partnerships and business ventures. With an international
clientèle, your business can grow to include internships for locals,
where you can train locals to work for you, and multiply your success.

Software engineers/computer programming Software, like graphics and
the digital creative arts is likewise, digital data. You don’t need
a store on the street to sell it, it doesn’t need to come in a box,
nor does it need to be transported by ship or plane. Software and
computer programming do much more than create a product that can be
sold on the international market. In a country like Armenia where
such knowledge is abundant in the universities, it is one aspect of
data that can help solidify the foundations to our prosperity as a
country. The potential to hire able bodied employees is abundant,
even if your skills are more business management; you can be a puzzle
master and fit the pieces together; bringing together the talent and
marketing their skills to the global economy.

Software and computer systems are taken for granted in countries
where everyone always seems connected. It is this way in such
countries because such software is profitable. With clients looking
for conveniences in website functionality, enhanced audio programs,
design applications, navigation systems, and smart-phone applications,
the world of the Digital Revolution was born. Those interested in
such fields have the advantage to be connected to the world that
demands these things. In Armenia, where students are required to be
analytical, one could bring together groups, “digital think-tanks”
of sorts, and build wonderful software for Armenia, Russia, Europe,
Asia, and North and South America.

This is an example of internal growth, where the resources come from
the country, and your ability to bring together the will necessary to
create a successful business. As with graphic design, your costs are
minimal, as you must pay for some of the research you seek to refine
and make it profitable.

It may come as a surprise, but there is no ‘MapQuest’ or ‘Google maps’
in Armenia. Meager if not any resources exist that tell the world a
business exists in Goris, Ijevan, or Sevan. No ability to give the
opportunity of podcasts for the politically active or independently
creative. There is no such thing as ‘WebMD’ for Armenians. There are no
systems designed to record weather patterns or Geographical Information
Systems (GIS) used to substantially strengthen the efficiency in
agriculture and irrigation methods. Even if there were, the people
living in the country who could benefit from the information have
limited access to it. There is existing software in America, Europe,
even Russia, and one way or another it can be acquired by Armenians,
but then there could be a technical miscommunication in the language
that won’t allow such existing products to function to their full
potential. That’s where the next category of professionals comes in.

Translation People might take for granted the fact that anywhere
in their travels, they have had the advantage of finding someone
who speaks English. Either in a bakery in Marsailles, France, down
to a manufacturing city such as Guangzhou, China – English is spoken
wherever people have found that it leads to better business. Yet, such
is not to claim that English is the only business language necessary
to allow ones business to increase, but for the sake of this article,
it will be.

As a native English speaker, who also understands Armenian, you
put yourself at a very valuable position in the country. You make
yourself the mouthpiece in which Universities, Government departments,
Corporations, and small-businesses can speak through.

You are the person who makes available University research to the
Western world, and build a bridge for government programs such
as tourism. You can be the liaison between a joint program between
Caltrans, California’s hi-tech transportation department, and Armenia’s
transportation department. Your skills in translation can help bring
to light 3000 year old histories that a team of anthropologists in
Armenia have compiled, or to translate the latest middle-class finance
solutions used in advanced societies. Your skills can be used for the
two professions mentioned before, to promote the services of a graphic
designer, and help market the product of a software engineer. You
can be the arbiter of creativity as you weave the poetry of Baruyr
Sevag and Siamantos into products that the whole world can know about,
and can inspire a Diaspora Armenian to search their ancestry between
the lines of those poets’ translated texts.

Communications/Marketing Digital connectivity is one concept that
the world is still new to.

Just observe the popularity of email, and the ability to communicate
faster with the globe at the push of a button. Websites like ‘Myspace’
and ‘Facebook’, which allow a deeper connection to be built between
people. Now ‘Facebook’ has turned into the fastest and most intimate
form of communication available. Websites like ‘HuffingtonPost’
have local and global news stories within minutes of the and events
happening, while it constantly updates. There is one thing that is
perpetual in the world: information is always in demand.

A great advantage to being in Armenia and exploring the career section
of the communication branch is that you are in a country that is at the
center of Asia. You are closer to Europe, Industrial East-Asia, Africa,
and the Middle East. With the latter of these locations, consider the
path of a journalist or photographer. Not as a conflict journalist,
but one who is keeping up with Syria, Egypt, Israel, and post- war
Iraq. This path is only if you’re ambitious to be a correspondent of
news to the Western world – who is hungry for news from these regions
because of the key roles they play in foreign policy.

These things have secondary advantages. Perhaps you start to rise as
the main source of media in Armenia for Diaspora Armenians wanting
to know what goes on daily in Armenia (but written in English). Your
team grows and you ask the Graphic designer for a website and logo.

You recruit camera operators, and ask the software engineer to help
refine a high-definition video editing software. Your reporters start
to learn English as they help write stories, and report the news so
that it can be posted on ‘YouTube’, or besent to Armenian new outlets,
Al Jeezera, and the RT network. In effect, your news story has helped
three occupations keep their jobs, while strengthening your own. Why
not work with businesses that are already established, with Western
marketing practices that allow the business and your own expertise
to grow simultaneously.

Your ability to reach out to the world and communicate with the
international community, the Diaspora and Armenia also adds its own
marketing factor. Sometimes it’s not about having the right major, or a
specific skill set other than being interested in promoting a product
or service, and being able to bring what we learned in high-school
economics to Armenia. Coming with the idea that you can bring to
light the skills of the young, intellectual professional graduates
is already something that pays dividends for you as a developing
professional, and them for their own portfolio and experience. You
can work with the country to market businesses, tourist sites, and
special programs that Diaspora Armenians or European tourists might
otherwise not be aware of. The winter resort town in Tsakhkadzor,
the 359 bird species of Armenia, and Archaeological sites from the
surrounding epicenter of civilization.

Rock-climbing the monoliths in the Syunik province, wine tasting
in Areni and Ararat, Sevan lake summer cycling, and Tatev Monastery
tours in the south. Everything is connected, and I hope by now you
realize that no matter what you do in Armenia, it’s going to make
a difference. Not only because I say it should, or know it will;
but because we are the threads that make the weave in this reality
possible.

As for myself, so that you know I’ve put my money where my mouth is
(and it tastes surprisingly good), I’m working with a software designer
to create a phone application to be released in December.

The vibrant graduate is from the engineering school of Yereven,
Polytechnic Institute; and boy is he diligent when it comes to work.

Patrick Bairamian is a recent graduate of University of California
in Santa Barbara. He traveled to Armenia with Birthright Armenia.

From: Baghdasarian

ARS Eastern USA 92nd Convention Raises $22,000 for Syrian Schools

by Armenian Weekly
August 4, 2012

Delegates attending the 92nd annual Eastern Regional ARS Convention in
Florida this week responded to a resolution calling for assistance to
Syrian-Armenian schools caught in the wake of recent turmoil in that
country.
Upon hearing an appeal for immediate help, members from 19 chapters
volunteered the sum of $22,000 (chapter donations of $13,400 and
individual contributions of $8,600).

Silva Kouyoumdjian, chairwoman of the Eastern Region’s Executive
Board, praised the outpouring of support. `Our members, many of whom
are from that region and have acquaintances there, truly rose to the
occasion,’ she said. `We pray for those who are caught in the uprising
and hope that conditions improve quickly.’

The ARS recognizes that as a consequence of recent developments in
Syria, the Armenian community may face social and financial
instability. In response, funds for `tuitions to needy students’ was
also set up, in an attempt to alleviate the financial burden of needy
Syrian- Armenian families and, at the same time, promote the
continuity of the educational mission of the schools.

`The economic crisis [in Syria] has inevitably affected the Armenian
community and the number of families and students receiving aid,’ the
Executive Board announced. `We have no doubt that Armenian
communities throughout the world, along with global ARS entities, will
join the Eastern Region in responding to the crisis in Syria. It hits
home with many of our ungerouhis.’

The 41 delegates also passed a resolution to provide $25,000 to assist
with a construction project at Camp Haiastan of Franklin, Mass.

From: Baghdasarian

Renovated Diyarbakir Armenian church to host liturgy in renovated
monastery complex

news.am
August 04, 2012 | 16:44

YEREVAN. – Armenian Deputy Patriarch of Constantinople, Archbishop
Aram Ateshyan visited Armenia at the invitation of the Armenian
Ministry of Diaspora and within the frameworks of the My Armenia
cultural festival.

In an interview with told the Akunk daily he named the day of the
second liturgy to be held in the Armenian St. Giragos Church in
Diyarbakir, Turkey.

The Archbishop said that the church hold the opening ceremony last
year, when the main church was fully renovated. However, the St.
Giragos will hold its second official opening on November 4, as the
monastery complex will be fully opened again.

To note, St. Giragos, one of the biggest churches of the Middle East,
was reopened and consecrated last October, and also held the first
liturgy the same month.

From: Baghdasarian

Syrian-Armenians on the Auction Block

HETQ
16:57, August 3, 2012

By Harout Ekmanian

Of late, the topic of Syrian-Armenians has become a hot button issue
for debate and discussion by the press in Armenia and a host of local
civic organizations.

Sometimes this focus is a result of an interest spurred by national
feelings, but more frequently at the root is the atmosphere of
competition in the domestic press and simply due to the fact that the
plight of Syrian-Armenians is `in fashion’ and `breaking news’.

But this isn’t the issue at hand. The problem begins when these news
outlets perform their work in a manner unbecoming their profession, in
general, and specifically, when they approach the issue in a spotty
manner.

In other words, a reporter in Armenia, who can barely point to Syria
on the map, heads off to Zvartnots Airport in Yerevan to interview the
Mrs. Dzovinar’s, Hayganoush’s or Uncle Saarkis who have just embarked
from the plane flying from Aleppo about the unfolding situation in
Syria. This is a serious problem.

Today, there isn’t one international news outlet worth its salt that
doesn’t have a reporter in Syria, whether they entered the country
legally or surreptitiously. True, each of them can have their own
hidden agendas for being there and they can even be biased, however,
at minimum, they are on the ground, close to the events taking place,
and spare no efforts to present the situation from their vantage
point.

Now I ask you. Is there even one Armenian reporter now in Syria to
cover developments for the people back in Armenia?

A few days ago, I came upon some amateur videos on the internet shot
by a Japanese photo-journalist. Do the Japanese have more connections
to Syria or are they more interested in what’s taking place there that
we Armenians?

Western media outlets claim that the Syrian authorities frequently do
not allow the entry of foreign reporters. Even if this is true, taking
into account the exceptional bilateral ties between Syria and Armenia,
the chances of a reporter from Armenia being denied access is small.
If there are reporters from America, France and other nations with
strained relations in Syria today that have entered the country
legally, consequently the chances that an Armenian reporter would be
turned back at the border is nearly impossible.

But of course, the Zvartnots Airport appears closer to an Armenian
reporter or news outlet…Not in terms of credibility but merely in
terms of personal comfort.

Even before accusing the Ministry of the Diaspora for its
indifference, Armavia Airlines for its price gauging, and others, we
must think about this issue again, each in their own turn. If the
society in Armenia is truly interested or concerned with events taking
place in Syria, and because there is a large Armenian community there,
how come not one Armenian reporter has yet to be sent there? This is
an issue more imperative than any visit to Syria by Armenian experts,
intellectuals, diplomats or politicians.

Thus, due to the shortcomings of reporters, we have seen a parade of
self-titled experts, Arab studies specialists, Armenologists, national
and political party leaders an others filling the vacuum. In a word,
all those whose professions have nothing to do with gathering and
disseminating the news; of keeping the people in Armenia informed.

Today, the pages of the press in Armenia are overflowing with the
`conspiracy theories’ of our Arab specialists and the dregs of Soviet
Eastern Studies. On the other hand, various domestic civic
organizations are calling for the `repatriation’ of Syrian-Armenians,
without even asking them about their desires and preferences.

As regards the political leaders, some of them hold completely
different views. Recently, a well-known party leader who had visited
Syria stated `We shared some great times with the Syrian people. Now
we’ll share the bad times with them.’ This was his message to the
Syrian-Armenians. But he never specified when those `good times’ were
or if he was actually ready to share those `bad times’.

No matter…The list of examples is long but the patience to list them
all is limited.

In a word, all this goes to show the wretched state of our attitude
towards human, pan-Armenian, and frequently, issues internal to
Armenia.

From: Baghdasarian

ARS Sets New Goals During the Regional Convention

asbarez
Friday, August 3rd, 2012

The ARS Convention in progress

PASADENA – The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) of Western U.S.A., 92nd
Annual Regional Convention was held on July 27-29 at the new Pasadena
Armenian Center in Pasadena, California, to assess the activities of
the past year and plan for the upcoming year.

Delegates and guests from 23 chapters arrived from the San Francisco
Bay area and as far away as Phoenix, Arizona, and made their way to
the foyer, where the ARS-WUSA Regional Executive and Sosse Chapter
(Pasadena) members welcomed them.

Dr. Nyree Derderian, Regional Executive Chairperson, called the
convention to order in the converted gym of the center. Following
anthems, officer elections were held. Khatoune Pakradouni and Sossie
Djabrayan were elected as co-chairs, and Mayda Chahinian and Rita
Hintlian as Secretaries. Following the presentation by the Credentials
Committee, Maggie Yahyayan and Victoria Markarian joined as second
secretaries for Armenian and English respectively.

During the first session, which was attended by the ARS Central
Executive Board (CEB) Chairperson, Vicky Marashlian, CEB’s
Representative Annie Kechichian delivered her board’s message. Looking
forward to the future with great expectations, she noted that the ARS
is at the forefront of a new era and the convention will determine the
path to follow, as a demonstration of the will of its members. She
stated that free Armenia struggles with societal shortcomings,
victorious Artsakh continues to be threatened, Javakhk continues to
struggle with worsening socio-economic conditions, while different
Diaspora regions face difficult economic and safety conditions. She
said that the CEB would like to see this meeting advance in spirited,
yet practical; brave, yet well thought out ways – so that not only ARS
members will gather around the region, but also the community as a
whole, and particularly the youth. Kechichian also read the CEB report
of their activities since the 70th International Convention held in
October 2011 in Athens, Greece.

Dr. Vicken Yacoubian, delivered the ARF-WR Central Committee’s
message, challenging the ARS to accomplish philanthropy driven by
activism; to connect to the people by understanding their needs; to
carry the heavy burden of meeting those needs. He wished that the
convention’s decisions would bring new vigor to the ARS, and renew its
ranks with youth.

Arch. Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of America, was accompanied by the Executive
Council Chairperson, Rima Boghossian. The Prelate delivered his
message and blessings for strength and vigor to persevere for the
delegates, and wished for divine wisdom and guidance. His Eminence
remarked that the ARS has nurtured and cared for the needs of the
Armenian people, just as a doting mother would, and has been
instrumental in the progress and prosperity of our homeland through
the efforts and selfless service of its dedicated and devoted members,
who humbly serve to carry out its noble humanitarian mission.

The officers appointed Annie Chalian as Parliamentarian, Rita Hintlian
as Reporter, and Arshalouys Kiledjian and Alice Shekherdemian as
Sergeant-at-Arms. Annie Chalian and Sossie Poladian were Regional
guests, while Satenig Ghazarian, Helen Keosian, Anahid Meymarian and
Asdghig Tejirian, were guests elected by the convention to provide
their valuable input. The convention continued with the election of
committees, presentations and assessment of regional programs.

During the three days, the convention discussed the services, which
were provided by the region. Five social services offices, and the
Child, Youth and Family Guidance Center served the needy, elderly and
those with counseling needs. Chapters operated one-day or Saturday
Schools for those children who lack access to Armenian day schools,
along with one day care. The region continued to support two youth
centers in Javakhk, two ARS Sosse Kindergartens in Artsakh, 123
orphans through the Sponsor-A-Child program and the Educational
program for former orphans, who live mostly in Hadroud, Askaran and
Mardouni. A video of photos of major events, during the past year,
entertained and excited the delegates and observers.

The convention commended good planning and carrying out of innovative
programs, assessed where improvements were needed, and decided to
boost certain programs, within the guidelines of the Strategic Plan
already in effect for the last two years. The convention highly
commended the Regional Executive for continuing programs during a
challenging fiscal environment.

The convention split up into break-out sessions to develop new ideas,
before they were brought to the convention floor. Sheltering, Saturday
School Education Fund, and assistance to Armenian schools in Syria
were allocated more funding, due to the increased concern for the
status of children. Other resolutions were regarding sustainable
funding, promoting the ARS through Public Relations, and membership
development.

One of the guests commented on how the delegates endured long-lasting
sessions with outmost diligence. The hosting Pasadena Sosse Chapter
members catered to the needs of the attendees during the 3-days, by
providing good nutritious foods throughout the day and entertainment
in the evening. The chapter members even brought `mas’ (holy bread)
from the Sunday services.

Following a report by ARS CEB Representative, Annie Kechichian, the
convention decided and formed an ad hoc committee to raise funds for
the Armenians in Syria, in addition to collecting payments and pledges
amounting to $18,050 from the floor.

Four members of the Regional Executive had completed their 2-year
terms: Nyree Derderian, Kristine Keshishian, Carmen Libaridian and
Seta Hagopian-Soghomonian. The Convention elected Lena Bozoyan,
Christina Khanjian, Carmen Libaridian, and Karine Barikian-Setian.

Vicky Marashlian, ARS CEB Chairperson, congratulated the convention
for its smooth performance and the newly elected board members. The
ARF Central Committee representative, Dr. Vicken Yacoubian, reminded
the members that he was the Secretary staffer of the ARS Regional
Executive, while he was attending the university. He congratulated the
newly elected board members, wished the whole ARS family success in
their endeavors, promising support and assistance to collectively
achieve the goals of our people.

In closing statements, Khatoune Pakradouni, Convention Co-Chair,
remarked on how the ARS had reinvented and revitalized itself through
several generations, how her generation felt about accomplishing their
duty, and how satisfied they felt by realizing their dreams and
witnessing the new generation joining the ranks to accomplish new
dreams.

The ARS continues to weave dreams for the Diaspora and the Homeland,
with the financial assistance and support of the community members.

Support the Armenian community in Syria by donating by credit card or
PayPal at , through a chapter, or sending
your check to ARS of Western U.S.A., Regional Executive, 517 W.
Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale, CA 91202-2812.

From: Baghdasarian

TURQUIE/IRAK
Visite d’un ministre turc à Kirkouk : Ankara dénonce la réaction de Bagdad

ANKARA (Turquie), 03 août 2012 – La Turquie a jugé `inacceptable`
vendredi une déclaration du ministère irakien des Affaires étrangères
qui a protesté contre une visite jeudi à Kirkouk du chef de la
diplomatie turque Ahmet Davutoglu, effectuée sans que Bagdad en ait
été avisé. Le ministère turc des Affaires étrangères a convoqué
l’ambassadeur irakien à Ankara pour lui souligner que la Turquie
n’avait pas `de programme secret` concernant les affaires intérieures
irakiennes et pour appeler son voisin `à la plus grande prudence` dans
la formulation de ses réactions, selon des diplomates cités par
l’agence Anatolie.

Jeudi, le ministère irakien des Affaires étrangères avait dénoncé
comme une `ingérence flagrante dans les affaires internes de l’Irak`
la visite à Kirkouk du chef de la diplomatie turque qui s’est rendu
dans cette ville disputée entre le gouvernement central de Bagdad et
la région autonome du Kurdistan irakien sans en avoir informé Bagdad.
Il avait prévenu que la Turquie devra assumer `les résultats de cette
action` et ses éventuels `effets négatifs sur les relations entre les
deux pays`.

Ankara a rejeté ces accusations, affirmant que la démarche de la
Turquie avait été `claire`, selon les diplomates cités sous couvert
d’anonymat par Anatolie. Au cours de sa visite, M. Davutoglu a
rencontré des responsables de la province de Kirkouk, où il s’est
rendu au lendemain de son arrivée dans le Kurdistan irakien. Mercredi,
il avait rencontré le président du Kurdistan irakien, Massoud Barzani,
évoquant notamment avec lui le conflit en Syrie.

Les dirigeants kurdes irakiens souhaitent l’intégration de la ville
pétrolière de Kirkouk dans la région autonome du Kurdistan, alors que
le gouvernement de Bagdad s’y oppose farouchement. Les exportations de
pétrole en provenance de la région autonome kurde vers la Turquie sans
l’approbation de Bagdad ont en outre aggravé la tension entre les deux
pays.

samedi 4 août 2012,
Ara ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

“WE ARE THE OWNERS OF THIS CITY” INITIATIVE COMES OUT AGAINST CONSTRICTION OF HAMAZGAYIN THEATER IN MASHTOTS PARK

arminfo
Thursday, August 2, 19:40

“We Are the Owners of This City” has ome out against construction of
Hamazgayin Theater in Mashtots Park.

The statement of the initiative says that the Park is a public
access area, and the construction of the theater is unacceptable. The
activists recall that the Urban Development Council of the Municipality
of Yerevan has repeatedly turned out construction projects in this
area, however, attempts are currently being made to organize public
hearings on this project.

The initiative expresses hope that Sos Sargsyan, the artistic head
of Hamazgayin Theater, will demand another area for construction of
the theater. The initiatives demands that the municipal authorities
should exclude discussion of any project implying capital construction
in Mashtots Park and start beatifying the Park. “This should concern
all the public green territories of Yerevan”, the statement says.

To recall, Hamazgayin Theater headed by Sos Sargsyan has been in the
building of the Yerevan State Institute of Theater and Cinematography
for many years. According to the project, the building of Hamazgayin
Theater is to be located in the final part of Mashtots Park, not far
from the Head Post Office.

From: Baghdasarian