Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

LA PRESSE D’OPPOSITION S’INDIGNE DE LA CONDAMNATION DES MILITANTS D’OPPOSITION
Stephane

armenews.com
mercredi 1er aout 20

Les quotidiens d’opposition reviennent sur la condamnation, de 2 a
6 ans de prison, le 20 juillet par le Tribunal de première instance
d’Erevan, de quatre jeunes militants du CNA, accuses de hooliganisme,
qu’ils estiment disproportionnee. Pour le quotidien Jamanak, il ne
fait aucun doute que la decision a ete prise au plus haut niveau et
que le verdict a ete motive par des considerations politiques.

[Rappelons que les quatre militants s’etaient heurtes, en août 2011,
a des agents de police au cours d’un incident dont les circonstances
restent troubles. Ils ont ete arretes sur le champ et accuses de
violences sur des agents de l’ordre public et de hooliganisme. Ils
ont fermement recuse les accusations de la police, affirmant qu’ils
avaient ete brutalises par les policiers et detenus arbitrairement.

Tous les activistes a l’exception de Tigran Arakelian, l’accuse
principal, avaient ete liberes après enquete dans les jours qui ont
suivi les faits. L’un d’entre eux, Artak Karapetian, a ete condamne
a 3 ans, alors que les deux autres, Sarkis Guevorguian et Davit
Kiramidjian, ont ete condamnes a deux ans et demi d’emprisonnement.

Ceux-ci seront envoyes en prison si les sentences sont confirmees par
la Cour d’appel que leurs avocats souhaitent saisir. C’est le refus
des autorites armeniennes de remettre en liberte l’accuse principal
Tigran Arakelian qui avait conduit le CNA a suspendre en août 2011
ses negociations avec les autorites visant a dissiper les tensions
politiques dans le pays].

La presse d’opposition redoute une vague d’indignation de la
societe suite a cette condamnation ” sevère et injuste ” des jeunes
activistes. Le quotidien Jamanak relève que devraient se trouver en
prison les oligarques et les fonctionnaires qui ” se remplissent les
poches par n’importe quel moyen ” et non les jeunes militants qui se
battent pour leurs droits, la justice et la suprematie de la loi en
Armenie. Et de conclure qu'” aucun pays normal du monde n’emprisonne
un activiste public, puisque la societe ne le pardonnerait pas “.

Aravot cite l’ancien Ombudsman, Larissa Alaverdian, selon laquelle la
condamnation, certes trop ferme, des militants de l’opposition fera
couler beaucoup d’encre dans les rapports internationaux où ceux-ci
seront sûrement presentes comme des ” prisonniers politiques “. Compte
tenu du fait que les jeunes militants n’avaient pas ete condamnes dans
le passe, le Tribunal aurait dû faire preuve de clemence a leur egard.

Ambassade de France en Armenie

Service de presse

From: Baghdasarian

DEMISSION D’UN HAUT DIPLOMATE SYRIEN EN ARMENIE

L’Orient-Le Jour
31 juillet 2012
Liban

Un haut diplomate syrien a Erevan a demissionne en signe de
protestation contre la repression menee par le regime de Bachar
el-Assad en Syrie et s’est envole pour Dubai, a annonce jeudi une
source au sein du ministère armenien des Affaires etrangères.

Le consul de Syrie en Armenie, Mohammad Houssam “Hafez a demissionne
et, autant que je sache, a rejoint l’opposition a Assad”, a declare
cette source a l’AFP.

“Hier (lundi), Hafez s’est envole pour Dubai”, a-t-elle ajoute.

Le ministère armenien des Affaires etrangères a cite lundi une note
diplomatique de l’ambassade de Syrie a Erevan, indiquant que Hafez
avait “quitte son poste”, sans autre detail.

L’ambassade de Syrie dans l’ancienne republique sovietique n’etait pas
joignable pour reagir.

Cette demission survient après plusieurs defections de personnalites
du regime, notamment celles en juillet de quatre chefs de missions
diplomatiques, a Londres, Bagdad, aux Emirats arabes unis et au
sultanat d’Oman.

Depuis mars 2011, plus de 20.000 personnes ont peri dans les violences
en Syrie, selon l’Observatoire syrien des droits de l’Homme (OSDH).

From: Baghdasarian

RACIST TERMS SET TO BE EXCLUDED FROM BOOKS

Hurriyet

Aug 1 2012
Turkey

The Turkish Ministry of Education announces they have edited
and removed some problematic descriptions used for Syriacs and
Armenians in textbooks. Syriacs earlier complained of terms such as
‘back-stabbing rebels’

Stereotypical terms of minorities in school books have been reportedly
removed. DHA Photo

The Turkish Ministry of Education has announced that it will remove a
number of discriminatory terms for ethnic groups, including Armenians
and Syriacs, from history books used in high school classes.

In a written statement announced by the Board of Education and
Discipline, the Ministry said phrases such as “Syriacs betrayed their
country” were not actually used in course books, however adding that
there were some problematic descriptions in the texts.

“There is no expression saying ‘Syriacs betrayed the state’ in the
history books of primary, secondary and high schools. In a text titled
‘The Situation of Syriacs in Ottoman Empire,’ in The National Education
Ministry’s 10th grade history books, the expressions used for Syriacs
and Armenians have been edited and [the changes] will be represented
in the new edition, which will be printed in 2012,” the statement read.

Offensive terms

The offensive terms to be removed include descriptions of these groups
as “back-stabbing rebels,” “puppets of European states,” and “stooges.”

Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Mardin deputy Erol Dora, who is of
Syriac ethnic origin, had earlier met with Education Minister Omer
Dincer regarding the books in question, which were published in 2009.

In the meeting, Dora expressed his discomfort with the language used in
the books, and requested that the hostile terms be removed. Dincer told
Dora that the books had not been published during his term in office,
and that he was also uncomfortable with some of the language used.

Board of Education and Discipline head Professor Emin Karip worked to
resolve the issue, and the Education Ministry announced its decision
to remove the offensive terms on July 20.

An official document obtained by the Hurriyet Daily News says that
phrases such as “Syriacs betrayed their country” were not actually
used in course books.

However, the document does state that a text titled “The Situation
of Syriacs in the Ottoman Empire,” included in 10th-grade high school
history books, is problematic. The expressions found in it, as well as
others, will be removed for the next school year, the document states.

The document has also reached Dora’s office, he said, speaking to the
Daily News, but he added he did not want to comment on the subject
before seeing the new books.

“All citizens of the Turkish Republic must be equal,” Dora said. “If
we want equality in the strict sense, we must raise our children as
individuals who are respectful of human rights and have a sense of
justice. This is possible through school education.”

Although Turkey faces many democratic problems, including minority
issues and the Kurdish problem, it has made great progress on these
issues, reaching a point incomparable to the situation of 15 years ago,
Dora said.

“The world is changing, and it is impossible for Turkey to lag behind
these changes. Positive changes are occurring; a new platform of
discussion has emerged. Also, demands for democracy and human rights
are being clearly expressed,” Dora said.

Board of Education and Discipline head Karip, meanwhile, declined to
comment on the announcement.

August/01/2012

From: Baghdasarian

SECRET WITNESS SAYS ERGENEKON SUSPECT HAD ROLE IN OKKAN ASSASSINATION

Today’s Zaman
July 31 2012
Turkey

A secret witness who on Tuesday testified in court as part of a probe
into Ergenekon said retired Gen. Levent Ersöz, a key Ergenekon suspect
currently in jail, had played a role in the 2001 assassination of
Police Chief Gaffar Okkan.

Okkan was killed along with five police officers who were guarding
him on Jan. 24, 2001, in Diyarbakır. The assassination was attributed
to the Turkish Hizbullah, a religious extremist group.

The secret witness, codenamed Ä°lkadım, or “first step,” testified
to the Ä°stanbul 13th High Criminal Court, which is hearing the case
of Ergenekon, a shadowy crime network that has alleged links within
the state and is suspected of plotting to topple the government. The
212th hearing of the trial was held on Tuesday.

The secret witness, who said he served as a village guard in
Å~^ırnak’s Silopi district in 1993 where he witnessed many incidents,
said he met with Ersöz when Ersöz was a commander in Å~^ırnak and
that he had a role in Okkan’s assassination.

“Ersöz once called for a secret assignment. He sent us to [Mardin’s]
Nusaybin with military officers. A group of seven dressed in peshmerga
clothes and carrying arms came to us. They were fully equipped. We
went to Diyarbakır with them,” he said.

The secret witness noted that those officers stood near a mosque
while he waited at a gas station in Diyarbakır.

“I did not see Okkan’s vehicle coming or the clash. There was the
sound of explosion first and then gunshots. The clash lasted for five
to six minutes. We just brought them in a vehicle [the people wearing
peshmerga clothes]. I did not hear what they were talking about,” he
said. The secret witness said he learned about Okkan’s assassination
the next day.

“Following Okkan’s killing, Ersöz became the regional commander of
Diyarbakır. Okkan knew the region very well. That’s why they took
his life,” he said.

İlkadım also claimed that jailed Ergenekon suspect retired
Maj. Mehmet Zekeriya Ozturk masterminded the killing of six people
in Å~^ırnak when he was commander there.

He said Ozturk ordered military officers to bring six people to him
following a clash with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)
that resulted in the killing of several Turkish soldiers.

The secret witness said the six people, including a village guard of
Armenian origin, were killed at the order of Ozturk and that their
bodies were never found. The victims were described as PKK members,
he added.

From: Baghdasarian

SATTAR MEHBALIYEV: “THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE IN AZERBAIJAN IS MORE THAN 250 THOUSANDS”

APA
July 31 2012
Azerbaijan

Baku. Ramil Mammadli-APA. “The number of unemployed people in
Azerbaijan is more than 250 thousands”, said the chairman of
Trade Unions Confederation of Azerbaijan Sattar Mehbaliyev at the
sub-regional conference entitled “Trade unions and youth employment:
global challenges and new approaches”.

According to him, Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan caused
the increase of unemployment among young people in Azerbaijan: “300
thousands of Azerbaijani citizens lost jobs as a result of Armenia’s
occupation policy”.

Mehbaliyev said that the number of Azerbaijani youth is rapidly
increasing, 35% of population are young people between 16-35 years.

25.5 % of employed people and 27% of active population, who work in
economic sphere, are youth. Confederation chairman also spoke about
the unemployment in CIS states. He said that in several countries the
unemployment rate among the youth is 2-3 times higher than aged people
and in some countries the youth makes 40% of unemployed population.

From: Baghdasarian

2.5 MAGNITUDE QUAKE STRIKES NAKHICHEVAN-ARMENIA BORDER

Panorama.am
02/08/2012

A 2.5 magnitude quake struck Nakhichevan-Armenia border Wednesday,
August 1, 22:54 local time. It is reported that the quake occurred
16 km west of the town of Kajaran. The tremors were measured at 3-4
in the epicenter.

The quake’s hypocenter was located at a depth of 5 km. According to
preliminary reports, in Kajaran, the tremors were measured at 2-3,
National Seismic Protection Service of Emergency Ministry said.

From: Baghdasarian

SETA SIMONIAN’S NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK PUBLISHED

asbarez
Wednesday, August 1st, 2012

Simonian’s “Be Like a Bee” “Be Like a Bee” explores the life and
work of one little bee while teaching lessons about nature, science,
and life virtues.

Be Like a Bee, a new book by Seta Simonian, has been released by
RoseDog Books.

Be Like a Bee is about the life of a particularly diligent bee
named Merry. Interspersed with scientific details about the role and
development of bees in nature, the narrative combines fiction and
science in order to teach life lessons. It encourages children to
follow Merry Bee’s example of hard work and compassion in order to
achieve happiness.

Be Like a Bee offers inspiring examples of social interaction and
communication, while at the same time encouraging an appreciation of
nature. This beautifully illustrated publication provides children,
teachers and parents with scientific knowledge and entertainment. The
songs of this book are recorded and available on a CD for purchase.

About the Author On one of her many trips to Armenia, author
Seta Simonian observed the world of beehives for the first time
in Dilijan. She saw swarms of bees flying together like a fleet of
airplanes landing, entering the hive, unloading, and flying back to the
fields for more pollen and nectar. Amazed by the collaboration and hard
work of the honeybees, Simonian decided to write a book about them.

Simonian’s book is the product of her learning in the sciences and
arts, and of her years of experience as a teacher. It reflects the
personality of someone who has traveled to and lived in many countries,
and someone who has worked with diverse communities in times of war
and peace. Throughout her career, Simonian has striven to improve the
lives of people, especially children approaching their formative years.

Seta Simonian lives in Glendale, California, where she works on
creative projects.

Be Like a Bee is a 64-page book available in both paperback and
hardback versions. Paperback has a retail price of $23.00 and the
ISBN is 978-1-4349-8791-4. Hardback has a retail price of $33.00 and
the ISBN is 978-1-4349-8813-3. It was published by RoseDog Books of
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information or to request a review
copy, please visit our virtual pressroom at
or our online bookstore at

From: Baghdasarian

TURKEY-ARMENIA YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WILL GIVE A CONCERT ON WEDNESDAY IN ISTANBUL.

Cumhuriyet
July 31 2012
Turkey

ISTANBUL- The concert will take place at Bogazici University Garanti
Culture Center.

While Cem Mansur conducts the concert, Ashot Khachatourian will
perform as a solo singer.

The symphony orchestra have already given three concerts in Istanbul
since 2010.

From: Baghdasarian

TRANSDNIESTRIA CONFLICT IS NOT AS COMPLEX AS KARABAKH

Vestnik Kavkaza
Aug 1 2012
Russia

In an interview with Ekho Kavkaza, Alexey Vlasov talks about conflict
resolution in post-Soviet republics.

Demis Polandov: What do you think about the recent announcement that
Trandniestria may become an autonomous part of Moldova? Are those
just words or has something really changed in Moscow’s approach to
the matter?

Alexey Vlasov: I think this statement is well based. It seems to Moscow
that the Transdniestria conflict is more likely to be resolved with the
help of Russia than the Karabakh problem. The only possible way out of
the Transdniestria conflict seems to be the federalization of Moldova.

Demis Polandov: You think the parties will agree to such a propositon?

Alexey Vlasov: It’s quite clear that future talks will be very hard
and long. The thing is that the conflict involves only Transdniestria
and Moldova and not Moldova and Russia, as some people believe. I
don’t think that the parties will agree to this plan at once. They
will do their best to negotiate the most favourable terms.

Demis Polandov: Doesn’t this scheme suit Georgia and its breakway
republics?

Alexey Vlasov: The situation in Georgia is different. The conflict
between Russia and Georgia is mainly a conflict between Moscow and
Saakashvili. That is why it’s useless discussing a possible way out
of the conflict before Saakashvili’s resignation.

Demis Polandov: And what about after Saakashvili’s resignation? How
will the conflict be resoved?

Alexey Vlasov: I believe that there is no need to discuss possible
renouncement of Russia’s recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. It
simply won’t happen in the near future. You see, the situation
surrounding Transdniestria is different. There is a concrete peace
plan and the conflict can actually be resolved. That is why it differs
so greatly from the Karabakh conflict.

From: Baghdasarian

AREA SURGEON LEADS MEDICAL TRIP TO NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC
by Samantha West

East Aurora Advertiser

Aug 1 2012
NY

“Hope for tomorrow” – this is the mission of the aptly named
local charity, the Hope for Tomorrow Foundation. Elma resident and
Williamsville phlebologist Dr. Hratch Karamanoukian has assisted
in turning this goal into a reality with his recent trip to the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR), a republic bordering Armenia. There,
Karamanoukian established the country’s only current vein health
center, donated several pieces of crucial machinery, and performed
more than 100 free surgeries to patients in need.

Phlebology is a branch of medicine that focuses on vein health.

Karamanoukian, who trained originally as a cardiovascular surgeon,
has spent the past seven years specializing in vein procedures. He
is Armenian by descent, although he was born in Lebanon; his family
moved to California in 1976 to escape the Lebanese civil war, and
Karamanoukian then moved to Buffalo to complete his medical schooling
at the University at Buffalo. He is the director of the Vein Treatment
Center in Williamsville, and has written 32 books on health care for
both doctors and patients.

Karamanoukian, along with more than 30 supporting doctors, students,
and volunteers, were in the NKR from May 24 to June 3. “We went there
because they have a big need for health care,” Karamanoukian told the
East Aurora Advertiser and Elma Review. There, his main priority was
establishing a state-of-the-art vein center, which offers the newest
vein treatments, unprecedented in the area. Karamanoukian and his
mother also donated a portable Doppler ultrasound machine and a laser
machine to the Central Republican Hospital in the NKR. This machinery
is used for endovenous laser treatment procedures, which are modern,
minimally invasive techniques for treating venous problems. The NKR
is currently in the process of constructing a new building for the
Central Republican Hospital; the vein center will be incorporated
into the new structure as a series of suites once it is finished.

Karamanoukian recognized the importance of providing health care that
would last beyond his time in the NKR. “I always try to leave something
behind, to teach procedures, and to provide the means to carry them
out,” he said. Besides donating equipment, he and the seven other
doctors who accompanied him trained the Armenian staff in the latest
vein surgeries. “They were still using traditional vein stripping
techniques that we don’t do here anymore,” said Karamanoukian.

They also worked to incorporate medical students into the experience.

Ten students from Daemen College, D’Youville College, and the
University at Buffalo accompanied the doctors for some experience with
vein surgeries. “It’s very important to train the next generation
to give back,” said Karamanoukian. “It’s something all health
professionals need to learn… whether it’s here in Buffalo or
overseas.” Overall, the group performed more than 100 free procedures
for the people of the NKR.

Karamanoukian has traveled with the Hope for Tomorrow Foundation
several times in the past. Trips overseas include work in Peru,
Ecuador, Haiti, Vietnam, Poland, and the Dominican Republic, to name
a few. The two most recent popes, John Paul II and Benedict XVI, have
both taken an interest in the foundation, blessing it and bringing it
to the attention of the public for its charity work. The foundation
also uses funds raised to pay travel costs for severe cases, so that
patients requiring extensive surgery may be brought to the U.S. for
their procedures.

The foundation does not have any solid plans yet regarding the next
travel destination. “I, personally, will be returning [to the NKR]
in September,” said Karamanoukian. He will also be bringing his
brother with him, who is currently a plastic surgeon in California.

The doctors who accompanied Karamanoukian are Craig Blum, from
Children’s Hospital; Robert Smolinski and Mark Anders, both from ECMC;
Jeffrey Meilman, a plastic surgeon who is also the chairman of the
Hope for Tomorrow Foundation; Jack Kottart, a doctor based out of
Florida; Claudia Smolinski; and Jack Huebschmann, an anesthesiologist.

For more information on Karamanoukian’s trip, books, or other medical
experience, visit

From: Baghdasarian