Author: Chakrian Hovsep

OBAMA REQUESTS $ 40 MILLION AID TO ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.02.2010 12:25 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ President Barack Obama’s fiscal year 2011 (FY11)
budget, released earlier today, calls for $40 million in assistance
to Armenia — $10 million more than his FY10 request, but still
$1 million less than the total appropriated by Congress last year,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America -ANCA.

The figure, while representing a substantial increase over the
President’s last request, falls just short of the $41 million actually
appropriated last year by Congress, and far short of the $70 million
request that was made last year by the Armenian Caucus and broadly
supported by Armenian American advocacy organizations.

The President’s budget proposes maintaining Foreign Military Financing
(FMF) assistance parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan, requesting
$3.5 million for each country. In past years, the White House has
sought to tilt the military aid balance in support of Baku, only to
have its efforts rejected by Congress, which has consistently ensured
balanced FMF figures for the two nations. The Administration did
not extend the parity principle to International Military Training,
Education, and Training (IMET), instead seeking to provide twice as
much for Azerbaijan ($900,000) than Armenia ($450,000) in this area.

The President requested $22.12 million in assistance to Azerbaijan,
$120,000 more than appropriated by Congress last year. The President’s
overall assistance request for Europe and Eurasia is $599,164,000,
which represents a reduction of $11,818,000 from the previous year.

"We welcome the decision by the Obama Administration to ask for
$10 million more in economic aid to Armenia this year than he did
last year, and also his proposal to maintain parity in a key area
of military aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan," said Aram Hamparian,
Executive Director of the ANCA. "We want to offer our special thanks
to Representatives Frank Pallone, Adam Schiff, Anna Eshoo, and Jackie
Speier – and, of course, Nita Lowey – for their energetic efforts
in sharing with the Administration how increased aid and support
for Armenia advances both U.S. interests and American values in a
strategically important area of the world. We look forward, as well, to
working with all our Congressional friends in building on these numbers
and securing the adoption of increased aid levels and constructive
policy provisions that will contribute to the strengthening of the
U.S.-Armenia relationship and the search for a fair and lasting peace
in the region."

The proposed assistance to Armenia is a significant improvement over
the FY10 request, which called for a 38% cut in aid to Armenia,
a 20% increase in aid to Azerbaijan, and the abandonment of the
longstanding Armenia-Azerbaijan military aid parity agreement in favor
of Baku. The ANCA led the Armenian American community in expressing
its concerns to the Administration last year, and working with the
Congressional Armenian Caucus and members of the Senate and House
Foreign Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign operations to increase
the figures.

The Foreign Operations Subcommittees of the House and Senate
Appropriation Committees will now review the President’s budget and
each draft their own versions of the FY11 foreign assistance bill.

The Armenian National Committee of America -ANCA is the largest and
most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization.

Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and
supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations
around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the
Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

The ANCA is an outgrowth of the American Committee for the Independence
of Armenia (ACIA) which founded after World War I by Vahan Cardashian,
the former Consul of the Ottoman Empire in Washington. Many
prominent American and Allied leaders including James W. Gerard,
the U.S. Ambassador to Germany, Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, Charles
Evans Hughes (later appointed Chief Justice of the U.S.

Supreme Court), Elihu Root and others participated to this
organization. The goal of ACIA was the independent Wilsonian Armenia.

The ACIA had a Central Office in New York City and 23 regional offices
in 13 states.

Later, these offices gradually evolved into the Armenian National
Committee of America, which expanded its activities to include public
relations efforts to acquaint local communities about Armenian issues
including the Armenian Genocide and Armenian National aspirations.

Other activities included April 24th commemoration activities,
public forums, voter registration efforts, support for local and
state political candidates, and updating the local community on
Armenian issues.

BIRTH RATE BOOSTS IN ARMENIA

Panorama.am
14:29 01/02/2010

The birth rate in ten maternity homes in Yerevan hit 1636 in January,
2010, the head of the Healthcare Ministry Mother and Child Healthcare
department Karine Saribekyan told Panorama.am. According to her,
the rate of birth grew by 3000 in 2009, as compared to 2008.

K. Saribekyan said, 18.778 pregnant women were registered for
consultations last year, while the number made 16.017 in 2008.

"The index evidences that birth rate growth was recorded in the
republic. I should mention that 41 454 children were born in the
republic in 2008, while the index shows decline by 1135 in 2007,"
she said.

Thus, 6222 children were born in Armenia in January-February, 2009,
moreover, the birth rate in Yerevan increased by 471 as compared to
the same period in 2007.

Remind that giving birth to a child in any maternity hospital is
officially free of charge in Armenia.

SOUTH CAUCASUS NETWORK OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS SPEAKS OUT AGAINST POLITICAL PRISONERS IN ARMENIA

Tert.am
17:56 ~U 01.02.10

A press release issued by the South Caucasus Network of Human Rights
Defenders on the recent indictment of Haykakan Zhamanak ("Armenian
Times") chief editor Nikol Pashinyan reads as follows:

"On January 19, the Court of First Instance of Kentron and Nork Marash
districts of Yerevan, presided by Judge M. Martirosyan passed sentence
on Nikol Pashinyan and convicted him to 7 years of imprisonment.

"After the February 19, 2008 presidential elections, Pashinyan was
among those who participated in the non-violent demonstrations and
rallies held by the opposition, which demanded the authorities to
abolish the results of falsified elections. On March 1, 2008, an
opposition protest was suppressed as a result of provost operations
and with the assistance of band-formations using firearms and special
means. According to official information, 10 people died as a result
of clashes between protestors and police, dozens of people received
wounds of various degrees of seriousness, and hundreds were arrested.

"Later, more than 100 of them were sentenced to different periods
of imprisonment, and many of them were released only after granting
amnesty under pressure from the international community. Dozens of
people were wanted by the police, Pashinyan among them.

"On July 1, 2009, after being in hiding for 16 months, Pashinyan
turned himself in to the authorities. He was charged with Part 1 of
Article 225 and Part 1 of Article 316 of the Criminal Code of Armenia.

His preventive punishment was chosen as detention.

"Helsinki Association held monitoring of all trial sessions. Based
on our observations, we consider that serious violations took place
at trials. In particular: ~U Equality of parties was not observed ~U
Arguments of the prosecution side were not supported by proof ~U Lack
of corpus delicti

"The Court ignored the resolutions of PACE, accordingly no one shall
be punished for any act of violence unless he/she committed violence
and prompted other to violence. The resolutions of PACE also call
upon the Armenian authorities to release those persons who yielded
themselves to authorities being wanted or underground.

"Articles 2, 6, 7, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 27, 29 of the Constitution of
Armenia, Articles 8, 17, 23, 65, 90, 105, 106, 107, 124, 126, 127, 340
of the Criminal Procedural Code of Armenia and Articles 6, 10, 11 of
the European Convention on Human Rights were violated toward Pashinyan.

"Based on the above-mentioned, we, the representatives of the South
Caucasus Network of Human Rights Defenders consider that N. Pashinyan
was convicted just for his political convictions like other supporters
of the opposition. The members of the Network consider it impermissible
that the Armenian authorities continue their harsh treatment against
their political opponents.

"The South Caucasus Network of Human Rights Defenders demands the
Armenian authorities to meet their obligations in the field of human
rights and fundamental freedoms undeviatingly, to release all political
prisoners, to punish those who are guilty both who issued the order
and who executed it during the carnage of March 1, 2008.

"The South Caucasus Network of Human Rights Defenders makes a
request to the international community to carry out the monitoring of
obligations assumed by the Armenian authorities and to exert pressure
to them with a demand to stop the harsh treatment toward the citizens
who struggle for democratic reforms."

PRESS RELEASE
Arminé Halajyan
Information Officer
UN Department of Public Information
Yerevan Office (Armenia)
Tel.: (374 10) 560 212
Fax/Tel.: (374 10) 561 406
Mobile: (374 91) 20 37 25

UN Office in Armenia supports initiative of Armenian UN Association to
assist victims of Haiti earthquake
29/01/2010

The Armenian UN Association initiated and jointly with six other civil
society organizations held a charity exhibition-sale which was launched
today in the UN House.

Governmental officials, representatives from the civil society,
international community and media gathered to support the people of Haiti,
purchasing artworks, presented by the `Pyunic’ Union for Disabled, Children
of Armenia Foundation, `Davit’ Children’s Art Center, Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin and Armenian General Benevolent Union Youth Centers, `Prkutyun’
Children and Young People’s NGO, `Miasin’ Youth Movement and individuals.
`Garni’ Vocal Quintet also joined this initiative with a concert program.

The whole contribution through the World Federation of UN Associations will
be sent to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund for relief in Haiti.

Ms. Maria Dotsenko, UN DPI Representative said, `We are pleased to support
this important initiative of Armenian civil society led by our good partner,
the UN Association. People all over the planet are uniting their efforts to
assist and rebuild Haiti, supporting its brave and resilient people.’

In his speech Mr. Aram Voskanyan, Armenian UN Association’s vice-president
mentioned, `Each of us can have a valuable input and the most important
achievement today is that the state, international and non-governmental
organizations united their efforts to help the Haitian nation.’

Ms. Victoria Terchler, UNICEF expert, who was a witness of the Haiti
earthquake had a speech expressing her gratitude for organizing this charity
action and calling on more and more assistance for Haitian people.

Speeches were delivered also by the other speakers of the event: Ms. Arpine
Danielyan, Armenian UN Association’s Executive Director and Father Komitas,
Director `Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and AGBU Youth Centers’.

The UN Association is built up under the universal values of the United
Nations and as the representative of a country which knows what the
earthquake is, organizes the series of charity events to assist the victims
of Haiti earthquake.

—

NO SALT-PIES SOLD IN THE CHURCHES

Aysor.am
29.01.2010, 17:45

Ter Shmavon Ghevondyan priest of St. Hovhannes Mkrtich on the meeting
with the journalists excluded that in the Armenian Apostolic churches
there are pies being sold or given to the people. Besides that he
informed that selling salt-pies in the churches is forbidden by the
All-Armenian Catholicos.

"Don’t forget that there are always old women sitting in front of
the churches who sell salt-pies and tell the young people that it is
blessed by the father", – the priest said.

Speaking about St. Sargis feast the priest also said that for preparing
and eating the salt-pies many people call them and ask who should
prepare the salt-pie.

"Doesn’t matter who will prepare", – stressed the priest and added
that the most important thing is that they realize the spiritual
council of the day and not to be lost in the national traditions.

ARMENIAN BOXERS PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

PanARMENIAN.Net
28.01.2010 18:22 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On January 26-31, Karen Demirchyan~Rs Sport and
Concert Complex is hosting Armenian Boxing Championship.

As Armenian Boxing Federation press secretary Lusine Harutyunyan
told PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, 100 sportsmen from Armenian regions
participate in the championship.

Armenian boxers will compete in 11 weigh categories (48, 51, 54, 57,
60, 64, 69, 75, 81, 91 and +91 kg).

Championship finals are due on January 31.

Boxing is a combat sport in which two participants, generally
of similar weight, fight each other with their fists. Boxing is
supervised by a referee and is typically engaged in during a series of
one to three-minute intervals called rounds. There are three ways to
win. Victory is achieved if the opponent is knocked out and unable to
get up before the referee counts to ten seconds (a Knockout, or KO)
or if the opponent is deemed too injured to continue (a Technical
Knockout, or TKO). If there is no stoppage of the fight before
an agreed number of rounds, a winner is determined either by the
referee’s decision or by judges’ scorecards. Although fighting with
fists comes naturally to people, evidence of fist-fighting contests
first appear on ancient Sumerian, Egyptian and Minoan reliefs. The
ancient Greeks provide us our first historical records of boxing as
a formal sport; they codified a set of rules and staged tournaments
with professionals. The birth hour of boxing as a sport may be its
acceptance as an Olympic game as early as 688 BC. Modern boxing
evolved in Europe. In some countries with their own fighting sports,
the sport is referred to as "English Boxing" (e.g. in France to
contrast with French boxing, or in Burma with Burmese boxing and in
Thailand with Thai boxing). There are numerous different styles of
boxing practiced around the world. Boxing does not allow kicks like
the styles above.

UHRC TO HOST GENOCIDE EDUCATION WORKSHOP THURSDAY

Asbarez
Jan 26th, 2010

GLENDALE, CA-The United Human Rights Council on Thursday, January
28, will host a Genocide Education Workshop with the Armenian Youth
Federation and the ARF Shant Student Association focusing on effective
methods for implementing Armenian Genocide education in public schools.

The workshop will be conducted by Sara Cohan, the Educational Director
of the San Francisco-based Genocide Education Project. It will be held
at Sardarabad Bookstore at 1111 South Glendale Avenue in Glendale,
CA and will begin at 7:15pm.

"This is a great opportunity for students and activists to learn
effective ways to educate others about genocide at their local
campuses," said UHRC Chairperson Sanan Shirinian. "There is no better
place to teach about the horrors of genocide than on campus, where
you have an educated, captivated and motivated audience ready to
absorb truth and take action."

Cohan will be discussing the implementation of Armenian Genocide
education in public schools and will give a brief overview of trends
in genocide education, highlighting the strides made in implementing
the history of the Armenian Genocide into secondary level curricula
as well as hurdles still left to overcome. She will also explore ways
to be more involved in promoting the history of the Armenian Genocide
in U.S. schools.

The Genocide Education Project is a non-profit organization assisting
educators in teaching about human rights and genocide, particularly
the Armenian Genocide, by developing and distributing instructional
materials, providing access to teaching resources and organizing
educational workshops.

"What the Project does is that we create materials and resources for
teachers to use in the classroom to teach about the Armenian Genocide
and other human rights violations. And we also create seminars and
provide individual support and information for teachers," Cohan said.

"We have a variety of materials that tap into different types
of learning styles and abilities, and we have a curriculum that’s
available online for free," Cohan said, adding that the organization’s
curriculum has a series of lesson plans based on a one-day, two-day,
or ten-day programs that include studying maps, hearing survivor
testimony, a mock trial, and various other interactive components.

She said the workshop will be looking at different ways to bring
genocide education into schools and how kids on campuses can
participate in the project. In addition to introducing workshop
attendees to the organization’s tools and methods, the workshop will
also serve as a forum for discussion about individual school cases
and current and foreseeable community projects.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 10) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website:

January 27, 2010

ACNIS SALUTES THE ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES ON ARMY DAY

Yerevan–The Armenian Center for National and International Studies
(ACNIS) issued a statement saluting the Armenian armed forces on `Army
Day,’ marking the 18th anniversary of the founding of the modern
Armenian armed forces.

Although the initial development of the Armenian armed forces began as
early as 1988, driven by the need to ensure the security and defense
of Armenia and Karabagh, the evolution of a modern professional
Armenian military was closely linked to the broader effort of
state-building in the newly independent Republic of Armenia.

Now commemorated as a national holiday, January 28, 2010 marks the
18th anniversary of the founding of the modern Armenian armed forces.
On January 28, 1992, Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosian signed an
official presidential decree ordering the formation of the Armenian
Army. The newly-formed army was headed by the country’s first Defense
Minister, Vazgen Sargsyan, who was instrumental in forming an
organized, capable and professional fighting force.

With the assistance and expertise of many others, including such
prominent veterans as Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan and Norat Ter-Grigorian
among others, the initial formation of the armed forces overcame many
significant challenges before emerging as a well-developed and
disciplined institution.

Over the years, the Armenian armed forces has continued to develop,
after a serious effort to modernize and reform led by several
consecutive Ministers of Defense, including Vazgen Manukian, Serzh
Sarkisian, Vagharshak Harutiunian and Mikayel Harutiunian, followed by
the current Armenian Minister of Defense, Seyran Ohanian.

More recently, the Armenian armed forces has emerged as the dominant
military force in the South Caucasus region. On a unit-by-unit
assessment, Western military experts and other independent analysts
have consistently rated the Armenian armed forces as the most
professional, combat-ready and best prepared military in all of the
former Soviet Union.

Under the leadership of current Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian, the
Armenian military has only deepened defense reform and has emerged as
active participant in international peacekeeping operations, including
deployments to Kosovo, Iraq and, most recently, to Afghanistan. The
Armenian armed forces also follows a policy of `complementarity,’ with
a dual role as an active member of both the Collective Security Treaty
Organization (CSTO) and NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP) program.

Armenian defense reforms have also involved much more than preparing
for war through training and procurement, however. The Armenian
Ministry of Defense has also strived to develop brains as well as
brawn within the armed forces. Most notably in terms of military
education, the Armenian Ministry of Defense has established the Vazgen
Sargsyan Military Academy and the Institute for National Strategic
Studies (INSS), led by Major-General Hayk Kotanjian. Under the
leadership of Defense Minister Ohanian, General Kotanjian has
initiated a serious plan to modernize and broaden military education
in Armenia, and is now engaged in an effort to transform the Institute
into a fully-fledged National Defense University.

At the same time, however, there is a need for continued reform within
the Armenian armed forces. Conditions within the military need to be
further improved and more concrete measures need to be adopted to
prevent the abuse of conscripts and the plague of Soviet-style
`hazing’ (`dedovshchina’). In addition, the military must remain free
from political interference and refrain from any role in the country’s
domestic political crisis, in order to uphold the sanctity and
institutional integrity of the armed forces and to guarantee stable
civil-military relations.

Overall, Armenia now stands as a contributor, and no longer a consumer
of international security. But one of the most significant
achievements of the Armenian armed forces has been its role as an
institutional foundation for stability and security in both the
Republic of Armenia and throughout the broader region as a
whole. Unlike its neighbors, Armenia poses no offensive threat and its
posture remains strictly defensive in nature, rooted in the need to
ensure the security of Armenia and Karabagh. And unlike Azerbaijan,
which has embarked on a dangerous and irresponsible surge in defense
spending that not only threatens the delicate balance of power in the
region, but has also sparked a new `arms race’ in the South Caucasus,
Armenia is committed to upholding stability and security in the
region.

Thus, the Armenian Center for National and International Studies
(ACNIS) salutes each of the men and women serving in the Armenian
armed forces and applauds the sacrifice and commitment of every
Armenian in uniform. ACNIS also honors the solemn sacrifice of the
many veterans who have sacrificed so much to uphold the security of
Armenia and Karabagh, especially including those fallen heroes who
have willingly made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives to
the cause of the defense of Armenia and Karabagh.

————————————– ——————————-

The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) is
a leading independent strategic research center located in Yerevan,
Armenia. As an independent, objective institution committed to
conducting professional policy research and analysis, ACNIS strives to
raise the level of public debate and seeks to broaden public
engagement in the public policy process, as well as fostering greater
and more inclusive public knowledge. Founded in 1994, ACNIS is the
institutional initiative of Raffi K. Hovannisian, Armenia’s first
Minister of Foreign Affairs. Over the past fifteen years, ACNIS has
acquired a prominent reputation as a primary source of professional
independent research and analysis covering a wide range of national
and international policy issues.

For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or
27-48-18; fax (37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected] or [email protected];
or visit

HOLOCAUST VICTIMS COMMEMORATION DAY IN ARMENIA

Aysor.am
Wednesday, January 27

Today Rima Varzhapetyan the chairman of the Jewish union in Armenia
informed to Aysor.am that on the occasion of the international
commemoration day of the Holocaust victims, at 16:00 the Jewish
and the Polish communities will put a wreath on the memorial of the
Jewish victims.

"We commemorate the international Holocaust day every year and
each year notonly the Polish community joins us but also many
representatives of different organizations, or ordinary citizens who
remember this day", – R. Varzhapetyan said.

The memorial for the Holocaust victims is on the cross way of Teryan –
Isahakyan streets in Yerevan, Armenia.

HIGHWAY 141 CONSTRUCTION HEADED THROUGH CEMETERY
By Sean Conroy

FOX2now.com
January 25, 2010

Armenia Lodge Cemetery Has Been In Area Since 1800s

CHESTERFIELD, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com) – As MoDOT expands Highway 141,
north through Chesterfield, Missouri, engineers will fill in wetlands,
tear down houses, and cut down trees. But one plot of land should
be able to stay, fighting off the future because of it’s past. The
Stein, Schaeffer and Kraus families have been there for years, in
fact decades, lots of decades. It’s called the Armenia Lodge Cemetery,
and it’s right in the path of the Highway 141 project.