Author: Christine Harutyunian

Two weighlifters to represent Armenia in 2020 Olympic Games

Christine Harutyunian
  • 16:54 | July 17,2018 | Sports
  • Armenian:
  • Rus

The International Weightlifting Federation imposed restrictions on the federations of those countries whose athletes repeatedly were caught using doping after the 2008 Olympic Games.

According to the Polish PSz website, Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Belarus and Armenia in the Olympic Games of 2020 can declare only two weightlifters (one man and one woman), as the participants of these countries have been caught 20 times on the use of doping control in the last 10 years.

And those countries that violated the anti-doping rules 10-19 times, in Tokyo-2020 can submit to 4 athletes (2 men, 2 women). These countries are Ukraine, Turkey, Moldova, Iran, Bulgaria, Albania, Romania, India and Uzbekistan.

According to the source, if the above-mentioned weightlifters  are caught three times in the use of doping before the Olympic Games 2020, they will automatically be deprived of the right to participate in the games.

Film: “Yeva”, “Sunset Truck” win awards at Golden Apricot filmfest

Christine Harutyunian
Tehran Times, Iran


TEHRAN – “Yeva”, a co-production between Iran and Armenia and “Sunset Truck”, a co-production between Iran and Germany, won three awards at the 15th Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival, the organizers announced on Sunday.

“Yeva” directed by Nahid Abad received the Armenian National Film Academy Award for Best Film.

In addition, the film brought the film’s star Shant Hovhannisyan the Sos Sargsyan Award for Best Actor.

Directed by Abolfazl Saffari, “Sunset Truck” won the Hrant Matevosyan Award for Best Script.

Both films were screened in Armenian Panorama, a non-official section of the festival that took place in the Armenian capital from July 8 to 15. 

Co-written by Saffari and Sajjad Afsharian, “Sunset Truck” is about an Iranian family that have been running a camp for desert lovers for many years. Business is gradually drying when Arash, the youngest son, comes up with a novel idea. Through his skillful use of Facebook, he attracts new visitors to the camp with the promise of providing the most beautiful sunsets anywhere in the world. Business takes off again. However, other problems quickly arise.

Iranian director Asghar Farhadi presided over the jury of the official competition this year. He also received Parajanov’s Thaler, an honorary award for his outstanding artistic contribution to the world cinema.

“Volcano”, a Ukraine-Germany co-production directed by Roman Bondarchuk, won the Golden Apricot for Best Film in the official competition.

Germinal Roaux from Switzerland received the Silver Apricot for Best Director for his film “Fortuna”.

Photo: Narine Grigoryan acts in a scene from “Yeva” by Anahid Abad.

MMS/YAW

Beyrouth: Les couleurs du bonheur en plein Bourj Hammoud

Christine Harutyunian
L’Orient-Le Jour, Liban
8 juillet 2018


Les couleurs du bonheur en plein Bourj Hammoud

Reportage
par Patricia KHODER


Magasins de jouets et de vêtements, marchands des quatre saisons et épiciers… La rue Marache a été construite par les Arméniens venus à la fin des années vingt de la région qui portait le même nom en Cilicie.

y a le quartier de Bourj Hammoud et sa fameuse rue Arax. Et il y a aussi la rue Marache, une voie parallèle à la rue Arax que peu de Libanais connaissent. Ici, comme beaucoup se plaisent à le dire, on trouve tout, « de la babouche au tarbouche », soit en bon français, de la tête aux pieds. La rue Marache est connue aussi par certains fins gourmets libanais, qui aiment les saveurs fortes et exotiques, pour ses marchands d’épices, notamment de piment en poudre et en pâte, en provenance directe d’Alep avant la guerre en Syrie ou préparé par les familles arméniennes de Anjar, village de la Békaa qui a servi de refuge aux Arméniens d’Alexandrette.

Il faut savoir avant tout que Marache est le nom d’une province arménienne en Cilicie, dont la population a été massacrée par les Turcs en 1921 avec la fin de la Première Guerre mondiale. Aujourd’hui, la province a perdu son nom arménien. La Turquie l’appelle désormais Kahraman Maras. « L’année officielle du génocide est 1915, mais il y a eu plusieurs massacres sous l’Empire ottoman, raconte Stéphan Kazazian, qui possède un magasin de jouets dans la rue. Des rescapés de Marache sont arrivés au Liban durant les années 20, d’autres qui s’étaient établis en Syrie les ont suivis par la suite. La première chose qu’ils ont faite était de construire l’église Kansoun Manerg en 1929. Chacun y a contribué à sa façon, mon grand-père a participé avec seulement son alliance. C’est tout ce qu’il possédait. »

« Quand il est arrivé au Liban et pour survivre, mon grand-père fabriquait des sacs en papier, ici à la rue Marache. Il allait ensuite au centre-ville de Beyrouth pour les vendre aux commerçants. À l’époque, les sacs en papier n’étaient pas chose courante », poursuit-il. « Mon grand-père à moi allait à Antélias où il n’y avait que des dunes de sable au bord de la mer et des orangeraies à perte de vue. Il ramenait des oranges et du savon parfumé au laurier qu’il revendait à Beyrouth », s’écrie de son côté Vicken Kasparian. Aujourd’hui, les deux hommes, fiers de dire qu’ils sont nés à la rue Marache, tiennent le même magasin de jouets. Mais avant les jouets, la famille de Stéphan Kazazian avait ouvert une fonderie au même endroit, se lançant dans la fabrication des clés et des poignées de porte. « L’atelier était ici, mais nous avions un magasin à quatre portes à Souk el-Najjarine, au centre-ville de Beyrouth », raconte-t-il. Son voisin, Hagop Samuelian, a préservé ses ateliers dans la rue. Il fabrique des machines à moudre le café. Il ne vend pas aux particuliers, mais aux grands noms du café du Liban qui distribuent leurs machines à café, fabriquées dans les ateliers de la rue Marache, dans les points de vente au Liban et dans le monde arabe. « Ma famille est originaire de Marache dans l’actuelle Turquie. Elle est arrivée au Liban en 1933. Ici, il n’y avait que des maraîchers. Des familles druzes, qui louaient le terrain, plantaient des pommes de terre et des fèves. Les Arméniens sont arrivés et ont construit la rue, avec quelques maisons et des ateliers. Les maraîchers ont complètement disparu après le tremblement de terre de 1956 », se souvient Hagop Samuelian.

Les colliers de légumes séchés


Ici, ce sont les ateliers qui ont pris le dessus. Jusqu’aux années 80, la rue était presque exclusivement arménienne. Et la majorité des ateliers étaient ceux des cordonniers, certains spécialisés dans les semelles des chaussures (kendarjé), d’autres dans la partie qui couvre le coup du pied (mehanjé).

Avec la guerre du Liban, la rue Marache se transforme petit à petit en rue marchande, où on commence à trouver tout « de la babouche au tarbouche ». Ensuite, des Libanais qui ont appris divers artisanats des Arméniens s’y sont établis. Aujourd’hui avec la guerre en Syrie, de nombreux réfugiés syriens y louent des fonds de commerce. Mais la rue Marache, c’est surtout une profusion de couleurs, que ce soit avec les vitrines des magasins de chaussures, de vêtements, de linge de maison, de jouets, de légumes et d’épices.

Assise sur une chaise devant son épicerie, Nazéli Tenbelian parle des produits qu’elle prépare et vend avec son mari. « Nous sommes tous les deux Arméniens de Beyrouth, mais nous avons des ateliers pour préparer les épices et les légumes séchés à Anjar. Les produits en provenance de Syrie se font de plus en plus rares avec la guerre. Pour la poudre de piment rouge, il faut venir en septembre. Elle sera toute fraîche », dit-elle. Elle montre les colliers de cornes d’abondance, de paprika, de poivrons, d’aubergine, de loumi (citron iranien), de courgettes séchées, explique comment il faut travailler les produits. Elle montre aussi les grillotes et les mûres qui baignent dans leurs jus, les petits abricots dorés, et donne des recettes arméniennes sur la manière de les cuisiner. À l’intérieur du magasin, il y a toutes sortes d’épices, de nougats notamment en provenance d’Arménie, et de fruits confis.

La famille Tenbelian est relativement une nouvelle venue dans le quartier. « Nous sommes là depuis un peu plus de trente ans. C’est l’idée de mon mari d’ouvrir l’épicerie. Il aime ce métier », dit-elle. Un peu plus loin, Garo, nonagénaire et premier épicier de la rue, est assis sur une petite chaise sur le trottoir. Il avait baptisé son épicerie « Café Garo », car l’un des services qu’il propose est de vendre du café fraîchement moulu devant les clients.

Empilant des feuilles de vigne fraîches, frêle et menu, il continue de se pointer tous les jours au travail. Il répond aux questions qui lui plaisent. « Cela ne m’appartient pas, c’est un don du bon Dieu », dit-il. Il avait commencé sa vie comme cordonnier dans un atelier de la rue, et un jour, il a décidé de changer de métier. Avec le temps, il a quitté Bourj Hammoud pour s’établir avec sa femme et ses trois enfants à Kornet Chehwane.

Chez lui, on trouve toutes sortes d’épices, de légumes séchés et de fruits confits en provenance du Liban, d’Arménie et de… Turquie. « Pourquoi je vends des produits turcs ? Parce que désormais le monde fonctionne à l’envers », s’exclame-t-il, avant d’annoncer qu’il a tout dit.
https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1124643/les-couleurs-du-bonheur-en-plein-bourj-hammoud.html





Antilias – “KHACHIK PAPIKIAN” AWARD DISTRIBUTION

Christine Harutyunian

Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
PO Box : 70 317 Antelias – LEBANON
Tel: (+961-4) 410 001 / 3
Fax: (+961-4) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]

 


“CROSS
PAPIKIAN’S PRIZE DISTRIBUTION


“UNITED STATES REQUIRED
EMPHASIZED THE MISSION OF ARMENIZATION IN THE ARMENIAN SCHOOL BY LEADING THE ARMENIAN STUDENT TO THE ARMENIAN SCHOOL”

H.E. ARAM A. CATHOLIC

 

Sunday morning, June 17, 2018, Great House of Cilicia
“Khachik Papikian” of our Catholicos was held in the Hall of the Cathedral of the Catholicos.
of Armenian language and literature, organized by the Foundation and the Department of Educational-Armenian Studies,
the award ceremony of the Armenian history, culture and religious subjects and recitation competitions.

 

H.E. Aram A. The presidency of His Holiness
Khachik Papikean’s daughters, as well as congregant fathers, were present at this undertaking.
nationals, principals, teachers of Armenian subjects, members of juries,
students and their parents.

 

Yavart S. and the Immortal Liturgy, in the hall of the Monastery
the award ceremony took place in In addition, an educational-Armenian conference took place with the opening speech
head of the department, Mr. Zhirayr Danielian. Welcome back to the spotlight
took the achievements of the fund in the last nine years, and then put his finger on the wound
“On” the challenges faced by Armenian studies, which must be overcome
it requires programming and serious follow-up work. The leader of the second section speaks
made a comparison between last year and this year’s student attendance
between. These 122 candidates participated in the competitions, of which 23 won prizes.
and 10 are mentioned.

 

At the end of his speech, Danielian invited Khachik Papikian to the stage
daughter, Garol Papikean, who conveyed the words of her heart. An Papikean family by name
congratulated the participants and prize winners, encouraged them to pursue their dreams
and promised to stand up for the Armenian student.

 

Then the award ceremony was held by Nor
After that, Andranik Tsarukeani, the award winner of the secondary department, recited
“Vow to Ararat”.

 

Avartin, H.S.O.T.T. Aram A. His Holiness the Patriarch gave
his Patriarchal message. He appreciated the work done by the foundation, first of all
strengthens the Armenian identity. A nation survives by its values, and a nation dies
The mission of this fund named after Khachik Papikean is to revive Armenian culture. “The mission of the Armenian school is important for us, because any other school is ours
Armenian school cannot assume the role in the life of the people. Armenian school
conveys the Armenian spirit to our people, even in the stormy days of our history
the people kept firmly in their identity”, emphasized His Holiness. His Highness
concluded the speech by appreciating the work done by the Foundation, Mr. Danielian on his own,
Ambassador Mr. Khachik Teteyan and Secretary Mrs. Marlene Evinculian, as well
to all the participants who crowned the work with success.

 

Below are the winners of the “Khachik Papikian” award
the list:

 

“Armenian language and literature” competition

 

Secondary:

 

  • First, Temis Ayvazian
    (school)
  • Second, Yakob Julfaian
    (H.B.E.M. Daruhi Joakimean Mon. Penalty)

           
                
Shant Gatehjian (School)

  • Third, Patil Asaturian
    (Azg. Yeghishe Manukian Golech)

           
               
Kristina Keoshkerian (United Nations)

 

In memory
are awarded

First:
Lucy Undjian (Azg. Yeghishe Manukian Golech)

Second,
Duin Herkelian (Azg. Y. G. Kulpenkean Both of you. penalty)

 

 

Secondary:

 

  • First:
    Shahe Srk. Yeagupian (School)
  • Second,
    Ruben Evinkiulean (Nationalist Yeghishe Manukian Golech)

“Armenian history, Armenian culture and religious science
materials” competition

 

Secondary:

 

  • First: Hrak Lakhian (Hmzg. M.
    and H. Arslanian Seminary)
  • Second, Sylvie Tatoyan (Azg.
    (United Kingdom)
  • Third: Peter Martirosyan
    (Ha. Back. Center. Cushion. Punishment.)

           
           
    Aram Hantian (Hmzg. M. and H. Arslanian Seminary)

 

 

In memory
is awarded

Fire
Gertanian (School)

 

 

Secondary:

 

  • First, Grigor Srk. Arapatlean
    (school)

                       
    Musegh Srk. Garakeozean (School)

  • Second, Lea Khachaturian
    (Hmzg. M. and H. Arslanian Cem.)

                       
   Araz Keofteyan (Armenian: Avet. Gehr. Vrzh. Aynchar)

                       
    Chorch Sahili (Armenian Avet. Ked. Brdz. Vrzh.)

  • Third: Angela Salorean (Azg.
    (United Kingdom)
  •  

“ASMUNK” COMPETITION

 

Secondary:

  • First: Hrak Mamikonian (Azg.
    (United Kingdom)
  • Second, Meghri Hapip (Azg.
    (United Kingdom)
  • Third: Vardi Salkhanian
    (Vahan Tekeyan Inter. Penalty)
  •  

 

In memory
are awarded

First: 
Selin Gogian (Armenian Ktgh. Pk.i S.Khach-Harpoyan Brdz. Vrj.)

Second,
Nshan Andrian (School)

 

Secondary:

 

  • First, Paroir Stampoulean
    (Azg. Y. G. Kyulpenkean Mon    d:. penalty)
  • Second, Lilit Yovhannessian
    (Armenian Avet. Shamlean Tatikean Mon. Vrz.)
  • Third: Araz Eleijian (Azg.
    (United Kingdom)

 

 

In memory
are awarded

First: 
Nazani Adamian (Armenian Avet. Yerkd. Vrzh., Ainchar)

           
Karapet Palean (School)

Second,
Karapet Eortekian (School)

           
Rita Muratian (Hmzg. M. and H. Arslanian Seminary)

Third:
Mr. Ghukasian (Azg. Y. G. Kulpenkean, Yerk. Vrz.)

 

 

 

 

—


Communication & Information Department

Despite blocking attempts, Belarus eventually delivers multiple rocket launchers to Azerbaijan

Christine Harutyunian
ArmenPress, Armenia
Despite blocking attempts, Belarus eventually delivers multiple rocket launchers to Azerbaijan


YEREVAN, JUNE 11, ARMENPRESS. Belarus has eventually supplied Azerbaijan with the Polonez multiple rocket launchers, according to Azerbaijani media.

Back in 2017, Azerbaijani defense minister Zakir Hasanov visited Belarus where he viewed the production of Polonez in Minsk.

In April, Russian Kommersant newspaper reported that Belarus is planning to implement its first export of the systems, and the newspaper mentioned Azerbaijan as a likely client.

On June 11, Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev participated in the opening ceremony of the rocket military base of the country’s defense ministry, and official photos of the event show the Belarusian Polonez systems.

Earlier in February, Russian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda reported that Armenia had blocked its fellow CSTO colleague from selling the Polonez systems to Azerbaijan.

“We wanted to sell Polonez to Azerbaijan. But Armenia, our colleague in the CSTO, opposed this. The deal didn’t take place,” Belarusian military analyst Alexander Alesin had said.

Nevertheless, the official photos of the Azerbaijani defense ministry from today’s event clearly show the Polonez systems in Azerbaijan.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Ashot Ohanian’s exhibition held at “Vardashen” penitentiary

Christine Harutyunian
  • 18:50 | May 25,2018 | Social
  • Armenian:
  • Rus

On May 25, an exhibition of creative works of the defendant Ashot Ohanyan, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the First Republic and the triple May holiday, was held in the “Vardashen” penitentiary institution.

“My works in the style of bas-relief, created in three months – the results of my memories, experiences, life experiences and reassessment, as well as longing,” Ashot Ohanyan said in his speech. Participant of the Artsakh liberation battle Ashot Ohanyan at the end expressed gratitude to the administration of the institution for support.

The event dedicated to the triple holiday was also held in the Hrazdan criminal-executive institution. From May 14 to May 22, the internal chess championship was held, in which 9 defendants participated.

Head of Commission on Foreign Relations of Armenian Parliament urged Israel not to speculate on issue of Armenian Genocide in its complex geopolitical game with Turkey

Christine Harutyunian
Arminfo, Armenia
May 18 2018
Head of Commission on Foreign Relations of Armenian Parliament urged Israel not to speculate on issue of Armenian Genocide in its complex geopolitical game with Turkey

Yerevan May 18

Tatevik Shahunyan. The head of the commission on foreign affairs of the National Assembly of Armenia Armen Ashotyan considers it impermissible for Israel to speculate on the issue of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey against the backdrop of the deterioration of relations between Tel Aviv and Ankara.

On his page in Facebook Ashotyan, in particular, wrote: “I consider it impermissible to gamble with the issue of recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Israel in a complex geopolitical game with Turkey.”

To note, yesterday one after another calls for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey were heard in Israel. Thus, the son of Israeli Prime Minister Yair Netanyahu, on his Facebook page, wrote that Turkey is responsible for atrocities against Cyprus, Greeks, Kurds and Armenians. “I would like to remind the Turks that they are people from Central Asia who illegally occupied Asia Minor and Constantinople, who were Christian before their invasion.” So shut up! ” Yair Netanyahu wrote.

On the same day, the bill on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, presented by the member of the Knesset Itzik Shmuli, was approved by his 50 colleagues. The bill was supported by both coalition representatives and opposition parties, namely Likud, Zionist Camp, Meretz, Jewish House and Shas. The bill calls for officially recognizing the Armenian Genocide and fixing a specific day for commemoration of the victims. In addition, the deputies propose that Israel officially recognize the Assyrian genocide. The initiative was joined by Speaker of the Knesset Julius, saying that he would do everything possible to promote the document.

The day before, Israeli Minister of Science Ofir Akunis stated that it is necessary to isolate Turkey in the international arena, as well as “to show the anti-Semitic face of Erdogan”. According to Akunis, the Turkish president is a neo-Nazi, who hates Israel. He stressed that Israel must recognize the Armenian Genocide. It should be noted that Akunis is already the third Israeli minister who speaks about the recognition of the Armenian Genocide amid the tense relations between Israel and Turkey. At the same time, Deputy Foreign Minister Tsipi Khotoveli noted that Tel Aviv is not going to freeze relations with Ankara. “Turkey is an important country in the region, even if its leader made rude statements about the leadership of Israel and its actions. I think we answered him the same way, “she said, adding that relations with Turkey are not built on friendship, but on very important interests in the region. – nu-

Pashinyan has real opportunity to improve situation in Armenia: opinion

Christine Harutyunian
Eurasia Daily
Alexander Krylov, head of the Center for Post-Soviet Studies IMEMO RAS

The new leadership of Armenia has a real opportunity to significantly improve the situation in the country, Alexander Krylov, head of the Center for Post-Soviet Studies IMEMO RAS has said in a talk with EADaily. According to him, the events in Armenia have two stages. The first one was to remove Serzh Sargsyan from power, the second stage ended with Nikol Pashinyan becoming the prime minister. Mass protests became the main means of successfully meeting these challenges and although they cannot be assessed as completely legitimate, however, such a massive violation of public order was the only effective means of destroying the power model created by the third president of Armenia and intended to ensure his further unlimited rule.

Krylov noted that in the neighboring Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili also tried to maintain his power through a constitutional reform and changing the presidential form of government to a parliamentary one. In Georgia, Saakashvili’s party was defeated at the 2012 elections and he was forced to leave the country. In Armenia, everything went according to a slightly different scenario, but the result was just as disastrous for the constitutional reform initiator.

“The relatively peaceful nature of the events and the generally neutral position of the security forces have become a great achievement for Armenia. Fears for a possible bloodshed, fortunately, were not justified. Absolutely groundless were initially absurd allegations about possible interference of Russian troops into the proceedings. Summing up the two initial stages of the transition in Armenia, we can state that the formally legitimate continuation of Serzh Sargsyan’s rule as prime minister was not recognized as legitimate by a large part of the Armenian population, and illegal mass actions (blocking streets and administrative buildings, etc.) were considered as complete legitimate in the conditions of a specific situation, because there was no other way for the public to remove him from power,” the Russian expert said.

However, now, after Pashinyan’s candidacy for prime minister’s post was approved, the third stage of reformation begins. Alexander Krylov recalled that according to the statements of the new prime minister, this stage will last 3-6 months and its main goal will be to hold genuinely democratic elections guaranteed from various frauds and violations.

This task seems quite logical, since the opposition did not consider the current composition of the parliament legitimate and reflecting the will of Armenian voters because of the questionable, in its opinion, character and the results of the recent elections. “So, if the current parliament is not absolutely legitimate, then the appointment of Nikol Pashinyan as prime minister is also the same. On the other hand, against the backdrop of mass demonstrations and accusations against the Republican Party, it can hardly be asserted that the parliamentarians had not been pressured and voted solely on their own. In this situation, only new parliamentary elections can take the situation in Armenia back to the legitimate course; the elections will allow forming an absolutely legitimate parliament that expresses the will of the voters,” the expert stressed.

Despite all the validity of the Nikol Pashinyan’s position, the expert is also aware of the challenges that arise. 3-6 months is a very long period in the conditions of Armenia. So in addition to preparing new parliamentary elections, the new Armenian leadership will have to deal with acute social and economic problems. If the population does not feel real progress, and even more so if the situation worsens, this may affect the results of the upcoming parliamentary elections in a negative way for Pashinyan’s supporters. On the other hand, the “temporary” and short-lived nature of the new administration’s governance may complicate its activities in the international arena, as foreign policy partners may prefer to take a certain “pause” in relations, up to the formation of not a “temporary” but permanent leadership of Armenia.

“At the same time, in the current situation there are factors favorable to the new administration. One can expect a significant increase in the economic activity of the Armenian Diaspora, previously hampered by the rules existing in Armenia. These same rules largely impeded the full-scale use of the potential of bilateral Russian-Armenian economic ties, as well as the potential of the EAEU integration association. The media also received information about the possible return of illegally acquired and exported capital from Armenia, which, if it does happen, can significantly supplement the Armenian budget and become an additional source of development. So the new leadership has a real opportunity to significantly improve the socio-economic indicators of Armenia only by removing those barriers that were caused by the nature of the ruling regime, which was suspended from power,” Alexander Krylov summed up.

Recall, a day before the Armenian parliament, from the second attempt, elected Nikol Pashinyan as new prime minister of the country.

Lia Khojoyan
More details:

Azerbaijani press: Turkish parliamentary speaker: No "Armenian genocide" in history

Christine Harutyunian
17:34 (UTC+04:00)

Baku, Azerbaijan, April 23

By Rufiz Hafizoglu – Trend:

There was no “Armenian genocide” in history, Speaker of Turkey’s parliament Ismail Kahraman said, the Turkish media reported on April 16.

He said that, Turkey is not afraid of its history.

“The Turkish authorities have repeatedly appealed to Armenia with a proposal to establish a joint historical commission to investigate the events of 1915. However, so far we have not received any response from Armenia,” Kahraman said.

Armenia and the Armenian lobby claim that Turkey’s predecessor, the Ottoman Empire, allegedly carried out “genocide” against the Armenians living in Anatolia in 1915. While strengthening the efforts to promote the “genocide” in the world, Armenians have achieved its recognition by the parliaments of some countries.

—

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu


Day 8 of Armenia protests

Christine Harutyunian
JAM News
JAMnews, Yerevan
Naira Martikian

Prime Minister Sargsyan says he does not want to ‘use coercive measures’


Today is the eighth day of protests in Armenia. Demonstration organisers have called the civil disobedience movement a ‘velvet’ revolution and continue to call for support.

Thousands of people have shown up in support and are protesting from the early morning to late at night.

The leader of the movement and opposition MP Nikol Pashinyan has stated that the situation has become a ‘battle of nerves’. With the demonstrations, protesters seek to paralyze traffic and state institutions with the aim of forcing Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan to step down from his position.

Sargsyan held an interview with Shant TV station and commented on the situation:

“I have no desire to use coercive measures, but absolute permissiveness cannot reign in the country. There are always complaints among the public, not only in Armenia. Unfortunately, the quality of life [here] does not allow the people to fulfill themselves in ways they would like. However, the problem here cannot be found in dissatisfaction nor in [recent] changes.

“We have ourselves noticed how the possibilities and opportunities for citizens to voice their complaints and dissatisfaction have grown over the years. Citizens have been able for many years to voice their protest, as long as it remains peaceful. I think that this is beneficial for the state as well as the people. The important thing is for these complaints and protests to be expressed within the limits of the law.”

Sargsyan says that ‘national wisdom’ will provide for a satisfactory resolution to the problem.

“Understanding that their form of protest and demonstrations and so on is on some level limiting the rights and freedoms of others in society means that there is a boundary over which they cannot step.”

Activists of the civil disobedience movement have been closing down streets in different parts of the city. Police have been able to restore circulation in some parts of the city, while announcing that the demonstration is illegal and its participants will be detained – which does happen periodically.