Author: Garnik Tadevosian

Armenpress: Pashinyan congratulates Georgia on National Holiday

Garnik Tadevosian

Pashinyan congratulates Georgia on National Holiday

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11:05,

YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan has congratulated his Georgian counterpart Mamuka Bakhtadze on the Georgian National Holiday.

“I cordially congratulate you and the good people of Georgia on the national holiday of Georgia, the State Independence Reinstatement Day”, Pashinyan said in a message sent to Bakhtadze.

“The centuries-old Armenian-Georgian ties of friendship have always been distinguished by mutual respect and trust, which is a solid basis for the furtherance and expansion of our multifaceted agenda.

On this occasion, I would like to express my appreciation of our regular meetings and discussions, which add new quality and content to our cooperation. I am confident that the high-level Armenian-Georgian relations will continue to strengthen in the best interest of our peoples.

I wish you all the best and every success, as well as happiness, prosperity and progress to the brotherly people of Georgia.”

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




Lydian Announces First Quarter 2019 Results and Corporate Update

Garnik Tadevosian
ENP Newswire
May 16, 2019 Thursday

Lydian Announces First Quarter 2019 Results and Corporate Update


TORONTO – Lydian International Limited (TSX: LYD) (‘Lydian’ or ‘the Company’) announced today its results for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

All dollar amounts referenced in this news release are, unless otherwise indicated, in United States dollars.

First Quarter 2019 and recent developments include: Illegal Blockades – The blockades continue at Lydian’s Amulsar Gold Project, having been in place since June 22, 2018. As a result, two of Lydian’s subsidiaries formally notified the Government of Armenia on March 11, 2019 of the existence of disputes with the Government of Armenia under the UK bilateral investment treaty and the Canada bilateral investment treaty.

Third Audit – In March 2019, the Government of Armenia commenced its third-party assessment of the Amulsar Gold Project’s environmental impact on water resources, geology, biodiversity, and water quality. The duration of this audit is expected to be 12 to 16 weeks. The Company does not accept the need or legal basis for this audit but is cooperating fully with this audit as it progresses.

Court Rulings – Armenian courts have recently issued two rulings in Lydian’s favour: On April 10, 2019, the Administrative Court of the Republic of Armenia ruled in favour of Lydian and instructed the Armenian Police to remove trespassers and their property from the Company’s Amulsar Project site. The Administrative Court’s ruling was effective May 10, 2019 unless appealed prior to that date. The Company is not aware of any appeal having been filed during the prescribed period and has requested official acknowledgement from the Administrative Court that the order is effective. Following receipt of this acknowledgement, Lydian will demand enforcement of the order if not already acted upon by the Armenian Police and The Criminal Court of Appeal of the Republic of Armenia ruled on April 19, 2019 that the police are to initiate a criminal investigation against protesters. The Prosecutor has fifteen days from the official receipt of the judgment to appeal to the Cassation Court of Armenia (the highest Armenian court). Lydian received official notice of the judgement on May 13, 2019 and has been informed unofficially that the Prosecutor received the judgement on May 13, 2019. Therefore, Lydian believes the Prosecutor has 15 days from May 13, 2019 to register an appeal.

Hydrogeological Survey – The Company completed an isotopic investigation of groundwater systems at Amulsar and the Jermuk area, confirming the findings of the Amulsar Project’s EIA and ESIA by conclusively demonstrating that there is no hydraulic connection between the groundwater regimes at the Amulsar Project and Jermuk.

Going Concern Implications

Following a change in the Government of Armenia in May 2018, demonstrations and road blockades occurred sporadically throughout the country. These initial protests primarily targeted the mining sector, including the Amulsar Gold Project. Despite recent court rulings in favour of the Company, a continuous illegal blockade at Amulsar has been in place since June 22, 2018, causing construction activities to be suspended since this date. Access has generally been limited to contractor demobilization and winterization during Q4 2018.

The Government of Armenia has not enforced the rule of law to remove the illegal blockades at Amulsar and prosecute other illegal acts carried out against the Company. Furthermore, the Government of Armenia has taken certain actions and failed to act on other matters. The Government of Armenia’s actions and inactions have substantially restricted the Company’s access to capital and caused conditions to occur that were deemed events of default by the senior lenders, stream financing providers, and equipment financiers. As a result, in December 2018 the Company entered into an amended and restated forbearance agreement (the ‘AR Forbearance Agreement’) and, thereafter, in January 2019 the Thirteenth Amending Agreement (the ‘Thirteenth Amending Agreement’) and the AR Stream Agreement (the ‘AR Stream Agreement’) with its senior lenders, stream financing providers, and equipment financiers.

The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon the Government of Armenia resolving the disputes it has created with the Company and making the Company whole. It will also be necessary for the Company to continue to receive forbearance under the AR Forbearance Agreement and funding under the Thirteenth Amending Agreement. Blockade-related costs will continue to be incurred until the illegal blockades are removed and unrestricted access for all purposes is available to the Company. Thereafter, the Company anticipates additional time and funding will be needed for site restoration, sourcing of financing, if available, for completing construction and working capital until positive cash flows from operations can be achieved. Alternatively, funding will be required until a strategic alternative can be arranged, if at all, or to support the Company’s legal alternatives.

While the Company has entered into the AR Forbearance Agreement with its senior lenders, stream financing providers, and equipment financiers, as a result of the actions and inactions of the Government of Armenia there is no assurance that the Company will be able to meet its obligations under the applicable credit or loan agreements with its senior lenders, stream financing providers, and equipment financiers and that the Company will avoid further events of default as contemplated under such agreements. As a result, the Company may not be able to receive forbearance and continuing funding from the same parties under the AR Forbearance Agreement, the Thirteenth Amendment, and the AR Stream Agreement. Therefore, there is a risk that the Company will be in default under its agreements with its senior lenders, stream financing providers, and equipment financiers, which may ultimately result in one or more secured parties exercising rights to demand repayment and enforcing security rights, which may result in partial or full loss of the assets of the Company. During this forbearance period, Lydian will continue to engage with its lenders and stream financing providers to address the issues resulting from the illegal blockades and seek continuing forbearance and funding, while at the same time evaluating a range of strategic, financing, and legal alternatives.

Although the Company has obtained sufficient financing to date, including during the period of the illegal blockades and as provided in the AR Forbearance Agreement, the Thirteenth Amendment, and the AR Stream Agreement, as a result of the actions and inactions of the Government of Armenia there can be no assurance that adequate financing will be available when needed at commercially acceptable terms and that the Company will ultimately be able to generate sufficient positive cash flow from operations, find an acceptable strategic alternative, or fund legal alternatives. Furthermore, there are no assurances of future forbearances or lenders not demanding repayment and exercising security rights under the respective credit agreements. These circumstances indicate the existence of material uncertainties that create significant doubt as to the Company’s ability to meet its obligations when due, and accordingly, continue as a going concern.

At March 31, 2019, the Company recognized an additional non-cash impairment loss of $ 28.0 million. More detailed financial and other information can be found in the Company’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2019, which are available on SEDAR under the Company’s profile ().

Chess: Aronian loses at the opening game of the FIDE Grand Prix

Garnik Tadevosian
Panorama, Armenia
Sport 11:18 18/05/2019 Armenia

Armenian grandmaster Levon Aronian lost the game to Yan Nepomniachtchi at the opening game of the first leg of the 2019 FIDE Grand Prix series opened on Thursday in Moscow. The game ended on the 72nd move with Aronian playing with black.

The second game between the two will take place on May 18. The Moscow Grand Prix is a knock-out (or single-elimination) event. It’s a format where the loser of each match is immediately eliminated from the tournament, and the winner will play another winner in the next round, until the final match, whose hero becomes the Grand Prix Champion.

The 2019 FIDE Grand Prix series consists of four tournaments, with 16 players each. A total of 22 players will compete, and the top two finishers in the overall standings will qualify for the 2020 Candidates’ Tournament. The winner of that tournament will be the new challenger of Magnus Carlsen in a title match scheduled for November 2020.

Armenia proposes to increase fine for Caucasian leopard hunting by 97 million drams

Garnik Tadevosian

Armenia proposes to increase fine for Caucasian leopard hunting by 97 million drams

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14:19,

YEREVAN, MAY 10, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian government proposes to increase the fine for the damage caused by the hunting and killing of a Caucasian leopard by 97 million drams based on the legislative changes, Minister of nature protection Erik Grigoryan said during today’s Cabinet meeting.

“It is planned to set a fine of 100 million drams for the damage caused by the hunting or killing of the Caucasian leopard that is in critical condition, instead of the current 3 million AMD fine. The program, which is implemented by the ministry, and the Year of Caucasian Leopard declared by Armenia, is not a national program and aims at preserving this unique and extremely rare animal species in the entire European region”, the minister said.

Erik Grigoryan said at present nearly 8-12 Caucasian leopards are registered.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Asbarez: Arpa Film Festival Family Enjoys Success at Sundance

Garnik Tadevosian
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7 hours ago

HOLLYWOOD—The big buzz is on at Hollywood’s prominent independent film festival, Sundance, where past Arpa honorees headlined the festival this year.

Arpa International Film Festival is honored to have recognized several talented filmmakers in the cinematic arena, whether in the field of producing, directing, screenwriting or acting. These diverse group of individuals are shining this year with successful projects such as past Arpa honoree and Academy Award winning documentarian Joe Berlinger, who directed the Ted Bundy biopic “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile” starring Zac Efron, Lilly Collins, and Angela Sarafyan, along with an amazing cast of Hollywood’s A-listers.

Longtime Arpa supporter, and juror Ara Keshishian, the President of Mad River productions, is the producer of this most anticipated film of 2019. The film was one of the biggest sales of Sundance, selling for a whopping 9 million dollars to Netflix. Berlinger also directed the documentary “Conversation with a Killer; The Ted Bundy Tapes,” which is currently on Netflix.

Arpa’s 2014 Rising Star award recipient Angela Sarafyan continues to shine not only with her part of the Sundance success story in “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile,” but this talented actress also stars in the HBO hit series “Westworld,” as well as last year’s compelling film “The Promise.”

Other successful stories that have come out of the Sundance Film Festival include screenwriter/producer and Arpa’s Rising Star Award recipient Sev Ohanian, whose film “Searching” received the Audience Award last year and went on to be a huge worldwide hit for Sony Pictures.

Natalie Quasabian, Arpa’s 21st Annual Film Festival’s Rising Star award recipient also co-produced the film “Searching,” and is currently co-producing the film “Run” starring Sarah Paulson for Lionsgate films.

Arpa International Film Festival takes great pride in promoting independent filmmakers to flourish in the cinematic arena and to shine a light on all of these success stories. The Festival looks forward to having many more in the future.

Work is underway for the 22nd Annual Arpa International Film Festival which will take place at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood on October 25 – 26 – 27. Once again the Festival will showcase a diverse tapestry of global cinema with a broad selection of films that cultivate cultural understanding and empathy.

Film submissions will be open at Film Freeway on February 26, 2019. For more information, visit Arpa’s website.

Theater Review: ‘A Journey of Angels’

Garnik Tadevosian
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10 hours ago

BY ALIQUE KELECHIAN

GLENDALE—The cast of A Journey of Angels presented an astonishing musical about the Armenian Genocide that left viewers speechless. The musical, which was performed on Thursday, April 18, explored many different aspects of the genocide, as well as the Armenian people’s struggle to survive. The play depicted the genocide through multiple perspectives: a parent, a child, a sister, a husband, and a grandmother.

A Journey of Angels focused mainly on one young girl’s journey, as she realizes she must turn to her faith in times of trouble. As fourteen year old Flora is forced out of her home and away from her loved ones, she learns that as long as she keeps the memory of her family alive in her heart, they will always be with her.

Based on Dr. Kay Mouradian’s documentary, “My Mother’s Voice,” the musical was written by Brent Beerman, directed by Kay Cole, and the soundtrack was written by Kathy Chaplar. The documentary reflected Dr. Mouradian’s great-grandmother’s survival of the genocide as a young woman.

“The message of the play is a simple one of strength and courage,” said Eric Kursinski, an actor of the play who played the roles of Reverend Eskijian, Captain Khounshid, and Captain of the Turkish troops. “The play expresses that one can make it through the lowest parts of their life as long as they hold on to hope.”

Amy Earhart, playing the role of Flora’s mother, Arpi, believed the message to be that, “there is still love in failure, it does not mean that she [Arpi] didn’t try to save her family, or die trying… and there’s a lot of value in that.”

The musical started as a small idea which eventually grew into a local High School play. It finally reached Preparations for the play are near completion, and is anticipated to be staged on April 24th, 2020.

Alique Kelechian is a sophomore at Crescenta Valley High School.




La négation du génocide arménien ne sera pas réprimée, les Arméniens de Belgique sont furieux

Garnik Tadevosian
DHnet, Belgique
12 avril 2019

Jean-Claude Matgen Publié le vendredi 12 avril 2019 à 11h41 – Mis à jour le samedi 13 avril 2019 à 23h07

<img src=””https://t3.ldh.be/uEsMfgmmiq5-RBGJSMyY_sWgfYk=/0x371:4693×2717/620×310/filters:watermark(dh.png,-0,-0,0)/5cb05d347b50a60b45a4d895.jpg” alt=”” title=”© Reporters”>
Monde

Il est prévu que, le 24 avril, la Chambre, en séance plénière, adopte une proposition de loi qui émane des députés MR, rejoints par le CD&V, la N-VA et l’OpenVLD.

Elle élargit la portée de l’article 20 de la loi contre le racisme et la xénophobie du 30 juillet 1981, dite “loi Moureaux”. Approuvé récemment en commission de Justice de la Chambre, le texte réprime toute dénégation, minimisation ou tentative de justification des génocides reconnus par une juridiction internationale.

Sont concernés les génocides rwandais et de Srebrenica, en ex-Yougoslavie. Le négationnisme de l’Holocauste des juifs est, de son côté, visé par une loi spécifique datant de 1995.

Le ministre de la Justice Koen Geens a confirmé que la proposition devait être adoptée juste après les vacances de Pâques.

S’exposera désormais à des sanctions pénales “quiconque (…) nie, minimise grossièrement, cherche à justifier ou approuve des faits correspondant à un crime de génocide, à un crime contre l’humanité ou à un crime de guerre (…) établis comme tels par une décision définitive rendue par une juridiction internationale, sachant ou devant savoir que ce comportement risque d’exposer soit une personne, soit un groupe, une communauté ou leurs membres, à la discrimination, à la haine ou à la violence”.

Koen Geens a précisé qu’en votant cette disposition, la Belgique se conformera au prescrit de l’Union européenne et du Conseil de l’Europe, qui exigent que les Etats adaptent leur législation en ce sens depuis plusieurs années.

Le ministre en a profité pour indiquer que le “ génocide arménien ne relève pas du champ d’application de cette loi, car il ne fait pas l’objet d’une décision rendue par une juridiction internationale”.

Cette restriction passe très, très mal au sein de la communauté arménienne de Belgique.

Vendredi, dans un communiqué, les représentants des Arméniens, Assyriens et Grecs pontiques ont dit regretter “que l’élargissement de l’arsenal législatif en cours punissant le négationnisme se soit limité à la dénégation des génocides rwandais et de Srebrenica”.”

Le Comité des Arméniens de Belgique, le Centre culturel du peuple de Mésopotamie, la Fédération des Assyriens de Belgique, la Fédérations des Araméens (syriaques) et l’Association des Grecs pontiques “Kamian K’en Argos” déplorent que le législateur se refuse “à condamner la dénégation du génocide commis contre leurs communautés par le gouvernement ottoman Jeune Turc en 1915.”

Ils rappellent que le jour prévu pour le vote de la proposition de loi, à savoir le 24 avril, coïncide avec le jour de la commémoration du génocide des Arméniens. “Si la Chambre souhaitait insulter la mémoire des victimes du génocide de 1915, elle n’aurait pas pu mieux s’y prendre”, soulignent les auteurs du communiqué qui en appellent à une modification du texte.

Les communautés signataires rappellent que la Belgique a reconnu le génocide des Arméniens au Sénat et à la Chambre, ainsi qu’à travers une déclaration du Premier ministre Charles Michel.

Quatre reconnaissances. Le mot génocide a été “inventé” en 1944 par Raphael Lemkin, juriste polonais. Un génocide est un acte (massacre, atteinte grave à l’intégrité, préjudice mental ou physique) “commis dans l’intention de détruire, tout ou en partie, un groupe national, ethnique, racial ou religieux”, selon la convention des Nations unies du 9 décembre 1948. Le génocide arménien de 1915 est l’un des quatre génocides reconnus par les instances onusiennes. Le génocide des Juifs lors de la Seconde Guerre mondiale a été reconnu par la cour de Nuremberg en 1945 et a servi de point de départ à la définition du terme. Depuis, le massacre des Tutsis au Rwanda, en 1994, et le massacre de Srebrenica (Bosnie-Herzégovine), en 1995, ont été qualifiés de génocide par les tribunaux pénaux internationaux pour le Rwanda et l’ex-Yougoslavie.

Sanctions. En Belgique, nier le génocide du peuple juif par le régime nazi est puni depuis 1995. La Chambre s’apprête à voter une loi sanctionnant pénalement ceux qui nieraient l’existence des génocides commis au Rwanda et à Srebrenica. Mais ce texte n’évoque pas le génocide arménien pour les raisons évoquées ci-dessus.

Jean-Claude Matgen

Students Take Part in Inter-School Recitation Contest, Awards Ceremony

Garnik Tadevosian
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12 hours ago

LA CRESCENTA, Calif.,—Vahan and Anoush Chamlian School hosted the sixth annual inter-school recitation contest, on Saturday, March 16. The event was organized by the Board of Regents of Prelacy Schools under the auspices of Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian was in attendance, delivering the invocation and conveying the prelate’s blessings.

Over 100 students from the following schools participated: Rose and Alex Pilibos, Mesrobian, Ferrahian, Marie Cabayan, Chamlian, Ari Guiragos Minassian, AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian, AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian, Sahag-Mesrob, Armenian Sisters Academy, and ARS Saturday Schools.

Remarks were delivered by Board of Regents Chair Lisa Gaboudian, Armenian Sisters Academy teacher Linda Kandilian, Chamlian Vice-Principal Rita Kaprielian, and Board of Regents member Lena Kortoshian. This year’s jury members were Grigor Ogaryan, Takouhi Arzoumanian, Sayat Baboumian, Kevork Bedikian, Maral Varjabedian, and Mgo Panossian.

The recitations were presented in three parts; 4th and 5th grades, 6th – 8th grades, and 9th – 12th grades. Students eloquently presented the works of literary masters such as Taniel Varoujan, Siamanto, Hamasdegh, Aram Haigaz, Moushegh Ishkhan, Hovhannes Shiraz, Yeghishe Charents, and Avedik Isahagian.

All participants received certificates of commendation from the Board of Regents and Diaspora ministry and mementos from the Prelacy.

The awards ceremony was held at the Prelacy’s “Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian” Hall, on Thursday, April 11. The event was chaired by Prelate Moushegh Mardirossian. In attendance were members of the Board of Regents and judging panel, principals, teachers, the winnings students and their parents.

The program opened with a prayer, after which Board of Regents Lisa Gaboudian delivered welcoming remarks. She gave thanks for the large number of participants, and expressed appreciation to judging panel members Grigor Ogaryan, Takouhi Arzoumanian, Sayat Baboumian, Kevork Bedikian, Maral Varjabedian, and Mgo Panossian for their patience and diligence, as well as to Mihran Toumajan for his continued efforts from the very first year.

Board of Regents member, and Master of Ceremonies, Sarkis Ourfalian thereafter introduced the winners from each category and invited them to the stage to receive their awards, which included personalized plaques and mementos of the Catholicosate in Antelias and the Genocide monument in Bikfaya. Mementos were also presented to the judging panel. The first place winners each recited their winning poem.

Below is a list of this year’s winners:

In the elementary division:

Lorig Artinian, 1st place (Mesrobian)
Lily Haytayan, 2nd place (Marie Cabayan)
Emily Semerjian, 3rd place (Chamlian)
Arpi Aivazian, 4th place (Ari Guiragos Minassian)

In the junior high division:

Karni Balian, 1st place (Ferrahian)
Hrag Khacherian, 2nd place (Chamlian)
Andre Giragossian, 3rd place (Chamlian)

In the high school division:

Alik Artinian, 1st place (Mesrobian)
Ara Yacoubian, 2nd place (Pilibos)
Jbid Melkonian, 3rd place (Pilibos)
Shant Hovagimian, 4th place (AGBU Manoukian)

On behalf of the judging panel, Mgo Panossian congratulated the students, encouraged them to continue speaking and reciting in their mother tongue, and read them his latest poem— dedicated to Armenian youth. Mihran Toumajan also encouraged students to participate in the pan-Armenian poetry festival in Shushi over the summer.

In his closing message, the Prelate expressed his pride and joy at the students’ talents and wished for the number of participants to continue to grow each year. He blessed and commended the Board of Regents, judging panel, principals, and teachers. He especially thanked the parents for their sacrifice and devotion in instilling love and reverence for our language and heritage in the hearts of our youth, and wished for the public to be invited the following year to enjoy and applaud our students’ efforts.

The event was brought to an end with the Armenian National Anthem.

A poplar park established in Mekhakavan community of Artsakh

Garnik Tadevosian
Panorama, Armenia
Society 18:50 12/04/2019 NKR

At the initiative of Andranik Safaryan, the head of Mekhakavan community of Hadrut region, a park of poplar has been established in the community, Artsakhpress news agency reported.

As the source reports, Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, Director of the Artsakh State Service on Emergency Situations Lieutenant-General Levon Mnatsakanyan, servicemen, residents of Mekhakavan, a group of Artsakh State University students and others participated at the tree planting activities.

Afterwards, Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan and Levon Mnatsakanyan also visited Mekakhavan Children’s Creative Center, got acquainted with the building conditions, where some 145 students are enrolled. 

Arsen Harutyunyan wins European Wrestling championship

Garnik Tadevosian

Arsen Harutyunyan wins European Wrestling championship

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20:20,

YEREVAN, APRIL 10, ARMENPRESS. Member of Armenian freestyle wrestling team, 61 kg Arsen Harutyunyan conquered the title of champion in an interesting competition of European Wrestling championship in Bucharest, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Olympic Committee of Armenia.

In the final the Armenian sportsman defeated (17:11) vice champion of Europe and World Georgian wrestler Beka Lomtadze.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan