Author: Kajoyan Gevork

ARMENIAN SEISMOLOGIST SPEAKS AGAINST PLAN TO BUILD PERSIAN TOWER IN DOWNTOWN YEREVAN

/ARKA/
December 2, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, December 2. /ARKA/. An Armenian seismologist spoke today
against plans to build the so-called Persian Tower in downtown Yerevan
designed as a 50-storey hotel.

Vladimir Balasanian, an independent seismologist, speaking at a news
conference, said he and his colleagues are categorically against the
construction of the hotel in Yerevan, particularly, and in Armenia
in general because a strong earthquake would collapse it and destroy
all nearby structures.

Balasanian said the hotel is supposed to be built by Iranians who
are unaware of Armenia’s seismic risks. Mkrtich Miansian, head of
the Union of Armenian Architects, also spoke against this plan urging
the government to take action against the plan.

The tower is supposed to be constructed on a land plot between Moskva
cinema house and the building of the Union of Artists of Armenia. The
land plot formerly belonged to the Union of Artists, but since the
90s has been resold several times and now is owned by an Iranian
company Tidas International that resumes form time to time the talk
about plans to build the hotel.

Earlier the Union of Architects said it was ready to ask president
Serzh Sargsyan and the National Assembly to block the decision,
as well as initiate a public debate on this issue. Mkrtich Minasian
expressed hope that the municipality of Yerevan will reconsider the
previously issued permit and will prohibit the construction of the
Persian Tower.

SOCIOLOGIST ON ARMENIA’S FUTURE PARLIAMENT

Tert.am
02.12.11

Aharon Adibekyan, Head of the Sociometer sociological center, held
a press conference Dec. 2.

Referring to his analysis, he said that the following political parties
are likely to get into Parliament: Republican Party of Armenia (RPA),
Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP), Rule of Law Party and Armenian National
Movement (ANM).

With respect to the PAP’s possible cooperation with other political
forces, the PAP will get more votes if it cooperates with the RPA. The
PAP may also get a massive vote if it cooperates with the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D), Heritage party and,
finally, with the ANM.

The fiercer is the election campaign the more likely is victory of
democracy, Adibekyan said.

GEORGIAN AND ARMENIAN PRESIDENTS SPEAK AT ECONOMIC FORUM
By Salome Modebadze

The Messenger
Dec 1 2011
Georgia

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and his Armenian counterpart
Serzh Sargsyan opened a joint business forum at the Radisson Hotel
on Wednesday. Sharing Georgia’s macroeconomic indicators, President
Saakashvili spoke of Georgia as one of the leading countries in
terms of the ease of doing business in the world according to World
Bank estimations. Recollecting how Georgia’s damaged economy has
been restored after the Rose Revolution, Saakashvili spoke of eight
years of successful reforms in the country. Calling it “the number one
reforming country” Saakashvili forecast significant economic increases
in the country for next year “if the world economy does not collapse.”

Encouraging Caucasian states to unite, the Georgian president welcomed
the long history of cooperation between Georgian and Armenian officials
at various international forums, which, according to Saakashvili has
“moved their economic integration to a higher level.”

The two neighboring countries’ cooperation in easing customs duty
procedures and an attempt to synthesize taxation systems should,
according to Saakashvili, end with the integration of the entire
Caucasian economy as “the only prospect for the region.”

Expressing his willingness to deepen economic cooperation with Georgia,
Serzh Sargsyan encouraged Armenian businessmen to invest money in
Georgia explaining that “money should be invested where it will bring
most benefit.” Sargsyan also welcomed Georgian investment in Armenia
thus tightening cooperation between the two countries.

“Georgia creates an example from which we are learning now,” the
Armenian president stated.

The business forum offered a wonderful opportunity to Georgian
companies and the Armenian business sector to discuss various issues
from almost every field. According to the Minister of Regional
Development and Infrastructure Ramaz Nikolaishvili Georgian companies
would be able to participate in tenders in Armenia from the next
year onwards. “We have also familiarized Armenian companies with
the procedures necessary for participating in Georgian tenders,”
the minister added.

“The participation of the presidents in the economic forum emphasized
the strong political and economic relations between the two countries,”
Vera Kobalia, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development,
stated. Stressing how the annual trade turnout had increased over
the past ten months, Kobalia reported that exports had reached USD
185 million this year. Expressing interest in the Georgian economy,
the Armenian guests also welcomed the country’s rapid success in the
last several years and hoped that by entering each other’s markets
the countries would even further improve their economies.

YALTA HOSTS ALEXANDER SPENDIARYAN COMPOSERS CONTEST

PanARMENIAN.Net
December 2, 2011 – 11:04 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Alexander Spendiaryan Yalta music school hosted
first international composers’ contest, with a prize set by President
of Union of Armenians in Ukraine.

The contest, held in the framework of cultural events organized by
Union of Armenians in Ukraine, was dedicated to the 140th anniversary
of Armenian composer Alexander Spendiaryan, Deputy Chairman of Armenian
Community of Crimea Vahan Vermishyan told Analitika.at.ua.

The contest hosted 12 composers from Ukraine and Russia in three age
categories. All the winners received special prizes, set by President
of the Union of Armenians in Ukraine Vilen Shatvoryan. Prizes
were awarded by Vermishyan. Mr. Vermishyan thanked organizers and
contestants expressing hope that Spendiaryan’s music contest henceforth
will become an annual event.

On December 9, Simferopol will host Days of Armenian culture in
Crimea and musical evenings dedicated to 140th birth anniversary of
Alexander Spendiaryan.

DINER LITTERAIRE, UNE PREMIERE ET UNE REUSSITE
Aurelie Ohanian

armenews.com
vendredi 2 decembre 2011

La Jeunesse Armenienne de France (JAF) a organise le jeudi 1er decembre
une rencontre avec des auteurs autour d’un repas armenien.

Cette première a ete une reussite : une table ronde autour de 2
auteurs et un photographe. Une discussion riche et conviviale !

Rencontre avec les auteurs…

Shake Mouradian est une jeune auteur de 24 ans. Gagnante de My
Major Company Books il y a quelques mois, voici une quinzaine de
jours que son ouvrage, ecrit a l’âge de 20 ans est dans toutes les
librairies. ” Jude R. ” est un roman noir, avec pour personnage
principal le fils de l’assassin de Martin Luther King… A partir de
la, Shake Mouradian nous emmène dans les annees 70 des Etats-Unis et
nous avons l’impression d’y etre : voitures, references musicales,
tout y est. Et une intrigue qui ne vous fera pas lâcher le livre tant
qu’il n’est pas acheve.

Cette jeune Francaise d’origine armenienne signe son premier roman et
succès. Elle a deja des projets plein la tete pour son prochain livre.

Issue d’une famille d’artistes, elle se laisse volontiers guider par sa
” folie ” pour creer ses personnages, tous aussi surprenants les uns
que les autres. Fan de litterature et de cinema, des Frères Cohen a
Steinbeck en passant par Tarantino et Ellroy, Shake Mouradian a un
projet d’adaptation de ” Jude R. ” en Bande dessinee.

Avec beaucoup de simplicite, elle nous a confie ses impressions,
ses craintes, ses habitudes d’ecrire dans des cafes pendant 6 ou 7
heures d’affilee. Cette etudiante en histoire de l’art devrait faire
de plus en plus parler d’elle dans les annees a venir.

Oliver Emran, l’auteur et Jean-Luc Abraïni, photographe, eux en sont
deja a leur 2ème livre. Sur un autre registre, ces deux Marseillais
amoureux de leur ville, ont fait le choix de parler de Marseille, de
raconter la vie de ses habitants, par ecrit et en images. Leur premier
ouvrage s’intitule ” Dans le jardin de pecheurs ” et le second :
” Jardins ouvriers, jardins enchantes “.

Emran et Abraïni, ce sont d’abord deux amis : deux amis, qui echangent
sur leur ville, discutent de ceux qui la composent et decident
un jour de parler de tous ces Marseillais en commencant par cette
petite minorite de pecheurs encore capables de conduire les fameuses ”
barquettes ” (bateau des petits metiers de la mer dans le patrimoine
maritime provencal – NDLR). Olivier et Jean-Luc s’echappent alors
de leur metier de publicitaires, le temps d’escapades a bord des ces
bateaux, pour s’impregner de ce metier peu connu et de ces pecheurs
au metier difficile.

Mais parler des pecheurs ou des jardins ouvriers, c’est surtout pour
Olivier Emran et Jean-Luc Abraïni une aventure humaine incroyable,
un moyen d’entrer en relation avec l’autre. Cette aventure, qui
continue encore aujourd’hui (ils ont garde des contacts forts avec
les personnes rencontrees) leur permet de creer d’autre projets sur
Marseille, et pourquoi pas ailleurs ?

Avec des photos epoustouflantes et des textes touchants et drôles,
nos 2 auteurs nous emmènent dans un Marseille qu’on aime, sans tomber
dans les cliches habituels et nous presentent des hommes et des femmes
qu’on croise tous les jours sans regarder, avec leur histoire, leurs
racines ; bref, Emran et Abraïni, de par leur gentillesse et leur
accessibilite nous ont offert hier, une presentation de la ville de
Marseille sous un angle qu’on aimerait voir plus souvent dans les
journaux televises. Deux beaux livres qui, a l’approche de Noël, ont
donne des idees cadeaux a l’ensemble des personnes presentes lors de
cette soiree.

US AMBASSADOR HEFFERN ATTENDS PRESCHOOL RENOVATION CEREMONY IN YEREVAN

armradio.am
01.12.2011 14:49

On December 1, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John A. Heffern and Armenian
officials and guests participated in the opening ceremony of the newly
renovated kitchen and sanitary facilities in kindergartens in the
Kanaker-Zeytun (No.161) and Achapnyak (No. 46) districts of Yerevan.

The USG-supported renovation projects were implemented by International
Relief and Development (IRD).

The preschools were constructed in the 1970s and had fallen into
disrepair. Over a three-month period, IRD implemented the two
renovation projects with support from the U.S. Department of State
and co-funding from the Church of Latter-day Saint Charities. The
Kanaker-Zeytun Community Governor’s contribution to the project
supported purchase of a large electrical range for the kitchen. The
renovation project addressed important humanitarian needs and
improved food hygiene and sanitary conditions for the preschoolsÕ~[
children. IRD also provided clothes, quilts, and school supplies to
the children.

Since 1992, the U.S. Department of State has been providing
humanitarian assistance throughout the region through projects known
collectively as Operation Provide Hope (OPH). To date, assistance
valued at USD $405 million has been directed to Armenia through OPH
to benefit needy populations including the elderly, disabled, orphans,
children, and victims of disaster.

LEVON ARONIAN TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN LONDON

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 1, 2011
YEREVAN

Armenian grand master Levon Aronian will participate December 3-12 in
the international chess championship in London, official from Chess
Federation of Armenia told Armenpress.

A number of leading chess players of the world will take part in
the championship.

Official from Chess Federation of Armenia told Armenpress.

A number of leading chess players of the world will take part in
the championship.

CONSECRATION DE L’EGLISE DES SAINTS ARCHANGE
Stephane

armenews.com
jeudi 1er decembre 2011

Le 5 novembre, le jour du Banquet des Saints Archanges, Sa Saintete
Karekin II, Patriarche Supreme et Catholicos de Tous les Armeniens, a
preside la ceremonie de consecration de l’Eglise des Saints Archanges.

L’Eglise a ete construite sur le terrain du Seminaire Theologique
Gevorkian au Saint Siège d’Etchmiadzin. Le bienfaiteur est M. Gagik
Galstian, d’Erevan et l’architecte local est M. Jim Torosian.

Pendant la consecration, le Catholicos a oint le Saint Autel avec
du Saint Muron. Son Eminence l’Archeveque Hovnan Derderian, Primat
du Diocèse Occidental de l’Eglise armenienne d’Amerique du Nord ;
et Sa grâce l’Eveque Armash Nalbandian, Primat de l’Eglise armenienne
de Damas ; oint les quatre colonnes de l’Autel.

L’Eglise des Saints Archanges aura un rôle central dans la vie
spirituelle des Etudiants du Seminaire Gevorkian. Le Seminaristes y
prieront et participeront aux Services et la celebration des Divines
Liturgies.

‘ARMENIA ITSELF FROZE NORMALIZATION OF TIES WITH TURKEY’

news.az
Nov 30 2011
Azerbaijan

News.Az interviews Turkish political scientist Murat Yesiltas.

How do you assess the decision of the Turkish Grand National Assembly
after putting Armenian-Turkish protocols back to the agenda?

Normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations is very important not
only to the interests of both countries, but also in terms of regional
stability and security. “The Arab Spring” not only become a specific
test for Turkey in formation of country image as a carrier of peace
in the region but also it revealed that peace is impossible to achieve
without Turkey.

It is clear that the Armenian-Turkish relations are not a minor factor
in the light of processes currently ongoing in the region. However,
this process, both in Turkey and Armenia, is perceived as a matter of
domestic policy. All the same, as we know, this process is perceived
more painfully in Armenia. As for Turkey, here this issue has become
more complicated since this process on the one hand creates pressure
for domestic policy, and on the other hand it has the potential
to affect Turkish-Azerbaijani relations. This situation was openly
demonstrated over the past three years.

Azerbaijan and Turkey are struggling with the Armenian lobby. In this
fighting Turkey was forced to make many concessions to the United
States and Israel. Therefore, the Armenian-Turkish protocols in this
context should not be taken in the Turkish Parliament as an abnormal
case. The situation remains the same – Turkey, claiming the role of
the state, which plays an important role in the region, has to face
serious pressure.

So, does the fact of removal of Armenian-Turkish protocols from the
agenda of the Turkish parliament and their repeated inclusion on the
agenda mean that the policy of the Turkish government has failed?

It would be wrong to believe that the Turkey’s policy of ‘Zero problems
with neighbors’ has failed. This policy primarily bases on definite
principles. Even if these principles are taken as the main components
of the foreign policy of the states, some problems won’t be reduced
to minimum anyway. Turkish-Armenian relations should be viewed in this
very context. Armenia’s public opinion is very sensitive regarding this
issue. Armenia views this issue only in terms of opening borders with
Turkey, though it was because the sensitivity of the Armenian side,
it was their fault that the process was frozen.

What political forces in Turkey tend more to normalizing ties with
Armenia?

The sensitive attitude of some Turkish regions to Azerbaijan and their
prejudice against Armenia promotes specific resistance to normalization
of the Turkish-Armenian ties. Certainly, this does not mean that the
Turkish government is also sensitive to Azerbaijan. The government
formed from the ruling party of Justice and Development leads the
powers that are eager to normalize relations with Armenia.

However, the party faced some difficulties in this issue. This is
an important matter for them in both attaining regional order and
preservation of peace.

Which role does the process of normalizing Turkish-Armenian relations
play in Karabakh settlement?

In the start of the process intensification on normalization of ties
and active involvement of diplomatic mechanisms Turkey set a number
of provisions. The main term was liberation of the Azerbaijani lands
occupied by Armenians. Turkey indirectly bound itself to the solution
of Karabakh conflict by setting the provision of Armenia’s withdrawal
from occupied lands. The normalization of relations might have direct
impact on Karabakh problem. However, the resolution of this issue
does not depend only on Turkey and Armenia.

This is a regional problem which involves Turkey and Azerbaijan and
where interests of US and Russia also intersect. Normalization of the
Turkish-Armenian relations and resolution of the Karabakh conflict
are interconnected. If a positive contribution is made to Karabakh
conflict settlement, the relations between Turkey and Armenia will
be normalized. And vice versa, if negative things occur in Karabakh
settlement, it will affect the Turkish-Armenian ties.

Is new war real between Azerbaijan and Armenia?

It is now difficult to make the forecast. Over the past 20 years
Azerbaijan and Armenia have been independent and represented in
international policy. Armenia’s economy is in a disastrous state.

Armenia still views Turkey and Azerbaijan as its enemies. Therefore,
Armenia has to spend more funds on defence. This in turn promotes
migration processes from this country. Meanwhile, in terms of energy
sources, Azerbaijan is a very rich country. Additionally, such a
strong country as Turkey is next to Azerbaijan. But I have to note
that anyway Azerbaijan and Armenia still have the unsettled dispute.

The current situation gives a ground to state that a new war between
Azerbaijan and Armenia is unreal.

OSCE MINSK GROUP COUNTRIES COMMITTED TO ACHIEVING THE SETTLEMENT OF THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

Trend
Nov 30 2011
Azerbaijan

The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Ambassadors Bernard Fassier
of France, Robert Bradtke of the United States, and Igor Popov of
the Russian Federation) and Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk (Personal
Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office) traveled November
28-30 to Yerevan and Baku, says the statement of OSCE published on
the website of the organization.

The Co-Chairs were accompanied by Ambassador Jacques Faure, who will
succeed Ambassador Fassier as the French Co-Chair of the Minsk Group.

In Yerevan the Co-Chairs met with President Serzh Sargsian, Foreign
Minister Edvard Nalbandian, and Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan;
in Baku they met with President Ilham Aliyev, Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov, and Defense Minister Safar Abiyev. In all these meetings,
the Co-Chairs reaffirmed the strong commitment of their countries to
assisting the sides in achieving a lasting and peaceful settlement
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Noting recent reports of incidents along the Line of Contact,
the Co-Chairs stressed again to the Presidents the importance of
respecting the 1994 ceasefire agreement, said in press-release.

“They reiterated that such incidents demonstrate the need to implement
the proposed mechanism to investigate incidents along the front-lines,
on which the Presidents have agreed in principle. The Co-Chairs
also discussed additional measures for enhancing confidence through
people-to-people exchanges and efforts to preserve places of worship,
cultural sites, and cemeteries”, – said in the statement.

On November 29, the Co-Chairs crossed the border between Armenia
and Azerbaijan by foot, and met on each side with local officials
to discuss the situation in the border region. On November 30, the
Co-Chairs met with representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh Azerbaijanis,
and underscored that a peaceful settlement must include the right
of all internally displaced persons and refugees to return to their
former places of residence.

Looking ahead to the December OSCE Ministerial Council meeting in
Vilnius, the Co-Chairs urged the sides to use this opportunity to
reaffirm their commitment to seeking a peaceful settlement and moving
beyond the unacceptable status quo, said in the statement.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. –
are currently holding the peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.