Author: Kajoyan Gevork

PROTEST DEMONSTRATION AGAINST AMULSAR MINE FROM JERMUK TO GNDEVAZ (PHOTOS)

19:21 February 23, 2015

EcoLur

The protest demonstration organized by S.O.S Amulsar initiative in
the frames of “Dznemarduk-2015” festival held in Jermuk Town, Vayots
Dzor Region from 20 to 22 February continued in Gndevaz community.

Lydian International Company is going to construct a heap leach
facility in the area of the orchards in this village. “LYDIAN GO
HOME!”, “No to Cyanide” signs were placed under “Welcome to Gndevaz”
sign on the gates of Gndevaz community.

The members of S.O.S Amulsar initiative disseminated article entitled
“Amulsar: Profitable or Lethal Cyanide” to Gndevaz community residents,
which is available at thus, making them aware of the heap leach plant
and the real hazards of Amulsar gold mine.

Photos by Pan-Armenian Environmental Front

JEWISH HEIRS SUE GERMANY OVER NAZI MEDIEVAL HOARD

24 February 2015 Last updated at 15:50 GMT

The Guelph treasure is worth over £100m

The heirs of Jewish art dealers who claim their relatives were forced
to sell a medieval treasure trove to the Nazis have filed a US lawsuit
against the German state.

They allege that the Nazis forced the sale of dozens of relics known
as the Welfenschatz or Guelph treasure.

They want to recover the collection, now thought to be worth $226m
(£146m), which is currently in a Berlin museum.

The government says the deal was fair and the relics should stay
in Germany.

The descendants believe that the original deal took place under duress
and that the Nazis forced the Jewish dealers to accept a lower price.

“Any transaction in 1935, where the sellers on the one side were
Jews and the buyer on the other side was the Nazi state itself is by
definition a void transaction,” said lawyer Nicholas O’Donnell.

The four dealers received millions of dollars when they sold them to
the Gestapo founder Hermann Goering.

In March last year Germany’s advisory body on cases of suspected
Nazi-looted art, the Limbach Commission, found no evidence of
persecution and that the price was fair.

This is the largest collection of medieval church art in the hands
of the German state, and was recently classed a national cultural
treasure. Some of the pieces are more than 800 years old.

OSCE AND UNISON NGO PRESENT REPORT ON ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION IN ARMENIA FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

19:07, 24 Feb 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

The findings and recommendations of an OSCE-supported survey exploring
the main obstacles encountered by people with disabilities in accessing
Armenia’s higher education system, was presented today in Yerevan.

The report commissioned by the OSCE Office in Yerevan was produced
by the Unison NGOthat supports people with special needs. It
provides comprehensive statistical data and focuses on physical
and programmatic, as well as the academic inclusiveness of higher
education.

“The report is a good example of innovative thinking. It analyzes
the system of higher education from the perspective of students with
special needs. The report’s recommendations and the effort investedare
positive steps toward increasing the integrity of higher education
in Armenia,” said Oliver McCoy, Democratization Programme Officer at
the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

The report finds that only one of the 29 higher education institutions
surveyed is physically accessible to people with mobility issues. The
majority of universities think that inclusiveness of higher education
should be guaranteed only to young people with mobility, sight,
hearing, speaking or general disabilities, excluding those with
mentalissues. There are no set mechanisms within universities to adapt
the educational process to the needs of people with disabilities. It
is only the good will of faculty members and fellow students to make
the learning process favourable to disabled students, the report notes.

Armen Alaverdyan, Executive Director of the Unison NGO, said: “The
survey outcomes show that Armenian universities mostly lack inclusive
policies, facilities and academic programmes for students with
disabilities. I strongly believe we should fill this gap by heavily
promoting equal opportunities to get a decent education in Armenia.”

The survey is based on opinions of students with and without
disabilities, administrative and academic staff of higher education
institutions and young persons with disabilities, as well as the
general public. Twenty-nine universities in Yerevan, Gyumri and
Vanadzor were included in the survey which was conducted during
September-November 2014.

ARMENIA, QATAR KEEN TO DEVELOP MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL RELATIONS

16:29, 24 Feb 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Ali Bin Hamad Al Sulaiti, the newly-appointed Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Armenia,
today handed over his credentials to President Serzh Sargsyan.

The President congratulated the newly-appointed ambassador and
wished him success, expressing the hope that during his tenure he
would spare no effort to strengthen and enhance cooperation between
Armenia and Qatar.

Serzh Sargsyan noted that Armenia attached great importance to
deepening of relations with Gulf states, including Qatar. Stressing
that the current effective and multifaceted collaboration between
Armenia and a series of Arab countries has been rooted in an age-old
and honest friendship between the Armenian and Arab peoples, the
Armenian President expressed confidence that it could provide a firm
foundation for Armenian-Qatari relations to successfully develop in
all mutually beneficial sectors.

Ambassador Ali Bin Hamad Al Sulaiti assured that he would put every
effort into developing bilateral relations and realizing, as he
characterized, the full cooperation potential.

The interlocutors placed great value on the activities of the
inter-governmental commission and the expansion of legal framework
to stimulate multi-sectoral collaboration between Armenia and Qatar.

At the meeting, the sides also touched upon current regional and
international issues.

HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK: MISSING SERVICEMAN HIDING FROM CREDITORS?

11:56 24/02/2015 >> DAILY PRESS

A new scandal is brewing around the 102nd Russian military base in
Gyumri – Armenian serviceman of the military base Arthur Afyan is
reported missing, Haykakan Zhamanak writes. It is rumored that he is
hiding in the military base from his creditors. He left the following
note to his wife: “Lie destroyed my house.”

Source: Panorama.am

GERMAN COURT TO RULE ON STOLEN CYPRIOT TREASURES IN MID MARCH

February 24, 2015

Some of the artefacts seized from Dikmen’s apartments

On March 16 the German Court of Appeals will issue its final decision
on the fate of the remaining 85 treasures stolen by a Turkish art
smuggler from the north as effort to reach an amicable settlement by
February 13 has failed, the Cyprus News Agency reported on Tuesday.

The treasures, including fragments of church wall paintings, icons,
a manuscript of an Armenian gospel and 40 prehistoric antiquities,
were found in 1997 in the possession of Turkish dealer in illicit
antiquities Aydin Dikmen in apartments he maintained in Munich. A
total of 173 looted treasures found in Dikmen`s possession in Munich
have already been repatriated to Cyprus.

CAN said it had learned that although the German judge in December made
a final attempt for an out-of-court friendly settlement by February
13, and despite the fact that there was a mutual proposal on behalf
of the lawyers of the two sides, the Turkish dealer raised new claims
which were rejected by the Cypriot side. Furthermore, the Turkish
side responded to the Cypriot side`s proposals after the deadline,
giving a negative answer.

Following this development, the German Court of Appeals is expected
to issue its final decision on March 16.

A first conciliation procedure was proposed in 2008, but the effort
collapsed.

One of the biggest cases of illicit trading in antiquities involving
Dikmen was the plundering of the wall paintings from the church of
Ayios Euphemianus and the 6th century wall mosaics from the Church
of Panayia Kanakaria.

In October and November 1997 the German Police raided apartments
maintained by the Turkish dealer in Munich. The number of works of
art they uncovered, hidden behind a false wall, was massive.

The records kept by Dikmen have been submitted as evidence at the
Bavarian Court. The detailed way in which he kept his records was
unprecedented, according to CAN. They included photographs and sketches
prior to the theft of the mosaics and wall paintings, photos taken
during their removal and after. (CNA)

TURKEY TO FACE DISGRACE AFTER FAILURE OF GALLIPOLI CELEBRATIONS

YEREVAN, February 23. /ARKA/. If confirmed, the information about
Turkey’s cancelling the celebrations of the victory in the Battle
of Gallipoli on April 24, will be a disgrace to Turkey, said Ruben
Safrastyan, head of Oriental Studies Institute at Armenia’s Academy
of Sciences, according to Novosti-Armenia.

Earlier Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in an attempt to
overshadow the centenary of the Armenian genocide in the Ottoman
Empire, invited world leaders, including Armenia’s president, to a
celebration of the victory in the Battle of Gallipoli (Chanakale)
on April 24.

On Sunday Turkey’s Zaman reported that the Turkish government had
canceled the celebrations of the victory in the Battle of Gallipoli,
which was to take place on April 24, coinciding with the commemoration
of the centenary of the Armenian Genocide. The newspaper said that
it was because only five nations have confirmed their participation
in the events at the highest level.

According to Safrastyan, the fact that the celebrations may be
cancelled show that the Turkish authorities are panicking ahead of
the Armenian genocide centennial, and, hence, are initiating cynical
and immoral steps that are not well thought out.

The expert also praised the international community and the majority
of world leaders for having refused to participate in the celebrations.

Turkey and Armenia have had no diplomatic ties since Armenia became
independent from the Soviet Union in 1991. Turkey closed its border
with Armenia in 1993 in a show of support for its ally, Azerbaijan,
which had a dispute with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh, the ethnic
Armenian enclave of Azerbaijan.

There are several sensitive issues complicating the establishment of
normal relations between the two countries, particularly Ankara’s
blatant support of Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
resolution process and Turkey’s refusal to acknowledge the mass
killings of Armenians the Ottoman Empire as genocide.

The Armenian Genocide was the first genocide of the twentieth century.

According to Armenian and many other historians, up to 1.5 million
Armenians were killed starting in 1915 in a systematic campaign by
the government of Turkey. Turkey has been denying it for decades.

The Armenian genocide was recognized by tens of countries. The first
was Uruguay that did so in 1965. Other nations are Russia, France,
Italy, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Sweden,
Switzerland, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Canada, Venezuela, Argentina,
42 U.S. states.

It was recognized also by the Vatican, the European Parliament, the
World Council of Churches and other international organizations. -0–

MONUMENT DEDICATED TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VICTIMS TO BE ERECTED IN FRESNO

14:45, 23 February, 2015

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. Events dedicated to the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide will continue until September
2015. Alongside with various events, the Armenian Genocide Centennial
Committee of Fresno will organize classes dedicated to the Armenian
Genocide for the local teachers.

As reports “Armenpress” citing the official website of the Committee,
the Armenian Genocide Centennial Monument dedicated to the 1.5 million
Armenian martyrs, who perished at the hands of the Ottoman Turkish
government during the period 1915-1923, will be erected in Fresno on
April 23.

Designed by Fresno architect Paul Halajian, the monument will embody
symbols of cultural meaning to the Armenian people. Its principal
components will be arranged in a circular pattern and angled inwards,
reminiscent of the Tzitzernagapert monument in Armenia. Built from
beton brut and Tufa stones, the nine pillars that make-up the body of
the structure represent the six provinces of historic WesternArmenia
(Van, Bitlis, Dickranagerd, Kharpert, Sepastia, and Erzerum), Cilicia,
the Diaspora, and the Republic of Armenia. The pillars will gradually
descend in height around the circle, with the first measuring 19 feet
high and the last 15 feet to underscore the significance of the year
1915. An incomplete halo will be set above on top of the pillars,
symbolizing both the fracture left by the Genocide and the unity of
the Armenian people.

NKR PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS ON MOTHERLAND DEFENDER’S DAY

12:25, 23 Feb 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

NKR President Bako Sahakyan has issued a congratulatory message on
the Motherland Defender’s Day:

Dear compatriots,

On behalf of the Artsakh Republic authorities and on my own behalf,
I cordially congratulate you on the Motherland Defender’s Day.

Each of you, farmers and workers, builders and teachers, doctors and
scientists are the Motherland defenders, even the small child who
was born today in our ancient land will grow up and become protect
his country.

I would like to congratulate with special warmth our soldiers standing
now in trenches defending the Fatherland, all those who keep safe
and unshakeable the borders of native Artsakh not sparing even their
own lives. Bearing in mind the example of our heroic forefathers and
continuing their holy cause they are now writing with their courage
and feat the triumphant pages of our modern history. Eternal glory
and honor to the Motherland devotees!

Dear Artsakh people,

Once again I congratulate all of you on this memorable occasion and
wish you peace, good health and great success in the implementation
of your patriotic mission.

ANALYSIS: TURKEY FACES ‘INTERNATIONAL LEGAL EXPANSION’ AHEAD OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CENTENNIAL

ANALYSIS | 23.02.15 | 10:24

By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
ArmeniaNow correspondent

Over the weekend the Turkish newspaper Sunday’s Zaman reported that
the Turkish government had canceled the celebrations of the victory
in the Battle of Gallipoli, which was to take place on April 24 –
coinciding with the commemoration of the centenary of the Armenian
Genocide. The newspaper said that it was because only five nations
have confirmed their participation in the events at the highest level.

Another Turkish newspaper, Daily Sabah, citing its sources at the
presidential administration, denied this information, but the fact
that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could cancel the event
is probable. Turkey has entered a very difficult period when an
“international legal expansion” is being planned along the entire
perimeter of its borders. Traditionally, Turkey responds to this with
real expansion of its own.

On Saturday, Turkey conducted a military operation in Syrian territory
to evacuate the tomb of Suleyman Shah, the grandfather of the founder
of the Ottoman Empire, Osman the First, from the area near the Syrian
town of Kobani, which is populated by Kurds and which is now occupied
by the Islamic State.

Syria has already expressed its protest in connection with the
invasion, but the actions of Turkey show that Ankara has put up with
the idea that Syrian Kurdistan will soon cease to be available for it.

And most importantly, Turkey begins to make sure that the treaties
concluded after the First World War and the collapse of the Ottoman
Empire will be reviewed. Interestingly, under the treaties the tomb
of Suleyman Shah was left under the protectorate of Turkey.

In this regard, Turkish relations with Armenia are becoming more
and more tense relations. On April 24 they may quite turn into
international claims to Turkey. And they can also be linked to the
revision of a number of treaties. Turkey is working actively not
only in order to prevent this, but also to prevent the unification
of Kurdish and Armenian efforts.

However, the recent meeting of Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian with President of Iraqi Kurdistan Massoud Barzani in Munich
shows that closer cooperation is being established between Armenians
and Kurds. Armenia is opening a consulate in Erbil and intends to
establish air links with Iraqi Kurdistan.

Meanwhile, in Turkey they have started to prepare for likely protests
of Kurds. The Parliament is considering a law to toughen penalties
for organizing mass protests, which has already caused discontent
of the Kurdish community. Turkey has hinted that the movement of
Fatullah Gulen, whom Erdogan considers to be his opponent, may use
the Armenian and Kurdish factors in its struggle against Erdogan’s
imperial ambitions.