Author: Kajoyan Gevork

Zhoghovurd: Accumulative pension system to be introduced in Artsakh as well

11:43 15/02/2014 » DAILY PRESS

The compulsory accumulative pension system will be introduced in
Artsakh, too, Zhoghovurd writes. The issue will be discussed in NKR
parliament next week but it is not on the main agenda yet.

The new pension system is expected to be introduced in 2015. According
to deputy chairwoman of the Standing Committee on Labor and Social
Affairs of NKR parliament Arevik Petrosyan, if a wave of popular
discontent with the new system starts rising, the authorities will not
act against the will of the people.

Source: Panorama.am

Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE February 12, 2014
Contact: Elen Asatryan
Tel: 818-500-1918
Cell: 818-523-8389

HAWAII LEGISLATORS REJECT AZERBAIJANI RESOLUTIONS
Key Committee Blocks Baku’s Bid to Secure Adoption of Anti-Armenian Measures

“Today was a win for not only us Armenians, but for others who are in
the minority. For the people, by the people – this is the way our
legislative process should work. Let the truth prevail.” – Ani
Martirosian

HONOLULU, HI – The Hawaii legislature publicly debated and then
rejected a pair of Azerbaijan-initiated anti-Armenian measures,
dealing a high-profile setback to Baku’s well-funded effort to enlist
U.S. state legislatures in its increasingly aggressive campaign
against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR).

“We want to thank Aloha State legislators, long known for their
commitment to tolerance and human rights, for their wisdom in blocking
Baku’s efforts to manipulate Hawaii and take advantage of the good
name of her citizens,” said Executive Director of ANCA Western Region
Elen Asatryan. “Today’s vote sends a powerful signal that Azerbaijan’s
corrupt and undemocratic President Ilham Aliyev – despite all the
millions he’s spending on ‘caviar diplomacy’- doesn’t get a vote here
in America and certainly doesn’t deserve the right to buy influence in
the U.S. government,” added Asatryan.

The Hawaii House of Representatives Committee on Veterans, Military, &
International Affairs, & Culture and the Arts rejected the two
anti-Armenian resolutions during their committee hearing earlier today
at the State Capitol, despite the ardent efforts of Committee Chairman
Mark Takei, who was an author of the bills. Both profoundly biased
and factually flawed measures were reportedly introduced at the
bequest of the Azerbaijani government, a major breach of diplomatic
protocol, confirmed publicly by State Rep. Rida Cabanilla, who was
quoted in “Civil Beat,” a Hawaii publication, as saying that: “The
resolutions came from Elin Suleymanov, Azerbaijan’s ambassador to the
United States.”

“Civil Beat” further reported that Hawaiians looking for the reasoning
behind the introduction of such unlikely resolutions in the State of
Hawaii may look trips taken to Baku last May by Reps. Cabanilla and
Chairman Takai, who joined more than 300 others from the U.S. at the
U.S.-Azerbaijan Convention, courtesy of the Republic of Azerbaijan
which spent nearly $8,000 for the two legislators’ visit.

When he was questioned about the trip last summer, Chairman Takai
said, “There’s nothing in the Legislature now that would directly
benefit Azerbaijan, so it passes the ethics concern.” This contention
was clearly unfounded, as the measures under consideration today
clearly would have, if passed, directly benefited Azerbaijan.

Despite the resources expended on the measure by the Azerbaijani
government, the most persuasive voices of the day belonged to three
members of the local Armenian American community, including: Arpine
Philian Mar, an 82 year-old retiree, Arthur Martirosian, and Ani
Martirosian, an active community leader who was instrumental in
organizing her fellow citizens to speak out on these measures.

Martirosian’s video testimony is available here:

Following the hearing, during which she had delivered a compelling,
comprehensive, and persuasive argument before the Committee, Ani
Martirosian said, “I’d like this to be an example for all Armenians –
and other underrepresented groups – around the world that our voices
do matter. We must stay vigilant to recognize the attempts made to
falsify our history, and we need to then take peaceful and meaningful
action to counter with the truth. Today was a win for not only us
Armenians, but others who are in the minority. For the people, by the
people – this is the way our legislative process should work. Let the
truth prevail.”

They were joined by a self-identified neutral, Dr. Alexander Telnov,
who spoke in a very balanced and forceful way in opposition of the
resolutions. “The spirit of ‘aloha’ that we carry throughout the
world is completely foreign to Azerbaijan,” argued Telnov, who went on
to detail the high levels of corruption within the Aliyev regime.
Noting that the Azerbaijani government spends millions for political
lobbying in the United States, while Armenia spends none, he went on
to query, “Why do you need to spend so much money to prove your point?
That’s because your point is not credible. That’s because the
opinions Azerbaijan is trying to instill in the United States and
other countries are distortions and untruths.”

At the beginning of the hearing, Chairman Takai appeared confident
about the passage of both resolutions. However, after the Committee
members took a break to privately discuss the pending legislation,
Takai conceded that H.R. 13 would be deferred (not passed). The
committee Chairman had unsuccessfully suggested to his fellow
committee members that in light of the fact that Hawaii had adopted an
Armenia-Hawaii friendship resolution in 2012 and an Armenian Genocide
commemoration resolution in 2009, the pro-Azeri resolutions should
also be adopted in order to be impartial. Moments later, the Chairman
announced that they had also decided to defer H.R. 9.

In the days leading up to the Committee hearing, hundreds had
submitted letters and testimony opposing both legislations, including
the ANCA Western Region, whose testimony is available here:

ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian issued an open letter to all
U.S. state legislatures earlier this week urging them to take as stand
against foreign interference in American civic life by corrupt
Azerbaijani dictator Ilham Aliyev. “It is truly a tribute to our
great American democratic tradition that even a regime as flagrantly
corrupt as Ilham Aliyev’s is allowed to operate freely within our open
society, ” explained Hamparian. “But that does not mean that American
citizens need to remain silent in the face of meddling by foreign
leaders who neither respect our rights nor share our values —
especially when they try to export their intolerance to our shores.”

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the
largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy
organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination
with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the
Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country,
the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community
on a broad range of issues.

###

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

“Armenians reject the recent decision of the European Court of Human
Rights (ECHR) on the denial of the Armenian Genocide,” states
His Holiness Aram I

Antelias – On Friday 7 February 2014, His Holiness Aram I met with the
Swiss Ambassador to Lebanon Her Excellency Ruth Flint. During the meeting,
the Catholicos expressed his indignation at the decision of the ECHR on the
Perinçek case of December 2013. His Holiness stated that this ruling not
only questions the truth of the Armenian Genocide; it also sets a precedent
for other genocides. He then expressed his solidarity with the Swiss
Authorities for any measures they might take to help overturn the decision.

Ambassador Flint informed the Catholicos that Swiss embassies all over the
world were receiving letters protesting the ECHR decision.

On this same issue, His Holiness Aram I also contacted the Federation of
Swiss Protestant Churches in Bern, who informed him that they were
addressing the issue to the Federal Minister of Justice, Simonetta
Sammaruga, in writing.
##

MONTEBELLO COMMUNITY TO DONATE FIRE TRUCK TO KARABAKH

Friday, February 14th, 2014

A fire truck, which the Montebello Fire Department has donated to
the City of Stepanakert

MONTEBELLO–The Armenian Revolutionary Federation “Dro” Chapter will
be hosting their annual Banquet on Saturday, March 22. The Banquet
will be held at the Montebello Armenian Center and will feature a
performance by Karnig Sarkissian.

Chairman of the ARF Dro Chapter, Levon Kirakosian, stated, “We
would like to invite our community members to join the Dro Gomideh
in celebrating the Montebello Armenian community and taking part in
our upcoming initiative. We look forward to welcoming our supporters
to the Montebello Armenian Center on March 22nd.”

Since 2005, the city of Montebello has established a sister city
association with Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh. The city
and its institutions have been committed to creating and strengthening
a partnership between the communities. In recognizing their role as
a sister city to Stepanakert, the Montebello Fire Department donated
a fire truck, valued at $150,000, that is to be sent to Nagorno
Karabakh. This generous donation is a testament to the commitment that
the city of Montebello has invested into this municipal partnership
and its efforts to encourage community development in Stepanakert.

Due to the size and nature of the gift, the transport of the fire
truck to Stepanakert requires greater resources. The truck will need
to be shipped to Poti, Georgia, on a cargo ship, from where it will
be driven to Stepanakert by the city’s fire department. Thus, the Dro
Gomideh is pleased to allocate the proceeds from this year’s banquet
to the transport of this fire truck for the use of the community
in Stepanakert.

Individuals interested in attending are encouraged to contact
Sarkis Nourian for more information or contact the Gomideh at
[email protected]. The Gomideh looks forward to welcoming all to
the Montebello Armenian Center on March 22, 2013.

YEREVAN TO HOST MAJOR MINING EVENT IN SPRING

YEREVAN, February 14. / ARKA /. Armenian Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan had a meeting today with head of the World Bank Yerevan Office
Jean-Michel Happi, US, German and British ambassadors to Armenia to
discuss a set of issues on holding a major international conference
on sustainable development of the mining industry in Yerevan in spring.

According to Michel Happi, the conference, organized at the initiative
of the three countries and the WB Yerevan Office is prompted by changes
in the mining industry both in Armenia and in the world. In particular,
Armenia has adopted a new Subsoil Code and a bill on the evaluation
of the impact on the environment and expertise is in the parliament.

Expressing gratitude for the initiative, Sargsyan expressed his
government’s willingness to contribute to the conference as one of
sponsors. According to Sargsyan, the event will help attract private
investment into Armenia’s mining industry. Sargsyan also instructed
several ministries to draw up the conference’s agenda with the
organizers of the event.

According to the ambassadors, the conference will aim to involve
both international companies in the industry and Armenia public
organizations and civil society into the discussions because
that approach would create a filed for dialogue and help identify
opportunities for effective organization of mining production.

They said the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD),
the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Armenian Development
Bank, the OSCE, as well as three major companies operating in the
mining sector and non-governmental organizations in Armenia are
assisting in the organization of the conference.

Some 70 top international experts as well as representatives of
leading companies and public organizations in Armenia are expected
to take part in the event. -0-

– See more at:

OSCE MEDIA FREEDOM REPRESENTATIVE CONCERNED ABOUT OBSTRUCTION OF JOURNALISTS’ WORK IN ARMENIA

February 14, 2014 | 21:03

VIENNA. – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic
on Friday expressed concern about police obstruction of journalists’
activities while covering a public demonstration in Yerevan on 12
February, OSCE said in a statement.

“Violence against journalists is unacceptable. It is especially
alarming that police officers responsible to assist and protect
journalists used force against them,” MijatoviÄ~G wrote in a letter
to Armenian authorities.

According to reports, Ani Gevorkyan and Sarkis Gevorkyan, journalists
with the Chorrord Ishkhanutyun newspaper and iLur.am news portal
respectively, were assaulted and detained by police, but released
shortly after. While in custody, the officers searched the journalists
and erased all video materials from their cameras.

“I call on the authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent
investigation into the incident and do everything possible to avoid
the police misconduct toward members of the media in the future,”
MijatoviÄ~G wrote.

In December MijatoviÄ~G raised with the authorities the case of
Vardan Minasyan, a journalist with the newspaper Hraparak, who was
reportedly detained and assaulted by police officers while covering
a public demonstration in Yerevan.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

LEVON BARSEGHYAN. “ALL THE TALKS WITH THESE AUTHORITIES ARE OVER.”

February 14 2014

“Can Vova Gasparyan say of what our militia is thinking about
when hitting a woman? You are hitting the woman in the street, and
detaining her. Do you think that you are working against freedom of
opinion? Sending the next application and reporting against these
authorities regarding the incident makes no sense. All the talks with
these authorities are over, no effective means is still known to me
and our organization of how to bring these dummy militia to order,”
said Levon Barseghyan, Chairman of Board of Asbarez club, referring
to yesterday’s slapping incident to journalist Ani Gevorgyan at the
police department. According to him, over the last 12 years, there
were more than 200 assaults over the journalists, and only 3-4 of
them were half-disclosed. “In other cases, the police was unable to
disclose. And you are talking about reporting. Now, if Ani reports
against the police officer and the police starts examining the case
and the police officer who has hit her says “I swear for my father
that I have not hit her, and the chips were empty, we have returned
them empty. And then write papers, give explanation, all of these
instruments have long been exhausted.” In the opinion of Mr.

Barseghyan, all the police actions towards preventing the awareness
of March 1 rally were not preventive, but promoted to large-scale
awareness. “Maybe it’s special done and they do not like Serzh
Sargsyan and have decided that the notification be large-scale and
community to know about it. Now people are better informed about
what will happen on March 1.” Referring to yesterday’s RPA-ANC youth
incident, to the reaction of RPA MP Karen Avagyan that “from now on
similar displays will be answered adequately,” Mr. Barseghyan said,
“The ideas of remarkable specialists of balloon should have made them
understand that nothing is left without consequence in nature. It
will be compensated for sure. If they find that physical violence
should be exercised against free expression of people’s opinion,
they need to understand that while making this expression they
are also expressing an opinion and if someone does not like this
opinion, it will not be left unanswered and adequate response will
be given to it. But, at this time, he may not manage to call Vova,
or Serzh. We have achieved to a point that the man who considers him
an MP has decided that the physical force should be the answer of
free opinion. This man is unaware that the law is read that if there
is a crime in the expression, they should apply to court, rather than
exerting a physical strength.” In response to our inquiry of whether
they have determined who was the one in civilian clothes slapping
the woman, the police officer Armen Malkhasyan just said, “Such cases
are in the attention of the police, and the investigation is underway.”

Arpine SIMONYAN

Read more at:

CPJ BLASTS AZERBAIJAN OVER TRAMPLING PRESS FREEDOM, BLACKLIST

February 14, 2014 – 15:12 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Committee to Protect Journalists(CPJ) released
its annual Attacks on the Press report, slamming Azerbaijan for
oppressing journalists and blacklisting visitors to the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic.

“As Azerbaijan prepared to assume the 2014 chairmanship of the Council
of Europe–the largest European intergovernmental human rights and
democracy organization–the authoritarian regime of President Ilham
Aliyev shamelessly trampled on press freedom at home. The authorities
continued to stifle critical voices, target free expression on the Web,
and sentence reporters to lengthy prison terms. A local journalist
was barred from leaving the country to pick up his journalism prize
in Norway, while dozens of foreign media personnel were declared
persona non grata in Azerbaijan,” the Committee notes in the report.

“The harassment, including by the government-affiliated press, of
investigative journalist Khadija Ismailova went unpunished. Aliyev
extended criminal defamation laws to the Internet and tightened
funding restrictions for domestic NGOs, including press freedom
organizations, despite a domestic and international outcry. In June,
European Commission President José Manuel Barroso offered Aliyev
public support instead of holding the leader responsible for human
rights and press freedom violations in his country. In October,
the authoritarian leader was re-elected to his third term after
the Central Elections Commission denied registration to opposition
candidate Rustam Ibragimbekov,” the report said.

“After a June travel ban on photojournalist Mehman Huseynov, which
prevented him from accepting an international journalism award
in Norway, Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry issued a list of foreign
nationals–among them 67 journalists and media workers–who are barred
from entering the country,” the report stressed.

On August 2, Azeri Foreign Ministry published the notorious blacklist,
which includes Slovak politician FrantiÅ~_ek MikloÅ~_ko, Argentinean
parliamentarian Jose Arbo, Russian expert Andrey Areshev, Baroness
Caroline Cox, opera star Montserrat Caballé and many other famous
personalities.

REVUE DE PRESSE N°2 – 13/02/14 – COLLECTIF VAN

Publié le : 13-02-2014

Info Collectif VAN – – Le Collectif VAN [Vigilance
Arménienne contre le Négationnisme] vous propose une revue de presse
des informations parues dans la presse francophone, sur les thèmes
concernant la Turquie, le génocide arménien, la Shoah, le génocide
des Tutsi, le Darfour, le négationnisme, l’Union européenne, Chypre,
etc… Nous vous suggérons également de prendre le temps de lire ou
de relire les informations et traductions mises en ligne dans notre
rubrique Par
ailleurs, certains articles en anglais, allemand, turc, etc, ne
sont disponibles que dans la newsletter Word que nous générons
chaque jour.

Pour la recevoir, abonnez-vous a la Veille-Média : c’est gratuit !

Vous recevrez le document du lundi au vendredi dans votre boîte email.

Bonne lecture.

Collectif VAN : l’éphéméride du 13 février Info Collectif VAN –
РLa rubrique Eph̩m̩ride est a retrouver
quotidiennement sur le site du Collectif VAN. Elle recense la
liste d’événements survenus a une date donnée, a différentes
époques de l’Histoire, sur les thématiques que l’association suit au
quotidien. L’éphéméride du Collectif VAN repose sur des informations
en ligne sur de nombreux sites (les sources sont spécifiées sous
chaque entrée). “13 février 1915 — Empire ottoman : une note est
remise par deux députés arméniens de l’assemblée ottomane faisant
état de massacres et d’exécutions de plusieurs de ces bataillons. ”
Il est indéniable que les relations entre le gouvernement et la nation
arménienne sont devenues anormales au cours des derniers mois. Le
gouvernement n’y a fait aucune attention et les efforts déployés,
après les tristes événements de Gavache et de Gardjikan, en vue
de les ”améliorer”, ont échoué… Les causes de cette situation
anormale sont au nombre de quatre, découlant l’une de l’autre, et
s’expliquent l’une par l’autre. 1° Le désarmement des soldats et
des gendarmes arméniens, en créant une méfiance politique autour
de la nation arménienne, provoqua une tension entre les relations
des Arméniens et des Turcs.

2° En désarmant les Arméniens on les a réduits pour ainsi dire
au rôle de bêtes de somme, et on a blessé, ainsi, gravement leur
amour-propre national. 3° Les Arméniens désarmés ayant été mis
sous la surveillance de musulmans armés, ou bien étant obligés
de circuler parmi eux, voyaient leur vie exposée a de sérieux
dangers. Ainsi, le bruit court avec persistance que des centaines
de soldats arméniens ont été noyés, fusillés ou poignardés
dans l’armée, surtout aux environs d’Erzeroum et de la frontière
persane… ””

Turquie : les partis d’opposition dénoncent la “censure” d’Internet Un
texte voté par le Parlement turc, mercredi 5 février, qui permet a
l’autorité gouvernementale des télécommunications (TIB) de bloquer
les sites internet portant atteinte a la vie privée ou de supprimer
des contenus violents, sans l’approbation préalable de la justice,
suscite de vives réactions. Le projet de loi doit encore être signé
par le président Abdullah Gul. La Turquie a déja été critiquée
pour la censure et la restriction de la liberté des médias par
l’Union européenne (UE).

Message antisémite dans un train: la SNCB porte plainte “Mesdames
et messieurs, nous allons a Auschwitz. Tous les juifs sont priés de
descendre prendre une petite douche”. Ce message a été entendu par
les voyageurs d’un train qui circulait depuis Namur vers la capitale
le 31 janvier dernier. Après une enquête interne, la SNCB, qui
condamne fermement ces propos antisémites, a déposé plainte contre
X, indique-t-elle mercredi dans un communiqué.

La Turquie appelle l’UE et l’OTAN a accélérer le rapprochement
avec la Bosnie Le ministre turc des Affaires étrangères, Ahmet
Davutoglu, a appelé mercredi l’UE et l’Otan a accélérer leur
rapprochement avec la Bosnie, pour empêcher des turbulences dans ce
pays divisé, confronté depuis une semaine a une grogne populaire
contre la pauvreté.

L’info vue par la TRT (1) Le Collectif VAN vous propose cet article
publié sur la TRT (Télévision & Radio de Turquie). Les articles
de ce site ne sont pas commentés de notre part. Ils peuvent contenir
des propos négationnistes envers le génocide arménien ou d’autres
informations a prendre sous toute réserve. “Pendant que le président
Abdullah Gul réalisait un tête-a-tête avec le président afghan
Hamid Karzaï, le chef du gouvernement turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan a
rencontré le Premier ministre pakistanais Nawaz Sharif.”

Procès Simbikangwa : “J’ai fait la morte au milieu des cadavres” Les
six jurés populaires, placés aux côtés du président du tribunal
doivent avoir la tête qui tourne. Voila bientôt deux semaines qu’ils
entendent tour a tour l’accusé, ses défenseurs, les parties civiles
et l’avocat général décrypter dans les moindres détails l’histoire
du Rwanda depuis le début des années 60, décortiquer des rapports
de l’ONU ou du Tribunal pénal international pour le Rwanda.

La Turquie expulse un journaliste pour cause de tweets critiques Le 7
février, la police a escorté Mahir Zeynalov, journaliste de 27 ans
du quotidien azéri Zaman, a l’aéroport d’Istanbul. Le journal est
proche du prédicateur Fethullah Gulen. Ce dernier vit actuellement aux
Ã~Itats-Unis et est impliqué dans un conflit avec Recep Tayyip Erdogan
a propos d’un scandale de corruption qui ébranle le gouvernement turc.

Article du journal franco-turc Zaman – 13/02/2014 – 2 Le Collectif
VAN relaye ici les articles du journal franco-turc Zaman (équivalent
du Today’s Zaman en langue anglaise, diffusé en Turquie).

Attention : ces articles ne sont pas commentés de notre part. Il
s’agit pour l’essentiel de traductions des versions turque et anglaise
du Zaman, journal proche du parti au pouvoir (AKP). “Mais l’image du
Premier ministre restera dans les mémoires comme celle d’un leader
qui a envoyé en exil une famille turque pour un simple tweet.”

Le déficit turc atteint 65 milliards de dollars Le déficit courant
de la Turquie s’est nettement creusé en 2013 pour atteindre 65
milliards de dollars, contre 48,5 milliards l’année précédente,
a annoncé jeudi la banque centrale, sur fond d’inquiétude pour
l’avenir économique du pays.

Tigran Hamasyan dessine l’Arménie Après dix années passées sur
les routes, Tigran Hamasyan, le petit prince arménien du piano, a
pris le chemin du retour pour se plonger dans la tradition populaire
littéraire et musicale de son pays, et écrire un futur intime a
ses racines.

Retour a la rubrique

THE POVERTY RATE IN ARMENIA INCREASES FROM 17.4% IN 2008 TO 32.4% IN 2012

ARMENIA

The poverty rate in Armenia has increased by 17.4% in 2008 to 32.4%
in 2012, according to the report of the National Statistical Service
entitled “Social panorama and poverty in Armenia, 2013”.

In its report, the National Statistical Service has divided the
poor into three categories – extremely poor, poor and very poor. The
extreme poverty rate in Armenia has increased 1.8 times in the last
five years and the very poor rate of people grew by 7.1%.

According to statistics, 32.4% of residents of the country where
980,000 people lived in poverty in 2012, 13.5% (408,000) were very
poor and 2.8% (85,000) extremely poor.

Poverty rates in urban and rural areas are similar – in cities,
it stood at 32.5% in 2012 after an increase of 17.7% since 2008,
and in the villages, it increased by 16.7 % to 32.1%.

The lowest poverty rate was recorded in Yerevan – about 25.6% (1.6
times lower than the indicators of other urban areas).

64.4% of poor residents of urban areas.

The main factor in the increase between 2008 and 2012 the poverty
rate was the economic decline (14.1%) in 2009.

Earlier, the Minister of Finance David Sargsyan said that the poverty
rate in Armenia gradually decreases.

This downward movement is slow but sustainable will also continue in
2014 thanks to the increase in salaries and pensions.

The minimum wage in the country was 32,500 drams in 2012, and the
average monthly salary of 113,163 drams.

In July 2013, the minimum wage was increased by 30% to 45,000 drams.

Friday, February 14, 2014, Stephane © armenews.com