Author: Kajoyan Gevork

HRAPARAK: EUROPEAN COMPANIES SHOW INTEREST IN AVIATION MARKET OF ARMENIA

12:57 31/10/2013 ” DAILY PRESS

Citing its sources, Hraparak newspaper says that the recent
announcement of the Armenian government to turn the air space of
Armenia into a free zone for flights has triggered the interest of
a number of European companies, which began to inquire about details
of the future deal.

“Some reports say they have even met with representatives of the
authorities for the purpose of accelerating their entrance into the
aviation market of Armenia. They also show interest in Gyumri airport,”
the newspaper says.

The newspaper’s sources do not give the names of the European
companies, but Rianair and Virgin are among these companies.

Source: Panorama.am

ARTSVIK MINASYAN: FIGHT AGAINST EMIGRATION SHOULD BECOME NATIONAL PLATFORM

14:46 31/10/2013 ” SOCIETY

Emigration is a threat to national security and the fight against
emigration should become a national platform, member of ARF
Dashnaktsutyun parliamentary faction Artsvik Minasyan told reporters,
while commenting on the discussions on improvement of policy aimed
at reduction of emigration in Armenia.

Minasyan noted that all forces – authorities, opposition, NGOs and
the Armenian Church – should look for ways to combat emigration.

“People emigrate from Armenia because of unemployment, low wages,
distrust in justice as well as uncertainty to the future,” he said.

Minasyan said that some proposals from ARFD’s emigration reduction
program have been included in government programs.

“Our program focuses on creation of jobs and we demand that the
government release a “roadmap” of jobs,” he noted.

ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR TO UN: AZERBAIJAN REFUSES CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES

October 31, 2013 | 12:32

YEREVAN. – Armenia’s Permanent Representative to United Nations (UN),
Ambassador Garen Nazarian, on Wednesday delivered an address within
the framework of the 68th session of the UN General Assembly, in New
York City.

Nazarian noted that regional confidence-building measures are an
important component of international peace and the establishment and
maintenance of security, informs the Armenian MFA press service.

In this context, the ambassador reflected on Azerbaijan’s ongoing
threats against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, this country’s increasing
military spending, resultant arms race, and its provocations on
the border.

The Armenian diplomat stated that Azerbaijan refuses the fundamental
precepts, which the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs have proposed
toward a pacific settlement to the Karabakh conflict, and also the
confidence-building measures.

Garen Nazarian stressed that the use of force cannot lead to the
solution of key issues, and there is no alternative to resolving the
conflict by way of talks.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT TO HOLD HEARINGS ON HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

October 31, 2013 | 13:21

YEREVAN. – The Armenian National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on
Science, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport will convene external
parliamentary hearings.

The discussions will be held Friday at the National Gallery of Armenia,
in capital city Yerevan.

The hearings will be held under the theme, “Measures and Key Issues
to Ensure the Protection and Heritage of Historical Monuments,”
informs the NA press service.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

AZNAVOUR’S MOST MEMORABLE SONGS

Hills News, Australia
October 29, 2013 Tuesday
First Edition

by Jessica Aquilina

MILKO Foucault-Larche will rekindle memories of singer/actor Charles
Aznavour in his show, Aznavour . . . From Today.

The show, which includes 50 years of Aznavour’s music, will be
performed in The Studio at the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday.

Foucault-Larche, of Winston Hills, has paid tribute to the legendary
French-Armenian entertainer for more than 10 years with his shows
taking journeys through Aznavour’s music.

Foucault-Larche said the special 10-year show would be his biggest
tribute show to date.

“We have revamped the show big time,” Foucault-Larche said.

“We are really digging into my collection of Aznavour’s music.

“It’s more the things that I like, the things that will connect me
to his music as a performer.

“This time we are not only focusing on his popular songs but at a
more personal collection.”

To add a new element to the show, a classical guitarist has been
added to the night’s musical collaboration.

“We thought about bringing a girl in to sing Aznavour’s songs but we
thought that wasn’t anything new.

“So we decided to bring in a classical guitarist and that

has brought in a whole new dimension.”

Foucault-Larche has been working in the entertainment industry for
more than 35 years.

He created Aznavour’s show more than 10 years ago, dedicated to
the entertainer.

“I wanted to produce a show that was unique,” Foucault-Larche said.

“There are shows dedicated to Sinatra but nothing on Aznavour.

“I am French speaking, so it was obvious I could sing his songs and
it was something that no one else had done.”

MG CO CHAIRS, BAKU TO MULL WAYS OF SETTLING KARABAKH CONFLICT

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Oct 30 2013

30 October 2013, 16:10 (GMT+04:00)

By Sara Rajabova

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, which is engaged in resolution
of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, will discuss
ways to resolve the conflict in Baku next week, the U.S. Embassy in
Azerbaijan told Trend news agency on October 30.

Ambassadors Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Jacques Faure of
France, and James Warlick of the U.S. will visit Baku at the beginning
of the week, the embassy said.

For over two decades, Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in
conflict which emerged over Armenia’s territorial claims against its
South Caucasus neighbor. Since a war in the early 1990s, Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territory,
including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. A fragile
ceasefire has been in place since 1994, but long-standing efforts by
US, Russian and French mediators have been largely fruitless so far.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on its pullout from the neighboring country’s territories.

ARMENIAN RESTAURANT MAYRIG OPENS ON MOHAMMED BIN RASHID BOULEVARD IN DUBAI

Ahlan
Oct 30 2013

By Olivia Spadavecchia Wednesday, 30 October 2013

Try the Kardashians favourite food at Dubai’s newest Armenian
restaurant Mayrig now serving traditional cuisine in Dubai

The family-style restaurant was originally opened in Beirut and now
Dubai foodies have the chance to experience its warm and charming
atmosphere, and to discover a cuisine that’s not widely available in
the emirate. Armenian food is, of course, Middle Eastern so you’ll find
the recognisable flavours and ingredients you enjoy at other Arabic
restaurants, as well as a selection of new dishes you wouldn’t have
seen anywhere else. Try Mayrig’s generations-old recipe for sou beureg
– pastry layered with cheese – fishnah kebab (grilled kebabs toppped
with sour cherries), lentil salad with pomegranate and vinegar sauce,
and the popular cheese maamoul dessert.

Wondering if the most famous Armenians we know – the Kardashians,
of course! – will pay Mayrig a visit when they’re next in town…

MILITANTS CONTINUE MORTAR ATTACKS ON DAMASCUS

ITAR-TASS, Russia
October 29, 2013 Tuesday 03:36 PM GMT+4

BEIRUT October 29

– Nine civilians were injured in mortar attacks, which were launched on
the Syrian capital on Monday. According to the SANA news agency, shells
exploded in the Qasaa district and in the Christian suburb of Jaramana.

Another six people, including four children, were injured on the
outskirts of Damascus – in Kashkul. Mortar shells that exploded on
the outskirts of Harasta caused only material damage, there were no
casualties there.

A mortar attack in Adra killed two children, and another 15 people
were taken to hospital with injuries.

In the north-eastern Syria, gunmen acting in Tal Abyad on the border
with Turkey, set an Armenian church on fire. The fire damaged the
interior of the church, and there were no reports about casualties.

A suicide bomber detonated an explosive device in the neighbouring
Al-Hasakah governorate in the city of Qamishli on Monday. Kurdish
sources reported there were killed and injured. There were no details.

There have been reports from Aleppo about a successful operation
against armed extremists of the Jabhat Al-Nusra and Islamic State of
Iraq and the Levant groups. Syrian soldiers lured the enemy into an
ambush in the vicinity of the northern capital, killing 22 militants.

Another 14 rebels have been liquidated in Deir ez-Zor. Fierce fighting
continues in this provincial centre on the Euphrates River.

CANDIDLY SPEAKING: TURKEY’S ERDOGAN – AN AUTOCRATIC ISLAMIST BIGOT

[ Part 2.2: “Attached Text” ]

By ISI LEIBLER
10/28/2013 22:22

Erdogan seeks to conceal his true intentions and convey the illusion
that he is a role model for an enlightened Islam which blends with
democracy.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan Photo: Reuters After
over 50 years of Israeli-Turkish intelligence cooperation, the
Turkish disclosure to Iran of the identities of Mossad operatives –
apparently subsequently executed – illustrates the depths to which
Israel-Turkey relations have descended under Islamist autocrat Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan seeks to conceal his true intentions and convey the illusion
that he is himself a role model for an enlightened Islam which blends
with democracy.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Erdogan is a fanatical
Islamist and a vile bigot who lavishes praise on the Muslim
Brotherhood, Hamas and Hezbollah and whose behavior is more reminiscent
of an Ottoman sultan than a democratically elected leader.

Erdogan has employed Islamist demagoguery to win three elections
and has exploited his power and position to intimidate the media and
destroy the opposition.

He has purged the army of its secular officers through primitive show
trials and brutally repressed freedom of speech.

Today, there are more imprisoned journalists in Turkey than in
Communist China and perhaps any other country in the world.

Erdogan’s brutal response to environmentalist protesters against
the redeveloping of Gezi Park in central Istanbul a few months
ago, wounding over 4,000 peaceful demonstrators, exemplified his
authoritarianism and brutality.

Der Spiegel quotes Turkish human rights organizations attesting
that he subsequently engaged in a campaign to punish journalists,
teachers and other activists involved in the protests, arresting at
least 3,000 people, including children.

Since his demagogic outburst against President Shimon Peres in Davos
live on TV in January 2009, followed by his dramatic storming out
of the meeting, Erdogan’s attitude toward Israel has dramatically
deteriorated.

He shamelessly allies himself with the genocidal Hamas and refers to
Israel as a “terrorist state” which “massacres children” and “knows
well how to kill.” Only a few weeks ago, Erdogan hosted Hamas leader
Khaled Mashaal in Turkey for the third time in 12 months.

Clearly, he reached the conclusion that as a major global Israel-basher
he reaps dividends among the Arab masses and furthers his dream of
becoming head of a new Ottoman Sunni empire.

ERDOGAN’S ANTI-ZIONISM is a natural extension of his anti-Semitism.

As far back as 1974, he directed and played a leading role in a
play entitled Maskomya, based on the evil global influence of Jews,
Communists and Freemasons. As mayor of Istanbul in 1998, he stated,
“Today the image of the Jews is no different from that of the
Nazis.” In 2006 he endorsed the popular virulent anti-Semitic film
Valley of the Wolves about an American Jew who trades in body parts.

He blamed the Gezi Park environmental protest on the “interest
rate lobby,” the “dual loyalists” and the “rootless cosmopolitans,”
clear references to The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. His deputy
explicitly attributed the blame for the riots on the Jewish Diaspora.

Erdogan has made outrageous statements in international circles. At
a UN conference in Vienna in February, Erdogan stated, “Just like
Zionism and fascism, Islamophobia must be regarded as a crime against
humanity.”

Only a few weeks ago he blamed Israel for the upheavals in Egypt,
stating, “What is said about Egypt? That democracy is not about the
box. Who was behind this? Israel is. We have evidence in our hands.”

When subsequently pressed to substantiate this xenophobic outburst,
all he could do was to quote the French Jewish philosopher Bernard
Henri Levy (not an Israeli) who had made negative references to the
Muslim Brotherhood in 2001.

One of Erdogan’s favorite remarks is “There is no Islamic terror.”

He also publicly undermines American efforts to boycott Iran and
continues to provide Tehran with reliable trade outlets. Nonetheless,
the US still considers Turkey a principal ally with which it shares
“bonds of trust.”

In June 2012, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Turkish Foreign
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu launched “The Global Terrorism Forum,” a
counter- terrorism organization comprising 30 founding members from
which Israel was notably excluded.

In September 2013, the US and Turkey expanded this organization by
creating a $200 million joint venture fund – “The Global Fund for
Community Engagement and Resilience” – purportedly to combat extremist
ideologies amongst young people in the Muslim world.

American taxpayers are footing the bill for this exercise, organized by
an Islamist leadership that endorses Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood and
has shamelessly hosted former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
and President Omer Hassan al Bashir, the genocidal leader of Sudan
charged with war crimes.

THE SURREAL nature of Turkish influence is best exemplified by
the ongoing story of the Mavi Marmara flotillas that sought to
break Israel’s weapons embargo on Gaza in May 2010. Following
the international incident, Erdogan demanded that Israel issue an
unequivocal apology for the death of nine Turkish protesters associated
with al-Qaida who were aboard the boat.

When Israel acted in accordance with the ruling of an independent UN
inquiry that found that it need not apologize for the loss of lives,
Erdogan recalled his ambassador, orchestrated show trials against IDF
personnel, and sought to exclude Israel from global organizations,
including NATO – this, from a leader who has never acknowledged his
country’s massacre of 1.5 million Armenians in World War I.

Following his visit to Israel in March 2013, President Barack Obama
allegedly pressed Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to apologize
and pay compensation to the Turkish terrorists’ families. Despite
bitter condemnation in Israel, Netanyahu complied in order to restore
relations with Turkey so that Israel and Turkey could cooperate on
issues emerging in Syria. Erdogan agreed to cooperate with Israel at
all levels.

But, unsurprisingly, the Turkish prime minister has failed to adhere
to his commitment. Immediately after Israeli issued its apology,
Erdogan announced his intention to visit Gaza, and demanded Israel
lift its maritime blockade against Hamas. Six months later, Erdogan
still has not restored diplomatic relations nor suspended the show
trials of senior Israeli officials.

The Greek ambassador to Israel informed The Jerusalem Post that Turkey
was still continuing to block Israel’s participation in NATO . This
month, President Abdullah Gul stated that Israel had extended its
apology “too late.”

IN LIGHT of this, it is disappointing that Obama continues to praise
Erdogan as a “moderate Islamist” who “has shown great leadership,”
ignoring the fact that he has effectively violated all the undertakings
brokered by him in relation to Israel and continues to actively
undermine efforts to impose sanctions on Iran . Not to mention that
only a few weeks ago Erdogan announced a “strategic partnership”
with China.

The reality is that while the inveterate anti-Semite Erdogan has his
way, he will veto any efforts to improve relationships with Israel,
despite the major strategic and economic benefits that would accrue
to both countries.

Thus, even if the US clings to the fantasy that Turkey represents
a moderate, democratically influenced form of Islam, we should not
delude ourselves. Erdogan is running an anti-Semitic, anti-Israeli
regime that supports Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. As long as he
remains in power, Israel-Turkish relations will remain cold at best.

The writer’s website can be viewed at He
may be contacted at [email protected].

-autocratic-Islamist-bigot-330005

WIFE OF BOSTON MAYORAL CANDIDATE CONNOLLY HOPES TO BRING ARMENIAN FLAVOR TO CITY HALL

BOSTON, COMMUNITY | OCTOBER 30, 2013 1:24 PM

By Gabriella Gage

The Connolly family, from left: Meg Connolly and her husband,
Boston mayoral candidate John R. Connolly, with children, Clare,
Mary Katherine and Edward

Mirror-Spectator Staff

BOSTON – Meg Kassakian Connolly, is more than just the wife of Boston
mayoral hopeful, John R. Connolly; she is a clinical psychologist with
a passion for issues of mental health and immigration. She is a Harvard
graduate and a soccer champ. She is a mother of three. She is also an
Armenian-American with a deep appreciation for her family’s heritage.

Connolly grew up in Newton, attending public schools, before going
on to Harvard University, where she studied sociology and captained
the soccer team.

She has fond memories celebrating holidays with delicious Armenian
food and spending time with her paternal grandmother, Mary Kassakian
(maiden name Kondrajian,) who instilled in her an appreciation for
her Armenian heritage and for the gift of family.

The Kondrajians arrived at Ellis Island from Sivas in 1910, narrowly
missing the Genocide, amid the escalating climate of fear – a blessing
that her grandmother did not fail to appreciate.

“She would always tell me how lucky I was to know my grandparents,”
said Connolly. “There was a great optimism but also a deep sadness
that would come across when she would talk about it.”

Kassakian family portrait years after leaving Istanbul at the turn
of the century. Meg Connolly’s grandfather, Zareh Kapriel Kassakian,
is pictured at left as a young boy.

Mugerdich Kondrajian, Mary’s father, worked hard toward the “American
Dream” while also taking time to participate in the building of the
new Armenian-American community blossoming in the Northeast.

Kondrajian went on to become one of the founding members of the
Armenian General Benevolent Union’s (AGBU) New York Chapter.

Meg Connolly’s paternal grandfather’s family, the Kassakians, arrived
years before the Kondrajians, and also shared the dual appreciation
of embracing the culture of their new home while remembering their
Armenian heritage. Both the Kassakian and Kondrajian families were
involved in the rug business. Kapriel Kassakian hailed from Istanbul
originally and in 1906 was involved in the groundbreaking and founding
of Holy Cross Armenian Church in Union City, NJ.

Given the history of her family’s involvement in developing the
Armenian community in the Northeast, it is no surprise Meg Connolly
feels especially grateful for the installation of the Armenian Heritage
Park and the Genocide Memorial.

“I’m so proud that Boston has a park that remembers the Armenian
Genocide. I was really grateful to know that Councilor [Michael] Ross
had advocated strongly for that park and I thanked him. It’s very
meaningful to myself and my family that it is being acknowledged and
presented in such a beautiful way. I’m going to have a place to take
my children to help them learn and understand what happened when they
are old enough,” said Connolly.

Bringing Heritage Park to fruition was in large part due to a strong
working relationship between Mayor Tom Menino and the Greater Boston
Armenian community.

It is exactly this kind of relationship and open willingness to work
with others that Meg Connolly said her husband John, will foster
if elected mayor of Boston. “John will absolutely continue this
relationship and take an interest in the issues that matter to his
constituents,” she said.

She also sees other overlaps between her husband’s vision and the
issues important to Armenians in the area. “Armenians bring so much
to the Greater Boston community. So many people in the community
contribute in different ways because of the values they came here with
and because they understand the struggles and are very grateful for
what they have because of their history. [Armenians] value education
so highly, social justice and generosity,” she said.

“The love of education is one reason that I believe John would resonate
well with the Armenian community. Education is huge for him as well.”

Groundbreaking of Holy Cross Armenian Church, Union City, New Jersey
in 1906, Meg Connolly’s paternal great-grandfather, Kapriel Kassakian,
attended as a founding church member.

The couple has three children: Clare, 5, Edward (Teddy), 4, (named
after her Armenian uncle, Edward, who died of pancreatic cancer
shortly after Teddy’s birth) and Mary Katherine (MaryKate), 2 months,
named after Meg’s beloved grandmother.

Clare Connolly is already in the Boston school system.

“Improving the opportunities and quality of education for all people in
the city, especially children who are under-served is a huge passion
of his as shown by his work on the City Council and his work as a
teacher,” his wife said.

John Connolly had worked as a teacher at the Boston Renaissance
Charter School and a school in New York’s Lower East Side.

“John has a real personal investment in the city as a parent with
children growing up here,” she added.

Meg Connolly praised her husband’s independence of thought. “He got
into this race before Mayor Menino, whom we have a great respect for,
announced his departure. I think that shows a real dedication to his
vision and ideas and his ability to make difficult decisions and
take a stand. He is not bogged down by outside interests or union
interests. He isn’t owned by anyone.”

Meg Connolly stressed her commitment to community mental health,
issues of trauma facing the immigrant population and the trickle-down
effects of exposure to violence.

Young Mary Kondrajian, pictured left, paternal grandmother of Meg
Connolly. The Kondrajians arrived at Ellis Island in 1910.

“I would welcome a role as a psychologist taking a huge interest in
the intersection of mental health and public health, the experience of
the diverse range of immigrants coming to our city and their varied
experiences. I would be extremely committed to making sure that
our city is as warm and welcoming as possible, taking real time to
listen and learn of their experiences whether it be housing, jobs,
educational opportunities, mental health service and public health
services,” she noted.

She added that with her background she could “bring a real dedication
to the interests of Armenians in the Greater Boston area and those in
Armenia. I would be really interested in bringing together a trade
delegation to see how we might come together and visit Armenia to
understand their needs: social, physical, mental health, public health,
medical facilities and infrastructure of the country.”

She is not the only member of the family with ties to Armenia. She
said, if her husband is elected mayor, she would also work with
John’s uncle, Greg Connolly, a professor of public health at Harvard
University, who has worked to curb the smoking epidemic in Armenia,
a leading public health issue there.

Voters in Boston go to the polls on November 5.

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