Author: Kajoyan Gevork

POSTANJYAN INQUIRED ABOUT 70 M EURO FROM SERZH SARGSYAN

Member of Parliament Zaruhi Postanjyan, Heritage parliamentary group,
asked Serzh Sargsyan a question during the PACE session in Strasbourg.

First, she said she does not think that Serzh Sargsyan represents
the Armenia people because he came into his office through bloodshed.

Postanjyan asked to confirm whether Sargsyan has gambled away 70
million euro in one of the European casinos.

Serzh Sargsyan answered that he represents with pride the Armenian
people and state to the entire world. As to the casino, he said he
did not visit a casino and he does not have 70 million euro.

15:57 02/10/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

ERHAN TUNCEL TO BE PRESENTED TO JUSTICE

16:45, 2 October, 2013

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS: Erhan Tuncel, the suspect of the
murder of the editor-in-chief of the Armenian newspaper Agos Hrant
Dink, is preparing for the judicial protection, after which he will
be presented to the justice voluntarily. As reported by Armenpress,
quoting the Turkish Demokrathaber.net, this was stated by Erdoðan
Soruklu, the lawyer of Erhan Tuncel.

Erdoðan Soruklu noted that his defendant did not contact to anyone
after the court’s decision on the arrest of Tuncel. “Erhan Tuncel
is in Turkey. He has not fled to anywhere. He will be presented to
justice soon. Tuncel does not want to meet anyone at this moment. He
is currently preparing for his evidences. When he finishes with it,
Tuncel will decide when to be presented”, – said the lawyer.

Earlier it was reported that in the framework of the trial on Hrant
Dink’s murder case, the prosecutor informed that in July Erhan Tuncel
was called to give evidences but the representatives of the security
services could not find him.

On September 17 the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court began a review
of the trial of the 2007 killing of the Armenian journalist Hrant Dink
and made a decision to arrest Erhan Tuncel again for the participation
in the assassination. Suspect Hacý Sarýoðlu and Yasin Hayal, who was
convicted to life imprisonment, were present at the court hearings.

The Court hearing has been canceled till December 3, 2013. Previously,
the Dink family protested the judiciary system and said it would not
attend the hearings. A written statement sent to press by the Dink
family said the family will no longer attend the hearings to avoid
being part of the “games played by the state mechanisms.” Before the
launch of the court hearings Hrant Dink’s friends organized a protest
action in front of the Court’s building.

Hrant Dink was born on September 15, 1954. He was a Turkish-Armenian
editor, journalist and columnist. As editor-in-chief of the bilingual
Turkish-Armenian newspaper Agos, Dink was a prominent member of the
Armenian minority in Turkey. Dink was best known for advocating
Turkish-Armenian reconciliation and human and minority rights in
Turkey; he was often critical of Turkey’s denial of the Armenian
Genocide. Hrant Dink was assassinated in Istanbul in January 2007,
by Ogun Samast, a 17-year old Turkish nationalist. This was shortly
after the premiere of the genocide documentary Screamers, in which
he is interviewed about Turkish denial of the Armenian Genocide of
1915 and the case against him under Article 301. While Samast has
since been taken into custody, photographs of the assassin flanked by
smiling Turkish police and gendarmerie, posing with the killer side
by side in front of the Turkish flag, have since surfaced. The photos
created a scandal in Turkey, prompting a spate of investigations
and the removal from office of those involved. At his funeral, two
hundred thousand mourners marched in protest of the assassination,
chanting “We are all Armenians” and “We are all Hrant Dink”. Criticism
of Article 301 became increasingly vocal after his death, leading to
parliamentary proposals for repeal. The 2007-2008 academic year at
the College of Europe was named in his honor.

SYRIAN ARMENIANS RISK A WINTER WITHOUT FOOD, SHELTER IN ARMENIA

18:14, 2 October, 2013

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Thousands of previously middle-class
Syrians now stranded in Armenia are rapidly running out of resources
and could soon have no shelter, food or medicine, as Arpenpress
reports referring to Catholic News Service, an international aid
group official said.

“There is a big need on the humanitarian side: food, shelter, medical
needs,” said Walter Hajek, head of international disaster management
for Austria’s Red Cross.

“The highest influx (of Syrian Armenians) was in early summer of last
year, and those were mostly of middle-class status, and they came here
thinking it would be temporary, and that was obviously not the case,”
he said.

Hajek said the Armenian government was helping Syrian Armenians with
work permits and Armenian passports, free medical care at government
hospitals and clinics, free schooling at government-run schools, and
free space at several government shelters, but this aid was not enough.

“If you go to the hospital, they treat you for free, but (buying)
medication afterward is a problem for them,” he told Catholic News
Service Sept. 28. He said he had seen urgent cases of asthma, diabetes,
high blood pressure and heart conditions, medication for which was
too expensive for many of the Syrians to buy.

Hajek estimated that at least 40 percent of the Syrian Armenians now
in Armenia were children, and that many of them were in need of baby
food and baby carriages, as well as pens, paper and other school
supplies because their parents had run out of money.

“Most of the (Armenian Syrians) we met are living in apartments and
say they have no savings left, and it will be crucial to support
them,” added Hajek, who was to return to Austria Sept. 29 to present
his findings and push to get funding for a project he said he hoped
would include paying the Syrians’ rents and utility bills.

Hajek said his organization was already working with other
international aid agencies, including the Catholic charity Caritas,
to provide basic services to the Syrian Armenians. For instance, they
were pay for classes in the local Armenian dialect, legal advice,
and some materials needed to start small businesses.

The Armenians coming from Syria “want to work. They are not used to
receiving (charity) and they want to earn their own money. We provide
them equipment, such as ovens (and) kitchen utensils, tools they
need to start their own businesses,” Hajek said, adding that several
Syrians had already opened small bakeries in Yerevan, and that at
least one had a rented a farm and intended to grow and sell produce.

Armenia is currently sheltering 8,000-10,000 Armenian Syrians. They
are the descendants of Armenians who, nearly a century ago, fled mass
killings at the hands of Ottomans in what is now Turkey, then went
on to flourish in Syria.

WORCESTER STATE UNIVERSITY TO HOST ARMENIAN FILM FESTIVAL

16:03 02.10.2013

Worcester State University (WSU) will host the first Worcester Armenian
Film Festival on Nov. 9, the Armenian Weekly reports.

The festival will feature Eric Nazarian’s “Bolis,” Bared Maronian’s
“Orphans of the Genocide,” and Talin Avakian’s “Demi Pointe” and
“Remembering Our Past, Building Our Future.” The filmmakers will be
present for a discussion following the screenings.

The event is sponsored by the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of
Central Massachusetts, the ARS Worcester “Knar” Chapter, ARF Worcester
“Aram”Gomideh, AYF Worcester “Aram” Chapter, and the WSU Philosophy
Department and its PH 263: Film and Philosophy courses.

“We are excited to make these important films available to the
Worcester community. They exemplify the breadth of creativity by
Armenian filmmakers,” said George Aghjayan, chair of the ARF Worcester
Gomideh. “Worcester State has been a wonderful partner in offering
Armenian educational and cultural programs over the years, and we are
pleased to be hosting the film festival at the university,” he added.

“Bolis” won the Best Short Film Award at the Arpa (AFFMA) International
Film Festival in LA. “Orphans of the Genocide” won a Telly Award
and is a Regional Emmy Award Nominee, as well as a New York City
Filmmakers Festival Official Selection. “Demi Pointe” won the Indie
Soul Best Picture Award in the Boston International Film Festival.

The screenings will be held at the Ghosh Auditorium, the Science and
Technology Building 102, at Worcester State University, from 12:30-5
p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

SERZH SARGSYAN INVITES FRANCOIS HOLLANDE TO PAY A STATE VISIT TO ARMENIA

by Ashot Safaryan

ARMINFO
Wednesday, October 2, 13:21

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, who is on a working visit to
France, had a meeting with President Francois Hollande on 1 October,
the press-service of the Armenian President told ArmInfo.

Sargsyan welcomed the Armenian-French interstate-relations based
on the close historical ties have been constantly developing for
the last twenty years due to high-level political dialogue, close
parliamentary cooperation, cultural, education and scientific ties.

Touching upon the trade and economic relations, Serzh Sargsyan
welcomed the cooperation in the field and outlined such the French
companies operating in Armenia as Carrefour, Pernod Ricard, Orange,
Credit Agricole, Alcatel, Veolia.

The president made a point of the assistant projects of the French
Development Agency that have been launched in the current year. He
touched upon the successfully developing decentralized cooperation
– close partnerships with over 30 government structures of Armenia
and France. In this light, the president of France welcomed the 3rd
Congress of Decentralized Cooperation in Valance on 15-17 October.

The two presidents discussed also the Karabakh issues and came out
for peaceful resolution of the conflict within OSCE Misnk Group.

Serzh Sargsyan noted that Armenia attaches special importance to the
personal involvement of the French President in the process.

The parties spoke in detail about the prospects of Armenia-EU
cooperation. They agreed that maximum efforts should be made to
continue the process of reformation in Armenia. President Sargsyan
reiterated Armenia’s commitment to carry on. President Francois
Hollande assured that France – as Armenia’s friend and one of the
leaders of the European Union and major international player – will
continue to assist Armenia in moving forward her European agenda.

At the meeting, the President of Armenia once again expressed gratitude
for France’s significant contribution to the international recognition
of the Armenian Genocide.

To ensure the continuation of the high-level political dialogue
established between the two countries, Serzh Sargsyan reiterated the
invitation extended to the President of France to conduct a state
visit to the Republic of Armenia.

ZHOGHOVURD: ARMENIA’S MIGRATION SERVICE SPENDS $123,000 ON REFUGEE PROJECT

11:06 02.10.13

Armenia’s State Migration service has spent an equivalent of $123,000
since January for the elaboration and exchange of information
concerning refugees, the paper has learned,

Citing documents addressing the deal, it says that the money has been
given to the state run company Computer Service, which is expected
to handle data collection, procession and insertion procedires

Considering the project a money laundering tool, the paper notes that
the Service last year spent less money – 14 million Armenian Drams
($34,538) – on a refugee hostel renovation initiative.

“The allocated sums for refugee data collection thus turn out to
be 3.5 more than the money spent on meeting refugees’ needs. That’s
really a ridicule,” the paper comments.

Armenian News – Tert.am

RENDELL, PALLONE, MEEHAN, LEACH TO HEADLINE SEVENTH ANNUAL ANCA EASTERN REGION BANQUET

13:10 02.10.2013

The Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region (ANCA ER)
Banquet to be held on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013, will be well attended
this year by members of the state and federal political arenas.

Former Pennsylvania Governor and Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell, Rep.

Patrick Meehan (R-PA-7), Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ-6) and Pennsylvania
State Senator Daylin Leach will all be welcomed as special guests to
the banquet, which is being held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
in Philadelphia.

“We’re honored to have so many of our friends from Congress and the
state of Pennsylvania join us this year for our annual banquet. It’s
a privilege to be in their company and thank them for their hard
work advocating for Armenian American issues year in and year out,”
said Jim Kzirian, ANCA Eastern Region Banquet Chairperson.

Rendell served 34 years in public service, including 24 years as an
elected official.

“I am happy to join the effort to celebrate the 7th annual ANCA Eastern
Region banquet, which has, for so many years, been the single most
important fundraising event in the Eastern U.S. for Armenian issues,”
the former governor stated.

Rep. Meehan recently signed on as a cosponsor for House Resolution 227,
the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution, and met with ANC
of Pennsylvania in August this year.

As co-chairman of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, Rep. Pallone has
been a staunch advocate of Armenian American concerns and a longtime
friend to Armenians in New Jersey and across the U.S. He has been
outspoken on Armenian Genocide reaffirmation and a stalwart supporter
of Karabakh independence, routinely signing on to legislation and
Congressional letters advancing a broad range of community priorities.

He also has attended the ANCA ER Banquet many times in the past.

The ANCA recently endorsed State Sen. Leach in his primary bid to
succeed Rep. Allyson Schwartz in Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional
district.

“Senator Leach has been an outspoken supporter of U.S. reaffirmation
of the Armenian Genocide, spearheading successive Pennsylvania House
and Senate resolutions raising awareness of the need to recognize
and condemn this crime,” stated Nora Kzirian, ANCA Eastern Region
Chairwoman.

This year’s ANCA Freedom Award recipient is best-selling author Chris
Bohjalian, and the Vahan Cardashian Award winner is Zohrab Tazian,
a steadfast supporter of Hai Tahd for many years.

SERZH SARGSYAN CONGRATULATES CHINESE PRESIDENT

13:43, 1 October, 2013

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 1, ARMENPRESS: The President of the Republic of
Armenia Serzh Sargsyan sent today a congratulatory message to the
President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping on the occasion
of the 64th anniversary of the Republic. As Armenpress was reported
by the Department for Mass Media and Public Relations of the Armenia
President’s Staff, the message of Serzh Sargsyan says in particular:

“Your Excellency,

I cordially congratulate you and the friendly people of China on
the occasion of your national holiday – the 64th anniversary of the
creation of the People’s Republic of China.

I am confident that under your leadership, China will continue its
steadfast progression towards greater international prestige, social
advancement, economic and cultural development.

The Armenian-Chinese traditionally friendly relations have they origin
in ancient past. After the establishment of diplomatic relations,
Armenia and China took up to form interstate relations based on
equality, mutual respect and trust, which in recent years continue
to expand and strengthen.

I am ready to work with you, Distinguished Mr. President, for the
preservation and enhancement of the recently registered steep rise
in the cooperation between Armenia and China in every area and to
make efforts for elevating the existing friendly relations and active
cooperation between our countries and peoples to a new level for the
benefit for our countries and people.

I wish you, Your Excellency, great health and success, and happiness
and prosperity to the friendly people of China”.

© 2009 ARMENPRESS.am

BY 2050 ONE THIRD OF ARMENIA’S POPULATION WILL BE OVER 60, PROJECTIONS SHOW

17:45 01.10.2013

Today UNFPA Armenia and RA Ministry of Labor and Social Issues (MLSI)
held a joint press conference devoted to the 2013 International Day
of Older Persons. Mr. Garik Hayrapetyan, UNFPA Armenia Assistant
Representative, and Ms. Anahit Gevorgyan, Head of RA MLSI Division
for Elderly Issues spoke at the press conference.

According to the speakers, Armenia is among the countries with
rapidly growing share of elderly population. Around 14.4 per cent
of the country’s population is already over 60. Fertility decline
and migration of economically and reproductively active population
contribute to aging; however, aging is also supported by the prolonged
life expectancy that is partly due to the achievements of the modern
medicine. According to the projections of the recent UNFPA expert
analysis, by 2050 almost one third, 31.5 per cent, of Armenia’s
population will be over 60.

“Such a growing share of elderly people among in the population
structure implies a significant additional burden for the state, and
it is very important to develop and implement appropriate policies
beforehand. One of the solutions could be implementation of the concept
of Active Aging according to which elderly people stay active members
of the society, their own communities and families for as long as
possible”, said Garik Hayrapetyan, UNFPA.

Ms. Anahit Gevorgyan, Head of RA MLSI Division for Elderly Issues,
presented the state policies regarding elderly people, as well as
the current and future measures to tackle problems of older part of
the population.

Aging of a considerable portion of Armenian population would also mean
worsening of the support ratio or the number of working population
aged 15-63 per one 63+ person. As the UNFPA analysis shows, this
ratio could mostly benefit of the combined growth in fertility and
employment. However, whereas overcoming the unemployment seems to be
a relatively achievable task, it is very difficult to increase the
fertility because it is a rather expensive task, and also taking into
account the natural growth of Armenia’s population that is expected
to become negative soon.

ARMENIAN EXPERT EXPLAINS MOUNTING EGG PRICES BY DECLINE IN DOMESTIC OUTPUT

YEREVAN, October 1. /ARKA/. Gurgen Martirosyan, the chief of the
National Statistical Service’s prices division, explaining today at
a news conference price hikes at Armenia’s egg market said that they
were triggered by a drop in domestic output.

“You have probably heard that some fall in the domestic output is seen,
though I have no particular figures,” he said.

He said that egg prices have climbed 38% since December 2012. At the
same time, he pointed out some decrease in egg prices in the last
ten days of September.

However, as a whole, a 9.4-percent price hike was recorded in
September, compared with August.

The National Statistical Service says ten eggs in Yerevan cost about
720 drams ($1.7) in August 2013 against 543 drams ($1.3) in August
2012. In some shops in Yerevan the price for 10 eggs reaches 800 drams
(1.97).

According to official statistical reports, foods in Armenia became 0.5%
cheaper in September than in August mainly due to 7.3%-22% decrease in
prices for fruits, vegetables and potatoes. —-0—- – See more at: