Author: Kajoyan Gevork

APA, Azerbaijan
July 27 2013

Yusif Halacoglu: `Armenians aim to continue the occupation of Karabakh
by demanding lands and compensation from Turkey’

[ 27 July 2013 15:04 ]

`Turkey and Azerbaijan should unite more closely and take joint steps
against open and secret plans’

Istanbul. Mayis Alizadeh – APA. `Turkish ethnos should be dominant in
the Middle East and Caucasus,” Kayseri Member of Parliament from
Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party, professor Yusif Halacoglu told
APA’s Turkey bureau.

Answering APA’s question `The processes taking place in northern
Syria create the possibility of the emergence of new political
structures in the region. In parallel with the processes Armenia is
making territorial claims on Turkey more frequently. How do you assess
ongoing events?’ MP Yusif Halacoglu said: `Ongoing processes in the
region are the manifestation of the intent to implement some of
doctrines adopted in the past. As you know, in the 1930s, the British,
French and Italians held secret meetings and adopted doctrines to
establish the Armenian-Kurdish alliance in the region in the future.
In fact, a significant part of the population changed their ethnic
origin after Dersim rebellion in the region and they are trying to
divide Turkey by terrorist acts today. This is the reason of the
territorial claims made by Armenia along with processes taking place
in the north of Iraq and Syria. The main goal is to break up Turkey by
distracting the country’s attention on several fronts and demand land
and compensation. Armenia also aims to continue the occupation of
Karabakh by these demands. All processes aim to weaken Turkey and
Azerbaijan. Therefore, Turkey and Azerbaijan should unite more closely
and take joint steps against open and secret plans at this stage. The
Middle East and Caucasus should be ruled by Turkey which is the
dominant ethnos of the region, otherwise it will be impossible to
achieve stability and prosperity in the region.’

Armenian Diaspora declared Yusuf Halacoglu – president of the Turkish
Historical Society in 1993-2008, as a `man undermining normalization
of relations between Turkey and Armenia’ due to his fight against the
Armenian claims against Turkey on the so-called “genocide” with
archival documents and he was dismissed in June 2008. Professor Yusuf
Halacoglu elected as a Kayseri Member of Parliament from the
Nationalist Movement Party on June 12, 2011 continues to fight against
“Armenian genocide” claims in the international arena.

Levon Ananyan re-elected as President of Writer’s Union of Armenia

14:51, 27 July, 2013

YEREVAN, JULY 27, ARMENPRESS: In the 16th special session of Writers’
Union of Armenia Levon Ananyan was re-elected unanimously as a
President of the Union. `Armenpress’ reports that he was the only
candidate. `It is not important whether I will be elected or not, the
works which have been done and will be done are important. During
previous four years Writers’ Union of Armenia did a large-scale work,
many books have been published and translated, Armenian writers
participated in competitions and were awarded with monetary awards,
`New book’ store was opened, and soon `Meeting’ literary cafe will
operate where meetings with writers will take place,’ said Levon
Ananyan. The work of previous four years was estimated as satisfactory.
Levon Ananyan’s colleagues expressed their satisfaction on occasion
of his re-election. Writer Seyranuhi Geghamyan mentioned that the true
word of writer has always been heard in our lives. `He paid attention
to all good and valuable works. His literary heritage also was paid
with attention,’ stressed the writer.

Writers’ Union of Armenia was founded in parallel with USSR writers’
Union. Its first session took place in 1934. Leveon Ananyan holds his
office since 2001.

Azg: Azeri sabotage attempts prevented

13:28 27/07/2013 » DAILY PRESS

Azerbaijan – through subversive groups – tries to maintain a tense
situation at the border, NKR Defense Minister Movses Hakobyan was
quoted as saying by Azg newspaper.

`The number of provocations has decreased this year. Two sabotage
attempts were prevented, with the enemy thrown back. The number of
shots has decreased by 2,000,’ he said.

According to him, in response to actions of Azerbaijani snipers, the
Armenian side caused major losses to the enemy who `has not yet
overcome the stress.’

`Azerbaijan has no possibility to start a war and win it. The fact of
that country’s armament is worrying, and we are working in that
direction,’ Mr Hakobyan said.

He also said that a new system of military duty has been introduced,
with servicemen now given 4 hours rest instead of previous 2 hours.

Source: Panorama.am

220 CEASEFIRE VIOLATIONS BY AZERI ARMED FORCES REPORTED JULY 21-27

July 27, 2013 – 13:35 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – 220 ceasefire violations by the Azeri armed forces
were reported at the line of contact between Nagorno Karabakh and
Azerbaijan from July 21-27.

Azerbaijan fired over 1000 shots from various caliber weapons towards
Karabakh positions, NKR defense army’s press service said.

The defense army continued with their military duty in line with
ceasefire principles, taking necessary measures to protect the
frontline.

THEATER REVIEW: ‘ARMENIAN IMPROV’ MARKS MILESTONE

Friday, July 26th, 2013

Shahe Mankerian and Vahe Berberian (Photo by Avo John Kambourian)

BY ARAM KOUYOUMDJIAN

Setting a milestone in the evolution of diasporan theater, Armenian
improvisational comedy – or “improv” – marked its arrival last Sunday.

It arrived, specifically, at the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks,
courtesy of Vahe Berberian and six cohorts – Chris Bedian, Sako
Berberian, Levon-Shant Demirjian, Shahe Mankerian, Kevo Manoukian, and
Paleny Topjian – who claimed the art form for the Armenian language,
demonstrating an impressive command of its rigors and delivering
inspired comedy along the way.

The show, simply titled “Armenian Improv,” is slated for only five
more Sunday-night performances (through August 25) in the intimate
Whitefire space and is virtually certain to be sold out.

Improv is the hardest form of comedy because it requires performers to
create comedy – not just perform it – and to do so in the blink of an
eye. It requires wit, mental and verbal agility, and flawless timing.

Each performer must keep up with whatever’s happening on stage,
even while thinking up what will happen next.

Our newly-minted Armenian improv artists were up to the task –
fearless, full of charm, and uniformly superb.

The evening’s first exercise, “Hands,” involved each ensemble member
providing commentary on a random topic suggested by the audience –
“hair,” “parrot,” and “mathematics” being among them – while another
ensemble member furnished the hand gestures accompanying the words.

In two iterations of “Six Corners,” audience suggestions served
as the premise of a story, which was then told from six different
viewpoints – like “Roshomon” on the comedic fly. Neither the first
story about a “rooster” nor the second about “clouds” measured up
to the evening’s best work. No matter; both had their highlights,
and the swiftly moving show lost little of its momentum.

Paleny Topjian and Levon-Shant Demirjian (Photo by Avo John Kambourian)

“The Good, the Bad, and the Unacceptable” featured three counselors
dispensing advice – or, as the title implies, misguidance – in response
to audience queries. Wicked questions from audience members prompted
subversive replies from Paleny Topjian on giving birth and from Vahe
Berberian on the proper means of catching a squirrel. His take? “Let
the squirrel catch you.”

The evening’s triumphs were two sketches entitled (for no reason I
could discern) “Kna Merir, Yegour Sirem” – an Armenian saying best
translated as “Go Die; Then I’ll Love You” and often used to lament
the lack of accolades for artists and writers until they’ve passed on.

Each sketch began with two pairs of performers setting up two entirely
different scenes; the remaining performers then floated in and out
of the sketch to develop the narrative by organically merging the
storylines.

One story, built upon the word “belt,” grew into a deliciously
outrageous piece about a famous painter (of belts!) who is kidnapped
by art thieves, suffers torture, and falls in love with one of his
captors. Referencing everything from the action of heist films to
Stockholm Syndrome, the sketch reached its apex with a closing line
from Levon-Shant Demirjian that could not have been more perfect in
its sadomasochistic edginess if it were scripted.

Shahe Mankerian and Kevo Manoukian (Photo by Avo John Kambourian)

A second, equally zany, story showcased characters like St. Gregory
the Illuminator and a man convinced he was a blender in a past life.

(Anyone who doubts that a blender can be the source of multiple laughs
has not seen Vahe Berberian in fine form.) The frenzied sketch turned
into bedlam (literally, but in the best way), yielding another perfect
closing line – this one from Berberian himself.

Performed without props, save for a couple of chairs, “Armenian Improv”
relied solely on the talents of its cast. Impeccable timing was equally
key to the show’s success. Whenever a set-up would not support more
than a few jokes, Berberian wisely cut the proceedings short. This
was evident in a fun bit that featured the performers “speaking”
in whatever language the audience suggested, with an interpreter
“translating” their gibberish. Longer pieces were expertly stopped
at their high point.

While improv is prevalent in American comedy, “Armenian Improv”
was a groundbreaking experiment – one that has now made a unique
contribution to our brand of diasporan theater, expanded its realm,
and opened up a new chapter of exciting possibility.

Aram Kouyoumdjian is the winner of Elly Awards for both playwriting
(“The Farewells”) and directing (“Three Hotels”). His latest work is
“Happy Armenians.”

WASN’T TARON MARGARYAN AWARE OF HIS DECISION MADE YESTERDAY IN THE EVENING – VIDEO

July 26 2013

Yesterday, the Mayor Taron Margaryan made two contradictory statements
regarding the fare rise of route transport. In the afternoon, during
the meeting with the council members of the Republican Party, PAP
and “Hello Yerevan” factions, he announced,- “If we want to have a
civilized transport system, it is impossible to provide it with 100
AMD”. Then the mayor came up with a message diametrically contradicting
to his announcement. Aravot.am inquired from the member of Yerevan
council, secretary of “Hello Yerevan” faction David Sanasaryan as to
who made the decision of leaving transport fare the same. He said,-
“I do not know whose decision it was, but the fact that there were
contradictory statements made, it leads to the conclusion that Taron
Margaryan was not aware of his decision made in the evening. At
the meeting with us, he was confidently saying that he is not
going to retreat and the price for transport will be 150 drams,
with the exception of a few social groups, everyone is going to
pay 150 drams.” To another next question whether this allows us to
conclude that the decisions were taken from one center, D. Sanasaryan
answered,- “I am not new to this, this is not that I must know that
all the decisions are coming from Baghramyan 26, after that I do not
know who makes the decision. Regarding the Mashtots Park, Taron was
trying to put up a hard struggle, but he was eased by his superior.

Serzh Sargsyan has told: “It’s not a good thing”. As for the fact of
making T. Margarian a scapegoat, our interlocutor expressed such an
opinion: “I do not rule out, but I never have pity on any official,
I will not have, because given official must be ready if the latter
is assigned in such a manner, it may come a day that with such an
arbitrary decision he would be dismissed, like the other preceding
mayors, when the decision was made at the President’s Office that they
should not be mayors.” D. Sanasaryan did not rule out the possible
resignation of Taron Margaryan, and said,- “For a moment I think that
so much time working on Taron, they tried to present him as a king,
now who will be the political figure from the council members that will
comes to replace him. I do not see such a man over there. Though I
do not give serious assessment regarding the organizational capacity
of Taron, but I do not also see the second one, who will come to
replace him.” And to the question who benefits from Taron Margaryan’s
discrediting, D. Sanasaryan responded,- “I feel that there are serious
problems within their party.”

Tatev HARUTYUNYAN

Read more at:

© 1998 – 2013 Aravot – News from Armenia

LES 11 PLAGES PUBLIQUES DU LAC SEVAN OUVERTES DEPUIS DEBUT JUILLET

LAC SEVAN

Depuis debut juillet, les plages publiques du lac Sevan sont ouvertes
au public. Cette annee leur nombre n’a pas change par rapport a l’an
dernier, soit 11 plages publiques. Achot Avalian le ministre adjoint
de l’Environnement a toutefois indique que si leur nombre n’avait pas
varie, les services etaient plus nombreux sur ces plages publiques
avec par exemple un bassin amenages specialement pour les enfants.

Selon A. Avalian ils seraient chaque annee de 120 a 130 000 personnes
-citoyens d’Armenie et touristes- a venir profiter des plages publiques
du lac Sevan.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 27 juillet 2013, Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

L’ELYSEE REPOND A ” ARMENIA ” ” LE GOUVERNEMENT SOUHAITE TROUVER LES MOYENS DE DROIT ” POUR LA PENALISATION DU NEGATIONNISME DU GENOCIDE ARMENIEN

LOI DE PENALISATION DU GENOCIDE

L’association ” Armenia ” de Valence avait il y a quelques mois
lance une campagne de petitions demandant au President de la
Republique Francois Hollande de tenir ses engagements pour une Loi
de penalisation du negationnisme du genocide armenien. ” La Loi de
penalisation du genocide armenien, c’est maintenant ! ” appelait ”
Armenia “. La petition, signee par plusieurs centaines de personnes
fut envoyee a l’Elysee le 24 avril dernier.

Après plusieurs mois d’attente, ” Armenia ” vient de recevoir la
reponse du President de la Republique par son Chef de Cabinet,
Isabelle Sima, dans une lettre datee du 23 juillet.

Le texte, adresse a Krikor Amirzayan, President de l’Association
culturelle ” Armenia ” ecrit ” Monsieur le President, le Chef de l’Etat
a bien recu la correspondance que vous lui avez adressee concernant
la penalisation du negationnisme du genocide armenien.

Sensible aux raisons qui motivent votre demarche, il m’a confie le
soin de vous repondre. Avec la loi du 29 janvier 2001, la France a
reconnu l’extreme gravite des actes commis contre le peuple armenien.

Comme le ministre de l’education nationale, Monsieur Vincent Peillon,
l’a rappele le 24 avril 2013, et conformement a l’engagement qu’a
pris le President de la Republique, le Gouvernement souhaite trouver
les moyens de droit, dans le respect des principes fixes par la
Constitution, pour que nul ne puisse impunement minimiser ou refuter
les souffrances du peuple armenien et nier ce qui s’est passe. Je vous
prie d’agreer, Monsieur le President, l’expression de ma consideration
distinguee.

Isabelle SIMA ”

Reference a rappeler PDR/SCP/E&A/B061300

JPEG – 496.7 ko PDF – 440.6 ko Reponse de l’Elysee a “Armenia” sur
la Loi de penalisation du negationnisme du genocide armenien samedi
27 juillet 2013, Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

MOODY’S EXPERTS IN ARMENIA FOR REVIEW OF SOVEREIGN RATINGS

YEREVAN, July 26. /ARKA/. Experts of Moody`s Investors Service are
currently in Armenia for a regular review of the country’s sovereign
ratings.

Thursday the experts Eliza Parissi Capone and Lucy Villa were received
by Armenia’s minister of agriculture Sergo Karapetyan who briefed them
on key indicators and trends in the field and priority directions in
food safety.

The minister also touched upon introduction of new technologies in
transferring to industrial agriculture. -0–

– See more at:

ANI KOCHAR. “TARON MARGARYAN WAS SIMPLY DISCREDITED AND HIS REPUTATION WAS RUINED” (VIDEO)

[ Part 2.2: “Attached Text” ]

July 25 2013

While talking about the increase in the transport fare, many draw
parallels with the campaign against the Mayor of Yerevan Taron
Margaryan. There are opinions voiced that the authorities are trying to
make Taron Margaryan a scapegoat. In a conversation with Aravot.am, Ani
Kochar, founder of “Yes” magazine included in the list of council of
“Hello Yerevan” union, said that she feels sorry for Taron Margaryan,
and to our question of whether she really believes that people are
trying to make T. Margaryan a scapegoat, so answered, – “I don’t have
anything personal neither against Taron Margaryan, nor anyone. He
entered politics as a very positive and bright character. People
believed in him, he was attributed things that he had not yet done,
or had done, but they were not so positive.

But people of Yerevan in every way wanted to see a good thing in
everything he does, in which his name had also a big role.”

Referring to ‘current Taron Margaryan’s’ character, A. Kochar said,-
“Today, I can not miss seeing the fact that this young politician
was simply discredited and his reputation was ruined.

Taron Margaryan of that time, whom people perceived and saw, and Taron
of current days, are not the same. People as a collective character,
like to create idols in one day and overthrow those idols.

The authorities and outstanding figures of the authority do not like
it when there are a lot more positive, respected and authoritative
figures beside them, and thus undermining want to make sure that
everyone is on the same plane. In this case, I am very sorry for
Taron Margaryan that he, yes, somehow became a scapegoat. Perhaps
he as a person being in the focus of this development is still hot,
and does not realize what is going on around him and does not perceive
its own people and enemies. I do not speak against him, I do not speak
against his policy. I would be very happy that the positive character
that people had created for themselves would see, and with Taron
Margaryan’s deeds we see the Mayor whom people really wanted to see.” 

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