Author: Kajoyan Gevork

Anahit Bakhshyan: Mayor’s Office budget allows to create more
favorable conditions for Yerevan residents

18:21 08/04/2013 » INTERVIEWS

`Barev, Yerevan’ bloc of parties started its campaign for Yerevan
elections on Sunday, April 7, with planting flowers and cleaning the
small park located at the crossroads of Pushkin and Yekmalyan Streets,
Anahit Bakhshyan, number two candidate of `Barev, Yerevan’ bloc, told
Panorama.am in an interview.

The election program of `Barev, Yerevan’ bloc has a focus on planting
trees and greenery in the city, stopping the disastrous construction,
the appearance of the city, unloading the center of the city, adapting
public institutions and transport for people with disabilities, Mrs
Bakhshyan said.

`Yerevan should be given back to residents with all necessary
facilities and services, and the best conditions should be created for
citizens,’ the Heritage member stressed.

According to her, today also there are sufficient financial resources
for solving the above mentioned problems.

`Mayor’s Office budget allows to create more favorable conditions for
Yerevan residents,’ said the candidate for Yerevan Council of Elders.

The Central Electoral Commission of Armenia (CEC) has registered the
lists of all seven political forces for the May 5 elections of Yerevan
Council of Elders. Six parties (Republican Party of Armenia, Orinats
Yerkir Party, Prosperous Armenia Party, Armenian National Congress,
ARFD, Mission) and one bloc (`Barev, Yerevan’) run in Yerevan
elections. The election campaign kicked off on April 7, and will run
through May 3.

Source: Panorama.am

Postmedia Breaking News
April 7, 2013 Sunday

Turkey says Canada’s genocide policy may hinder free trade deal

OTTAWA – Turkey’s ambassador to Canada says the Harper government’s
decision to label the killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks as
genocide may be hindering a potentially lucrative trading
relationship.

Ambassador Tuncay Babali tells The Canadian Press that Canada’s
position on the First World War-era slaughter of an estimated 1.5
million Armenians still carries a sting for his country.

But he says Turkey still wants to press on with forging a deeper
economic relationship with Canada, ideally a free trade agreement to
compliment the current Canada-European Union free trade talks.

Babali says he suspects Canada is not engaging as quickly as Turkey
would like because the genocide issue is still hanging over relations.

The $2.5 billion in two-way trade between countries “is far from the
potential” of what Turkey predicts would result from deeper economic
ties: $10-$15-billion within five years, he says.

Canada’s Parliament voted in 2004 to recognize the events of 1915 to
1923 as a genocide carried out by Ottoman Turks during the Armenian
uprising, a position the Harper government formally adopted after
winning power.

Syrian conflict claims priest’s best friend
by Tom Vartabedian

Published: Sunday April 07, 2013

A saddened Rev. Karekin Bedourian, pastor, St. Gregory Church of North
Andover, relays news of the death of his best friend killed in action
during the Syrian Conflict.

NORTH ANDOVER, MASS. – The war in Syria has taken a personal toll for
Rev. Karekin Bedourian.

His best friend from Kessab was listed among the more recent
casualties. The victim was identified from DNA reports three months
after being listed missing in combat.

“Official figures put the death toll between 70,000-80,000 over these
two years,” reports the young pastor of St. Gregory Church. “It’s
probably much higher than that. When you lose someone who was your
dear companion, it becomes very personal. I continue to mourn his
death and pray for peace.”

Recent tolls have counted more than 60 Armenian fatalities, another 10
missing and hundreds of Armenians without homes. Schools and churches
in Aleppo are closed due to the violence.

Hovag was serving as an officer in the government’s army and became
missing after rebel forces invaded his camp. Together they hiked the
mountains of Kessab with Hovag’s brother who had become a priest in
Antelias.

Wherever you saw one, you saw the three of them during their Kessab
days. They played on the same streets, attended the same schools and
kicked soccer balls as young athletes. It was that close.

As hiking companions, they were also attached.

“You might credit Hovag with saving our lives,” recalled Father
Karekin. “We got lost in the mountains one day and were disoriented
for seven hours in the wilderness. All we saw were sky and trees.
Hovag found the trail after some very deep concern and led us to the
bottom. We could have died.”

Father Karekin received the tragic news by telephone from his father.
The two had rekindled their friendship during a return home last year
to baptize his daughter Megheti.

“Who knew that would be the last time we would see one another?” he
lamented. “The last thing we said to one another was to have this war
end and that our people rest in peace and security. My yeretskin
(wife) and I, we sat down and cried over the news. That Sunday, I
offered Hovag a special prayer, along with the numerous children,
adults and soldiers who have died needlessly.”

Father Karekin presented some sobering accounts of the turmoil during
a Merrimack Valley gathering for Syrian-Armenian Relief conducted Feb.
23 at his church by the Lowell ARF. An assortment of people braved an
impending snowstorm to donate close to $1,000 for aid.

The collection was among others conducted in the community by the
Prelacy and Armenian Relief Society, raising substantial amounts
overall. Thus far, reports show more than $1 million in aid being
transferred to Syrian Armenians from around the world.

“Conditions are rapidly deteriorating in that battered land,” he said.
“Schools and churches are being destroyed. People are at unrest. We
owe it to ourselves to come to their aid and support a necessary
cause. My heart goes out every day to the families who have been
tormented, including my very own. With all the animosity there, we
need a miracle to survive.”

Father Karekin spoke of kidnappings. He elaborated on the disturbing
events that reach him every day in that war-torn zone. He talked of
the hunger and the depravation his people face.

“The hand of evil is trying to destroy the peace and stability of
Syria, one of the most peaceful countries in the world,” he pointed
out. “We cannot remain indifferent and unconcerned about people who
are experiencing death and affliction.”

Father Karekin has been in contact with the Prelate of Aleppo and said
this is not a matter of revolution or power struggle anymore.

“Unfortunately, it’s the ordinary people who are victims now,” he
confirms. “We hear different media channels, much of it providing
false news unfortunately. I rely on witness accounts from my family
and close friends to get a more accurate report.”

The Armenian presence in Syria began during the 11th Century from the
Crusades when people fled Cilicia. By the time of the genocide in
1915, around 200,000 Armenians had settled in that country, before
sending a portion of them to Lebanon and other Diasporan countries.

“Armenians are a vibrant minority group in Syria, always respected for
being good citizens working toward the prosperity of that country,”
said Father Bedourian. “Especially in Aleppo, Armenians have made an
important impact on the city’s economy, especially in jewelry and
automobile shops.”

The evening was also devoted to a visual presentation on remote
Armenian sites by photojournalist Joe Dagdigian. Net proceeds from
this affair also complemented the collection for Syria.

CTV News, Canada
April 7 2013

Turkey wants end to Canada’s stance on Armenian genocide

Mike Blanchfield, The Canadian Press
Published Sunday, April 7, 2013 12:40PM EDT

OTTAWA — Turkey’s ambassador to Canada says the Harper government’s
decision to brand the killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks as
genocide may be hindering a potentially lucrative trading
relationship.

Ambassador Tuncay Babali made clear in a wide ranging interview with
The Canadian Press that Canada’s position on the First World War-era
slaughter of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians still carries a sting
for his country.

But that doesn’t mean Turkey doesn’t want to press on with forging a
deeper economic relationship with Canada, ideally a free trade
agreement to compliment the current Canada-EU free trade talks once
they are completed, he said.

“I’m a true believer in the potential of our two nations. Canada has a
lot to offer Turkey and Turkey in return has a lot to offer Canada,”
said Babali, noting that Canada’s internal Foreign Policy Plan has
identified Turkey as a key country of focus.

“It cannot be business as usual while accusing a nation of genocide.
It’s a serious allegation. It needs to be substantiated, legally,
historically.”

Babali said he suspects Canada is not engaging as quickly as Turkey
would like because the genocide issue is still hanging over relations.

“There is a pacing issue here,” he said. “We want results. We want
action. We want concrete steps forward. Talking about positive things
is ok, but it takes two to tango.”

The $2.5 billion in two-way trade between countries “is far from the
potential” of what Turkey predicts would result from deeper economic
ties: $10-$15 billion within five years, he said.

He said Turkey would like to open free trade talks with Canada.

But on the genocide question, Babali said Turkey would like to see a
gesture from Canada that the government is “trying to leave this
behind us.”

A significant gesture would be a “high level” visit by Foreign Affairs
Minister John Baird to Turkey. Baird cancelled a planned trip in
November, Babali said, because of an important cabinet meeting in
Ottawa.

Babali was also encourged by Baird’s plans to travel to the West Bank
on the weekend to discuss future Canadian aid contributions to the
Palestinian Authority.

He suggested Canada can do more in the Middle East peace process, even
though Turkey is well aware of Ottawa’s strong support of Israel.

“I think aid is important. To keep the channels open. You have to hear
both sides. Canada has leverage that can play in those issues as well.
It should be used in a stronger way.”

Babali praised the efforts of Baird for mending fences with Turkey,
including the personal friendship he has forged with his counterpart,
Ahmet Davutolu, who visited Canada this past September.

“We have good room to manoeuvre here after our minister’s visit. But
it takes two to tango,” he said.

“If there is a political will from the Canadian side to move forward
and improve our relations further, to live up to the promise and
potential, we need concrete steps.”

Canada’s Parliament voted in 2004 to recognize the events of 1915 to
1923 as a genocide carried out by Ottoman Turks during the Armenian
uprising.

The Harper government formally adopted that position after winning
power, a decision that angered Ankara and sparked the temporary
withdrawal of its ambassador from Ottawa.

Turkey has lobbied hard internationally to block the genocide
designation, although many other countries have used the term.

In 2010, when the U.S. Congress abandoned a plan to declare the
killings a genocide, Davutolu said ties could have been harmed between
the two countries had “common sense” not prevailed.

Last year, when France passed a law that makes it a crime to deny the
Armenian genocide, Turkey responded by suspending military, economic
and political ties.

Last summer, Canada took steps to heal the rift with Turkey. It
unveiled a cone-shaped metal-and-wood monument dedicated to Col.
Atilla Altikat, the country’s military attache gunned down in Ottawa,
allegedly by Armenian terrorists, 30 years earlier.

That appeared to go a long way towards bridging the gap between the
two countries, both NATO allies.

Babali reiterated what Davutolu said during his visit — that Turkey
would like to strike a joint commission with Armenians to discuss the
historical facts surrounding the issue.

During the visit, Baird did not back away from his government’s
earlier position, but said he appreciated the sensitivities at play.

Babali said Turkey wants deeper economic ties with Canada, and it
appears the country is open for business despite any bitterness over
the Armenia policy.

In the next 10 years, Turkey will launch 150 infrastructure projects
worth hundreds of billions of dollars, many in the transportation
sector. Babali cited Bombardier Inc. and SNC-Lavalin as potential
investors.

He also said there are also opportunities for Canadian companies in
his country’s developing nuclear energy program and in shale gas
exploration.

New Reality In Eurasia

The presence of NATO in Afghanistan is a key political and life factor
in a vast space and a constant of geopolitics. Despite lots of
unpleasant factors relating to military presence, NATO has become a
center of gravitation of all negative relating to the activities of
insurgents and radicals in the region.

The presence of NATO enabled a number of states, including China,
Russia, Iran and Pakistan, to be in a more or less predictable
situation. After the withdrawal of forces, even partial withdrawal,
NATO will not play its previous role any more.

It is clear that the radical groups will soon extend their activities
and influence into the Eurasian space and nobody will be able to tell
the limits. Will such an organization as Shanghai Cooperation
Organization resolve security issues in Eurasia, and will two leading
powers of this alliance be ready to resolve these issues?

Not a long time ago the NATO-CSTO meeting in Brussels revealed that
NATO is not likely to accelerate cooperation with CSTO. Even if one
assumes that different NATO member states have different attitudes to
the perspective of cooperation with CSTO, and there are NATO member
states which have a radical attitude to this pro-Russian bloc, one way
or another, NATO is not rushing to cooperate.

Some politicians explain it by NATO’s reluctance to support the bloc
which Russia uses to control several famous states. However, the
impression is that the real reason is not this. Most probably, NATO
does not want to bear responsibility for the situation in Afghanistan
in the nearest future, wishing to shift responsibility on Russia.
Thereby, Russia’s allies will soon understand that CSTO is not a
condition of parasitical existence but a series of commitments to real
military goals.

The U.S. successfully conducts a policy of shifting responsibility in
the Near East where the Americans have let their partners know that
they are now mostly responsible for regional security. In addition,
the countries of the region are major importers of weapon, mostly
American.

In fact, withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan, as well as from Iraq
is the right of NATO and its member states. However, one way or
another, the region is left at the `crossroads of winds’ and some
states of Eurasia are already thinking on what will await them in this
situation. Some time later NATO may try to get some partners in
Eurasia but will the leading regional powers participate in the global
system of security?

It is not predictable yet, and small countries do not have clear
perspectives. The countries located outside NATO which have managed to
get the status of new NATO partners will have some advantages. Is NATO
likely to organize a race for this integration?

In any case, withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan will mark the
start of the launch of additional partnership for security. Russia
could also conduct an analogical policy but it will require
considerable costs and it is not clear whether there are enough
resources for these plans. Russia is facing disgrace of CSTO and the
idea of Eurasian Union which would exist successfully if NATO troops
stayed in Afghanistan. No doubt the main goal is disorganization of
Russia’s position but what will it cost to its partners?

Igor Muradyan
12:32 06/04/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

ARF-D Supreme Council On The Murder Of Hrach Muradyan

April 2, 2013

On April 2, Hrach Muradyan, mayor of the village of Proshyan, was
found dead, killed by a shot to the head. Muradyan was a member of the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF-D), a freedom fighter of the
Artsakh movement, and was serving his third term as mayor of Proshyan,
a village in the Kotayk province. Muradyan was 50 years old, and had
been mayor since 2005. The police has launched an investigation.

The ARF-D Supreme Council of Armenia issued the following statement in
regard to the assassination of Muradyan.

`Today, on the morning of April 2, the mayor of Proshyan village,
Hrach Muradyan became the victim of a terrorist act, right across his
office premises. A premeditated and planned assassination took place.
It is obvious that regardless of the perpetrators, the crime is a
side-effect of the atmosphere of impunity and intolerance.
Hrach Muradyan was a loyal member of ARF-D; from the very beginning of
the Artsakh liberation struggle till its ending, he paved a glorious
fighting path. He was awarded with the Battle Cross Order of the 2nd
degree of Artsakh as well as with numerous medals for having served
the country. Since 2005 he was elected mayor in three consecutive
times; he was acknowledged as an exemplary leader, he had implemented
various projects and had assisted to the solution of Proshyan people’s
problems.
Being a fighter by nature, an independent personality, an individual
guided by the people’s benefit Hrach Muradyan indulged the love and
respect of his fellow villagers. This caused discontent to some.
During his years in office, there were always efforts by others to
create tension. Eventually, the threatening and terror that targeted
him led to his death.
It is with deep sorrow that we note that in our country the citizen’s
safety is not guaranteed, the criminal behavior has become an
inseparable part of our life. The conspirator bullet that took Hrach
Muradyan’s life was aimed not only against a noble Armenian and a
compassionate leader but against the statehood and the prestige of the
Armenians. The ARF-D condemns the assassination and demands that the
crime be solved promptly and in full and that the executors and
organizers are punished in the strictest way.

ARF-D Supreme Council of Armenia’

ARMENIE
Succès pour l’Aile ou la Cuisse

Dans le cadre de la saison de la Francophonie, l’Ambassade de France a
organisé la projection du film français « L’aile ou la Cuisse », au
cinéma « Moscou » d’Erevan, le mercredi 27 mars.

Les quelques 250 personnes présentes se sont montrées séduites par ce
grand classique du cinéma comique français, présenté dans le cadre du
30ème anniversaire de la disparition du célèbre acteur Louis de Funès.

Cet événement, organisé par l’Ambassade de France en Arménie,
s’inscrit dans le cadre de la saison francophone de l’Ambassade et
constitue la première séance des « Jeudis du cinéma français », avec
un film par mois durant l’année, en français sous-titré en anglais. En
ouverture, le Conseiller de coopération et d’action culturelle, M.
Jean-Michel Kasbarian, s’est félicité de la participation massive du
jeune public, dont beaucoup d’étudiants en français. Il a présenté
l’esprit de ces « Jeudis du cinéma », faire découvrir un film français
dans le cadre de rencontres avec le public, privilégiant l’échange
autour des questions soulevées par les `uvres cinématographiques.

L’Ambassade de France vous convie à la deuxième séance du cycle, avec
la projection du film « L’auberge espagnole », le jeudi 27 avril à
16H00, au cinéma « Moscou » d’Erevan.

Extrait de la revue de presse de l’Ambassade de France en Arménie

dimanche 7 avril 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

Le Figaro, France
4 avril 2013

La Turquie et le fantôme arménien

Par Pierre Rousselin le 4 avril 2013

DANS DEUX ANS, en avril 2015, cent ans auront passé et, sauf surprise
malheureusement bien improbable, la Turquie n’aura toujours pas trouvé
le moyen d’assumer son lourd passé Ã l’égard du peuple arménien.
Pourtant, le fantôme du génocide rôde. Il risque de se montrer très
présent à l’occasion du centenaire des événements dramatiques. Cela
incitera-t-il les Turcs et leur gouvernement à se confronter enfin Ã
leur histoire??

Dans la perspective des commémorations, et du débat qu’elles vont
relncer,le livre de Laure Marchand et Guillaume Perrier publié chez
Acte Sud et intitulé La Turquie et le fantôme arménien. Sur les traces
du génocide permet à chacun de se forger son opinion. C’est une
enquête de terrain menée par les correspondants en Turquie du Figaro
et du Monde, multipliant les rencontres et les – témoignages, les
visites d’églises, de sites et de villages qui ont survécu aux
destructions, aux spoliations et à l’oubli.

Le récit donne la parole à des rescapés, à des convertis de force, Ã
des «?justes?» qui ont sauvé des persécutés. L’enquête décrit
l’obstination des autorités à refuser d’abord le mot «?génocide?»,
mais aussi à nier des faits historiques avérés. Sans doute, la
restitution des avoirs ou l’indemnisation des descendants des
victimes, revendication essentielle de la diaspora, est-elle une
explication d’un déni érigé en fondement de la nation turque.

Quel que soit le point de vue de départ que l’on ait sur la question
arménienne, l’on prend, Ã la lecture de ce livre, la mesure de la
détermination de l’État turc à en minimiser la portée. à l’heure où la
Turquie souhaite devenir membre d’une Europe qui s’est btie justement
sur un travail de mémoire exemplaire, il est utile de rassembler les
pièces du dossier.

Après l’assassinat du journaliste turc d’origine arménienne Hrant
Dink, en janvier 2007, un examen de conscience a paru s’amorcer. Il y
a même eu des tentatives de rapprochement avec l’Arménie, comme en
témoigne le voyage d’Abdullah Gül à Erevan pour un match de football
en 2008. Mais l’essai est resté sans suite, victime d’une reprise en
main de la diplomatie turque dans un sens plus nationaliste par le
premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Le livre de Laure Marchand et Guillaume Perrier rend compte de ces
épisodes et explique pourquoi la question arménienne restera au cÅ`ur
des relations entre la France et la Turquie, quoi qu’on pense des lois
mémorielles adoptées par notre Parlement.

[Cette note de lecture a été publié dans Le Figaro du Samedi 30 mars 2013]

Prime-Tass English-language Business Newswire, Russia
April 5, 2013 Friday 9:53 AM EET

Russia’s Rosneft agrees with Armenia’s Oil Tekhno to set up JV

MOSCOW, Apr 5 (PRIME) – Rosneft, Russia’s largest state-controlled oil
company, has signed an agreement with Armenian company Oil Tekhno on
the creation of a joint venture in the field of oil product marketing
and supply, the press office of the Armenian government said late on
Thursday, as cited by RIA Novosti.

“We are glad that such a serious investor is entering our market, and
on our part, we will do our best to ensure the successful realization
of this program,” Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisyan said at the
ceremony in honor of the document’s signing.

Rosneft’s CEO Igor Sechin said that there is presently a necessity to
establish a serious supplier of oil products, including jet fuel,
gasoline, and diesel fuel, to Armenia and noted that the joint venture
is a good platform for cooperating in this field, Sechin said.

The Times (London), UK
April 6, 2013 Saturday
Edition 1; Ireland

Journeys to the edge

by Tom Chesshyre

South Sudan: Few people have visited the world’s newest country. South
Sudan split away from Sudan in 2011 after a long civil war. The
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises against travel to areas
within 40km of the northern Sudan border, but elsewhere is safe.
Undiscovered Destinations (0191-296 2674,
undiscovered-destinations.com) offers nine-day trips to villages
belonging to the Mundari, Toposa and Boya people from £2,675pp;
flights are about £650 extra.

North Korea: With the 30-year-old dictator Kim Jong Un threatening to
launch missiles at the US and Seoul, this may not seem the perfect
moment to visit. But you can, and Regent Holidays (020-7666 1290,
regent-holidays.co.uk) has nine-day tours taking in Pyongyang, below,
Kaesong and the Demilitarised Zone from £1,395pp; flights excluded.
The trip takes in the mausoleum of Kim Il Sung, a captured US “spy
boat”, and the International Friendship Museum.

The Congo: You can track gorillas, giant hogs and elephants in
rainforests rarely visited by outsiders in the Republic of Congo and
the neighbouring Central African Republic. Responsible Travel (01273
823700, responsibletravel.com) arranges 13-day trips that cover the
remote forests of Dzanga Sangha and Nouabalé Ndoki. Groups visit
Ba’Aka communities and can join them on a hunt. The cost is from
£4,095pp, plus flights.

Kashmir, India: After 22 years, the FCO has lifted its travel ban to
Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir, because violence caused by the
territorial dispute with Pakistan has fallen. Wild Frontiers (020-7736
3968, wildfrontiers.co.uk) offers a fortnight-long tour that takes in
Delhi, Shimla and the twin towns of Dharamsala and McLeod Gan (where
the Dalai Lama’s Tibetan government in exile is based). At Srinagar,
three nights are spent on a Lake Dal houseboat. The price is from
£2,245pp, without flights.

Armenia: The border crossing between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains
closed after reports of sporadic gunfire last year. But much of
Armenia, the little-visited country in central Asia, is open to safe
tourism. Silk Road Tours (020- 8728 2478, silkroadtours.co.uk)
organises nine-day tours from £995, flights excluded, that begin in
Yerevan, the capital, with visits to ancient Christian sites. The trip
continues through countryside with vineyards to Goris, where you can
take a ride on one of the world’s longest cable cars to the Tatev
monastery. The country’s second city, Gyumri, is also visited.

Sierra Leone: The brutal civil war ended in 2002 but a trickle of
tourists visits this West African country. Rainbow Tours (020-7226
1004, rainbowtours.co.uk) offers eight-day trips with stays in old
colonial Freetown, Bunce Island (in an eco-chalet near where English
slave traders settled in the 17th century), and Banana Island. The
price is from £2,150pp and includes flights.

Eritrea: A security zone separates Eritrea from Ethiopia after a peace
deal ended their war in 2000. Eritrea had earlier endured civil war
and then fought Yemen. Explore Worldwide (0845 0131537, explore.co.uk)
offers nine-day tours from £1,733pp including flights that take in the
capital Asmara, with its Art Deco architecture, Keren and the port of
Massawa.

Afghanistan: British troops may still be on the ground but you can
already holiday in Afghanistan. While the FCO categorically advises
against all travel, Hinterland Travel (01484 719549,
hinterlandtravel.com) is arranging a tour across central and north
Afghanistan in July, which it says will bring foreign cash to poor
communities. The 22-day tour costs from £2,860pp excluding
international flights – and insurance.

Tom Chesshyre It is essential to check the latest travel advice to
these countries on the FCO website (fco.gov.uk)