Author: Kajoyan Gevork

LEADER’S AIDE: US SEEKING TO USE TURKEY AS COUNTERBALANCE TO IRAN

16:53 | 2013-02-06

TEHRAN (FNA)- Senior Military Aide to the Iranian Supreme Leader
Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi said that the US is trying to raise
Turkey as a strategic rival to Iran in a move to prevent Iran’s clout
in the region.

“They (Americans) think that they should be present in West Asia and
North Africa to guarantee the survival and security of the Zionist
regime and create a strategic rival to Iran and this rival is Turkey,”
Safavi said, addressing a gathering here in Tehran on Wednesday.

“As far as regional developments are concerned, Americans do not want
to see Iran as the No.1 power of the region. To that end, they sparked
the recent events and issues in Syria and are trying to create chaos
in that country with the help of the money of some Arab countries,
US policy-making and the proxy role played by Turkey.”

“That is while” he added “Iran’s ruling system is a powerful system
and the region’s number one power which is based on the columns of
the great Iranian nation who are loyal to Islam and their political
system.”

Turkey along with the US, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have been supporting
terrorists and rebel groups in Syria and have practically brought a
UN peace initiative into failure to bring President Assad’s government
into collapse.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011 with organized
attacks by well-armed gangs against Syrian police forces and border
guards being reported across the country.

Hundreds of people, including members of the security forces, have
been killed, when some protest rallies turned into armed clashes.

The government blames outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorist groups
for the deaths, stressing that the unrest is being orchestrated
from abroad.

In October 2011, calm was eventually restored in the Arab state
after President Assad started a reform initiative in the country,
but Israel, the US and its Arab allies are seeking hard to bring the
country into chaos through any possible means. Tel Aviv, Washington
and some Arab capitals have been staging various plots in the hope
of increasing unrests in Syria.

ARMENIAN MIN APPRECIATES KUWAIT CULTURAL DAYS IN YEREVAN

05/02/2013 | 11:13 PM Kuwait News

By Youssof Al-Tattan (with photos)

YEREVAN, Feb 5 (KUNA) — Armenian Minister of Culture and Youth Hasmik
Poghosian on Tuesday welcomed the Kuwaiti cultural celebrities taking
part in the activities of Kuwait cultural days in Yerevan.

“The event provides an opportunity for the Armenian people to get
acquainted with Kuwait’s wonderful folklore and culture. The Armenian
state departments were looking forward to hosting the Kuwaiti cultural
days as a means for cementing the people-to-people friendship,”
she told KUNA here this evening.

Poghosian made the remarks during a reception hosted by Kuwaiti
Ambassador to Armenia Bassam Al-Qabandi in honor of the 40-member
Kuwaiti delegation, led by Secretary General of the National Council
for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) Ali Al-Yuha.

“The event falls in the framework of a pact on cultural exchanges
and cooperation, signed by the two countries in 2009,” she said,
recalling that Kuwait hosted in 2011 the Armenian cultural days.

Poghosian added that the diversified cultural exchanges between the
two sides are based on constructive friendship and understanding.

On his part, Ambassador Al-Qabandi spoke highly of the NCCAL response
to the Armenian invitation for holding the cultural days which coincide
with Kuwait celebrations marking the National Day, the Liberation
Day and the anniversary of the assumption of power by His Highness
the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

“The cultural event is a great achievement given the fact that the
Kuwaiti diplomatic mission in Armenia was established only one year
and two months ago, in December, 2011. This shows the keenness of
the Kuwaiti leaders to boost the people-to-people relationship to
the level of the state-to-state relations,” he said.

The activities of Kuwait cultural days in Yerevan will kick-start
tomorrow with performance by Kuwaiti musical and folkloric troupes.

(end) yt.gb KUNA 052313 Feb 13NNNN

TURKEY ‘BLOCKED’ ISRAELI NATO STEPS

BUDAPEST /PRAGUE

A Turkish military officer takes a picture of a German military vehicle
carrying equipment for NATO Patriot missiles at the Mediterranean
port of Iskenderun in Hatay province January 21, 2013.

REUTERS photo

Turkey blocked North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) initiatives
taken toward the inclusion of Israel in the organization, Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Feb. 5 to the reporters
during his flight to Budapest.

Erdogan was speaking on the possibility of cultural differences as
the cause of the European Union’s five-decade delay, when he said
it was possible that the union was “hesitant because the members
will not be able to do everything they want when Turkey gets in,”
likening the situation to that of NATO.

“Are we not in NATO with these countries?” Erdogan asked, recalling
that Turkey is the only country in the pact with a Muslim population.

“We, as Turkey, would stop wrong steps [in NATO]. Thus, we saw such
steps toward Israel’s inclusion in NATO. We prevented that,” Erdogan
said. “We have our own red lines. For us, to be involved in NATO with
Israel is never considerable. To be with such a cruel understanding
would conflict with our structure, history and culture.”

February/06/2013

PIDE AZERBAIYAN ESPACIO CERRADO PARA MONUMENTO DE ALIYEV.

RadioFormula, Mexico
29 Enero 2013

Afirma el secretario de Gobierno de la Ciudad de Mexico, Hector
Serrano, que, en caso de no encontrar un espacio adecuado, analizaría
la inversion hecha por la Embajada de Azerbaiyan para la elaboracion
de la obra, para liquidarla.

La Embajada de Azerbaiyan en Mexico pidio “un espacio cerrado” para
colocar la estatua del exdictador Heydar Aliyev, luego de que esta
fuera instalada y retirada de una plaza abierta.

El secretario de gobierno capitalino, Hector Serrano, señalo que
se analizan diversos puntos que van desde una casa de cultura, se
informo en el noticiero “Formula de la tarde”.

Entre las colonias donde podría ser ubicado el monumento que genero
diferencias entre la administracion capitalina y el país europeo,
se encuentran Polanco, Del Valle, La Condesa o la Roma.

En caso de no encontrar coincidencias o lugares disponibles, Hector
Serrano considero la posibilidad de analizar la inversion hecha por
el gobierno de Azerbaiyan, la cual “estaríamos en posibilidad de
cubrirla”, indico el funcionario.

hbc

HUNGER-STRIKING CANDIDATE TO CONTINUE PROTEST

14:46 ~U 05.02.13

Andreas Ghukasyan, the presidential candidate who has been on a
hunger-strike since January 21, is determined to continue his protest
despite Paruyr Hayrikyan’s decision not to apply for a vote delay.

“The political situation had changed, creating a new opportunity. This
is why Andrias Ghukasyan had asked for cancelling the election and
appointing a new voting. But he will continue the struggle in the same
spirit,” Armen Grigoryan, a coordinator at the candidate’s campaign
headquarters told reporters on Tuesday.

Following the assassination attempt against Hayrikyan, Ghukasyan
addressed an open letter to his challenger asking him to turn to the
Constitutional Court with an appeal for appointing a new election date.

Under Armenia’s Constitution, a presidential candidate can seek
a legal measure for a vote delay in case of facing insurmountable
obstacles. But Hayrikyan’s representatives said at a news conference
earlier today that the candidate is not to submit such a request to
the Constitutional Court.

As for Hayrikyan’s call for an open debate with challengers, Ghukasyan
said he doesn’t find the proposal reasonable.

“He had the biggest chance to apply to the Constitutional Court
and could have taken that step,” he said, considering the move a
situational statement.

Andriasyan, who declared an open-ended hunger strike on the very first
day of the campaign, calls upon the Central Election Commission to
declare the incumbent president’s re-election bid invalid. He also
urges for measures to expel the international observers from Armenia.

ARMENIA TO HOST 2014 VLADIMIR YENGIBARYAN MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT

February 4, 2013 – 17:03 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – By decision of President of Armenia’s National
Olympic Committee Gagik Tsarukyan, Yerevan-hosted international boxing
tournament would henceforth honor the memory of the Olympic champion
Vladimir Yengibaryan.

In a conversation with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, vice-president of
Armenian Boxing Federation Derenik Gabrielyan said, the championship
won’t be held in 2013 due to the timing of the European boxing
championship, due April 30-May 9 in Minsk, Belarus.

“Boxers from at least 19 countries must participate in tournament A.
However, changes have occurred in the training programs of European
championships, with the cut in the number of participants to adversely
affect our tournament,” Mr Gabrielyan said, adding that Armenian
tournament may be held in fall.

VARDA TO PERFORM IN YEREVAN

FEBRUARY 5, 15:24

Famous singer and dancer with Armenian roots, Pole Dance champion VARDA
(Vardanush Martirosyan) will perform in Yerevan.

Her show is planned for March 7, 8 and 9, organizers told NEWS.am
STYLE.

It is not her first visit to Armenia. “I was a little worried when I
came in Armenia for the first time. But I got a warm reception. I look
forward to coming again,” she said in an interview with NEWS.am STYLE.

RESTORATION RAILWAY COMMUNICATION VIA ABKHAZIA IS BENEFICIAL TO ALL PARTIES – PRIME MINISTER

NEWS.AM
February 05, 2013 | 17:26

Restoration of railway communication between Georgia and Russia via
Abkhazia will be beneficial for all parties, but this takes time,
said the Prime Minister of Georgia Bidzina Ivanishvili at a press
conference this Tuesday.

He assured that nothing negative will happen for Georgia.

“Restoration of the railroad will be beneficial for everyone. It will
be positive, but it will take some time. Everything will be done in
phases to avoid any issues,” he said, Novosti-Georgia informs.

Recall that the new Minister for Reintegration of Georgia Paata
Zakareishvili few months ago announced that the Georgian authorities
are ready to restore railway communication with Russia in the framework
of “Strategy for de-isolation of Abkhazia.” But later he said that
this issue was not being considered, since the Abkhaz side had not
shown any interest in this.

Later the subject of opening the railway through Abkhazia was raised
during Ivanivshili’s visit to Yerevan. Georgian President Mikhail
Saakshavili sharply criticized these statements, as he believes that
it is in Russia’s interests only.

MY GRANDMOTHER WAS HALF ARMENIAN – EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH DITA VON TEESE

FEBRUARY 5, 23:01

By Marina Adulyan and Anna Ghazaryan

A dancer, a model, an actress… the queen of burlesque Dita Von Teese
reveals different talents. But, this is not enough. She continues
surprising everyone and making people admire her. Besides, Dita
appeared to have Armenian roots, she said in an exclusive interview
with NEWS.am STYLE.

Your style has become recognizable all over the world. You have
clothes and lingerie brand in vintage style. Do you think the clothes
and lingerie used to be more sexy and beautiful in the past than it is
now?

I think that in the past, there was a great deal more artistry in
design of all kinds, from clothing to furniture, architecture, and
every day things.

Do you think you can once change your style, for example wear jeans and shirts?

I have no interest in dressing like someone else, I found my own
personal style many years ago.

You have clothes, lingerie and perfume brands. Is there something new
you would like to try?

I am interested in creating jewelry based on my vintage jewelry
collection, and also in designing beautiful sensual home decor.

You are known as a queen of burlesque. Your recent show is titled
“Burlesque: Strip, Strip Hooray!” What is burlesque for you? How would
you characterize your show: is it a dance, striptease or an artistic
performance?

Burlesque the name of a kind of show that was a popular in America in
the 1930s and 40s, and the stars of the burlesque shows were
striptease stars that performed lavish, glamorous shows. My show is a
bit like a Las Vegas revue, but it’s a nostalgic show of sensual
fantasy and glamour, with stripteases set to music, haute couture
costumes, beautiful sets and lighting design. There’s a great history
of showgirls and striptease, and burlesque was an important part of
that, so my shows capture the spirit of this era of entertainment.

And of course, the questions we, as Armenians, are very interested in.

You once wrote you are “part Armenian.” Some web sources suggest your
grandmother was Armenian. Is it so?

My Grandmother was adopted, and her birth father was Armenian.

66 926 CARATS OF DIAMOND PRODUCED IN ARMENIA IN 2012

February 5, 2013 – 18:18 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – 66 926 carats of diamond were produced in Armenia
in January-December 2012 against 66 173 carats from the year-earlier
period (2,7 % growth).

According to the National Statistical Service, 851,5 kg of jewelry
was produced during the reporting period against 434,5 kg in 2011.