Author: Kajoyan Gevork

TAMAR GASPARIAN REITERATES CONCERNS IN LETTER TO LIGHTHOUSE FOUNDATION

Published: Tuesday December 11, 2012

Dear readers,

Below is my response to Armenian Lighthouse Charitable Foundation
(ALCF). While the organization has tried to intimidate me and turn my
inquiries into a personal matter, I know that people with good judgment
will understand that I have no personal gain or interest. The director
of an organization that is supposed to protect vulnerable and abused
women has actually humiliated and abandoned its beneficiaries.

For example, the director told the reporter of Hetq that Christine,
a former beneficiary, is a “useless member of society” and called her
new born a “sick baby” just because the baby was born with a cleft lip.

Please note that the main problem with this organization is its
director Naira Muradyan and her unprofessional behavior. Yet, nowhere
in its response does ALCF answer my questions about the director
or comment on the humiliating remarks she made publicly about its
former beneficiary.

If you care about women in Armenia who need our support you must
speak up today. One neglected mother is one too many. We can’t
let individuals and, in my opinion, unprofessional organizations
take advantage of our donations and treat their beneficiaries like
“beggars” as Christine claims they were treated at ALCF.

Please read my letters carefully, make your own conclusions and,
most importantly, demand answers from ALCF.

Thank you, Tamar Gasparian

September 5, 2012

To: Seta Ghazarian

Paros “Lighthouse” Charitable Foundation U.S.A.

P.O. Box 3595

Seal Beach, CA 90740

Dear Mrs. Ghazarian,

This correspondence is in response to your letter dated August 31,
2012. As a caring member of Armenian society, I have a responsibility
to bring Naira Muradyan’s questionable and unprofessional actions and
behavior to your and the public’s attention. As well, as a founder
of the organization, you have a responsibility to investigate and
explain to the public why women have allegedly been mistreated in
your organization by Ms. Muradyan.

Before I proceed, I should emphasize that I wrote to you as an
individual and not as the Communications Officer for Fund for Armenian
Relief (FAR). I am saddened and disappointed to see that you actually
involved FAR in your correspondence and copied certain FAR executives
in your response. It is extremely unprofessional of you and I see this
as an intimidation tactic, but unfortunately I have to disappoint you:
your intimidation attempt didn’t work. I will continue doing all
I can to bring attention to this issue and achieve a satisfactory
resolution. Again, my position at FAR has nothing to do with this
letter or my attempt to understand why women were mistreated at your
shelter. I am raising my concerns regarding your organization and
its director Naira Muradyan as a concerned individual.

I am also very sorry to see that you did not understand the purpose
of my letter.

To start, all I did was contact Hetq.am, to explain what Christine
Gevorgyan told me and ask Hetq to investigate the matter. Then I
brought Naira Muadyan’s outrageous behavior to the public’s and your
attention via my open letter in the Armenian Reporter. After all, as an
Armenian and concerned individual, I have every right to question any
injustice or unfairness that has been brought up regarding an Armenian
non-profit organization, whether it is Paros or any other group. All
my questions and concerns were based specifically on Christine’s
story and the article that Hetq.am published on August 10, 2012
(“who-%20are-you?-do-you-know-who-i-am?”.html).

I don’t feel that I need to explain or provide anything else to
justify my behavior. It is a fact that Christine was denied future
care and assistance from Lighthouse Foundation after her baby Angeli
was born with a birth defect. To this day she, Hetq and I have no
explanation from your organization about why Christine and her baby
were not accepted back to the shelter.

As well, other people have confirmed that Naira Muradyan has been
mistreating the women at the shelter. However, these people want to
stay anonymous because Naira Muradyan has threatened them. It is their
right to stay anonymous, and I have no obligation to tell you their
names. In fact, after seeing the intimidation tactic you used against
me by referencing FAR in your letter, I completely support these
individuals’ decisions to stay anonymous. Again, all my questions and
comments to you are based on what Christine told Hetq, and me and how
Naira Muradyan has reacted to the questions asked to her by the Hetq
reporter. You should focus on these aspects. Your refusal to address
these issues could hurt the reputation of Paros. I am simply acting
as a concerned individual. If you are interested to know what others
have to say about your director, please read the comments under the
Hetq article by other individuals revealing Naira Muradyan’s true face.

You are correct in that I did not visit your shelter while I was in
Armenia. However, Christine stated that every time the shelter had
guests or journalists, the women were forced to lie and pretend that
everything was perfect. So why would I take time out of my extremely
busy schedule and visit your shelter if the visit would not be an
accurate representation of how things really are?

Now my questions to you and your organization are as follows:

1. Why was Christine Gevorgyan mistreated in the shelter and
not accepted back after giving birth to Angeli? As an example,
she was ordered to clean the floors while in the eighth month of
her pregnancy. Meanwhile, as Christine mentioned, the shelter has
a cleaning lady who is getting paid to do that work. Also, Naira
Muradyan, the director of the shelter, continuously told Christine
before she gave birth that her baby would be sick, and that she
would give birth to a sick baby. After the baby was born, Naira
told Christine that she would not be allowed to take the “sick baby”
to the shelter. WHY?

2. How do you explain Naira Muradyan’s this statement about Christine,
as cited in the same Hetq article: she is “a useless member of
society.” How can a director of any organization say something so
insensitive and inhumane?

3. How do you explain Ms. Muradyan’s response to the Hetq reporter,
that Christine’s story is not interesting for the public? Instead,
she stated, “There are better stories that are more interesting for
the people.” Are these women just stories for Naira Muradyan and your
organization? Do you choose to help the women based on how interesting
their story is for the public?

4. Why was Nelly Sargsyan, another
beneficiary, evicted from the shelter?
(
social-services.html)

5. Did you know that Nelly ended up giving her child to an orphanage?

Isn’t your organization’s goal to keep mothers and their children
together? What could you tell us about Nelly’s case?

6. Based on what qualifications was Naira Muradyan hired to be the
director of your organization?

7. How does your organization develop and train its employees?

8. How does your organization evaluate and monitor its employees?

9. And last but not least, could you please explain these expenses,
since it is not ?clear from your 2011 990-EZ form how your organization
spent these amounts.

Transfer to Armenia for Sponsors: $32,500 (Did you transfer
sponsors to Armenia?) Transfer to Armenia for Operations: $29,500
(What does operations means in this context and how do you transfer
operations?)?For your benefit, here is an electronic link to the 990-EZ
form: http://207.153.189.83/EINS/264474704/264474704_2011_080d79da.PDF

Mrs. Ghazarian, you had questioned my intentions and motives in
your response to me. However, you must understand that these are
questions and issues that any concerned member of the Armenian Diaspora
would ask. And it is your responsibility to make sure that there is
transparency and communication about these matters, so that Armenians
can have faith and trust in the manner in which your organization
serves its intended recipients and makes a difference within Armenian
society. For this reason, I would appreciate it if your organization
answers my nine questions from above.

Furthermore, I believe that Christine and Angeli were discriminated
and mistreated by your organization and its director Naira Muradyan.

The Hetq article and my conversations with involved people are the
clearest forms of evidence as to where my beliefs are coming from.

Again, your perception of my objectives should not be the main focus
here; what should be important are Ms. Muradyan’s unacceptable behavior
and treatment of Lighthouse’s beneficiaries.

You asked me to respond to you within seven days, and I have. Now,
it is only fair that I ask you to do the same in return.

Also, as both a concerned Armenian and an individual with the right to
freedom of speech in the United States, I reserve the right to publish
any and all communications between us through Facebook, Twitter and
other media outlets, including newspapers, radio, TV and etc. However,
I reiterate that this is done on my own with no reference to FAR.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you,

Tamar Gasparian

IRANIAN MAJLIS: AZERI DRONES WILL SUFFER THE SAME FATE AS AMERICAN ONES

12:48 11/12/2012 ” COMMENTS

The Azeri drones will suffer the same fate as the American ones,
stated Chairman of Iran’s Majlis Defense Committee, Esmail Kowsari,
Iranian parliament’s official website reported.

Commenting on the report that Azerbaijan is using drones to carry
out spying missions along its border with Iran, the Iranian MP said,
in part, “Iran’s Armed Forces will soon take the necessary action
in response to Baku’s illegal actions and any action by them will
receive a harsh response.”

The Chairman of Iran’s Majlis Defense Committee noted that Iran’s
Armed Forces had caught two American drones during the last two years.

“Any drone that will cross the air frontier of our country will be
rendered harmless. If Azerbaijan continues its actions, the Azeri
drones will suffer the same fate as the American ones,” Kowsari added.

PressTV.ir reported on Monday that Azerbaijan is using drones to carry
out spying missions along its border with Iran. Iranian military
experts said Azerbaijan has been using Orbiter ultra-light drones
assembled with Israeli help, as well as Hermes-450 unmanned aerial
vehicles (UAVs) “for control and surveillance missions.”

ARMENIA AND ARTSAKH MUST BE PROTECTED BY ALL OF US – JACK BOGHOSSIAN

December 11, 2012 | 00:43

By Maria Asatryan

Argentinean-Armenian actor, founder of Cinemateca Armenia project
Jack Boghossian arrived in Armenia to be a member of jury of Kin
(Woman) international festival. In an interview with NEWS.am, Jack
Boghossian told about his project and the films he likes.

You are a jury member of Kin (Woman) film festival held in Armenia.

What is the difference between a film directed by man and woman?

The difference is not to be a man or woman. The difference is what
kind of man you are and what kind of woman you are. If we speak about
woman, there is a certain movement of feminists trying to show things
not important for men. They direct the topic to women. For me the
important thing is to direct a good film and I do not care of he is a
man or a woman. In general there is different proportion between men
and women but it is internationally. Women came to cinema late. One of
the first women who directed a film in Armenia was Rosalie Frangulyan,
we had animation filmmakers. I do not like when a book or film have
a message. I think the message is something that you must have after
you see the film and you talk with your friends. Cinema must not be
ridiculously pedagogical.

Ten year ago you founded Cinemateca Armenia project, showcase of
Armenian cinema in Buenos Aires. What response did it get? Who is
your audience, only Armenians or someone else?

I understood that Armenian films are not known in Latin America,
entire America. So, I decided to begin working for Armenian cinema.

Beginning was difficult, I felt alone. Nobody wanted to know
about Armenian cinema because they had a lot of prejudice. People
thought that Armenian cinema was a Soviet style, boring long and old
fashioned. It was difficult but people helped me. I was never rejected
by anyone. Little by little I founded Armenian program in Buenos Aires
sponsored by Armenian General Benevolent Union. My entire program is
100 percent free, program for all the people. Once a month Armenian
films are screened. The films are screened in Montevideo and Cordoba.

Most important is to include Armenian films in different important
international festivals. If there is a festival in Argentina and
Uruguay, you will see an Armenian film.

Are there any Armenian films which are in demand?

All tell me: “Jack, please, we want comedies.” People want to laugh.

We have excellent classic comedies, such as Tzhvzhik, Voske Tslik. It
is not my favorite genre but we try to show them. When we do not have
Golden Apricot, you can go to Moscow cinema and you have horrible
American films and, to my surprise, there are two Armenian comedies
running for a long time. I do not think Armenian cinema needs comedies,
Armenian cinema needs what directors want to make.

What kind of movies must Armenian filmmakers make to be demanded and
long expected in the region and Diaspora?

Directors must work from themselves. The director must do something,
he is convinced to do. Armenian director must have support, making
cinema here is very difficult. Director has to know what he wants to
do for himself.

Do you think people want comedies because there consider there are two
kind of films a comedy and a serious film about history or Genocide?

There is a certain gap in Armenian cinema that must be filled in. Why
not to direct a film which is neither comedy nor tragedy, for instance
a drama about love, politics or something else?

They do not want to see tragedy, people want to have fun. I am talking
about Armenians not about Argentineans as they see different kind of
films. I agree that there is a gap that must be filled. We have to
show Yerevan stories.

Tell about your plans. You are a professional actor. Do you plan to
play in a film or directing films?

As an actor I played in an Armenian film here. I would like keep on
working here. I have not been playing much but it does not mean I am
not actor. There is a stupid opinion if you do not appear in a soap
opera, you are not an actor. An actor must not work permanently, he
must teach, investigate and study. I am working on a project which has
to do with Garcia Lorca. I work on a monologue that has to do with a
part of his life. I am also working on a scenario based on Borsches
story. As to Cinemateca, next year we turn ten, we will celebrate
and have big screenings and showcase in Uruguay. There is no other
place in the world where once in a month you can see an Armenian film.

Can you present Armenian community in Argentina and cultural ties
with Armenia. What cultural events are organized by Armenians there?

We have a lot of institutions. May be they think differently but in
the end of the day they gather. We have Armenian schools, I teach in
one of them. We have Armenian newspapers, a lot of radio programs. We
have choruses and a dance ensemble. Some people make poetic meetings.

More it is about signing, dancing and music.

How would you like to see Armenia and Yerevan when you come here
next time?

I would like to have peaceful elections. I do not want the previous
situation to repeat. When I come next time, I do not want to listen
that many of my friends would like to leave the country. I want them
to have a decent job and decent salary. I want everything to improve,
to see new films. I would like to see Nairi cinema open and to have
more cinemas. I want good life for everyone not only in Yerevan
but the regions. We must protect any square meter we have because
it is the land which cost many efforts to have. Armenia and Artsakh
must be protected by all of us. I want my people to live decently,
not only in the capital but in entire Armenia.

ARMENIAN DM SIGNED 2013 COOPERATION PLANS WITH RUSSIAN, BELARUSIAN COUNTERPARTS

armradio.am
14:14 11.12.2012

Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan had a meeting with the
Defense Minister of Belarus, Lieutenant-General Yuri Zhadobin and
Russian Defense Minister, Army General Sergey Shoygu.

Issues related to military and military-technical cooperation were
discussed.

The parties summed up the results of the Defense Ministries’ activity
in the current year and signed the 2013 cooperation plans.

Also, the Armenian Defense Minister participated in the sitting of the
CIS Council of Defense Minister. The participants discussed issues
related to multi-lateral cooperation between the CIS member states
and adopted decisions on the intensification of future joint activity.

PROGRESS OF ARMENIA’S HIGH TECH URGES US TO IMPROVE COOPERATION AMONG PROFESSIONALS: TIGRAN SARGSYAN

11:42, 11 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS. The progress and achievements
of Armenia’s high tech industry in recent years, as well as the
essential need to advance the Armenian technological community,
urge us to improve communication and cooperation among professionals
in high tech, establish international business skills and perfect
advanced high tech industry composition. This was announced by Prime
Minister of the Republic of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan during “ArmTech
12” conference held in Silicon Valley on December 10.

As reports “Armenpress” The Prime Minster of the Republic of Armenia
stated that new contacts and business opportunities must be developed
to create compatible, comprehensive operations that improve Armenia’s
business and information high tech industry environment

According to Ambassador of the United States to the Republic of
Armenia John Heffern said the IT Sector holds great promise for
mutually-beneficial partnerships between Armenia and the United
States. American IT investments are helping to transform Armenia
into a 21st Century knowledge-based economy, exactly what the country
needs. In his speech John Heffern stated: “Thanks to all the organizers
of ARMTECH for this important conference and to all the participants
for their contribution to the growth of US-Armenian economic ties. I
also welcome the participation of the Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan,
a champion of the IT sector in Armenia.”

Silicon Valley high tech industry veteran and the Co-founder of
ArmTech Congress Tony Moroyan stated: “Being actively involved along
with other investors and high tech executives in helping architect
the transition since the fall of Soviet Union and independence of
Armenia which left Armenia at zero economy, I have seen the miracle of
how this small country has been able to rise within few short years
to an enviable level in high tech industry and start contributing to
the global community. We greatly appreciate the Department of Civil &
Environmental Engineering for hosting this unique event on Stanford
University campus.”

The fifth ArmTech Congress brings together the highest level of
Armenia’s government, business leaders, and academies in a show case
of the high tech business economy in Armenia.

Prominent writer and columnist Michael Malone will conduct the first
discussion under the slogan “High Tech Industry in Armenia: Recent
Developments and History of Success”. The Prime Minister of Armenia,
Tigran Sargsyan, the US Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern, higher
officials representing Synopsys, Intel and D-Link corporations
are among the dignitaries and top industry executives attending
the Congress.

L’AMBASSADEUR DE GRANDE-BRETAGNE ESPERE L’AFFLUX D’INVESTISSEMENTS BRITANNIQUES DANS L’INDUSTRIE MINIERE D’ARMENIE
Stephane

armenews.com
mardi 11 decembre 2012

L’ambassadeur de Grande-Bretagne en Armenie Catherine Leach a
l’occasion d’une visite de trois jours d’une delegation d’hommes
d’affaires britanniques a Erevan, a dit que l’industrie minière
d’Armenie pourrait attirer l’afflux d’investissements de son pays.

La delegation est composee des representants de huit societes. Les
hommes d’affaires sont venus ici pour explorer la cooperation avec
l’Armenie.

Mme Leach a dit que des entrepreneurs britanniques sont interesses
a investir dans quelques segments de l’economie armenienne, comme la
construction d’infrastructures, la vente au detail dans le commerce
et la technologie de l’information en Armenie.

Elle a dit que les entrepreneurs britanniques avaient investi de
l’argent dans le secteur des banques et de la sante aussi bien que
dans des industries de matières premières et les produits chimiques.

Selon les dernières chiffres officiels d’Armenie, les entrepreneurs
britanniques ont investi 8,8 millions de $ dans l’economie de l’Armenie
entre janvier et juin 2012 contre 22,6 millions de $ entre janvier
et juin 2011.

mardi 11 decembre 2012, Stephane ©armenews.com

UNE OEUVRE DE MARTIROS SARYAN VENDUE 623 700 LIVRES
Stephane

armenews.com
mardi 11 decembre 2012

Une peinture de l’artiste armenien Martiros Saryan intitulee ” Poète.

Sur les pentes d’Aragats ” a ete vendu 623 700 livres a Sotheby a
Londres le premier jour des ventes aux enchères d’objets de l’art
russe.

Execute vers 1906, le tableau ” Poète ” a ete publie dans le magazine
Apollon en 1913.

Une peinture d’un autre artiste armenien Dmitry Nalbandian ” des
Pâquerettes ” a ete achetee 175 300 livres.

mardi 11 decembre 2012, Stephane ©armenews.com

LE PRESIDENT SARKISSIAN ENGAGE LE DIALOGUE AVEC DEUX ANCIENS PARTIS ALLIES
Gari

armenews.com
mardi 11 decembre 2012

Le president armenien Serge Sarkissian a eu des entretiens separes ce
week end avec les leaders de deux partis qui eraient partenaires de
son ancienne coalition gouvernementale face auxquels il pourrait se
retrouver lors des prochaines elections presidentielles dont la date
a ete fixee au 18 fevrier 2013 par la Commission electorale centrale.

Les elections a venir ont ete au c~ur des discussions qui ont eu lieu
le samedi 8 decembre entre le president Sarkissian, qui est aussi le
leader du parti republicain d’Armenie (HHK), vainqueur des dernières
legislatives et largement majoritaire a l’Assemblee, et le leader de
la deuxième formation du Parlement, le Parti Armenie prospère (BHK),
l’homme d’affaires Gagik Tsarukian, qui avait refuse de renouveler
en juin un accord de coalition avec le parti majoritaire.

La rencontre n’a ete officiellement confirmee par aucune des parties.

“Chaque jour, le president a des discussions de travail avec
differentes personnalites, et ces rencontres ne donnent lieu a aucune
declaration officielle”, s’est contente de declarer Armen Arzumanian,
le responsable de communication de S.Sarkissian, dans une volonte
manifeste de minimiser l’evènement.

La porte-parole de M.Tsarukian,Ivetta Tonoyan, a indique pour sa part
qu’elle n’avait aucune information relative aux faits rapportes par
la presse.

Cette rencontre intervient alors que le BHK a multiplie les messages
laissant a penser que son dirigeant se presenterait contre le
president Sarkissian lors des prochaines presidentielles. Le leader
du BHK devrait d’ailleurs annoncer dans les tous prochains jours
sa candidature.

Mme Tonoyan a dementi les informations circulant dans la presse selon
lesquelles les instances dirigeants du BHK devaient se rencontrer
le 10 decembre pour discuter une fois encore de la participation du
parti au scrutin. Par ailleurs, le president Sarkissian a rencontre
Hrant Markarian et Armen Rustamian, des responsables de la Federation
revolutionnaire armenienne (Dachnaktsoutioun), un autre ancien
partenaire de coalition, qui avait pour sa part rallie les rangs de
l’opposition dès 2009.

La rencontre aurait porte sur la plate forme politique en 7 points
qui avait ete presentee par le Dachnaktsoutioun en novembre dernier.

M.Markarian a indique lundi 10 decembre que M.Sarkissian avait rejete
au moins deux des idees avancees par son parti : l’instauration
d’un regime parlementaire en Armenie et l’annulation officielle
des protocoles d’accord armeno-turcs en vue d’une normalisation des
relations entre Erevan et Ankara.

La FRAD avait quitte le gouvernement de M. Sarkissian en avril 2009
en signe de protestation contre un processus de normalisation que
l’Armenie a d’ailleurs decide de geler depuis, en raison des conditions
posees par Ankara pour faire ratifier les protocoles par son Parlement.

S’interrogeant sur l’utilite d’une telle rencontre, qui a ete entouree
de moins de mystères, pour des raisons politiques evidentes, M.

Markarian a declare : “D’un point de vue strictement fonctionnel,
cette rencontre avait certes son utilite, mais aussi parce que nos
arguments et nos points de vue pourront eventuellement influer sur
la manière de voir les choses du president de la Republique “.

” Si tel etait le cas, nous lui en saurions gre. Dans le cas contraire,
on ne pourra pas nous reprocher de ne pas avoir essaye “, a commente
le leader du Parti dachnak en s’exprimant devant les journalistes.

Les responsables du Parti dachnaktsoutioun ont deja eu l’occasion
de discuter de leur plate forme politique avec le BHK et d’autres
forces de l’opposition avant la rencontre du 8 decembre avec le
president Sarkissian.

M. Markarian s’est felicite de l’atmosphère cordiale dans laquelle se
sont deroules les entretiens et a estime qu’ils laissaient entrevoir
une “reelle chance” de parvenir a un large accord sur les reformes
politiques proposees par son parti, tout en admettant que parvenir
a un accord sur la designation d’un candidat unique de l’opposition
pour les presidentielles serait ” difficile “. Le Davhnaktsoutioun
devrait annoncer d’ici la fin du mois de decembre quel candidat il
soutiendra pour ce scrutin crucial.

mardi 11 decembre 2012, Gari ©armenews.com

PRESS RELEASE
Analysis Research and Planning for Armenia (ARPA) Foundation
P.O.Box 33603
Granada Hills, CA 91394
Tel: 818-586-9660
Fax: 818-881-0010
Email: [email protected]

Young Armenians concerned with environmental threats in Armenia created the
Save Teghut civic initiative in Nov. 2007. Many participated in successful
actions to save Kacharan, in the Syunik region, from harmful mining and
Trchkan waterfall from destruction. These activists are not affiliated with
any organization or political party and they insist on covering their
expenses either through their own means or donations from the general
public. While they started with about 20 activists, today Save Teghut has
over 10,000 followers on Facebook, and many more supporters in the regions
of Armenia without internet access. Groups who support the Save Teghut
movement have so far been established in Moscow, Germany, and Los Angeles.
Save Teghut addresses the disastrous environmental situation in Armenia. It
aims to raise awareness among Armenians of the environmental dangers
looming over our country, as well as the irresponsible, illegal, and secret
activities of mining companies in collaboration with the oligarchic system
in Armenia. The group works to protect the ecosystem and promote public
health by ensuring that Armenia’s water, air, and land are clean. In the
Teghut forest, specifically, the civic initiative demands the end of the
illegal and catastrophic mining project. A great number of Los Angeles area
and other organizations strongly support the legal and environmentally safe
mining in Armenia. However, what is currently practiced is far from what
Armenia and its younger generation deserves. Please attend this important
event and engage yourselves in helping save the environmental disastors of
Armenia.
Speaker: Yeghia Nersesian: was born in Aleppo, Syria, in 1978. He graduated
from `Mkhitaryan Miabanutyun’ seminary in Aleppo, and later studied
photography at `Tag Color’ Studio. In 2001 he left Syria with an aim living
in his homeland – Armenia. After working at several different places became
a freelance photographer. Photography allowed Yeghia to get closer to
nature and the elements which he considers the most important part of his
life. His favorite activities include hiking, nature photography, and
guiding travel groups. Yeghia has always had a passionate concern for the
struggles of Armenia and has been active in participating in different
environmental and civic meeting and activities with the intent of creating
a clean, ecologically sustainable and peaceful Armenia.

ARPA Institute President
Hagop Panossian, Ph.D.
Adj. Prof. CSUN
Memeber of the NAS of Armenia
Boeing Tech Fellow (retired)

Armenia Breaking Ground

Basketball In Europe
11.12.2012

The Armenian Basketball Federation (BFA) is laying the groundwork for
a milestone in the history of men’s basketball in the country.

The BFA is working towards establishing and then registering a team in
the European Championship Of The Small Countries Men, in 2014.

If everything goes smoothly, it will be the first time ever that an
Armenian senior men’s national team competes in a European
competition.

Armenia’s U16 side participated in the 2011 European Championship
Division B in F.Y.R.of Macedonia and earned a magnificent sixth-place
finish, claiming victories over traditional basketball nations like
Israel and Slovakia along the way.

That excellent showing probably strengthened the BFA’s determination
in undertaking the senior men’s team project.

An important moment of the process came last February, when the
federation entrusted coach Carl Bardakian with the demanding task of
recruiting players from both inside the country and the diaspora,
putting together a roster and building the team that will take to the
floor to make history.

“I was named head coach of Armenia on 1st February [but] my
participation in the Basketball Federation of Armenia began in 2009,”
Bardakian told FIBAEurope.com

“I am very grateful and honoured for this position,” he added.

“Mr. Bardakian professionally demonstrates high potential and has
contributed to the development of Armenian basketball in recent
years,” the BFA had said in a statement commenting on the appointment.

“The Board hopes that he will unite the best Armenian players, thus
ensuring positive results during forthcoming European Championships.”

The 41-year-old Bardakian is based in Los Angeles and has worked as an
assistant coach in college basketball in the USA.

He was a student manager at the University of Michigan in the 90’s
when the team reached the NCAA Final Four on two occasions and then
worked as an assistant coach at Cleveland State University and Chaffey
College.

“The establishment of the men’s national basketball team of Armenia is
a direct result of the vision and leadership of the President of the
Basketball Federation of Armenia, Hrachya Rostomyan,” the coach said
on the inception of the project.

“Our goal is to identify and develop the top young Armenian basketball
players and form a competitive team that will successfully compete
year in and year out in FIBA Europe competitions.”

Bardakian is placing special importance on the next steps in the
process, Armenia’s first training camp, which will take place in the
country’s capital Yerevan in the summer of 2013.

“It is imperative that we have a successful training camp this summer,
we will be the youngest participating team in 2014,” he said.

There is still a long way to go until the summer of 2014 but in the
meantime national pride – and the support of some high-profile
Armenians – helps to fuel the motivation of all those involved in the
project.

“While our participation alone in 2014 will be a historic moment for
the sport of basketball in Armenia, we want to be competitive from the
outset and represent Armenia with honour,” Bardakian said.

“Basketball has a special place in the heart of the Armenian
people. We have received tremendous support from our fans in Armenia
and outside of Armenia. One of our biggest fans is boxing champion
Vanes Martirosyan.”

Photo Caption: Kirill Zakharchuk is one of a number of young Armenians
who will benefit from his country now having a senior man program