Author: Kajoyan Gevork

SHADOW HAUNTING OSKANIAN
HAKOB BADALYAN

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 15:56:07 – 18/10/2012

The ex-foreign minister Vartan Oskanian has started publishing his
electoral program in Facebook. He publishes agenda points which
he thinks are key points of the social discourse and should be the
priorities of the presidential election. In fact, Vartan Oskanian is
being gradually nominated for the presidential election.

In this context, it is obvious that the closer he gets to official
nomination, the longer Robert Kocharyan’s shadow becomes which will
be the biggest and strongest “opponent” to Vartan Oskanian in the
presidential election.

In addition, this is objective reality, even though Oskanian states
that Robert Kocharyan is not behind him, and even though Kocharyan
denies any relation to Oskanian’s political activities. It is difficult
to give a substantial explanation to the public, especially that
the ex-foreign minister ruthlessly criticizes the current situation
and governance without any basic political evaluation of the former
government he used to be part of.

It is possible that Vartan Oskanian does not have a problem of
subordination, such as Kocharyan may be angry with him, but a problem
of interpersonal relations, such as Kocharyan may be offended. It is
not important. The important fact or its absence is Vartan Oskanian
avoids a public political evaluation of the former administration.

Moreover, Vartan Oskanian offers to speak about it somewhere away
from public rostrums, in “Nikol’s office”.

Why? Why not in front of the society? Why not close the issue of
the past publicly and deprive the government of the possibility
of propagandist manipulation if mentioning the past is viewed as
manipulation or an attempt to detract from the past.

It is certainly beyond discussion that the present government should
be primarily responsible for political life. But when a key person in
the previous government wants to be part of the present government,
the questions of the public on the past addressed to him are quite
relevant, especially when the line between the previous and the
present ones is not distinct.

When Levon Ter-Petrosyan returned to politics and announced about his
willingness to clean the Augean stables, he was asked fewer questions
on the past years of his office and those questions were perceived
as a plot against the popular movement and detraction from the present.

Not many questions were asked, and those asked did not get substantial
answers. Meanwhile, Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s further actions, as well as
processes that followed showed that it was in vain, and the question
arose which already had an answer what would happen if he returned
to government.

A similar situation has occurred relating to Vartan Oskanian,
especially that besides being a personality, who was an ex-high-ranking
and silent official, Robert Kocharyan’s eloquent shadow is there.

Apparently, it is time for Vartan Oskanian to enlarge his agenda and
specify the talks about the past for future guarantees. Without it
Vartan Oskanian does not have a political prospect and may simply
join the prominent line of ordinary oppositionists.

Otherwise, a difficult start will await Vartan Oskanian with
complicated questions, complicated and sometimes even unpleasant
discussions. But not always is the easy start good. And easiness is
sometimes seeming and relative. A good start is half the job but an
easy start often stops halfway.

The world is larger than one’s own scope. A person who has been a
foreign minister for ten years should have a sense of space and time.

He should be aware of the uselessness and danger of dividing space
and time.

ARMENIA TO RECEIVE EUROPEAN LOAN TO UPGRADE BORDER CHECKPOINTS

news.am
October 18, 2012 | 15:05

YEREVAN. – During Thursday’s Cabinet session, the Government
of Armenia approved the “Border Checkpoints and Infrastructure”
financial agreement, which was signed between Armenia and the European
Investment Bank.

The proposal to sign, between Armenia and the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the “Armenia’s Northern Border
Checkpoint Modernization Program” loan agreement was approved as well.

First Deputy Minister of Finance Pavel Safaryan informed that a loan
worth [email protected] million is envisioned to be received, along the lines
of this program, and this loan’s overwhelming majority will be used
for construction purposes at Armenia’s northern border checkpoints.

Armenia’s Bagratashen, Bavra, and Gogavan checkpoints, which are
located at the Armenian-Georgian border, will be upgraded with this
program.

HOUSE REP. ADAM SCHIFF DEMANDS WASHINGTON TO RECOGNIZE NAGORNO KARABAKH’S INDEPENDENCE

arminfo
Thursday, October 18, 14:29

The volatility of the situation was greatly heightened last month
by the egregious repatriation and release of Ramil Safarov, an
Azerbaijani army captain who had confessed to the savage 2004 axe
murder of Armenian army lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan, while the latter
slept, says House Representative Adam Schiff.

Further in the statement Schiif recalls that Safarov’s rapturous
welcome in Baku is testament to the degree of anti-Armenian hatred
that is being incited in contemporary Azerbaijan. That a man who
nearly decapitated a sleeping comrade could be treated as a national
hero is so inexplicable and appalling, it vindicates the concern of
many Armenians that the forced imposition of Azeri sovereignty over
the free people of Arstakh would result in a bloodbath, he says.

“…The people of Artsakh – overwhelmingly Armenian and overwhelmingly
Christian – cannot be allowed to fall into the hands of Aliyev. By
celebrating a murderer, he and his country have shown the world their
true nature and made a compelling case for hastening full recognition
of independent Artsakh…I have long supported self-determination for
the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and I believe that unless the United
States and its Minsk Group partners take concerted efforts to resolve
the status of Nagorno-Karabakh in a way that reflects the will of
the people of Artsakh, the prospect for renewed fighting and horrific
casualties will grow. It is in everybody’s interest to see this matter
settled and it should be a diplomatic priority for 2013,” Schiff says.

DON’T TRANSFER TO GALATASARAY

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 10:34:11 – 18/10/2012

Yesterday, the Turkish press reported the Turkish Galatasaray football
club is interested in the midfielder of the Armenian national football
team Henrik Mkhitaryan who plays for Shakhtar Donetsk. The club is
rumored to be negotiating with the Ukrainian team and Mkhitaryan
himself on the latter’s transfer.

“We Demand Henrik Mkhitaryan Not Transfer to Galatasaray” Civic
Initiative urges Mkhitaryan not tojoin the football club of our enemy.

The initiative also demands that the Football Federation of Armenia and
it president Ruben Hairapetyan be consistent and use their influence
to prevent the deal.

CONNED DIASPORA-ARMENIAN BUSINESSMAN SENDS ANOTHER LETTER TO PARLIAMENT

news.am
October 18, 2012 | 13:44

YEREVAN. – Edmond Khudyan, an American-Armenian businessman who was
swindled when starting a construction venture in Armenia and who is
not yet recognized as the wronged party in the criminal case that
was opened 1.5 years ago in this connection, continues to fight for
the restoration of his violated rights.

The Diaspora-Armenian entrepreneur sent yet another letter to Armenia’s
National Assembly (NA) on Thursday, since it became apparent that the
NA MPs were unaware of the businessman’s initial letter that was sent
to the Parliament on September 28.

L’ARMENIE A UN GRAND POTENTIEL POUR LE TOURISME, MAIS A BESOIN DE LE PROMOUVOIR
Stephane

armenews.com
vendredi 19 octobre 2012

L’Armenie a un grand potentiel pour le tourisme, mais il doit
etre promu a declare Alexandre Zorin, president du Departement du
Tourisme d’Expedition Scientifique a l’Academie Internationale russe
du Tourisme.

Alexandre Zorin a participe a la première expedition scientifique
armeno-russe en Armenie du 30 septembre au 9 octobre.

Son but etait de reveler le potentiel du tourisme de l’Armenie et de
soutenir le developpement de cette sphère. L’itineraire a traverse
toute l’Armenie : du nord au sud.

” Bien sûr, le potentiel est enorme. Nous l’avons vu nous-memes.

Cependant, il y a un manque d’information ” a dit alexandre Zorin.

Il croit que les perspectives pour l’Armenie sont les excursions, les
pelerinages religieux et le sport comme l’equitation, les randonnees
a pied, les tours dans la montagne.

” Tout doit etre promu, dit. C’est très interessant pour des touristes
russes. Le pays a besoin de publicite ” a-t-il dit.

vendredi 19 octobre 2012, Stephane ©armenews.com

L’INTERNATIONAL ARMENIEN HENRIKH MEKHITARIAN INTERESSE LES CLUBS DE LA BUNDESLIGA AINSI QUE GALATASARAY
Krikor Amirzayan

armenews.com
vendredi 19 octobre 2012

Alors que le site italien Caliomercato a designe l’international
armenien Henrikh Mekhitarian comme le meilleur footballeur de la
semaine ecoule, le milieu du champion d’Ukraine ” Chakhtior ” Donetsk
est sollicite par de nombreux clubs europeens. L’Armenien interesse
aujourd’hui les clubs de la Bundesliga. Selon Tuttomercatoweb, le ”
Borussia ” Dortmund et ” Schalke 04 ” Gelsenkirchen sont interesses
par Henrikh Mekhitarian. Les prestations d’Henrikh Mekhitarian en
Champion’s League ainsi que lors du match Armenie-Italie l’ont fait
remarquer. Enfin le club turc de ” Galatasaray ” d’Istanbul serait
d’après le site Ensonhaber, egalement dans les rangs des equipes qui
s’interessent de près a Henrikh Mekhitarian.

DETROIT ARS CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY WITH FASHIONS FROM THE PAST

Armenian Weekly
October 18, 2012

DEARBORN, Mich.-It was Project Runway, Armenian Style, when on Fri.,
Sept. 14, a different kind of fashion show was presented to the
Greater Detroit community-one that featured traditional Armenian
folk costumes from the villages and towns of 19th-century Western
and Eastern Armenia.

Featured Armenian costumes The event was sponsored by the Armenian
Relief Society (ARS) Mid-Council of Greater Detroit, which coordinates
the one-day Zavarian Armenian School for area children ages 5 through
16. Founded in 1943, the Mid-Council is comprised of representatives
from the five sister chapters of Greater Detroit, the “Zabel,” “Maro,”
“Shakeh,” “Sybille,” and “Tsolig.” Proceeds from this event will
benefit the Zavarian Armenian School.

Titled “Rediscovering Armenian Heritage through Regional Folk
Costumes,” the event exhibited 20 dazzling reproductions of everyday
and special-occasion apparel, and was held in the Arakelian Hall of
St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in Dearborn.

The Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association of Montreal
created and loaned the costume collection to the ARS for this
occasion. Modeled by community members, the costumes ranged from
simple to opulent and were complete with the jewelry, headwear,
and footwear worn by 19th-century Armenians.

ARS Mid-Council Chair Sirvart Telbelian welcomed the 200 guests
and stressed how for 102 years, the Armenian Relief Society has
been meeting the humanitarian, educational, and health needs of
the Armenian people. In addition, she said, the ARS continues to
promote the Armenian language and culture in the diaspora, a prime
example being the day’s event. She also spoke of the Mid-Council,
which for 69 years has operated the Zavarian Armenian School here in
Greater Detroit.

Members of the community at the event Hourig Jacobs, the head teacher
of the ARS Zavarian School, was then invited to make a special
announcement. The ARS Regional Board sponsors an Annual Essay Contest
for all day and one-day schools. Out of 200 entries submitted, 5 from
Zavarian School students were recognized for being outstanding. Jacobs
congratulated the winners, and turned the program over to the evening’s
emcee, Lara Nercessian.

Nercessian introduced Sona Mishigian and pianist Helen Mempreian
Movsesian, who opened the program with the ARS anthem. The table was
blessed by Rev. Fr. Hrant Kevorkian, pastor of St. Sarkis Church.

Guests enjoyed a dinner of hot and cold homemade Armenian dishes
prepared by the church’s members, while listening to Armenian music
provided by violinist Harry Hovakimian.

The much-anticipated main event began after dinner. The costumes
were introduced in detail by Armenian narrator Tamitza Dakessian
and English narrator Annette Cholakian as each model walked down the
24-foot runway. The models clearly took great pride in displaying and
wearing examples of their heritage. They were confident and graceful
in flowing skirts, veils, colorful dresses, and embroidered jackets.

The men exemplified the brave and independent spirit of their
forefathers.

Like modern fashion shows in the Western world, at the end of the
program the models returned to the runway for a final group showing.

As the lively music played on, the models began to dance, displaying
their grace and spirit. They formed a line and descended from the
stage to the main floor, winding their way around the tables, and
giving the audience a closer view of their wonderful costumes.

Telbelian thanked the models for their spirited portrayal of Armenians
and their clothing from the past. She also thanked the guests and the
many donors who supported this event with their generous contributions.

The evening concluded with a drawing for raffle prizes, which included
a beautiful prayer rug made in Armenia, picturing the Lord’s Prayer
in Armenian, graciously donated by Suzanne Hagopian of Hagopian World
of Rugs.

COMMUNITY TURNS OUT FOR ABMDR’S FIRST WALK OF LIFE IN NEW ENGLAND

Published: Thursday October 18, 2012

The Erebuni Armenian School Team.

Los Angeles – The Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR) held its
first walkathon in New England, drawing the support of the Armenian
community and local organizations.

Walk of Life, which took place in Watertown, Massachusetts, on
September 22, raised $10,000, including $3,000 from the Dana Farber
Cancer Institute of Boston, a longtime partner of ABMDR. According
to the organizing committee, the registry continues to receive
contributions from walkathon participants.

“We are very pleased with the turnout and the enthusiasm the walkathon
has generated in our community and among our supporters,” said ABMDR
Board member Alvart Badalian.

Over 100 participants started their walk from the Armenian Cultural
and Educational Center on Nichols Avenue in Watertown, where committee
member Rubina Varjabedian welcomed everyone and thanked them for their
participation. “As you know, our mission at the registry is to help
save lives – lives of our loved ones, who are struck by leukemia or
similar blood disorders,” she said.

“I know firsthand what it means for a family to go through the pain
and agony of such a disease,” Varjabedian continued. “That is why my
husband and I have made a commitment to remain engaged in activities
such as the walkathon today.” She then invited Father Raphael Andonian
of Holy Cross Armenian Catholic Church and Father Arakel Aljalian,
pastor of St. James Armenian Church, to offer prayers before starting
the walk.

The 2.2-mile walkathon took the participants through historic streets
of Watertown, including Mount Auburn Street, to the town center, where
they joined the ABMDR table at the Watertown Faire on the Square,
held at Saltonstall Park. The annual fair, which attracts thousands
of visitors and features numerous vendors and organizations, was a
great finale for Walk of Life.

Commenting on the success of the event, Arlette Yegumians, a
member of the Armenian Business Network (ABN) Executive Committee,
said, “The ABN was proud to participate in the first Armenian Bone
Marrow Donor Registry walkathon in New England, a fun and extremely
well-executed event for a very worthy cause. We hope none of us ever
needs to be on the receiving end of this organization’s good work,
but we are fortunate they are around, should any one of us need their
life-saving services.”

As noted by the organizing committee, youth participation was
an important factor in the event’s success. “This walkathon is a
great opportunity to teach the young generation to be active in the
community and to be a part of a greater good through involvement,”
said Armine Medzoian, principal of the Erebuni Armenian School, who
led a team of 11-12-year-old students at the walk. Along their trek,
participants made brief stops at the gates of St. Stephen’s and St.

James Armenian churches, where youths placed flowers at the
Genocide-memorial monuments.

The walkathon program included the presentation of awards for
exceptional team effort. The awards comprised specially-made teddy
bears dressed in commemorative T-shirts and award ribbons. “Our awards
for the two winning teams come from the village of Berd in Armenia,”
announced Tamar Melkonian of the ABMDR support group during her closing
remarks at Saltonstall Park. “Berd Bears are handmade by the women of
Berd village, as part of a wonderful program run by the Berd Women’s
Resource Center Foundation.” Subsequently Melkonian presented the
Most Funds Raised Award to the ABN Team, and the Biggest Team Award
to the Belmont High School Armenian Club, in recognition of the large
turnout of its members.

About the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry: Established in 1999,
ABMDR, a nonprofit organization, helps Armenians worldwide survive
life-threatening blood-related illnesses by recruiting and matching
donors to those requiring bone marrow stem cell transplants. To date,
the registry has recruited over 22,000 donors in 16 countries across
four continents, identified 2,135 patients, and facilitated 13 bone
marrow transplants. For more information, call (323) 663-3609 or
visit abmdr.am.

RUSSIAN AGRICULTURAL BANK OPENS BRANCH IN ARMENIA

news.am
October 18, 2012 | 17:59

The office of the “Russian Agricultural Bank” JSC is registered in
Armenia. As the press service of the Central Bank informed Armenian
News – NEWS.am, the head of the Armenian Central Bank signed the
corresponding decision on October 16.

The “Russian Agricultural Bank” JSC is one of the largest banks in
Russia. It was founded in 2000 to develop the national credit and
financial system of agriculture and the rural areas of the Russian
Federation. 100% of the shares are owned by the Russian state.

The Russian Agricultural Bank is the fourth largest in the Russian
banking system in terms of asset and is one of the three leaders of
reliability rating of the largest Russian banks. The credit portfolio
of the bank is more than 1 trillion rubles for July 1, 2012. There are
representative offices of the bank in Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan
and Azerbaijan.