Author: Kajoyan Gevork

TRANSFERS FROM ABROAD IN ARMENIA REDUCED – ECONOMIST

news.am
August 09, 2012 | 16:41

YEREVAN. – Transfers from abroad into Armenia have reduced, British
Economist reports.

The analysts state that transfer volumes sent by the Armenians working
abroad have regularly reduced since last year. It made two percent
this April.

The analysts also claim that majority of private transfers come from
Russia, and reduce of volumes is due to the existing instability in
Russian economy.

It is noteworthy that the British journal published the report on
the very same day when Russian President Vladimir Putin was speaking
with his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan about significant money
transfers from Russia in Armenia. Besides, those transfers were making
favorable influence on Armenia’s economy, Radio Liberty reports.

YEREVAN AND MOSCOW HAVE NO TIME TO THINK OF EURASIAN UNION AMID GROWING TENSION IN SYRIA

arminfo
Thursday, August 9, 17:56

Armenia is a close neighbor to the “boiling” region. The situation in
Syria is so tense that there is a real threat of the local conflict’s
growing into a regional one. That situation could be the key topic
for discussion at the meeting of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Karen Bekaryan,
Head of the European Integration NGO, told media, Thursday.

He does not think that Serzh Sargsyan’s visit was special and was
connected with Armenia’s joining the Eurasian Union, as many experts
think.

“The situation in Syria is very tense now and given Armenia’s friendly
historical relations with Syria, a big Armenian community in Aleppo
and the reports that Turkish subdivisions crossed the border with
Syria, Armenia could not but study the situation with his ally as
a member of the CSTO responsible for the southern direction of the
CSTO alongside with Russia, ” Bekaryan said. Hence, the Eurasian
Union pales into insignificance, he thinks.

HONEY AND BERRIES FESTIVAL TO BE HELD IN ARMENIA’S TAVUSH

tert.am
09.08.12

The first-ever Honey and Berries Festival will be held in Berd,
Tavush region, Armenia.

The Spiritual Revival of Tavush fund put forward the initiative. At
his meeting with journalists on Thursday, Director of the fund Haik
Chobanyan noted that the festival inaugurates a program of events.

“The aim is the region’s spiritual and cultural revival, as well as
promotion of local production. Numerous guests will be present to
get acquainted with the local honeys and berries,” he said.

Lavrenty Mirzoyan, a representative of the fund, said that hardly
anyone is engaged in this business and no production enterprises
are operating this field. So the festival may stimulate the field’s
development.

Honeys, berries, beverages, as well as carpets and tapestries will
be displayed at the festival.

INVESTMENTS IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY HELP CUT COSTS AND SAVE RESOURCES – INTERVIEW

news.am
August 09, 2012 | 01:35

In his interview to Armenian News – NEWS.am, IFC Regional Manager
on South Caucasus Thomas Lubeck talks about current and completed
projects focused on SMEs, energy efficiency and advisory services to
banks implemented by IFC in Armenia in the financial year that ended
on June 30, 2012.

In January you signed an on-lending agreement with ACBA Credit
Agricole Bank, targeted at SMEs. Do you think access to credit for
SMEs in Armenia is adequate?

If you look at the structure of the Armenian economy, you will see that
the vast majority of employment comes from the SME and microfinance
sector. It is an important sector for IFC to be engaged in through
banks. There is definitely a competitive situation in the Armenian
banking system, but the credit penetration rate is still very low –
it remains a bit above 30% of GDP, which is very low compared to
other European countries, where it is on average about twice as high.

Do you think banks are inclined to develop standalone lending projects
to SMEs, without assistance of IFIs?

In fact, it is quite an attractive sector for Armenian banks. With
technical assistance and advisory services provided by IFC, ACBA
Credit Agricole, Ameriabank, and Inecobank are actively working to
engage in microfinance. On the one hand, the size of the loan is
smaller in this case, but the advantage is that banks are setting
up competitive interest rates and searching SME clients for deposits
and additional banking services.

What is the main ideology behind your energy efficiency and renewable
energy projects in Armenia?

There are a couple of things we have been doing differently. We have
recently done two transactions which were new for us and the market
as well. IFC provided $15 million financing to HSBC Bank Armenia to
help the bank support sustainable energy projects and provide loans
to small and medium enterprises interested in investing in energy
efficient technologies, promoting the efficient use of resources.

IFC’s funding helps Byblos Bank Armenia increase access to housing
finance and supports Armenia’s first residential energy-efficiency
lending packages offered by a local bank helping save power and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, an individual can take a loan to
replace old windows with new ones with better insulation or renovate
the entire house, making it more energy efficient, reducing gas and
electricity costs.

Energy saving is extremely important for Armenia and Georgia as well.

A large portion of energy sources are imported in the country. So
if investments are made to increase energy efficiency and decrease
reliance on imports, this is going to be good for the country. Georgia
is paying full international prices for gas, which is expensive. So
anything they can invest in energy efficiency and efficiency of gas
in particular, is going to save them a lot of money. At the end of
the day, it is really a commercial question: do you want to pay
more or less? Of course, there is also the broader consideration
of the environment. Fewer emissions of greenhouse gas are better
for everybody.

As for renewable energy, EBRD has been active in Armenia, as well as
IFC. In 2009 we issued a $15 million loan to Ameriabank for on-lending
to small HPP construction, with the same ultimate goal: doing something
that is ecologically clean and improving energy security for Armenia.

There are a couple of areas where the IFIs can help the local banks:
on-lending is one instrument. The tenure of the loan is one of the
most important factors in determining whether the loan is affordable.

Many people think that it’s mainly the interest rate, but this is
not true. It is actually the length of the loan that answers the
question of affordability. The second area where the IFIs can help is
very specific technical assistance to design products. Sometimes it
is not only the banks that cannot decide on the type of the product,
but even the clients, who don’t always know how to recalculate energy
spending in order to save costs.

What were the main fields of your advisory services to banks?

Firstly, we focused on risk management practices to make sure that the
currency exchange rates, as well as credit risks, will be properly
managed. The second area of IFC’s involvement is advisory services
for designing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

Do you think a risk of currency mismatch is present in the banking
system?

Today a large amount of deposits in the country are currency
denominated. If you look back, Armenia was actually quite advanced
on the level of the penetration of the dram, and I think the peak
was around 50% of total country deposits in late 2008, before the
depreciation of the dram. Now it stands at around 30%.

The banks cannot do much in this regard as incoming deposits can be
saved in any currency and the banks have the liability to lend it in
the same currencies. The advisory services IFC provides to the banks
focus on careful underwriting of loans to make sure that the borrower
has an income cushion in hard currency to repay the loan comfortably,
even with some fluctuations in the currency. But, truly, this is not
a standing risk.

Do you plan to increase engagement with larger businesses?

IFC is open for business across all the sectors in Armenia. We work
with the banks and SMEs because these are the areas where we see
significant growth prospects. Besides, we also work in the real estate
market, with Elite Group, in order to help complete the construction
of a business center in Yerevan. We are also partnering with Lydian
International because we believe mining is a great export opportunity
for Armenia. IFC will continue working with the banks as banks are
an ideal platform for finding the right candidates and distributing
the lending.

One of your recent projects is Food Safety. Have you chosen this
because of challenges Armenian food exporters face? Has Armenia done
less in improving food safety related regulation than other Eastern
European countries?

We thought very carefully about this project before starting. We
found that there is a very good fresh food production in Armenia,
specifically in food processing and fish farming. Therefore we decided
to increase the capacity of the local producers to export to the EU,
in addition to large exports going to Russia. Improvement of food
safety standards is as important for international export as it is
for local consumers.

In regards to food safety, countries in the region are at different
stages of development. In Armenia IFC launched the project last
year, in Georgia the project was launched a year before and the same
project was implemented by IFC in Ukraine before that. Harmonization
of standards is just an approach which we believe will help local
food companies and producers meet international standards.

Thank you By Aram Gareginyan

FAR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS VISIT WESTERN ARMENIA, JAVAKHK
By Maral Firkatian Wozniak

August 9, 2012

The desolate landscape bears few traces of the sprawling, illustrious
Armenian capital that once dominated the area. Ani was once known as
the “city of a thousand and one churches.” Now the haggard skeletons
of a few structures remain-the last reminders of what was once the
center of Armenian civilization.

The participants in Akhtamar.

The medieval Armenian city was one of the stops on this year’s Young
Professionals (YP) Trip sponsored by the Fund for Armenian Relief
(FAR), the humanitarian organization of the Eastern Diocese. A group of
15 people ages 23-40 took part in the program of travel and cultural
immersion. FAR’s project director, Arto Vorperian, led the trip from
June 17-30.

For the second time in the trip’s 18-year history, the itinerary
included a visit to historic Armenian lands in eastern Turkey, where
participants explored the ruins of Ani, visited the glorious Church
of the Holy Cross on Akhtamar Island, and saw the immense fortress
at Tushba. The trip included a visit to the Republic of Armenia,
where the group toured some of FAR’s many projects and learned how
they could get involved in strengthening their homeland. It also
stopped in the historic Armenian region of Javakhk, Georgia.

Discovering historic Armenia

Departing from the city of Gyumri early one morning, the group
traveled to historic Armenia by way of Javakhk. Since the border
between Armenia and Turkey is closed, the group had to make a detour
into Georgia. In Javakhk, they stopped at St. Kevork Armenian Church,
where the local priest invited them for coffee and gata, and presented
director Vorperian with incense and a blessed Armenian flag, which
the group took with them on the excursion through historic Armenia.

They carried the flag as a reminder of the history of the land.

Arriving in Ani, the group opened the flag before the altar of the
Sourp Asdvadzadzin Cathedral, and burned incense in memory of the
Armenians who once worshiped there.

The trip’s itinerary broadened the perspective of the participants, as
they explored the lands of their ancestors and witnessed the remnants
of Armenian influence lingering in the region. Vorperian pointed out
that seeing the ruins first-hand helps build a better understanding
of the rich contributions made by Armenians.

“You know about the genocide, but you don’t know about the country
itself, the land we lost. When you see it, it really is sad,” he said.

“It also speaks to the skill and artistry of the Armenian people.”

Group member Vahagn Yeranossian of Cleveland, Ohio, said that the
trip to eastern Turkey elicited conflicting emotions in him. It was
exciting to see sites like the Tushba Fortress and Akhtamar Island,
but he found himself upset, too, because “this land was taken [from
us] and it’s not being cared for.”

When visiting the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Akhtamar Island on
Lake Van, FAR’s communication’s officer, Tamar Gasparian, was taken
aback that the local signs bore no mention of the fact that this was
an Armenian church and the work of Armenian architects.

“For an Armenian like me, with a background in art history, it really
doesn’t matter what they wrote on the signs because art speaks for
itself,” she said. “All those reliefs and frescos on the churches are
so obviously Armenian, and most of them have Armenian inscriptions
as well. But still, complete and accurate signs are important, and
I am hoping this will change one day.”

The FAR Young Professionals visited some of the oldest and best
examples of Armenian architecture. Even as the structures deteriorate
with age and abuse, their beauty shows through the crumbling stones.

>>From the delicate bas-relief carvings depicting scenes from the
Bible on the walls of Holy Cross Church to the brightly colored
frescos on the life of Christ at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church,
the ancient artwork is stunning in its beauty and resilience.

Learning about FAR’s programs

The participants in the trip In Armenia, the group visited FAR’s
programs, including its Children’s Center, soup kitchen, the Octet
Music School, and Gyumri Information Technology Center. Visiting such
uplifting projects was an opportunity for the participants to see FAR’s
work and to learn about how they could make a difference in Armenia.

At the Children’s Center in Yerevan, which provides shelter and
counseling to children who have been orphaned or abused, the group
met with the young residents and learned about the center’s services.

Participants said that while it was painful to see children who had
suffered abuse or abandonment, it was reassuring to know that FAR
was able to do so much to help them. “I was happy to see the work
that FAR is doing,” said Sedda Antekelian of Los Angeles.

Alexander Jahani of Green Brook, N.J., was so moved by the work of
the center that he decided to remain in Armenia at the conclusion of
the trip and volunteer at the facility. He has been working with the
center’s staff to further develop its media center.

While witnessing how Armenia is being rejuvenated through the efforts
of FAR, the Young Professionals were also able to visit several sites
that serve as a testament to the country’s rich history.

At Khor Virab monastery, they descended into the pit where St. Gregory
the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years. To stand on that ground
is perhaps the closest one can come to the origins of Christianity in
Armenia. The group also visited the 13th-century monastery of Geghard,
the churches of St. Hripsime and St. Gayane, and the Cathedral of
Holy Etchmiadzin.

Before leaving Armenia, the Young Professionals group met with
Deputy Minister of the Diaspora Vardan Marashlyan, who spoke about
the ministry’s responsibilities and goals, and answered questions.

“I am very proud of Armenia,” said Chris Kesici of Asbury Park N.J.

“Despite all of the difficulties Armenia has had since independence,
it is a wonderful place.”

To learn more about the Fund for Armenian Relief, visit

ROSANNE CHEBOOKJIAN LED A DEVOTED LIFE
by Tom Vartabedian

August 9, 2012

Obituaries

WALTHAM, Mass.-At a time when the Armenian community needed a helping
hand, Rosanne Chebookjian served her heritage well, whether it was
through the AYF, Armenian Youth Foundation, or her beloved Camp
Haiastan.

Rosanne Chebookjian laid the foundation for a better Armenian community
with her diverse roles.

She served with class, ambition, and a sense of conviction that paved
the way for future generations. In the true essence of the word, she
was a calibrated a “Renaissance” woman. When she walked into a room,
Rosanne often attracted a crowd and greeted you with an infectious
smile.

Above all, she was a quintessential matriarch and wife whose legacy
is one to be exemplified. Her death July 27 after a long battle with
endometrial cancer leaves behind a remarkable life and career that
knew no boundaries. Rosanne was 87 but never took her years seriously.

Suffice it to say she defied geriatrics.

For openers, she worked her entire life while raising three active
children. She was a bookkeeper at Knight Leather in Cambridge before
taking a job as a day manager and treasurer of Weston Richardson
Drug Store.

When that business was sold, she proceeded to work as an office
manager for a local physician until retiring at age 81.

An honors graduate of Boston Girls’ High School, Rosanne was a born
leader and activist from the upstart. She chaired the Library Club,
served as assistant editor of her school paper, and was active with
athletic clubs.

She belonged to the South Boston AYF Chapter during those fertile
1940’s and the love of her life happened to be a guy named Shant,
who served with the marines and was recruited for Officers Training
School. Together, they were pioneers in the formation of Camp Haiastan
and parented a most active family. Shant later chaired the Governing
Body of the AYF Olympic Games and was named an Olympic King in 1977.

Their son Richard wound up as the second-leading scorer in AYF
history-a chip off his dad’s athletic block-and later coached the
Philly “Sebouhs” to three Olympic championships and their first
Olympic Cup.

There to cheer on every golden moment was Rosanne, often making her
presence felt, if not visibly than with verbal bouquets.

Daughters Sema Arakelian and Susan Chebookjian plied similar roles in
the family, joined by Richard’s wife Karolyn and Sema’s husband Paul,
together with grandchildren Anoush and Armen Chebookjian Arakelian.

All three children were bred out of the AYF and Camp Haiastan mold,
served their time diligently, and continue to be involved to this day.

Rosanne was born in South Boston, the daughter of Stephen and Satenig
(Sahagian) Karoghlanian, the oldest of five siblings, including Anahid
Changelian, noted for her role as a singing diva; Roxie Sudjian,
Mary Jelalian, and Stephen Karoghlanian, Jr.

She was of Malatia descent with both her parents born in that town.

Her rich childhood experiences with those from her parents’ village
inspired her to begin a minstrel show that highlighted the musical
talent of Malatiatsi citizens.

It became one of the most anticipated shows each year, drawing people
from across the country.

In one of her last interviews, Rosanne retraced her AYF roots in the
1940’s, when the country was at war and the organization was being
diluted of boys and men making the ultimate sacrifice.

“It was absolutely a devastating time for a young girl like myself,”
she said. “I wrote to many soldiers and remember a ‘Siamanto’ Ball
vividly. It was always a coed affair but because of the war, many
singles came.”

Rosanne recalled with deep sentiment those that were missing and POWs,
including Kenny Kazanjian, Mourid Piligian, and Phil Aslanian.

“Tears came to our eyes as each name was read,” she remembered.

Rosanne bided her time as a sports correspondent for the Hairenik
Weekly, served five years on Central Executive, and was treasurer
for an Olympics in New York.

“We made $3,000 that year, which I held against my chest as I took the
midnight train from Grand Central Station to Boston,” she traced back.

“Only a few people stayed in hotels. Most of us were housed in homes.”

She was elected to the Central Executive from 1944-48 during those
tumultuous World War II years when the AYF was in limbo, but continued
to persevere behind its women. She gave diligently and loyally of
her personal time through chapter visits, field trips and Olympics
supervision.

In 1978, Rosanne was named an honorary member of the AYF at the 45th
Convention, given in recognition of long service and devotion to
the organization.

While serving the AYF Central, Rosanne chaired the Central Athletic
Council-the only female to serve that capacity in the organization’s
history.

As a pioneer in the formation of Camp Haiastan, she personally helped
clear the campsite of trees for the initial building construction and
was involved in the purchase and construction of the original cabins.

She was a past member of the South Boston ARF Chapter-one of only
two females to have held membership in that Gomideh.

She was a charter member of the AYF National Fund Drive Committee,
which gathered funds to stabilize the organization, and belonged to
the National Board of Directors.

Rosanne gave of herself unselfishly to the perpetuation of the ideals
and purposes of the AYF, as a member/alumna for 65 years and in many
leadership capacities. Over that time, she symbolized the very backbone
of this organization and never sputtered as a missionary of good will.

Her endearment to the AYF could only be matched by her devotion
to the Armenian Youth Foundation. She was a board member since the
Foundation’s incorporation in 1975, serving as secretary right up to
the time of her death.

In that capacity, she helped raised considerable sums of money toward
the enhancement of Camp Haiastan.

Later years found her involved with the Ladies’ Guild of St. Stephen’s
Armenian Church in Watertown, even serving on that organization’s
Executive Board.

One of her last public appearances was made during the 75th anniversary
celebration of the AYF in Boston. She was accompanied by her three
children and glowed with effervescence.

“To see how far this organization has come and all it’s done to promote
our heritage and culture is a tribute to all those who’ve participated
in its success,” she rejoiced. “I feel honored to cherish this moment.”

Bedrosian Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Burial took
place in Westview Cemetery, in Lexington, Mass.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Armenian Youth Foundation,
PO Box 701, Watertown, MA 02472.

MARXIST PARTY HEAD SAYS ARMENIA~RS ACCESSION TO EURASIAN UNION NECESSITY

PanARMENIAN.Net
August 9, 2012 – 16:10 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Chairman of Armenia’s Marxist party has hailed RA’s
possible accession to the Eurasian Union.

“This implies military and political integration,” David Hakobyan
told a press conference.

In this context, the party head noted that the union is formed on
voluntary basis, in contrast to the European integration, imposed
on Armenia.

Mr. Hakobyan stressed the need for establishment of a new geopolitical
center in the form of the Eurasian Union.

“Hegemony of Pan-Americanism is detrimental to the European and global
civilization. Formation of a new geopolitical center in the form of
a new union of post-Soviet states is a necessity,” he said.

SEYRAN OHANYAN VISITED NORTH-EASTERN BORDER OF ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
9 August, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, AUGUST 9, ARMENPRESS: Minister of Defense of Armenia Seyran
Ohanyan on August 7 visited north-eastern border of Armenia and got
acquainted in place with implemented construction works.

Armenpress was informed from information and public relations
department of Armenian Defence ministry that in the framework of the
visit the head of defence ministry visited border military bases,
checked the reliability of defensive and engineer buildings. Seyran
Ohanyan talked with frontline soldiers, got acquainted with their
readiness and moral conditions. During the talk the minister
highlighted that in border part have been constructed defensive
buildings.

Then Seyran Ohanyan visited in the military station which protects
the north-eastern borders of the Republic.

In framework of the visit the minister held meetings with the
residents of border villages Chinari and Arcvaberd, heard about their
problems. At the end of the meeting the pupils of Chinari village
handed to the minister their gratitude and best wishes.

ARMENIA BETTER TO PONDER ON GAS MARGINS FOR FUTURE – EXPERT

news.am
August 08, 2012 | 22:23

YEREVAN. – Taking into account prices of Russian gas, which go up,
Armenia is better to ponder on the adequacy of margins within the
country, expert Tatul Manaseryan told Armenian News-NEWS.am commenting
on the statement of the gas tariff policy, made by the Armenian and
Russian Presidents.

As Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has told the journalists after
the outcome of the talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin
on Wednesday, the gas price should be based on the ratio of gas supply
need, be comparable to the regional prices, and maintain the efficiency
of the economy. Armenian currently purchased gas for $180 for 1000 cm.

HUSBAND SEVERELY BEATS WIFE IN ARMENIA’S KOTAYK

news.am
August 09, 2012 | 00:09

HRAZDAN. – A Byureghavan resident in Armenia’s Kotayk Region
41-year-old Gegham A. has severely beaten his 34-year-old wife at
3.20 a.m., Armenian News-NEWS.am source informs. She was later taken
to the Abovyan medical center.

Police press service confirmed information for the agency adding
the woman has applied to the law enforcement agents, who arrived in
the hospital and said that the same day her husband has beaten and
stabbed her while disputing over domestic issues.

Gegham A. is detained, forensic-medical examination is appointed for
his wife and materials are being gathered.