Author: Kajoyan Gevork

ARMAVIA ADDS AMRITSAR (INDIA) AND BIRMINGHAM (UK)

anna.aero

Aug 3 2012

On Wednesday 25 July, the Armenian flag-carrier Armavia began operating
weekly flights between Yerevan (EVN) and Birmingham (BHX) in the UK
using an A320. The airline’s website recommends The Barber Institute,
Cadbury World and the Botanical Gardens as things worth seeing in
Birmingham. Armavia appears to have operated the route before on an
irregular basis, between September 2010 and April 2011.

The airline also launched weekly flights last week from Yerevan to
Amritsar (ATQ) in India using a 737. As a result, the airline is
now offering connecting flights from Birmingham to Amritsar (a holy
Sikh city) via Yerevan, targeting the considerable VFR potential,
as Birmingham has a substantial South Asian ethnic population.

ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN SYRIA MIGHT BE DESTROYED

Vestnik Kavkaza

Aug 3 2012
Russia

Susanna Petrosyan, Yerevan. Exclusively to VK

The civil war in Syria has attacked the large Armenian Diaspora in
this country. Until recently, according to various estimates, from 80
to 100 thousand Armenians lived in Syria, mainly in Damascus, Aleppo,
Latakia, Kesabe and Al-Kamyshli, where traditional Armenian parties,
non-profit and social organizations, schools, cultural centers and
newspapers functioned.

While the world mass media reports about protracted battles in Damascus
and Aleppo, a former MP, Smbul Smbulyan, characterizes the situation
as calm: “The majority of the Armenian Diaspora’s representatives
don’t want to leave Syria forever. Many of them have left for other
countries for some time. Some go to Armenia, others to Lebanon or
Europe, but it is not a planned program of migration.”

“The situation with the Armenian Diaspora in Syria remains the same.

We don’t support any side. We conduct our own business. Nobody
oppresses us. Some Armenians are leaving the country temporarily,
until the situation becomes stable. I don’t think Armenians will leave
Syria, or abandon their homes and businesses,” a representative of the
Diaspora, Khachik Dhozikyan, says. According to him, no more than 10%
of Armenians will leave Syria.

According to the Passport and Visa Department of the police of Armenia,
in January-May 2012 about 2700 Armenians from Syria sent applications
for Armenian citizenship. In the historic motherland, Syrian Armenians
will face such problems as getting entry visas to Armenia at short
notice, expensive tickets between Yerevan and Aleppo for airplanes of
the national air company Armavia, as well as problems with residency
and employment.

The government of Armenia decided to simplify the procedure for
getting Armenian citizenship for Armenians who are citizens of foreign
states. Passports will be issued in diplomatic offices of Armenia
abroad. First of all this decision will concern Syria and Lebanon.

The government decided to make amendments to the procedure for issuing
visas. The new procedure requires privileges for foreign citizens
of Armenian origin – they will have an opportunity to gain entrance
visas to Armenia at border check points. The Diaspora Ministry formed
a working group involving a dozen all-Armenian organizations which
offered their help in providing social and legal support, as well as
residential accommodation.

“The information on Syrian Armenians is always analyzed and proceeded,
for we are ready to take certain measures. If we don’t speak about
these measures publicly, it doesn’t mean the authorities are treating
the problem indifferently or taking no steps,” the MP Karen Avagyan
says.

At the same time, some political forces and social organizations
continue to believe that Armenia is not ready to accept Syrian
refugees and the government has no complex program for return of
compatriots. The opposition Armenian National Congress accused the
authorities of not being ready for the situation in which the Armenian
Diaspora found itself in Syria.

MAN JUMPS FROM FIFTH FLOOR AND STAYS ALIVE IN ARMENIA

news.am
August 03, 2012 | 15:57

GAVAR. – An unordinary incident occurred in Armenia’s Gavar city,
Gegharkunik Region. A young man jumped from the fifth floor and
stayed alive.

The 29-year-old man was injured, and lost consciousness in the way to
hospital, Armenian News-NEWS.am reports. He received an intensive
therapy in Gavar and was transferred to Yerevan for computer
tomography.

Doctors estimate the incident as a very rare case, as when a human
jumps from such a height, he simply dies. To note, the young man is
married and has children.

COULD LEVON TER-PETROSYAN BE UNAWARE OF SHUSHI OPERATION – OPINIONS

tert.am
03.08.12

If even for external consumption it was necessary to present that
Armenia’s first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan was not aware of Shushi
liberation, the reality is that he could not have been unaware of it,
Artak Zeynalyan, member of Republic party told Tert.am. Zeynalyan was
participating in the Artsakh war within Nikol Duman volunteer squad.

Hot debates have recently been elaborated on Facebook over the
interview of Artsakh hero, Komandos Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan. “May 6
was appointed as a day of liberation of Shushi, but May 5 was very
snowy and our plans failed. To answer your question I will say that
my commander that time was Serzh Azatich, I do not know whether Levon
Ter-Petrosyan was aware of it or not. But one thing is clear he was
against Shushi’s liberation as there was an issue of normalization of
relations with Turkey. Stemming from it I will say he was not aware
of it. It was very difficult for me, one thing was said from above,
another thing was being said by commanders. We took the risk and a
miracle happened,” Komandos said in the interview.

Artak Zeynalyan said the full answer to the question was given by
Ter-Petrosyan during one of the rallies. “Without material-technical
and military assistance it was impossible to carry out such massive
operation in Artsakh and give such battle.”

One of blogs published a material on the same topic on behalf of
Commander Zhirayr Sefilyan where it is said that Levon Ter-Petrosyan
as country’s president and Supreme Commander could not be unaware of
the exact date of the actions.

“Moreover, he was the one to decide the time of attacks. During those
days he was criticized for it. Shushi’s liberation could have happened
weeks earlier but Levon Ter-Petrosyan decided to do it on May 8,
probably for marking the day of liberation of Shushi on the day of
victory in World Word II. The first president was being criticized
for leaving abroad on the days of attacks to show that it was taking
place irrespective of his will. How could a president plan foreign
official visits without being aware of the dates?” Zhirayr Sefilyan
asked, adding that the circumstance that Levon Ter-Petrosyan does not
respond and will not respond to such accusations is agreed with that
diplomatic game.

Tert.am tried to clear out the information from Sefilyan, but the
latter was at a consultation. A person who picked his phone said the
blog presented extracts of interviews of Zhirayr Sefilyan given at
different times. But Zhirayr Sefilyan has not told it to the blog.

Former member of “Karabakh” committee, acting national security
minister of that time Ashot Manucharyan said he is rather surprised
with the words of Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan.

“I hear for the first time that Ter-Petrosyan was reporting to Komandos
what was he doing. And you should now yourself that the chief commander
was reporting few people about his intentions, opinions and goals.”

Former freedom fighter Davit Amalyan said he does not think that time
supreme commander was unaware or was against Shushi operation, on the
other hand he said he has no grounds “not to believe Arkady Ivanovich.”

ARMENIA TO HELP IRAN SAVE DYING LAKE URUMIEH

On Line: 03 August 2012 15:31
In Print: Saturday 04 August 2012

A senior Iranian official announced that Iran is enlisting Armenia’s
aid to resolve the rapid drying of Lake Urumieh.

Lake Urumieh is a salt lake in northwestern Iran near Turkey. The lake
is between the provinces of East Azarbaijan and West Azarbaijan, west
of the southern portion of the similarly shaped Caspian Sea. It is the
largest lake inside Iran, and the third salt water lake on earth, with
a surface area of approximately 5,200 km square (2,000 mile square).

MohammadJavad Mohammadzadeh, the head of Iran’s Environment
Protection Organization, announced that Iran and Armenia have agreed
on transferring water from Armenia to counter the critical fall in
Lake Urumieh’s water levels.

He remarked that hot weather and a lack of precipitation have brought
the lake to its lowest water levels ever recorded.

He added that recovery plans for the lake include the transfer of
water from Eastern Iranian Azerbaijan Province.

Previously, Iranian authorities had announced a plan to transfer water
from the Aras River, which borders Iran and Republic of Azerbaijan.

But that country objected, and the 950-billion-touman plan was
scrapped.

Armenia and Iran recently signed an agreement to cooperate on
environmental projects.

Iran maintains that the drying of Lake Urumieh would be a “national
environmental catastrophe” that could also have adverse effects on
neighboring countries.

Iranian officials have reported that half of the lake, a surface area
of more than 3,000 square kilometers, has dried up and turned into
salt fields.

In past months, clashes have broken out in Tabriz and Urumieh between
government forces and protesters, who blame local mismanagement of
provincial affairs for the drying of the lake.

With the rapid evaporation of lake waters and the increase in salt
concentration, certain sea weeds have turned the lake water red.

Iranian environmentalists have warned that without “speedy, serious
and national action”, salt storms will develop that could reach as
far as Tehran province.

(Source: asbarez)

19,183 BABIES BORN AND 14,877 PEOPLE DIED IN ARMENIA

news.am
August 03, 2012 | 02:24

YEREVAN. – Total of 19,183 babies were born over the last seven months,
while their number was 19,995 in the same period last year, Armenian
National Statistical Service informs Armenian News-NEWS.am.

At the same time, 14,877 people died this year from January to July,
as compared to 14,676 cases last year.

The main death reasons are heart diseases registering 7,351 cases,
as opposed to 7,163 cases last year; cancer registering 2,850, as
opposed to 2,715 cases; accidents, poisoning and injuries of 640 cases,
as opposed to 627 last year; digestive system diseases of 981 cases,
as opposed to 951 cases last year.

According to the Service data, infection diseases caused 150 death
cases.

YEREVAN GETTING READY FOR THE SECOND SESSION OF THE ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN INTER-REGIONAL COOPERATION

ARMENPRESS
AUGUST 3, 2012
YEREVAN

Yerevan, August 3, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian first Deputy Minister of
Territorial Administration Vache Terteryan hosted Yuri Muradov , the
advisor of the Russian Presidential Administration of the department
of the inter-regional and cultural connections with foreign countries .

As “Armenpress” was briefed by the public relations department of the
Armenian Ministry of Territorial Administration, the meeting aimed
to clarify issues on organizing the inter-regional cooperation of
the Armenian-Russian second session. The interlocutors touched upon
the issues on the Armenian-Russian second session term and format,
the second inter-regional exhibition organization, active cooperation
between the two countries’ conference coordinators.

The second conference will be focused on the establishment of business
connections between the Armenian regions and Russian provinces. In
this sense the necessity of developing an action plan arising
from the cooperation agreements is highlighted. The first Deputy
Minister of the Armenian Ministry of Territorial Administration
Vache Terteryan informed that the Armenian Deputy Prime-Minister,
Minister of Territorial Administration Armen Gevorgyan sent his
instructions to the Armenian Governors on presenting suggestions in
cooperation between the Armenian regions and the Russian provinces. The
interlocutors expressed hope that the conference will contribute
to the establishment of mutually beneficial connections between the
interested institutions and organizations.

LA CITY COUNCIL APPROVES ARMENIAN BALLOT LANGUAGE

Asbarez
Thursday, August 2nd, 2012

LA City Councilman Paul Krekorian

LOS ANGELES-The Los Angeles City Council approved a motion from
Councilmember Paul Krekorian to add the Armenian language to
the city’s election materials. Los Angeles is home to the most
Armenian-Americans in the country and about 30,000 are registered to
vote in the city. Armenian is the third most commonly spoken language
in Los Angeles but not one of the six languages now included on
election materials.

“Throughout our history, America has been defined by its commitment to
the right to vote, and it has been forged by the ongoing struggle to
expand participation in democracy,” Councilmember Paul Krekorian said.

“In Los Angeles, the most diverse city in the country, our citizens
speak nearly 100 languages. For many naturalized citizens who
speak English as a second language, the language barrier can be an
intimidating and daunting barrier to full and informed participation
in the voting process that is their right.

“Federal law already requires that the city provide ballot materials
in eight languages, but Armenian is not among them. Yet Armenian
is the third most widely spoken foreign language among Angelenos
of voting age. Today’s action will require voter outreach and poll
worker recruitment in Armenian (as well as Farsi and Russian). The
Council has also mandated that city staff will work collaboratively
with representatives of the County, as well as the cities of Glendale
and Burbank and other local entities with similar language concerns,
to develop a strategic approach to making Armenian language ballot
materials available in future elections. These steps will make a real
difference to thousands of citizens in Los Angeles who will now be
able to more meaningfully participate in City elections.

“Our great American tradition of political inclusion requires that
all citizens, regardless of their place of origin, can comfortably
exercise the right to vote that is one of the very reasons many came
to this country. By the Council’s action today, the City will continue
to be true to that tradition.”

Language options currently on L.A.’s election materials and ballots
include Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese,
all required by the federal Voting Rights Act.

With the motion, the City Clerk will now plan for the implementation
of full election language services in the Armenian language for the
2015 Municipal Elections.

Councilmember Paul Krekorian represents Los Angeles’ Second Council
District, which includes the east San Fernando Valley. His website
is cd2.lacity.org, where you can sign up for news updates or visit
him on Twitter (@PaulKrekorian) or Facebook.

BEYLERIAN, KHANZADIAN TO CO-CHAIR ANCA-WR BANQUET

asbarez
Thursday, August 2nd, 2012

Arsho Beylerian

Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian
GLENDALE-The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
Wednesday announced that Arsho Beylerian and Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian
have agreed to serve as the co-chairpersons of its Annual Banquet
committee. Both veterans of the Annual Banquet, Beylerian and
Zerounian-Khanzadian are looking forward to continuing the successful
history of past banquets.

“We are ecstatic to have Arsho and Souzi join the Banquet committee
as co-chairs,” said ANCA-WR Co-Chairperson, Nora Hovsepian. “The
experience and energy that they bring to the ANCA is immeasurable
and we are fortunate that our marquee event will be headed by these
two powerhouses.”

The Banquet will highlight the many successes and projects of
the ANCA-WR over the past year, among them the Hye Votes voter
registration initiative, the launch of New York Times Bestselling
Author Chris Bohjalian’s latest book, The Sandcastle Girls, which was
also recently named to the NY Times Bestseller List, and the Western
Region’s annual Advocacy Day in Sacramento.

“It’s an honor to be the co-chair of such a prestigious event,
one with a long history and dedicated people who come together to
showcase the strength and breadth of the Armenian American community,”
commented Committee Co-Chair Beylerian.

Last year, the sold out Banquet attracted more than 800 attendees as
it honored a variety of individuals who have served their community
and their country. Among them were Armenian American military combat
veterans, presidential speechwriter Kenneth Khachigian, Congressman Ed
Royce, California State Assembly Member Anthony Portantino, Prelate
of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, boxing champion Vic Darchinyan, and community
benefactor Hacop Baghdassarian.

“We have an incredible team committed to the success of this year’s
banquet. The Annual Banquet is the ideal venue to celebrate the many
ANCA successes of 2012 and activate our supporters and grassroots
for the important and exciting year ahead,” beamed Co-Chair
Zerounian-Khanzadian.

The 2012 ANCA-WR Annual Banquet, the main event of the Armenian
American community in the western United States, will take place on
Sunday, October 28, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA.

Further details about the event are forthcoming.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the
largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy
organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination
with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the
Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country,
the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community
on a broad range of issues.

IS THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH FINANCED BY THE PEOPLE?

August 2, 2012 16:28

Today Levon Filyan, the CEO of the Armenian Evangelical Association,
stated that the Armenian Evangelical Association aimed at being
useful to all Armenians, “We have schools, universities, nursing
homes, kindergartens in 24 countries around the world. We use 50%
of our budget, every element for the work that is done in Armenia. A
big school equipped with the latest technology is being built at
the moment.”

Reverend Mkrtich Melkonyan, the newly-appointed chief pastor of
the Evangelical Church of Armenia, said that they differed from the
Armenian Apostolic Church in rites, “However, learning the Gospel
underlies it, therefore, we are not considered a sect, we accept the
Armenian Apostolic Church as the mother church. We are not engaged
in a hunt for souls, because our aim is to serve the people.” Levon
Filyan added that the Evangelical Church cooperated with the Armenian
Apostolic Church. In response to a journalist’s question who financed
the Evangelical Church of Armenia, the newly-appointed pastor said,
“The people.” connected with Alexander Amaryan, the head
of the Center for Help and Rehabilitation to Victims of Destructive
Cults, who said in response to the above-mentioned question, “The
Evangelical Church is financed mainly by people from the US. As for the
people, members of the organization pay 10 percent of their salaries
every month. The Evangelical Church carries out sect-like activities,
engaging in a hunt for souls.”

We talked also with Father Shmavon Ghevondyan, a priest of the St.

Hovhannes Church, who said, “The Armenian Apostolic Church doesn’t
consider the Evangelical Church a sect, since the latter also has a
contribution to our people’s history. However, the Armenian Evangelical
Church often operates like a sect and is not recognized by the Armenian
Apostolic Church as a sister church. They say so based on the words
of late Garegin the First that the Evangelical Church is our sister
church. However, it was a statement of a person, not the official
position of the church.” The clergyman added that the Apostolic Church
didn’t cooperate with the Evangelical Church in any project.

Father Shmavon also stated that there had always been cases of
a hunt for souls organized by the Evangelists, “A few years ago,
they handed out gift boxes, in which there was their literature,
which is forbidden. The teachers told children to necessarily pass
the booklets to their mothers.”