Author: Kalantarian Kevo

SAS SUPERMARKET SUES BLOGNEWS.AM OVER “BAD SAUSAGE” STORY

hetq
15:29, April 19, 2012

BlogNews.am says that it is being sued by the SAS Group for slander
over a story that it published about a person who fell sick after
eating some sausage purchased from the SAS supermarket chain.

The website’s editor, Aram Antinyan, says SAS is demanding 2 million
AMD in compensation, an amount that could put the non-profit out
of business.

Artinyan claims that customer asked that the website publish the
story of the “bad” sausage in order to alert others.

The SAS supermarket chain in Armenia is owned by Artak Sargsyan,
a candidate running for parliament from the ruling Republican Party.

IAEA AND ARMENIA HAVE A COMMON OBJECTIVE OF REINFORCING THE SECURITY OF ANPP

armradio.am
19.04.2012 14:36

President Serzh Sargsyan received today Yukiya Amano, Director of
the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Greeting the guest, the President underlined that nuclear energy
is of vital importance to Armenia, and our country attaches great
importance to the cooperation with IAEA, viewing it as an important
component of our country’s energy and nuclear security.

Yukiya Amano noted that IAEA and Armenia have a common objective of
reinforcing the security of the acting nuclear power plant and close
cooperation on the construction of the new one.

POLITICAL BAZAAR
HAKOB BADALYAN

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 13:30:54 – 19/04/2012

The issue of the Republican monopoly is the core issue of the election
campaign and the political process. However, the issue of this monopoly
is interpreted in a wrong way. The problem is not the absolute majority
and the post of president held by the Republican Party.

After the elections of 2003 the situation in Armenia was such that
the Republicans did not have 50% of parliament, the post of president
of the National Assembly but the state was not more democratic, and
the government was not more legitimate and legal, the mechanism of
forming government was not constitutional, and the result was that
instead of the Constitution the Republican Party took on an important
role by winning absolute majority.

Consequently, when the issue of dissolving or neutralizing the monopoly
is set forth, it does not mean establishment of constitutional order
and raising the level of legality in the country, a new development
aimed at the democratic environment.

Hence, the problem requires a more clear stress. Armenia will need
constitutional order because if the Republicans share government
among two or three, or even four forces, reaching agreement with the
opposition forces, the dynamics of development and content of the
state and the society will hardly change essentially.

The consequence could be the loss of public confidence in forces
with a certain role and mission in these agreements, causing
dissatisfaction and thereby ensuring the establishment of absolute
power in Armenia in one round either by the Republican Party and the
Prosperous Armenia Party, or any other political group or bloc of
a difficult configuration. It is not essential. The essential thing
is that Armenia will face the prospect of a new absolute power after
the new wave of dissatisfaction.

When in 2003 the Justice Bloc, Artashes Geghamyan, and posturing
opposition Orinats Yerkir and ARF Dashnaktsutyun entered into political
deals, each of them separately, the result was the opposition vacuum
in Armenia, so in 2007 the government had to resist itself by means
of Prosperous Armenia Party.

It was the least but positive chance of development of the state which,
however, did not have a positive influence on the state and the society
because the quota-based anti-monopoly political situation that occurred
in 2003 led to social apathy. In the meantime, were it possible to
ensure public activeness, internecine race, independent from the
will of its subjects, would result in positive developments for the
society helping the system to open up rather than legitimization of
the monopoly.

Now that the problem is viewed in the context of neutralization of the
political monopoly, in other words, end the mandate of the Republican
Party as the sole legal person managing all the government bodies and
assign more people to this role, after the parliamentary elections
the new wave of public apathy will be inevitable.

And it means that in 2017-2018 Armenia will be threatened by a new
absolute government which will be formed in the internecine fight.

Hence, now it is not important how many legal persons will share
power in the result of the parliamentary election or whether they
will shape the so-called political parliamentary system at all.

The important thing is whether there will be a social and civil
movement which will have sufficient quantity and quality to be able
to impose something, will not be politicized, and will not obey
the political plans of any party or group, whose core demand will
be establishment of constitutional order instead of compromises
characteristic of the principles of the political market, in which
almost all the main participants of the parliamentary election are
engaged.

When there is such a movement, it is not important whether the
Republican Party holds entire power or several parties share power
because it is not important what balance works inside the government.

The balance to government outside it is important.

Without a balance outside, when everyone is located in one realm, even
though it might be done with the most democratic and constitutional
slogans, the result is that the government is permanently collected
and shared, and people never share it.

BURBANK GENOCIDE PROCLAMATION AND CANDLELIGHT VIGIL

armradio.am
19.04.2012 10:58

The Armenian National Committee of America – Burbank (ANCA – B), the
Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Burbank ‘Varak’ Chapter, Homenetment
“Sipan” Chapter and the Burbank High School (BHS) Armenian Club have
teamed up this year to commemorate the 97th Anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide on Tuesday, April 24.

The commemoration will begin with a short remembrance program led
by ANCA – B’s Annette Kargodorian during the Burbank City Council
meeting. BHS Armenian Club will showcase a video presentation and, as
is Burbank tradition, the City Council will present its proclamation
in recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

A candlelight vigil will follow in front of Burbank City Hall,
during which longtime ANCA activist Stepan Boyadjian will serve
as the keynote speaker. There will be posting of the colors by the
Homenetmen Burbank “Sipan” Chapter as well as various performances
by members of the ARF Badanegan ‘Gaidzag’ Chapter.

“The Armenian-American youth recognizes the importance in unifying
to promote awareness. For this reason, we urge people of all ages
to come together and support this event,” stated BHS Armenian Club
member Ani Ovasapyan.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apost. Church of America and Canada
H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
Prelate, Easter Prelacy and Canada
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
Web:

APRIL 19, 2012

COMMEMORATIONS OF THE 97th ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Next Tuesday is April 24thArmenian Martyrs Daythe day when Armenians
worldwide commemorate the beginning of the genocide that claimed one
and one-half million lives, and displaced many thousands more from
their ancestral homeland resulting in the loss of the Armenian
Motherland.

DIVINE LITURGY AND REQUIEM SERVICE AT ST. ILLUMINATORS CATHEDRAL
The Divine Liturgy and a solemn requiem service will take place on
Tuesday, April 24, at 7 pm, at St. Illuminators Cathedral, New York
City, in commemoration of the 97th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide. The Liturgy will be celebrated by Archpriest Fr. Krikoris
Keshishian, pastor of St. Stephens Church, New Britain,
Connecticut. Der Krikoris will celebrate the Liturgy and Requiem
Service on the Martyrs Altar where relics of the martyrs and sand from
Der Zor are kept with reverence.

TIMES SQUARE COMMEMORATION THIS SUNDAY

Archbishop Oshagan will participate in the annual gathering at New
Yorks Times Square (43rd & Broadway) commemorating the Armenian
Genocide this Sunday, April 22, beginning at 2 pm. Archbishop Oshagan
will deliver the invocation. The annual commemoration is sponsored by
the Knights and Daughters of Vartan, co-sponsored by the AGBU,
Armenian Assembly of America, Armenian National Committee of America,
ADL-Ramgavars and Armenian Council of America, and with the
participation of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America,
Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, Armenian
Missionary Association of America, Armenian Catholic Eparchy for
U.S. and Canada, Mid-Atlantic ACYOA, Armenian Youth Organizations, and
University Armenian Clubs.

Free transportation to and from Times Square is available from all New
York and New Jersey Armenian Churches, the Armenian Center in
Woodside, and from Brooklyn (front of Chase Bank, 1002 Brighton Beach
Avenue. For details go to (

)

PRELATE INVITED TO DELIVER OPENING PRAYER IN U.S. SENATE
AND INVOCATION AT CAPITOL HILL GENOCIDE OBSERVANCE

Archbishop Oshagan has been invited to deliver the opening prayer in
the Senate on Wednesday, April 25. In the evening of the same day His
Eminence will deliver the invocation at the annual Capitol Hill
Observance of the Armenian Genocide in the Senate Kennedy Caucus
Room. This annual event is sponsored by the Congressional Caucus on
Armenian issues, and with the support of the Embassy of the Republic
of Armenia and the Office of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic. Armenian
Americans and supporters from across the United States will join
senators and representatives in marking this solemn anniversary,
reaffirming the commitment of the American people to truth and
justice.

The Prelates Invocation at the Senate will be broadcast on C-Span 2
and streamed online on (

), as well as on (

).

Two pieces of legislation have recently been introduced in the Senate
related to the Armenian Genocide. The first, the Armenian Genocide
Resolution, (S. Res. 399), offered by Senators Robert Menendez
(D-N.J.) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill) calls upon the U.S. government to
properly recognize the Armenian Genocide and to use the lessons of
this atrocity to prevent future crimes against humanity.

The second legislation, the Return of Churches Resolution
(S. Res. 392), introduced by Senators Scott Brown (R-Mass), Diane
Feinstein (D-Calif), and Mark Kirk calls upon Turkey to return stolen
Christian church properties to their rightful owners.

The Senate Kennedy Caucus Room is located in the Russell Senate Office
Building, room 325.

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL PARTICIPATE IN
GENOCIDE COMMEMORATION AT CATHEDRAL

Archbishop Oshagan will deliver the invocation and address the
gathering at a commemoration marking the 97th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide. The event is hosted by the Armenian National
Committee of New York and will take place at St. Illuminators
Cathedral in New York on Friday, April 27 at 7 pm. Mourad Papazian,
chairman of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation of France, is the
keynote speaker. Ambassador Garen Nazarian, Armenias Permanent
Representative to the United Nations, will also address the
gathering. The commemoration will include performances by renowned
soprano, Anoush Barclay, who will sing the national anthems of the
United States and Armenia, the St. Illuminators Huyser Music Ensemble,
and distinguished violinist, Cecee Pantikian. For information:
646-468-9061.

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN ATTENDS OPENING OF
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS EXHIBITION

Archbishop Oshagan attended the opening of the Library of Congress
exhibition, To Know Wisdom and Instruction: The Armenian Literary
Tradition at the Library of Congress, yesterday evening in Washington,
DC. This exhibition honors the 500th anniversary of the first printed
Armenian book and the decision by UNESCO to designate Yerevan as the
World Book Capital 2012. In 1512, Hakob Meghapart created the first
Armenian press in Venice and he published the first printed Armenian
book, Urbatagirk (Book of Fridays), which was the beginning of a rich
literary tradition.

In honor of this milestone anniversary and in honor of Yerevans
designation as the World Book Capital for 2012, His Holiness Aram I,
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, designated the year 2012 as
the Year of the Armenian Book. In his pontifical message, His Holiness
noted that In spite of major advances in the areas of audio-visual and
communication technology, we believe that the printed book has a
special place and role in education, in the promotion of our cultural
and spiritual values and traditions, as well as in our churchs
missionary outreach and community building. On this occasion of the
500th anniversarywe call upon our people and particularly the youth,
students, and teachers not to become drowned in the

new technologies that make reading easy and give quick and superficial
information. Let us recover and rediscover the true vocation of the
Armenian book.

The exhibition at the Library of Congress will continue until
September 26. A digital version of the exhibition is available on the
Library of Congress website, (

).

The opening of the Exhibition took place last night. From left to
right: Vartan Gregorian, President of the Carnegie Corporation of New
York, Archbishop Oshagan, Levon Avdoyan, curator of the exhibition,
and James Billington, the Librarian of Congress.

MORE EASTER PHOTOS

We are happy to present some more Easter photographs sent by our
parishes.

Parishioners at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey,
waiting to receive Communion from their parish priest, Rev. Fr. Hovnan
Bozoian.

Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar, giving Communion on Holy Saturday to Denis
Teague, assisted by Deacons John Saryan and Avedis Garavanian at
St. Gregory Church, North Andover, Massachusetts. During the communion
breakfast the Vicar answered some thoughtful questions posed by the
students like, Why did Christ die on the cross? Who makes khatchkars?
Why did you become a priest?

Archpriest Fr. Zareh Sahakian with deacons and altar servers at All
Saints Church, Glenview, Illinois, and a view of the
congregation.(photos by Tina Tcholakian Photography)

NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY WILL CONVENE IN PROVIDENCE

The National Representative Assembly (NRA) will convene in Providence,
Rhode Island, at Sts.Vartanantz Church. The Clergy Conference will
begin on Wednesday, May 9, and the full assembly will convene Thursday
morning, May 10 and end at noon on Saturday, May 11. For information
click here (

).

The NRA is the highest ecclesiastical and administrative body of the
Prelacy. It is composed of a ratio of one-seventh clergy and
six-sevenths lay delegates. The clergy delegates are elected by the
Clergy Conference and the lay delegates by the membership of their
respective parishes.

CONVENTION BANQUET FRIDAY, MAY 11

The NRAs Convention Banquet, under the auspices of His Eminence
Archbishop Oshagan, will take place Friday, May 11, 6:30 pm, at the
Crowne Plaza at the Crossings, 801 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick, Rhode
Island. The banquet is open to the public. During the program youth
awards and certificates of merit will be presented to selected members
of the Sts. Vartanantz community. Advance reservations ($70 per
person) must be made by May 5. Contact the Sts. Vartanantz Church
office at 401-831-6399.

PRELATE AND VICAR BID FAREWELL TO CONSUL GENERAL OF LEBANON

Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan went to the Lebanese
Consulate in New York this week to bid farewell to the Consul General,
His Excellency Antoine Azzam, who is returning to Lebanon. The Prelate
and Vicar expressed profound thanks to Mr. Azzam for his cordial,
friendly and helpful service during his term of office in New York.

RELIGIOUS AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS TO MEET

The Religious and Executive Councils of the Eastern Prelacy will
convene their regular monthly meeting tomorrow and Saturday, April 20
and 21, at the Prelacy offices in New York City.

(

)

BIBLE READINGS

Note: Beginning last Monday (April 16) and continuing until Pentecost
(June 4), each day four Gospels are read in the following order: (1)
MorningLuke; (2) MiddayJohn; (3) EveningMatthew; (4) Evening
dismissalMark.

Bible readings for Sunday, April 22, are: (1) Luke 6:12-45; (2) Acts
9:23-31; 1 Peter 2:1-10; John 2:23-3:12; (3) Matthew 8:18-9:8; (4)
Mark 3:6-12.

The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians
against him, how to destroy him.

Jesus departed with his disciples to the sea, and a great multitude
from Galilee followed him; hearing all that he was doing, they came to
him in great numbers from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond the Jordan,
and the region around Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples to have a
boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush
him; for he had cured many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon
him to touch him. Whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell
down before him and shouted, You are the Son of God! But he sternly
ordered them not to make him known. (Mark 3:6-12)

For a listing of the coming weeks Bible readings click here (

).

THIS SUNDAY IS GREEN SUNDAY

Easter Sunday is followed by a period of fifty days (Hinoonk) during
which there are no fasting days and no saints days. This period from
the Resurrection to Pentecost (Hokekaloost) is dedicated to the
glorification of the Resurrections. Each of the seven Sundays of
Hinoonk has a special name. Last Sunday, the first Sunday after
Easter, was New Sunday.

This Sunday, April 22, is Green Sunday (Ganach Giragi), also known as
Sunday of the World Church (Ashkharhamadoor). The concept of Green
Sunday most probably comes from an ancient folk holiday celebrating
spring. Our forefathers, seeing mother earth bloom after long winter
months, glorified the Creator with an act of thanksgiving and
celebrated by decorating the church and themselves with greenery. The
reawakening of nature is also symbolic of the Resurrection. Green is
the color of life, freshness and promise. After a barren winter we are
filled with hope, life, and love.

Green Sunday is also an appropriate time for us to remember our
obligations to be good stewards of the earth and the gifts that have
been given to us by God. With this in mind, 19 years ago, on May 12,
1993, the Clergy Conference at the National Representative Assembly
that took place at Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, issued a
strong statement on the environment and recommended that every year,
Green Sunday, the second Sunday following Easter, be declared a day
when all the members of the Church observe the sanctity of Gods
creation and the purity of the environment.

CHECK OUR WEB PAGE ( (

))

Report and photographs on 40th anniversary of ordination of Bishop
Anoushavan Tanielian.

Report and photographs on Musical Armenia concert.

Information for delegates and other attendees of the National
Representative Assembly.

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)

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 20Armenian Heritage, Film and Food, presented by Holy Martyrs
Armenian Day School, the Anthropology Museum of the People of New
York, and The Armenian Cultural Educational Research Center Gallery at
Queens College, 7 pm at the Armenian Church of Holy Martyrs
Auditorium, 209-15 Horace Harding Boulevard, Bayside, New
York. Program includes power point show of Ancient Armenian costumes;
sneak preview of After Water there is Sand, directed by a HMDS
graduate, Saro Varjabedian. The movie is in English and was filmed in
Armenia. Buffet of foods and desserts, followed by Q&A. Information:
718-428-5650.

April 22Gathering at Times Square, New York City, commemorating the
97th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, 2 pm at 43rd Street and
Broadway. Sponsored by the Knights and Daughters of
Vartan. Co-sponsored by: AGBU, Armenian Assembly of America, Armenian
National Committee of America, ADL-Ramgavars and Armenian Council of
America. With the participation of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America, Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America,
Armenian Missionary Association of America, Armenian Catholic Eparchy
for U.S. and Canada, Mid-Atlantic ACYOA, AYF, Armenian Youth
Organization s, and University Armenian Clubs. Free bus transportation
to and from Times Square from all New York and New Jersey Armenian
churches, and from Armenian Center, Woodside, NY, in Brooklyn in front
of Chase Bank, 1002 Brighton Beach Avenue and corner of Coney Island
Ave. For information: (
!
//kofv.org )

April 24Commemoration of 97th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
sponsored by the New Jersey Armenian National Committee, at
Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield, New
Jersey. Requiem Service at 7 pm; program at 8 pm. Keynote speaker,
Professor Ugur Ungor, Assistant Professor of History at Utrecht
University in the Netherlands, who will discuss his recent book,
Confiscation and Colonization: The Young Turk Seizure of Armenian
Property. Admission is free.

April 27Armenian Genocide 97th Anniversary Commemoration sponsored by
the Armenian National Committee of New York, St. Illuminators
Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New York City, 7 pm. Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan will open the commemoration with an invocation and
message. Guest speaker is Mourad Papazian, Chairman, ARF Central
Committee of France. For information: Doug (646)468-9061.

April 29Ladies Guild of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New
Jersey, will present the New Jersey premier of The Hye LegionThe
Gamavor, a musical true story performed by the actors and singers of
The Way We Were Ensemble. Light lunch and program following church
services. Adults, $20; Children, $10.

May 3Avak Luncheon, at noon, St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts. Father Lenny Faris, pastor of St. George Orthodox
Church, Lowell, will present amusing anecdotes behind the priesthood.

May 6St. Illuminators Cathedral will present the New York City
premiere of The Hye LegionThe Gamavor musical based on a true story,
at 1 pm. Musical will be performed by the actors and singers of The
Way We Were ensemble. $20 adults; $10 children. Refreshments will
follow.

May 9-12National Representative Assembly of Eastern Prelacy, hosted by
Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island. Clergy conference on
May 9; full delegation May 10 to 12. Accommodations at Crowne Plaza
Hotel, Warwick, Rhode Island. Check Prelacy web page
( (

)) for details

May 11-12National Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG), 30th
anniversary celebration and annual conference in conjunction with the
National Representative Assembly, Crowne Plaza, Warwick, Rhode
Island. For information: Mary Derderian 781-762-4253.

May 4 thru May 24Sixteen performances in May (including matinee
performances on Saturdays and Sundays) of Herand M. Markarians new
play commissioned by the New York State Theater Institute,
Silence. With award-winning actress Lorraine Serabian. This story of
love, loss, and relentless search by a women for her son after the
Armenian genocide of 1915, is directed by Kevin Thomson. Performances
at the Shell Theater in the Times Square Arts Building, 300 West 43rd
Street, New York City. Reserve tickets now ($18): SmartTix.com or
212-868-4444. For information: [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]).

June 14St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Mens
Club 3rd Annual Cigar Night & Dinner, in Blessed Memory of Fr. Vartan
Kassabian. Surf & Turf dinner, Open Bar, Cigars, Live & Silent
Auctions, Raffles. Tickets must be purchased in advance by sending a
check for $125 payable to St. Gregory Mens Club, 158 Main Street,
North Andover, Massachusetts 01845, or contact Greg Minasian at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or 978-470-3075.

June 18Holy Trinity Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, 9th Annual Golf
Outing at Sterling National Country Club, Sterling,
Massachusetts. Continental breakfast, golf, dinner, prizes and
gift. $140 per golfer. For information: Kap Kaprielian at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or church office
508-852-2414.

June 24St. Hagop Church, Racine, Wisconsin, annual Madagh Picnic at
Jonsons Park, Racine.

July 14Sts. Vartanantz Church Ladies Guild and ARS Ani Chapter,
Providence, Rhode Island, A Hye Summer Night VI dance, featuring
Hachig Kazarian, Richard Hagopian, Kenneth Kalajian, Jason Naroian, 8
pm to 1 am; $35 adults; $15 children 16 and under. At the Annunciation
Greek Orthodox Church, 175 Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston, Rhode
Island. Mezza will be served. Limited seating. For tickets and
information: 401-434-4467 (Joyce Bagdasarian); 401-354-8770 (Joyce
Yeremian).

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacys web
site.

To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox,
add [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) to
your address book.

Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please
credit Crossroads as the source.

Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about
their major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

SOLDIERS TO PLANT TREES IN TSITSERNAKABERD NEARBY PARK

ARMENPRESS
APRIL 20, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. Tree planting action is scheduled
by 100 soldiers ahead of 93rd anniversary of Armenian Genocide on
April 22.In an interview with Armenpress, the initiator of the tree
planting Nubarashen N. unit the head of the Sergeant Council Hovhannes
Harutyunyan told that the idea was approved by the command. ‘~R The
concept refers to environmental protection, besides symbolizes the
desire to create something new ‘~R Harutyunyan stated. The interlocutor
highlighted that the event enabled the soldiers a unique opportunity
to pay their tribute to the victims of genocide.

Before the tree planting the soldiers will visit Tsitsernakaberd
Memorial, Armenain Genocide Museum-Institute. The tree planting will
be implemented in the nearby park of the museum.

ARMENIAN BENEFACTOR ALEXANDER MANTASHEV’S HEIRS VISIT TBILISI

news.am
April 20, 2012 | 16:01

After attending the official opening of the distinguished Armenian
philanthropist Alexander Mantashev’s (Mantashyants) statue in Armenia’s
capital Yerevan, his grandson, Paris-based Alexander Mantashev Junior
and the latter’s son Michael, arrived in the Georgian capital Tbilisi
on Thursday for a two-day visit.

The guests followed the traces of the great benefactor’s numerous
charity works conducted in Tbilisi.

During their meeting with Gigi Tsereteli, Vice-Speaker of the Georgian
parliament, the interlocutors spoke about Alexander Mantashev’s and
another Armenian benefactor, Mikayel Aramyants’ invaluable contribution
to the establishment of Georgia’s capital city.

Also, Alexander Mantashev’s heirs were hosted at the Davtyan family’s
puppet theater, where they met with the local Armenian intelligentsia.

In his address, Armenia’s Ambassador to Georgia, Hovhannes Manukyan,
named Alexander Mantashev the great but not the only Armenian
benefactor in Tbilisi, since numerous wealthy Armenian people and
benefactors had carried out activities in the city.

All those who delivered remarks at the event spoke about the Tbilisi
Armenians’ great love and devotion toward this city.

MILITARY EXPERT SAYS AZERBAIJAN PROVOKING INSTABILITY ON THE EVE OF ELECTIONS

Panorama.am
17:04 20/04/2012 ” Politics

In pre- and post-election phases Azerbaijan has always been carrying
out provocative steps aimed to create atmosphere of panic, desperation
and instability, military expert said.

“Azerbaijan is aimed at provoking instability in Armenia while the
country is hosting vital elections processes,” Artur Petrosyan said.

The expert mentioned that on the threshold of every elections
Azerbaijan did something and in this phase also they can undertake
certain measures.

“In March 2008 an Armenian military unit located in Martakert region
was attacked in the aftermath of which two Armenian soldiers were
injured and ten Azeris were killed,” Mr. Petrosyan said although not
excluding that this time again similar things may happen.

PLASTIC WASTE COLLECTING, RECYCLING PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN ARMENIA

NEWS.AM
April 20, 2012 | 16:16

ARARAT. – Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident
Representative in Armenia, and Dr. Jatinder Cheema, USAID/Armenia
Mission Director, visited the city of Ararat on Friday to tour the
waste collecting and recycling activities of USAID-UNDP plastic
recycling program, which recently installed 60 plastic waste bins
in the town. Ms. Gercheva and Dr. Cheema also launched the local
public awareness campaign that featured open lessons on environmental
protection in two central schools of Ararat.

In order to address Armenia’s environmental challenges, USAID and UNDP
launched a joint initiative in March 2011 – the Collection and Reuse of
Plastic Refuse (CRPR) project – to improve the quality of potable water
sources in Armenia through the collection and recycling of plastic
containers. The program also sought to spur private sector investment
in the recycling of plastic waste. As of December 2011, a total
of 600 special bins were installed in Vanadzor, Hrazdan, Alaverdi,
Sevan, Tsakhkadzor, Ararat, Charentsavan, and Dilijan, resulting in
the recycling of nearly 30 tons of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
waste. The project will install additional 300 bins in the towns of
Ararat, Artashat, Ashtarak, Etchmiadzin and Armavir by June 2012.

“One of the main objectives of this initiative is to create stimulating
conditions for Armenian private sector to invest in high level
recycling of PET waste. Proper management and recycling of this toxic
material is not only urgent from the environmental point of view,
but it also carries an essential potential for delivering currently
unrealized economic benefits,” said Dafina Gercheva, UN RC/UNDP
Resident Representative.

During the initial phase of the project, UNDP provided special bins
for PET waste, balers, and compactors in the target communities for
separation of PET bottles and relevant plastic products immediately
at the first stage of the waste collection cycle. The project then
helped design and implement partnerships between the local authorities
responsible for solid waste management and private companies with
capacities to buy and recycle the PET waste. Intensive public awareness
campaign in the project areas was an important component to inform
the general population on the importance of separating the PET waste
into the special bins.

“Armenia has begun to develop new projects and strategies to
foster industrial growth, national competitiveness, and to address
environmental concerns with particular attention to municipal solid
waste. It is time when urgent action for improvement and modernization
is required to ensure sustainable and eco-friendly performance in the
future. This project will have direct impact on raising awareness of
the need to reduce pollution, will improve public health, and will
engage local communities in ensuring a cleaner and less polluted
environment,” Dr. Cheema said.

Based on the results and proved interest and support of the authorities
and community residents, the project plans to expand to other towns
of Armenia, including Yerevan, where around 3,000 tons PET waste is
still thrown out to landfills each year.

EDUCATION OFFICIAL: ANC BEHAVES LIKE NEIGHBORHOOD BOSS

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 20, 2012 – 14:43 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The stance of the opposition Armenian National
Congress (ANC) resembles a “neighborhood boss’s policy”, according
to Rector of Yerevan State Institute of Theater and Cinematography
Armen Mazmanyan

During a press conference on April 20, he said the Armenian National
Movement (ANM) which is the core force of ANC, has ruined Armenia’s
heavy industry.

However, Mazmanyan stated, “ANC includes some honest people as well,
who are rather at a loss now.”

“I’m state-oriented, but not pro-government. I have believed ANM
to be a national disaster, and have always had problems for this,”
he said reminding that when in power, ANM jailed a whole party
[Dashnaktsutyun], and is not willing to face responsibility for this.

According to Mazmanyan, three parties, namely the ruling Republican
Party of Armenia, ARF Dashnaktsutyun and Heritage currently base on
the national conservative liberalism.