Author: Kalantarian Kevo

CRIENGLISH.com, China
May 10 2014

Contest on Chinese Language Held in Armenia

A Chinese language contest for college students has been held in the
Armenian capital, Yerevan.

The event is a first of its kind in the country.

Nine contestants have competed in three segments featuring free
speech, Q&As and artistic performances.

The top prize has gone to 21-year-old Goara Gabrielyan from a
Russian-Armenian University.

A 19-year old from Yerevan State University finished second.

The two will represent Armenia in a global contest, the 13th “Chinese
Bridge” Competition, to be held here in Beijing later on this year.

CONGRATULATORY ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN ON VICTORY AND PEACE DAY

11:06 09.05.2014

Dear compatriots,

I cordially congratulate you on the occasion of Victory and Peace Day.

For the Armenian people, May 9 holds great significance because it
heralded the beginning of a new and peaceful life. During World War II,
hundreds of thousands of Armenians fought in the trenches of justice
and freedom and came out with credit.

For us, this is first of all a holiday of peace which afforded us a
historic opportunity to give the fatherland a new start in life with
our honest work.

The destiny gave us one more historic opportunity – one more May
victory. On May 9 of 1992, we were once again in the trenches of
justice and freedom fighting against national discrimination and
genocide.

With the liberation of Shushi, not only Stepanakert avoided physical
annihilation, but also Artsakh, as well as Armenia and Armenians’
future in the broad sense.

Today, we bow with gratitude to the memory of all the brave fighters
who paid for peace by their own lives.

Long live the peace – the mother of all blessings of the world!

Glory to our heroes!

POPE FRANCIS RECALLS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Gazzetta del Sud , Italy
May 8 2014

08/05/2014

Modern-day martyrdom seed of Christian unity, pontiff says

Vatican City – Pope Francis on Thursday recalled the Armenian genocide
in the early 20th century during an audience with Karekin II, head of
the Catholicate of Etchmiadzin of the Armenian Apostolic Church. “The
number of disciples who shed their blood for Christ in the tragic
events of the last century is certainly higher than that of the early
martyrs,” Francis told Karekin II, elected 132nd Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians in 1999. “In this martyrology the
children of the Armenian nation have a place of honour,” continued
the Argentinian pontiff. “Their tragic and noble testimony must not
be forgotten,” he said. “Just as in the early Church the blood of
the martyrs sowed the seed of new Christians, so in modern times
the blood of many Christians has become the seed of unity” among
Christian churches, continued the pope. An estimated 1.5 million
Armenians were systematically exterminated under the Ottoman Empire
during the First World War in what is said to be the second most
studied act of genocide after the Jewish Holocaust three decades later.

PRESIDENT OBAMA HONORED AT SPIELBERG’S SHOAH FOUNDATION GALA

NBC, Southern California
May 8 2014

The USC Shoah Foundation documents and archives the stories of
survivors and witnesses to the Holocaust and other genocides, such
as the one in Armenia and Rwanda.

By Samia Khan and Beverly White

President Barack Obama was recognized for his global efforts to
protect human rights at a gala event hosted by director Steven
Spielberg Wednesday night.

The USC Shoah Foundation, founded by Spielberg, honored President
Obama with the Ambassador for Humanity Award at the 20th Anniversary
Ambassadors for Humanity Gala at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century
City.

Fundraisers, Speech on President’s CA Itinerary

“I think about young girls in Nigeria, or children caught up in the
conflict in Syria,” President Obama said during his speech. “I think
drop by drop by drop, that we can erode and wear down these forces
that are so destructive, that tell a different story.”

The USC Shoah Foundation documents and archives the video testimonies
of survivors and witnesses to the Holocaust and other genocides,
such as the one in Armenia and Rwanda. Some of those survivors were
in attendance at Wednesday night’s gala.

“Every day that you have lived, every child and grandchild that your
families have brought into this world, have served as the ultimate
rebuke to evil and the ultimate expression of love and hope,” President
Obama said.

The USC Shoah Foundation was founded by Spielberg after he completed
the the film, “Schindler’s List.” Since it’s founding, more than
50,000 personal accounts of survival have been documented.

“As long as we fail to learn, our work will be urgent work,” Spielberg
said at the event.

The star-studded evening opened up with remarks by Liam Neeson, the
actor who portrayed Oskar Schindler in the film. Bruce Springsteen
performed and the event itself was hosted by Conan O’Brien.

“The President’s recent appointment of the first special envoy for
Holocaust Survivor Services in United States history demonstrates
his staunch commitment to honoring the past while building a better
future,” Spielberg said in the a statement.

Before speaking at the USC Shoah Foundation gala Wednesday night,
President Obama attended a campaign fundraiser at the Bel Air home
of Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn.

The President was expected to stay overnight on the Westside before
traveling to San Diego for another Congressional fundraiser Thursday.

Wednesday’s visit was President Obama’s 17th visit to Los Angeles
since taking office in 2009.

Book telling about great USSR intelligence agent Gevorg Vardanyan published

17:30 / 10.05.2014

`Vardanyan’ book by well-known Russian writer and journalist Nikolay
Dolgopolov has been published in Moscow in Russian.

The book is part of a series of `life of wonderful people’. It tells
about legendary USSR intelligence agent Gevorg Vardanyan and his not
less legendary agent spouse Gohar Levanova and the path they have
passed.

The author personally knew the great Armenian which was reflected on
the content of the book givining it an exceptional warmth.

Arman Navasardyan about John Heffern’s statement, `This is a
diplomatic rope-dancing’

May 10 2014

`I do not find any acceptable point, or any objective point in this
statement for me,’ such opinion was expressed by RA former Foreign
Deputy Minister, also RA Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Arman Navasardyan, in the conversation with Aravot.am, assessing the
statement of the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern regarding the
Minsk Group American Co-Chair James Warlick’s statements. Recall that
earlier today, John Heffern noted that Warlick’s statement was not an
announcement of a new policy on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue and
stressed. `He believed that it would be useful to once again repeat
the principles, the six elements that are mentioned in the documents
of the OSCE Minsk Group to refresh it for the people of Armenia and
Azerbaijan and to start a discussion on this issue. The goal was not
announcing about a new policy. The goal was to start a discussion on
the clauses of the peace agreement, so that the peoples of the two
countries would be ready for the moment, when the moment of the peace
agreement will come.’ Arman Navasardyan noted, `One could find some
rational points in Warlick’s statement on making reference to the
Helsinki Final Act, and Heffern is making a general statement within
the context of peace. Who is against peace? This is a diplomatic
statement, just a diplomatic rope-dancing.’ With regard to Warlick’s
statement, `we do not recognize Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, and I
believe people will interpret my posts correctly. There are two
sovereign countries in the region, Armenia and Azerbaijan’, Mr.
Navasardyan expressed the following opinion, `Well, what’s the matter
then¦ this is a wrong statement, we are also guilty that 10 years ago,
we somehow threw the NKR from the negotiation side to another side, we
placed it into the margin.’ Director of the Armenian Center for
Political and International Relations’, Aghasi Yenokyan, said the
following regarding the U.S. Ambassador’s statement, `I think John
Heffern’s words were one of the objectives of Warlick’s statement. The
other objective of Warlick’s statement was that they think that now
Russia will start leading discussion to its benefit and create some
kind of a condition, which they are trying to prevent.’

Tatev HARUTYUNYAN

Read more at:

Pension reform protest: Civic group conducts march in Armenia’s capital
(video)

20:46 =80¢ 08.05.14

The civic activist protesting against the controversial pension reforms
conducted Thursday evening a march in downtown Yerevan, calling for
government efforts to allow for voluntary choice in pension contributions.

The young members of the group I am Against! carried flags and banners to
the protest site as part of their awareness-raising campaign.

In an interview with Tert.am earlier today, an activist of the group, David
Manukyan, said they intend to continue the active campaign.

Addressing the protesting crowd during the march, the activist said he
doesn’t think that the government has taken any real steps to abide by the
Constitutional Court’s April 2 ruling. `Dear campaigners, have you so far
heard anything else apart from beautiful statements and promises? No. If
the authorities are not ready to realize the essence of the country’s top
constitutional tribunal, I am Against! will commit itself to that,’ he said.

The protesting activists were conducting the march singing rock songs and
chanting slogans time and again.

Pension reform protest: Civic group conducts march in Armenia’s capital (video)20:46 =80¢ 08.05.14The civic activist protesting against the controversial pension reforms conducted Thursday evening a march in downtown Yerevan, calling for government efforts to allow for voluntary choice in pension contributions.
The young members of the group I am Against! carried flags and banners
to the protest site as part of their awareness-raising campaign.In an interview with Tert.am earlier today, an activist of the group, David Manukyan, said they intend to continue the active campaign.
Addressing the protesting crowd during the march, the activist said he doesn’t think that the government has taken any real steps to abide by the Constitutional Court’s April 2 ruling. `Dear campaigners, have you so far heard anything else apart from beautiful statements and promises? No. If the authorities are not ready to realize the essence of the country’s top constitutional tribunal, I am Against! will commit itself to that,’ he said.
The protesting activists were conducting the march singing rock songs and chanting slogans time and again.

Russia Test Launches ICBM During Exercises Led by Putin

Topol ICBM launch (Archive)

© Russian Strategic Missile Forces press service
16:07 08/05/2014

MOSCOW, May 8 (RIA Novosti) ` Russia’s strategic missile forces test
launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) during a
training exercise on Thursday under the leadership of President
Vladimir Putin.

The RS-12M Topol ICBM was launched from the country’s northern
Plesetsk space center.

Prelaunch operations and the launch and flight of the missile followed
a strictly planned procedure. The Russian Ministry of Defense said the
missile struck the practice target at the Kura ballistic range in the
country’s Far East within the prescribed accuracy.

On Thursday, President Putin as Russia’s commander-in-chief held a
planned training exercise of the armed forces. The presidents of
Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member countries `
Belarus, Armenia, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan ` observed the training
process at the national defense control center.

The practice event included maneuvers of individual formations and
units of the missile troops, artillery, aircraft and air defense
systems to destroy ground forces and counter massive missile and air
strikes of a hypothetical opponent.

Another part of training focused on nuclear deterrence and countering
the opponent’s ballistic attack using the missile defense system of
the city of Moscow.

The training involved strategic bombers, ballistic submarines,
strategic purpose mobile missile systems and other aerospace defense
equipment. In addition, the training included the artillery and rocket
forces of the Southern and Central Military Districts.

Putin Showcases Russian Military Preparedness to Neighbors

© RIA Novosti. Alexey Nikolsky
16:39 08/05/2014

MOSCOW, May 8 (RIA Novosti) ` Russian strategic offensive and
defensive forces are prepared and proficient, Russian President
Vladimir Putin said Thursday after overseeing a routine drill of the
country’s armed forces.

The exercises were attended by the presidents of Belarus, Armenia,
Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

“You have all had an opportunity to witness the high level of
preparedness and cohesive action by the groups of the country’s
strategic offensive and defensive forces,” Putin told the heads of
state.

“I will underline that our army is a secure guarantee of the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country and plays a
substantial role in enforcing global and regional security,” he added.

The drill involved strategic bombers, submarine missile carriers of
the Pacific and Northern fleets, and a variety of other military
hardware.

Speaking a day ahead of the Victory Day holiday, celebrated May 9,
Putin also warned the presidents of Collective Security Treaty
Organization (CSTO) about the rise of militant nationalism in Europe,
which has led to the appearance of Nazi ideology.

The drills also included a test launch of an intercontinental
ballistic missile (ICBM), as well as exercise of Moscow’s missile
defense system to counter a hypothetical opponent’s ballistic missile
attack. The drill also involved maneuvers of formations of the missile
troops, artillery, aircraft and air defense systems in simulating the
destruction of enemy ground forces and missile and air strikes.

Earlier this week, Putin signed a bill making attempts to `whitewash
Nazism’ punishable with hefty fines and prison sentences.

The Soviet Union’s role in the Allied victory in World War II is an
important component of many Russians’ sense of pride and patriotism,
with spectacular anniversary parades and ceremonies held each year on
May 9.

Pope Francis to Armenian Catholicos: Blood of martyrs is seed of unity

18:32 08.05.2014

Pope Francis received the Patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church,
Catholicos Karekin II, on Thursday at the Vatican. The Catholicos is
in Rome on a three-day visit that concludes on May 9. In remarks
prepared for the occasion, Pope Francis recalled Pope St. John Paul
II’s 2001 visit to Armenia, and the many other visits the Catholicos
has made to Rome and to the Popes in the Vatican, especially his 2008
visit to Pope Benedict XVI and his participation in the inauguration
of Pope Francis’ own pontificate.

The Holy Father went on to recall Catholicos Karekin’s participation
in the Jubilee year commemoration of the Witnesses to the Faith of the
20th century.

`In truth,’ said Pope Francis, `the number of disciples who shed their
blood for Christ in the tragic events of the last century is certainly
superior to that of the martyrs of the first centuries, and in this
martyrology, the children of the Armenian nation have a place of
honor.’ Pope Francis went on to say, `The mystery of the Cross,
Holiness, so dear to the memory of your people, represented in the
splendid stone crosses that adorn every corner of your land, has been
lived by countless of your children as a direct participation in the
chalice of the Passion.’ `Their testimony,’ he continued, `at once
high and tragic, must not be forgotten.’

Pope Francis went on to say that the suffering endured by Christians
in recent decades has brought a unique and inestimable contribution
also to the cause of Christian unity.

`As in the ancient Church, the blood of the martyrs became the seed of
new Christians,’ said Pope Francis, `so in our day the blood of many
Christians has become the seed of unity.’ The Pope continued, saying,
`The ecumenism of suffering and the ecumenism of martyrdom, the
ecumenism of blood is a powerful call to journey along the road of
reconciliation among the Churches, with decision and with trusting
abandonment to the action of the Spirit.’ Pope Francis said, `We feel
the duty to go down this road of fraternity, also because of the debt
of gratitude we owe to the suffering of our brothers, which has become
salvific because it has been united to the passion of Christ.’

Remarks of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos
of All Armenians On the Occasion of the Meeting with His Holiness
Francis, Bishop of Rome and Pope of the Roman Catholic Church

Your Holiness and Beloved Brother in Christ,

We offer thanks to the Most High, that through His merciful will and
Your Holiness’ kind hospitality, we once again enjoy the opportunity
to renew the divine love between our Churches and our brotherhood with
an embrace of Christian love; and standing before the imperatives of
the present time, to strengthen the collaboration between our
Churches. Today, with a joyful heart, we greet you with the words of
the Psalmist, `Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to
dwell together in unity.’ Psalm 132:1.

Our memories of your enthronement ceremonies remain fresh, where we
were present together with the president of the Republic of Armenia
and representatives of our Sister Churches, and experienced the
opportunity to pray for longevity and a fruitful reign for Your
Holiness. A prolific time has passed since that memorable day. We
have followed with happiness the multifaceted activities of Your
Holiness, who with divine vigor, as the brave chief shepherd and with
diligent dedication, is realizing his mission and increasing labors
for the benefit of the vibrancy, welfare and reformation of the
Catholic Church; and also contributes greatly to the reinforcement of
the Christian faith and spiritual-moral values throughout the entire
world, the defense of human rights, and the establishment of harmony
and peace on earth. Your Holiness’ special attention to the youth,
and your care for the poor and those in trouble, have resounded
greatly in the souls of men, and strengthens the love for you and
toward Christ’s Holy Church. Our Church too, ancient and established
by the Holy Apostles, having shaken off the Soviet, God-denying years,
and filled with new energy is accomplishing the God-commanded mission
in Armenia ` the biblical land of Ararat; and in Artsakh ` the
Republic of Nagorno Karabagh ` that is struggling to secure
recognition of its right to live free and independent; and in the life
of our people dispersed throughout the various countries of the world.
The Armenian Church places great importance and attention on working
with the youth, to educate the young generation in spiritual and moral
values, to supporting the poor, and to dealing with the contemporary
challenges facing mankind, in accord with the holy inheritance of our
fathers and the holy commandments of the Gospel.

It is with contentment we reflect that as we triumph over the many
challenges facing the Church, we have been able to record positive
examples of cooperation with the Catholic Church. Indeed, the
relationships between the Armenian and Catholic Churches have their
historical roots. Our bilateral relations have been significantly
effective during the reigns of Armenian Church pontiffs of luminous
memory Gregory III Pahlavuni and St Nerses the Graceful, as well as
the times of Popes Innocent II and Anastasius IV. And today as well,
with thanks to God, relations are living an era of mutual development.
Our relations are nourished by the reciprocal visits of the heads of
our Churches, and on the diocesan and parochial levels, through
inter-church activities and the realization of concurrent educational
and charitable programs. Young Armenian clergy, who have continued
their educations in Catholic institutions of higher learning, today
are providing their selfless service to the Armenian Church. We place
importance on the ongoing theological dialogue between the Ancient
(Oriental) Orthodox Churches and the Catholic Church, whose goal is to
elevate our commonalities and the reinforcement of our bilateral
relationships.

Dear Brother in Christ, our meeting today is symbolic, since on May 8
and 9, many nations and states commemorate the victory over the
worldwide evil of fascism. Humanity, which has experienced the
destructions and violence of two world wars in the 20th century, is
still unable to free itself from the horrors of wars, humanitarian and
environmental disasters, and political and economic crises. Today in
different corners of the world, conflicts have erupted, which bring
sorrow and suffering to men, dispense ruin and loss, and increase need
and poverty. In our daily prayers are the people in those countries
who find themselves in conflict, and in particular, Ukraine, the
Middle East and Syria, which is among the cradles of Christianity, and
for centuries was a dwelling place of peaceful coexistence for Muslim
and Christian peoples.

Recently added to the horrors occurring Syria was the destruction and
removal of Armenians in the primarily Armenian-populated village of
Kessab by militant extremists with the assistance of Turkey. We
strongly condemn conflicts and terrorism that disrupt the peace of the
world, and which are thoroughly against the will of God, as the
Apostle says, `For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.’
1 Corinthians 4:33.

In Syria, in the deserts of Der Zor, rest thousands of Armenians who
were victims of the 20th century’s first crime against of humanity `
the Armenian Genocide. Syria gave refuge to the sons and daughters of
the Armenians who survived the terrors. The saying is true that those
who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. Regrettably,
by not condemning the Genocide of the Armenians at the time, the world
bore witness to yet another crime that was implemented during the
Second World War against the Jewish people. And still fresh in our
memories are the genocides in Sudan and Darfur¦

We are well aware that Your Holiness, during the years of your tenure
in Argentina, and also now as the Pontiff of the Catholic Church, has
presented your clear position on the Armenian Genocide. Next year,
the Armenian people in Armenia and the Dispersion will commemorate the
100th anniversary of the Genocide of the Armenians. Dear Brother in
Christ, we invite Your Holiness to visit the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin in 2015. It will be spiritually consoling for our sons
and daughters to stand in united prayer with Your Holiness’ in the
Mother Cathedral of the Descent of the Only Begotten, to offer
supplications up to Almighty God for the innocent victims of the
Genocide, for peace on earth and the wellbeing of mankind.

With feelings of boundless consolation, we also inform you that our
Holy Church has commenced on the path of canonization of the martyrs
of the Armenian Genocide, and by the merciful will of God, the process
will be completed by 2015.

We pray to God, to grant long years of sun-filled reign to Your
Holiness, for the vibrancy of the Catholic Church and the prosperity
of your faithful flock. May the Lord keep His Holy Church strong with
countless graces, keep the brotherhood between our Churches strong,
and grant a cloudless and tranquil sky over the entire earth and the
whole of mankind.

`Lead us, O Lord our God, and teach us to walk your path in
righteousness; keep our life in peace, and our course according to
Your will. Amen’ Armenian Book of Hours (Breviary).