Author: Kalantarian Kevo

WORLD BANK APPROVES $21.2 MILLION CREDIT FOR SOCIAL PROTECTION ADMINISTRATION II PROJECT (SPAP) IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, March 25, /ARKA/. The World Bank Group’s Board of Executive
Directors approved March 24 a$21.2 million credit for the Social
Protection Administration II Project (SPAP) in Armenia.

The project will support the Government of Armenia in improving social
protection service delivery and strengthening analytical, monitoring
and evaluation functions of the agencies delivering social protection
benefits and services, the World Bank Office in Armenia reported.

It said in a press release that ‘Armenia has consistently reformed
its social service delivery, emphasizing efficiency and targeting
among other priorities. These efforts need further enhancement to cope
with the protracted and high unemployment, poverty and vulnerability
which disproportionately affect women. In response to the challenges,
Armenia has chosen a model of functional integration of four existing
agencies responsible for pensions, social assistance, employment and
disability certification.

Under the first SPAP, the above service providers were co-located,
with upgraded facilities, integrated management information system,
and new case management procedures in 19 sites across the country.

Under the new project, this model will be rolled-out to another 37
Integrated Social Protection Centers. The activities, from civil
works to furniture and IT equipment with software provision, as
well as trainings and on-the-job mentoring along with a proactive
communication with the public, will ensure the fully operational
nature of the centers, delivering high quality services tailored to
the needs of the beneficiaries.

“With the introduction of the integrated social services delivery
model and new case management practices, Armenia has made substantial
improvements in how the social protection system functions,” says
Jean-Michel Happi, World Bank Country Manager for Armenia.

“The main beneficiaries of the project will be vulnerable children,
women and men, including senior citizens, who face multiple and
complex livelihood challenges and are usually furthest away from the
labor market.”

Among beneficiaries, this project will also target registered
unemployed and employers by promoting employment intermediation and
employer-employee matching, and thereby increasing labour market
efficiency and job opportunities.

Implementation of the Government’s New Employment Strategy will
come in a number of ways, such as by capacity building of the state
employment agency via trainings and modernised IT infrastructure,
expanding career orientation through skills tailored distance learning
programs. It is expected that about 1400 men and women will equally
benefit from this orientation program, along with 700 being enrolled
in Youth without Education and Skills Program.

The project will finance an integrated system of monitoring and
evaluation of social protection benefits and services, targeting
over 70 different programs. This would enable the Ministry of Labor
and Social Issues to directly manage the beneficiary feedback,
specifically collecting information on quality of delivered services.

“Vulnerable families often have incomplete information about available
services and may find it particularly challenging to adequately choose
the items that would maximize their well-being,” says Ivan Drabek,
World Bank Task Team Leader of the project.

“Nevertheless, we are convinced that through this project the needs
of each family member will be adequately addressed and services will
be delivered in a coordinated and coherent way.”

In addition, the project will support the State Social Security Service
in improving and upgrading its core business processes. A risk-based
fraud-and-error supervision software and system along with improved
human resource management capacity, such as central payment services
for the integrated social delivery system, will be developed and made
fully operational. In addition, it is expected that by the end of
the project the average time required for processing a pension case
would decrease by 3 times.

Total financing of the project is US$25.5 million, of which US$4.3
million will be the Government’s contribution. The World Bank credit
of US$21.2 million will be provided on standard blend IDA terms at
a fixed interest rate of 1.25% per annum with a maturity of 25 years
and a 5 year grace period.

Since joining the World Bank in 1992 and IDA in 1993, the commitments
to Armenia total approximately US$ 1,839.06 million. -0-

– See more at:

TENNESSEE PANEL REJECTS PRO-AZERBAIJAN MEASURE

By Contributor // March 25, 2014

State Legislators Defeat Bill that Undermines the Right to
Self-Determination of the People of Nagorno Karabakh

NASHVILLE, Tenn.–A key committee of the Tennessee House of
Representatives rejected, today, an anti-Armenian resolution initiated
by pro-Azerbaijan forces, once again dealing a serious setback to
Baku’s efforts to undermine the independence of the Republic of
Nagorno Karabakh, reported Armenian National Committee of America –
Eastern Region (ANCA-ER).

ANC TN leader Bearj Barsoumian with TN State Government Committee
Member Rep. Richard Floyd

HR 145 lead sponsor Representative Joe Towns (D) introduced a motion
to move the resolution forward, but none of his committee colleagues
offered a second in support. Committee Chairman Ryan Haynes declared
the motion failed. Tennessee becomes the fourth state in less than
two months to reject deeply flawed pro-Azerbaijan measures, joining
Hawaii, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

“We welcome today’s decision by the Tennessee House of Representatives
State Government Committee to stand strong against the Azerbaijani
Government’s efforts to mislead state legislators about the good
people of Nagorno Karabakh and their commitment to peace,” said Steve
Mesrobian, ANCA Eastern Region Board member. “We are particularly
proud of ANC Tennessee and Armenian American activists throughout the
state, who spoke forcefully in support the rights of our brothers and
sisters in Artsakh. We look forward to broadening our relationship
with Tennessee legislators and find areas of cooperation on a broad
range of Armenian American concerns. ”

In the weeks leading up to committee consideration of the measure, ANC
Tennessee leader Bearj Barsoumian rallied Armenian Americans throughout
the state to oppose the resolution, with activists meeting with over a
dozen state legislators, educating them about the Republics of Armenia
and Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan’s ongoing blockade and aggression
against the historically Christian states. In many cases, Tennessee
Armenians traveled for over two hours from around the state to share
their concerns with Tennessee House leaders, including Majority Leader
Gerald McCormick (R), Minority Leader Craig FitzHugh (D-TN), State
Government Committee Chairman Ryan A. Haynes (R) and Vice-Chairwoman
Sheila Butt (R), Committee members Johnny Shaw (D), Deborah Moody (R),
Bob Ramsey (R), Billy Spivey (R), Richard Floyd (R), Mike Carter (R),
and other legislators including Rep. Rick Womack (R). Several of the
activists attending the meetings, including Erik Grigoryan, fled the
1990 Baku pogroms, and have found safe-haven in the state of Tennessee.

ANC Tennessee leader Bearj Barsoumian with TN State Government
Committee member Rep. Deborah Moody

Tennessee ANC and community members also met with the lead sponsor
of HR 145, Rep. Joe Towns (D), shared stories of the horrors of the
Baku pogroms and urged him to reconsider his support for the bill. Rep.

Towns refused, paving the way for a Committee defeat of the measure.

“Today’s vote was proof-positive that our democracy is not for sale,
as our legislators joined with those in Hawaii, South Dakota, and
Wyoming in standing up for truth and against Azerbaijani dictator Ilham
Aliyev’s campaign to export anti-Armenian hatred to our shores,” said
ANC Tennessee leader Bearj Barsoumian. “It was particularly inspiring
to work with the broad range of Armenian American grassroots advocates
here in The Volunteer State and across the country-all bound by a
deep commitment to Artsakh freedom.”

Upon the January introduction of the measure, the ANCA-ER issued an
action alert urging Tennessee advocates to speak out against HR 145.

In the days leading up to the Committee vote, the ANCA-ER reached out
to all members of the Tennessee House of Representatives cautioning
them about any affiliation with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s
brutal dictatorship.

The ANCA-ER noted a disturbing pattern of activity, where “to win over
U.S. legislators and clean up its image, last year alone, Azerbaijan
spent huge sums of money flying former Obama Administration officials
like David Plouffe, Jim Messina and Robert Gibbs and over 150 U.S.

legislators-including some from Tennessee-on expensive junkets to
its capital, Baku.”

ANC Tennessee leader Bearj Barsoumian with Rep. Joe Carr and activist
Erik Grigoryan.

Tennessee news outlets, including Knoxnews.com and News Channel 5,
reported extensively about these free trips to Azerbaijan, questioning
the reasoning behind them.

The ANCA also shared research done by the ANCA Western Region Near
East Relief Committee, which showed the important role Tennessee
played in assisting survivors of the Armenian Genocide as part of
a United States-wide humanitarian campaign. A fact sheet regarding
Tennessee’s generosity of spirit is available here.

GALLUP SURVEY IN ARMENIA FINDS THAT OVER 88 % OF RESPONDENTS DO NOT SUPPORT NEW MANDATORY PENSION SCHEME

YEREVAN, March 25. / ARKA /. A Gallup International Association’s
public opinion survey in Armenia has found that over 88 % of
respondents in Yerevan do not support a new mandatory pension scheme
that took effect on January 1.

The findings of the survey were unveiled today by the head of Gallup
International Association office in Armenia Gayane Dajunts.

The survey conducted from February 13-28 involved 1,066 adult residents
of the Armenian capital. She said some 87 percent of respondents who
spoke against the new pension scheme were people aged 18-40.

Incidentally, 88.8 percent of respondents who did not support the
reform were jobless, she said.

Gayane Dajunts said 34.3 % of respondents did not support the reform,
because they had no guarantees that they would get back their savings
when they retire; 32.9 % did not trust the government, 27.3 % thought
a 5 % contribution was large enough, 18.8 % said they did not trust
pension funds selected by the government to manage their savings,
18.4 % were against the mandatory scheme and 17.6 % had no trust in
the pension system.

The survey found that 82.8 % of respondents were aware that the
controversial law was challenged by parliamentary minority at the
Constitutional Court which will rule on the matter on March 28.

Some 59.0 % of respondents believed that the Court would rule in
favor of preserving the pension scheme, 20.1 % said the Court would
suspend its enforcement. Some 85.7 % of respondents who were against
the new pension law said they participated in protest actions.

Dajunts said the findings of the survey may be sent to the government
and the Constitutional Court. -0-

– See more at:

ENVIRONMENTALISTS HOLDING PROTECT AT A MAJOR MINING CONFERENCE IN YEREVAN

YEREVAN, March 25. /ARKA/. Dozens of environmental activists are
holding a protest outside Armenia Mariott Hotel in the center of
Yerevan where a conference on mining industry is taking place arranged
by the World Bank and the Armenian government.

The conference is supported also by the EBRD, the IMF, embassies of
the USA, Great Britain and Germany and the Canadian government.

Armenia’s premier Tigran Sargsyan was expected, but may not come to
the conference.

A group of environmentalists managed to get into the conference hall
holding “World Bank Takes Part in Robbing Armenia”, “Hands Off from
Armenia”, “We Know Who Are the Owners of the Mines”. Protesters were
offering glasses of water from Armenia’s reservoirs to participants,
Novosti-Armenia reported. -0–

– See more at:

PERFORMANCE IN CANADA TO CELEBRATE CHARLES AZNAVOUR’S 90TH BIRTHDAY

17:51 25.03.2014

Canada, Charles Aznavour

On Charles Aznavour’s 90th birthday the “Necessary Angel Theatre
Company” will stage a performance in Toronto, Canada, dedicated to
the world-known singer’s life and work.

On this occasion a special reception was organized in Toronto at the
initiative of the Armenian Embassy in Canada. Attending the event
were Charles Aznavour, Armenian Ambassador to Canada Armen Yeganian,
culture and public figures.

The initial version of the performance was presented at the event.

SYRIAN REBELS SEIZE COASTAL AREA

Syrian rebels have seized control of sea access for the first time
since the uprising began in March 2011

25 MARCH 2014

Syrian rebels have seized control of a tourist site by the Turkish
border that allowed them a small foothold by the Mediterranean for the
first time since the uprising erupted against president Bashar Assad,
activists say.

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The reported capture of the seaside strip known as Samra came after
rebels severed one of the Assad government’s last links to the Turkish
border by seizing the Kassab crossing and a predominantly Armenian
Christian town of the same name on Sunday.

It provides a boost for opposition fighters who were pushed out of
key parts of the Syrian border with Lebanon over the past few weeks.

This is the first time rebels have had any sea access since the
uprising began in March 2011, said an activist who uses the name Abu
Salah al-Haffawi and Rami Abdurrahman of the British-based Syrian
Observatory for Human Rights, which has a network of activists on
the ground.

The tourist strip, Samra, straddles the Syria-Turkey border. The
Turkish government has allowed Syrian rebels to ship in aid, weapons
and men through its border crossing. Still, Samra has no port, and
Syrian military aircraft are likely to bomb rebels trying to use any
sea passage.

There was no government confirmation of Samra’s capture.

A video uploaded to social networks showed a group of rebels by
the sea, some sitting on rocks and raising their guns. “This is the
village of Samra, under the rule of rebels,” said the narrator of
the video. “This is the first sea access on the Mediterranean.”

Activists say the rebels are from the Ansar al-Sham rebel group.

Rebels also seized a nearby mountainous point known as Observatory 45,
said the facility.

Fighting was still raging through the area today.

Syrian military aircraft flew four sorties and bombed Kassab, with
rising smoke from the bombs visible from the Turkish border crossing
of Yayladagi, according to private Turkish news agency Dogan.

Since yesterday, more than 80 wounded Syrians have been taken across
the border into Turkey for treatment and nine of them died, the news
agency said.

Meanwhile, pro-Assad forces took control over the nearby Niser hills,
the Syrian-state run news agency SANA said. Rebels had previously
occupied the area, activists say.

Rebels launched their offensive on Friday in Latakia province, the
ancestral home of the Assad family and a stronghold of his minority
Alawite sect, a Shiite offshoot that is one of the main pillars of
support for his rule.

SYRIAN MP: KESAB EVENTS ARE CONTINUATION OF OTTOMAN EMPIRE’S POLICY BY ITS DESCENDANTS

Tuesday, March 25, 19:04

The Kesab events are the continuation of the policy of the Ottoman
Empire by its descendants, Syrian MP Makhlouf says on his Facebook
page.

He has posted two photos of Armenian Genocide victims to remind
the Turks what their ancestors did. “Cutting heads, burying in
common graves, terrorism and radicalism – this is what inspires the
descendants of the Ottomans,” the Syrian MP says.

The Al-Nusra and Islamic Front terrorist groups have attacked Kesab
since Mar 21. Syrian government forces and Armenian self-defenders are
rebuffing the attacks, while Turkey is supporting the attackers. On
Sunday the Turkish air forces shot down a Syrian military jet that
was pursuing a group of terrorists.

TWO THOUSAND KESSAB ARMENIANS FIND SAFETY IN LATAKIA (UPDATE)

By Weekly Staff // March 23, 2014

International and Local organizations providing support

LATAKIA, Syria (A.W.)–A delegation of priest from the Catholicosate of
Cilicia who had visited Latakia to assess the needs of Kessab Armenians
and express solidarity returned to Antelias after the Sunday Badarak.

Badarak in Latakia on Sunday

Rebels in Kessab

According to the delegation, the local Armenian community, the
International Red Cross, and the Red Crescent are providing assistance
to those who have sought refuge in the city. An estimated 2,000 Kessab
Armenians are currently in Latakia.

“Many Armenian families are staying with relatives and friends, while
others have sought refuge in the Armenian Church and the church’s
hall,” said Syrian Armenian community activist Nerses Sarkissian
during a phone interview with Weekly editor Khatchig Mouradian.

“The Aleppo Armenian Prelacy as well as the Red Crescent are providing
relief and assistance to these families in Latakia,” Sarkissian added.

Extremist fighters engage in robbery and desecration

The fighters, mostly from the extremist Nusra Front, who have entered
Kessab are desecrating churches, pillaging houses, and destroying
government buildings, Sarkissian told the Weekly. A few Syrian
Armenians have been unable to leave Kessab, and their fate is unclear,
he added.

Sarkissian underlined that the fighters came from the Turkish side
of the border and are receiving support from the Turkish military. He
noted that the injured among them are being transported back to Turkey
to receive medical attention.

Assad ‘reassures’ Aram Catholicos

Syria’s ambassador to Lebanon visited Catholicos Aram I in Antelias
on March 22, conveying to him Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s
assurances that peace will be restored in Kessab.

A delegation of priests left Antelias for Latakia on March 23 to
assess needs and express the Catholicosate’s solidarity with the
displaced population of Kessab.

Turkey downs Syrian fighter jet

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed reports that
the Turkish military had shot down Syrian fighter jet. The fighter
jet crashed in Kessab. According to Ankara, it came under fire after
crossing the Turkish border.

Meanwhile, clashes continued. “According to a military source, units
of the armed forces have since morning been directing fatal strikes
to the terrorist groups which infiltrated the border from Turkey in
Kassab area, inflicting heavy losses upon them,” reported the Syrian
Arab News Agency (SANA) on March 23.

Perched in the northwestern corner of Syria, near the border with
Turkey, Kessab had, until very recently, evaded major battles between
the army and rebels. Many Syrians had taken refuge there because of
the relative calm in the area over the past three years.

SHELL FALLS ON ARMENIAN’S APARTMENT FLAT IN ALEPPO

March 25, 2014 | 11:03

ALEPPO. – Seven missiles and shells fell, on Monday at 4:30pm, in the
predominantly Armenian-populated Nor Kiugh district of Aleppo, Syria.

The shells fell on the houses and the roofs of buildings, the Aleppo
press office informed.

As a result, a young Armenian and a girl as well as a mother and a
son were injured.

Nothing specific has been reported on any casualties.

The Holy Trinity (Zvartnots) Armenian Catholic Church was one of the
missile targets, and the missile exploded on the church dome.

Separately, a shell fell on the apartment flat of an Armenian, and
it started a fire. The Armenian youth put out the fire before the
arrival of the fire trucks.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION LEAVES FOR LATAKIA

17:51 25/03/2014 ” POLITICS

Speaker of Armenian National Assembly Hovik Abrahamyan has confirmed
that a parliamentary delegation has left for Latakia. The delegation
includes Republican MPs Samvel Farmanyan, Levon Martirosyan, Arman
Sahakyan and Naira Karapetyan, Heritage MP Tevan Poghosyan and
independent MP Edmon Marukyan.

According to Hovik Abrahamyan, the MPs will familiarize themselves
with the situation on the spot and present it to the National Assembly
upon their return.