Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Armenia’s cumulative-pension-opposing movement to continue fighting

January 25, 2014 | 13:57

YEREVAN. – The Armenian Constitutional Court’s (CC) suspension of the
implementation of a part of the Law on Cumulative Pensions is solely
the start of the triumph.

Davit Manukyan, initiative member of the `I am Against’
cumulative-pension-opposing movement, stated the aforesaid at a pores
conference on Saturday.

`It should be understood that only two points are suspended [in the
law], and the mandatory component [in the law] is still in force. The
fight must be continued, and at greater strength,’ Manukyan added.

In turn, civil initiative member Mane Tandilyan noted that the CC
suspended the provisions which can no longer be reinstated.

The initiative members also informed that they have decided to
continue the fight, and that protest marches will be held and numerous
actions will be taken in capital city Yerevan and in the regions of
Armenia, alike.

`We will take radical measures before March 28, or if the
Constitutional Court’s decision is not to our liking,’ the movement
members added.

The CC on Friday decided to suspend the execution of the some
components of the Law on Cumulative Pensions pending the end of
hearing of the petition into the constitutionality of the several
articles of the law.

The aforementioned court hearing is scheduled for March 28.

The participants in the `Against the Mandatory Pension Component’
rally, which was held on January 18 in capital city Yerevan, had
adopted a statement and authorized to relay, to the Constitutional
Court, the statement of the persons who are authorized to submit to
the CC the aforementioned petition by 36 MPs.

Well-known people from the Armenian show business, cinema, and radio
have joined the `We are Against the Mandatory Pension’ civil movement.

The new cumulative pension plan, which formally came into force in
Armenia on January 1, 2014, is mandatory for those born in and after
1974 and voluntary for those born before 1974. In line with this plan,
5 to 10 percent of the monthly salaries in Armenia will be deducted
and mandatorily be allocated to cumulative pension funds; the latter
will be reimbursed as pensions once a person turns 63 years old.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

Armenia FM informs Minsk Group Co-Chairs about Azerbaijani provocations

January 25, 2014 | 01:33

YEREVAN. – Foreign Affairs Minister of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian,
held a private talk in Paris with the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

Nalbandian drew the Co-Chairs’ attention to the significant increase,
by Azerbaijan, in tension at its border with Armenia and the line of
contact with Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan’s blatant violation of the
ceasefire agreement, and this country’s belligerent statements that
contain territorial claims from Armenia.

The Armenian FM stressed that all the aforesaid reduces the prospects
for the settlement of the Karabakh conflict and achieving piece, and
it disregards the co-chairing countries’ (Russia, USA, France)
leaders’ calls to refrain from statements and actions that could
increase regional tension and result in the escalation of the
situation, the Armenian MFA press service informs.

In this context, Edward Nalbandian underscored the implementation of
the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ initiatives aimed at strengthening the
ceasefire agreement, and as a possible mechanism for the prevention of
provocations.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

Body of Serhiy Nigoyan is taken to Dnipropetrovsk

January 25, 2014 | 00:53

The body of Serhiy Nigoyan, who was killed at EuroMaidan, was handed
over to his parents.

Nigoyan’s parents are transferring their son’s body to Dnipropetrovsk,
where he will be laid to rest on Sunday.

The requiem service for Nigoyan will be held on Saturday,
AnalitikaUA.net reports.

One of those killed, as a result of Wednesday’s clashes in Ukrainian
capital city Kyiv, was an Armenian by the name of Serhiy Nigoyan, who
was a Ukrainian citizen. Nigoyan was shot in the neck and in the head.
The 20-year-old was from the City of Dnipropetrovsk. The young
Armenian was dreaming of becoming a professional athlete.

L’ARMENIE AUX J.O. DE SOTCHI
L’Arménie présente avec 4 sportifs aux Jeux Olympiques de Sotchi

Gaguik Sarkissian, le secrétaire général de la Fédération arménienne
de ski a informé que 4 skieurs représenteront l’Arménie aux Jeux
Olympiques d’hiver à Sotchi (Russie). Il s’agit de Sergueï Mikaélian,
Artur Yeghoyan, Katia Galstian et d’Arman Serebrakian. Sergueï
Mikaélian et Artur Yeghoyan avaient déjà obtenu leur visa olympique
lors des compétitions de qualification. La Fédération internationale
de ski ayant décerné également à l’Arménie, deux places
supplémentaires pour les J.O. de Sotchi. C’est Katia Galstian et Arman
Serebrakian qui ont obtenu ces visas au regard des performances
réalisées lors des championnats d’Arménie qui se sont déroulés du 13
au 16 janvier à Dzarghatsor. L’Arménie devra officiellement présenter
pour confirmer le nom des ces quatre skieurs avant le 27 janvier à la
Fédération internationale de ski.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 25 janvier 2014,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

COMMUNAUTE-CANNES
Suzy Parakian, nouvelle présidente de l’Union des Arméniens de Cannes
et des environs

Le conseil d’administration de l’Union des Arméniens de Cannes et des
environs a élu lors de sa dernière assemblée générale du 15 janvier,
Suzy Parakian présidente de l’association. Suzy Parakian remplacera
ainsi à ce poste le regretté Gaspard Kayadjanian disparu le 9 novembre
dernier.

La nouvelle présidente a affiché ses objectifs « prendre le relais et
continuer la trace de Gaspard en m’entourant de forces vives et en
intégrant les jeunes. « Je serai une présidente de transition après le
départ de notre ami Gaspard. Je serai en quelque sorte le relais ou le
trait-d’union entre les anciens et les nouveaux » dit-elle. Suzy
Parakian mettra également en place des actions telles que la
préparation du 100e anniversaire du génocide arménien en collaboration
avec la Ville de Cannes pour 2015. Avec au programme, expositions,
conférences, manifestations culturelles et artistiques « afin de
donner à cet évènement la place qu’il mérite » et de« dynamiser la
communauté arménienne ». La lutte pour une loi de pénalisation du
négationnisme du génocide arménien est également au programme des
actions futures de l’Union des Arméniens de Cannes. Un nouveau bureau
s’est constitué. Autour de Suzy Parakian (président), sont membres
Harout Ainejian et Albert Babikian (vice-présidents), Yasmine Alfieri
(secrétaire générale), Georges Elkeletian (secrétaire adjoint), ainsi
que Jacques Mangassian et Lucien Kayadjanian (membres du bureau).

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 25 janvier 2014,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

Atom Egoyan on Devil’s Knot and the murky waters of morality

CBC Radio
Q Blog
Thursday, January 23, 2014

Q with Jian Ghomeshi

Listen to the interview here:

Jian speaks with Canadian director Atom Egoyan about Devil’s Knot, his
feature film about the infamous “West Memphis Three” and the unsolved
murder of three young boys. Egoyan explains his fascination with the
unknown, the unsettling complexity of human nature, and how we deal
with our desire for revenge.

Egoyan comes to Q at a busy time. The release of Devil’s Knot
coincides with the debut of his take on the classic opera Cosi Fan
Tutte. The colourful and comedic production is a world away from his
work on the grittier film.

“It is very strange to be talking about Devil’s Knot and Cosi Fan
Tutte in the same interview,” he said. “There couldn’t be two more
opposite works.”

Photo Caption: Canadian director Atom Egoyan, a pleasant guy by all
accounts, isn’t afraid to explore the dark side (Jean-Paul
Pelissier/Reuters).

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

His Holiness Aram I Presides over the meeting of The Council of Religion

Antelias – On Thursday 23 January, Catholicos Aram I presided over the
one-day meeting of the Council of Religion. The Council consists of 13
clergy including Diocesan Bishops.

The Council met for the first time since the last National Assembly of the
Catholicosate and its task was to study the recommendations and plan for
their implementation. The priorities included: Christian education, Sunday
schools, religious publications, youth, ecumenical and interreligious
activities, reformation of the Armenian Church (Bishops conferences, Rites
and Classification of Saints), Seminary and planning for the Assembly of the
Clergy in April 2014, The Armenian Church University Students Association
(ACUSA) and ACUSA Alumni Association.

The members of the Council also studied carefully issues referred to them
by the dioceses. The Council identified Christian education and youth as
top priorities for their next mandate.

Catholicos Aram I concluded the meeting and reminded the members that the
mandate of the Council for Religion was wider than the term religion. It
meant discussing progrmmes that reflected the vocation of the church and its
outreach to the community. Implementation of those priorities depended on
the contextual environment of the Dioceses. Nevertheless, bringing the youth
closer to the Church was the priority for all the clergy. The Church must be
capable of accompanying the youth who were exposed to new types of knowledge
and to new approaches to learning. This awareness would also lead the Church
to reassess its own mission and outreach.
##

TURQUIE : LA DEMANDE DE REMISE EN LIBERTE DE L’EX-PATRON DE L’ARMEE REJETEE

procès-armee-Turquie-politique

(AFP) – Un tribunal turc a refuse mardi la remise en liberte de
l’ancien chef de l’armee turque, le general Ilker Basbug, qui purge
une peine de prison a vie pour complot contre le gouvernement,
contrairement aux requisitions du parquet, ont rapporte les medias
turcs.

Cette decision est la première rendue par la justice turque depuis
que le Premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan s’est declare favorable
a un nouveau procès pour des centaines d’officiers, dont le general
Basbug, condamnes en 2012 et 2013.

Pour la première fois, le procureur charge du dossier avait requis la
remise en liberte de l’ancien officier et son placement sous contrôle
judiciaire, estimant qu’il devait etre tenu compte de “la personnalite
et la situation sociale” de l’interesse.

Depuis un mois, M. Erdogan accuse ses ex-allies de la confrerie du
predicateur musulman Fethullah Gulen d’avoir infiltre la police et la
justice pour manipuler plusieurs enquetes sur la corruption visant des
proches du pouvoir, afin de le destabiliser a la veille des elections
municipales de mars et presidentielle d’août 2014.

Fin decembre, l’armee turque a profite de ce conflit dans la majorite
islamo-conservatrice au pouvoir depuis 2002 pour introduire une requete
en revision des procès des deux affaires baptisees “Marteau-pilon”
et “Ergenekon”.

L’etat-major turc a argue dans ces demandes du fait que les preuves
utilisees contre les militaires avaient ete fabriquees.

Les declarations de M. Erdogan en faveur d’une revision des deux procès
ont suggere un changement de son attitude vis-a-vis de l’armee, qu’il
s’etait jusque-la efforce d’ecarter de la vie politique, a coups de
purges et de procès.

L’armee turque a, depuis 1960, fait trois coups d’Etat et contraint
un gouvernement a la demission.

jeudi 23 janvier 2014, Stephane ©armenews.com

ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF UKRAINE NEVER CALLED TO REVENGE FOR SERGEY NIGOYAN

19:29, 23 January, 2014

YEREVAN, JANUARY 22, ARMENPRESS. Two days after the death of Armenian
activist Sergey Nigoyan during the clashes in Kiev, a note appeared in
Facebook social network asserting that the Armenian community starts
hunting the murderer. As reports “Armenpress” citing Komsomolskaya
Pravda (“Komsomol Truth”), the note stated that the Armenian community
of Ukraine targets to find the man, who is responsible for Sergey’s
death, and as if it was suggested to call the operation Nemesis II.

The note was made by Mikayel Karapetyan (resident in Kiev), who stated
that he had already removed the note, as it was distorted. “I was just
very grieved at the murder of my compatriot and I wrote that I want
the murderers to be found. But there was nothing about ‘hunting’,”
Mikayel noted. In addition Karapetyan underscored that there could
be people, who tried to use his words for their own goals.

The Union of Armenians of Ukraine also stated that they do not have
and don’t want to have anything in common with such calls.

The Executive Director of the Union of Armenians of Ukraine Ashot
Marutyan underscored: “We have sent a query to the Ministry of Internal
Affairs telling them to find the circumstances of Sergey Nigoyan’s
death. We are out of politics and want an objective examination.”

Previously it was reported that the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
to Ukraine confirmed the news on death of Armenian Sergey Nikoyan
in Kiev. “The Ukrainian Truth” newspaper stated citing its sources
that the protestor, who died during the clashes in Grushevsky Street,
was an Armenian. Among other things the newspaper reported that he
was one of Euromaidan’s activists and died because of the gunshot
wounds he received in the area of his neck and head.

Violent clashes between anti-government protesters and police continued
in the center of Ukraine’s capital, Kiev, overnight into Tuesday.

Demonstrators have been rallying since the weekend in defiance of
new laws that limit the right to protest.

The Interior Ministry said Tuesday that more than 30 protesters had
been detained and 119 police officers injured since Sunday afternoon,
when the clashes began.

The city health care department reported 122 injured and 50
hospitalized. The number injured is probably higher, as many people
reportedly turn to medical volunteers for help rather than official
services for fear of consequences. Protest organizers said those
treated in hospitals are questioned by police and registered as
participants of mass protests, which may lead to arrest and criminal
charges.

Protesters and police have accused each other of violence.

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT APPROVES ROADMAP FOR ENTRY INTO CUSTOMS UNION

Thursday,
January
23

At the session held today, the Armenian government approved the
schedule of measures (‘roadmap’) for Armenia’s accession to the Customs
Union and the Common Economic Space of Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus.

The issue was also discussed at the working consultation yesterday,
Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said. In particular, the
matter concerns the documents’ editing. “It is important that all
the translations of the texts be as correct as possible because the
terms in the documents we are going to approve will be taken as a
basis later. So I want to ask the ministries of justice and economy
to pay great attention to the terms so that the Russian and Armenian
versions will correspond to each other,” the prime minister said.

He reminded those present that there were discrepancies between some
terms during yesterday’s consultation. “Different terms are used
in Armenian and Russian so we should be more careful,” the prime
minister stressed.

Aysor.am