Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Highland News, CA
Jan 4 2014

Editorial: Sisterhood

Published: Thursday, January 2, 2014 4:03 PM PST

We are strong supporters of the Highland City Council and most of its
decisions. It has kept Highland moving forward in a difficult time and
is a role model for a good way to run a city.

However, in our opinion, it sometimes oversteps its bounds.

Such was the case in its approval of a sister city agreement with
Berdzor in Nargano Karabakh, a disputed territory between Armenia and
Azerbaijan.

The Christian/Muslim controversy has been going on for decades with
the Christian Armenia supporting the disputed independence of the
republic, and Azerbaijan claiming the region is a part of Azerbaijan.

Armenian forces have gone in to support independence, resulting in the
expulsion of the Muslim Azer population with over half a million in
refugee camps.

On the other hand, over a quarter million Christian Armenians remain
in refugee camps as a result of Azerbaijani rule.

Former Mayor and world traveler Larry McCallon brought the resolution
to the City Council, and it passed with little discussion. Most of us
had never heard of Nagorno Karabakh or its territorial battles.

However, the Azerbaijan Consul objected to the sisterhood resolution,
claiming it supported an illegitimate government, and asked for a
reconsideration of the decision.

City Councilwoman Jody Scott moved to rescind the resolution, seconded
by Councilwoman Penny Lilburn.

However, then Mayor McCallon observed that the action was already
taken and needed no further consideration.

City Councilmen John Timmer and Sam Racadio agreed and the resolution stands.

We believe recognition of nations should be the purview of the federal
government, not local city councils.

With the city’s crime, poverty, unemployment and lack of commercial
retail, we believe the city council has more important things to worry
about than recognition of a disputed government in the Southern
Caucasus.

Gulf Daily News, Bahrain
January 3, 2014

Where’s the harm?

This refers to the letter, ‘Bah, humbug!’ (GDN, December 29). Why do
Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25? A reader asks: When is
our saviour’s real birthday? Is it December 25? If not, why do we
celebrate his birth on Christmas?

The date of Christ’s actual birth is unknown. It is not recorded in
the Bible. However, Christians of all denominations and faith groups,
aside from the Church of Armenia, celebrate the birth of Jesus on
December 25.

Answer lies in the history of Christmas.

It is believed that the first celebrations of Christ’s birth were
originally grouped together with Epiphany, one of the earliest feasts
of the Christian church observed on January 6. This holiday recognised
the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles by remembering the visit
of the Magi (wise men) to Bethlehem and, in some traditions, the
baptism of Jesus and his miracle of turning water into wine.

Today the feast of Epiphany is observed predominantly in liturgical
denominations such as Eastern Orthodox, Anglican and Catholic. Even as
far back as the second and third centuries, we know church leaders
disagreed about the appropriateness of birthday celebrations within
the Christian church. Some men like Origin felt birthdays were pagan
rituals for pagan gods. And since the date of Christ’s actual birth
had not been recorded, these early leaders speculated and argued about
the date.

Some sources report that Theophilus of Antioch (circa 171-183) was the
first to identify December 25 as the birth date of Christ. Others say
that Hippolytus (circa 170-236) was the first to claim that Jesus was
born on December 25.

A strong theory suggests that this date was eventually chosen by the
church because it aligned closely with a major pagan festival, dies
natalis solis invicti (birth of the invincible sun god), thus allowing
the church to claim a new celebration for Christianity.

Ultimately, December 25 was chosen, perhaps as early as AD273. By
336AD, the Roman church calender definitively records a nativity
celebration by Western Christians on this date.

Eastern churches maintained the January 6 commemoration together with
Epiphany until sometime in the fifth or sixth centuries when the 25th
day of December became the widely accepted holiday. Only the Armenian
church held to the original celebration of Christ’s birth with
Epiphany on January 6.

The term Christmas appeared in Old English as early as 1038AD as
Cristes Maesse, and later as Cristes-messe in AD1131. It means “the
Mass of Christ.”

This name was established by the Christian church to disconnect the
holiday and its customs from its pagan origins. As one fourth century
theologian penned, “We hold this day holy, not like the pagans because
of the birth of the sun, but because of Him who made it.”

Although it is true that many traditional Christmas customs find their
origins in pagan practices, these ancient and forgotten associations
are far removed from the hearts of Christian worshippers today at
Christmas time. So much so, it seems a pointless concern.

If the focus of Christmas is Jesus Christ and his gift of eternal
life, then what harm can come from such a celebration?

Moreover, Christian churches see Christmas as an occasion to spread
the good news of the gospel at a time when many non-believers pause to
consider Christ.

Why do we celebrate Christ’s birthday? The same reader posed this
question: God didn’t tell us to celebrate Christmas, so why are
Christians doing this? I am compelled to respond with a few simple
questions of my own. Why do we celebrate a child’s birthday? Why do we
celebrate a loved one’s birthday? Is it not to remember and cherish
the significance of the event? It marks the arrival of Emmanuel, God
With Us, the Word Become Flesh, the Saviour of the World. It is a
central event in history. Time chronicles backward and forward from
this moment.

I find myself wanting to ask: How can we fail to remember this day
with great joy and reverence? How can we not celebrate Christmas?

There is hope for peaceful solution as Karabakh talks continue –
Eduard Sharmazanov

January 04, 2014 | 11:09

YEREVAN. – The meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents took
place after almost two-year break which means that dialogue resumed,
Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Giving assessment of 2013 in the context of Karabakh issue,
Sharmazanov said resumption of talks is a positive movement.

`Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh always stand for peaceful settlement of
the conflict. It is not excluded that Azerbaijani leader Ilham
Aliyev’s return to negotiating table is conditioned by the statements
of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs,’ he said.

Sharmazanov, Deputy Speaker and spokesperson for the ruling party,
noted it is impossible to resolve conflict without full participation
of Nagorno-Karabakh. Secondly, Turkey, as a regional actor repeatedly
stating about regional peace, should take several moves: open the
border, stop unilateral support for Azerbaijan, speak against
militarist rhetoric of Baku and avoid interfering in Karabakh peace
process.

`We are optimistic. If the negotiation process continues, there is
hope for peaceful solution,’ Sharmazanov concluded.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

TURQUIE-AZERBAÏDJAN
Des centaines de manifestants dénoncent en Turquie la politique de
l’Azerbaïdjan envers les vétérans de la guerre du Karabagh

En Turquie une manifestation s’est déroulée le 3 janvier dans la ville
de Mersin contre les autorités d’Azerbaïdjan. Les centaines de
manifestants défilaient pour marquer leur désapprobation de la
politique des dirigeants azéris qui avait abouti au suicide d’un
vétéran handicapé de la guerre du Karabagh, Zaour Hassanov. Selon
l’agence de presse turque Turan les manifestants reprochaient aix
autorités azéries de ne pas se pencher sur le cas des vétérans de la
guerre. La manifestation était organisée par l’association culturelle
azérie de Mesrine ainsi que par les étudiants azéris de la ville.
Rappelons que Zaour Hassanov, handicapé lors de la guerre du Karabagh,
père de 5 enfants, s’était immolé devant un btiment public à Bakou.
Il demandait ainsi justice et protestait contre la spoliation de son
terrain sur lequel il avait construit un salon de thé, par un officiel
azéri Satar Mehmaliev.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 4 janvier 2014,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Jan 3 2014

Azerbaijani MPs optimistic over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement in 2014

3 January 2014, 13:04 (GMT+04:00)
By Jamila Babayeva

Azerbaijani MPs and political analysts are optimistic over the
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in 2014.

MP Rovshan Rzayev believes that there is every reason for optimistic
forecasts for the year of 2014.

In an interview with Day.Az, he stressed that Azerbaijani government
pursued some successful policies in 2013. Rzayev also said that by
continuing those policies, Baku will have more victories in 2014.

“Of course, my greatest desire is the return of the occupied
Azerbaijani lands. I want young people to be more interested in this
issue and to continue the efforts to resolve this problem,” he said.

MP Govhar Bakhshaliyeva also expects a lot from 2014.

“I expect a lot from 2014. But first of all, as all Azerbaijanis, I am
waiting for resolution of the conflict,” she said.

Bakhshaliyeva believes that Baku’s voice will be heard more clearly
among the voices of other countries and nations in 2014.

“Our country’s position in the world will be strengthened and the
voice of Azerbaijan will sound louder in 2014,” she stressed.

MP Aydin Mirzazadeh also believes that 2013, as its preceding year,
was lost in the issue of a final settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.

He stressed that due to the unconstructive position of Armenia –
Yerevan’s refusal to comply with international law – there were no
achievement or contacts in this issue in the previous year.

He believes that in the settlement of the conflict everything depends
on the position of Armenia, since Azerbaijan is ready to resolve the
issue.

“But apparently, Armenia wants to solve the problem by destroying its
independence and establishment of a state without any population,
economy, and with no prospects for development,” MP said.

Mirzazade believes that 2013 was one of the most successful periods in
the development of Azerbaijan.

“In spite of everything, Azerbaijan has further strengthened its
position in the Karabakh issue,” he said.

Political analyst, Fikret Sadikhov, also believes that some partial
results can be achieved at the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.

He believes that a radical solution of the problem in the short term
is unlikely due to Yerevan’s behavior.

“But the reality is that Armenia is struggling with difficult
socio-economic, and domestic political problems that may force the
country to take certain steps, which, in turn, will contribute to the
final resolution of the problem in the future,” Sadikhov concluded.

Political analyst, Rasim Musabeyov, believes that after the last
meeting of the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia in December 2013 a
new round of negotiations has begun.

“This is positive. But based on past experiences, some high
expectations are misplaced, because, unfortunately, the talks have
been unsuccessful so far. But there is a hope that these efforts will
not be fruitless this time, because eventually the Armenian side sees
that neither her tenacity, nor the support of countries that usually
patronize Armenians, is able to force Azerbaijan to take actions that
are inconsistent with the country’s sovereignty,” Musabeyov stressed.

He further said the social and economic situation of Armenia is
getting worse day by day and there is no prospect.

“This will encourage them to take a more realistic approach. Progress
in the negotiations can be achieved, but in general, we should still
be cautious,” he concluded.

Armenia occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s internationally
recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent
regions, after laying territorial claims against its South Caucasus
neighbor. The occupation caused a lengthy war in the early 1990s.

The UN Security Council has adopted four resolutions on Armenia’s
withdrawal from the Azerbaijani territory, but they have not been
enforced to this day.

Peace talks, mediated by Russia, France and the U.S. through the OSCE
Minsk Group, are underway on the basis of a peace outline proposed by
the Minsk Group co-chairs, dubbed the Madrid Principles. The
negotiations have been largely fruitless so far.

NaharNet, Lebanon
Jan 3 2014

Turkey Jails Outspoken Armenian Blogger

by Naharnet Newsdesk

A prominent Turkish-Armenian blogger has been sent to jail on charges
of illegal construction amid a growing chorus of criticism over a
graft scandal engulfing the government, local media reported on
Friday.

Sevan Nisanyan was sentenced in December to two years in prison in a
case he claims was punishment for his outspoken views about
restrictions on freedom of expression in Turkey.

“Unfortunately, this country is ruled by dwarves who have no vision.
We all deserve a better country,” the 57-year-old was quoted as saying
by CNN Turk as he headed to prison in the western city of Izmir on
Thursday.

“I do not regret what I have done. I am proud of what I have done.”

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is grappling with a probe
that has ensnared several allies, some of whom are suspected of
bribery over construction permits for protected areas.

And Nisanyan’s jail sentence caused an outcry on Twitter.

“In a country where some people can build a department store on an
ancient city, how come Nisanyan is jailed for building without a
permit?” wrote one user, Yasin Tekin.

Nisanyan also faces up to 16 years in prison on other charges related
to construction work on hotels in a village near Izmir.

Nisanyan was previously convicted of blasphemy over a 2012 blog
defending an anti-Islam film that ridiculed the Prophet Mohammed and
sparked angry protests across the world.

His words touched a nerve in the staunchly secular but majority Muslim
nation and he received hundreds of death threats.

Turkey has long been criticized for a lack of press freedom, and in
December the U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists named it the
world’s number one jailer of journalists for the second straight year.

Vardan Petrosyan’s Detention Prolonged

The court of Kotayk region has prolonged actor Vardan Petrosyan’s
custody by two months.

The court hearing began at 12 in the morning and ended at 9.30 pm of
December 30. The famous actor was returned to the hospital of
convicts.

1
18:27 02/01/2014
Story from Lragir.am News:

Open letter. The life of Shant Harutyunyan is in danger!

January 3 2014

OPEN LETTER TO Your Holiness Pop Francis,

Mr. President Barak Obama,

Madam Chancellor Angela Merkel,

Mr. Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter,

Mr Secretary General of the UN Ban Ki-moon

SOS ARMENIA

Your Holiness Pope Francis, we turn to you, as your arrival to the
Vatican filled our hearts with happiness and unprecedented faith; Mr.
President Obama, we turn to you, as your election gave so much hope to
so many people worldwide; Mr. federal Councilor Burkhalter, we turn to
you, as you are at the head of a country, which is a model for the
protection of human rights; Mrs. Chancellor Merkel, we turn to you, as
you are an absolute standard of state wisdom; Mr. President Ban
Ki-moon, to you, as the head of the most important International
organization.

We turn to you, the five most influential and inspiring people in the
world, asking you to listen to this URGENT call.

Our country is crumbling under the pressure of the monstrous Russian
imperialism, under the general ignorance and silence of the
international community. Unelected and illegitimate President of the
Republic of Armenia Serj Sarkissyan is dealing with Russia, without
considering its own citizens. Mr. Sargsyan was never elected. Twice he
had usurped his actual position, the first time in 2008 at the cost of
10 innocent lives, and the second time in 2013, in a fraudulent
election. Mr. Sargsyan is a dictator, usurper and should not to decide
all by itself for the fate of the millennial Armenian civilization.

In Armenia, any attempt of a peaceful demonstration, any attempt to
raise the voice of the people is killed immediately, any attempt to
proceed by democratic or human ways are destroyed and followed by
arrests and imprisonment without end or judgment. Anyone who dares to
raise his voice is silenced immediately!

There are 15 political prisoners in Armenia today. The life of Shant
Harutyunyan, the leader of the opposition is in danger! After
subsisting the pressure and physical and mental abuse during two
months in prison now, he started a hunger strike on 24th of December,
requesting to lift the ban on visits of his family members and to
ensure his security. On hunger strike now, he is left without
necessary medical supervision in a critical condition, with no
possibility of communicating with the outside world, he did not have
the right to meet his family members, any visit and contact is refused
to him and the other 14 political prisoners. Every passing minute can
be dramatic for these fighters for freedom and human dignity; their
lives are in danger!

Yesterday, on 28th of December in Yerevan, capital of Armenia was held
a press conference organized by the family members of political
prisoners. They called for the lifting of the ban on visits, to ensure
medical assistance to their husbands and sons, and to ensure their
safety. The appeal was made to the Ombudsman, to the representative of
the Helsinki Group in Armenia, to all international organizations
active in human rights defense in Armenia. None of them came, none of
them reacted, and nobody listens to the voice of political prisoners
and their families!

The same day, we assisted, helplessly, to another legal farce – the
detention of political prisoners has been extended by two more months,
without any basis or explanation!

We bade farewell to Nelson Mandela recently, the man who throughout
his career has inspired us one thing – one person can change the
world. We would like to ask you today to be those people who will
change the destiny of an entire nation!

Over 1500 people signed this letter – you will not find any political
parties or organizations, those are the individuals, ordinary
Armenians, who have the right to be heard!

We are Armenians and we say NO to the forced Customs Union with
Russia, we say NO to the demise of our nation, NO to the loss of our
national sovereignty, NO to corruption, NO to dictatorship and
persecution, NO to political prisoners!

Your Holiness, honorable Madam, Sirs,

We know that you are very well aware of all that has been mentioned
above. All of you, in your speech, you always highlighted the
importance of human solidarity, democracy and human rights and we are
confident that you will not remain silent on this appeal and, true to
your ideals and values, you will tend us your hand.

It is a matter of life or death! Raise your humanitarian voice, give
us your valuable support to make the demands of political prisoners
and their families heard, make their conditions acceptable and humane,
ensure their safety and eliminate the danger of death they undergo!

Expecting your immediate reaction, as this is a call for survival!
Thank you for your time and consideration

Signatures : Over 1500 signatures

Read more at:

Russia Departs From Armenia

In 2013 the political situation of Armenia ended up in handover of the
sovereignty of the country. The logic of the criminal-oligarchic
system established in Armenia over the past decade could not suppose
another way out. Having usurped and wasted the country’s resource, the
system needed foreign support to save their positions. Moscow and
Putin were found as sponsors.

On December 2 Serzh Sargsyan and Putin signed the handover acts of the
sovereignty of Armenia, and on December 23 the parliament ratified
them violating the law for that.

However, after such outrageous developments the Armenian public has a
chance to rid of false perceptions and identify their problems and
plans. Such a chance costs expensive but it could not have been
otherwise with a public that has lost faith.

Now the task is more specific than ever. There is an idea – fight for
sovereignty of Armenia. This fight supposes a sudden chance in
Armenia, and the public must assume its main duty – establishment of
constitutional mechanisms of forming government.

The public has become convinced that the main hindrance on this way is
the criminal-oligarchic system with its governmental, opposition and
alternative segments. This system has established a simple scheme. The
government ensures the continuity of activities of the system, while
the `systemic opposition’ must neutralize the demands and rights of
the public. Besides, the `systemic opposition’ uses its media to
denounce everyone who is out of their scheme as 26 Baghramyan Avenue’s
agents or ascribe everything to 26 Baghramyan Avenue (there will be an
opportunity to speak about this).

However, this scheme did not achieve any success and altogether failed
after the Armenian-Russian acts. The public drove off the
representatives of the `systemic opposition’ from the parliament and
announced that they only hinder and kill all the problems.

The public has a chance to reorganize the domestic fight and rid of
the limits imposed by the system. The problem of sovereignty contains
huge political potential, and it is impossible to distract it through
imitation called `domestic scramble’.

Important and crucial developments are awaited in 2014. Russia has
unintentionally removed from Armenians servility and false perceptions
through its tough steps against Armenia. All kinds of political,
economic and propagandist arguments and justifications have been
wasted. In fact, by initiating the process of colonizing Armenia
Russia has lost Armenia altogether.

Will the public be able to use the exceptional chance and build new
political structures? The future government of Armenia must belong to
sovereign citizens of Armenia.

Only two years are left.

239
22:56 02/01/2014
Story from Lragir.am News:

ARMENIE
5 grands hôtels sont en construction dans Jermuk

Cinq grands hôtels sont en construction dans la station balnéaire
arménienne de Jermuk a annoncé son maire Vardan Hovhannisyan.

Il est convaincu que l’ouverture de nouveaux hôtels apportera plus de
touristes dans la ville.

« Les Hôtels fournissent différents services. Ils sont conçus pour
différents consommateurs. Nous acquérons peu à peu la gloire que nous
avions à l’époque soviétique. Jermouk est une partie du corridor
touristique Erevan-Noravanq-Tatev-Karabagh. Les touristes qui voyagent
le long de cette voie, sont heureux de passer une journée ou deux dans
notre station » a-t-il souligné.

vendredi 3 janvier 2014,
Stéphane ©armenews.com