Author: Kalantarian Kevo

ARMENIE
La société et les partis politiques continuent à protester contre la
réforme des retraites par capitalisation

Les quotidiens sont dans l’attente de la manifestation, le 18 janvier,
sur la place de la Liberté, des quatre partis politiques, le CNA,
FRA/Dachnaksoutioun, Héritage et Arménie prospère, ceux-ci ayant saisi
en décembre la Cour constitutionnelle contre la loi sur le système des
retraites par capitalisation obligatoire à partir du 1er janvier pour
tout salarié de moins de 40 ans. Plusieurs groupes civils rejoindront
cette manifestation qui, selon les quotidiens, promet d’être
impressionnante. Les quotidiens relèvent que c’est la première fois où
quatre partis politiques, dont trois partis d’opposition, et Arménie
prospère, se déclarant comme une « alternative », unissent leur voix
pour combattre une initiative du Gouvernement vivement contestée par
la société. Le 16 janvier, un groupe de jeunes a organisé un « cortège
de voitures » au centre ville de Erevan pour sensibiliser les citoyens
à se joindre à cette manifestation.

Extrait de la revue de presse de l’Ambassade de France en Arménie en
date du 17 janvier 2014

samedi 18 janvier 2014,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-686-0710
Fax: 212–779-3558
Email: [email protected]
Web:

** TOP STORY January 16, 2014
————————————————————
Home Blessings
Students at the Hovnanian School admire crosses they received from
Archbishop Barsamian.

** Primate Visits Armenian Schools and Old Age Homes
————————————————————

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, visited local Armenian
schools and homes for the elderly last week. These included the Holy
Martyrs Armenian Day School in Bayside, NY, and the New York Armenian
Home in Flushing, NY, on Thursday, January 9; and the Hovnanian School
in New Milford, NJ, and the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
in Emerson, NJ, on Friday, January 10.

As part of each visit, the Primate officiated over the Home Blessing
service, which is traditionally performed at the start of the new
year. At the Holy Martyrs and Hovnanian schools, students sang
Armenian songs and recited poems. They also had a chance to learn more
about the Home Blessing service and to ask Archbishop Barsamian
questions about the Armenian Church. At the New York Armenian Home and
the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, residents received
communion.

Accompanying Archbishop Barsamian to the Holy Martyrs Day School and
the New York Armenian Home were the Rev. Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan and
Dn. Vahe Bagdasarian. Accompanying Archbishop Barsamian to the
Hovnanian School and the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
were the Rev. Fr. Diran Bohajian, Rev. Fr. Arakel Vardazaryan,
Rev. Fr. Daniel Karadjian, Dn. Sebuh Oscherician, Dn. Hacik
Sariminasyan, and Dn. Vahe Bagdasarian.

Click on the following links to view photos from the visits to Holy
Martyrs Day School
()
, the Hovnanian School
()
, and the Armenian centers in Flushing
()
and Emerson
()
.

** Scripture of the Week
————————————————————

Is 54:1-13
1 Tim 1:1-11
Jn 2:1-11

** Prayer of the Week
————————————————————

O Lord our God, turn not your face from me. O beneficent Lord, I
beseech you, be my helper. O Lord, despise me not and forsake me not,
O God, my Savior. Amen.

** Upcoming Saints & Feasts
————————————————————

18 January: St. Antony the Hermit

19 January: First Sunday after the Octave of Theophany

** CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
————————————————————
Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King, Jr. greets the crowd gathered at the Lincoln
Memorial, where Reverend King delivered the “I Have a Dream” speech in
1963.

** Faith through Song
————————————————————

Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the United States-a day off
from work for many of our fellow citizens, but also a day for serious
thought and reflection. Editorials on this day typically (and
justifiably) focus on King’s political legacy. But often overlooked is
how his mission was a consequence of his ministry-grounded in a
religious vision of human dignity and family-like solidarity, under
the fatherhood of a watchful God.

Reverend King’s splendid oratory had its rhetorical roots in the
cadences of the King James Bible: in the prophetic poetry of Isaiah
and Micah, and certainly in the Gospel utterances of Jesus.

It found another source in the vernacular of America-especially in its
tradition of songs: from old-time Protestant hymns, to spirituals, to
anthems of wholesome patriotism.

Armenians might find a special point of contact here, for our music
likewise resonates in deeply religious ways. Through our sharagans,
our people express, in a unified way, an entire system of belief; an
experience of sorrow; but above all a sense of hope: a faith, really,
in the ultimate beneficence of God.

Click here
()
to read more on our blog.

** DIOCESAN NEWS
————————————————————
Annual Appeal

** Time is Running Out
————————————————————
With a new year now officially upon us, the Eastern Diocese is making
a final, urgent plea for support of the 2013 Annual Appeal. Follow
this link to donate now
()
to the 2013 Annual Appeal-before time runs out.

The Annual Appeal is the only Diocesan-wide fundraiser conducted each
year to help the Diocese undertake the many ministries, programs, and
resources that enrich life in our parishes.

Your thoughtful gift brings light to our local churches. It supports
Christian education, Armenian language instruction, summer camps,
youth programs, mission parish outreach, and the use of new
communication technologies.

To our past and prospective donors, we are deeply grateful for your
support of the creative, educational, and inspirational programs that
lift up Armenian communities throughout the Eastern Diocese.

Please help us strengthen these efforts. Your generous contribution to
the 2013 Annual Appeal is greatly needed to help spread the good work
of the Armenian Church across our local communities-and across the
generations.

Summer Camps
Campers on the grounds of St. Vartan Camp at the Ararat Center in
upstate New York.

** New Directors to Lead St. Vartan Camp
————————————————————

Two new directors have been appointed to the Diocese’s St. Vartan
Camp. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, issued a
directive announcing the appointments earlier this week.

The Rev. Fr. Khatchatur Kesablyan, pastor of the Sts. Vartanantz
Church of Chelmsford, MA, will serve as director of St. Vartan Camp
for its Session A. The Rev. Fr. Vart Gyozalyan of the Armenian Church
of Hye Pointe in Haverhill, MA, will serve as director of St. Vartan
Camp for Session B. They will work in partnership with Jennifer
Morris, the Diocese’s director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, as
they become comfortable in their new capacity.

Fr. Kesablyan and Fr. Gyozalyan will succeed the Rev. Fr. Krikor
Sabounjian, who, along with the Rev. Fr. Vasken Kouzouian, has served
as the director of St. Vartan Camp for eight years. Fr. Kouzouian will
continue to serve the St. Vartan Camp program.

Ararat Center cruise
Guests enjoyed Armenian music during last month’s Hudson River cruise.

** Ararat Center Marks 10 Years
————————————————————
The Ararat Center, the Diocese’s conference and recreation facility in
upstate New York, marked its 10th anniversary with a holiday cruise on
the Hudson River in Manhattan last month.

The December 14 event drew participants from Connecticut,
Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. The Princess
sailed around New York City, allowing guests to see famous landmarks
and to enjoy Armenian music and dancing onboard.

Click on the following links to read more
()
and to view photos
()
.

FAR

** FAR’s GTech Recognized as Best in Caucasus
————————————————————

The Fund for Armenian Relief’s GTech was recognized as the best
provider of IT education in the Caucasus region during a recent
conference in Tblisi, Georgia. Titled `Partnerships for
Competitiveness, Innovation and Cyber Security,’ the conference was
hosted by Georgian business and government organizations.

During the event, GTech staff also had an opportunity to make a
presentation about the center’s positive impact on economic
development in the region and to outline its academic programs.

Click here
()
to read more on FAR’s blog.

Oshavank, Historic Armenia
Oshvank monastery near Erzurum.

** 2014 Pilgrimage to Historic Armenia
————————————————————

The Eastern Diocese will sponsor a pilgrimage to historic Armenia,
from September 3 to 15, 2014.

Participants will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross Church on
the island of Aghtamar, and take part in prayer services at
St. Giragos Armenian Church of Dikranagert and the St. Gregory Church
in Kayseri.

The pilgrimage also includes visits to other cities of historic
Armenia=80’Kharpert, Malatya, and Sepastia, among other locales. The
journey will include a stop in Istanbul, where pilgrims will visit the
Armenian Patriarchate.

Click here
()
to view a flyer for registration information. To view a short film
about the Diocese’s 2012 pilgrimage to historic Armenia, click here
()
.

** PARISH NEWS
————————————————————

** Christmas Across the Parishes
————————————————————

Parishes continued to observe the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany
of Our Lord last Sunday with the `Blessing of Water’ service and
community gatherings.

At the Church of Our Saviour in Worcester, MA, Joseph Kapur served as
the godfather of the cross. The Rev. Fr. Aved Terzian, parish pastor,
delivered a special address to the Sunday School students, who hosted
a `Family Breakfast’ following services. During the breakfast, parish
council member Donna Barsamian presented a slide show highlighting her
recent trip to Armenia.

St. James Church in Richmond, VA, welcomed the Rev. Fr. Arsen
Barsamian on January 12, who assisted the Rev. Fr. Mesrob Hovsepyan,
parish pastor, during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. The
godfather of the cross for the `Blessing of Water’ service was Nubar
Ozbalik. The St. James Women’s Guild hosted a Christmas luncheon
following services, which featured a visit from Santa for the parish
children.

At the Armenian Church at Hye Pointe in Haverhill, MA, the
Rev. Fr. Vart Gyozalyan, parish pastor, celebrated the Divine
Liturgy. Dro Kanayan was the godfather of the cross. A Sunday School
dinner and program followed services.

In Bayside, NY, and Elberon, NJ, Christmas was observed on January 5
and 6. At the Church of the Holy Martyrs of Bayside, NY, students of
the Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School read the scriptures on January 5
and members of the Junior Choir sang the hymns of the Divine
Liturgy. On January 6, the Rev. Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan, parish pastor,
performed the `Blessing of Water’ service with Armen Demirjian serving
as godfather. A breakfast hosted by the Women’s Guild followed
services.

St. Stepanos Church of Elberon, NJ, hosted a youth concert on January
5. The Divine Liturgy on Christmas Eve was followed by a procession to
the church hall with the choir and altar servers singing Khorhoort
Medz. The parish council sponsored a dinner that evening. On January
6, the Rev. Fr. Daniel Karadjian, parish pastor, celebrated the Divine
Liturgy and performed the `Blessing of Water’ service. He also blessed
a new set of priest’s vestments, donated by the Terjanian
family. Parishioners then enjoyed coffee hour sponsored by the Women’s
Club.

Click here
()
to view photos from Worcester, Richmond, Haverhill, Bayside, and
Elberon.

Armenian Church of Atlanta, GA.
Fr. Abdalian and godfather of the cross Dickran Arpiarian in Atlanta.

** Mission Parish Merriment
————————————————————

The Diocese’s mission parishes in Georgia, Florida, and New York held
Christmas celebrations last weekend.

The Armenian Church of Atlanta welcomed the Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian,
director of Mission Parishes, on Sunday, January 12. Dickran Arpiarian
served as godfather of the cross during the `Blessing of Water’
service. Assisting Fr. Abdalian was sub-deacon Armen Hareyan of
Charlotte, NC. Young parishioner Hagop Tossounian provided the choir
with a musical accompaniment.

At a dinner following services, the parish council recognized
dedicated members of the community. The entire parish then enjoyed
signing Armenian folk songs under the leadership of Armen Hareyan.

The Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary,
and seminarian Levon Asdourian visited the Armenian Church of
Southwest Florida on January 12. Longtime parishioner Ara Nersesian
served as godfather of the cross during the `Blessing of the Water’
service.

In upstate New York, Dn. Albert Amato of St. Sarkis Church of Niagara
Falls, NY, visited the mission parish of Rochester on Saturday,
January 11. He spoke about the significance of the feast day and
distributed blessed water to the parishioners. A luncheon followed the
service.

Click here
()
to view photos from these mission parishes.

Sts. Vartanantz Church, Chelmsford, MA.
Fr. Kesablyan, Virginia Juknavorian, and Nancy Kassabian.

** Women’s Guild Member Honored in Chelmsford
————————————————————

Sts. Vartanantz Church of Chelmsford, MA, honored longtime Women’s
Guild member Virginia Juknavorian at its annual Women’s Guild Annual
Armenian Christmas Dinner earlier this month.

Women’s Guild Central Council member Nancy Kassabian presented
Mrs. Juknavorian with a certificate of appreciation from the
Diocese. Congratulatory remarks were offered by Women’s Guild chair
Milka Jeknavorian, parish council chair Bruce Kayajanian, and the
honoree’s longtime friend Alis Peretzian. Mrs. Juknavorian’s
granddaughter, Abigail Juknavorian, read an inspiring tribute about
her grandmother. The Armenian School presented a lively selection of
Armenian Christmas songs.

“Virginia’s lifelong devotion to our church is just one of many
examples in our community of this year’s Diocesan theme `Living the
Gospel of Christ,” said the Rev. Fr. Khachatur Kesablyan, parish
pastor. `We are blessed to have such dedicated volunteers in our
parish.’

Fr. Kesablyan performed the `Blessing of Water’ service on January
12. Aram Jeknavorian, parish council vice chair, served as godfather
of the cross.

** EVENTS
————————————————————
Abp. Torkom Manoogian
A tribute to the legacy of Archbishop Torkom Manoogian will be held at
the Diocesan Center on February 9.

** The Legacy of Archbishop Torkom Manoogian
————————————————————

The Eastern Diocese will host a celebration of the remarkable life and
enduring legacy of Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, the late Primate of
the Eastern Diocese and 96th Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, on
Sunday, February 9.

The day will begin at New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral with
the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, followed by a requiem
service. A luncheon and program will be held in the afternoon.

Reservations are now being taken for the luncheon, with a deadline of
February 2. Click here
()
to view a flyer with reservation information.

Tatevik
Datevik Hovanesian will perform at the Diocesan Center on January 17.

** Jazz Concert at the Diocesan Center
————————————————————

St. Vartan Cathedral will host an evening of American, Armenian, and
Brazilian jazz featuring vocalist Datevik Hovanesian on Friday,
January 17, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The concert will be held in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium of
the Diocesan Complex (630 Second Avenue, New York City).

Click here
()
to view a flyer for ticket information.

Concert at Met
The Hilliard Ensemble will perform Armenian music during its January
22 program at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

** Armenian Music at the Met
————————————————————

The Hilliard Ensemble-England’s celebrated a cappella vocal
quartet-will perform Armenian music as part of a concert at New York’s
Metropolitan Museum of Art on Wednesday, January 22 at 7 p.m.

Titled “Arkhangelos: A Millennium of Music,” the program will include
Armenian liturgical chants and a newly composed piece by Vache
Sharafyan. Other featured composers include Arvo Pärt, Katia
Tchemberdji, and Alexander Raskatov.

Click on the following links to read more
()
and for ticket information
()
. (To receive a 20 percent discount, use the code HILL14 when ordering
tickets.)

** YOUTH NEWS
————————————————————
Summer Camps
Campers at St. Vartan Camp.

** Looking Ahead to the Summer Camp Season
————————————————————

Online camper registration for St. Vartan Camp is now open. Click on
the following links to register a camper
()
or to download applications
()
for St. Vartan Camp CIT, staff, and volunteer positions.

Hye Camp applications for campers, CITs, staff, and volunteers are
available here
()
.

For more information about Hye Camp or St. Vartan Camp, contact
Jennifer Morris, director of the Diocese’s Department of Youth and
Young Ministries, at (248) 648-0702 or via e-mail at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) ;
or contact the department’s coordinator Lorie Odabashian at (212)
686-0710, ext. 143, or via e-mail at [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .

PRESS RELEASE
California State University, Fresno
Armenian Studies Program
5245 N Backer Ave PB4
Fresno, CA 93740-8001
Tel: 559-278-2669
Fax: 559-278-2129

Dr. Ronald Marchese to Speak at Fresno State on
`Art and Society: Armenian Constantinople’

Dr. Ronald Marchese will discuss his recent research in
Constantinople/Istanbul with a talk on `Art and Society: Armenian
Constantinople’ at 7:30 PM on Thursday, January 30, 2014. This Leon
S. Peters Foundation Lecture will be held in the University Business
Center, Alice Peters Auditorium, Room 191, on the Fresno State campus
and is part of the Armenian Studies Program Spring 2014 Lecture
Series.

Dr. Marchese is professor of ancient history and archaeology at the
University of Minnesota, Duluth and has spent the last several years
documenting the rich cultural history of the Armenians in
Constantinople, by studying the works of arts that the Armenians
produced. He will accompany his talk with slides of some of the
artwork that he has catalogued.

Prior to the establishment of the Armenian Patriarchate of
Constantinople, the Armenian population of the city and its
surrounding districts had little visible religious representation.
Those Armenians that existed in the city, perhaps a larger population
than previously believed, adopted Byzantine manners and customs in
order to assimilate to the dominant Greek culture of the city. After
1453 the Armenians of the city grew in number, status, and prestige –
certainly evident in the increased immigration to the city after the
devastation and annexation of eastern Anatolia. In many respects, the
revitalization of the city is due to many reasons, but it is likely
that the energy and creative talents of Armenian immigrants had a
profound affect on this process.

After 1700 this is clearly seen in the second great artistic awakening
of Armenian culture, which defined the `Constantinople Style of
Religious and Secular Art.’ The artistic achievements of the Armenian
community are not without a social context. It is through the art of
the Armenian community that much new information about the city’s
population is explored as well.

The lecture will present illustrated examples of this `Constantinople
Style.’ Dr. Marchese received his Ph.D. from New York University and
has a distinguished career in archaeology, having conducted research
at the Plataiai Archaeological Excavation in Greece and at Tel Dor in
Israel. He is the author of numerous articles and book chapters in the
field. He is an alumnus of California State University, Fresno.

He is the author, together with Marlene Breu, of Splendor and
Spectacle: The Armenian Orthodox Church Textile Collections of
Istanbul (Ã=87itlembik Ltd., Istanbul, 2010).

The lecture is free and open to the public.

Free parking is available in Lots A or J on campus, adjacent to the
University Business Center, only if a parking pass is obtained by
using code 273406 in any of the campus kiosks.

For more information on the lecture please contact the Armenian
Studies Program at 278-2669.

LETTER: A RESPONSE TO APO SAHAGIAN

By Contributor // January 15, 2014 in Opinion

Dear Editor:

Thank you for sharing Apo Sahagian’s recent piece (“We, The Bad
Armenians,” Jan. 11, 2013) in the Armenian Weekly. As an Armenian
from America, an English teacher in Armenia, and a current graduate
student in England, parts of the article really resonated with me. I
found other bits (please excuse me for saying so) a bit misguided. He
makes a really important distinction between Armenia as a country and
Armenia as a state in his article, and yet, he has vowed to turn his
back on both. This, I do not understand.

For many of my students at the public school in Armenia where I work,
education is a ticket out of the village. Students internalize this
sentiment at a startlingly young age. Parents and teachers repeat
it to no avail: Succeed in school and escape this place. Though this
narrative contains a partial truth, it fails to impart upon students
the sense of social responsibility vital for any kind of reform.

Mastery of my content area in particular-English-might lead to
another country, more money, a better life. But academic success
cannot be the path toward only an international education, marriage,
and a Range Rover. If Armenia is to thrive, education must also be the
path toward community engagement and contribution. Quality education
cannot only be a way out. It must also be a way forward for students
and communities because the futures of individuals and the futures
of communities are inextricably intertwined.

My students badly need role models who realize, as you have, that
borders are contrived, that ethnocentricity insulates, and that art and
language can poke holes in our mental walls. My students need to see
people who understand the multitude of problems facing Armenia, who are
infuriated by them, and who choose to engage with this country anyway.

It seems to me that humans find happiness, not by pursuing it, but by
having purpose in life. Armenia, the country (and not the state), my
students (and not the hooligan oligarchs he describes in his article),
have given me this sense of purpose. This does not make me a good
Armenian nor does his decision to take a 10-year hiatus from the
country make you a bad one. As a novelist, he must know that there
are many ways to tell the same story. The very bleak assessment of
Armenia’s current state of affairs in his article is apt and honest,
but it is only one slice of a greater narrative. His view, with all
due respect, cannot be the only one my students have.

While I hope to see him in Armenia sometime before 2024, I wish him
all the best wherever life may take him. Happy travels in Europe
and beyond!

Sincerely,

Talene Boodaghians

AZERBAIJAN, ARMENIA COULD CAUSE A WORLD WAR

The Daily Utah Chronicle: University of Utah
January 13, 2014 Monday

By Rose Jones on January 13, 2014.

The current battle stage between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the
small enclave Nagorno-Karabakh was set after the collapse of the
Soviet Union. They both declared independence in 1991, keeping the
geographical structure of their previous Socialist Republics.

Currently the two war-ready countries, which have diverse religions,
cultures and languages, also have the potential to trigger another
world war.

Empires have bounced Armenia around for centuries. Armenians as an
ethnic culture date themselves back tens of thousands of years and
still use their time-honored language.

Azerbaijan, historically ancient Albanian, was populated in the 11th
century by ethnic Turks who, unlike their Sunni brothers in Turkey,
are majority Shi’a Muslims. Azerbaijan, Nakhchivan and Armenia
were seized from the Ottoman Empire by the Russians in the 1828 and
1877 Russo-Turkishwars. Nakhchivan is geographically separate from
Azerbaijan but shares Azeri culture and language.

Following the Bolshevik revolution, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia
fell under control of the Soviet Union as the Transcaucasian Soviet
Socialist Republic. In 1922, they became separate Socialist Republics.

Soviet leader Joseph Stalin later designated Nagorno-Karabakh – known
by Armenians as Artsahk – and Nakhchivan to be governed by Azerbaijan,
which is still recognized internationally. Stalin’s dictate planted
the seeds of war between the two countries, generating a simmering
pot that is ready to boil.

Nagorno-Karabakh is over 80 percent ethnic Armenian, completely
surrounded by Azeri Turks. It covers seven rayons, or “districts,”
in the southwest quadrant of Azerbaijan.

In September 1991, Armenia claimed independence and included
Nagorno-Karabakh in their referendum. Three months later,
Azerbaijan, with Nakhchivan, claimed independence and also included
Nagorno-Karabakh, as it is inside of their national borders. The
battle over Nagorno-Karabakh immediately ensued. By 1994, 30,000 from
both sides had been killed, before a fragile ceasefire was put into
place. Conditions have risen to near-war status several times since,
inflamed by actions from one side or the other.

With decades of talks between the countries going nowhere and deadly
battles flaring from time to time, Nagorno-Karabakh has been in a state
of limbo. The citizens of Nagorno-Karabakh are fed up with both sides
and are calling for their own independent state. Armenia is cautiously
supportive of that notion. However, Azerbaijan rejects the idea because
it would leave a large foreign-governed island within their state.

The geography is multi-dimensional and complex, confused more by the
positions of allies and the allies’ security agreements with outside
interests. Armenia is landlocked between Azerbaijan to the east,
Georgia to the North, Iran to the south and Turkey to the West.

Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, and its eastern shoreline on the Caspian
Sea are rich with oil and natural gas reserves, affording Azerbaijan
political clout and wealth for their military. Armenia has the tactical
advantage of mountain ranges, which are more defensible than offensive,
and they have weapons availability from their allies Russia and Iran.

As a recipient of United States foreign aid, Azerbaijan allied with
Israel against Iran, regardless of their common Shi’a majorities.

Turkey, with its massive military, is also allied with Azerbaijan,
pitting Russia – an ally of Armenia – and Turkey against each other.

Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon welcomed millions of Armenians fleeing
the Ottoman Empire during World War I, so they ally against Turkey,
which also allies Iran with Russia. Armenians served in both the
Russian and Iranian armed forces. The U.S. attempts to ally with both
countries, but U.S. partnership with NATO Turkey and the perceived
war against Islam causes neither country to trust U.S. policy.

In 2012 things were especially tense when Hungary released convicted
Azeri officer Ramil Safarov back to Azerbaijan. He had killed Armenian
officer Gurgen Markarian in a training camp in Budapest.

And the situation just keeps getting hotter. Both the Armenian and the
Azerbaijani presidents have exchanged military action-laced barbs and
threatening comments.Nagorno-Karabakh is about the size of Sarajevo
and is situated among similar nationalist warring cultures. If a
21st century Archduke Franz Ferdinand happens by at the right time,
we could repeat the events of one century ago this year – only this
time we have weapons of mass destruction.

ARMENIAN PREMIER CALLS FOR COMPLYING WITH SCHEDULE OF ARMENIA’S JOINING CUSTOMS UNION

ITAR-TASS, Russia
January 14, 2014 Tuesday 03:58 PM GMT+4

YEREVAN January 14

– Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan called for complying with a schedule
of Armenia’s joining of the Customs Union (Russia, Belarus and
Kazakstan).

Sargsyan told Itar-Tass on December 27 that the roadmap, which had
been worked out by the presidents of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and
Armenia at the summit in Moscow on December 24, “implies that we’ll
have an agreement on joining the Customs Union in May”.

“This task was set to 22 working groups, involving the best specialists
and experts of our country,” Sargsyan said, adding, “The Customs
Union partners praised the work of our experts.”

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said on September 3 that Armenia
intended to join the Customs Union and would be involved in forming
the Eurasian economic union.

“Much was done. Within four months we’ll be able to come to agreement
on the roadmap with specialists from the Eurasian Economic Commission.

This will guarantee that we’ll be able to prepare an agreement on
joining the Customs Union till May,” the Armenian premier said.

THE WORLD MUST BE READY TO LEARN THE TRUTH ABOUT THE EVENTS OF 1915: TURKISH PM

by Marianna Lazarian

Wednesday, January 15, 17:43

The world must be ready to learn the truth about the events of 1915,
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan said during a conference of
diplomats.

TRT Haber quotes him as saying that in order to understand what is
going on today, one should more often refer to history. “To forget
history is a crime,” Erdogan said.

Now that the 100th year of the Armenian Genocide is near, more and
more such crucial statements are being made.

The Armenian-Turkish protocols signed in Zurich on Oct 10 2009
suggested forming a commission of independent historians. Turkey was
thereby trying to turn the Armenian Genocide into a historical issue.

But the protocols were not ratified because of Ankara’s preconditions.

Turkey’s official position on the Armenian Genocide is that the events
of 1915 were a result of WW1.

TURKISH INTELLECTUAL RAGıP ZARAKOLU TO LIVE IN SWEDEN

10:41, 15 January, 2014

YEREVAN, JANUARY 15, ARMENPRESS: The Turkish intellectual and human
rights defender Ragip Zarakolu, who recognized the Armenian Genocide
and wrote tens of books on the issue, will live for two years in the
city of Sigtuna, Sweden. Armenpress reports that the Kurdish Firat
agency informed about it. The press release, spread by the Sigtuna
Municipality, says that Zarakolu will be received as a guest by
the offer of the International Cities of Refuge Network and the PEN
international organizations, already agreed with the human rights
defender.

The statement reminds that after the military intervention in 1971
in Turkey, Zarakolu was imprisoned for having “secret ties” with the
Amnesty International organization and was taken to court for about 40
times for publishing books related to the Armenian Genocide and other
minorities. Besides, in October 2011 in the framework of the events
organized against the Kurdish Communities Union in Istanbul, Zarakolu
was arrested and was released only in seven months. Notwithstanding
the difficulties, Zarakolu continues living in Turkey.

LEBANESE ARMENIAN BUSINESSMEN TO BUILD TOWNSHIP IN KARABAKH VILLAGE

11:30, 15 January, 2014

YEREVAN, JANUARY 15, ARMENPRESS: To stand alongside the Artsakh people,
to support the resettlement programs and contribute to the development
and revival of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. To achieve that goal,
three years ago ARI (Artsakh Roots Investment) organization decided
to make investments in Artsakh.

In the first program, launched three years ago, about 100 businessmen
provided credits for the implementation of the agricultural and
livestock programs of 800 immigrants of Kashatagh region, in the
result of which today Kashatagh is one of the agricultural centers
of the country with 6,000 hectares of land and about 2,000 livestock.

“During the meetings with the people, president and the prime minister
of Artsakh, we understood that parallel to the providing of living
means, it is necessary to think about the housing problems of the
immigrants, creation of the comfortable and favorable conditions for
their living and working. For that particular reason 57 Diaspora
Armenian businessmen concentrated their attention to the Aghavni
Village of Kashatagh region, being the gates to Artsakh, and decided to
build a small township there. No land will be resettled and no economy
will be developed only with charity. Due to the cooperation with the
Government of Karabakh, we managed to convince the Lebanese businessmen
to make investments in the motherland, instead of the foreign shores”,
– said the Deputy Executive Director of Artsakh Roots Investment,
the Lebanese Armenian Benjamin Bchakchyan, stating that $2 million
has already been collected for the building of apartments.

After the construction of the township, the Government of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic will implement the resettlement program with low
mortgage interest rates or other social programs. The Deputy Prime
Minister of Artsakh Arthur Aghabekyan stated that thus a mortgage
market will be formed in Karabakh.

Lebanese Armenian businessmen to build township in Karabakh village

11:30, 15 January, 2014

YEREVAN, JANUARY 15, ARMENPRESS: To stand alongside the Artsakh people,
to support the resettlement programs and contribute to the development
and revival of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. To achieve that goal,
three years ago ARI (Artsakh Roots Investment) organization decided
to make investments in Artsakh.

In the first program, launched three years ago, about 100 businessmen
provided credits for the implementation of the agricultural and
livestock programs of 800 immigrants of Kashatagh region, in the
result of which today Kashatagh is one of the agricultural centers
of the country with 6,000 hectares of land and about 2,000 livestock.

“During the meetings with the people, president and the prime minister
of Artsakh, we understood that parallel to the providing of living
means, it is necessary to think about the housing problems of the
immigrants, creation of the comfortable and favorable conditions for
their living and working. For that particular reason 57 Diaspora
Armenian businessmen concentrated their attention to the Aghavni
Village of Kashatagh region, being the gates to Artsakh, and decided to
build a small township there. No land will be resettled and no economy
will be developed only with charity. Due to the cooperation with the
Government of Karabakh, we managed to convince the Lebanese businessmen
to make investments in the motherland, instead of the foreign shores”,
– said the Deputy Executive Director of Artsakh Roots Investment,
the Lebanese Armenian Benjamin Bchakchyan, stating that $2 million
has already been collected for the building of apartments.

After the construction of the township, the Government of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic will implement the resettlement program with low
mortgage interest rates or other social programs. The Deputy Prime
Minister of Artsakh Arthur Aghabekyan stated that thus a mortgage
market will be formed in Karabakh.

KARABAKH GOVERNMENT DECIDES ON ACTION PLAN FOR 2014 BUDGET EXECUTION

STEPANAKERT, January 15. /ARKA/. The government of Nagorno-Karabakh
republic (NKR) made a decision on measures to ensure the 2014 budget
execution, the press office of the government reported.

The decision approves state procurement procedures, increase in
salaries and lists for compensations to communities that suffered
from natural disasters in 2013, according to the report.

NKR’s premier Ara Harutiunyan stressed the importance of all state
procurements to be made as per the approved plans and of additional
costs to be agreed upon in advance.

Harutiunyan urged the cabinet members to strictly adhere to deadlines
to avoid extra obligations. The premier instructed to complete pension
payment process by the 15th of each month. -0–

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