Author: Kalantarian Kevo

PEOPLE’S PARTY LEADER JOINS FREEDOM-FIGHTERS’ STRUGGLE

20:46 ~U 14.11.13

Chairman of the People’s Party Tigran Karapetyan has joined the
freedom-fighters (participants in the Nagorno-Karabakh war) who are
holding regular rallies in Freedom Square.

“We will never get changes through elections. They are rigging
elections. We have to struggle to the end,” he said.

“I have come here because the people trust freedom-fighters. I trust
them too. Freedom-fighters are honest to the people.”

He called on the freedom-fighters to show their strength because
“we are with you.”

Armenian News – Tert.am

ROSATOM AND ARMENIA TO COMPLETE DIAGNOSIS OF ARMENIAN NPP IN EARLY 2014

November 13, 2013 | 20:17

YEREVAN. – The Russian state nuclear energy corporation (Rosatom)
and the Armenian side will complete diagnosis of the Armenian NPP in
early 2014, Energy Minister said.

As a result, budget for modernization of the NPP will be determined,
after which the Russian side will grant a loan, Energy Minister Armen
Movsisyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“Credit must be given in a very short period of time,” Minister noted.

Funds will be used to extend the deadline for operation of the Armenian
NPP from 2016 to 2026.

As previously noted by Vahram Petrosyan, the secretary of presidential
council on nuclear energy safety, the restoration of a stations with
the same reactor is estimated at $120-160 million

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN: “NAGORNO-KARABAKH PROBLEM IS AS IMPORTANT FOR TURKEY AS IT IS FOR AZERBAIJAN”

APA, Azerbaijan
Nov 13 2013

[ 13 November 2013 16:04 ]

Baku. Rashad Suleymanov – APA. “Nagorno-Karabakh problem is as
important for Turkey as it is for Azerbaijan.

We continue our unconditional support to Azerbaijan for the peaceful
solution of the problem,” Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan said at the press conference following the 3rd meeting
of Azerbaijan-Turkey High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council,
APA reports.

Erdogan said that they have excellent relations with Azerbaijan and
underlined the highest level of relations in the political sphere. He
also noted that trade turnover increased between the two countries:
“We will achieve $15bn trade turnover in 2020. The relevant ministries
are working in this direction. We can take joint steps in the field
of defense industry. In line with the responsibility of being one
nation we are making decisions in politics.”

Turkish Prime Minister also touched on visa issue and said economy
ministers will deal with this issue.

ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTRY DENIES RUMORS OF CESSATION OF ARMS SUPPLIES TO AZERBAIJAN

Turan Information Agency, Azerbaijan
November 13, 2013 Wednesday

Baku/12.11.13/Turan:

Israel’s Foreign Ministry denied publication in the Armenian media
that Israel allegedly suspended arms supplies to Baku. According to
these publications, referring to the Swiss Agency ISN, Russia put
pressure on the Israeli Foreign Ministry, and obtained suspension of
supplies of certain elements of offensive weapons. The reason stated
Russia’s reluctance to change the balance of power in the region.

“No any changes happened in this area, no appeals came from the Russian
side. NO one changes the agreement,” the portal IzRus Foreign Ministry
was told by the spokesman Yigal Palmor regarding the information of
the Swiss news agency.

Israel is one of the largest sellers of arms to Azerbaijan. Thus,
in recent years the country supplied to Baku various weapons and
communications systems amounting $1.6 billion -02D-

WB SUPPORTS ARMENIA IN CREATING JOBS

RIA Oreanda, Russia
Economic News (Information Agency Oreanda)
November 13, 2013 Wednesday

Washington. OREANDA-NEWS . November 13, 2013. The World Bank Board
of Executive Directors approved a USD 72 million loan for the First
Development Policy Operation (DPO) for Armenia to support reforms
aimed at promoting macroeconomic stability, improving the business
environment, and enhancing the economys resilience to shocks through
measures to improve sustainability.

This is the first DPO in a series of three operations, supporting the
Government of Armenia in meeting its strategic objectives, including
stronger job creation, which is Armenias overarching development
challenge. The Operation is designed to help Armenia reduce poverty
and promote shared prosperity through growth enhancing reforms.

This Operation initiates the programmatic series that will complement
Armenias development vision, says Jean-Michel Happi, World Bank Country
Manager for Armenia. The proposed new series shifts the focus from
mitigation against crisis vulnerability to a medium-term agenda for
strengthening growth drivers. The Bank is committed to support the
efforts of the authorities in meeting those challenges.

The Operation is anchored on two pillars. The first pillar is aimed at
strengthening competitiveness through critical business climate and
public administration reforms. These are expected to contribute to
job creation through reducing the costs of doing business for firms,
expanding access to credit to SMEs, and increasing opportunities for
employment and job creation through increased trade and connectivity
within and outside Armenia. Public administration reforms supported
under this pillar will also contribute to a more inclusive access
to services, more efficient use of resources, and sound policy
formulation.

Through the second pillar, the DPO will enhance the Armenian economys
resilience to shocks and long-term stability by creating fiscal space,
supporting enhancements to the social protection system, more inclusive
access to public goods and services, and protection of the environment.

In preparation of the first loan disbursement, the World Bank assisted
the authorities in merging two inspection agencies, enhancing the
operations of the credit reporting system, increasing the flexibility
of recruitment and promotion of professional staff and discontinuing
the mandatory periodical attestations, improving competition and
transparency in civil aviation, clarifying aspects of the new funded
pension system, reviewing tax exemptions and excise rates, increasing
coverage of the Family Benefits Scheme, and submitting to parliament
a new Environmental Impact Assessment law.

Over the medium term, the Operation will help the authorities to:
i) reduce the burden on businesses from inspections by downsizing
inspection agencies by 50 percent; ii) improve the efficiency and
transparency of credit reporting, the collateral regime and bankruptcy
framework for better access to credit for SMEs; iii) increase the
attractiveness of the Civil Service for professional staff; iv) expand
efficiency and transparency of the public administration through a
wider and secure application of e-government systems; v) increase
productivity and transparency of customs operations; vi) improve
financial sustainability of drinking water and irrigation agencies;
and vii) ensure regular maintenance of more than 60 percent of roads.

This development policy operation supports a package of reforms
designed to spur consistently higher growth of the Armenian economy,
says Ulrich Bartsch, World Bank Senior Country Economist and Team
Leader of the project. We are helping the Armenian government
in meeting the challenge of job creation through enhancing the
competitiveness and sustainability of its economy.

FRENCH ANIMATION DIRECTOR BASTIEN DUBOIS MAKES “A PORTRAIT” OF NAGORNO- KARABAKH

by Karina Manukyan

Monday, November 11, 18:34

French animation director Bastien Dubois has made a “portrait”
of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Being a guest of Reanimania International Animation Film Festival
in Yerevan, Dubois, together with animation director Marc Boreal and
Annecy Animation Festival Director Tiziana Loschi, visited Nagorno-
Karabakh, where he produced a short animation film as part of his
“Portraits de Voyages” series, including films about Mexico, Haiti,
Brazil, Greece, Syria, Iran and some other countries.

Director of ReAnimania Vrej Kassouny says in his Facebook page that
during the visit Dubois, Boreal and Loschi had their picture taken
near Nagorno-Karabakh’s symbol, “We and Our Mountains” Monument.

NIKOL PASHINYAN TO VOTE FOR NAGORNO-KARABAKH’S INDEPENDENCE JUST TO EXPRESS HIS DISTRUST IN ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT’S POLICY

by Ashot Safaryan

ARMINFO
Wednesday, November 13, 00:36

MP from the opposition Armenian National Congress Nikol
Pashinyan is going to vote for the bill stipulating recognition of
Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence by Armenia just because he wants to
express his distrust in the Armenian Government’s policy,

“It was because of the Robert Kocharyan-Serzh Sarsyan tandem that
Nagorno-Karabakh lost its place at the negotiating table. As a result,
lots of international organizations mention the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict as a territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan. But
this is not what the conflict is about, so, that was a big mistake
on the part of our authorities,” Pashinyan said, noting that instead
of correcting their mistakes, the authorities are rooting the concept
of Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence out of people’s minds.

PRESIDENT ALIYEV: TURKEY ALWAYS SUPPORTS AZERBAIJAN IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

Trend, Azerbaijan
Nov 12 2013

Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 12

Trend: During the meeting of Azerbaijani and Turkish Presidents,
Ilham Aliyev and Abdullah Gul in Ankara on November 12, various
aspects of bilateral relations were discussed and the exchange of
views was held on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
Turkish TV channel TRT Haber reported on Nov. 12.

“I once again expressed my gratitude to the Turkish government for
a fair position,” President Aliyev said at a press conference, held
jointly with President Gul.

According to Azerbaijani President, Turkey has always supported
justice and is always close to Azerbaijan in this respect.

“The territory, which is recognized by the international community as
Azerbaijan’s territories, has been for many years occupied by Armenia.

The UN Security Council adopted four resolutions that Armenia does
not fulfill, grossly violating international law. Azerbaijan continues
its efforts to settle this issue,” he underscored.

“But, unfortunately, the position of Armenia does not allow this issue
to be resolved, and restore the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

We suffer from this occupation,” the Head of Azerbaijani State said.

“More than one million of Azerbaijani citizens, for years, have been
refugees and internally displaced persons. There was a policy of
ethnic cleansing against Azerbaijan, and it is impossible to accept
this injustice, President Aliyev said.

He expressed hope that more serious steps will be taken in this regard
in the subsequent months and years and the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan will be restored.

“I want to once again note that this is dictated by historical justice
and international law. Naturally, Turkey’s support multiplies our
strength, and we are grateful for this support,” President Aliyev said.

According to him, the meeting also discussed the projects which bring
Azerbaijan and Turkey together and which have gone beyond regional
boundaries and have become global.

“Each of the projects – the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Baku-Tbilisi-
Erzurum and Baku-Tbilisi-Kars – is a great event, and a project
that has great success. We were able to achieve the realization of
these projects due to the Turkish-Azerbaijani friendship and unity,
and today we look even further,” the Head of Azerbaijani State said.

President Aliyev noted that Turkey, for the last several years,
has gone a great and successful way.

“The country has turned into a great center of power in the world
under your leadership,” Ilham Aliyev said, referring to Abdullah Gul.

“Turkey shows its principled position not only on regional issues, but
also on the current processes in the world. Much depends on Turkey’s
attitude and position. This encourages us. The stronger Turkey will
be, the stronger Azerbaijan will be,” the President noted.

“A very significant event has occurred in my life today. The highest
award of the fraternal country – State Award was assigned to me. I
consider this award as an estimate of my activity. I tried, and I
will continue to try for Turkish-Azerbaijani relations to develop,”
Ilham Aliyev said.

“My dear brother President Gul and myself, during the recent several
years, were able to do much for strengthening this unity,” the
President said. “Today our relations are at the level of alliance. I
think Turkey and Azerbaijan are the world countries which are closely
related to each other. Our mutual understanding and mutual support
are unique.”

“The issues of mutual investments are being successfully solved,”
Ilham Aliyev said.

The President went on to say that Azerbaijan’s largest investments
abroad are of course made in Turkey.

“This process is underway. Azerbaijani investments in the amount of
$15-17 billion will be made in Turkish economy for the next five
years. At the same time, we welcome investments made by Turkish
companies in Azerbaijan and maintain the relations between businessmen
of the two countries. Today, as always, the issues related to the
cooperation in other spheres have been discussed in an atmosphere of
friendship and brotherhood,” Ilham Aliyev noted.

“As my dear brother stressed, I paid my first visit to Turkey after
the presidential election. This is natural and this is a tradition,
which I am sure will continue in the future. Our strength is in unity,
and our unity is built on history,” he said. “Today, two independent
countries – Turkey and Azerbaijan support and strengthen each other. I
am confident that our cooperation will continue to develop. Dear
brother, thank you again for the hospitality.”

SELAMET HAN RENTED FOR BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
Nov 12 2013

ISTANBUL – Hurriyet Daily News
Vercihan Ziflioglu

After being returned to the Armenian community, a historic building
in Istanbul was rented out to be used as a hotel.

Yedikule Surp Pırgic Armenian Hospital-Foundation, which regained
the historical Selamet Han in Istanbul’s Sirkeci district in February
2011, decided to rent the building.

Yedikule Surp Pırgic Armenian Hospital-Foundation Chairman Bedros
Å~^irinoglu declared the historical han has been rented and added,
“The han will serve as a boutique hotel and restaurant. We will use
our income for the hospital and nursing home.”

Å~^irinoglu thanked to the government for the return of the foundation.

The Selamet Han, located in the Eminönu district of Istanbul,
was built by architect Hovsep Aznavur and donated in 1954 to the
Surp Pırgic Armenian Hospital by businessman Calouste Gulbenkyan,
the founder of the Gulbenkyan Museum in Lisbon. The property was
confiscated in 1974.

A historic decree of revisions signed by the Turkish government in
2011 paved the way for the return of assets and property previously
seized by the state from non-Muslim foundations.

Minority foundations have thus far applied for the return of 410
assets, of which 96 have been given back.

November/12/2013

EX-JAYHAWK MAKES BIG SOUND IN SMALLER WAY

The Washington Post
November 10, 2013 Sunday

by Walter Tunis

Talking with Mark Olson is like jumping on a plane and following him
around the globe. Figuratively speaking, the frequent flier miles
pile up quickly.

Phoning him for an interview requires calling a Minneapolis number.

That’s where he spent his youth and where the Americana band that
launched his career, the Jayhawks, got its first record deal. But
he answers from Joshua Tree, Calif., his home away from home for the
past 17 years.

And in describing his newest musical project, talk turns to
collaborations with his Norwegian wife, Ingunn Ringvold, the country
where they wrote much of their newest music (Armenia) and the locale
of the record company that will issue those songs (Germany).

It’s enough to give you jet lag.

But with work as a Jayhawk behind him, seemingly for good despite a
well-received 2011 reunion album, “Mockingbird Lane” (“We’re defunct,”
he said), Olson is focused and openly enthusiastic about the songs he
is creating with Ringvold, the instrumentation they have discovered
to color them and their tour.

“It’s just going to be the two of us,” Olson said. “That’s the
challenge. We try to get as big of a sound as possible with just
two people. I think that’s the future of music in a lot of ways,
especially for young people. I don’t see how they can afford to have
a full rock-and-roll band anymore. I’ve been looking at this for a
long time before putting it into practice.”

Olson and Ringvold have clocked some serious miles in implementing
that practice, as well. That’s where Armenia comes in.

“We’ve been working basically for five or six years on building a
repertoire but have had a number of visa troubles over the past few
years that are now solved,” Olson said. “Because of that, I had to
spend time outside of Europe and Ingunn had to spend time outside of
America. So for us to spend time together, we had to go into these
other countries. So we contacted a charity foundation that put us
in touch with a music school in Armenia, this area that was part of
the 1988 earthquake. We made a contribution there, and they helped
us with learning some new instruments.

“Ingunn learned how to play the qanun, which is a very difficult
instrument with, like, 76 strings. We added that to our set and were
able to get a record deal in Germany, of all places. It’s unbelievable,
I know.

“This visa trouble was . . . well, that’s what it was. It was trouble.

But the amazing thing about it was that it landed us in a position
where we spent a lot of time alone together where we played music. Now
that’s turning out to be in our favor because we developed all these
different styles and songs.”

The qanun figures in roughly three or four songs in their shows. But
the repertoire from which Olson will draw will cover all corners
of his career, from early Jayhawks tunes to ’90s music cut with the
ultra-homey folk troupe the Original Harmony Ridge Creekdippers to
more recent solo projects.

While Olson places priority on the songs he has written with Ringvold,
he still draws satisfaction when an older tune resonates with an
audience, as well as with himself, in a performance.

“What you’re talking about there is probably the best feeling of all,”
he said. “You go out and play a song you may have written 20 years ago,
and something just connects. Now there are songs I wrote many, many
years ago that never even made it onto a record until much later in my
career. But there is still that feeling. It gives you this sense of,
‘Wow, I did accomplish something.’

“Some of these songs have really lasted for me. That’s the main point.

I suppose. Songs can be good and they can last. But it takes a special
song to last for years and years and years so that you still want to
perform it. That speaks to something other than just the melody or the
lyrics or the tempo. That means the song is feeding into something
else. I liken it to floating. If you have a real nice song that you
really enjoy playing, it’s almost like floating when you play it.

That’s what we try to achieve, anyway.”

– Lexington Herald-Leader

Mark Olson

Performing at Jammin’ Java on Sunday, Nov. 10.