Author: Kalantarian Kevo

L’ADHESION DE L’ARMENIE A L’UNION DOUANIÈRE SERA UN SUCCES SI ELLE PERMET UNE CROISSANCE ECONOMIQUE DE 9 A 9,5% SELON L’AMBASSADEUR DE POLOGNE

ARMENIE

L’adhesion de l’Armenie a l’Union douanière sera un succès si elle
permet une croissance economique annuelle de 9 a 9,5% a declare
l’ambassadeur de Pologne en Armenie, Zdzislaw Raczynski, lors d’une
conference de presse.

Il a rappele que l’annee dernière le PIB de l’Armenie avait connu une
croissance de 7%. ” L’adhesion de l’Armenie a l’union douanière sera
efficace que si elle permet une expansion economique supplementaire
2 a 2,5% a-t-il dit.

Le diplomate a presente les calculs des experts polonais, qui disent
l’Armenie aurait gagne 150 millions de dollars de plus si elle avait
signe l’accord d’association avec l’Union europeenne.

lundi 4 novembre 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

Israel ‘Agrees in Principle’ to Lift Visa Rules with Georgia

Civil Georgia, Tbilisi / 31 Oct.’13 / 19:20

From left to right: Georgian PM Bidzina Ivanishivli; Israeli Deputy
Foreign Minister Ze’ev Elkin and Israeli Ambassador to Georgia Yuval
Fuchs, October 31. Photo: Georgian PM’s press office

Israeli government has decided `in principle’ to lift visa
requirements for the Georgian citizens, Israel’s Deputy Foreign
Minister Ze’ev Elkin said in Tbilisi on October 31.

Like with many other countries, Georgia has unilateral visa free rules
for Israeli citizens.

Elkin, who is in Tbilisi for a regional forum of Israeli ambassadors,
met PM Ivanishvili and said that `technical’ aspects now remain to be
negotiated before non-visa rules go into force.

`We had a very good meeting with the Prime Minister in follow-up to
his visit to Israel [in June, 2013]. First of all, I am glad to inform
you that the Israeli leadership has decided to meet his [PM
Ivanishvili’s] initiative and launch talks on preparing an agreement
on non-visa entry rules to Israel,’ Elkin told journalists.

`We see Georgia as one of the largest and important partners in the
world. We have excellent relations. After the Prime Minister’s visit
we are developing active relations in many fields and therefore it is
natural to have non-visa rules between the countries with such close
and friendly relations,’ Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister said.

`I hope that we will carry out relevant technical negotiations very
fast, prepare an agreement and sign it and there will be non-visa
rules between Georgia and Israel,’ Elkin said. `Our Interior Minister
has already notified his Georgian counterpart about it. And I was
officially instructed by [the Israeli] government to launch
negotiations.’

PM Ivanishvili said his visit to Israel in June was one of the most
successful foreign trips for him.

`I requested cancellation of visa rules and they did it and today they
brought such a present to us,’ PM Ivanishvili said.

Georgian Foreign Minister, Maia Panjikidze, said that at the first
stage visa free travel rules will apply for diplomatic and service
passports holders and talks will then continue to apply it to ordinary
passport holders as well

`This process will take several months. We are launching talks now and
in several months Georgian citizens with ordinary passports’ will be
able to travel to Israel without visa, Panjikidze said.

Seeming Isolation of United States

A lot of states whose `strategic’ capacities are reduced to private
interests are building their domestic foreign policy making and
awareness raising on the U.S. isolation, hypothesis of lack of wish in
Washington to intervene actively in different regional affairs.

This hypothesis is confirmed by a number of publications by American
and European experts that flood the internet.

Currently even Obama’s fundamental opponents agree that the United
States needs to stop, and foreign political activities now may cause
trouble.

This country, said to have 20% of global GDP (by other estimates, no
less than 40%), with a monetary system that became global a long time
ago, with national security that has transformed to a global one,
cannot afford real isolation.

The United States does not seem to conduct any policy on Russia, for
example. The U.S. ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul is an
intellectual but he reminds of a charity representative rather than a
diplomat. At the same time, Moscow has never been so angry and nervous
about the policy of Washington.

First, it should be taken into account that over the past 20 years the
United States has deposited immense capital in Eurasia, and now it is
receiving interests.

A study of the U.S. policy in regional terms will give supporters of
the hypothesis of American isolation a better understanding of such
`isolation’.

First, how should one juxtapose this isolation to the installation of
missile defense systems all along Russia’s geopolitical borders by the
U.S. thwarting the established system of strategic resistance?

The second action which is larger in scale is design and
implementation of structures aimed at balance of forces. This is not
only related to Russia, this is the universal method and approach to
the U.S. foreign policy.

The Near East is forming schemes of confrontation between Sunni and
Shiite states and communities; Turkey, Iran and Saudi; in South Asia
between Pakistan and India, in Asia Pacific China and several
militarized states with developed economies.

Now the United States is withdrawing from Afghanistan and Central
Asia, opening the green way to China, which does not need Russia in
this region any more.

The normalization of relations between the United States and Iran will
introduce considerable changes in the situation of some ambitious Arab
states, Turkey, as well as Russia which will lose a more or less big
partner in the south.

Furthermore, more trouble is awaiting Russia in the European direction
where the main goal- clash of interests of Germany and France, as well
as many other European states, with Russia’s claims regarding the
Eastern Partnership – is close.

The states which afforded to make a choice without figuring out the
situation may be offered only partnership in intensifying
international isolation.

So, who is isolated now?

Igor Muradyan
11:10 29/10/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

Bandar-controlled terrorists threaten Russia
Saudi spymaster Bandar bin Sultan

Mon Oct 28, 2013 10:47AM GMT

By Yusuf Fernandez
Related Interviews:

‘US, KSA both want Syria regime change’
`Corrupt Al Khalifa rule must end’

During his recent visit to Moscow, some weeks ago, Saudi intelligence
chief Bandar bin Sultan told Russian President Vladimir Putin that
Saudi-controlled militants in the Caucasus will not disrupt the Winter
Olympic Games in Sochi only if Russia backed away from its support for
Syria. Putin reportedly rejected the proposal.

`We know that you have supported the Chechen terrorist groups for a
decade. And that support, which you have frankly talked about just
now, is completely incompatible with the common objectives of fighting
global terrorism that you mentioned’, Putin is said to have answered.

There are good reasons for Bandar and the Saudi ruling family to be
angry at Russia (and lately at the US, too). Saudi Arabia´s plans
against Shiites and the Axis of Resistance in the Middle East have
been undermined by Russian policies in Syria, Iran and elsewhere.
Bandar planned to overthrow Bashar al Assad in Syria through a US
attack and the action of terrorist groups there, to isolate and
destroy Hezbollah and to push Washington into a confrontation with
Tehran.

However, Bandar clearly misunderstood Russia, Iran and Hezbollah and
their determination to support their Syrian ally and to defeat his
plans. Russia deployed a powerful fleet in Eastern Mediterranean and
made it clear that it was willing to support and protect Syria.

Therefore, Bandar could try to take revenge on Russia through his
terrorist tools. This is of course insane, but his threats to Russia
(and now to the US) are themselves evidence of his insanity and
stupidity and led the world public opinion to understand that the
Saudi regime itself is a real problem for the region and the world.

Extremist groups and the Olympic Games
Terrorist groups tied to Saudi Arabia and other countries have been
operating in the North Caucasus for years. According to Syria’s Grand
Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun, who recently visited the Islamic
University of Moscow, `there are around 2,000 extremists from Russia
fighting in Syria.’ He said that `among the fighters, there are people
from Chechnya and Dagestan in the Caucasus as well as those of
Tatarstan in central Russia’.

According to the Lebanese daily As Safir, which quoted the director of
the Russian site Qafqaz Ozil, Gregory Chavidov, `the Russian
extremists have gained experience in the war in Syria. They have
learned to fight in cities. Up to now, the terrorists in the Caucasus
did not enjoy such experience. And when they return home and organize
their ranks, they will certainly represent a major threat.’ He added
that `Sochi is seriously exposed to attacks by extremist groups who
took part in street battles in Syria, in spite of all measures taken
to ensure security for the Olympic Winter Games.’

The ringleader of the terrorists in the Russian Caucasus Doku Umarov
threatened last July to disrupt the Olympic Winter Games, promising
that he would try by all means to prevent the games from taking place.
Umarov has reached a deal with Emir Salautdin, who controls North
Caucasus militants in Syria, for those militants to return to Russia
to fight under his command. Umarov has proclaimed the North Caucasus
an independent state, calling it Imarat Kaukaz (The Caucasus Emirate).
The Russian expert said that `if the Russian militants return to the
country, responding to Umarov’s call, it would represent a serious
concern.’

For his part, Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed concern
over the return of Russian militants who are currently fighting
against Syrian forces. He wrote in a recent article published in the
New York Times, `We cannot but be concerned about the presence of
hundreds of extremists from Western countries and even Russia, who are
fighting Syria. Who can assure us that these people, with their
experience in Syria, will not come back to our country? This is a real
threat to us all.’

The Russian President called on the country’s Muslim leaders to work
together with state authorities in order to counter these radical
movements. `Radical movements, which have never been popular among
Russian Muslims seek to weaken our state and to create foreign-managed
conflicts in the Russian territory’, he said.

Putin has set up a clear policy, which aims at combating extremist
groups wherever it is possible and necessary, with no concerns for
other factors. The current civil war in Syria is considered by the
Russian president a continuation of his fight in Chechnya and this is
a message easily understandable by the majority of Russians.

Putin has ordered Russian intelligence agencies to step up their
efforts in Northern Caucasus and has issued a decree reducing the
freedom of movement and assembly near the Sochi resort. `Despite the
obvious positive changes, the situation in the North Caucasus is
improving too slowly,’ Putin said. `Terrorist threats, uncertainties
regarding safety have not been permanently eradicated’.

The Russian concern has been fuelled by the terrorist attack on
October 22 in Volvograd. Six people were killed and 37 were injured –
some of them critically – after a female suicide bomber, Naida
Asivalova, from Dagestan, set off a bomb on a bus in Volgograd,
central Russia.

Recently, a Russian citizen, Sergei Gorbunov, was also captured by
`extremist militants’ in Syria, who threatened to `slaughter’ him if
Russia and Syria did not exchange him through the Red Cross for a
native of Saudi Arabia named Khaled Suleiman. He was reportedly taken
hostage by militants from the Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar (Army of
Emigrants and Supporters). This group is led by Abu Omar al Chechen
and is manned by volunteers from the Caucasus.

On the other hand, Bandar’s claims that Saudi Arabia controls Chechen
terrorist groups has also raised new questions about the April 15
Boston Marathon bombing. The Tsarnaev brothers, who allegedly carried
out the attacks, had close family links to Chechen extremist groups in
Russia. The elder brother, Tamerlan, traveled to the region to contact
such groups.

Threats from Afghanistan
The Caucasus is not the only region where extremist groups are acting
against Russia. While NATO forces are preparing the pull-out of their
troops from Afghanistan, Moscow is increasingly concerned that this
fact will increase the threat for Russia and its allies in Central
Asia. It already happened in the 1980s, when the CIA and Bandar
supported `Muyahideen’ who were fighting against Soviet troops in
Afghanistan as a part of a more comprehensive plan to spread the
extremist ideology within the boundaries of the Soviet Union and thus
create problems and weaken the latter.

Russia recently announced that it would reinforce its military
contingents in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan ahead of the US withdrawal.
The head of Russian GRU military intelligence agency, Igor Sergun,
said that the current situation in Afghanistan was `a serious
challenge to international stability’.

Russia maintains some big military bases in Central Asia and around
7,000 Russian soldiers are deployed there. Seven hundred soldiers are
stationed in Kyrgyzstan, especially in the Kant air base near the
capital, Bishkek. In Tajikistan, Russian land forces of the 201st
Motorized Rifle Division have their own base and both countries have
started negotiations on the use of the Ayni air base by Russian
military, too. However, Russian experts consider that the existing
network of Russian bases is not sufficient to protect Tajikistan´s
long border with Afghanistan in the case of a conflict.

The governments of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have been fighting
against the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), which is supported
by the Taliban. After suffering heavy losses in the Afghan war, the
IMU´s activities are now limited to the south of Tajikistan, although
there are also reports pointing to the presence of this group in other
Central Asian republics.

YF/NN
Yusuf Fernandez is a journalist and the secretary of the Muslim
Federation of Spain. He started to work for Radio Prague. He has been
editor of several Islamic sites in Spanish and English and is
currently editor of the Spanish site of Al Manar. He has also
published articles in leading Spanish newspapers. More articles by
Yusuf Fernandez

LOS ARMENOS
Le « Casanova arménien » est à l’ombre d’une prison californienne

Le « Glendale News-Press » rapporte le cas du « Casanova arménien »,un
certain Hamlet Sarkissian, condamné à la prison et du versement de 400
000 dollars à la victime, pour harcèlement. Cet Arménien de 48 ans,
habitant Glendale (Californie), a été reconnu coupable pour poursuivre
obstinément une femme mariée. H. Sarkissian l’aimait avec rage et la
menaçait de l’assassiner si elle ne répondait pas à ses avances. Face
au refus de la dame, il l’a même poursuivi en voiture et s’est
encastré contre la voiture de cette dame. Puis il l’a agressé
physiquement, laissant des séquelles visibles sur le corps. H.
Sarkissian poursuivait également la dame jusqu’à son domicile par la
fenêtre et même sur son lieu de travail ainsi que dans une église dans
le quartier de Nord-Hollywood à Los Angeles, pour déclarer sa
flamme… Le 14 novembre le Tribunal de Glendale va revoir son dossier
de mise en liberté demandé par ses avocats après versement de sommes
importantes en gage de sa libération. Pas sûr que les juges les
écoutent.

Krikor Amirzayan

dimanche 3 novembre 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

ARMENIE
Le désappointement des candidats à la Green Card en Arménie

Des dizaines de milliers de citoyens d’Arménie ont candidaté à l’US
Diversity Visa, mieux connu comme la loterie de la carte verte, en
2011 et un sur cent a effectivement été sélectionné ce qui lui donne
une chance de poursuivre son « rêve américain ». Mais les chances de
la loterie qui s’est tenue pendant environ deux décennies vont
s’amenuiser dans la mesure où la question de la diversité en matière
d’immigration va faire l’objet d’un compromis pour un nouveau plan
bipartisan de réforme de l’immigration qui sera débattu par les
législateurs au Capitole ce mois-ci.

L’Arménie semble avoir l’un des plus fort taux via la loterie de la
carte verte comme l’a révélé l’ambassade américaine à Erevan. Ainsi,
environ 100000 personnes sur environ 3 millions d’habitants du pays
ont cherché à gagner le statut de résident permanent aux Etats-Unis en
2011. En Géorgie et Azerbaïdjan ces chiffres sont beaucoup plus
modestes 53000 et 25000, respectivement, alors que les populations de
ces pays sont estimées à 4,5 millions et 9,3 millions de personnes.

Au cours des 17 années écoulées depuis que la Diversity Visa a été
introduite en 1995 près de 21000 citoyens d’Arménie ont quitté leur
résidence permanente pour les États-Unis en tant que gagnants de la
loterie de la carte verte a dit l’ambassade américaine à Erevan. Mais
les heureux gagnants de cette année (les résultats étaient fixés le
1er mai et les gagnants devraient être avertis en août) seront peut
être les derniers à profiter de ce privilège.

Le président américain Barack Obama, qui a été réélu pour un second
mandat à la Maison Blanche l’année dernière, a déclaré que la réforme
de l’immigration est une priorité de son administration.

S’exprimant devant le Sénat le 11 Juin, Obama a déclaré que la refonte
du système d’immigration d’Amérique qui dysfonctionne ne peut pas
attendre. « Le système est toujours en panne. Et pour faire face
réellement à ce problème, le Congrès doit agir. Et ce moment est
maintenant » a déclaré Obama, fils d’un immigrant en provenance du
Kenya.

La législation envisagée créerait un chemin vers la citoyenneté
américaine pour la plupart des 11 millions de personnes qui sont dans
le pays illégalement. Elle permettrait également de renforcer la
sécurité à la frontière américano-mexicaine. En outre, Obama a déclaré
qu’avec le projet de loi, il serait plus facile pour les étudiants
étrangers de rester aux États-Unis.

Mais ceux qui comptent maintenant sur la loterie de la carte verte
comme un chemin vers l’immigration légale aux États-Unis peuvent
oublier leurs rêves américains que l’Oncle Sam est sur le point de
l’abandonner comme un compromis entre démocrates et républicains. Au
lieu de cela, les nouveaux paquets de réforme prévoient plus de
possibilités pour les diplômés des universités américaines avec des
diplômes en science, technologie, ingénierie et mathématiques afin de
séjourner et travailler légalement aux États-Unis.

Hrant Achikyan natif d’Erevan a été l’un des 50000 gagnants de la
loterie de la carte verte qui a été sélectionné au hasard dans le
monde entier dans le cadre du programme de la Diversity Visa 2013.

Hrant Achikyan, avocat de 25 ans formé en Arménie, est partit pour les
Etats-Unis il y a environ un mois. Il reste actuellement avec sa
famille à Los Angeles, mais estime qu’il est difficile de dire si sa
décision de poursuivre son rêve américain était bon ou mauvais.

« Je ne peux pas le dire jusqu’à ce que j’obtienne un emploi. Ici,
vous ne pouvez rien faire jusqu’à ce que vous obtenez un numéro de
sécurité sociale. Une fois que vous l’obtenez, vous pouvez demander un
permis de conduire et une carte d’identité pour être en mesure de
trouver un emploi. Et je vis dans un endroit qui nécessite de conduire
une voiture pour aller travailler. C’est pourquoi je ne peux rien dire
encore de définitif quant à savoir si venir ici était une bonne chose
ou non » a déclaré à Hrant Achikyan à ArmeniaNow. Dans le même temps,
le jeune homme pense qu’il a encore plus de chances dans la vie aux
États-Unis qu’il n’en aurait eu s’il avait décidé de rester en
Arménie.

La fin de l’ère de la loterie de la carte verte pourrait être une
surprise pour certaines entreprises et sociétés qui ont gagné de
l’argent dans les deux dernières décennies en aidant les personnes à
faire leurs demandes.

Une entreprise à Etchmiadzine appartenant à Artur Lazarian en plus
d’autres services a traditionnellement fourni des services à
d’éventuels demandeurs de carte verte. Il a dit que si la loterie est
arrêté, il sera privé de certains revenus supplémentaires en Octobre /
Novembre lorsque la loterie se déroule traditionnellement et qu’ils
servent jusqu’à 200 clients en facturant 1500 drams (environ 3,50 $)
pour le service.

Arthur Lazarian a dit les travailleurs de son entreprise déposent
également des demandes de loterie de la carte verte pour eux-mêmes et
leurs familles. Au cours des cinq dernières années, selon lui, trois
de ses 12 employés ont été sélectionnées pour poursuivre des visas de
résidence permanente aux États-Unis. Il y a également eu d’autres
gagnants parmi leurs clients. Lazarian affirme que le nombre des
candidats utilisant les services de son bureau n’a cessé de croître
d’année en année.

« Il est intéressant de noter que lorsque nous avons commencé à offrir
le service nous avons eu seulement les jeunes adultes, des personnes
gées de 30 à 35 ans, qui déposaient des demandes de loterie de la
carte verte, mais ces dernières années, nous avons également eu des
personnes gées jusqu’à 85 ans parmi nos clients. Cela signifie que
désormais tous, du plus jeune au vieux, veulent participer à cette
loterie » a-t-il dit.

Un sondage de Gallup effectué en Arménie au cours des dernières années
montre que jusqu’à 40 pour cent de la population du pays voient son
avenir à l’étranger. La plupart des gens qui émigrent d’Arménie le
font dans la recherche de meilleures conditions sociales et
économiques de vie ainsi que de justice que souvent ils ne reçoivent
pas dans leur pays natal.

Un programme d’immigration russe, « les compatriotes », a été institué
en Arménie au cours des dernières années, attirant des milliers
d’Arméniens afin de se réinstaller dans des provinces russes avec le
soutien du gouvernement. Le programme est maintenant suspendue, mais
il est prévu de le rouvrir plus tard cette année offrant des
conditions encore plus attrayante pour les immigrants potentiels.

Des experts de la démographie et certains cercles politiques et
civiques considèrent les programmes comme la Diversity Visa des
Etats-Unis ou le régime des « compatriotes russes » comme un mal pour
des pays comme l’Arménie. Mais ils sont également convaincus que si
les problèmes économiques et sociaux du peuple ne sont pas pris en
charge par le gouvernement, plus d’Arméniens trouveront un moyen
d’émigrer avec ou sans ces canaux d’immigration.

Pendant ce temps, au cours de la saison estivale, des centaines
d’Arméniens quittent le pays sur une base quotidienne, beaucoup de bus
se dirigeant vers la Russie pour trouver du travail en tant que
travailleurs migrants. La situation est particulièrement alarmante
dans les zones économiquement défavorisées du pays comme le Shirak.
Les gens dans Gyumri blague à ce sujet qu’un jeune homme sans emploi
mais avec un billet d’avion est déjà un futur mari.

Pourtant, les responsables gouvernementaux en Arménie minimisent
l’ampleur de l’émigration. Un membre important du Parti républicain au
pouvoir Galust Sahakian estime que l’opposition s’interroge simplement
sur la question de l’émigration à des fins politiques. Il pense que
les Arméniens vont quitter et revenir et il n’y a aucun danger dans
cela parce que « les Arméniens ont vécu même sans Etat et continueront
à vivre et à devenir plus fort ».

Par Siranuysh Gevorgyan

ArmeniaNow

dimanche 3 novembre 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

COMMANDER OF RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE IN ARMENIA THREATENS AZERBAIJAN

Turan Information Agency, Azerbaijan
November 1, 2013 Friday

Baku/31.10.13/Turan:

It appears that the Azerbaijani government concerned about the fate
of Orkhan Zeynalov finally lost landmarks, and their statements about
defending the national interests look ridiculous.

Last week the Foreign Ministry, Parliament, Attorney General, Embassy
of Azerbaijan in Moscow and many others were just so busy defending
the national dignity of Azerbaijanis in Russia. It seems that for
all of these and other state agencies dealing with Orkhan Zeynalov
acquired such importance that they have lost the ability to see and
hear anything else.

If it were otherwise, our diplomats, politicians and statesmen could
not miss the scandalous performance by the commander of the 102nd
Russian military base in Armenia Andrei Ruzinsky.

In an interview with the newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda yet on October 10
this colonel said:

“The military-political situation in the zone of responsibility of
the military base is restless and is characterized by a number of
destabilizing factors associated with the possibility of an escalation
of conflict in the region – the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. In
the case of the management’s decision to restore the jurisdiction of
Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh by force the military base may enter
into an armed conflict in accordance with the contractual obligations
of the Russian Federation within the framework of the CSTO.”

And how did the official Baku react to this and did the embassy in
Moscow submit a note to the Russian Foreign Ministry?

Yes, they responded – they gave two notes demanding to ensure the
rights of Orkhan Zeynalov.

As experience shows, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry and other
agencies respond rapidly to negative reports about violations of
human rights and democracy, and also the criticism of the ruling
family and corruption in the country.

It is a priority of the government. And it turns out that the threat
of a foreign country to use military force against Azerbaijan is not
such an important phenomenon to react to it – that is, the issue is
not a priority.

It is very interesting that the statement of Colonel Ruzinsky was
not disavowed by the Defense Ministry of Russia, though the head of
the Collective Security Treaty Organization has repeatedly said that
Nagorno-Karabakh is not a zone of CSTO responsibility, as de jure it
is a territory of Azerbaijan.

As for the military’s 102nd military base in Armenia, it includes 13
main combat units and 17 units of comprehensive support. It includes
SAM battalions C- 300B, SAM Buk -M1-2, a reactive battery Tornado
and air bases with a squadron of MiG -29.

The number of troops by some estimates is about 3,000 people and it
continues to grow.

In the course of joint exercises with units of Armenian Armed Forces
this year they worked out combat operations management, reflection
attack, counter-attack on the retreating enemy, etc.

According to the same Ruzinsky, it is planned to strengthen the
air base at the airport in Erebuni – close to the MiG -29 and post
war military transport helicopters. The entire package of bilateral
documents required has been signed, the colonel said. -02D-

ARMENIAN BAR ASSOCIATION RETURNS TO FRESNO WITH A FLOURISH

23:04, November 1, 2013

On the weekend of October 25-27, 2013, members of the Armenian Bar
Association from across the country were united in Fresno, California,
to recognize and honor California Court of Appeal Justice Charles
“Chuck” Poochigian and several members of Fresno’s judiciary for their
outstanding dedication to public service and their Armenian heritage.

The Association’s pilgrimage to Fresno, one of the oldest
Armenian-American communities in the United States with its roots
dating back to the late 1800’s, started off with a Friday evening
dinner at the century-old Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church.

ArmenBar members sat side by side with Fresno Armenians, young and
old alike, enjoying authentic Armenian cuisines and shared ideas and
their vision for the future of the community in Fresno at the Church’s
Annual Bazaar.

On Saturday, October 26th, distinguished Professor of Armenian Studies
at California State University Fresno, Barlow Der Mugrdechian, guided
Association members on a four-hour tour of the many historic sites
of Fresno County. The tour included visits to the epic statue of
David of Sassoun that adorns the Civic Center. This was followed by a
soul-stirring expedition to the Ararat and Massis Armenian Cemeteries
located on the west side of the city. Members paused to reflect on the
immense contributions of notable figures, such as world literary giant
William Saroyan and Armenian hero SoghomonTehlirian. In the presence
and shadows of thousands of modern-day Khachkars, members contemplated
the sacrifices and successes of their ancestors and paid homage at the
tombs of the very first settlers of the Armenian community in Fresno.

The tour next took the attendees for a visit to century-old St.

Gregory’s Armenian Church in Fowler, where parish Father
YeghiaHairabedian greeted the delegation and traced the history of
the farm community and congregation which has earned an important and
continuing legacy. From there, the group moved to the ever-popular
Simonian Farms on the edge of Fresno’s wide country roads, where
the attendees had a chance to pick fruit in a tribute to Armenian
farmers and families who brought with them the talents they developed
in their hometowns of Kharpert, Moush, Bitlis, Van, Erzerum and
Dickrangerd to make the Central Valley of California one of the
greatest food-producing areas in the entire world.

The tour was capped with a visit to California State University
Fresno’s Armenian Studies Department. There the guests had a chance
to observe first-hand the many outstanding programs the university
has developed in educating students in the Armenian language, history
and culture. Chairman Ghazarian stated that “We are thankful to Prof.

Der Mugrdechian for taking his valuable time to educate us about the
rich and vibrant history of Fresno.”

Following the Fresno Armenian heritage tour, Armenian Bar members
were invited to attend a private reception and meeting at the recentl-
constructed California Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District.

Located in Fresno’s “Old Armenian Town” section, the attendees had
the unique opportunity to hear Justice Chuck Poochigian, along with
Presiding Justice of the Fifth Appellate District, Justice Brad Hill,
and the highest sitting Armenian-American jurist in California,
Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvin Baxter, greet the Armenian
Bar and guide the guests to the court’s library, conference room and
pointed out the unique architectural features of the building which
conjure images of beautiful Yosemite National Park in many of its
architectural motifs and details.

On Saturday evening, the star-spangled highlight of the weekend took
place, when the Association hosted its Judges’ Night dinner gala
in the grand hall of Holy Trinity Church. The event drew nearly two
hundred guests representing a broad cross-section of Fresno’s legal
community. Several prominent law firms, including Baker Manock,
Baradat&Paboojian, Dowling Aaron, Coleman &Horowitt, Lozano Smith,
McCormick Barstow and Tomassian, Pimentel &Shapazian served as
sponsors for the festivities. Joining the law firms as sponsors were
Fresno Armenian families that are very active in and have served
the community for generations, including the Apkarian, Messerlian,
Parnagian and Poochigian families.

Former ArmenBar board member and Los Angeles attorney, Garo K.

Hovannisian, served as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies. Mr.

Hovannisian welcomed the guests and invited Father VahanGosdanian to
offer the evening’s invocation. Hovannisian then drawing a parallel
to a teacher at a boarding school, whose students refer to him as
“Oh captain, my captain” and hailing him as an inspiring leader who
sets an array of examples of public service by his deeds, welcomed
ArmenBar Chairman GaroGhazarian to the podium to deliver his remarks.

Ghazarian solemnly opened his presentation by asking that all those
present rise for a moment of silence to reflect on the memories of
those who are buried in the Armenian cemeteries of Fresno, and honor
the sacrifices made by those earlier generations of Fresno Armenians
who, out of the ashes of the Armenian Genocide, built a vibrant
community for all those who came to America in the years and decades
that followed. Chairman Ghazarian stated, “Why are we here? Why did
the Armenian Bar decide to come to Fresno? Is it because Fresno needs
us? No, it’s because we need Fresno.”

Ghazarian urged the young and old lawyers of Fresno to renew their
commitments to not only the legal canons of their profession, but also
to the moral canons of being Armenians. He said that while speaking,
reading and writing in Armenian are wonderful traits to possess,
they are not exclusive, and not being proficient in these abilities
does not preclude those from being Armenians through and through. To
be an Armenian, Ghazarian continued, “one needs to feel the need
and urgency in his or her soul, and be of service to the Armenian
community and to the Armenian Cause – Hye Tad.”

Finally, Chairman Ghazarian thanked Fresno for giving the Armenian
Bar its founder, Raffi K. Hovannisian, and concluded by pointing out
that we, as Armenians, owe a debt of gratitude to the United States,
our adopted homeland, for all the opportunities that are available
to us, to excel as human beings, and to do so while maintaining our
identities as Armenian-Americans.

The audience was treated to a musical interlude by talented Fresno
tenor BerjApkarian who lifted the spirits of the audience to even
higher plateaus with his virtuoso performance of traditional Armenian
songs. Thereafter, in a surprise presentation, retired California
Supreme Court Justice Armand Arabian, presented copies of his
autobiographical book, “From Gravel to Gavel,” to Justices Baxter
and Poochigian.

Justice Baxter was then invited to the podium to address the guests
and say a few words about the evening’s honoree Justice Poochigian. A
native of Fowler, California, Justice Baxter eloquently described
that while the first Armenians to the Central Valley were given
refuge from the horrors of the Ottoman Empire, they were not exactly
welcomed with open arms. He recounted how the ancestors of Fresno’s
Armenian community had to endure the outright discrimination that came
with restrictive land covenants and preclusion from many social and
fraternal organizations. Justice Baxter recalled how this differential
treatment resulted in the phenomenon of the Armenians living closely
together and forming the social organizations and fraternal bonds that
would help the community survive to the present day. Justice Baxter
praised the Armenian Bar for recognizing and honoring Fresno’s native
son, Chuck Poochigian.

The evening’s most compelling remarks were made by Armenian Bar former
Chairman and current Vice-Chairman, Armen K. Hovannisian. A founding
member of the organization, Vice-Chairman Hovannisian gave a rousing
and deeply-meaningful tribute to Justice Poochigian highlighting his
adherence to the values that his forefathers brought with them to
Fresno from Armenia nearly 100 years ago. As an outstanding model
of these values, Justice Poochigian, Hovannisian explained, has
rightfully earned a reputation of honesty, integrity, and decency,
as well as the singular recognition of being a”A Man among Men,
An Example among Examples, and A Judge among Judges.”

Harkening back to the fundamentally positive core values of
the early Armenian-American generations, Hovannisian commented,
“Chuck Poochigian is the most dominant and complete carrier of those
genetics,” Mr. Hovannisian then asked several Fresno County Superior
Court Judges who were present to stand and be recognized for their
lifetime achievements and dedication to the administration of justice.

Among that group were Superior Court Judges Brian Arax, David
Kalemkarian, Debra Kazanjian, EdwardSarkisian, Houry Sanderson,
John Vogt, and James Aaron (retired).

Humbled by the honor, Justice Poochigian praised Armen Hovannisian and
the Armenian Bar Association for all of its worthy accomplishments over
the years in service not only to the Armenian-American community,
but also to Armenia. Justice Poochigian was then presented
with a magnificent Armenian peacock painting by Glendale artist,
SeroonYeretsian, with an inscription recognizing Justice Poochigian
for the extraordinary example he has been to his community.

Chairman Ghazarian concluded by stating: “The memories made by the
Armenian Bar’s pilgrimage to California’s Central Valley and the
Armenian-American community are engrained in the minds and hearts
of those who were fortunate to be able to spend the last weekend of
October 2013 in Fresno. We look forward to and vow to soon return
home to Fresno in the near future.”

RUSSIA BETTER CHOICE FOR ARMENIA – MP

21:17 ~U 01.11.13

Armenian National Congress (ANC) parliamentary group member Lyudmila
Sargsyan believes that Armenia’s membership in the Customs Union has
no alternative.

Although Armenia’s future is uncertain, the Customs Union is more
predictable than the West.

“What happened on September 3 proved a surprise for everyone,” Ms
Sargsyan told journalists on Friday.

However, Armenia had no choice. “Given our country’s geographical
location, as well as who controls our economy, who is guarding our
borders, which state is actually guarantor of our security.”

‘We should have implemented a balanced policy toward both the European
Union and Russia,” Hakobyan said. However, quite the opposite was done
and neither the EU nor Russia considers Armenia a reliable partner.

As regards the Eastern Partnership Summit to be held in Vilnius,
Armenia should not hold any expectations, Ms Sargsyan said. But
Armenia may sign a declarative document.

Armenia had no alternative. “If Serzh Sargsyan intended to initial an
association agreement with the EU in Vilnius, he would found himself
in a much more difficult situation, being well aware of which state
was guarding our borders, of the course the Nagorno-Karabakh peace
process might take. We must realize the fact that we are a country
on the brink of war, surrounded by enemies,” Ms Sargsyan.

Armenian News – Tert.am

SDHP CENTRAL COMMITTEE DELEGATION MEETINGS IN LEBANON

By MassisPost

Updated: October 30, 2013

BEIRUT – A delegation of the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party Central
Committee Board headed by SDHP Central Committee Chairman Hagop
Dikranian visited various Lebanese Armenian religious and political
institutions.The delegation paid visits to the; Catholicos of the Great
House of Cilicia; Aram I, Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church;
Nerses Bedros XIX, President of the Union of Armenian Evangelical
Church; Rev. Megredij Karakozian, as well as the Armenian Democratic
Liberal Ramgavar party Central Committee.

The topics discussed at the meetings focused on local, regional and
national development issues important to the Armenian community
including; the current political and social state of affairs in
the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh, the preparations for the
commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, and
the state of the Syrian Armenian community within and outside of Syria.

The SDHP delegation included the SDHP Central Committee Vice Chairman
and Lebanese MP Sebouh Kalpakian, former Lebanese MP Dr. Yeghia
Jerejian, and Mr. Shavarsh Aginian along with Chairman of the S.D.

Hunchakian party Executive Committee of Lebanon Mr. Alexander
Keushkerian.