Author: Kalantarian Kevo

ANCA LEADERS MARK ARMENIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH SEN. MENENDEZ

Friday, October 4th, 2013

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Rober Menendez addressing
Armenian American community leaders

“Today is a celebration of independence, but we cannot forget history.

And only by closing this dark chapter in human history [the Armenian
Genocide] can we rightfully honor its victims. Let me be perfectly
clear. . . there is no other word for it, there is no euphemism, there
is no avoiding it, there are no excuses.” – Senator Robert Menendez

LOS ANGELES-Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee, celebrated Armenia’s Independence Day and
reaffirmed his commitment to the national and democratic aspirations
of the Armenian people at events with Armenian American community
leaders in Southern California on September 21, 2013. Chairman Menendez
was joined at Independence Day celebrations by local, regional and
national representatives of the Armenian National Committee of America,
which has supported the Senator’s principled leadership for more than
two decades.

“Chairman Menendez is a true champion of human rights, democracy
and justice, who, in the best American tradition, works tirelessly
to ensure that our government’s policies live up to our ideals as a
people,” remarked ANCA National Board member Raffi Hamparian. “As a
proud fellow son of New Jersey, who also had the opportunity to work on
Capitol Hill during Senator Menendez’s tenure in the U.S. House, I know
first-hand how very much he has done – sometimes in the public arena,
other times quietly and out of the spotlight – to advance the national
and democratic aspirations of the Armenian people,” Hamparian added.

Vahe and Aida Yeghiazarian were the gracious hosts of an intimate
event with Chairman Menendez prior to a community gathering hosted
at the Glendale Youth Center

In moving remarks, warmly welcomed by the capacity crowd at the
Glendale Youth Center and also by ANCA supporters gathered at the home
of Vahe and Aida Yeghiazarian, Senator Menendez recalled the heroic
efforts that launched and sustained the first Republic of Armenia
and joined with Armenians worldwide in marking the 22nd anniversary
of Armenia’s reborn independence. He reaffirmed his commitment to
Armenia’s independence, stressing his support for her security,
democratic development, and sustainable, broad-based economic growth.

In keeping with his principled record, dating back to his service in
the U.S. House of Representatives, the New Jersey legislator spoke in
favor of a peaceful and democratic resolution of Nagorno Karabakh and
against Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide. He shared his high
regard for the Armenian American community’s longstanding tradition
of democratic engagement and the ANCA’s leadership in that regard.

Senator Menendez singled out for special praise the Armenian Youth
Federation and its pioneering Youth Corps program to host summer
camps in Armenia, educate young people, perform community service,
and strengthen diaspora and homeland connections. Chairman Menendez
warmly welcomed the presence of Ani Tchaghlasian, James Sahagian,
and other New Jersey Armenian community leaders on hand for his events
in Los Angeles.

Senator Menendez has been a longstanding supporter of Armenian American
issues and an outspoken advocate for U.S. affirmation of the Armenian
Genocide since his years in the House of Representatives.

Notably, he placed a “hold” on the nomination of Dick Hoagland,
President George W. Bush’s nominee as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia,
after Hoagland denied the Armenian Genocide during his Senate
confirmation process. He also successfully blocked the nomination of
U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Matthew Bryza due to his shortcomings
as a senior diplomat dealing with the Caucasus.

As Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Menendez leads
the consideration of foreign policy legislation and is responsible for
holding confirmation hearings for ambassadorial and other high-level
diplomatic positions in the Department of State. The Committee has
debated landmark treaties and legislation, ranging from the Alaska
purchase in 1867 to the establishment of United Nations in 1945.

During his remarks at a community gathering and a leadership
reception, Senator Menendez addressed a broad range of issues of
concern to Armenian Americans, including, notably, his high regard
for the Armenian American community. At the Glendale Youth Center
event, he said: “We are Americans first, and Armenians have proven
time and time again their great love of America, their strong, deep
faith and abiding sense of what our country is all about. But that
does not mean that an Armenian, or for that fact, any other citizen
of the United States with deep roots or heritage, should forget their
heritage or should not be able to raise their voice, as citizens of
the United States, about what they believe should be the policy of
the U.S. So I want to thank the ANCA for their tremendous advocacy –
all of the time – on these critical issues in Washington DC.”

Hacob and Mina Shirvanian confer with Chairman Menendez as leaders
Karo Khanjian and Raffi Hamparian look on

In celebrating the 22nd anniversary of Armenia’s renewed independence,
he recalled the heroism of the first Armenian Republic: “We remember
those four days in 1918 when volunteers and refugees united to defend
their nation from the Turkish army that was cleansing the Armenians. .

. Outgunned and outnumbered but extraordinarily courageous and united,
as they are today, to establish a democratic Republic of Armenia in
which the vision of a homeland would be their hope for over a century
of exile and Soviet domination.”

Noting the history of the 1918 Republic’s founding during the horrors
of the Armenian Genocide, Senator Menendez stated that: “Even in
the midst of this celebration when we remember that foundation of
independence and then the ultimate creation of the modern Armenian
state in 1991, we also remember one of the darkest events in human
history: the Genocide of 1915, and we are still talking about it
today. We will not, and I believe we cannot, ever forget. We remember
the victims by not only those who lost their lives, but in recognition
of how they died, and how history remembers their deaths.” He added:
“To me, quite simply, genocide is genocide. I have for 21 years in my
time in the House and the House International Relations Committee,
and in the Senate, since I came eight years ago, and now as the
Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I continue to
support a resolution to recognize the Armenian Genocide and to use
the lessons of what clearly was an atrocity of historic proportions,
to prevent future crimes against humanity. If we do not remember the
past, we are destined to repeat it.”

Chairman Menendez speaking with community stalwart and long time ANCA
supporter Frank Melkonian and national board member Raffi Hamparian

“The time has come, and it is actually passed time, for the United
States to join the European Union and 19 other nations that
have formally recognized the actions carried out by the former
Ottoman Empire, from 1915-1923 as, in fact, genocide. . . Only by
closing this dark chapter in human history can we rightly honor
its victims.” “We, the people, remember the Armenians. The world,
remembers. Ninety-eight years later, the children, the grand-children,
and the great-grand-children of the survivors. . . we, remember,”
he declared, noting that modern-day Turkey should “give back the
churches that were taken, and have in many cases been destroyed,
to the Patriarchate.”

Speaking to the challenges facing Armenia today, he said: “We look
forward to a day when we can be assured that the Armenian homeland will
survive and it will thrive… as an independent state. . . that can
fulfill the hopes and dreams and aspirations of its citizens,” adding:
“We need greater engagement and more opportunities for the Armenian
people.” He stressed that: “We value our relationship with Armenia,
one that is based on a deep and abiding respect and common interest.

Together, we have worked to reduce poverty, expand trade and
investment, promote good governance and the ongoing work of
non-governmental organizations and civil society groups, and broaden
access to healthcare.”

PM SARGSYAN: ARMENIA SECURES 5% OF WORLD’S MICROCHIP DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN

October 04, 2013 | 13:04

YEREVAN. – Armenia secures 5 percent of the microchip development
and design sector of global production.

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan stated the above-said Friday addressing
ArmTech Congress ’13, which kicked off in capital city Yerevan.

He specifically pointed to Mentor Graphics Company President Walden
Rhines, who was on hand at the official opening of his company’s
representation in Yerevan.

As per Sargsyan, this is one of Armenia’s relative pluses in global
information technologies.

Particularly, the world’s famous companies specializing in the domain
of design send their specialists to Armenia for training.

The PM informed that even though about 7,000 professionals work in
300 enterprises in Armenia’s IT sector, there is still a great demand
for workforce. To this end, the Armenian government aims to ensure
the training of at least 2,000 employees in medium term.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

ARMENIA TO OPEN A DRUG CONTROL LABORATORY, WITH SUPPORT FROM RUSSIA

YEREVAN, October 4. /ARKA/. A modern anti-drug laboratory will be
opened in Armenia with assistance from Russia, the press office of
Armenia’s National Security Council reported after the meeting of
the Security Council Secretary Artur Baghdasaryan with the head of
Drug Trafficking Control Service of Russia Victor Ivanov.

Ivanov is currently in Armenia in relation to local “Kanal-Kavkaz”
anti-drug action held on October 1-4, with international headquarters
in Armenia.

The counterparts discussed also setting of anti-drug center within
the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and arrangement
of training courses on drug trafficking as from 2014.

The results of the local “Kanal-Kavkaz” anti-drug action will be
finalized Friday. -0–

– See more at:

ARMENIAN REPRESENTATIVE RAISED ISSUE OF MISSING PEOPLE AT PACE SESSION

12:46, 4 October, 2013

STRASBOURG, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS: At the autumn session of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe the member of
the Armenian delegation Naira Zohrabyan touched upon the issue
of the missing people lost in the result of the armed conflicts,
highlighting the necessity to cooperate with the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic’s authorities in this issue. As reported by Armenpress,
Naira Zohrabyan stated in particular:

“We are discussing quite a delicate issue concerning the families
of thousands of people. Due to the armed conflicts there are about
20,000 missing people in Europe today and this problem continues to
remain on the agenda of a number of member states of the Council of
Europe. One thing is certain – the families of the missing people
have the right to be informed about the destiny of their relatives.

In the issue of discovering the missing people quite important is the
cooperation and information exchange with the de facto authorities
as well. In fact this is a very urgent issue and we should develop
flexible mechanisms and do our best to find the missing people”.

The PACE session was launched on September 30. On October 2 the
President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan made an extensive
and comprehensive speech, which is as follows:

“Mr. President, Mr. Secretary General, Honorable Members of the
Assembly,

I am glad for this opportunity to address the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe – our Organization that represents 800
million Europeans.

It is a particular honor and responsibility for my country to hold,
for the first time ever, the Chairmanship in the Committee of Ministers
of the Council of Europe. During this six-month Chairmanship, we have
aspired to make a contribution to the strengthening of the European
system of values as a means of confirming that Europe is a family
of nations committed to common values, and not merely a geographic
toponym.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A few days ago, Armenia celebrated the 22nd anniversary of her
independence. The 22-year-long path of building a free and democratic
state has not been easy. With Azerbaijan, which is constantly voicing
war threats and forcing an arms race, Turkey, which contrary to all
international rules and norms is keeping closed the shortest route
connecting Armenia with the outer world for so many years have forced
us to make extraordinary efforts to develop and build a modern state.

Acting in a complex environment which is not comparable with the
conditions of any other state, successive Armenian governments and the
Armenian people have remained focused on the pursuit of substantial
reforms in all the areas of our public life.

Declaration of independence was the realization of a dream held by
my people for many centuries and many generations. Accession to the
Council of Europe restored our historical and cultural belonging to
the European family of nations. Our society has always clearly aspired
to have a state system anchored in the system of European values –
freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. We view our membership
in the Council of Europe and our cooperation with other European
organizations as an important means of consolidating democracy and
carrying out effective reforms in Armenia.

The results of our joint efforts are visible and irreversible. Armenia
today is a country of free speech and free media. We safeguard the
freedom of assembly; civil society is vibrant and aware of its rights
and ways to uphold them. These and numerous other achievements are,
in my opinion, essential for our future.

Honorable Members of the Assembly,

Armenia completed three major electoral cycles in the last eighteen
months. As a result of the May 2012 parliamentary elections,
all significant political players in Armenia gained seats in
the Parliament, making it a stronger and more viable political
entity. The 2013 presidential elections were conducted in a competitive
environment; the Yerevan City Council elections were held in May.

The Council of Europe sent observation missions to all three
elections. The first two were observed by the Assembly, while the
Yerevan City Council elections were observed by the Congress of
Local and Regional Authorities of the CE. The delegations were able
to observe the elections and produce reports containing relevant
recommendations.

I value these reports as a candid opinion of partners interested in
Armenia’s future. In this regard, I would like to mention that we have
followed up on the recommendations of the Parliamentary Assembly and
other international partners regarding the organization of free and
fair elections: they are being meticulously considered and acted
upon by a task force created specifically for the improvement of
the electoral process. In the next few days, we will hold broad
public discussions with the participation of all stakeholders and
the international community which will focus on the legal amendments
proposed under the corresponding recommendations.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We face a number of serious challenges such as unemployment, poverty,
and corruption, and our government is implementing comprehensive
programs to address them.

The rule of law is another priority. Equality before the law is a
condition sine qua non for our economic and political advancement. The
human being, human dignity, fundamental rights, and freedoms are viewed
as the ultimate objectives. The state in its turn is restricted by
the fundamental human and civil rights and freedoms as immediate laws.

These provisions which are also enshrined in our Constitution preset
the behavior of individuals and state authorities in our efforts to
strengthen the rule of law and civil society.

I am confident that constitution of virtually any democratic state
this way or another encompasses the idea of the rule of law. However
what matters the most is its practical implementation so that the
authority limited by the law becomes a rule of life. Particularly for
young democracies, it requires a consistent and structured effort. It
requires an independent judiciary and impartial administration of
justice. In this context, I believe that the Conference on the Rule of
Law and the Scope of Discretion of Powers held this July in Yerevan
under the auspices of the Armenian Chairmanship in the Council of
Europe generated strong interest and continued the process initiated
by the UK Chairmanship.

Our country has embarked on a new stage of systemic reforms in these
areas. Long-term programs are being implemented. They are all centered
on the human being, as well as on the safeguards for the protection
of human rights and freedoms and the creation of an environment of
tolerance, pluralism, non-discrimination, justice, and mutual trust
in the country.

Consolidation of democracy and respect for human rights are our
other priorities, connected directly with the previous one – the
rule of law. Notable achievements in this field include a number of
major amendments to the Judicial Code, which enhance the transparency
and fairness of the procedure for the selection of judges. We remain
focused on legal aspects of the appointment of judges with a view of
ensuring the complete independence of judges.

The penitentiary institutions are being modernized, and a
probation service will be formed. We have developed and started the
implementation of the Armenia 2012-2016 Strategic Program of Legal
and Judicial Reforms, which, I am sure, will produce a judicial
and legal system consistent with the standards of a democratic legal
state. In this context, I attach great importance to the fully-fledged
implementation of the 2012-2014 Armenia-Council of Europe Action Plan,
which contains a number of important initiatives in this field.

We have registered some success, but we will not stop there. I have
initiated a process of amending the Constitution of the Republic
of Armenia with a view of further strengthening the constitutional
safeguards for the rule of law and respect for human rights and
freedoms, achievement of an appropriate balance of powers, and
enhancement of the efficiency of public administration. We would be
grateful if the Council of Europe supports this process, among others,
through the Venice Commission.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The European Union is one of Armenia’s most vital partners. Wide-scale
reforms in the areas of human rights, democracy, and the rule of
law make up the core of the Armenia-EU relationship. The Eastern
Partnership Instrument created under the EU Eastern Partnership
program in cooperation with the Council of Europe is an important
initiative covering a variety of activities in the participating
states related to elections, judicial reform, good governance, fight
against corruption and cyber-crime.

There has recently been much talk about the civilizational choice of
the countries-members of the Eastern Partnership initiative. We have
always stated that we don’t believe it is right to view the issue in
that dimension. Armenia aims to continue its comprehensive, mutually
beneficial partnership with the EU. From the outset of the Eastern
Partnership initiative and even before, we have stated and continue to
state that we aspire to have the closest possible and widest possible
relations with the EU, and to be close to the EU. This policy will
not be terminated.

As is known, Armenia has a close allied relationship with Russia.

Armenia is not building new relationships at the expense of the
relationship with her strategic ally; in the same vein, we will
not build relationships with other partner, which might be aimed
against our other partners. We will continue to develop in parallel
relationships and interests with our key partners.

Honorable Members of the Assembly,

Peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue under the aegis
of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship has been and will remain
our priority until we achieve a comprehensive settlement. We value
the efforts of all those who support regional stability, but we
also know that we must rely primarily on our own power to deter the
opponent against possible negative developments and to maintain peace,
especially as the leader of our neighboring state continues to make
public statements threatening with war, declaring the Armenians his
“enemy number one”, boasting about disproportionate increases in
military spending, and the buildup of arms.

Nonetheless, I hope that the people of Azerbaijan or their significant
part actually do not share this mindset. Unfortunately, those in
Azerbaijan who are trying to bring up candid memories of the past,
which was once shared with the Armenian people, are being publicly
admonished, threatened “to have their ears cut,” and expelled from
the country. Hence, the actual mood of the people of Azerbaijan is
not articulated and whatever is voiced is demanded by the propaganda
machine. It results in the ineffectiveness of any attempt to implement
confidence-building measures.

I am confident that our peoples will have a better future than the
one contemplated by some leaders who preach hatred and war. As I have
already stated publicly on other occasions, I do not consider the
people of Azerbaijan to be the enemy of the Armenian people. We are
capable of respectfully resolving our disagreements and peacefully
co-existing as neighbors.

Two days ago, my people mourned demise of Sos Sargsyan, a brilliant
actor, the People’s Artist of the Republic of Armenia. The master’s
last public statement was his open letter to the intellectuals of
Azerbaijan, which was nothing but an appeal for peace, justice, and
reason: “Are you really going to unleash a war? My dear neighbors! It
will bring nothing except innocent victims. Why? It is very simple:
Karabakh is a territory for you, but a Sacred Fatherland for us,”
wrote the great intellectual. Indeed, we regularly appeal for sobriety
and firmly claim that zealous incitement of xenophobia, unyielding
threats to use force and the arms race will not do any good. Peace and
cooperation are the only feasible means of building a prosperous future
for the peoples of the region. It is an axiom that requires no proof.

The international experience proves that democratic societies are
best placed to resolve conflicts peacefully. In the last two decades,
democratic institutions have been built and continuously developed in
Nagorno Karabakh. According to respectable international organizations
such as the Freedom House, the level of democracy in Nagorno Karabakh
is noticeably higher than in some of its neighbors.

Karabakh has been and will remain a part of Europe. Its people are a
part of the European family, regardless of Karabakh’s political status.

Therefore, I believe that the Council of Europe could, regardless of
Karabakh’s status, initiate direct contacts with Karabakh within the
framework of its pertinent functions, especially since the Council
of Europe has similar experiences with respect to other conflict zones.

Dear Friends,

As Armenians, we have been destined to become advocates of the
fight against genocides. Genocide is not only a heinous crime against
humanity but also a striking manifestation of fascism and intolerance,
as well as a grave encroachment upon the right to life. Indeed,
peoples that have survived such tragedies have a distinct mission
of preventing their reoccurrence. The best way to prevent atrocious
crimes against the mankind is to discuss those terrible pages of
history and to assess the past in the light of universal values.

Fighting against the preconditions with nourish such heinous crimes
is, in my opinion, is equally important.

Armenia has been taking practical steps to mobilize efforts of the
international community for the prevention of genocides and combatting
their root causes. For years, Armenia has been initiating various
resolutions on genocide prevention in different international fora.

Time and over, we have assisted the UN Human Rights Council in
adopting resolutions on the prevention of genocides. The aim is to
keep the international community focused on the Convention on the
Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and to remind of
the commitments of the states to eliminate crimes against humanity.

Armenia has declared the fight against intolerance and propaganda
inciting discrimination and hatred as priorities throughout the term
of the Armenian Chairmanship in the Committee of Ministers of the
Council of Europe. We consider it shameful that such practices still
exist in the modern era, as well as the fact that in some countries
they are being encouraged at a state level. We have to be resolute
to eradicate such practices in every corner of the world.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our societies are undergoing major transformations and facing numerous
challenges. What are our values in the 21st century? Which values
prevail today? Why do extremist political currents and practices gain
momentum? Why is social cohesion weakening? Why was the Council of
Europe compelled to initiate the youth campaign against hate speech
online? These and other questions are not easy to answer briefly.

These practices are reprehensible. In the era of modern information
technology, such practices can spread momentarily among millions of
people. Hence, swift and adequate responses are needed. It is our
duty to strengthen bridges between nations, our citizens, societies,
cultures, and religions, so that the future generations inherit a
much more peaceful and safer planet.

These days, we remain focused on Syria. We are deeply concerned
with everything which is happening there, causing death of innocent
civilians. Syria is home to several thousand Armenians who constitute
an integral part of the Syrian society, and Armenia unequivocally
welcomes the Russian-American understanding on the peaceful resolution
of the conflict in Syria as well as the UN Security Council resolution
adopted a few days ago.

We simply must unite our efforts for the future. We need especially
to engage the younger generations in the building of our common
future. They are so young, courageous, and full of energy: our
societies will have a brighter future if we give them right ideas
and educate them by true values enriched by freedom and democracy
and free from prejudice.

As a unique Organization which defines and spreads over standards of
human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, the Council of Europe
has a crucial mission in this process, and its role in accomplishing
our common objectives must be strengthened further.

Thank you”.

MOLDOVAN OMBUDSWOMAN WON’T VISIT ARMENIA ANYMORE

13:05, 4 October, 2013

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS: The Azerbaijani media is again trying
to burn a fire around the name of the Commissioner for Human Rights
of Moldova Aurelia Grigoriu. As reported by Armenpress, quoting the
Azerbaijani APA, the agency published the interview with the notorious
Ombudswoman, in which she stated that she will never visit Armenia
again. To the question “If Armenia organized an event on human rights,
will you come to this country?”

she said: “I will never go to this country again. They are very
“hospitable”. I will attend the International Humanitarian Forum in
Baku on October 30″.

During her report “The protection of human rights and security in
“frozen conflicts” areas” made at the National Assembly of Armenia on
July 3-4 in the framework of the Pan-European Conference “The European
Standards of Rule of Law and the Scope of Discretion of Powers in the
Member States of the Council of Europe”, the Parliamentary Advocate
of the Republic of Moldova Aurelia Grigoriu made a statement, which
does not have any connection to the reality.

She announced that “Armenia occupied 20% of the Azerbaijan’s territory
and the Khojalu Genocide was implemented by the Armenians”. The
Parliamentary Advocate of the Republic of Moldova called Armenia “an
aggressor country”. This statement received negative reaction both
in Armenia and Moldova. Many political and public figures condemned
Grigoriu’s statement considering it provocative.

Later it was found out that two weeks before coming to Yerevan, the
Parliamentary Advocate of the Republic of Moldova Aurelia Grigoriu
was in Baku. The Facebook photos and posts of Aurelia Grigoriu were
spread in the Internet, where the “incorruptible” and “objective”
lawyer was expressing her love towards Azerbaijan. After the scandal
the photos and posts were operatively deleted from the Facebook page
of Aurelia Grigoriu. The Ombudsman of Moldova expressed his regret
to Karen Andreasyan in the connection with the Aurelia Grigoriu’s
statement, noting that the position of the National Institute for the
Defense of Human Rights in the Republic of Moldova does not reflect
her opinion on that delicate issue.

Later on the Azerbaijani “Heydar Aliyev” foundation announced that
human rights defender in Moldovan parliament, lawyer Aurelia Grigoriu
has been awarded with golden medal “Heydar Aliyev” “for supporting
the policy of Turkic states, merit in the protection of human rights
and moving forward the Azerbaijani realities in the whole world”.

“Heydar Aliyev” prize in Azerbaijan is awarded to “those figures
who supported the friendship of Turkic states, had contribution in
development of economy, social-political and cultural spheres of Turkic
states”. In different times with above-mentioned medal were awarded
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov,
former President of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiev and Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

LE PANIER DU CONSOMMATEUR A AUGMENTE DE 2,6 POUR CENT AU 2EME TRIMESTRE

ARMENIE

Le panier des consommateurs (prix moyens courants) a augmente de 2,6%
a 56799,9 drams par mois en Armenie au deuxième trimestre compare au
1er trimestre a rapporte ArmStat.

Le coût des biens et des services de consommation en termes annuels
s’elèvent a 681598,7 drams.

Les denrees alimentaires minimales incluses dans le panier sont le pain
(norme de consommation annuelle est de 91,3 kg, le coût par habitant
44463,1 drams), les produits carnes (36,5 kg ; 93797,7 drams), les
pommes de terre (91,3 kg ; 13466,8 drams), les fruits (73 kg ; 43500,7
drams ), le sucre (18,3 kg, 7609,1 drams), les produits laitiers
(79178,1 drams), les oeufs (182,5 pièces ;. 12519,5 drams), l’huile
vegetale (7,3 kg ; 6691,9 drams), les poissons (11 kg, 24516,8 drams),
la margarine (3,7 kg ; 4519,2 drams).

vendredi 4 octobre 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

LES JEUX DE LA FRANCOPHONIE ONT ETE UN SUCCÈS POUR L’EQUIPE ARMENIENNE

ARMENIE

Hayastani Hanrapetoutioun, Aravot, Armenpress, plusieurs agences
de presse et chaînes de television ont couvert la conference de
presse de l’Ambassadeur de France, du Ministre armenien du Sport
et de la Jeunesse, Yuri Vardanian, et de la Vice-ministre de la
Culture, Arev Samuelian, organisee dans les locaux de Ambassade,
dediee au bilan de la seconde participation armenienne aux 7èmes
Jeux de la Francophonie (Nice du 6 au 15 septembre). L’Ambassadeur
a souligne l’active mobilisation des sportifs armeniens. Presentant
l’historique des Jeux de la Francophonie, il en a rappele les origines,
la dynamique sportive et culturelle ainsi que l’objectif de promotion
de la diversite. L’ensemble de la delegation armenienne a ete recue
a l’Ambassade a cette occasion.

Le Ministre du sport, Yuri Vardanian, chef de la delegation armenienne,
s’est felicite des performances enregistrees par les sportifs et
artistes armeniens : 3 medailles d’or et 3 medailles de bronze,
permettant a l’Armenie de figurer au 12ème rang des 56 delegations. Il
a aussi propose aux organisateurs de ce ” grand evenement sportif
” d’elargir a l’avenir le nombre des disciplines en lice. Mme Arev
Samuelian, Vice-ministre de la culture et coordinatrice nationale
des jeux a souligne l’accueil très positif recu en France par les
artistes armeniens.

Extrait de la revue de presse de l’Ambassade de France en Armenie en
date du 27 septembre 2013

vendredi 4 octobre 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

UNE DEPUTEE DE L’OPPOSITION ARMENIENNE DEVRAIT ETRE EXCLUE DE LA DELEGATION DE L’ARMENIE A L’APCE

ARMENIE

Zaruhi Postanjian, deputee du parti d’opposition Jarankoutioun
(Heritage) a l’Assemblee nationale d’Armenie, devrait renoncer
a representer son parti au sein de la delegation de l’Armenie a
l’Assemblee parlementaire du Conseil de l’Europe (APCE).

Le president de l’Assemblee nationale d’Armenie, Hovik Abrahamyan,
a fait une declaration en ce sens lors de la seance parlementaire
du 3 octobre. “L’expression d’une opinion politique n’est pas un
droit illimite. La Constitution d’Armenie dit que le droit a la
libre expression d’un depute ne peut aller jusqu’a l’insulte ou la
diffamation. De meme, les règlements de l’APCE interdisent le recours
a des propos qui violent la dignite humaine “, a declare le president
du Parlement armenien pour justifier cette mesure visant la deputee de
l’opposition qui a certes son franc parler et l’a montre a plusieurs
reprises, dernièrement encore pour denoncer ce qu’elle considère
comme la main mise de la Russie sur l’Armenie, alors qu’elle faisait
l’objet d’un contrôle routier dans la ville de Kapan.

“Suite au comportement de Zaruhi Postanjian lors de la seance d’hier,
2 octobre, de l’APCE, et conformement a la legislation armenienne, je
declare ici que j’ai consulte les differents groupes parlementaires et
pris la decision de changer la composition de la delegation armenienne
a l’APCE”, a indique M.Abrahamyan. Mme Postanjian, qui est l’une des
responsables du parti de Raffi Hovannissian, adversaire malheureux de
Serge Sarkissian aux presidentielles de fevrier, a sans doute prononce
les mots de trop aux yeux des autorites armeniennes, lors de la seance
cruciale a Strasbourg de l’APCE, dont le president armenien assumait
la presidence pour 6 mois.

Lors de la reunion du 2 octobre de l’APCE, Mme Postanjian avait
apostrophe le president Sarkissian en ces termes : “Vous vous
presentez ici [a la seance de l’APCE] non par la volonte du peuple,
mais [plutôt] a la faveur d’un crime organise, le vol des votes du
peuple armenien. De ce fait, vous ne pouvez pretendre representer de
jure la volonte et les droits du peuple armenien. [Aussi] je vous pose
cette question : si vous avez joue dans un casino en Europe et y avez
perdu 70 millions d’euros, qui s’est charge d’honorer cette dette ?”

vendredi 4 octobre 2013, Gari ©armenews.com

PEROOMIAN’S PHOTO ESSAYS EXPLORE SPACE AND TIME IN ARMENIA

A Photographic Journey of my Homeland, Armenia by Vahe Peroomian

GLENDALE- Vahe Peroomian’s recently published e-book, A Photographic
Journey of my Homeland, Armenia is a 220-page collection of 12 sweeping
photo essays chronicling Peroomian’s travels and experiences in Armenia
and Nagorno-Karabakh from 2004 to 2011, during which he spent over
90 days in his ancestral homeland.

In addition to road trips to well-known, as well as many lesser
known, ancient sites, churches, and monuments, the essays include his
experiences covering the 2008 presidential elections, commemorations
of the Armenian Genocide, and the unveiling of a millennial church
discovered in the forests of Karabakh. The book also features 215
stunning color and black and white photographs from these voyages.

Author and Photographer Vahe Peroomian

“With every short walk, and with every kilometer driven, I wiped clean
the slate of my early impressions of Armenia, and fell in love with the
vibrant landscape, teeming with life, with beauty, and with ancient
wonders,” writes Peroomian, who had first visited Armenia in 1980,
at the height of the cold war and of Soviet rule and suppression of
Armenian nationalism and identity.

Vahe Peroomian is a space scientist by profession, but has taken
every opportunity to pursue his fascination with photography and the
beauty of the Gaian landscape. He is a self-trained photographer,
and prefers a hands-on approach and independent experimentation
with photographic styles and techniques. He has found that the same
off-the-wall approach that works in solving physics problems helps
him see landscapes in a new light as well. The self-similar shapes in
landscapes and the play between cloud and landscape that characterize
many of his photographs are a manifestation of this viewpoint.

Peroomian’s love of photography as a child and young adult blossomed
into a passion fourteen years ago. Since then, he has used every
opportunity, be it an extra day during a space science conference,
a visit to a national park, a road trip up the California coast, or
the trips to Armenia documented in this book, to pursue this passion.

A Photographic Journey of my Homeland, Armenia is available for
download for $9.99.

ZARUHI POSTANJYAN VS. SERZH SARGSYAN AT PACE

October 2, 2013 Posted by Ara K. Manoogian at 8:25 pm

At the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, on October 2,
2013, Zaruhi Postanjyan asked Serzh Sargsyan whether he lost 70 million
at a casino in Europe (with ENGLISH SUBTITLES). The Q&A is followed
by an earlier video, where Viktor Dallakyan, now Deputy Chief of
Presidential Staff, accuses his future boss of wasting public money
at casinos in Monte Carlo (ENGLISH SUBTITLES).