Author: Kalantarian Kevo

PRESS RELEASE
Glendale Public Library
222 East Harvard Street
Glendale CA 91205
Tel: 818-548-2030
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Photographic Journey to Armenia and Karabakh

GLENDALE, CA Author-photographer Matthew Karanian will speak about his
book Armenia and Karabakh: the Stone Garden Travel Guide on Wednesday,
June 05, 2013, at 7pm at the Glendale Central Library Auditorium, at 222
East Harvard Street in Glendale. Admission is free; seating is limited.
The presentation is in English. Library visitors receive 3 hours FREE
parking across the street at The Market Place parking structure with
validation at the Loan Desk. The program is sponsored by the Library,
Arts & Culture Department.

Armenia and Karabakh: the Stone Garden Travel Guide is a unique book. It
is the largest and most colorful guidebook available for Armenia and
Karabakh. Its 320 pages are filled with 150 vibrant color images and 27
detailed color maps, including a map of historic Armenia that was
created shortly after the Armenian Genocide and which depicts Armenia as
it existed in 1915. The book also highlights nature and conservation,
and is considered a “green guide” to Armenia. Karanian dedicated the
book to his parents, Henry and Agnes Karanian, who are both the children
of Armenian Genocide survivors. The Los Angeles Times featured this book
in a major story on April 18, 2013 issue and describes it as “a fresh
view on ancient Armenia.”

Trend, Azerbaijan
May 27 2013

PACE President: Solution to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict may be achieved in 2013

Azerbaijan, Baku, May 27 / Trend M. Aliyev /

In 2013, solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict may be achieved,
PACE President Jean-Claude Mignon believes.
“In 2013, Azerbaijan and Armenia will chair the Committee of Ministers
of the Council of Europe, and it will create a good chance for both
countries to find a solution to the conflict,” Mignon told journalists
in Baku on Monday.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the peace
treaty between France and Germany, and such a peace can be achieved
between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Jean-Claude Mignon said.

He said regular meetings are held between the Azerbaijani and Armenian
delegations in the PACE, and these meetings discuss ways of resolution
of the conflict between the parties.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the U.S. are
currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

PACE President is on an official visit to Baku. Within his visit, he
met with Azerbaijani President. Mignon visited the Alley of Martyrs
and Alley of Honor on Monday.

Today he is also planned to hold meetings at the Foreign Ministry and
meet with representatives of NGOs.

UAE tour company adds tours to Armenia, Karabakh to its offerings

17:53 27.05.2013

Offbeatours, a UAE based tour company has added tours to Armenia to
its offerings, ameinfo.com reports.

David Butler, Owner of Offbeatours, chooses destinations that
exceptionally provide eye-opening and adventurous experiences. Keeping
this ethos in mind, five unique trips within Armenia, focusing on
various aspects of the region, have been recently launched.

`Armenia had to be the next addition to our portfolio of tours. It is
a land of mountains and monasteries offering great weather at this
time of the year and bringing five different facets of the country, is
a great combination. I assure adventurous tourists will find it an
intriguing experience,’ said David Butler.

`Each tour has a unique aspect that it focuses on. While travelling
through Eastern Armenia monuments bring history to life with a trip
that focuses on the landscapes, from mountain tops to monasteries.
Another tour shows travelers scenic spots and villages that have kept
Armenian history alive even today and a tour to the West of Armenia
shows you another face of the region’s heritage. Another interesting
tour is to the self-proclaimed independent Republic of Nagorno
Karabakh, which is not on the itineraries of most visitors to the
region.

>From natural beauty, to dwelling deep into history of the region,
monuments and ancient ruins, each aspect is covered with a distinctive
approach. Tourists are left to decide the number of days and sites
they would like to visit based on key interest areas and convenience.

Among the five trips, those looking for a short break can opt for the
four day or five day trips, while those looking for a longer stay and
seeking to learn more about the country can choose the eight day trip.
All Armenia tours are carried out in either four-wheel drive vehicles
or minibuses and include a driver and an English speaking guide.

Armenia’s security council chief to meet with Russian and Kyrgyz
colleagues in Bishkek

May 27, 2013 | 12:10

YEREVAN. – Armenian National Security Council (NSC) Secretary Arthur
Baghdasaryan will pay a visit to the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, on
Monday and Tuesday.

In Kyrgyzstan, Baghdasaryan will attend the session of the Committee
of the CSTO Security Council Secretaries, and the joint session of the
Council of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, the Council of the
Ministers of Defense, and the Committee of the Security Council
Secretaries, the NSC press service informs.

Along the lines of his visit, Baghdasaryan will also hold private
talks with Russian Federation Security Council Secretary Nikolai
Patrushev, Kyrgyzstan Defense Council Secretary Busurmankul Tabaldiev,
and the Security Council secretaries from other CSTO member states.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

Our Reply To Israel And Azerbaijan

In 1967, soon after the Israel-Arab war of June 6, the U.S.S.R.
launched a state policy of anti-Semitism which affected the Jewish
population at full. At the same time, nowhere except Azerbaijan was
there a more or less significant anti-Semitist attack in the Soviet
Union. In June 1967 the Azerbaijani youth walked in a march holding up
posters with anti-Semitist content, and children of eminent
representatives of the Azerbaijani intelligentsia participated in this
action.

In those days the son of the chair of history of the Teacher Training
Institute of Azerbaijan killed the child of a Jewish family Ilya
Shkolnik on Vidadi Street. The baby was killed by hitting its head
against the wall.

It is a lie that traditionally there has been no anti-Semitism in Azerbaijan.

Together with Kiev and Riga, Baky was a `center’ of anti-Semitism with
a certain ethical nature. The reasons were too deep and complicated to
cover them in a short comment.

Now Israel and Azerbaijan are demonstrating lack of problems and close
friendship at the level of `default alliance’. No doubt these efforts
will soon end up in utter defeat of Azerbaijan in foreign policy and
Israel and Turkey will certainly benefit from these plans.

What could Armenia do amid such an improper situation of Israeli
supplies of weapon when this situation has not been evaluated by the
international community?

It would be reasonable to play a role in reducing tension between the
United States and Iran which have been displaying signs of mutually
acceptable styles of behavior.

One way or another, the United States and Iran have to form areas of
confidence internationally and in some regional arenas. Both states
understand that the policy of the United States on the Near East
strengthened Iran and boosted its influence. However, the content of
the policy of Iran also helped the U.S. plans succeed on Iraq and
Afghanistan.

In this situation there is always room for different initiatives, and
they must be implemented. Yerevan could be a point of contact between
Americans and Iranians. There are certain barriers but now they are
invented or rather have lost their significance.

If besides traditional issues Armenia and the Armenian organizations
of the United States also addressed political issues, one could hope
for a better position of Armenia in international relations. It is
time to reply Israel and Azerbaijan.
Igor Muradyan
14:06 27/05/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

PACE president believes 2013 could be an exceptional year in terms of
Karabakh conflict settlement

14:20 27.05.2013

2013 can be an exceptional year in terms of resolution of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe Jean-Claude Mignon said in Baku.
`The Council of Europe Subcommittee on Nagorno Karabakh is out of
function, we are thinking of a new direction to replace it,’ Mignon
said, APA reports.

`I am making efforts to bring together heads of Azerbaijani and
Armenian delegations to PACE during sessions and other meetings to
hold serious trilateral discussions on Nagorno Karabakh. Along with
these discussions, I regularly keep in touch with OSCE French
co-chair, get information from him about the process. We think that
2013 can be considered an exceptional year. This year offers special
privileges to both countries – Armenia and Azerbaijan for taking
concrete steps. This year is considered exceptional, because Armenia
and Azerbaijan are holding rotating chairmanship of the Council of
Europe Committee of Ministers this year. When the Committee of
Ministers was established, one of the main objectives was to prevent
conflicts, urgently solve the existing conflicts. I want to say that
this year Azerbaijan and Armenia have a chance in this regard. They
should take the chance, evaluate this historical moment and take
concrete steps to resolve the conflict,’ PACE President stated.

2013 is remarkable also for the fact that 50 years ago `Elysée Treaty’
was signed to resolve the conflict between France and Germany.
Azerbaijan and Armenia can also sign a peace treaty for the settlement
of the conflict following the example of the 50th anniversary of
`Elysée Treaty’.

`PACE has all opportunities to reconcile both sides and reach an
agreement on this issue,’ he concluded.

Armenian, Russian FMs discuss a wide range of bilateral, international issues

14:27 27.05.2013

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Russia Edward Nalbandian and
Sergey Lavrov had a meeting on the sidelines of the sitting of the
Council of Foreign Ministers of CSTO member states in Bishkek, Press
Service of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports.

During the meeting the parties discussed urgent issues on bilateral
and international agenda, as well as questions of maintaining security
and stability in the South Caucasus.

ARMENIE
Le volume commercial russo-arménien a atteint 1,2 milliards de dollars en 2012

Le volume du commerce arméno-russe a augmenté de 22,3% en 2012 par
rapport à l’année précédente pour atteindre 1,2 milliards de dollars a
annoncé Andrey Tsemakhovich.

Andrey Tsemakhovich est le sous-chef du département de la coopération
économique et de l’intégration avec la CEI au ministère russe du
développement économique.

« C’est le chiffre le plus élevé au sein de la CEI. En 2012, les
importations en provenance d’Arménie en Russie ont augmenté de 43,6%.
Les volumes négociés en Janvier ont augmenté de 32,6%, ce qui est
également très optimiste, et les importations de la production
arménienne en Russie de 87,6% » a-t-il déclaré lors d’une conférence
sur les aspects économiques de l’intégration eurasienne à Erevan.

Les investissements russes en Arménie a été multiplié par 5,2 fois de
2007 à 2012, et l’Arménie est en troisième position pour l’attrait des
investissements russes, après la Biélorussie et l’Ukraine, selon lui.

`Nous avons réussi à surmonter le pic de la crise plus rapidement que
d’autres pays et rallier notre croissance économique. Le travail du
gouvernement arménien devrait être distingué ici. En particulier, nous
pouvons le voir à travers les taux de croissance du PIB en Arménie qui
étaient non seulement les plus élevés de la CEI, mais aussi dans le
monde. Mais nous ne devrions pas sous-estimer également les efforts
conjoints de la commission interparlementaire russo-arménienne »,
a-t-il précisé.

lundi 27 mai 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

Economie
Plusieurs compagnies aériennes desserviront Erevan

Plusieurs compagnies étrangères vont lancer des vols réguliers à
destination d’Erevan, car la compagnie nationale Armavia a fait
récemment faillite. La société argentine qui gère l’aéroport Zvartnots
d’Erevan a souligné l’importance de cette initiative pour réduire le
coût relativement élevé du transport aérien.

Armavia a cessé ses vols après avoir annoncé qu’elle allait déposer le
bilan. Le gouvernement n’a pas encore décidé s’il transfèrera les
droits exclusifs de la compagnie à une autre compagnie aérienne
arménienne ou s’il passera à une politique dite de « ciel ouvert ».

Les dirigeants de Zvartnots penchent du côté de la dernière option et
souhaitent la mise en service de vols entre Erevan et Beyrouth, Dubaï,
Tel Aviv et Varsovie. L’intérêt de transporteurs étrangers pour
l’Arménie a considérablement augmenté depuis qu’Armavia a fait
faillite.

« Il est clair que pour diminuer le prix des billets, nous devons
mettre en service plus de vols », a déclaré Marcelo Vende, directeur
général de Zvartnots. Par conséquent, nous avons besoin d’un marché
ouvert de sorte que, ceux qui sont disposés à effectuer des vols vers
l’Arménie, soient autorisés à le faire.

Un représentant de la compagnie aérienne israëlienne, Arkia, a annoncé
qu’il va lancer la semaine prochaine des vols hebdomadaires de Tel
Aviv à Erevan. Un billet aller-retour devrait coûter 350 euros ($
455).

« Nous envisageons également de planifier des vols directs entre
Erevan et Beyrouth avec la compagnie Middle East Airlines », a déclaré
Andranik Shikhian. Il a ajouté que la compagnie aérienne polonaise,
LOT, reprendra le 15 juin les vols quotidiens au départ de Varsovie
vers Erevan, qui ont été interrompus l’année dernière en raison de ses
désaccords avec Armavia.

Shikhian a en outre annoncé que le transporteur de FlyDubaï va
augmenter la fréquence de ses vols Erevan-Dubaï. Ils seront effectuées
sur une base quotidienne.

Plusieurs autres compagnies, européenne et russe, desservent désormais
l’ Arménie. Shikhian a souligné que ces nouveaux vols n’auraient pas
été possibles si Armavia n’avait pas fait faillite. Armavia a signalé
au gouvernement le mois dernier qu’il pourrait reprendre ses activités
si des allégements fiscaux et d’autres avantages financiers lui sont
accordés. Le corps de l’aviation civile de l’Arménie a rejeté ce plan
de sauvetage et l’a qualifié d’ irréaliste. Selon Shikhian, Armavia
doit environ 5,5 millions de dollars à l’aéroport Zvartnots.

lundi 27 mai 2013,
Laetitia ©armenews.com

US Official News
May 25, 2013 Saturday

Washington: Turkish Author Sentenced to One Year in Prison for
`Blasphemous’ Blog

Washington

The Human Rights First has issued the following news release:

Human Rights First condemns the sentencing of Turkish-Armenian author
Sevan Nisanyan to thirteen months in prison for `insulting the
religious beliefs held by a section of society.’ Nisanvan was
convicted under Turkey’s anti-blasphemy statutes for a blog he wrote
last September.

`The Turkish judiciary is using prison sentences to intimidate those
who express their views peacefully,’ said Human Rights First’s Joelle
Fiss. `This is a worrisome trend. Punishing people for expressing
their opinions violates international law and and has adverse
consequences. Nisanvan’s conviction should be overturned on appeal.’

In the offending blog post, Nisanvan wrote, referring to the Prophet
Mohamed, `Ridiculing with an Arab leader who claimed to have contacted
God and gained political, financial and sexual gains from it. This is
kindergarten level example of expression freedom.’ According to local
press, the sentence cannot be converted to a financial penalty, but
the verdict is open for appeal.
The blasphemy case comes just one month after the Turkish pianist
Fazil Say was handed a suspended 10-month prison sentence for `openly
denigrating Islam’ in a series of Tweets.

Anti-blasphemy laws forbid the criticism or insult of religion, or any
perceived contempt of religion. In many countries, including Turkey,
alleged blasphemers may be sentenced to prison terms for expressing
non-violent opinions. Such laws are a tool for suppressing freedom of
speech.

In March 2012, Human Rights First issued an update to its 2011 report
Blasphemy Laws Exposed: The Consequences of Criminalizing `Defamation
of Religions,’ which documented more than 100 recent cases from 18
countries that demonstrate the gross abuses that arise from the
application of national blasphemy laws. The organization notes that
blasphemy laws are frequently used to stifle debate and dissent,
harass rivals, and settle petty disputes among neighbors, business
partners and political adversaries. Increasingly, these laws also
trigger violence.

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