Author: Kalantarian Kevo

AZERBAÏDJAN-ARMENIE
Le livre de l’Azéri Akram Aylisli « Rêves de pierre » parait en arménien

Dès le lundi 15 avril, les librairies d’Erévan proposeront le livre «
Rêves de pierre » de l’Azéri Akram Aylisli traduit en arménien.
Traduit du russe en arménien par Leonid Zilfougharian, le livre tiré à
seulement 1000 exemplaires (éditions « Nork ») devrait rapidement
disparaitre des rayons des libraires d’Arménie. La version azérie du
livre n’existe pas. La revue littéraire russe « Droujba Narodov »
avait l’an dernier publié la version complète de « Rêves de pierre »
en russe. Roupen Hovsepian, l’éditeur de la version arménienne avait
reçu par une lettre électronique l’autorisation d’Akram Aylisli pour
la publication de son `uvre en arménien. Akram Aylisli n’étant pas
autorisé à communiquer par téléphone…L’éditeur arménien se déclare
prêt à lui verser les droits d’auteur si l’écrivain azéri le réclame.
En Azerbaïdjan cette traduction en arménien du livre interdit par les
autorités azéries provoque une nouvelle colère. Selon la radio «
Azadoutioun » (Liberté), le député Moubariz Ghourbanli membre du parti
au pouvoir « Yéni Azerbaïdjan » a dans une interview accordée à
l’agence azérie « Trend », accusé les Arméniens de vouloir par cette
traduction arménienne du livre d’Aylisli, de l’utiliser à des fins
politiques en le diffusant à travers le monde. Poursuivi en
Azerbaïdjan pour avoir évoqué les crimes à l’encontre des Arméniens
commis en Azerbaïdjan et au Nakhitchevan, Akram Aylisli qui prône
l’amitié des relations arméno-azéri est en danger de mort dans son
pays qui est une véritable dictature du clan Aliev.

Krikor Amirzayan

dimanche 14 avril 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

“MALKHAS” BAND PERFORMED IN KREMLIN

19:18, 12 April, 2013

YEREVAN, APRIL 12, ARMENPRESS: Levon Malkhasyan and his band were
honored to play in the Kremlin Palace of Congresses in Moscow, in a
concert dedicated to the 20th anniversary of “Gazprom”. Many honorable
and distinguished guests were present in the hall.

As reports Armenpress, referring to armenianjazz.am, the concert was
hosted by Alexander Marshal and Ilona Bronevitskaya. Many Russian pop
singers, ballet soloists of Bolshoi Theatre, artists from Belarus,
Kazakhstan and Ukraine performed during the first part. Armenian
jazzmen closed the first part of the concert. Levon Malkhasyan,
Nikoghayos Vardanyan, Vahagn Hayrapetyan, Arman Jalalyan and Aramo
performed an original suite with duration of 8 minutes, compile from
the compositions by Arno Babajanyan, Duke Ellington and Armenian
folk tunes. During the second part of the concert the audience was
enjoying the performances of Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and the
world rock star Sting.

NO MORE BLOOD, SAYS RAFFI HOVANNISIAN – VIDEOS

TERT.AM
18:48 ~U 12.04.13

Heritage party leader Raffi Hovannisian’s rally has kicked off in
Freedom Square in Armenia.

Raffi Hovannisian’s campaign office issued a statement earlier that
the Heritage party leader would make a policy address today.

Raffi Hovannisian has returned from Moscow, where he was invited to
“to make the voice of most of Armenia’s citizens heard.”

Raffi Hovannisian reminded the people of New Armenia’s inauguration
on April 9, saying there will be no traitor, opportunist, maker of
false oath or “a mean man seeking bloodshed.”

“All the world, including Moscow, Washington and Brussels must know
about the Armenian people’s victory on February 18. We do not accept
the false oath nor do we accept the public agents building their
career by shedding our blood. They have nothing to do in Armenia,”
Hovannisian said.

“I may have made numerous mistakes from February 18 to April 9. But
I have promised you that we are going to bring our struggle to a
successful end. No more blood,” he said.

Hovannisian admits people’s right to criticism. He also demands the
dismissal of the policeman that kicked Heritage party Vice-Chairman
Armen Martirosyan. According to him, the policeman raised his hand
against Yerevan’s future mayor.

THERE ARE NO UNSOLVABLE PROBLEMS BETWEEN ARMENIA AND GEORGIA

17:05 12.04.2013

Acting Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received Georgian
Foreign Minister Maya Panjikidze.

The interlocutors stressed the warm relations established between
the Governments of Armenia and Georgia and noted that there are no
unsolvable questions between the two countries.

Maya Panjikidze conveyed the greetings of Georgian Prime Minister
Bidzina Ivanishvili.

Speaking about economic relations, Tigran Sargsyan attached importance
to the creation of a common market, which would contribute to the
implementation of new business programs. In that context the parties
referred to the cooperation in the fields of agriculture, transport
and other branches of economy, the process of modernization of border
checkpoints and implementation of new technologies.

Touching upon cultural cooperation, the Georgian FM informed that
Armenian historic monuments in Georgia are being restored with the
participation of the Armenian community.

The parties discussed issues related to integration processes within
the framework of the EU and CIS.

ANCA INVITES KERRY TO ATTEND CAPITOL HILL ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OBSERVANCE

April 12, 2013 – 14:06 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The chairman of the Armenian National Committee
of America (ANCA) Ken Hachikian has formally invited John Kerry, as
Secretary of State, to attend the same Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide
observance that he addressed during his tenure as a U.S. Senator.

As Hachikian noted in his letter of invitation, “senior Administration
officials, frequently participated in Armenian Genocide Observances
as recently as the late 1990s. Unfortunately, we have witnessed a
sharp departure from this tradition, even as we have seen increased
participation by Administration representatives in programs hosted by
organizations that actively deny this atrocity against all humanity.”

“We turn to you to start your tenure as Secretary in the right
direction on this score by personally participating, along with your
Obama Administration colleagues, in the upcoming April 24 Armenian
Genocide observance on Capitol Hill.”

“We raise this issue with you in the spirit of the letter we sent you
earlier this year noting how very pleased we were to see the Department
of State being led by someone with your long and distinguished record
of leadership on U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide. It was
in the same context of shared values that we continue to offer you
our help in facilitating a continued dialogue with our community,
and we ask you to urge President Obama to honor his as yet unfulfilled
pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide,” the letter said.

SERZH SARGSYAN’S “SOFT” FORCE

During his speech after the April 9 inauguration ceremony Serzh
Sargsyan said that it is time to pass to actions from words. Besides,
accepting that there have been exceptionally words until now, Serzh
Sargsyan delivered also a “threatening” message to the system. Will
Serzh Sargsyan come out enough powerful to overcome the system and
does he have such a wish? He has always showed quite a soft approach
to the decision of problems.

Serzh Sargsyan’s first steps after elections demonstrate his wish to
carry out changes without shaking the system. First of all, it is
related to Armavia’s bankruptcy. The company, which was rumored to
be harmful for the Armenian economy, was declared bankrupt, however,
experts say, it was done only to avoid the owner of the company
suffers great losses, and debt is paid by the state.

If this is true, then the redistribution of property will again happen
on account of the society and the state. This does not mean reforms,
but “soft” division of capital.

Serzh Sargsyan names the main imperative for the next 5 years
the economic progress. He said, accepting the resignation of the
government, that most of the people are dissatisfied with the
government, although he believes that the government has fulfilled
the task. If the “macroeconomic” indicators are intended, then there
is really “progress”. But the real progress is possible only if you
change the principles of distribution of public goods, which are now
concentrated in the hands of those in power and the people around it.

Is Serzh Sargsyan ready to “plunder the loot” – expropriation of
the illegal property of the oligarchs? This process is inevitable
if he really intends to increase the level of people’s lives and
stop emigration. This process is happening all over the world,
except Armenia.

Serzh Sargsyan has not demonstrated readiness to take decisive steps,
perhaps, after the failure of the football diplomacy with Turkey. And
the “soft” policy is continued both in home and foreign fronts.

This is proven by the step which for some reason was not rewarded
with socio-political resonance – the signing of a memorandum of
understanding with the Eurasian Economic Commission. This memorandum
may be called assessment of Armenian-Russian relations. On the one
hand, Russia’s pressure succeeded and Armenia signed the document, on
the other hand, Yerevan has ensured that the document has a special
clause, which states that the memorandum has no international legal
effect.

This document may be considered quintessence of Serzh Sargsyan’s
policies. Apparently, the course of diversification will continue,
the Association Agreement with EU will be signed and relations with
Russia will limit to the “memorandum of understanding”. But all will
be done “softly” not to offend anyone.

The only threat of the “soft” force is that it can’t break hard
foreheads. While in Armenia there are plenty of such foreheads.

Naira Hayrumyan 14:48 12/04/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

“IT IS A GARRULOUS FORCE THAT ONLY PROMISES,” ACTIVISTS ABOUT THE RULE OF LAW PARTY (RLP) ELECTION PROGRAM (VIDEO)

April 11 2013

To Yeghia Nersisyan, an environmentalist, the pre-election promises
of parties remind of the song “Dream” performed by Arevik Group
at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2007. Talking about the RLP
election program – the parts regarding urban planning, improvement and
environment of Yerevan – during a conversation with , Y.

Nersisyan said: “When they talk about landscaping, ceasing construction
in those areas, let someone behave like a man, go down to Opera
and prevent the illegal building of Jazzve that is under way right
now, and I will say good job. It will mean that someone is doing
something. Then I will believe. Otherwise, words without deeds are
lifeless.” The RLP also promises to adopt the new general plan of
the city of Yerevan as a result of broad public and professional
discussion. We inquired of Y. Nersisyan what the new plan would
change. “What plan are they talking about, when all numbered stones
have been destroyed with heavy equipment, old buildings have been
dismantled; there is no such thing as an old plan. They cannot build
Old Yerevan. By the way, they were telling that same tail when we were
struggling in Mashtots Park too.” Activist Gevorg Safaryan continued:
“I would remind Artur Baghdasaryan that Yerevan has become a time bomb
these days. Any minor earthquake will raze Yerevan with its old and new
buildings to the ground. I think that the secretary of the security
council should have thought about this and have done something about
this already…, act as much as like, is it necessary to be in the
city hall to act? Where have you been up to now…? I think the RLP
is a garrulous force that makes such promises all the time.”

Arpine SIMONYAN

Read more at:

© 1998 – 2013 Aravot – News from Armenia

MONTEBELLO ARMENIAN CENTER OPENS DIGITAL MEDIA LIBRARY AND YOUTH ROOM

Thursday, April 11th, 2013

>From l to r: Dr. Armen Chalian, Jacques Labejian, Ara Malazian, Dr.

Viken Hovesepian, Nora Hovsepian, Nora Yacoubian, Stepan Altounian,
Gregor Hovanesian, Boghos Sassounian and benefactor Sarkis Nourian.

MONTEBELLO-On Saturday, March 23 the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Dro Gomideh announced the grand re-opening of the Hrayr Maroukhian
Library as a digital media center and youth room. The library had been
in use as part of the ARF Archives institute for the past several
years, however recent changes presented the opportunity for the
conversion of the library to a digital media center.

In deciding the best use for the library, the Committee reviewed
several options and according to Co-Chair Ara Malazian determined that
“We are entering the digital age. The new generation no longer looks
to books for research and information. The new generation relies
on digital resources including the internet, digital audio and video
recordings and other electronic media. Our goal is to provide our youth
with access to all of the tools the new generation is accustomed to;
wireless internet access, high speed internet connections, video
conferencing, digital media presentations and digital archives.”

The renovations were made possible thanks to a generous donation from
the family of Sarkis and Alin Nourian.

In addition to functioning as a digital media center, the library
will serve dual purposes as a youth room. Visitors will have access
to cable television, movies, music and video game systems. “Our goal
is to create a fun, welcoming environment for our youth so that when
they come to the Armenian Center and visit the library, it’s a place
that they want to stay,” said Malazian.

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT NEGOTIATING WITH AIR COMPANIES TO REDUCE AIR TICKET PRICES

YEREVAN, April 12. /ARKA/. Armenia’s government is negotiating with
the air companies to reduce air ticket prices, head of the country’s
chief civil aviation department Artem Movsisyan said at a Public
Council discussion on the future of Armenia’s civil aviation Thursday.

Aeroflot’s tickets are 20% cheaper today compared to March 1, before
Armavia announced its bankruptcy, he said. “This is the result of
the government negotiations”, Movsisyan added. According to him,
there should not be any concern over possible price increase.

Movsisyan also said that he had consultations with all air companies
operating in Armenia, and they agreed not to increase prices under
the current circumstances.

The only air company that raised the ticket prices (by 10,000drams)
is FlyDubai.

Movsisyan also stressed that, on the other hand, seasonal increases
of air ticket prices have been recorded over the last years.

Armavia’s share in air traffic was 20-24% only in the last two years,
the head of the civil aviation department said. In January and February
2013, it was even lower – 16% and 12% respectively.

Armavia’s traffic peaked three years ago when the company accounted
for 35-50% of the overall air traffic, Movsisyan said.-0-

EURASEC MEMO: DOCUMENT SIGNED IN YEREVAN SEEN AS COMPROMISE BORN OUT OF ‘PRESSURE’ AND ‘RESISTANCE’

POLITICS | 12.04.13 | 10:45

Photo:

By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
ArmeniaNow correspondent

The Armenian government and the Eurasian Economic Commission have
signed a Memorandum of Understanding this week in what pundits say
is likely to be a compromise solution to the current status quo in
which Armenia resists Russia’s pressure for a full commitment.

The document was signed on April 10 by acting Prime Minister of
Armenia Tigran Sargsyan and Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian
Economic Commission, Viktor Khristenko.

The signing of this document was not properly announced in advance
either by the Armenian or the Russian sides. It is also noteworthy that
after the signing ceremony no Armenian party has made any assessment of
this act. Perhaps it is because the text of the memorandum expressly
states that the document is nonbinding and cannot obstruct the
international commitments of either party.

Despite the fact that both the Russian and Armenian leaderships give
assurances that there is no pressure on Yerevan regarding its entry
into the post-Soviet integration structures – the Customs Union and
the yet nascent Eurasian Union, it is obvious that such pressure
does exist. It is also apparent, however, that Armenia strenuously
resists such a prospect and the document signed in Yerevan is likely
to be a compromise between this pressure and resistance shown by the
Armenian administration. In this regard it is interesting to compare
the descriptions given to the memorandum by the two sides. In Russia
it was immediately called “a basis for cooperation”, while in Armenia
it was described as “non-binding”.

In the document proper, the Government of Armenia and the Eurasian
Economic Commission agree to develop cooperation in trade policy,
technical regulation, standardization, measurement assurance,
application of sanitary, veterinary and phytosanitary requirements
and measures, as well as in other areas of mutual interest.

Political analyst Richard Giragosian downplayed the significance of
the document. “This is more of a message for Russian pressure over
other former Soviet states and much less about Armenia,” he told
RFE/RL’s Armenian Service on Thursday.

It is also remarkable that the memorandum was signed with the
Government of Armenia, which is only acting as such after its
resignation was accepted by President Serzh Sargsyan, who was sworn
in for a second term on April 9. It is this period, however, that
Russia has invigorated its policy in Armenia.

An interview with public relations officer of Russia’s Public
Anti-Corruption Committee Marina Galyuchenko has appeared in the
media. In it she directly hints at the fact that there is evidence of
‘dirty’ money of Armenian officials and Russian officials patronizing
them. Besides, a court in Moscow is reportedly continuing to hear
a case regarding Armenia’s chemical giant, Nairit, and the name of
Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan also figures in the process.

Russia also unexpectedly allocated, through the Eurasian Development
Bank, a sum of $100 million for the construction of the North-South
highway, pledging another $400 million for Nairit.

The Armenian government has repeatedly stated that it considers
cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Commission and the Customs
Union to be expedient, but not in the capacity of its member. Armenia,
just like Ukraine, insists on indirect membership in the Customs
Union. Yet, Russia continues to “persuade” them both to join the union.

Two weeks ago it was stated in Yerevan that the text of the Association
Agreement with the European Union has been finalized.

Three rounds are left before the text of an agreement on a “deep and
comprehensive free trade area” is finalized. These agreements are
expected to be initialed in November.