Author: Kalantarian Kevo

New Genocide bill submitted to the French Parliament

11:38 29.12.2012

French Parliament Member Valerie Boyer, who spearheaded last year’s
effort to pass a bill criminalizing the denial of the Armenian
Genocide, submitted a new draft of the bill late last week.

The bill stipulates the introduction of amendments to the 1881 law on
freedom of press, setting legal foundation for countering racism and
denial of Genocide.

The bill envisions a 45,000 euro fine and a year in prison for denial
of crimes against humanity, including the Armenian Genocide, reported
the Paris-based Nouvelles d’Arménie.

After successful passage of the bill in the French Parliament last
December, on January 23, the French Senate passed the bill
criminalizing the Armenian Genocide.

Later, the French Constitutional Council ruled that the bill was
unconstitutional.

However, in July, French President Francois Hollande confirmed plans
for a new law criminalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide with
representatives of the Armenian community.

Aleppo-Armenian Vruyr Bilemjyan’s thoughts are with Syria; “We hope
we will return one day”

11:09 29/12/2012 » SOCIETY

Aleppo-Armenian Vruyr Bilemjyan arrived in Armenia on August 14 this
year as a `tourist’, but he was urged to stay in Armenia because of
the confrontation in Syria. Now he studies at Yerevan State Medical
University after Mkhitar Heratsi, and is a second year student at
Pharmaceuticals department. Panorama.am had an interview with Vruyr.

– What is the situation in Aleppo now? What do your relatives and friends say?

– Most of them are in Armenia or Beirut now. And those who remained
there say that the situation worsens. There is no flicker for
optimism. I think that conflict will not get a solution for a long
time.

– Don’t you advise your friend and relatives who are in Syria to come
to Armenia?

– Every person has his own business, his home, family. It’s hard to
leave everything and to come here. Our thoughts are with Syria,
however. We hope that we will return to Aleppo one day as our ties are
there. When we were there we used to think that we will return to
Armenia one day and will live here forever. But everything happened so
quickly; the conditions urged.

– How did you use to see the New Year in Aleppo?

– We used to gather in the canteen on New Year day. We all prayed at
12 o’clock, then danced and sang till the morning, celebrated
gorgeously. We were also putting tables at home. There were families
who used to see the New Year at homes organizing family meetings and
fests.

– What about your Arab friends? Did they know what the Christians are
celebrating?

– Sure they knew. On that day we were decorating some districts of
Aleppo with lights. It was very beautiful. Arabs used to come out of
their homes at night and enjoyed that beauty.

– How will you celebrate it here?

– At the restaurant.

– Would you prefer to see the 2013 in Aleppo?

– It’s a difficult question. I think it will be happier and better
here, the thing is that we don’t have too many friends here.

– What would you wish for the Armenians that are in Syria now?

– Let the God help them and not leave them in worse conditions. I hope
everything will end very soon.

– What would you ask from Santa Claus?

– Peace, health and success to people.

Source: Panorama.am

GEORGIE
Une nouvelle bibliothèque arménienne en Akhaltsikha

L’ouverture officielle de la bibliothèque `Vahram Gayfechian` a eu
lieu dans la région du Samtse-Javakhk région.

Le président du Diocèse Arménien de Géorgie Alexander Igitkhanyan a
procédé à l’ouverture de la cérémonie qui était en relation avec le
500e anniversaire de l’impression arménienne.

Le président de l’Union des intellectuels arméniens Ruben Torosyan et
le président de musiciens arméniens en Géorgie Artem Kirakozov étaient
présents lors de la cérémonie.

L’événement a été conclu par une bénédiction.

samedi 29 décembre 2012,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

Armenia’s foreign policy in 2012

tert.am
17:49 – 28.12.12

The presidents of Austria, Georgia and Turkmenistan, 26 foreign
ministers and secretaries, as well as three top officials – Herman Van
Rompuy, President of the European Council, José Manuel Barroso,
President of the European Commission, and Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO
Secretary General – have visited Armenia this year.

Tigran Balayan, Spokesman for Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
informed Tert.am that Armenia’s FM Edward Nalbandian has visited 47
countries. Armenia’s President paid 16 working and official visits to
Russia, Belgium, Italy, Vatican, France and other countries.

Three meetings to discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process have been
held this year: an Armenian-Azerbaijani presidential meeting, and two
meetings between the Armenian and Azerbaijani FMs.

At their meeting in Sochi, Russia, the Armenian, Azerbaijani and
Russian presidents pointed out progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace
process since November 2, 2008, when the Moscow declaration was
approved.

At their meeting, with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs’ participation,
the sides stated the aim was to resume the negotiations.

HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK: “AFTER SELLING IT, THE GOVERNMENT NOW WANTS TO AUCTION FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUILDING”

10:52, December 26, 2012

Here’s another astounding bit of news…if true.

Readers will remember that in October the Armenian government said
it had sold the building now housing the RA Ministry of Foreign
Affairs to the Argentine-Armenian businessman Eduardo Eurnekian’s
Tango Company for $52 million.

Now, according to the newspaper Haykakan Zhamanak, the government
has announced that the same building will be sold via auction.

The paper says that no news has been forthcoming regarding the
cancellation of the previous sale to Tango and rightly asks what’s
happened.

Haykakan Zhamanak hints that Eurnekian might have had second thoughts
about buying the buikding and his plans to turn it into a hotel.

The paper says that is more probable that Eurnekian wants to buy the
building via an auction so that he cannot be charges with buying it
at a cheap price.

Who is at fault, Eurnekian or the government?

The paper says that the starting bid is the original $52 million.

ARMENIA’S EUROPEAN INTEGRATION RATES DIFFER SIGNIFICANTLY FROM THAT OF PREVIOUS YEARS: KAREN BEKARYAN

14:54, 27 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS: Armenia’s European integration
rates and depth differ significantly from that of previous years. As
Armenpress reports, “European Integration” NGO Chairman Karen Bekaryan
came up in the briefing with the journalist, reportedly official
mutual visits contributed to it.”Visa facilitation agreement, future
signing of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement are of great
importance for Armenia” Bekaryan noted.

Karen Bekaryan stated the creation of deep and comprehensive free
trade zone is important for every citizen of the Republic of Armenia.

“In many cases, our society cannot imagine that the agreement refers
to each person” the interlocutor came up with, Armenpress reports.

The political scientist considers the European integration is of
priority, which became clearer after Armenia’s President Serzh
Sargsyan last speech in RPA. European integration is not only an
external policy; this is one of the country’s internal issues.

RUSSIAN-TURKISH DISCUSSION AGAINST ARMENIA’S INTEREST
HAKOB BADALYAN

Story from Lragir.am News:

14:03 27/12/2012

The foreign ministry of Russia told Regnum that the deputy foreign
minister of Russia Grigori Karasin and Turkish ambassador to
Russia Aydin Sezin met. The press release on this runs that the
sides discussed the issues related to the Caucasus, including the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

This is interesting in the context of the statement by official
Yerevan that Turkey cannot be involved in the settlement of the
Karabakh conflict. Now that Turkey is not part of this process, it
would be interesting to know what the Turkish ambassador could have
discussed with the Russian deputy foreign minister.

It is also interesting whether the “strategic partner” of Armenia
informs our country about the details of such meetings that discuss
the Karabakh settlement. I mean will Russia tell Armenia what it
discussed with the Turkish ambassador who has no relationship to the
Karabakh issue?

Strategic partnership supposes sharing of information, and Yerevan
should be informed about such meetings, especially because Turkey
cannot be part of the conflict settlement.

On the other hand, it would be naïve to think that Armenia can be
informed if Russia does not want it to. The Armenian authorities have
no levers to influence Russia and we may only hope that the discussions
between Russia and Turkey are in line with Armenia’s interests.

No doubt their discussion could contradict Armenia’s interest because
Russia sells weapons to Azerbaijan which will be used against Armenia
if necessary.

The aforementioned meeting is also interesting in the context of
Putin’s November visit to Turkey, after which Putin’s press secretary
said Russia would welcome Turkey to join the Customs Union. It is not
ruled out that discussion of this issue has been launched in which
the Karabakh settlement fits quite well.

Through Turkey’s membership Russia will eliminate Armenia’s argument
on the lack of common border. However, it is also necessary to enable
the opening of the Armenian and Turkish border which Turkey links to
the Karabakh issue.

IRAN, ARMENIA STRESS PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF SYRIAN CRISIS

Moscow, Dec 26, IRNA – Iran and Armenia called for peaceful settlement
of the ongoing crisis in Syria.

In a meeting between the Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for
Asia-Pacific Affairs Abbas Araqchi and the Armenian Foreign Minister
Edward Nalbandian, the two officials expressed concern over the present
situation in Syria and underlined the need for working out peaceful
solutions to problems in Syria and the start of national dialogue in
the country.

They also dismissed intervention of foreign forces in Syria and called
for adoption of any policy to avoid worsening situation in the region.

The Iranian and Armenian officials further stressed the peaceful
settlement of Karabakh dispute according to international laws.

They also discussed bilateral relations as well as the latest regional
and international developments.

The Iranian ambassador thanked Armenia for casting a negative vote
to the anti-Iran resolution in the United Nations and submitted the
written message of Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on the issue to
his Armenian counterpart.

Araqchi also met with a number of other Armenian officials including
energy minister.

1424**1422

Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 1034880

MINISTER PROMISES TO CATCH ‘FISH’

02:13 pm | Today | Social

Armenia’s Ministry of Healthcare has implemented almost all programs
approved by the executive body, Minister Derenik Dumanyan said at
his year-end news conference.

Among the major achievements of the passing year, the minister pointed
out the implementation of a balanced development program in regions
as part of a modernization program launched in the healthcare system
in 2007.

“Under the project, a number of hospitals and medical centers,
including those in Hrazdan, Ijevan, Armavir, Ararat, Goris, Aparan
and Gavar, have been reconstructed. This year a new multi-profile
hospital opened in Gyumri,” Mr Dumanyan said adding that the program
would continue through 2013.

Also, the Ministry plans to increase the salaries of physicians and
other specialists working in medical establishments.

The Minister added that they will punish everyone who fails to perform
his professional duties, no matter who they are and what position
they hold.

“We are searching for big fish in the healthcare sector to catch
them from the head,” he said. “I have no problems and if I see people
who do not implement their duties – whether they are big or small –
there will be no pardoning for them.”

LA CRESCENTA PHOTOGRAPHER CAPTURES URBAN LIFE, LANDSCAPE
By Nicole Charky

Urban photographer and La Crescenta resident Alenoush ‘Ellen’ Moradian
shows her photographs from travels around the U.S. and abroad.

La Crescenta Photographer Captures Urban Life, Landscape Credit
Arick Gevorkian

A La Crescenta resident’s solo photography exhibition went on display
at the Glendale Hilton this month to benefit the Armenian Bone Marrow
Donor Registry.

Ellen ~SAlenoush~T Moradian captures life and landscapes in her
photographs taken during her domestic and international travels.

~SI have always enjoyed traveling and experiencing life and capturing
the moments through my camera lens. It~Rs just an extraordinary
perspective and experience,” Moradian said in a prepared statement.

The photographer spent her teenage years in London and found her
interest in photography with help from mentor and brother in law.

~SAlthough my mentor is no longer with us; his guidance has inspired
me to continue and capture the beauty of everyday life,~T she said.

This exhibition was dedicated to him and his colorful life, she
explained.

During her short remarks, she thanked everyone and specially her
family and close friends for their unconditional support.

Ellen began her photography venture more seriously in 2009 and soon
it was no longer just a hobby but a serious part of her everyday life.

Her philosophy regarding photography is ~SSimplicity~T. ~SI attempt to
capture the emotions and beauty from around us which we may not always
notice due of our demanding and hectic life styles~T. Her goal is to
show ~Sthe life of an ordinary person in an extraordinary fashion~T.

For more information regarding Ellen~Rs work, logon to

– Arick Gevorkian contributed to this article.