Author: Kalantarian Kevo

ARMENIAN TRADITIONAL DUDUK AND JAZZ TO ‘INTERTWINE’ IN PARIS

news.am
November 27, 2012 | 22:00

Cite de la Musique in Paris begins a series dedicated to Armenia on
November 27. The sound of traditional Armenian duduk will be conducted
in the hall, and on December 1 a famous pianist Tigran Amasyan, will be
presenting a mixture of jazz, contemporary classical and popular music,
informes Nouvelles d`Armenie referring to the agency France-Presse.

Tuesday evening will open to the soft and melodious sound of duduk.

Four duduk musicians, including Armen Kazarian, will perform the
particular points of minstrels’ music that wandered from village
to village.

Several Western musicians also play on this instrument, among them
Didier Malherbe, saxophonist, playing on various wind instruments,
and German Stefan Mikus.

“It is an instrument with great expressivity, which has the ability
of very strong emotional expression,” Didier Malherbe said.

On Saturday night more modern concert will be held, and the highlight
of the program will belong to Tigran Amasyan. This 25-year-old
wonder-pianist appeared on the jazz scene six years ago, and last
year released his fifth album. In the first part he will be playing
in a duo with Armenian pianist Varduhi Yeritsyan, and the repertoire
will range between jazz and classical music.

AROUND 2000 LEBANESE ARMENIANS OBTAINED RA CITIZENSHIP IN 2011

Factinfo
Wed, 11/28/2012 – 12:27

Yesterday evening the RA President Serzh Sargsyan talked about the
process of obtaining the RA citizenship by Lebanese Armenians during
the meeting with the representatives of the Armenian Community of
Lebanon in Beirut.

In this respect he particularly noted ‘I am glad to note that the
interest and trust among Lebanese Armenians towards the Motherland
increase, which is also expressed in the increase of the applications
for obtaining the RA citizenship.

If in 2010 a little more than 200 Lebanese Armenians obtained the RA
citizenship, then in 2011 that number was multiplied by ten, and this
tendency continues also today. Of course, it is clear that obtaining
RA citizenship is not connected with permanently residing in Armenia;
the RA passport is only a legal connection with the state. A passport
which gives both rights and defines obligations”.

GOVERNMENT ADVICE TO SCIENTISTS – ‘LEAVE THIS COUNTRY’
Daniel Ioannisyan

14:22, November 28, 2012

Recently, RA Minister of Education and Sciences Armen Ashotyan publicly
commented that it would be better for Armenia is budding scientists
pursued their careers abroad rather than staying in Armenia.

Referring to current problems regarding state financing of the
sciences, Ashotyan noted, “It would be preferable that you, a
physicist with a bright future, go to Chicago or Boston and make a
name for yourself. Afterwards, you will be in a better position to
help Armenia through your contacts and grants, rather than staying and
working as a laboratory assistant somewhere. Right now the government
cannot guarantee the condition necessary for you career path.”

Yes, Minister Ashotyan is telling young scientists to emigrate. And
it’s not at all surprising. Last December, President Sargsyan made
similar remarks during a meeting with scores of young scientists.

At first glance, maybe Ashotyan’s advice makes sense. Young scientists
would probably be better off going abroad rather than struggle to
make ends meet in Armenia where wages for their profession are minimal.

Nevertheless, for Armenia to develop to its full potential, scientists,
as a societal class, are quite vital.

The representatives of the sciences and cultural sector serve as
locomotives of society and the guarantors of development

It’s the number of representatives of our intellectual sector that
give us the advantage over the wealthier Azerbaijan. No wonder Ottoman
Turkey decapitated the Armenian intellectual elite as the preliminary
step of the 1915 Genocide.

However, it seems that our government is not interested in maintain
an intellectual segment of society. The regime appears more intent
on creating a nation of waiters, cab drivers, labourers, miners,
car washers and cops, since – with all due respect to the former –
it’s easier for the regime to control them.

We cannot let the powers that be continue their policy of driving
out what remains of Armenia’s intellectual class.

DISABLED ARMENIAN WOMAN THROWS HERSELF INTO CANYON AND DIES

news.am
November 28, 2012 | 10:32

Flora Virabyan, 57, a resident of Tsater village of Armenia’s Lori
Region, threw herself into the fifty-meter deep canyon, which is
located in front of her house, and died Tuesday at around 2:20pm,
the Armenian News-NEWS.am Lori Region reporter informs.

Tsater prefect Bagrat Ghalayan had called the police and informed
them of this incident.

Ghalayan told the Armenian News-NEWS.am Lori Region reporter that the
woman who had committed suicide was a first-degree disabled person,
and she lived with her sister who is disabled, too.

“Their mother had just died [and], probably, this was the reason for
[Virabyan resorting to] such step because it was the mother who was
taking care of the disabled sisters,” the village prefect said.

The Lori Regional Police Department of Investigation is preparing a
report on this incident.

ARMENIA’S NATIONAL ARCHIVE PUBLISHES THREE-VOLUME COLLECTION OF GENOCIDE MEMORIES

news.am
November 28, 2012 | 13:48

YEREVAN.- Armenia’s national archive has published a three-volume
collection of Armenian Genocide memories recorded since 1916.

The recollections of those who survived the Genocide, not only
Armenians but Persians, Turks, Assyrians and Greeks, have been
included in the book, archive director Amatuni Virabyan told reporters
on Wednesday.

The books contain copies of archives of the countries ambassadors of
which were in the Ottoman Empire. Over 400 documents will be published
for the first time.

“We plan to publish additional two volumes: one of them dedicated to
Armenians of Cilicia exterminated and deported in 1918-22, the second
– to Armenians living out of Western Armenia, in Constantinople and
central regions of Turkey,” Virabyan said.

The archive also plans to publish 20 volumes of documents telling
about Armenians’ property confiscated by the Ottoman government.

The book published with the support of Van NGO will be translated
into English and Turkish during the year.

MORE THAN TWO DOZENS ARMENIAN HABITATS WILL BE RENAMED

09:35, 28 November, 2012

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. Commission of Experts for Naming and
Renaming Geographical Objects will introduce a new package of law to
the National Assembly for renaming 24 habitats. In a conversation with
“Armenpress” the Secretary of the Committee Artur Avdalyan mentioned
that there is a necessity for renaming about 50 habitats of the
republic of which 24 has been chosen as a result of the agreement of
the community leaders and commission. He stated: “The aim of renaming
is to get rid of foreign, unpleasing and repeated names. This procedure
is based upon the principle of restoration of the historical names.”

Among other things Avdalyan stated that the necessity of renaming
is interconnected with the “challenges” of the time. Suggestions
regarding renaming can be put forward by any physical or legal entity.

He noted: “Afterwards the suggestion should be coordinated with
the commission. In case of positive conclusion the suggestion is
introduced to the Government of the Republic of Armenia, then
to the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia. After all
these procedures the appropriate amendments are made in the law of
territorial administration.”

According to the secretary of the aforesaid commission there are many
cases in the history, when the population was not pleased with the
renaming. Avdalyan said: “A row of habitats have been renamed after
dictators, save to Vagharshapat. In 1945-1995 Vagharshapat was renamed
to Ejmiatsin. In 1995 the habitat was again renamed to Vagharshapat,
albeit unfortunately this name is used very rarely.”

ANCA WILL SEE TO REALIZATION OF OBAMA’S PROMISES

11:50, 28 November, 2012

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS. ANCA will continue its activities
with both newly elected President Obama, and the Congress. In
a conversation with “Armenpress” the ANCA Responsible for Media
Elizabeth Chuljian mentioned that they will work on behalf of
the Armenian questions; development of the Armenia-USA relations,
regulation of the Nagorno Karabakh issue and the Armenian Genocide.

According to Chuljian they will see to the realization of Obama’s
promises and work with both the President’s Administration, and
the Congress.

Among other things Chuljian stated that the congressional year
comes to an end. A number of new projects will be introduced to the
Congress. They have already initiated works in that direction. She
stated: “It is beyond doubt that we should keep calling on the
President and the whole American Government for the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide. Moreover, we must continue our claims regarding
the returning of the Armenian and other Christian Churches, which
has been stolen by the Turkish Government, to their true owner.”

As to the local problems of the Armenian Community of the US,
Chuljian mentioned that they are identical with the problems of other
Americans. They mainly refer to the strengthening of the economy,
good condition of the schools in their regions, employment and others.

Notwithstanding the American-Armenian community is intensely concerned
with the Armenian problems.

LE COUT DES ASSURANCES AUTOMOBILES OBLIGATOIRES VA GRIMPER
Stephane

armenews.com
mercredi 28 novembre 2012

Le directeur de societe d’assurance Ingo Armenie, Levon Altunian,
a dit que les assurances des vehicules va devenir plus chère.

Aujourd’hui une assurance annuelle coûte de 19 000 a 106 000 drams,
selon un jeu de facteurs comme l’âge du conducteur, sa conduite,
la capacite du moteur et cetera.

Le plus fort remboursement possible est de 3 millions drams pour
une personne blessee dans un accident de la route et le plus fort
remboursement pour une voiture endommagee est de 1,5 million de drams.

mercredi 28 novembre 2012, Stephane ©armenews.com

HISTORICAL ALIBI FOR GOVERNMENT
Hakob Badalyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

13:00 27/11/2012

Dwelling on the Russian government’s Compatriots Program in his
interview with the Russian Isvestia Newspaper, Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan said, “We have a demographic issue and emigration from the
border regions of the country harms the interests of Armenia. Our
strategic partner should not carry out such activities which harm
our interests.”

Russia boosts emigration of CIS citizens to Russia granting them
Russian citizenship, providing them with a house and a job.

Russia is trying to solve its demographic issue and the issue of
the population of the Siberian regions. The government of Russia
does not hide that this is a key issue for it. As president, Putin
was among the first to announce about the necessity to facilitate
the procedure of granting Russian citizenship to people born in the
former Soviet Union. Russia has already simplified the procedure of
joining the Compatriots and leaving for Russia. Now people can take
their families and relatives along with them.

Russia has stated a target of immigration of 300 thousand people
to Russia.

Armenia started with a long delay (the program operates since 2009)
but finally started speaking to criticize the program and stated its
approach in the resolution adopted during the recent session of the
Armenian-Russian intergovernmental commission. Russia, though, stated
in the same resolution that it does not want to stop the program.

The vice-foreign minister of Armenia Shavarsh Kocharyan stated that
if Armenia does not want, the program will not continue.

But it continues, and people stand in line in front of the Armenian
offices of the Compatriots Program.

Hima youth initiative has made a statement announcing about the
illegality of the program. It is unknown if the youths will continue
their legal campaign against the program.

It is a fact that the “compatriots” continue to leave for Russia.

Maybe against the general emigration the rate of “compatriots” is
not big but it is still a serious issue.

Russia’s approach to this issue stands for its reliability towards
Armenia as a strategic partner.

The strategic partner should understand that the demographic issue
is a serious security issue, an important element of national interest.

Along the same line, Moscow insists on the continuation of
Compatriots, which means that the country does not care for the
Armenian interests. By and large, it is not condemnable since each
country is to care for its own interests. But this is the reason
every country is not considered to be Armenia’s “strategic partner”.

The particular thing about the Armenian-Russian relations is
psychology. Only the Armenian psychology considers Russia the
safeguard of the existence and security of Armenia. Russia is using
this psychology by means of certain technologies.

As to Armenia’s leadership, their psychology is different. It is based
on practical business and security interest. In this sense, relations
with Russia have long been “pragmatized”. In other words, there are
almost no psychological stereotypes, there is no implementation and
planning of the state interest, so the Armenian leadership can act
against any action of Russia to the extent allowed by Russia. The
“particular” public behavior to Russia is just an alibi for the
government to serve its own business interest which safeguards their
further stay in government.

Anyway, there are some layers in the society of Armenia which are
currently reviewing the relationship with Russia. Moscow is evidently
worried by this process which is felt from the nervous reaction
of the Russian ambassador to Armenia. The government of Armenia
could have chosen this process as an “alibi” for its relations with
Moscow and pursue the national interest of Armenia. But since this
interest is of no importance, the alibi is still the “historical
psychology”. Russia continues the implementation of Compatriots. It
might as well stop it because when there is a “particular” psychology,
it makes no difference if its carrier lives in Armenia or in Russia.

EXPERTS ‘NO PREREQUISITES FOR THE EXPORT OF MINORS FROM ARMENIA’

Factinfo
Tue, 11/27/2012 – 14:31

Two cases of trafficking against minors realized abroad were reported
in 2011. One of them was sexual exploitation in Turkey, the other –
labor exploitation in the RF. In both cases 17-year-old girls were
exploited.

It was mentioned during the conversation with the reporter of
‘Pastinfo.am’ by the Head of Trafficking and Migration Programs of
the ‘People in need’ organization Tatevik Bejanyan. According to her,
the case of exploitation in Turkey is now at the judicial proceedings
stage, and the case of exploitation in the RF is at the preliminary
investigation stage.

‘There are countries that earn on the exploitation of minors.

Hopefully, Armenia does not belong to those countries. However,
our country is also not secured from manifestations of that crime’
as noted our interviewee.

‘It is quite hard to take the child out of Armenia; a number of
documents, the permission of parents are required’. However, even one
case of minor trafficking is too much for Armenia. The Anti-trafficking
programs expert of the OSCE Office in Yerevan Davit Toumasyan agrees
with the expert. According to him no cases of taking children away
from Armenia were recorded. As for the disclosed two cases, in his
opinion, we cannot confirm that there was trafficking of a minor
until the accusing judgment is made, taking into consideration the
presumption of innocence.

According to D. Toumasyan’s words this crime continues to remain
latent, what can result in psychological peculiarities in some cases.

For example, the parents think that it is better to keep everything
inside the family. For that reason, unfortunately, we do not learn
what is going on. Despite the public awareness, lack of knowledge,
the experts evaluate the fight against trafficking as positive and
the situation under control.

According to the lawyer’s words the regulations of the law greatly
contributed to the fight against trafficking. Trafficking was qualified
as a crime since 2003 in the RA, when the functioning Criminal Code
was adopted.

‘It was brought in line with international standards, Article 132.2 was
separated with respect to trafficking, and some toughening measures
were taken. For instance, when in the past a minor was involved in
prostitution the action was seen as involving in prostitution based
on mercenary motives. Now the same action is qualified as trafficking
of minors’.

In T. Bejanyan’s opinion the Armenian legislation is in a much better
condition than of our neighbors. ‘For instance, according to the U.S.

State Department report Georgia belongs to the first best countries,
whereas Armenia and Switzerland to the second. With respect to the
fight against that crime we do more than countries placed on higher
positions’ concluded T. Bejanyan.