Author: Kalantarian Kevo

TURQUIE
Fin des grèves de la faim de détenus kurdes

ANKARA, 18 nov 2012 (AFP) – Un mouvement de grève de la faim observé
par des prisonniers kurdes à travers la Turquie depuis 68 jours a pris
fin à la suite d’un appel en ce sens du chef kurde Abdullah Öcalan, a
indiqué un représentant des détenus à l’agence pro-kurde Firatnews.
`Nous prenons en considération l’appel d’Abdullah Öcalan (lui-même
détenu, ndlr) et mettons fin à notre action à partir du 18 novembre`,
a-t-il déclaré depuis la prison Deniz Kaya, selon l’agence.
Le dirigeant historique du Parti des travailleur du Kurdistan (PKK,
interdit), en lutte armée contre les forces turques depuis 1984 avait
appelé samedi depuis la prison d’Imrali (nord-ouest) à l’arrêt du
mouvement mené par plus de 700 détenus.
C’est son frère Mehmet, après l’avoir rencontré le même jour en
prison, qui a publié une déclaration écrite relayant les voeux du chef
du PKK. `Le mouvement des grèves de la faim est très significatif.
Cette action a atteint son objectif. Je veux qu’ils mettent fin à leur
action sans tarder et sans aucune hésitation`, a dit Öcalan, selon ce
document Le gouvernement islamo-conservateur turc a fait un geste
mardi pour tenter d’enrayer cette vague de protestation en faisant
déposer un projet de loi autorisant les Kurdes à se défendre dans leur
langue maternelle devant les tribunaux.
La proposition autorise un détenu kurde à `faire usage, s’il le
souhaite, d’une autre langue (que le turc) pour se défendre
d’accusations portées à son encontre dans les tribunaux`.
Cette décision a été jugée insuffisante dans un premier temps par les
militants de la cause kurde, qui réclament d’abord la fin de
l’isolement imposé à Öcalan qui purge depuis 1999 un peine de prison à
vie. Le mouvement a été engagé le 12 septembre et est suivi par des
centaines de détenus incarcérés pour leurs liens supposés avec les
séparatistes du PKK, en guerre avec Ankara depuis 1984.
dimanche 18 novembre 2012,
Ara ©armenews.com

The most part of opposition newspapers closed down, TV channels being controlled

Mon, 11/12/2012 – 18:21
Analytics

The `7th International Conference on web management’ took place in the
capital of Azerbaijan on November 6-9 with the participation of 1000
participants from 100 countries. The main topics of discussion were
related to the development of the sphere, security and web
accessibility issues.

One of them was connected with the issues of freedom of speech and
innovation, as well as preservation of civil journalism in the modern
world.

So we have a statement made by an international organization
protecting the freedom of media `Journalists beyond borders’ that was
made almost simultaneously with the forum. `The most part of
opposition newspapers were closed down in Azerbaijan. The Radio-TV
broadcasting is controlled by the authorities’.

The struggle of opposition newspapers against the authorities has a
long history. The Chief Editor of the `Azadlig’ newspaper Ganimad
Zakhidov notes when talking about the state controlled by the Aliyev
regime, that `Azerbaijan is known as an authoritarian state that
violates basic democratic freedoms’. Recently he added that `If the
situation does not change, we will not resist for long’.

This opposition newspaper appeared in a difficult financial situation
as a result of numerous fines imposed by the court’s procedure. On
November 5 the accounts were completely frozen.

Even though `Journalists beyond borders’ international organization
criticized the decision of the judicial power of Azerbaijan, however,
it could make no changes in the situation.

Around 40 journalists are imprisoned in Azerbaijan today for different
or no reasons.

There are many cases when journalists who defend the freedom of speech
are lynched for showing consistency in their speech and questions. The
indifference of state authorities towards the trouble that journalists
came across heralds with `all-saying silence’.

One of the typical examples is the case of beating the reporter of the
newspaper `Zerkalo’ and the Head of the `Electronic Journalism’ NGO
Idrak Abbasov up to the level of disability, the medical treatment of
which was covered once again by the `Journalists beyond borders’
international organization. As for those who committed the crime, they
became inaccessible.

It looks like the Azerbaijani authorities realize the fight against
freedom of speech and media in an organized way and with specially
developed methodology.

In this regard let us mention numerous obstacles created on the way of
realization of the publications of the civil organizations or
political parties. For instance, the authorities of Baku decided that
the newspaper kiosks in their city should transform into trade
institutions with wide profile. Half of them were transformed into
large pavilions selling also food and industrial products. As a result
the low index of newspaper sells decreased even more resulting in
closing down of a number of news agencies that could survive by means
of selling their newspaper or worsening their material situation.

By the way it is stated in the announcement of the `Journalists beyond
borders’ that the Government of Azerbaijan must `guarantee justice for
the case of journalists and media organizations’. It also expressed
hope that the `7th Conference on web management’ will have its say
regarding that issue.

Samvel Martirosyan

ÕÕ¥Õ²Õ«Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯:
Factinfo.am

Armenia holds meeting of national commission for UNESCO

news.am
November 17, 2012 | 17:04

YEREVAN.- Armenian Foreign Ministry hosted on Friday the meeting of
Armenia’s national commission for UNESCO.

The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian,
Education Minister Armen Ashotyan, Culture Minister Hasmik Poghosyan,
Economy Minister Tigran Davtyan, Sport Minister Hrachya Rostomyan,
Deputy Nature Protection Minister Simon Papyan and other officials.

They discussed the issues related to implemented programs, future
projects, elaboration of commission’s rules and Armenia’s activities
in UNESCO.

State to pay tuitions fees of 1,000 needy students

tert.am
19:43 – 17.11.12

With the assignment of the Armenia’s president, the government will
allocate means for paying the tuition fees of 1,000 needy students,
Gevorg Melkonyan, head of the Union of Young Students NGO, told the
reporters on Saturday.

`It will be a big impetus for the needy young families to get higher
education,’ he said, saying the conditions to participate in the
competition are three – the student must study excellently, be active
and his/her family must be registered in Paros Foundation.

`One of the chief problems of students is the tuition fee. Not all the
families manage to pay the tuition fee and it appears that the
children of rich families manage to get higher education while the
children from insecure families do not,’ Melkonyan said.

He said the issue of students’ hostels is also a significant social
issue. Many are in bad condition, and many universities do not have at
all.

The speaker said the students also face issue of finding jobs after graduation.

Armenia’s education minister bans political activity inside universities

tert.am
19:20 – 17.11.12

Armenia’s Education and Science Minister Armen Ashotyan has stated
that he bans the members of the students’ councils to conduct any
political activity inside their universities irrespective of their
party belonging.

At the meeting with the representatives of the students’ councils the
minister said it is banned by the Armenian law and as Republican
party’s member he would not like such bear’s service.

`No one wants our party position reinforce more than I do, but the
ministry controls those who do more harm than good,’ he said.

At the same time the minister noted that no one has a right to deprive
the student of its right to have political preferences, urging to be
engaged in such activities outside of educational establishments.

Asked whether going to university with a party’s badge is a violation
or not, the minister said it is not, adding that he goes to ministry
with RPA’s badge.

Mystery Money: Where Did Judge’s Wife Get the 34 Million?
Ruben Vardanyan

hetq
17:02, November 16, 2012

Appeals Court Judge Masis Rehanyan is one of those members of
Armenia’s judiciary whose financial assets are something of an enigma.

In his 2011 financial disclosure Rehanyan declared revenues of 6.145
million AMD; all salary. However, his cash deposits comprised $210,000
and 12 million AMD.

Judge Rehanyan’s wife Nouneh Sargsyan declared 30 million AMD in
revenue as a sole proprietor. She also declared 170 million AMD in the
bank as of the end of the year, 64 million more than she had at the
start of the year.

The math doesn’t add up. Sargsyan declared 30 million in revenue, so
where did the additional 34 million come from?

Those are sick-brained who proclaim a murderer as a hero

14:40, 17 November, 2012

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS: The history of Nagorno-Karabkh
conflict and commonly the whole process of Artsakh issue show that in
case someone has mental problems it’s not Armenia for sure. And its
vivid example is Safarov’s case. This was noted by the Deputy
Spokesman of Armenian NA Eduard Sharmazanov during the interview with
Armenpress when referring to the statement of Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev when saying that Azerbaijan would make a worthy response
to those ill brains who will trespass. `Those are the sick-brained
people who proclaim a murderer as a hero, who are ready to pay the
salary of a perpetrator accumulated during 8 years of his
imprisonment. Those are insane who implement fascism and racism policy
on a state level’ noted NA deputy spokesman.

And what comes to making a counterattack Sharmazanov has underlined
that Armenian side is always the one to make a successful
counterattack.

`Aliyev junior was accumulating millions of dollars and making
business, that’s why he is not well aware how his predecessors
attacked Artsakh people who just wanted peace and freedom. Sharmazanov
assures that `In case they once again try to use military force
against the Artsakh people the counterattack will be much more
intense. It’s better not to make a storm in a glass of water’.

Churches of Armenia Featured at Pilibos Culture Month

asbarez
Friday, November 16th, 2012

Pilibos 5th grade students and their projects

LOS ANGELES – As part of Armenian Cultural Month, 5th grade students at
Rose & Alex Pilibos Armenian School created their rendition of
Armenia’s most famous churches. From Echmiadzin, Geghart, to St.
Hripsime, each one was constructed more beautifully than the next.

With a variety of art materials at their disposal, combined with their
limitless imagination, each student built a church with the finest
details from the color and texture of the church, the stain glass
windows, to the infamous Armenian dome. With this project, each
student felt their strong roots in Christianity and it’s connection to
our Armenian heritage.

At the conclusion of the project, the 5th grade class presented their
final churches to Archpriest Viken Vassilian who was elated at the
site of the student’s creations. He emphasized the importance of
finding Christ inside our hearts and keeping our Armenian and
Christian traditions alive. With the assistance of Mrs. Gassia and
Baron Nazaret, they graciously accepted the difficult task of choosing
the top three winners. The winners were Patil Yaacoubian, Anthony
Minasyan, and Jibid Melkonian.

The diligent and beautiful work of these students was truly inspiring
and captivated the spirit of Armenia’s most cherished treasures.

Financial inspection under way in Armenia’s Gyumri municipality, with
independent audit to follow it

tert.am
14:20 – 17.11.12

The information about the financial checking by Finance Ministry’s
Oversight Inspection in Gyumri municipality corresponds to reality,
spokesperson for Gyumri municipality Zohrab Yeganyan confirmed the
information speaking to Tert.am.

`It is a regular checking. As to inviting independent audit, the issue
is included in the agenda of November 22 sitting of the Council of
Elders,’ Yeganyan said.

The council’s sitting will also adopt the regulations of the Gyumri
Council of Elders and staff, discuss setting up Gyumri municipality
foundation, assistance to needy families of Gyumri etc.

The agenda also includes an issue on annulling the decisions of the ex
mayor Vardan Ghukasyan.

Earlier Yeganyan told Tert.am that the municipality’s debt during the
ex-mayor’s tenure in office reached up to 1.2 billion drams and a
decision has been made to conduct an independent audit.

It has been noted that after the independent audit the new staff of
the municipality will be more informed about the situation.

In Uruguay, Armenians lost fear – Jorge Orrico

news.am
November 17, 2012 | 13:09

YEREVAN.- Since the first days of their arrival, Armenians have become
an integral part of Uruguay’s society, Speaker of Uruguay’s House of
Representatives Jorge Orrico said during the meeting with Armenian
students on Saturday.

`Armenian immigrants came to Uruguay mainly after 1915. Excuse me for
saying this but Armenians lost their fear in Uruguay. The things they
saw leaving their country, cannot repeat in Uruguay. Armenians
integrated successfully,’ Orrico said in Yerevan.

Asked about possible lifting of visa regime between the states,
Uruguayan official said tourism brings about $2 billion annually. The
Minister of Tourism is Lilian Kechichian, Armenian by origin
`therefore, I think all the possible problems will be solved easily,’
he emphasized.

Armenians are members of all Uruguay’s political parties, they have an
active role in culture and economy.