Author: Kalantarian Kevo

2015 is the new beginning of Armenian Genocide international recognition process

15:14, 24 August, 2012

YEREVAN, AUGUST 24, ARMENPRESS: New mechanisms fro introducing the
truth to the world on Armenia Genocide are being developed. In this
process an important role has Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute. In
order to get acquainted with the preparation process of the events
Armenpress had a conversation with the director of Museum-Institute
Hayk Demoyan.

– Mr. Demoyan what works are done towards the 100th anniversary of
Genocide in order to remind the world about the greatest crime?

– Now we are in the preparation stage. Many events should be organized
and implemented related to the 100th anniversary of Armenian Genocide
and it means that those works should be started earlier including the
restoration of the museum and the construction of new building, new
museum exhibitions, preparation of films. They demand long lasting
works which is difficult to manage during 2 or 3 years as we want
something new by its quality and concept. During the period that the
coordinating committee of events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of
Armenian Genocide operates there was implemented an intensive work. At
first we managed to take part in works of some subcommittees in
Lebanon, Romania, Russia, Hungary, Austria and we will soon be in
Germany, Czech Republic. It is very difficult to travel all the time
that’s why our diplomatic representations help us in places. The most
important thing is to inject to the new generation more fighting
psychology in order they understand that 2015 will only pass a relay
to the next generation it will not be a finish of some process or
program.

– Probably it is early to speak about the guests of the events.

– In this stage the secretariat has presented a separate program of
events for 2013 and 2015. Each year the annual sessions will confirm
the agenda of the next year and of course the events of 2105 will also
be discussed. The official website of the state committee will operate
soon, where information about all events will be put in several
languages. The name of the website is not decided yet: we must present
suggestion, structure and so on.

– Approximately which percent of the documents on Genocide do we have?

– It is difficult to say for certain as the factual material of each
historical event is impossible to present in numbers. We should
analyze in terms of content and of quantity. It is very important that
in many countries are discovered photos, new documents which spray
light and besides it new tomes in English which are implemented under
Turkish order. Now we prepare a work for one of such tomes. They find
documents and comment on them as they want. I would like to say that
very interesting materials are discovered in Armenian archives too.
Both in Armenian and international achieves even in Turkish ones we
can discover even sensational documents but any document can not put
into doubt what has happened that it had been planned in state level
and the name of which is Genocide.

– About propaganda war is much spoken: in which positions are we in
this sense and do we have opportunity to control the anti-propaganda?

– We can not speak about controlling as both Azerbaijan and Turkey
have powerful resources in that sense. We must be able to avoid the
appearance in the role of ones who defend themselves which is very
important. They will certainly try to put under dispute what has taken
place with the help of different books, conferences or try to distract
the attention of international community. However, the Turkish side
having huge resources and also Azerbaijani profit form oil manages to
achieve serious results in propaganda war. Unfortunately, we have to
record our flaw here that we could not create a body where the
potential of Armenia and Diaspora had to be compared and it is great
potential which can give crushing rebuff to Turkish-Azerbaijani
propaganda.

– The interest towards fragments about Genocide is great in abroad.
Did not the local producers have the idea to shoot a film?

– Many films are shot. Almost every weak we see a scenario of a film.
Each author of course tries to comment his unfinished work. A serious
film with value and opportunities of entering into international
market is shot with serious money. We can understand that we can not
shot such 5-10 films but one or two such films are enough to have a
result.

– We would like you to reconfirm once more that our documents are open
for study?

– The documents which we have, consultation are given free. This is
one of our most important massages to the world that on this theme we
work only as ones who realize commitment. All documents are reachable
for everyone.

– Are there Turks or Azerbaijanis among those who study the materials?

– Some Turkish students have come and we provided them with some materials.

– The website of the museum operates also in Turkish. Is the number of
Turk visitors big?

– Turkish citizens visit most of all the website of the museum. It is
already an indicator which speaks that we do our work well in another
audience too. In case of closed borders it is a good way to give to
Turkish society true information. This is a challenge too. We must be
able to give raw facts without any labeling.

– What can do an ordinary Armenian citizen in the process of the
recognition of Armenian Genocide?

– Ordinary Armenian citizen first of al has the sense that a great
tragedy has taken place. On April 24 he ahs to analyze his lifestyle
and activities. We must unite around this idea. We should create a
generation which will be able to overcome challenges and continue the
struggle for the final victory of the justice.

OC Community Honors Heroes from Khanasor to Lisbon

Thursday, August23rd,
2012
| Posted by Contributor

OC community gathered to celebrate heroes

An Evening of Remembrance and Tribute to Our Fallen Heroes

BY HAGOP BADOLIAN

SANTA ANA – The most striking memory from the July 28 event honoring our
fallen heroes was how intently everyone was listening to the speakers and
presenters which took center stage one after the other. After all, the
audience knew that this was not just another gathering. They knew that they
were there to honor those countless men and women throughout our tumultuous
history that sacrificed their most precious asset: their lives. The evening
began with Talin Artinian welcoming the guests on behalf of the Armen Karo
Gomideh and the Armenian Center Committee.

She stated that the reason for the gathering is to remember and celebrate
the triumphant disciplinary act of the `Khanasor Arshavank’, and pay
respect to the Lisbon 5 heroes, while on the other hand to raise funds for
the maintenance and renovation of the Armenian Center, which serves as a
home to Armenians in Orange County and over 100 youth. She reaffirmed the
fact that in the Diaspora, Armenians are known to build and survive; we are
known to stay true to our culture and literature and sing our sorrows and
victories. With that she invited the keynote speaker of the evening.

The keynote speaker, Hovig Saliba, began his speech with a moment of
silence, during which he read a representative list of names of the fallen
heroes that spanned from the `Gugunian’ march towards freedom to the
liberation of Artsakh. In his speech, he presented the image of the
Armenian Freedom fighter, their dedication to the Armenian cause, and their
unwavering commitment to the advancement the Armenian cause.

Saliba bridged the gap from `Khanasor’s’ disciplinary act against the Kurds
to the sacrifice of the Lisbon Five and beyond by outlining the
ideological, political, and social forces that gave hope and courage to our
heroes to give their lives in order to revive the will in our people to
fight and struggle on for the freedom of the Armenian people.

A special requiem Mass was held on July 29

He concluded his remarks by pointing out that we are gathered here tonight
as a family to remember and honor our `children,’ the fallen heroes and
embrace their legacy to carve our future. He stated that we are also here
tonight to follow in their footsteps and that the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation which remains the only viable organization; that the ARF
inspired the many before us and continues to be at the forefront of our
collective struggle; that the ARF will
continuethis
movement until such day when we as a nation dock on the shores of
prosperity and peace on a land that we’d like to call
Free,
Independent, and United Armenia.

Nora Injeian from the AYF Ashod Yergat chapter, in a very moving speech,
echoed her late father’s, Vahe Injeian’s remarks that `the Armenian Center
is our second home.’ She stated that the Armenian Center is a symbol of our
existence and therefore we have an obligation and a duty to preserve it.

Nora Gourdikian and Mher Zaher from the AYF Ashod Yergat chapter presented
a slide show through which they recounted the historical facts of the
`Khanasor’ disciplinary expedition and the Lisbon Five heroic act. They
reaffirmed the AYF’s commitment to stay true to their calling, and that the
entire AYF in the Western United States has declared 2012 the year of the
Freedom Fighter. As such, they have launched a massive campaign and various
fundraisings to help families of our fallen heroes.

Alik Cherchian from the AYF Ashod Yergat chapter delivered to the audience
the prelude to the Lisbon Five song written by Vicken Hovsepian. Araz
Madenlian spoke next on behalf of the Aghpiur Serop Badanegan organization.
In her remarks, she thanked the ARF Armen Karo Gomideh as well as their ARF
advisors and the supporting AYF members for their dedication and commitment
to the Badanees. She conveyed to the audience the pride and commitment of
the Badanees and the leadership skills they learn by coming to the Armenian
Center every Friday.

Nersig Inpirian then took over the stage and inspired everyone with his
stories and patriotic songs, which reminded everyone of our sorrows and
triumphs. But most importantly his songs surely touched the hearts of both
young and old and it re-energized everyone’s will and commitment to step
up, care, and preserve the community’s second home – our Armenian Center.

The next day, Sunday July 29, special requiem services were conducted at
Forty Martyr’s Armenian church, where once again the community gathered to
remember and honor the heroes of Lisbon 5 – Simon, Sarkis, Vatche, Ara, and
Setrak.

Azeri Video Game Promotes Killing of Armenians

asbarez
Thursday, August 23rd, 2012

In the video game `Ä°Å?gal Altında: Å?uÅ?a’ (Under Occupation: Shusha) a
player fights as an Azerbaijani soldier. (Screen grab from official
game trailer)

Video Game Revisits Nagorno-Karabakh War

BY NINO GOJIASHVILI
>From Eurasianet.org

The first-person-shooter video game `Ä°Å?gal Altında: Å?uÅ?a’ (Under
Occupation: Shusha) was developed by 19-year-old student Farid
Hagverdiev. The game, in which the shooter must free the town of
Shusha from Armenian and Nagorno Karabakhi forces, is being promoted
by the Azerbaijani government.

Just over 20 years ago, during the spring of 1992, Armenian forces
captured the city of Shushi in Nagorno-Karabakh, marking the turning
point in the armed conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan for control
of the territory.

Today, youngsters in Azerbaijan have the opportunity to alter history
via a video game called `Under Occupation.’ The objective is to
recapture Shushi from Armenian forces. Gamers assume the role of an
Azerbaijani soldier who engages in virtual firefights with Armenian
soldiers in house-to-house combat. The game is the brainchild of Farid
Hagverdiev, a 19-year-old student at Baku’s State Oil Academy.

Hagverdiev based Under Occupation on popular first-person,
shoot-`em-up games, such as Call of Duty and Counter-Strike. Working
with a team of developers recruited from among his classmates at the
oil academy, he said the game took two years to go from rough concept
to finished product. Hagverdiev added that the development team relied
on self-financing (with generous parental subsidies), used home
computers, and relied on a trial-and-error creative process. It is
reportedly the first video game developed solely by Azerbaijani
citizens.

Hagverdiev acknowledged that the motivation for developing the game
went beyond a simple desire to entertain. There was also a political
element to the project. `By creating the game we wanted to support the
patriotic spirit in our youth, which I hope we accomplished
successfully,’ he told EurasiaNet.org. The game, which can be
downloaded for free, has gotten a successful reception from
Azerbaijani gamers.

While the video game may have been an independent initiative,
government officials have latched onto it, viewing it as a means of
raising awareness about the Nagorno-Karabakh issue among Azerbaijani
young people, and of mobilizing support for ongoing governmental
efforts to recover the territory.

In a sign that the game enjoys the full approval of President Ilham
Aliyev’s administration, the Ministry of Youth and Sports organized a
formal presentation of Under Occupation. The event, which occurred
earlier this summer, was held at the Hyatt Regency, one of Baku’s
swankiest hotels.

Talks on a political settlement for Nagorno-Karabakh have long been
stalemated. In recent years, Azerbaijani rhetoric concerning the
territory has grown increasingly bellicose. The video game dovetails
with the government’s effort to keep the patriotic mood at a slow
boil.

Under Occupation is not for the faint of heart: there’s lots of
killing and computer-generated gore. To a great extent, it’s a
celebration of violence: to advance, players must handle a variety of
tasks, including shooting lots of Armenian enemies, rescuing a wounded
Azerbaijani soldier, retrieving a document and blowing up a building
in the town of Shushi.

The game’s scenery closely resembles to Shushi’s actual appearance.
Prominent landmarks, including the House of Culture, the Govhar Agha
Mosque, Vafig Mausoleum and the city gate, all make an appearance.
Although born after the city’s capture by Armenian troops, and the
subsequent expulsion of Azerbaijani residents, Hagverdiev managed to
recreate the city by relying on old photographs.

Whether or not the video game can have a tangible effect on the
Karabakh peace process is the subject of debate. Some experts doubt
that a video game can cause a substantive spike in aggressive
sentiment in Azerbaijan. `Not enough research is available to suggest
that shooter games promote any more active hostility than the current
events themselves,’ said Tom Parker, a former policy director at
Amnesty International.

Hagverdiev and his fellow developers, meanwhile, are now contemplating
a new game-related venture, one that would aim to make them some
money. `We’re graduating college soon, and we do not wish to mooch off
our parents forever,’ he said.

The aim of Armenian community is the re-establishment of peace in Syria

13:09, 24 August, 2012

YEREVAN, AUGUST 24, ARMENPRESS: There is not any official statement by
Syrian opposition which presents treat to Armenian community.
Armenpress was informed about this from press secretary of Armenian
primacy of Aleppo Jirayr Reisyan commenting the information spread in
internet according to which agedly the institution named `Supreme
Council of Revolution’ treats Armenian community for protecting the
Government of Bashar Assad. `The internet does not operate in Syria
and we should not take into consideration that information. About such
information Armenians of Syria have clear position: we do not support
any of the sides. Our support and respect is dedicated to Syria and
its nation which has one aim – to return the peace in Syria’ mentioned
Reisyan. Reisyan did not exclude the Turkish factor in spreading such
information. `It is clear that the opposition side directly enjoys the
sponsorship of Turkey but such news can not turn into official. All
these can be directed to the infringement of relations between
Armenians and Arabs’ he stressed. Speaking about the current situation
in Aleppo the press secretary of the primacy mentioned that at night
there were explosions and now from time to time shootings are heard
but at this moment there are not concrete actions in Armenian
districts. `Everywhere there is a strict control and it is possible
that in any part of the city begin clashes. At this moment electricity
and telephone connection have been restored, the state tries to secure
the population with all that’ mentioned Reisyan. In result of clashes
between opposition and Governmental forces in Syria more than ten
Armenians have died and two of them were soldiers of Syrian Army.
During the last period representatives of Armenian community of Syria
also began to leave the country. The applications submitted from Syria
by our compatriots are being envisaged by accelerated procedure, at
least within ten days. 41 families consisting of 76 members have
applied to migration service of Armenia in order to get habitation and
already 27 families have got temporary habitations.

Fight breaks out at Yerevan airport – newspaper

news.am
August 24, 2012 | 06:20

YEREVAN. – Zhoghovurd daily’s well-informed sources report that a
bizarre incident occurred Wednesday at Armenian capital city Yerevan’s
Zvartnots International Airport.

`Russian Federation citizen Simon Elbakyan, 44, manifested a
disorderly conduct, at the [waiting] hall of the Moscow-Yerevan flight
No.511, and beat one of the passengers, [namely,] Senorik Bagiyan, 57.

Our sources told that Simon had suddenly begun arguing with Bagiyan,
approximately one hour before landing, during which he hit him with
his fists.

Police Public Relations and Information Department corroborated our
information, and added that Senorik Bagiyan was given a forensic
medical voucher. An investigation is underway,’ Zhoghovurd writes.

Zhoghovurd : Armenian border village faces plight of depopulation

tert.am
09:49 – 24.08.12

The population of Movses, a border village in Armenia’s Tavush region,
is growing less and less as a result of the Azerbaijani army’s
periodical armed attack, the paper has learned.

In the past 15 years, 500 residents, mostly young people, left Movses,
it says, citing the village’s governor. The village is said to be
predominantly populated by the elderly, with the children’s number
being no more than 32. In a phone conversation with the paper, the
residents of Movses complained that a representative of the Prosperous
Armenia party’s (PAP) regional organization, Nina Adamyan,
discriminates between the PAP and non-PAP members, providing the
village’s tractor (which is a gift by the Gagik Tsarukyan charity
foundation) only to those affiliated with the party.

Oligarchs Must Share Their Profit

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 10:25:09 – 24/08/2012

Former Prime Minister of Armenia, Member of Parliament Hrant
Bagratyan, ANC, shared his plans with the public on Facebook.

The first on his checklist is to boost minimum salary from 32,500 to
72,500. Second, royalty for metal ore producing enterprises is set
profitability divided by 8. In other words, 1/8 of an X profit of an
enterprise goes to the budget, the remaining 7/8 goes to the pocket of
oligarchs. In this stage, Bagratyan proposes to at least divide the
profit between the society and the oligarchs, which is a partial
solution though. Meanwhile, in general the state should announce the
annual price of 1 ton of any kind of ore in Armenia.

According to Bagratyan, the business of the National Assembly is
planned badly. He says it looks like a ministry rather than a
parliament. There are MPs who have more than one office. Those who can
afford change the old windows of their offices at their expense, while
those who cannot afford do not. They may sign something and refuse to
implement it.

Aram I, MECC discuss humanitarian assistance to Syrian Armenians

August 24, 2012 – 12:59 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House
of Cilicia and one of the Presidents of the Middle East Council of
Churches (MECC), chaired an emergency meeting of the Council which
focused on humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced people in
Syria.

Until recently, the MECC’s program operated out of Damascus. Given the
deteriorating situation in the country, the presidents decided to
decentralize the operation and create new centers for humanitarian aid
in Aleppo, Homs, Latakia and Kamishli.

They also decided that they would ask other ecumenical organizations
in the country to continue their activity, but in coordination with
the local churches.

The second issue on the agenda was the nomination of a new general secretary.

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Aug 23 2012

Armenian Deputy Minister of Finance: Armenian economy is more
diversified than before crisis

The Armenian economy is today more diversified than it was before
theworld financial crisis, Deputy Minister of Finance VardanAramyan
said, ARKA reports.He noted that before the crisis some of the
capitalconstruction in the economic growth was too high, but now it
yields tothe more important sectors of agriculture and industry.In
January-July 2012, compared to the same period in 2011, economic
activity in Armenia increased by 7.7%. According to the Ministry
ofFinance, this is connected to the growth in industry (13.4%)
andagriculture (10.2%). In addition, exports increased by 13%.He
acknowledged the growth of poverty in the country, noting,
however,that it is lower than often represented. He also mentioned the
growthof salaries in the private sector and the decline of
unemployment,although he did not mention the sources of this
data.According to the World Bank, the level of poverty in Armenia is
35%compared to 23% in 2010. According to the budget, Armenian GDP in
2012 should grow by4.2%.

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Aug 23 2012

Fitch: Armenian external debt weakens its resistance capacity

The current account deficit (CAD) of Armenia narrowed to 11% of GDP in
2011, but was still the second largest in Emerging Europe and the
third widest among ‘BB’ rated sovereigns, Fitch Ratings said on
Thursday, Trend reports.

“It is well above its pre-crisis level. Slowing growth in export
earnings, linked to falling metals prices, will limit further progress
in 2012,” the agency’s experts believe.

According to Fitch Ratings, with only half of the CAD financed by
foreign direct investment, the remainder is financed by external
borrowing, pushing up net external indebtedness.

According to the report, public debt may stabilise at around 45% of
GDP. However, this ratio is unusually sensitive to exchange rate
movements, given that 84% of public debt is in foreign currency,
mainly from multilateral lenders.

Armenia will start to make net repayments to the IMF in 2013. CBA and
government repayments to the IMF are to peak in 2013 at USD279m (2.6%
of forecast GDP or one-sixth of CBA reserves). Reserves will therefore
stay flat or decline. Fitch expects the government to seek a successor
agreement to the Extended Fund Facility/Extended Credit Facility
expiring in June 2013. The government expects to refinance its direct
obligations to the Fund from multilateral sources.

“Armenia’s ability to absorb further external shocks is weaker than in
2008, as government and external debt have multiplied. Pressure on
reserves or the dram – following an external shock – would lead to
negative rating action. Any shortfall in capital inflows would
increase risks of currency devaluation,” the agency believes.

Fitch Ratings has affirmed Armenia’s Long-term foreign and local
currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) at ‘BB-‘. The Outlook on the
Long-term IDRs is Stable. At the same time, Fitch has affirmed the
Short-term foreign currency IDR at ‘B’ and Country Ceiling at ‘BB’.