Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Let’s Help the Syrian-Armenians

Syrian-Armenian Relief Fund

`A terrible thing is taking place there, under the mask of darkness.’ VT

ASBAREZ

BY KHACHIG JANOYAN

The famous author William Saroyan believed in the Armenian spirit as he
wrote, `Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes
and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For
when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a
New Armenia.’ Saroyan understood the power of prayer for Armenians, `Der
Voghormia’ (God beseech us).

Having felt the horrors and misery of war on their own skins, Armenians,
more than any other people in the world, appreciate peace. As a people, we
have experienced Genocide, we have lost lives to many wars, and therefore,
we comprehend the physical and emotional tolls of wars.

During the past 30 to 40 years in the Middle East, where a substantial
number of Armenian live, we have many highly organized communities with
schools, churches and organizations. The immortal poet, Vahan Tekeyan
wrote, `A terrible thing is taking place there, under the mask of darkness.’

Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Egypt and these days Syria, once prosperous Diaspora
communities, have had to migrate and settle in new countries, just as the
poet Ghazaros Aghayan described how the swallows rebuild their nest,
remembering and singing about the old nest (`Dzizernageh pooyn geh shiner’).

Today, the Armenian people, having been both witness and victim, and having
learnt from experiencing both, have come together as a single and united
community to reach out to those Diasporans in need. The lay and religious
Armenian leaders of communities, came together in the homeland and
Diaspora, formed bodies resembling their counterparts in other countries,
and held a hand to reach out to their suffering sisters and brothers.

That’s how it happened in Lebanon, in Iraq, after the earthquake in
Armenia, and during the liberation of Artsakh. The Armenian people, all
over the world, acting together, reached out to help those communities: the
rich with their wealth; those with modest means, with their pennies; the
intellectuals with their pens; and everyone with their hearts and spirits.

Today, the ten million Armenians of the world are faced with yet another
challenge.

Today, the cherished Armenian community in Syria is facing a debacle.

Our compatriots in Syria are loved and respected by the kind people of
Syria, on personal and institutional levels. We all know that there are
clashes between the east and the west; between Sunnis and Alawites; and
between the interests of Israel and Arab countries. As a result, the people
of Syria are the ones who suffer, and the Armenians are a part of them.

A Joint Committee in Support of the Syrian Armenian Community was formed in
the Western United States to facilitate the efforts of the churches,
political and charity organizations.

In the near future, this committee will ask our community members to
participate in the fundraising efforts for the Syrian-Armenian Relief Fund.

As we watch the daily images of bombardments and violence with broken
hearts and spirits, we realize that innocent people are the victims.

It is our collective responsibility to assist our brothers and sisters in
Syria, until the conflict recedes.

It is heartwarming to know that the authorities in Armenia are also
concerned and are ready to lend a hand to ensure their safety.

We take pride in our people, who know how to unite, collectively face
challenging times, and to generously donate to ensure that our sisters and
brothers survive not only physically, but also with high spirits.

Kachig Janoyan is a member of the Syrian-Armenian Relief Fund Executive
Committee of Western U.S.A.

###

Snipers wanted to kill Aliyev from multi-storey building

tert.am
12:34 – 25.08.12

New details have emerged about the death attempt against Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev and his son-in-law, Emin Agalarov.

Citing their sources at the law enforcement agencies, the Azerbaijani
media reported that on April 29, Aliyev was scheduled to attend a
concert devoted to Eurovision 2012. The president’s security service
and the Ministry of Interior and National Security had warned Aliyev
not to go to the event in which Agalarov, a popular singer and song
writer, was to perform. Aliyev however insisted that a special plan
aimed at resolving a possible assassination attempt had helped find
two on snipers on the roofs of two multi-storey buildings.

An investigation revealed that the snipers targeted both the president
and his son-in-law.

Investigative bodies are now conducting a probe to find the organizers
and the masterminds.

Covering Up Vahe’s Murder

Haik Aramyan
Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 11:56:16 – 25/08/2012

The process of investigation of Vahe Avetyan’s murder in Harsnakar
Restaurant and developments relating to Member Parliament show that
everything will end thus.

The advocates and reporters have revealed breaches during the
investigation, and the law enforcement agencies were busy attenuating the
circumstances of the murder and separating Ruben Hairapetyan from the case.
In fact, two important law enforcement bodies, the police and the office of
the prosecutor general, serve Ruben Hairapetyan and his bodyguards.

This is not something new. Despite the Constitution and legislation, law
enforcers serve the criminal-oligarchic authorities, not the society. No
representative of these authorities has ever been punished proportionately
for their offenses, even murders. Recently one of the relatives of Member
of Parliament Mher Madatyan involved in several murders was released, and
one of his guarantors was a prosecutor.

When the tragedy of Harsnakar happened, a lot of people expressed doubt
that the case would be covered up. They were right. The case travelled to
three agencies in one day. Heads of law enforcement bodies made statements
on the case, violating the requirements of the law. Under the pressure of
the society another option of cover-up was chosen, which is what we see
now.

A lot of people said the heartbreaking statement written in the president’s
administration and issued on behalf of Ruben Hairapetyan repenting and
stating to resign was intended to mislead people, and he is not likely to
resign at all. Today the press reported that the RPA activists are
collecting signatures in Avan district in defense of Ruben Hairapetyan. In
addition, the parliament refrained from holding an extraordinary meeting to
accept his resignation and postponed it till autumn, to take a time out for
Hairapetyan and his bodyguards.

There is no doubt that Hairapetyan will not resign and he never had such an
intention. Earlier before the election he announced that he will not run in
the elections but was nominated on the last day of nominations. His
bodyguards will not have to stay in prison for a long time. Hairapetyan is
not an exception.

And again singer Nune Yesayan’s monstrous phrase will be referred to: were
Vahe not there, he would not get killed.

Paper says RPA, ANC formed coalition in Armenia’s Syunik province

August 24, 2012 – 20:25 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – According to Zhoghovurd daily, Armenian National
Congress (ANC) has given its precinct election commission seats for
September 9 local elections in city of Kapan to the ruling Republican
Party of Armenia (RPA). Moreover, ANC representative Rafik Asryan has
urged the voters to cast their ballots for RPA member Ashot
Hayrapetyan in the mayoral race.

Thus, ANC and RPA have formed a coalition in Armenia’s Syunik province.

However, asked by the paper’s reporter if the information is true to
fact, ANC member Vahagn Khachatryan said it was the first time he had
heard such a thing.

Armenian NGOs urge Hungary against extradition of Azeri assassin Safarov

August 25, 2012 – 16:26 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian NGOs issued a statement on possible
extradition of Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan’s assassin to
Azerbaijan.

`A horrific event took place during trainings in the framework of
Budapest-hosted `Partnership for Peace NATO program in 2004. Late at
night Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov brutally hacked sleeping
Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan with beforehand purchased ax. This
unprecedented crime shocked not only Armenia and Hungary, but also all
Europe.

Safarov’s trial lasted more than two years, with Azerbaijani side
trying to discredit the memory of the Armenian officer through
different accusations against him. All the accusations against the
deceased officer were convincingly refuted during the trial. Judge
Andrash Vaskuti and the prosecution had perfectly conducted the whole
process, strictly adhering to the wording and spirit of the Hungarian
and European legislation. Ramil Safarov was sentenced to life
imprisonment with no right to file a petition for a pardon during the
first 30 years. All appeals from the Azerbaijani side were rejected.

Already in custody, Safarov attacked the prison guard, for which he
got second jail term.

Meanwhile, representatives of state and public institutions issued
statements justifying heinous crime. Azerbaijani Ombudsman
Suleymanova, for instance, said that “Safarov should serve an example
for young people.” Ramil Safarov was declared national hero of
Azerbaijan.

For the past 8 years, the Hungarian side reaffirmed commitment to
international law, rejecting any possibility of extradition of
criminal to his homeland. However, the Azerbaijani and Turkish parties
continue efforts to extradite Safarov. Thus, the recent report proves
a signatures campaign was held in Turkey, urging the proponents to
reconsider the sentence, implementing unreasonable and unacceptable
historical parallels. Similar messages are also common in the
Azerbaijani media.

We believe it is our duty to address the Hungarian public and
government agencies with an appeal to prevent the extradition of
Safarov to Azerbaijan, where he will be granted freedom, honor and
even greater glorification. We present only one sentence to prove the
point: a year ago head of the department of Political Analysis and
Information Support of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan
Elnur Aslanov said that “Ramil Safarov’s valor gave Azerbaijani
society and people a second wind.”

We have no doubts that Hungary is well aware of the fact that the
hatred for Armenians and xenophobia is pursued at state level in
Azerbaijan. This was recorded in 2011 report of the European
Commission against Racism and Intolerance. Moreover, Azeri leader
called Armenians number one enemy during one of his recent speeches.
Safarov’s attorney stated at Budapest trial that “killing an Armenian
is not a crime in Azerbaijan.”

Safarov’s extradition to Azerbaijan unacceptable given the gravity of
his crime and his country’s attitude towards that crime. The relapse
of the crime may have even more serious consequences.

Extradition will mean a call to action to Azerbaijani youth. In this
case, the responsibility for the potential crimes will lie not only on
Azerbaijan, but also on Hungary. It’s noteworthy that the extradition
against Azeri frequent violations could spark a renewal of bloody war.

We call upon the relevant institutions of friendly Hungary to consider
the inevitable consequences of such a step. Only in the country of the
crime, in the colony of strict regime Safarov must serve his sentence,
imposed on him by Hungarian court. This requires obligations of
Hungary, as the country, which has proven its commitment to human
rights norms, morality and humanity,’ the statement reads.

Armenia’s second president cannot return – MP

tert.am
18:52 – 24.08.12

Armenia’s ex-president Robert Kocharyan has not the necessary social
support to return to politics, Haik Babukhanyan, Chairman of the
Constitutional Law Union party, member of the Republican Party of
Armenia (RPA) parliamentary group, told journalists on Friday.

`I do not think he may return. He committed so many blunders during
his presidency that he will hardly return,’ Babukhanyan said.
Among Kocharyan’s blunders is that the `criminal and oligarchic system
formed under Levon Ter-Petrosyan developed under Robert Kocharyan.’
According to him, struggle against this system is obviously being
waged.

`We are seeing the tendency to put an end to this criminal and
oligarchic system. I think the recent parliamentary elections were the
first blow on it,’ Babukhanyan said.

As to whether the October 27, 1999, terrorist act in Armenia’s
parliament was among Robert Kocharyan’s blunders, Babukhanyan said:

`It would not be right to impute that fault upon him. The wrong thing
was that the system was not prepared and special measures were not
taken that day.’

`Kocharyan’s blunder was on October 28, when he showed weakness, was
retreating and even wanted to resign,’ Babukhanyan said.

One more blunder was appointing Armenia’s former military prosecutor,
Gagik Jhangiryan in charge of the investigation.

`Jhangiryan made a plaything out of the investigation. We saw that
all, and Jhangiryan must be held responsible for that,’ Babukhanyan
said.

EC examines document refer to Azerbaijani anti Armenian textbooks

11:10, 25 August, 2012

YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, ARMENPRESS: Armenian delegation member to
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Naira Zohrabyan
sent an official document to EC Human Rights commissioner. In the
briefing with Armenpress Zohrabyan told in official letter she
required EC to subject Azerbaijani textbooks to examination.

“Still in the course of July session I had raised the issue of anti
Armenian topic depicted in Azerbaijani textbooks, in official letter I
already included relevant excerpts, copies where Armenians are
considered slaughterers, racism manifestation cases. Before the launch
of October session I look forward the reply of the letter and their
assessments” Zohrabyan stated. According to the interlocutor the
report of the commissioner is scheduled to be included in the session,
yet in case of not getting the rely till then, MP will raise the issue
before him in the plenary session as well. In the words of Zohrabyan
PACE agenda is set to be approved after PACE Bureau session due
September 3.

PACE summer session was launched on June 25-29.Conditioned to the
formation of new Assembly Armenian delegation participated by its
former delegation composition : delegation head Davit Harutyunyan,
members Armen Rustamyan, Naira Zohrabyan, Artsruni Aghajanian, while
the team substitute made : Zaruhi Postanjyan , Grigori Margaryan,
Hermine Naghdalyan, Armen Melikyan. The themes on the growth of
crisis, racism, xenophobia and extremism in Europe were thoroughly
discussed during PACE summer session. The issue of EC member states’
political prisoners was also touched upon, in this regard PACE legal
commission adopted a report on `Azerbaijani political prisoners’
existence’ which is scheduled to be envisaged at PACE autumn session.

PATRIMOINE ARMENIEN
Un concert de piano lors de la réouverture de l’église arménienne
Sourp Guiragoss de Diyarbakir

Le 10 septembre le pianiste arménien du Canada, Raffi Bedrossian
donnera un concert dans l’église arménienne Sourp Guiragoss de
Diyarbakir, à l’occasion de sa réouverture après les travaux. « Ce
concert est beaucoup plus important pour moi que tous les concerts que
j’ai donné aux Etats Unis. En rapport avec le génocide de 1915, ce
concert sera le premier à Diyarbakir au cours duquel de nombreuses
partitions arméniennes seront jouées au piano dans cette église
arménienne Sourp Guiragoss » dit R. Bedrossian. L’évènement est
organisé par la Fondation de « l’Eglise arménienne Sourp Garabéd ».
Les sommes recueillies serviront à terminer les travaux de la cloche
de l’église Sourp Guiragoss.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 25 août 2012,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

AzerTac, Azerbaijan
Aug 24 2012

Liabilities Of Armenian President And Refugee – Occupants

Friday, 24 August 2012 13:40

.

Every nation that has its own state also has liabilities to
compatriots living in different countries. For example, Russia said
that every Russian has the right to obtain citizenship of Russia and
move to Russia. Many states are helping their Diaspora organizations
and those compatriots, who are citizens of other countries.

One of the countries that officially declare its liabilities to
compatriots is Armenia. In a message to the participants of the 5th
Pan-Armenian educational conference, President Serzh Sargsyan stated:
“The Republic of Armenia, as the home for all Armenians, has an
obligation not only to their own citizens, but to the Diaspora
Armenians all over the world.”

After gaining independence, Armenia always needed the help of
Diaspora. A large community of Armenians, namely ethnic Armenians
living in Syria, came to a disastrous situation due to a civil war in
this country and asked Armenia for help.

Dangerous situation with Syrian Armenians was a chance for President
Sargsyan to show that after the collapse of the Soviet Union
independent Armenia can actually help the Diaspora.
And what did `the president of all Armenians’ Sargsyan do? He turned
the needy Armenian families, who could not even sell their flats in
Syria, into pawns in his political game around Nagorno Karabakh.
Sargsyan clearly understands that these refugees will never find home
in Zangelan, Lachin, Gubadli or any other town of Nagorno Karabakh.

Diaspora can be “proud” of such a president. Thanks to his efforts,
Syrian Armenians have become occupier colonists, because Yerevan,
against all international laws, started to settle them in the
territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenia.

But there is also another side of the coin. Vice-president of the
Russian Academy of Geopolitical Problems, Ara Sargsyan (Chairman of
the Armenian branch), has recently returned from Syria. In an
interview to Yerkramas, he hit Turkey, accusing her of starting the
war in Syria.

Sargsyan’s fears are clear: the Armenian community is in difficult
position, because, on the one hand, civil war threatens its security,
and on the other hand, the Armenians have always supported the
Alawites. Having close relationship with Alawites, the Armenians are
concerned about the opponents of Alawites, who can come to power, as
the Armenian community may one day lose its privileges.

Accusing Turkey of violating international law, General Leonid
Ivashov’s assistant does not notice how these “civilian refugees”,
“law-abiding” Armenians from Aleppo, have turned into occupier
colonists, who shamelessly and without the permission of Baku occupied
Zengilan, Gubadly and Lachin regions of Azerbaijan.

In this situation, Armenians made an exhibition of themselves again,
moving Armenian refugees from Syria in the category of despicable
invaders.

BallinEurope
Aug 24 2012

Team Armenia’s Gor Plavchyan to play for Glendale College

Armenia,FIBA,latest news,national teams,NCAA,US basketball

A bit of news from the fledgling basketball program of Armenia – the
federation there is looking to FIBA Europe Division C play in 2014 –
was recently passed to BiE … Somewhat belated congratulations go out
to 18-year-old PF Gor Plavchyan, who’ll be playing ball with Glendale
College for the 2012-13 season.

Plavchyan’s CV includes an impressive stint with Grant Hill School,
with averages of 18 points and 12 boards to go with two blocks per
game and a second all-Los Angeles Team nod. Plavchyan also played for
Armenia’s U16 team in 2007.

Story as reported by Asbarez runs below.

(Asbarez) – The 6’7′ Gor Plavchyan of the men’s Armenia national
basketball team will soon begin his collegiate basketball career as a
freshman student at Glendale College. Plavchyan will play both the
power forward and center positions.

Plavchyan rose to prominence under Coach Howard Levine at Grant High
School in Van Nuys, CA. As a senior, Plavchyan averaged 18 points, 12
rebounds and 2 blocked shots per game. Grant High School recorded a
school record 27 wins in the 2011-2012 season and has won 28 straight
league games over a 2½-year period.

Following in the footsteps of Mike Danielian, a former Grant High
School star and teammate of Plavchyan on the Armenia national team,
Plavchyan was twice named to the All City of Los Angeles team. Also,
during the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 seasons, Plavchyan was named Player
of the Year in the East Valley League and All San Fernando Valley and
All Area by the San Fernando News and Los Angeles Times, respectively.

Plavchyan has competed in FIBA Europe international competition as a
member of Armenia’s U16 national team of players.

Carl Bardakian, head coach of the Armenian national team, stated `It
is critical that Gor continue to develop his basketball [and academic]
skills at Glendale College. Gor must be an impact player for Armenia
in the FIBA Europe Division C competition in 2014. Our opponents such
as Moldova, Malta, Andorra, etc. have very strong and experienced post
players, with great length and size.’

Bardakian also noted that `I have been contacted by numerous NCAA
Division I coaches about Gor’s recruitment. I am confident that after
two years under the coaching staff at Glendale College that Gor will
have even more collegiate opportunities.’