Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Voice of Russia
Aug 14 2012

Armenia is Drawing New War Nearer – Azeri Defense Minister

Armenia’s continuing occupation of Azeri territories is drawing a new
war nearer in the region, said Azeri Defense Minister Safar Abiyev.

“Armenia does not want to give back Azeri territories, occupied 20
years ago, which is drawing a new war nearer with every passing day,”
Abiyev told Myles Deering, commander of the Oklahoma National Guard,
according to the Azeri Defense Ministry’s press service.

Abiyev informed Deering about the military-political situation in the
region and about Armenia’s continuing occupation policy. He also said,
according to the press service, that the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe’s Minsk Group has not achieved any concrete
results and that Azerbaijan is therefore compelled to strengthen the
national armed forces in order to liberate the occupied territory.

Abiyev said that Azerbaijan is the United States’ strategic partner
and that effective and long-lasting cooperation between the U.S. and
Azeri military is of great importance, the press service said.

California Newswire
Aug 14 2012

The future of the Armenians lies in their unity, says Grigor Manoyan,
founder of Virtual Hayastan online portal

Edited by Valerie Gotten
published Tue, 14 Aug 2012 – 10:59:22 -0700 PDT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ – When the idea of creating
Virtual Hayastan (VirtualHayastan.com) was born to Grigor Manoyan, he
immediately started working on creating something extraordinary for
the Armenians all over the world.

Mr. Manoyan served as the head of the software engineering branch of
the Nuclear Power Plant Software Emulation Program for the entire USSR
and other socialist based countries. He made it possible to create a
virtual atomic power plant in the days of the Soviet Union and now,
Grigor Manoyan creates VirtualHayastan.com.

“I was the chief programmer in charge of leading computer programming
departments to create emulation software with the same specifications
and properties as the real Atomic Power Plant,” says Grigor Manoyan,
“and using this virtual software, the technicians were able to conduct
tests in emulation mode to simulate real life scenarios and collect
data for analysis. Today, I am proudly announcing the birth of Virtual
Hayastan (Virtual Armenia) in order to unite each Armenian and give
every one of them the opportunity to voice their opinions, regardless
of their geographic location.”

When asked, What is VirtualHayastan.com and why was it created? Mr.
Manoyan said: “In 2009 I had an idea to create an online census system
of all Armenians around the globe. I spent many sleepless nights,
thinking about what the website functionality and structure should be.
And so my ideas grew from a census portal to a virtual environment
that allows all Armenians to socialize, freely express their opinions,
create their own surveys, write their own articles, write their own
open letters and share information with each other. Furthermore, in
order to preserve order, quality, and equality, I came up with an
organizational system that would simulate a government with its own
governing bodies.

“Think about it: there are over 2 million Armenians living in Russia,
about 1 million in the United States and several million spread out in
the other countries. However, their voices are lost, their opinions
are not heard, and their intentions are not executed. I have not seen
any website or other source of media that enables all Armenians to
express their opinions as a whole nation, in one place, regardless of
where they live in the world,” continued Mr. Manoyan.

In short, Virtual Hayastan has the properties and functionalities of a
real country in an internet infrastructure uniting all Armenians under
one roof and giving them the opportunity to express their opinions and
discuss topics related to its culture, politics, education, and any
other issues.

“I have heard from many, and strongly believe it myself, that the
future of the Armenians lies in their unity and VirtualHayastan.com
was created for that purpose and to achieve this unity,” said Mr.
Manoyan.

He concluded by saying: “I would like to thank all of our Virtual
Hayastan staff and contributors with all my heart, since it would not
have been possible to complete this phase of our project without them.
This project is not a one man’s job and the future phase of the
infrastructure development will largely depend on the growing number
of participants.”

Virtual Hayastan may be accessed by going to
web address. The website launch is also dedicated to Vahe Avetyan, who
tragically passed away recently due to the violent incident at
Harsnakar Complex in Yerevan, Armenia. Virtual Hayastan staff was
deeply moved by Vahe’s story and decided to carry a virtual
candlelight vigil in his memory. Any Virtual Hayastan visitor may
light a candle in his memory and express their opinions regarding the
tragedy.

For more information, contact Virtual Hayastan at (323) 828-5241.

Valerie Gotten (aka Valerie G) is an abstract painter, former movie
stand-in, and volunteers for “green events” to help raise awareness
about global warming, and help preserve California’s wilderness and
natural beauty.

Mediamax, Armenia
Aug 14 2012

PAP to hold “First Eurasian Youth Forum”

Yerevan/Mediamax/. “First Eurasian Youth Forum” initiated by the Youth
Union of “Prosperous Armenia Party” (PAP) will be held in Tsakhkadzor
on August 22-27.

“Delegations from 14 countries will discuss with the Armenian side the
idea of establishing Eurasian Union. As of the results of the forum, a
statement will be signed”, the PAP reported.

They also noted that “First Eurasian Youth Forum” will be held under
the patronage of the Chairman of PAP Gagik Tsarukyan.

Armenia to function the plan of the Armed Forces use in case of
Azerbaijani aggression against NK: Seyran Ohanyan

21:52, 14 August, 2012

Yerevan, August 14, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian Minister of Defense
Seyran Ohanyan as an Armenian Christian depicts the Armenian foreign
policy in the form of cross with vertical and horizontal array.

As `Armenpress’ reports the minister clarified this in the meeting
with the hawk participants on August 14, he considers the `vertical
arrangement’ to be propitious for Armenia, under which Seyran Ohanyan
means the cooperation of Armenia with the Russian Federation, Georgia,
Iran, and as a `horizontal arrangement’ the minister emphasizes the
problems among Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan.

According to the minister the events connected with Iran may develop
in two ways for Armenia. In his opinion even in case of small
encounters Armenia may have border problems, refugees, and it means
that border service should be strengthened.

`And if our neighbors benefit from that, there is a conflict in the
territory of NKR, there is an aggression towards NK from Azerbaijan,
we have the plan of using the armed forces.’, assured the minister.
`The Republic of Armenia is the guarantor of the Nagorno Karabakh
nation and is obliged to provide their security with the NKR Defense
Army. Moreover, the Armenian most powerful military unit is the
Karabakh Defense Army. I have had the luck and it was my pride that I
have served in the Karabakh army for over 20 years, 8 years of which I
was a leader’, briefed Seyran Ohanyan.

Talysh Thinktank in Iran

Igor Muradyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 19:36:43 – 14/08/2012

In the town of Resht of the province of Gillian, Iran, a Center of
Study of Issues of Talyshistan has been set up. Note that this
organization is called of Talyshistan, not Talysh.

In the 1990s and 2000s the officious sets of Iran scrutinized the
Talysh issues in Azerbaijan. At that time, the intricate network of
the Iranian protégés was set up in the southeast of that country, as
well as in Baku and Sumgait and other regions with tight knit
Iranian-speaking communities.

Now one can be sure that Iran keeps the social and political processes
in Talyshistan, as well as Azerbaijan, the area of settlement of the
Talysh people, under control.

Now Iran has set to foster different organizations of the Talysh
Diaspora, first of all in Russia, Ukraine and Germany. The Iranians
conduct a very rational policy on the Talysh issue, not focusing on
the Islamic issue, at least in this stage.

Unfortunately, earlier the Iranian think tanks did not have the
awareness of putting forth the Talysh issue on the international arena
which reflected the officious position. Now this awareness is in place
but do the Iranians understand what should be done in such cases? As
well as the Near East, Afghanistan and other regions, they have been
working in a political vacuum for a long time.

The establishment of this think tank in Resht, near the border of
Talyshistan, reveals Iran’s efforts to accelerate and intensify the
national Talysh movement, and most probably very soon the
establishment of Talysh political institutions, including the
executive and the government, will be announced.

Most probably, the establishment of this center is related to the
issue of establishment of a hotbed of development of the Talysh state.
It should be noted that Iran is competing with Russia for the
absorption of the national Talysh issue. Currently Russia and Iran
have no agreement yet though some Talysh figures are trying to offer
their proposals to the representatives of both countries.

Israel also focuses on the Talysh issue, which may be related to not
only intelligence but also readiness for geopolitical `editing’ in the
South Caucasus.

There is no information on the echo of the Americans. Ostensibly, the
United States is closely following these processes.

The Talysh issue may mark the beginning of a new cycle of geopolitical
alignment of the region. In this stage it is very important to involve
the European community in the Talysh discourse.

As the world treats Armenia with unseen cynicism and hypocrisy, our
country must make huge effort to generate the national Talysh
movement.

Representative of Armenian community in Syria: Neither opposition nor
Government of Syria displays negative attitude towards Armenians

arminfo
Tuesday, August 14, 19:58

The Armenians of Syria are in safety and they are not going to leave
Syria, Maral Eleyjyan-Manjikyan, the principal of an Armenian college
in Syria, told journalists.

Moreover, she pointed out that the Armenian community of Syria is not
endangered, as neither the opposition nor the Government of Syria
displays a negative attitude towards Armenians. She added that the
conflict in Syria mostly affects the financial state of Syrian
Armenians. But even in this case the Syrian Armenians have no
intention to leave the country forever. The families which have no
permanent job mostly migrate from the country, but the number of such
cases is very small.

For his part, Tigran Jinbashyan, member of the Armenian community in
Lebanon, said that it is more reasonable to organize training courses
for the children of Syria in Lebanon, not Armenia, given the
similarity in curricula and teaching methods.

Homeless’ comes to help Iran quake victims
Art Desk

On Line: 14 August 2012 15:47
In Print: Wednesday 15 August 2012

Armenian-Iranian singer Araz Torosian in an undated photo
TEHRAN — The celebrated Armenian-Iranian singer Araz Torosian has
released a new song, entitled `Homeless’, to encourage people to help
the victims of earthquakes hit regions in East Azarbaijan Province.

The lyrics of the song, which was published on some Iranian websites,
has been composed in Persian.

Torosian traveled to Iran after the earthquakes to join other artists
and football stars who have rushed to help the quake survivors.

According to the latest count, 306 people were killed and more than
2000 were injured in the two successive earthquakes that hit the
northwestern Iranian province on Saturday afternoon.

Iran is located on seismic fault lines and is prone to earthquakes. An
earthquake in the city of Bam in 2003 left 25,000 people dead.

Lawyers reveal noteworthy circumstances in Harsnaqar case’s materials

tert.am
10:50 – 13.08.12

MP, owner of Harsnaqar restaurant Ruben Hayrapetyan was aware what was
happening in the territory of his restaurant during the incident, and
`perhaps was the one to order the beating’, lawyers of the legal
successor of Vahe Avetyan, military doctor severely beaten in the
restaurant, claimed after getting familiarized with the materials of
the case.

Lawyers of Vahe Avetyan’s father Lusine Hakobyan and Tigran Yegoryan
speaking to RFE/RL said five of the 6 arrested, considered the
security guards of the restaurant, had accompanied Ruben Hayrapetyan
during the whole day. Hakobyan said the materials of the case reveal
very interesting circumstances, among them that Ruben Hayrapetyan was
in Sevan on June 17 returning to Yerevan at about 7 p.m., which means
that the mentioned five persons, except the waiter, accompanied him in
Sevan and Yerevan. `It means that the rest of the day, during which
the incident had occurred, Ruben Hayrapetyan and the mentioned five
people were together at Harsnaqar restaurant,’ she said.

Hakobyan claims the materials of the case prove that the five people
are not working at Harsnaqar restaurant.

Three military doctors were severely beaten in Harsnaqar restaurant on
June 17. One of the doctors, Vahe Avetyan, died 12 days later in
hospital from the received injuries.

Orientalist welcomes the moderation of Armenian community in Syria

15:57, 13 August, 2012

YEREVAN, AUGUST 13, ARMENPRESS: Armenia, which is a part of Middle
East, is interested in peace and stability in the region. Armenpress
reports that during the press conference on August 13 Director of the
institute of oriental sciences Ruben Safrastyan mentioned that that
Armenia is concerned with Syrian events also because of Armenian
community in that country. `There is not any Armenian who wants Syrian
community to face danger of collapse. We see that the tensioned
situation in Aleppo has weakened. Our compatriots show moderation,
endurance’ said Safrastyan.

`Another community could found itself in panic but Syrian Armenians
prefer to stay in danger and keep their properties and job. Our
authorities must be ready for all possible developments. If everything
returns to previous peace condition than we must be ready to support
them’ he mentioned.

According to Syrian centre of Human Rights Defense Organization the
ongoing clashes have resulted in the death of over 19000 people. By
the info of Arab mass media more than 12000 were peaceful civilians,
while more than 5000 were security officers. Among the victims there
were 7 Armenians, 2 of which were the Syrian Army militaries. Because
of lasting disturbances in Syria a number of people are leaving the
country, getting refugee status in other countries. Recently Syrian
Armenian Community representatives are also quitting the state. The
applications submitted from Syria by our compatriots are being
envisaged by accelerated procedure, at least within ten days.

Armenian PM visited Syrian Armenian children

15:45, 13 August, 2012

YEREVAN, AUGUST 13, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan on August 13 visited Syrian Armenian children who spend their
vacations in Armenian city Hankavan. Prime Minister was accompanied by
the Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan. Armenpress reports that the
Prime Minister welcomed our compatriots, talked with them than danced
with children.

The head of the Government conveyed to Syrian Armenian children the
greeting of President Serzh Sargsyan and stressed that all events
implemented for children are organized under under the auspice of the
President.

The director of the camp Ashot Avetisyan mentioned that the camp in
summer period had already accepted around 700 vulnerable children with
two terms. ‘This year we after two terms we also received Syrian
Armenian children’ he said. The director also added that the children
feel themselves very well as the daily life is full of different and
various events.

National air carrier `Armavia’ airline jointly with Armenian
Government on August 9 implemented the first special flight in
direction Yerevan-Damascus-Yerevan. From Damascus 137 children arrived
in Armenia. During the session of the Government on August 9 Tigran
Sargsyan mentioned that two more planes will leave for Syria, this
time to Aleppo in order to transfer around 300 children to Armenia.
The next Yerevan-Damascus-Yerevan flight is planned on August 23.