Author: Kalantarian Kevo

E Hovhannisyan: Azerbaijan continuously violating Bishkek agreement

15:24 12/05/2012 » Analysis

`Adoption of the ceasefire treaty was important as it defined
termination of military operations and the representatives of Armenia,
Karabakh and Azerbaijan put their signatures on that document as equal
sides,’ vice director of National Archive said.

Today 18th anniversary of Bishkek agreement is marked. On May 12, 1992
the defense ministers of Armenia, Karabakh and Azerbaijan signed the
document.

Speaking to Panorama.am Edgar Hovhannisyan said 18 years have passed
since the adoption of the treaty, although active military operations
are not being carried out, the situation at the contact line is not
completely peaceful.

`Azerbaijan rejects the treaty it has signed and it is expressed in
the form of continuous violations of the ceasefire regime, intensified
operations of subversives and snipers, firing against Armenian
civilian towns,’ said E Hovhannisyan.

Comparing the situation with the year of 14994, the expert said:
`First of all today both Armenia and NKR have powerful and established
armies. If the Azerbaijani side attempts to completely violate the
agreement, it will face a real capitulation. I’m hopeful Azerbaijani
will be reasonable and will not chase for adventures.’

Source: Panorama.am

Paper says RPA celebrates its triumph with wine and dance

May 12, 2012 – 09:40 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – According to Zhoghovurd paper’s sources,
representatives of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA)
gathered in Florence restaurant on May 11 to celebrate their victory
in the recent parliamentary elections.

The restaurant belongs to former mayor of Yerevan, Karen Karapetyan, paper says.

`Those present at the party said RPA members were in excellent mood;
they drank and danced,’ Zhoghovurd says.

According to the paper, toasts proposed at the gathering were merely
political ones, and victory was the word much voiced at the party.

Tsarukyan ‘Cleans’ PA List

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 11:36:01 – 12/05/2012

The Zhoghovurd reported that the PA leader Gagik Tsarukyan held a
meeting of party activists and announced that those in charge of
precincts who ensured less than 10,000 votes for their party will not
enter parliament. Thus Gagik Tsarukyan asked a group of PA members to
resign from parliament.

Hence, the first to resign were the minister of urban planning Vardan
Vardanyan and the minister of health Harutyun Kushkyan. Hmayak
Hovhanisyan’s future in parliament is vague. Tsarukyan is hesitating
about him. MP Aram Safaryan, Tsarukyan;s spokesman Khachik Galstyan
and Ruben Gevorgyan (nicknamed Flower Rubo) will not be members of
parliament. The director of Arsoil Hripsimeh Avetisyan will not enter
parliament as well. Karo Karapetyan’s future is in the air. Ex-members
of parliament Mkhitar Harutyunyan and Vahagn Makhsudyan will not enter
this parliament. The ex-minister of urban planning Ara Aramyan will
most probably be appointed deputy minister. The president of the
Armenian State College of Physical Training Vahram Arakelyan resigned
from parliament. Two governors, Nver Poghosyan and Sergey Bagratyan
submitted their resignation from parliament as well. The Zhoghovurd
noted that Tsarukyan is satisfied with Bagratyan’s performance, not
Poghosyan’s.

Hence, according to Gagik Tsarukyan’s decision, besides him the
parliamentary group of the PA will include Vartan Oskanian, Gurgen
Arsenian, Naira Zohrabyan, Vahe Hovhannisyan, Mikael Melkumyan, Elinar
Vardanyan, Stepan Margaryan, Tamar Poghosyan, Vahe Enfiajyan, Vahan
Babayan, Tigran Urikhanyan, Rustam Gasparyan, Harutyun Gharagozyan,
Abraham Manukyan, Hrant Madatyan, Tigran Stepanyan, Vahan Karapetyan,
Arsen Avagyan, Bazmaser Arakelyan.

May 11, 2012
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT
HOLY MARTYRS CHURCH IN ENCINO

On Sunday, May 13, 2012, Mother’s Day, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, will preside over Divine Liturgy and deliver the
sermon at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino.
May God bless all mothers, granting them and their families many
years filled with good health and joy. And may our Lord grant peace to the
souls of our departed mothers.

DIVINE LITURGY AND LUNCHEON IN CELEBRATION OF THE FEAST OF ASCENSION

On Thursday, May 17, 2012, the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord
Jesus Christ will be celebrated with Divine Liturgy followed by the Prelacy
Ladies Auxiliary traditional Ascension luncheon.
The day will begin with Divine Liturgy at St. Mary’s Church in
Glendale presided over by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
and celebrated by Pastor of Holy Martyrs Church Rev. Fr. Razmig
Khatchadourian, who will also deliver the sermon. The service begins at
10:00 a.m.
The luncheon will follow at 11:30 a.m., at Brandview Ballroom in
Glendale.
This year’s luncheon hosts are Mrs. Nora Bezdikian, Mrs. Satig Der
Ohanessian, Mrs. Maro Fermanian, and Mrs. Mirna Kacharian.
Ladies Auxiliary member Mrs. Hourig Abdulian will serve as Master of
Ceremonies.
The luncheon will feature a presentation on the Feast of Ascension
by Deacon Khatchig Shannakian.
The cultural program includes a performance by singer Gagik
Badalyan, and traditions such as the drawing of lots and the singing of
Ascension songs.
Tickets are $45 and can be purchased by contacting the Prelacy.

PRELACY “LOUSAVORICH” CHOIR TO PARTICIPATE IN
5TH ANNUAL ORTHODOX DAY OF PRAISE

On Saturday, May 12, the fifth annual Orthodox Day of Praise will be
held at St. Peter and St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Santa Monica, with
the participation of members from the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox
Churches.
The annual event brings together members of the Orthodox faith to
praise God through hymns in their respective languages. Among the Churches
represented are the Armenian, Coptic, Syriac, Russian, Serbian, Antiochian,
Ukrainian, Ethiopian, Romanian, and others.
By the ordinance of the Prelate, the Prelacy “Lousavorich” choir
will once again participate in this annual event, led by Rev. Ghevont
Kirazian.
The day will begin at 8:00 a.m. with the celebration of Divine
Liturgy, followed by a meet and greet and brunch. The program of hymns and
praises will begin at noon.

HOLY CROSS CATHEDRAL 5TH ANNUAL
ARMENIAN FOOD FAIR AND FESTIVAL

On Saturday, May 12, the annual Armenian Food Fair and Festival
presented by Holy Cross Cathedral of Montebello will take place from noon to
10:00 p.m. at the Cathedral courtyard.
The event features Armenian food and pastries, Armenian music and
dance performances, shopping vendors, games, arts and crafts, cooking
competitions, and more.
The Prelate, accompanied by the parish pastors, will attend the
festival.

KAHAM AND NAVASARTIAN CEREMONIES

On Saturday, May 12, the closing ceremony of the KAHAM games will be
held at Birmingham High School, followed by the opening ceremony of the 37th
Navasartian games. Both events are organized by the Homenetmen Regional
Executive.
Rev. Fr. Gomidas Torossian will attend both events and convey the
Prelate’s message and blessings.
The lighting of the Navasartian games torch and blessing will take
place at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino, presided over by Rev. Fr. Razmig
Khatchadourian.
The Navasartian games will be held from July 3-7.

“FRIENDS OF NEW JULFA” COMMITTEE AND “CASPS” MEMBERS VISIT THE PRELATE

On Wednesday, May 9, 2012, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy members of the Friends of New Julfa
Committee, which serves under the auspices of the Prelacy. The committee
members had come to congratulate the Prelate on his recent re-election.
The meeting took place in the “Sulahian” reception hall. The guests
reported to the Prelate the current and upcoming endeavors of the Committee.
The Prelate commended the mission of the Friends of New Julfa Committee to
celebrate and preserve the culture and traditions of New Julfa.
The visit concluded with the presentation of mementos by the
Prelate.
Later, the Prelate welcomed members of the Committee for Armenian
Students in Public Schools (CASPS), which also serves under the auspices of
the Prelacy. The CASPS members, who had also come to congratulate the
Prelate on his re-election, were accompanied by Executive Council
representative Dr. Hagop Megerdichian.
The visit afforded the opportunity for an exchange of information
about the endeavors of CASPS, such as the upcoming receptions they are
organizing to honor outstanding Armenian students graduating from Glendale
and Los Angeles area public schools. The Prelate commended their efforts
and dedication for the benefit of Armenian students attending public
schools.
The Prelate expressed his appreciation to the members of the Friends
of New Julfa Committee and CASPS for their visit and well wishes, and wished
them successes in their endeavors.

NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT ADOPTS FINAL DOCUMENT ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH

Trend
May 10 2012
Azerbaijan

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) adopted a final document, which
reaffirms the importance of resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
within Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity at a ministerial in Egypt,
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Elman Abdullayev said at a
press briefing.

“The final document was adopted by the NAM Coordinating Bureau on
May 9,” Abdullayev said.

He said one of the items of the document confirms that the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict poses a threat to stability and security
in the region. The NAM member countries reaffirmed the importance
of the conflict resolution based on three internationally recognized
principles – through negotiations, respect for Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity and non-use of force,” Abdullayev said.

According to Abdullayev, the fact that the Movement, which includes
120 countries, has adopted such a document proves that Azerbaijan
has a fair position on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov is attending at the
ministerial of the NAM member countries in Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt),
the ministry said.

Mammadyarov will address the ministerial and will hold a series of
bilateral meetings within the event.

Azerbaijan became a member of the Non-Aligned Movement in May 2011.

The Non-Aligned Movement is the second largest political international
organization for its members after the UN. It includes 118 states.

Another 20 countries have observer status.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France and the U.S. –
are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

FRANCE’S DIFFICULT CHOICE
by MARKAR ESAYAN

Today’s Zaman
May 9 2012
Turkey

At the beginning of an article published in the Guardian in which
he assessed the French presidential elections, Pierre Haski quoted
a statement that Francois Hollande made just a few days before the
first round of elections. Since this is the same thought that occurred
to me after hearing that Hollande won the elections, I wanted to
start with the same quotation. Hollande referred to Leon Blum, who
served as France’s socialist prime minister in 1936, and who said,
“Now the problems start,” and this quotation is a realistic depiction
of the situation in France.

When I flew to France several months ago, I observed the same despair
in my relatives and friends who were surrounded by opponents of
Sarkozy. Yes, they were saying, Sarkozy should go. They would vote for
Hollande, but they weren’t investing much hope in him either. Those
who argued that Hollande deserves a chance suggested that, referring
to Mitterrand and Chirac, the time of charismatic leaders had passed
and Europe was tired of charisma.

How Chirac had competed against the only contender, Jean Marie Le
Pen, in the 2001 elections was still fresh in the memory. Moreover,
his daughter Marine Le Pen had boosted their racist party’s
votes considerably in the current elections, and, what’s worse,
public opinion polls indicated that 37 percent of French voters
felt themselves closer to Le Pen’s racist ideas. All this further
added to the despair in the country. Indeed, it was very likely that,
pursuing the right tactic, Marine Le Pen would just sit and watch how
the socialists and the center right would destroy each other before
she could conveniently replace the collapsing center.

As a matter of fact, I, too, find this risk very likely. This is
the second time a socialist leader has been elected president since
the adoption of the constitution of 1958 — i.e., the establishment
of the Second Republic — and it seems that this development has
refreshed hopes for many. As a side note, I should say Sarkozy proved
an exception to the rule of right-wing leaders winning elections
consecutively. Even if Hollande chooses to soften the financial
austerity plans, this alone will mean a big promise in the current
climate in Europe. To his chagrin, people have high expectations from
him, and there is little time left before the nearing parliamentary
elections. So any failure will imply that it will fall from a higher
location and hit the ground more destructively. The state of public
finance is most critical in the case of France. Hollande has little
time to opt out of the austerity policies purported by German
Chancellor Angela Merkel and Sarkozy, which are aiming to boost
demands and exports rather than spend less. And with this further
increase comes the possibility that Marine Le Pen will be the winner in
2017. In other words, this hard victory of the Socialists may result
in the far right occupying the center. And if this happens, those who
are happy with Sarkozy’s defeat may start to feel very sorry for him.

The real problem is that Europeans are unable to come to grips
with the fact that the era of welfare — the result of transferring
revenues obtained via post-World War II liberalization and colonialist
plundering to the people of the continent through social policies —
has ended. In other words, Europeans must learn to lead more modest
and less wealthy lives. Europe’s share in international trade is 20
percent, which is continually being carved away by the BRIC countries
and the emerging Second World countries. From this perspective, the
policy the Merkozy duo adopted irrespective of economic methods is
more reasonable. It is not only France or Greece but all European
countries that must get accustomed to cutting their coats according
their clothes.

Apart from these, we can assume that Hollande is not pro-Atlantic
like Sarkozy and Merkel and, in foreign policy, he will not be as
pro-American and interventionist as Sarkozy. This may considerably
affect the Western pact in the Middle Eastern crises, such as
the ongoing Syrian crisis, and the resulting gap may offer both
opportunities and an additional burden on Turkey. I must note that
there will be no change in France’s stance regarding the Armenian
issue as the genocide and denial bills were originally drafted by
the socialists.

Still, it is clear that with Hollande at the helm of France, Turkey
will not be blocked, as was the case under Sarkozy. Now, France will
not voice nonsensical demands such as “establish a Mediterranean Union
or stay as Cappadocians,” but will make more concrete and meaningful
demands. Thus, Turkey will no longer see Sarkozy standing in its way
towards European Union membership, and this may be an opportunity
for Turkey. However, at the same time, it may pose problems to the
ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) if it continues to
remain indifferent to the membership process.

We will wait and see.

OPPOSITION PARTY CHALLENGES ARMENIAN ELECTIONS

Moscow Times
May 10 2012
Russia

YEREVAN, Armenia – A leading opposition group in Armenia said
parliamentary elections won by the president’s party had been tarnished
by fraud and vowed to ask a top court to overturn the results.

About 5,000 supporters of former President Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s
Armenian National Congress took to the streets in central Yerevan
after Sunday’s vote.

The Republican Party of President Serzh Sarksyan won about 68 seats,
a majority in the 131-seat parliament, according to results released
Monday. In the outgoing parliament, the party was a few seats shy of
a majority and formed a coalition with the Prosperous Armenia party,
which finished second in Sunday’s vote.

The Armenian National Congress won seven seats, but its leaders argue
the elections should be thrown out altogether, saying widespread
vote-buying and other violations had taken place.

“We took a decision to appeal to the Constitutional Court to annul the
results of the elections,” Aram Manukyan, a leader of the congress,
said Tuesday.

International monitors have given a mixed assessment of the vote in
Russia’s main ally in the strategic South Caucasus. Republican Party
officials said the elections were democratic.

The Armenian National Congress, which had no seats in the previous
parliament, said it would not refuse the parliament seats it had won.

“The bloc’s participation in the work of parliament will give new
impulse to our struggle,” said another congress leader, Stepan
Demirchyan.

NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT DEMANDS SETTLEMENT OF NK, RESPECT OF AZERBAIJANI TERRITORIAL UNITY

Vestnik Kavkaza
May 10 2012
Russia

The Non-Aligned Movement held a session of ministers in Egypt and
passed a document stating the need to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict with respect of Azerbaijani territorial unity, spokesman of
the Foreign Ministry Elman Abdullayev said, Trend reports.

The document was passed on May 9. It says that the conflict threatens
stability and security in the region.

Abdullayev notes that the Non-Aligned Movement consists of 120 states
and passing the document proves the justified position of Azerbaijan
in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov is taking part in the
meeting of foreign ministers in Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt) on May 9-10.

The Non-Aligned Movement is the second largest international
organization after the UN. It consists 118 states. 20 more states
are observers at the organization.

L’OSSERVATORIO ANALITICO INTERVISTA SONYA ORFALIAN

La rivista Osservatorio Analitico pubblica un’intervista a Sonya
Orfalian. I temi affrontati sono quelli del genocidio che nel 1915 ha
sterminato un milione e cinquecentomila armeni ad opera del governo
dei Giovani Turchi; della diaspora dei sopravvissuti, e infine della
necessaria memoria di chi si pone oggi come testimone indiretto di
un dramma storico ancor oggi negato dai discendenti dei responsabili
di quel crimine contro l’umanita.

L’intervista è consultabile on line al seguente indirizzo:

NERVES ARE OPEN
Siranuysh Papyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 17:19:44 – 10/05/2012

Interview with Nvard Manasyan, political scientist, education expert

Nvard, the parliamentary elections are in the past, most people think
this situation will last till 2018. What ways out do you see?

We have a small example of materialization of values, positive poles
with small percentage emerged which will face to still unrevealed,
even negatively assessed majority, and the confrontation in crisis
opens up a big horizon, and in this sense we have an opportunity for
a good progress both in the country and in the region. By an oriental
approach, we are strong with our weakness and we are the weakest by
the consciousness of strength. Consequently, we are both weak and
strong. We are weak with a strong majority in parliament, we are
weak and our weakness will be used, we are strong by this weakness
and this weakness will resolve things which cannot be solved in a
stage of strong identity.

No opposition is left in the street, everyone was shifted to the
National Assembly. Will the civic activity which had a victory in
the fight for saving Trchkan waterfall and Mashtots Park form a new
force which will be able to retrieve the country from crisis?

Victories will continue and these are not only result-based victories,
they are victories of progress and values. This is the case when we
are weak in our strength and the strong majority with its strength will
make more frequent mistakes and cannot avoid this. Any identity which
is aware of one’s own strength always stumbles more often than if it
were weak, those weak are more cautious. Now this big, non-cautious,
selfish majority will constantly foster the emergence of different
civil hotbeds, such as in universities. The confidence with which
the minister of education and culture dismissed the president of the
university opened up new opportunities for appreciating independence
and self-determination because freedom without self-determination
is very dangerous, the framework of populism is freedom which has
no self-determination, in other words, there is no civil position
and values, there are no approaches for freedom, there is no
responsibility. They will be many, and look, the elections still in
progress, the rumors that the building of the Armenian Organization
of Cultural Cooperation may be dismantled spread at a high speed,
while if I am not mistaken the reaction to the house of the Afrikyan
family was not so fast. The buildings are equal in value but now the
nerve is open, and more people react and understand that this is not
just a thematic issue.

The people who have been active towards the establishment of a civil
society say that these are, unfortunately, fragments of success,
no systemic success has been achieved yet. Why?

Fragmental beginning will make systemic success possible, and this
is the signal of qualification of the species and the beginning of
progress. New qualities emerge in different small groups, that is
the ability to express one’s own identity, and it will show that
these separate qualified groups will start shelling with qualities
the silent majority which has no coloring and position. They will
definitely change our reality and make possible systemic changes. It is
not strange that two or three days after the elections people are not
angry, you will not see angry, disappointed people. In other words,
though the political forces say that they offered systemic solutions
and the plans are complete, the understanding is the vision of a small
group and thus the majority does not have ownership. The vision will
mature by way of civil movements and resistance.

Resistance is the ability to say no consciously.

Nvard, do you agree that there was no alternative to electoral bribes
so they accepted? Why was the field so ideologically void?

The political forces offer correct abstract solutions but abstraction
must be visible to each of us. When we are told about planting trees,
they must go to Mashtots Park in person and be visible by their
struggle and solution, they must be visible in Trchkan, then Teghut,
the statements on non-partisan education system must be resolved
by way of struggle of the Linguistic University. The rights must
be promoted by way of struggle and tactical approaches to it. Then
we will understand that we need to fight for our labor rights, by
bringing into being real trade unions which are mere formality today.

In your opinion, was the conduct of this election progress?

In form, yes. If you are not asked out of the polling station
or they do not stuff the ballot box, the progress is a formality
but it is meaningless. One can insist with great confidence that
what we survived was a 100% formal election which had no content,
while a content-free election is not an election. People with civic
self-determination have not come to the polling stations. They did
not understand that they voted for the idea so there was no free
expression of will of citizen. Having to choose between money and
meaningless and non-understandable idea, a hungry man will choose
money, and this man should not be reproached for his choice.