Author: Kanayan Tamar

Karabakh commander: diplomats nullified Armenia’s victory in wars

May 12, 2012 – 11:53 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenians won in Artsakh war due to persistent
struggle and large human toll, first commander of Nagorno Karabakh
self-defense forces Arkadi Karapetyan said at a recent meeting with
the youth.

”We took the first step, and God favored us,” Karapetyan emphasized
adding that the Armenian nation always emerged as winner in wars;
another thing is that diplomats reduced our victories to nought.

Touching upon different stories on Artsakh war, he said different
myths on Russian-assisted victory were spread over the past years.

`I assure you they [Russians] did not supply us with armaments, they
just sold them to us. I remember buying 3 infantry fighting vehicles
and paying 240.000 roubles for them,’ Karabakh-open.info quotes
Karapetyan as saying.

KARABAGH
Communiqué de l’organisation « Aravni » – Mai 2012
Généralités

En 2009, l’organisation « Aravni » commençait à travailler sans autre
moyen financier, matériel, mécène ou autre soutien que la ferme
volonté de réussir. Après un peu plus de 30 mois, quel bilan
pouvons-nous tirer ?

Août 2009 : exposition de D. Landucci (France) : Les peintures
exposées à Stépanakert sont toutes achetées par le ministère de la
Construction grce auquel l’exposition est autofinancée. Deux jours
plus tard, exposition à Shoushi à l’initiative du préfet de la région
: succès populaire qui dépasse complètement le comité d’organisation.

Avril 2010 : site internet Artour Mkrtchian : Mis en ligne grce à
une donation de 80 000 drams de citoyens d’Arménie et la participation
de plus de 20 bénévoles d’Artsakh qui, en seulement 4 mois, ont saisi
plusieurs centaines de pages de documents et retouché sur ordinateur
plus de 100 photos mal conservées. Présentation du site en coopération
avec le ministère du tourisme au sein de l’Assemblée nationale
d’Artsakh.

Septembre 2010 : centre culturel : Ouverture dans un local mis
gracieusement à disposition par le Prélat d’Artsakh de l’Eglise
Apostolique Arménienne. Sur place, exposition permanente en
coopération avec le Fonds Humanitaire de Shoushi et les peintres de la
ville. Accueil des réunions du Centre pour l’initiative civile de
Stépanakert, d’évènements et d’expositions du palais de la culture de
Shoushi, de cours de soutiens scolaires…

Année 2011 : hors donations personnelles de son Président et de sa
famille, 30% des donations reçues par l’organisation « Aravni » sont
le fait de dizaines d’habitants locaux. Les donations extérieures sont
employées pour améliorer notre équipement et garantir notre
financement à long terme. Notre action s’inscrit sur la durée. Nos
armoires ont été offertes par des habitants de Shoushi, nos
ordinateurs par les sociétés `Artsakhenergo’, « Karabakh Telecom » et
`Artsakh Bank’. Plus important, nous disposons du soutien de bénévoles
tant pour assurer le fonctionnement quotidien de notre centre que pour
préparer des publications telles que l’encyclopédie sur Shoushi (20-30
volontaires locaux), le `Projet Artsakh’ (livret en cours
d’impression) ou un site tout dédié à la promotion d’Artsakh (mise en
ligne en juin) : documentation, tourisme, humanitaire, économie et
repeuplement…

L’assise populaire de l’organisation « Aravni » est tout sauf une
invention de l’esprit. Plusieurs jeunes qui fréquentent notre centre
versent d’eux-mêmes une cotisation journalière double, voire triple,
dans l’idée de nous soutenir dans notre travail quotidien. Notre
centre fonctionne tous les jours sans aucun salairié. Son responsable
De Facto est un jeune comme les autres… Un de ses amis a lancé la
rénovation des locaux jusqu’à ce que ses parents le lui interdisent
s’il n’était pas payé. Nous avons continué, et lui a augmenté son
obole quotidienne !!

Notre centre se veut comme une école de l’action citoyenne et les
résultats accumulés mois après mois prouvent que nous parvenons à
dépasser les traditions matérialistes bien ancrées. Les projets
réalisés ne sont que la surface émergée d’une véritable structure qui
ne cesse de s’étoffer et se renforcer…

L’organisation « Aravni » est une réussite collective qui, avec un
budget financé localement et de seulement 50 000 drams par mois,
parvient non seulement à faire fonctionner quotidiennement et à
rénover son centre culturel mais aussi, en parallèle, à réaliser
d’autres projets seul ou en coopération.

Combien d’associations parviennent à réaliser autant avec si peu de
moyens financiers ?

Combien de structures associatives fonctionnent en Artsakh à la seule
force de leurs membres bénévoles ?

Réalisations et évènements

Bilan financier année 2011 : grce à un strict contrôle des dépenses,
les avoirs financiers totaux sont passés de 283 700 à 1 230 100 drams
entre le 1er janvier et le 31 décembre 2011

10-15 janvier : Distribution de vêtements reçus d’Erevan

15-25 janvier : visite et recensement des besoins d’une vingtaine de
villages des régions Hadrout et Kashatagh

Début Février : Démarrage de notre projet de cours d’anglais
(personnel hôtelier et individuels)

Mars-avril : Financement du centre désormais sans aucune participation
financière de son Président

1er avril : participation (sur invitation) à l’exposition de Pques
organisée à Erevan à l’hôtel Ani Plazza

19 avril : Réception d’une donation de 1000 euros de France

Coordonnées

Merci de nous adresser vos dons dans l’idée que les montants les plus
faibles doivent produire les plus grands effets. Voici les coordonnées
de nos trois comptes pour soutenir les initiatives des familles
d’Artsakh : Banque : « Ardshininvestbank » Code SWIFT ASHBAM22
Intitulé du compte « Aravni » NGO Compte en dram (AMD)
2478400052320010 Compte en dollars 2478400052320020 Compte en euros
2478400052320030

Pour des précisions et plus de détails, n’hésitez pas à visiter nos
sites internet et à nous contacter : Sites internet : ,
, , facebook et youtube

samedi 12 mai 2012,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

Karabakh’s state budget replenished with AMD 7.2 bln from taxes in Jan-Apr

STEPANAKERT, May 11. /ARKA/. Taxes, duties and mandatory social
payments transferred to the Nagorno-Karabakh’s budget in January-April
of 2012 totaled 7.277.5 billion drams, that is 2.5% higher of the
projected figure, the data published on the website of State Tax
Service of NKR shows.

According to the data, the analogical indicator of a year earlier
exceeded the projected figure by 9.9 % or 655.8 million drams.
The state budget was replenished by 5.273.1 billion drams from taxes
and state duties against the projected 5144 million drams ( rise by
2.5%). The result of Jan-Apr of 2011 exceeded the projected indicator
by 10.6% or 503.3 million drams.

`Obligatory social payments totaled nearly 2.004.4 billion drams
within the reported period exceeding the planned amount by 48.4
million drams , and the result of the same period a year earlier – by
about 152.5 million,’ the press release says. – 0–

Orinats Yerkir leader is ingrate – paper

May 12, 2012 – 10:54 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Distribution of countless phones and jam jars by
Orinats Yerkir party yielded no tangible results.

According to Zhoghovurd paper, party leader Arthur Baghdasaryan was
quite displeased with the poll results.

Comparably favorable election outcomes for Orinats Yerkir were
recorded only in Armenia’s Kotayk province, particularly in Abovyan
city, where the party operation was coordinated by RA Minister of
Emergency Situations Armen Yeritsyan.

However, the party head is said to express no appreciation for his
work, either, Zhoghovurd writes.

Armenian President holds farewell meeting with Iran’s ambassador

May 12, 2012 – 17:35 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On May 12, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan held a
farewell meeting with Iran’s ambassador to Armenia Seyed Ali Sagayan.

President Sargsyan thanked the envoy for strengthening of cooperation
and development of bilateral ties, wishing him good luck in his
further activity, according to RA MFA.

Erebuni Museum to Launch “Junior Archaeological School”

hetq
14:36, May 12, 2012

Armenia’s Erebuni Museum is launching a unique hands-on program
designed to instill a respect for Armenia’s archaeological inheritance
in school students.

The program, entitled the `Junior Archaeological School’ will hold its
first class on May 16.

To date, 18 students have registered for the classes to be taught by
Mikayel Badalyan, a researcher at the Erebuni Museum.

Dersim massacre’s Armenian survivor demands apology from Turkish
parliament for her suffering

NEWS.AM
May 12, 2012 | 14:11

Fatma Yavuz, an 80-year-old Armenian survivor of the 1937-1938 Dersim
(today’s Tunceli, Turkey) Massacres, sent a letter to the Turkish
parliament’s subcommittee on the Dersim affair, wrote about the
suffering she endured, and demanded an apology for all this.

The elderly Armenian told that he was given to a Turkish family,
during the Dersim Massacres, and this family was very cruel to her.

`I learned only in 1995 that the fact of my being Armenian was kept
secret for 57 years, and I learned my real [Armenian] name at the age
of 78,’ Fatma Yavuz wrote in her letter, and demanded that their
seized lands be returned, her relatives be found, and a formal apology
be made.

To note, Turkey’s PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan had stated that, if
necessary, he would apologize and is apologizing for the Dersim
Massacres, on behalf of the state.

The Turkish authorities had quelled the Dersim uprising with bloodshed
and eradicated thousands of villages. In line with different sources,
up to 100,000 people lost their lives during the Dersim Massacres.

Also, thousands of 1915 Armenian Genocide survivors, who had found
shelter in Dersim’s villages, were subjected to a second genocide in
1938.

Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
May 10, 2012

Contact: Tereza Yerimyan
Tel: 818-500-1918

UPDATE: 200 ANCA-WR ACTIVISTS GATHER AT THE CALIFORNIA STATE CAPITOL

SACRAMENTO – Nearly 200 activists, from every corner of California,
joined the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
(ANCA-WR) on Thursday, April 19, 2012, for the Commemoration of the
Armenian Genocide in the California State Legislature. A busload of
activists making the trip from Southern California was escorted
through Los Angeles by an official send-off by the `Hye Riders’
Motorcycle Club.

Participants observed the State Senate and Assembly commemorations
which recognized various community groups including the ANCA-WR and
were spiritually inspired by an invocation from Archbishop Mousegh
Mardirossian of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The day’s events were highlighted by passage of two Armenian Genocide
Resolutions. Notably, Assembly Member Katcho Achadjian, the only
Assembly Member of Armenian descent, introduced and ushered passage of
House Resolution 27 which strongly recognizes the Armenian Genocide,
designates April 18 – 24, 2012 as a `Week of Remembrance for the
Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923,’ and calls on the Congress and
President of the United States to formally and consistently recognize
the Armenian Genocide’s historical truth.

`The State Legislature’s commemorative events and passage of not one,
but two Armenian Genocide resolutions, once again highlight
California’s role at the forefront of genocide awareness and
recognition of the Armenian Genocide in particular,’ said Armen
Garabedian, ANCA-WR California State Affairs Committee Chair.

Alongside the commemorative events, the ANCA-WR held its annual
Advocacy Day in the State Capitol through which participating
activists were able to educate state legislators about issues of
concern to the Armenian-American community. “I had an incredible
opportunity to sit in on a meeting with my Assembly Member, Felipe
Fuentes, which really gave me insight of how politics work outside of
the classroom. My participation in the Genocide Commemoration on the
Assembly and Senate Floors allowed me to apply what I had been
studying for the past three years to the real world. […],’stated
Ellen Oganesyan, ASA president at the University of California, Santa
Barbara.

She continued, `As an Armenian-American and direct descendant of an
Armenian Genocide survivor, Advocacy Day enhanced every aspect of my
involvement as an activist against human rights violations.”

Throughout the day and during a reception hosted by several
legislators, the ANCA-WR displayed images of Armenian Church
properties which have been intentionally destroyed or left in tragic
disrepair by the Turkish government in what is historic Armenia.
House Resolution 27 also calls for the restoration of rights due to
the `rightful church and lay owners’ of similarly situated properties.

`Recognition of the Armenian Genocide is so much more complicated than
a simple recognition of a historical fact=85 The current state of
Armenian churches and other properties wrongfully confiscated during
the Genocide is just one tangible aspect of this multi-faceted
reality,’ noted ANCA-WR California State Affairs Committee member,
Arpie Jivalagian.

The day was concluded with a screening of `My Mother’s Voice’ by Dr.
Kay Mouradian. Dr. Mouradian is a novelist and educator who has
written about her personal experiences confronting the reality of
genocide in her own family. My Mother’s Voice is a documentary based
on Dr. Mouradian’s book, `A Gift in the Sunlight.’ Dr. Mouradian, a
participant in Advocacy Day, also fielded questions from the audience.

`Ultimately, Advocacy Day is an opportunity for community members to
actively and actually participate in the political process in
furtherance of issues relevant to Armenian-Americans including those
beyond Genocide recognition. This year’s strong turnout is
encouraging and underscores the significance of our community’s
invaluable asset – its activists,’ added Garabedian.

Special Message: On May 20, the 2012 ANCA Telethon will bring
thousands of people together from coast to coast in support of the
educational, charitable, and civic involvement programs of the ANCA
Endowment Fund. Be a part of the excitement! To learn more, visit

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the
largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy
organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination
with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the
Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country,
the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community
on a broad range of issues.

###

ATTACHED: Photos with captions and credits

COME ON CEMIL CICEK, NOW IS THE TIME

Hurriyet Daily News
May 9 2012
Turkey

MEHMET ALÄ° BÄ°RAND
[email protected]

What do you say? Will it happen?

Until only a short time ago, those who believed that the political
elite of this country would be able to write a new constitution were
few. Those who said, “It wouldn’t suit them; they would prefer to
continue with the Sept. 12 constitution,” were in the majority.

Cemil Cicek, the speaker of Parliament, has been regarding this issue
as his word of honor. Maybe he really wants to write history. Whatever
his reasons are, he is certainly doing the correct thing. This
country needs a brand new constitution. A constitution that will be
able to overcome the biggest difficulties with the Kurdish issue. A
constitution that will absolutely secure all freedoms. A constitution
that will enable us to lead a democratic and secular life.

Cemil Cicek has done the right thing. Among representatives of
the private sector, he has received the most support from Turkish
Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) President Rifat
Hisarcıklıoglu. The first stage has been completed successfully,
and now a more difficult phase, the content writing phase has started.

Of course, the “presidency” debate will hyper-activate the process,
but it will not obstruct the writing of the constitution.

The title of this piece comes from football: Come on president,
come on president. Now is the right time…

The changes in Paris and Athens are no good for us

The recent elections in France and Greece should be a lesson for all
of us. The economic crisis has caused the people to take revenge on
the politicians. The reason Sarkozy lost with a margin of 3 percent
is the anger of voters at becoming poor, nothing else. The situation
is no different in Greece.

All of the politicians in office were badly beaten.

What’s more, the confusion in both countries is likely to continue for
a long time. They may be due for new elections and new fluctuations.

How will these changes affect Turkey? Let’s take a look.

The only positive side of the change in France is that Hollande was
elected, a leader who does not have an anti-Turkey obsession like
Sarkozy’s. But don’t count on that. Hollande is not against Turkey’s
full membership in the EU in principle. He does not question Turkey’s
European-ness like Sarkozy does.

However, he does place the condition of the acceptance of the
“Armenian Genocide” on Turkey’s membership, and this stance is not
one that can be overcome easily. In short, this change in Paris will
not make a significant difference to Turkey’s relations with the EU.

Hollande’s presidency is likely to end and not continue at the end
of his 5-year term.

The situation is more complicated in Athens. The beating the
politicians got was as bad as the one our leaders took in our 2002
elections. In Greece, a coalition period has started and the economic
chaos looks as though will not be solved easily. Also, there is talk
of holding early elections next June. In other words, there is an
impasse. This situation bothers me.

I fear that the rising militarist and extreme-right parties in Greece
will turn toward Turkey after a while.

I wonder, to overcome the frustration they are immersed in, whether
they will begin focusing on Turkey? Will they make Turkey their
“joint enemy”? This is possible and there is such a risk. However,
the Greeks have so many problems nowadays that it looks as if they
will not turn toward us.

The TFF is harming us

It is not possible to understand what the Turkish Football Federation
(TFF) wants to do. It says its aim is to protect Turkish football from
UEFA sanctions due to the match-fixing incident. It is as though we
were under attack by foreigners, and TFF is trying to stop this course
of events in the international arena. It has gone even further and
called those who criticize this approach “factional.” It is like the
TFF is playing the role of a lion, trying to save its country. They
do not seem to be aware of this fact:

With this stance, they aren’t doing anyone any favors; they are
upsetting the applecart.

Take a look at the international reaction. You will see clearly
where the situation is going. With this stance of theirs the TFF
is handing over the entire future of Turkish football to the UEFA,
certainly not saving it from its grasp. You will see where the
decisions made in Geneva take us. If the TFF is thinking, “Let’s
not issue any punishments, let the UEFA do it,” then we will have
a harder time. It won’t take long; the situation will be clear in a
few weeks. The TFF will harm us a great deal, I think.

WCC GENERAL SECRETARY RECEIVES ‘FRIEND OF THE ARMENIANS’ AWARD

Ekklesia

May 10 2012
UK

The World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary the Rev Dr
Olav Fykse Tveit has been honoured with the “Friend of the Armenians”
award by the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) in
the United States, as an acknowledgement of his efforts to support
Armenian churches throughout the world.

Tveit was presented with the award in a ceremony which took place on
4 May in Springfield, Massachusetts as part of the Annual Assembly
of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America.

The diocese has periodically honoured selected public figures with the
‘Friend of the Armenians’ award. They are recognised as having shown
special concern and support for the Armenian community. Past recipients
of this distinction included US ambassadors Harry Gilmore and John
Evans, John Cardinal O’Connor, Rabbi Arthur Schneier, US senators
Edward Kennedy, Robert Dole and Robert Menedez, and Massachusetts
Governor Deval Patrick.

During the event, Tveit spoke about the strong ecumenical engagement
of the Armenian Church in the United States and reflected upon his
visit to Armenia last year when he stayed at the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin at the invitation of the Catholicos of All Armenians,
Supreme Patriarch Karekin II.

Tveit introduced the audience to the theme of the WCC upcoming 10th
Assembly “God of life, lead us to justice and peace”. The assembly
will take place in Busan, Korea in 2013. He invited participants
to consider what the theme means for the Armenian Church, both in
Armenia and in the United States.

“A church like yours, which knows so much about the longing for justice
and peace, has much to offer others who need the WCC to support their
efforts towards just peace,” said Tveit.

“Friendship is a biblical quality. We are called to a unity of
friendship, sharing our gifts and our challenges,” he added.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), said in a letter to Tveit, “We feel
that your presence among us is an excellent opportunity to express
our gratitude to the WCC as an ecumenical organisation and to call
attention to your own singular efforts to acknowledge the Armenian
Church’s place within the large worldwide ecumenical movement –
as shown in your recent trip to our homeland.”