Author: Kanayan Tamar

UK Ambassador deems work of Armenian electronic media unbiased

11:10, 9 March, 2012

GYUMRY, MARCH 9, ARMENPRESS. The UK Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary Catherine Leach referred to the activities of local
mass media at a press-conference in Gyumri, Armenpress reports. The
Ambassador was mainly impressed by the impartial activities of
electronic media. Catherine Leach had the same attitude towards the
print media. Whereas Ambassador does not see diversity of media
activities in TV media and wrapped up that there is great work to be
done in that direction.

At the press- conferenence UK Ambassador dwelled on the elections of
local self government bodies. She had positive attitude particularly
from elections in Hrazdan.

Romanian Politician Causes Row Over Holocaust Remarks

News 09 Mar 12 / 09:55:23

Two civic rights groups have launched a lawsuit against a Social
Democrat senator for downplaying the scale of Jewish suffering in
wartime Romania.

Marian Chiriac
Bucharest

The two groups, the Center for Monitoring and Combating
Anti-Semitism, MCA, and Romani Criss, on Thursday filed a criminal
complaint against Dan Sova, a senator for the opposition Social
Democratic Party, PSD, for violating a law outlawing Holocaust denial.

Romani Criss said Sova had “ignored historical facts and the
conclusions of the International Commission for Jewish Holocaust
Research in Romania” and now risked going to jail.

The senator is the first politician to potentially face charges of
Holocaust denial in court in Romania. The state prosecutor must now
decide whether to press the charges in court.

Trouble started on March 5, when Sova downplayed the magnitude of a
massacre of Jews in Iasi in eastern Romania in 1941 while speaking in
a TV interview.

Sova dismissed the figures usually given for the massacre and denied
that Romanian took any part in the bloodshed, insisting that the
German army was “the sole body responsible for that event”.

Most historians dispute his words. On June 27, 1941, Iasi saw one of
the worst pogroms in Jewish history, when at least 13,200 Jews were
killed.

A clearly irritated Social Democratic Party leader, Victor Ponta, on
Wednesday said Sova was no longer a PSD spokesman.

He will also be sent to Washington to visit the Holocaust Memorial
Museum to get his facts sorted out.

`Those who have a wrong perception of history should see for
themselves the reality, the evidence,’ Ponta said.

For his part, Sova says his statement has been misunderstood and he
regrets that his words were interpreted as a denial of the Holocaust.

In recent years, Romania has made more efforts to confront its bloody
past. In 2002, the Balkan country adopted a law prohibiting Holocaust
denial as well as racist, fascist and xenophobic symbols, uniforms and
gestures.

In 2009 Bucharest unveiled the country’s first Holocaust memorial,
after years of delays and disagreements over design and construction
issues.

>From 1939 to 1944 Romania was an ally of Nazi Germany and followed its
anti-Semitic policies.

Up to 380,000 Jews were killed during that time in Romania and in
Romanian-occupied territories, along with other groups of people,
including some 11,000 Roma.

Two Decades Of Building A Strong Foundation For Children At Tavlian
Armenian Pre-School

asbarez
Saturday, March 10th, 2012

Shant Dimijian
PASADENA – Twenty years ago four little Armenian American children
became the first graduates of Tavlian Armenian Pre-School and
Kindergarten in Pasadena, California. For one of those students, Shant
Dimijian, the memories of the school, even two decades later, are
fresh reminders of a magical place that continues to deliver academic
excellence to new generations of children.

`Looking back at my time at the Tavlian Armenian Preschool and
Kindergarten in 1992, I can honestly say that this special school was
the foundation of my Armenian identity,’ shared Dimijian during a
recent visit to his old school on Sinaloa Avenue. `This school was a
catalyst for the rest of my life. I remember the school being
distinctly Armenian. I also remember the meals prepared at the school,
with great love, by my grandmother,’ the 23 year old added with great
pride.

Shant Abraham Dimijian was born in 1988 in Pasadena and was among the
first students to graduate from Tavlian in the summer of 1993. A
recent graduate from the California State University at Fullerton, he
is confidently moving forward with plans to become a Certified Public
Accountant.

During his recent visit to the Tavlian campus, Shant reflected on why
he believes the school laid the foundation for his Armenian identity.
`I remember that the teachers at the school were special,’ he shared.
`The teachers at Tavlian would care and nurture me, not because they
had to, but because they treated me and my fellow students like we
were their own. It was a feeling of family at Tavlian, a feeling of
being at home, where the teachers loved the students and we, in turn,
loved our teachers. That is how special this school was and why it
remains, in my mind, so special today,’ the school’s first graduate
added.

Most probably because of his strong Armenian identity, begun at
Tavlian, Shant Dimijian recently joined the Pasadena `Shahan Shahnour’
Hamazkayin Chapter. He was drawn to the organization because of its
role in nurturing and safeguarding the Armenian language, Armenian
ethnic identity and the traditions and intellectual legacy of the
Armenian people. The chapter has an active core of young Armenian
Americans, like Shant, who have recently put together screenings,
photo and art exhibits featuring up and coming Armenian artists from
across the Diaspora.

As he reminisced last week about his special time at Tavlian, Shant
shared a vivid memory of the school. `I remember with great clarity
one distinct thing. Each time we would be let out for recess we would
all basically run out to the playground. I remember the running and
yelling the word `pahg’ which means playground in Armenian. I remember
this, but I also remember how happy I was, happy to be at Tavlian,’
Dimijian concluded as he stepped off the campus and headed to work.

Among the many positive characteristics of the Tavlian Armenian
Pre-School is the fact that it is the only kindergarten accredited by
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
For knowledgeable parents, the NAEYC Accreditation has become the mark
of quality, helping parents find the best possible early childhood
experience. Tavlian received its accreditation from NAEYC in 2009, has
gone through the re-evaluation process this year and has granted this
class-worthy recognition through June 31, 2014.

On May 4 a broad and diverse number of dedicated Armenian Americans
will gather at a celebratory banquet to mark the 20th anniversary of
the Tavlian Armenian Pre-School. The banquet will be held at Armenian
Society of Los Angeles Additional information on the banquet may be
secured by contacting the school office by phone at 626-398-8199.

Background on the Tavlian Armenian Pre-School, which has served our
community with distinction for over two decades, may be found at the
school’s user-friendly website:

Photo caption: Shant Abraham Dimijian, part of the Tavlian Armenian
Pre-School and Kindergarten’s first graduating class nearly two
decades ago, reflected on the wonderful memories he has of the school
during a visit to the campus last week.

Trend, Azerbaijan
March 10 2012

Tension at contact line of Azerbaijani and Armenian troops remains

10 March 2012, 13:31 (GMT+04:00) Azerbaijan, Baku, March 10 / Trend M.Aliyev/

The tension at the contact line of Azerbaijani and Armenian troops remains.

Armenian Armed Forces open automatic and machine-gun fire on
Azerbaijani positions located in the village Agbulag of Tovuz region
from Chinarli village of Armenian Berd region on March 9 from 10:15 to
10:20 and from 11:50 to 11:55. Automatic and machine-gun fire on
Azerbaijani positions was also opened from 1:50 to 2:10 on March 10
from positions near the villages Asagi Veyselli and Asagi Seidahmedli
of Fizuli region, press service of Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan told
Trend.

Fire was suppressed by reply fire.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 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 the 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.

Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
March 10 2012

`France will not apologize for Algeria’
PARIS – DoÄ?an News Agency

Sarkozy (R) shakes hand with supporters in Nice as he arrives at a
campaign. REUTERS photo
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said France will not apologize
for the killings of Algerians during the north African country’s
struggle for independence between 1954 and 1962.

Speaking before departing to Nice, a visit which is dedicated in
particular to the sensitive issue of `harkis’ (the roughly 200,000
Algerian Muslims enrolled as French reserves during the war in the
country) Sarkozy said: `France will not apologize for the reciprocal
atrocities, but they should be commemorated with respect.’

`Those atrocities, committed by both France and Algeria, should be
condemned, but it is not necessary to apologize,’ said Sarkozy. Turkey
accused France of hypocrisy, after the French parliament passed a law
that made it illegal to deny that the mass killings of Armenians by
the Ottoman Empire a century ago constituted genocide. The French
Constitutional Council canceled the legislation, calling it
`unconstitutional.’ Sarkozy pledged to continue his insistence on
introducing the law in a meeting with the Armenian community in Elysee
on March 7.
March/10/2012

Mediamax, Armenia
March 10 2012

Turkey, Azerbaijan impede establishment of Yerevan-Ankara ties – Armenian leader

Yerevan, 10 March: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said today that
the only obstacle for the establishment of the relations between
Armenia and Turkey rest[s] with Ankara and Baku.

Serzh Sargsyan said this speaking today at the Republican Party of
Armenia Convention.

“Our initiative on the normalization of the relations between Armenia
and Turkey which from the outset had two ways to progress [sentence as
given]. It is true that the initiative didn’t develop in the way
desirable for Armenia and the international community; the
Armenian-Turkish border still remains closed. However, the second way
which the initiative went on was also important, because[:]

First, as recent developments have clearly shown, it has solidified
the process of the international recognition of the Armenian genocide;

Second, the entire world came to see that the only obstacle for the
establishment of the relations between Armenia and Turkey rest[s] with
Ankara and another capital, which acts as a busybody, but in no way or
shape with Yerevan;

And third, that Turkey was compelled by that initiative to sign an
international document, which rules out any precondition for the
establishment of the relations,” Armenian leader said.

Ruling Republican Party of Armenia spent AMD 598 million in 2.5 years

news.am
March 10, 2012 | 13:53

YEREVAN. – Ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) expenses amounted
to over AMD 598 million after the previous congress (2009, November),
RPA Audit Committee Chairman Anahit Kirakosyan said during the RPA
13th congress.

On presenting the report, Kirakosyan said that the party spent AMD 127
million on office expenses. AMD 30 million went for taxes, out of
which AMD 17 million made social taxes and AMD 3 million income taxes.
Besides, RPA paid AMD 168 million as land taxes. The party approved
the report unanimously.

RA President: Denial of genocide direct continuation of crime

13:09 10/03/2012 » Politics

We have a certain message to the world countries and nations – denial
of genocide is direct continuation of the crime committed in the
beginning of the previous century, Armenian President, Chairman of the
Republic Party of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan addressed today in RPA
congress.

President Sargsyan ensured due to combination of efforts of Armenia
and Diaspora the process to recognize and condemn Armenian Genocide
continues.

`We’ve a certain message to world countries and nations – denial of
genocide is continuation of the crime committed in the beginning of
the previous century. Crime committed against Armenian people
continues till today. Right now. It continues as the facts are denied.
Armenians and humanity are tasked to impede the crime committed every
day,’ President of Armenia declared.

The issue of Armenian genocide has been discussed in recent five years
in the parliaments of foreign states. On March 11, 2010 Parliament of
Sweden has passed a resolution on Armenian genocide. US Senate Foreign
House Committee passed another bill on Armenian genocide on March,
2010. Recently, French Senate has also passed a bill criminalizing the
denial of Armenian Genocide.

Source: Panorama.am

Oligarchy and `Trumps’

HAIK ARAMYAN

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 15:21:24 – 10/03/2012

Although one of the exotic oligarchs of Armenia, Samvel Alexanyan,
announced that he is a politician and had plastic surgery on his nose,
he obviously did not make an impression on the government. He was not
included in the Republican list, his hints for Raffi Hovannisian and
the Country of Law Party were not helpful either. Samvel Alexanyan can
run for parliament in his `traditional’ precinct, Malatia Sebastia
community, but it will not help him into the character of a politician
with an operated nose. However, a party ticket is something else, and
appearing there makes everything look serious, perhaps.

The ruling coalition announces that the party list will be free from
major business and criminal world, presenting it as a step towards
separating business and government. However, the precincts were left
to them where they can become members of parliament with money and
intimidation, and all the dirt will be written off to them. There are
businessmen who understand this prospect and decided not to run in the
elections. However, some of them decided to appear with the image of a
politician, trying to be a member of parliament and step into the
field of politics.

In Armenia the mechanism of forming government required that
entrepreneurs do favors to the top government to get business quotas,
favors ranging from shadow taxes to grave crimes. Or these favors were
done and business quotas were granted as compensation. There was no
other way to stay afloat. This class is now presented with the image
of victims, as if they are not to blame for having to face such
choice. However, they made a choice and accepted the rules of the
system based on the quota- racket principle and intended to deprive
the society of their rights.

The rules of the same system require that the person who is used to
commit the crime is later used to eliminate the traces and rid of the
ballast. Now this process seems to have started. The government is
trying to appear new, and the Armenian oligarchy might become trumps,
just as Levon Ter-Petrosyan had warned. The representatives of this
class understand this and are making desperate efforts to survive.
They understand that nobody will give them guarantees, even if they
have a wish and a parliamentary mandate because the rules of the game
change, so do the rules of distribution of property and businesses,
and there is no demand for new favors. Meanwhile, no other mechanisms
are known to the Armenian oligarchy.

We hope democratic development of Armenia will translate into
high-level elections -EPP delegate

news.am
March 10, 2012 | 16:38

YEREVAN. – European People’s Party hopes that democratic development
of Armenia will translate into high-level parliamentary elections in
May, Rumiana Jeleva, representative of the European People’s Party,
said at the Congress of the Republican Party of Armenia in Yerevan.

`I’m delighted to meet you today at the congress of the Republican
party of Armenia, which is a full-fledged member of the EPP,’ she
said. That, she added, had been a result of the progress made by
country and translated into concrete action and real changes in the
life of Armenia.

`The government of Armenia, with the leadership of the president, Mr.
Serzh Sargsyan, has demonstrated willingness to adopt new standards,
according to the criteria of the European Union. It is my strong
belief that the path of political, social and economic reforms will be
further implemented,’ she added.

According to her, the EPP supports the Republican Party of Armenia and
is happy to introduce it to the European family.