Author: Kanayan Tamar

WORLD HAS DE FACTO RECOGNIZED GENOCIDE, SAYS ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER

17:33 * 08.12.14

The world has practically recognized the Armenian Genocide, and the
countries which haven’t yet done so probably have economic reasons for
that, the National Assembly’s speaker said today at a press conference
with a Uruguayan counterpart.

“If any state has not recognized it, that doesn’t mean they haven’t
developed the necessary approaches. Those who do not admit the fact
of Genocide become a participant in that,” Galust Sahakyan said,
condemning particularly Turkey’s denial policies.

For his part, Head of Uruguay’s Senate Danilo Astori praised Armenia’s
friendly relations with his country. “Its foundations were laid back
in 1920 when the League of Nations was coming into existence. Our
relations later embarked on a very important round after Uruguay
recognized the Genocide in 1965 and the independence of Armenia in
1991. It’s our desire today to continue the relations with Armenia
in different sectors, both economic and political, to strengthen the
bilateral ties,” he noted.

Asked whether Uruguay may be the first country to also recognize
Nagorno-Karabakh, Mr Astori said, “My country is working in
that direction; our country’s government wishes to establish good
relations with those states which are involved in the settlement of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.”

ARMENIAN PRIEST ORDAINED FOR FIRST TIME IN NORTH CAROLINA SUNDAY

11:39, 08 Dec 2014

Members of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in Charlotte witnessed
North Carolina religious history Sunday with the ordination of their
deacon, Benjamin Rith-Najarian, to the holy priesthood. It was the
first time an Armenian priest has ever been ordained in the state,
the Charlottee Observer reports.

Presiding over the sacred service in the church on Park Road was New
York-based Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, who heads the Eastern Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America.

About 150 Charlotte families call St. Sarkis their spiritual home,
and Rith-Najarian is their pastor. The church is one of 62 parishes and
missions in the Eastern Diocese. The Armenian Church of America is an
Orthodox Christian church whose members trace their roots to Armenia,
a country at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe.

Armenia adopted Christianity as its official religion in the year 301,
and the national church is one of the world’s oldest.

KARABAKH PRESIDENT HOLDS A MEETING ON TOURISM PROJECTS

STEPANAKERT, December 8. /ARKA/. The president of Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic (NKR) Bako Sahakyan hold a meeting on Sunday to discuss
implementation of various projects in tourism sector, the press office
of the president reported.

The meeting was attended by Russian Armenian philanthropist Ruben
Vardanayn. The meeting participants were focused on prospects for
ecotourism development. An ecological village program was presented
for Noragiugh community of Askeran region.

NKR’s president expressed his gratitude to Ruben Vardanyan for
supporting the development of tourism in the country, for getting
leading foreign experts involved in this and for using the best
practices in tourism.

The meeting was attended by NKR’s premier Ara Harutiunyan and other
officials. -0–

COMPLEMENT D’ENQUETE

ARMENIE

Le 9 Septembre le chef du service de securite de l’Assemblee nationale
Karen Hayrapetyan a pousse et frappe la journaliste de television de
la chaîne A1+ Marine Khachatryan.

Le 12 Septembre le procureur general Gevorg Kostanyan a ordonne une
enquete sur l’incident entre la journaliste et les membres du personnel
de securite. La semaine dernière, le SIS a rejete l’affaire, disant
qu’il n’y avait aucune raison de pousuivre Karen Hayrapetyan ce qui
a fait enrager le procureur general. Gevorg Kostanyan a declare que
le SIS avait mene une enquete au mepris de Marine Khachatrhyan.

Le Bureau du procureur general a ordonne que l’affaire soit rouverte.

Le SIS a accuse le bureau du procureur general de demagogie affirmant
que l’evenement avait recu beaucoup trop d’attention publique.

Pendant ce temps le chef du bureau de Vanadzor de l’Assemblee des
citoyens d’Helsinki, defenseur des droits humains Artur Sakunts a
dit a ArmeniaNow que l’organisme de contrôle du bureau du procureur
general a une bonne ethique de travail.

“Le fait que ces deux organes ont toujours travaille en harmonie
n’etait pas normal, au contraire, maintenant un contrôle adequat est
realise, bien sûr, le sous-texte est clair, le SIS, comme un corps
separe, desire montrer sa position, mais dans ce specifique cas,
l’assaut contre Marine Khachatryan est evident, donc, dans ce cas,
l’approche du procureur general est la bienvenue “, a declare Sakunts.

GOHAR ABRAHAMYAN

ArmeniaNow

lundi 8 decembre 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

SERGE SARKISSIAN VEUT RENFORCER SON ACTION SUR L’ECONOMIE

Politique gouvernementale

Les autorites armeniennes devraient faire plus pour minimiser les
retombees des difficultes economiques de la Russie, a declare vendredi
Serge Sarkissian.

Le president a egalement insiste sur le fait que l’Armenie va
beneficier d’importantes retombees economiques après son adhesion
a l’Union economique eurasienne, meme si l’economie russe s’enfonce
dans la recession.

“Il est evident que l’Armenie ne peut pas inverser la tendance actuelle
et que ce qui se passe dans l’economie mondiale va se refleter dans
notre pays et nos indicateurs economiques. Neanmoins, le gouvernement
de l’Armenie et la Banque centrale devraient intensifier leurs efforts
pour attenuer les influences negatives sur notre economie provenant
du monde exterieur et proceder en douceur aux ajustements necessaires
“, a t-il dit dans un discours a la conference annuelle de la plus
grande association d’entreprises du pays.

Sarkissian n’a pas precise comment les autorites devraient compenser
les effets de contagion de la situation economique qui s’aggrave en
Russie. La croissance armenienne cette annee est en passe d’etre
plus lente que prevue. Le dram armenien a affaibli de plus de 6 %
par rapport au dollar americain et d’autres grandes devises au cours
du mois passe.

Sarkissian a rejete les suggestions selon lesquelles la depreciation
du dram est due a l’adhesion prochaine de l’Armenie a l’UEE. Il a
soutenu que la monnaie nationale de la Georgie voisine a egalement
considerablement faiblie ces derniers mois.

“Pourquoi y a-t-il alors une depreciation de la monnaie en Georgie ?

Ce pays a signe un accord de libre-echange avec l’UE. Pourquoi y
a-t-il une depreciation des monnaies dans d’autres pays ? “, a t-il
demande devant des centaines d’hommes d’affaires affilies a l’Union
des industriels et entrepreneurs.

lundi 8 decembre 2014, Claire (c)armenews.com

PRESS RELEASE
December 6, 2014

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
Contact: Taniel Koushakjian
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
Web:

SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE APPROVES PRESIDENT OBAMA’S NOMINEES
FOR AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN

WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC)
approved President Obama’s nominees to serve as ambassador to Armenia and
Azerbaijan, Richard M. Mills, Jr. and Robert F. Cekuta, respectively,
reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly). The SFRC approved a
slew of nominations by voice vote during a closed-door meeting in the
Capitol.

`We would like to thank out-going U.S. Ambassador John Heffern for his work
and accomplishments during his tenure,’ stated Assembly Executive Director
Bryan Ardouny. `We look forward to working with the next ambassador to
continue strengthening the U.S.-Armenia partnership,’ Ardouny said.

The confirmation of the two nominees comes at a crucial time as increased
tensions along the Line of Contact (LOC) between Nagorno Karabakh (NK) and
Azerbaijan have claimed dozens of lives this year. The latest example of
Azerbaijan aggression occurred on November 12th, when an Azerbaijani
military unit stationed near the LOC shot down an unarmed NK army
helicopter killing all three servicemen aboard.

A career diplomat, Richard M. Mills, Jr., has held numerous diplomatic
positions. Currently, he is the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy
in Beirut, Lebanon.

He also has diplomatic experience with Armenia. Early in his career,
following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, he was the desk officer at
the State Department for the newly independent Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Mills has also held positions in Malta, Paris, St. Petersburg and Dublin,
among others.

He is a graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
Mills holds a J.D. from the University Of Texas School Of Law, as well as
an M.A. in International Security Affairs from the National Defense
University.

Robert F. Cekuta is currently the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of
State of the Energy Resources Bureau. Prior to this, he was the Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Energy, Sanctions, and Commodities in the State
Department’s Bureau for Energy and Business Affairs. Previous overseas
assignments have included stints in Tokyo and Berlin. He is a graduate of
Georgetown University and holds an M.A. from the Thunderbird School of
Global Management and the National War College.

With the committee’s approval, their nominations move to the Senate floor
for a vote, which is expected sometime next week. Senate confirmation of a
number of President Obama’s nominees including Mills and Cekuta are likely
before Congress adjourns for the year.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and
awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.

###

NR:# 2014-054

Available online at:

Nagorno-Karabakh to continue economic relations with Armenia after
country joins EEU

14:45 * 07.12.14

The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) will continue economic relations
with Armenia, Vardkes Baghryan, a NKR Writers’ Union member, told
Tert.am in response to a question concerning Nagorno-Karabakh
intellectuals’ possible concern over Armenia’s accession to the
Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).

“Nagorno-Karabakh will continue exporting its products through
Armenia. I do not think any customs stations will be operated, which
has repeatedly been stated at the highest level. I do not think any
problems will arise, and Nagorno-Karabakh will be isolated,” Mr
Baghryan said.

“Nagorno-Karabakh only has communication with Armenia. We also have
good-neighborly relations with Iran. If Armenia’s economy grows, it
will have a positive impact on Nagorno-Karabakh,” he said.

Armenia will also mediate any relations between Nagorno-Karabakh and
the EEU member-states.

With respect to the approval of the treaty on Armenia’s accession to
the EEU by Armenia’s Parliament, Mr Baghryan said:

“It is common knowledge that Armenia can settle its security issues by
making this step.”

According to him, it was a well-thought-out decision.

Petition urges Google to set Armenian Genocide doodle on April 24

16:11, 07 Dec 2014

Petition launched on Change.org urges Google to set an Armenian
Genocide doodle on April 24. A Google Doodle is a special, temporary
alteration of the logo on Google’s homepage. The text of the petition
reads:

“The Armenian Genocide was the Ottoman government’s systematic
extermination of its minority Armenian subjects from their historic
homeland within the territory constituting the present-day Republic of
Turkey.

The starting date is conventionally held to be 24 April 1915, the day
Ottoman authorities rounded up and arrested some 250 Armenian
intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople. The total
number of people killed as a result has been estimated at between 1
and 1.5 million.

This is why we have the responsibility of spreading awareness about
the genocide, and why Google should get involved for all humanity.”

Armenia remembers December 7 tragedy

11:01 * 07.12.14

December 7, 1988, is a symbol of sorrow for many Armenian residents.

Today is the 26th anniversary of a devastating earthquake in Spitak
and Leninakan (present-day Gyumri).

According to official data, the death toll reached 25,000, with 19,000
people disabled. A total of 530,000 people left their housing. The
earthquake razed the town of Spitak to the ground.

Moreover, the earthquake destroyed 21 towns, 324 villages, 80% of the
housing stock, social and production sectors of Armenia’s second
largest city, Leninakan.

In Armenia’s third largest city, Kirovakan (present-day Vanadzor), the
earthquake destroyed 40% of industry.

Experts cite a number of reasons for the great tragedy: poor seismic
risk zoning, low professional level of rescue services, low-quality
construction and population’s poor awareness of self-defense.

The housing problem in the earthquake zone has almost been solved due
to the programs implemented in Armenia in recent years.

The town of Spitak has been redeveloped, and new neighborhoods have
been constructed in Gyumri and Vanadzor. People receive housing
certificates.

The appalling tragedy necessitated a revision of construction standards.

AZERBAIDJAN
Le Pape : contre la Turquie, à côté de l’Arménie selon une agence de
presse azérie

Selon Vugar Massimoghlu, du Centre analytique de l’agence de presse
azérie APA ” le pape a commencé à parler de la frontière
turco-arménienne, et ainsi, a ajouté de nouvelles couleurs au
problème. La déclaration unilatérale, insincère et plein de moments
absurdes a deux côtés. Tout d’abord, le pape, avec cette déclaration,
a légalisé qu’il occupe une position contre la Turquie, à côté de
l’Arménie. Le deuxième – une réaction qui va suivre la déclaration
aidera à décrire la > non divulguée de la Turquie
dans sa politique arménienne. Cette déclaration est une intervention
réelle de l’Eglise catholique dans les relations turco-arméniennes.
Bien que le pape représente le pouvoir religieux, l’Eglise catholique
a une force majeure dans le monde, mais la fermeture des frontières
entre la Turquie et l’Arménie – un problème mondial. Logiquement,
l’intervention subjective de la tête du Vatican dans ce processus est
inacceptable et absurde (malgré le fait que l’histoire du Vatican est
pleine de ce genre de faits absurdes). Il est également absurde,
d’accueillir le plus haut niveau de chef d’Etat et de l’église, qui a
reconnu le soi-disant >…”

L’analyste ajoute qu’Ankara “peut répondre à cette déclaration sous
trois formes :

a) position ferme – Turquie peut encore annoncer officiellement les
raisons de la fermeture des frontières avec l’Arménie, et nommer les
conditions dans lesquelles la frontière peut être ouverte, ainsi
qu’accuser le Vatican d’avoir pris une position unilatérale.

b) position souple – Turquie peut annoncer qu’elle est prête à ouvrir
la frontière avec l’Arménie, elle a pris les mesures nécessaires à cet
égard, mais elles ont échoué et l’allusion à des activités possibles à
appliquer pour la normalisation des relations avec l’Arménie.

c) position indirecte – Ankara ne réagit pas à la déclaration du Pape.
Au lieu de cela, elle peut se former l’opinion publique comme >, et en prenant avantage des
médias, elle peut tenter de justifier la nécessité de faciliter les
relations avec l’Arménie, à la veille de l’anniversaire des 100 ans du
soi-disant >.

La démonstration d’une position indirecte montrera qu’Ankara est prêt
à des changements majeurs dans la politique envers l’Arménie. De ce
point de vue, après la déclaration du pape, il est nécessaire de
suivre et surveiller la position des médias”.

dimanche 7 décembre 2014,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com