Author: Kanayan Tamar

WORLD POWERS UNLEASH WAR IN ARMENIA – ASHOT MANUCHARYAN

14:29 09.10.13

The world powers have unleashed a war in Armenia, provoking a
“conditional conflict” between the pro-Russian and pro-European forces.

Three processes are going on, with all the three launched by the world
powers and producing negative impacts on Armenia’s domestic politics.

One of the processes is creating a “universal human being” – one
nation dictates its cultural values to another, which destroys the
previous values. According to Manucharyan, this is nothing but a
global genocide.

“The world powers are seeking to create such human beings in Armenia
as well,” Manucharyan said.

“In this global struggle, a pro-Russian or pro-European alliance
will be able to find the way out of the situation. But they do not
need such an alliance. They need a conflict, and Armenia is one of
the territories where such a conflict may break out. We are half
pro-Russian half pro-European, and they need it,” Manucharyan said.

With respect to the ongoing domestic political process proper,
Manucharyan noted that all the political forces are involved in the
process following the same geopolitical logic.

HRAPARAK: PASSIONS RUN HIGH IN ARFD

Wednesday,
October
09

‘Hraparak’ says that passions are running high in the Yerevan committee
of the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun Party. The ARFD plans to hold a meeting
until late October to discuss changes of the party executives.

The fact is that the Yerevan committee of ARFD is considered the most
opposition one and, as one of the party members put it, ‘the worst
affected by the policy implemented by Hrant Margarian’. According to
the paper, discontent was caused by the elections of the committee,
to which people close to Hrant, mainly Iranian-born Armenians, are
usually elected.

TODAY, 12:48

Aysor.am

L’ARMENIE ETABLIT DES RELATIONS DIPLOMATIQUES AVEC LE VANUATU

ARMENIE

Le Ministre armenien des Affaires etrangères Edward Nalbandian et
le vice-premier ministre et ministre des affaires etrangères de
Vanuatu Edward Nipake Natape ont signe une declaration conjointe sur
l’etablissement de relations diplomatiques.

Après la ceremonie de signature dans le bureau du representant
resident de l’Armenie a l’ONU, les deux parties ont discute de
nouvelles mesures pour developper les relations bilaterales.

Dans le cadre de sa visite aux USA, le ministre des Affaires etrangères
d’Armenie s’est egalement entretenu avec son homologue chilien Alfredo
Morena et a discute des relations entre l’Armenie et le Chili.

mercredi 9 octobre 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

L’INSTITUT-MUSEE DU GENOCIDE ARMENIEN ET LE CENTRE DE L’HOLOCAUSTE DE RUSSIE ONT SIGNE UN MEMORANDUM DE COOPERATION

ARMENIE

L’Institut-Musee du Genocide armenien et le Centre de l’Holocauste
de Russie ont signe un accord de cooperation le 19 septembre. Le
document a ete signe par le co-president du Centre ” Holocauste ”
Ilya Altman et le directeur du musee du genocide armenien Hayk Demoyan.

La ceremonie de signature a eu lieu au musee de l’Holocauste de ”
Poklonnaya Gora ” a Moscou.

L’accord prevoit de planifier une organisation conjointe d’expositions
temporaires et le developpement d’echanges culturels, le partage de
connaissances et d’experience dans l’etude du genocide armenien et de
l’Holocauste, y compris l’echange de chercheurs entre les organisations
participantes, l’interaction dans l’organisation de l’education pour
la prevention de la xenophobie, du racisme et d’autres violations
des droits de l’homme dans les contextes national et mondial.

Au cours de la visite, la delegation du Musee-Institut du genocide
armenien a Moscou a egalement tenu des reunions et des entretiens avec
le president du Congrès juif de Russie Yuri Kanner et le president
de la Fondation Holocauste Alla Gerber.

Le Centre de l’Holocauste a ete enregistre en Juin 1992. Ce sont les
premières organisations de l’ère post-sovietique visant a preserver
la memoire des victimes de l’Holocauste. Le Centre de l’Holocauste
a des bureaux dans 40 regions de la Federation de Russie.

mercredi 9 octobre 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

L’AZERBAIDJAN COMMENCE A VOTER POUR ELIRE SON PRESIDENT

CAUCASE

BAKOU, 09 oct 2013 (AFP) – L’Azerbaïdjan a commence a voter mercredi
pour elire son president, dans un scrutin où le chef de l’Etat sortant
Ilham Aliev, qui a deja effectue deux mandats après avoir succede a
son père en 2003, est donne grand favori.

Les bureaux de vote ont ouvert a 03H00 GMT et fermeront a 14H00 GMT.

Les premiers resultats partiels devraient etre connus peu après la
fermeture des bureaux de vote, selon la Commission electorale centrale.

Dix candidats sont en lice pour la presidence de cette ex-republique
sovietique du Caucase du Sud.

Le president sortant Ilham Aliev, 51 ans, est quasi assure de
remporter le scrutin, les derniers sondages lui accordant plus de 80%
d’intentions de vote, loin devant les neuf autres candidats.

Plus de 58.980 observateurs d’une centaine de pays du monde vont
surveiller le deroulement de l’election presidentielle en Azerbaïdjan
où quelques 5 millions d’electeurs sont convoques aux urnes.

Ilham Aliev a succede a son père en 2003 et a ete reelu en 2008 pour
un deuxième quinquennat. Il avait obtenu par referendum en 2009 la
levee de la limitation a deux du nombre des mandats presidentiels
consecutifs.

Avant lui, son père Heydar Aliev, ancien du KGB (Securite d’Etat du
temps de l’URSS) et membre du Politburo du Parti communiste de l’Union
sovietique, avait dirige l’Azerbaïdjan presque sans interruption de
1969 a 2003.

L’opposition azerbaïdjanaise a denonce une campagne de repression a
l’approche du scrutin, avec nombre d’arrestations et des lois adoptees
pour bâillonner toute critique des autorites jusque sur l’internet.

Les organisations de defense des droits de l’homme accusent
regulièrement le regime du president Aliev de persecuter des
journalistes et d’emprisonner des opposants dans ce pays riche en
hydrocarbures situe sur les bords de la mer Caspienne.

mercredi 9 octobre 2013, Ara ©armenews.com

ZARUHI POSTANJYAN: ARMENIA IS DISGRACED BY SERZH SARGSYAN RATHER THAN THE QUESTIONS THE OPPOSITION ASKS AT INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

by Tatevik Shahunyan

Monday, October 7, 16:42

What dishonors Armenia is its President Serzh Sargsyan and his policy
rather than the questions the opposition asks at international
organizations, MP from Heritage Party Zaruhi Postanjyan told
journalists on Monday.

When asked if she has proofs that Sargsyan has actually lost 70mln
EUR in a casino, she said that facts do not need proofs.

“I asked this question because most of our people wanted to know. It
doesn’t matter where the question was asked. What matters is that it
was asked and answered,” Postanjyan said, noting that the leader of
her party Raffi Hovannisian supports her.

She also said that some European MPs welcomed her step. “They urged
me not to give in. I am receiving lots of threats in social networks
but I am not afraid of them,” Postanjyan said, still urging the police
to be on alert so as to prevent any violence against her.

‘TOASTMASTER’ BRINGS TRADITION TO LIFE

ARTS | OCTOBER 8, 2013 5:20 PM

By Gabriella Gage

Mirror-Spectator Staff

LOS ANGELES – When Spanish filmmaker, Eric Boadella, experienced the
ancient Armenian tradition of the tamada or toastmaster, “It was love
at first sight,” he said.

>From this initial reaction, Boadella found the inspiration to create
the family-centered comedy-drama, “Toastmaster,” which recently
premiered during the 27th Wine Country Film Festival, in Sonoma,
Calif. The film tells the story of Uncle Kapriel who decides to
teach his adult nephew, Alek, the family tradition of toastmaster,
just in time for his mother’s wedding. But Kapriel does not expect
Alek to uncover his uncle’s secret past.

Boadella was attending a social gathering when he encountered his first
Armenian toastmaster. The tamada not only offers the traditional toast
at a wedding or celebration, but serves as the master of ceremonies,
directing other speakers and adding his (or her) personal flavor along
the way. It could be the respected family elder, or the uncle who has
a knack for storytelling, along with a sense of humor to entertain
an entire family, or anyone up to the challenge.

Boadella explained, “I immediately admired this poet and master of
improvisation. Almost magically, with each lyrical and clever toast,
he eternalized the moment and shared the joy with his loved ones.”

Inspired by the art form, Boadella said, “That night I realized the
toastmaster and I shared the same vision. Although I use different
tools than he does, cinematography and actors instead of poetry and
vodka, the ultimate goal is the same: to immortalize a story. My
admiration for the toastmaster was my catalyst for writing this
humanistic story between two characters from two very different
generations: Uncle Kapriel, the toastmaster and his nephew, the
collector of stories.”

Boadella, a native of Barcelona, had no previous involvement with the
Armenian community, but discovered a new-found respect for the rich
Armenian cultural history and made friends in the community along
the way.

His own relationship with film began at a young age. He noted, “I was
amazed and intrigued by film since the first time I saw a movie in
a theater: ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.’ I’ll never forget
the evil man removing hearts using his hands… I was just a kid!”

>From a childhood appreciation for “Dr. Jones,” to a discovery of a
passion for producing art, Boadella began creating music videos for
songs The Bags, Serge Le Bonobo and Dancin’ like Robots and received
awards at several festivals. He also experimented with narrative
and cinematography, creating a number of short films. “‘Toastmaster’
was my first attempt to tell a story as best as I can in a classic
narrative form,” he said.

“Toastmaster” was shot entirely in the Los Angeles area. While
Boadella was new to the Armenian community, he made sure to include
actors who truly understood and embraced the tradition and culture.

The protagonists, David Hovan and Sevag Mahserejian are Armenian,
as well as, producer Martin Yernazian, producer manager Nanor
Abkarian, production designer Houri Mahserejian, musical composer
Ara Dabandjian and several other members of the cast and crew. “I was
looking for three talented actors that didn’t need a transformation
or a big effort to become the characters. In other words: that they
had a lot in common with the characters. So I could get a natural
and spontaneous chemistry between the characters and a great sense
of realism in the performances,” he explained. “I think this was one
of the keys of making ‘Toastmaster’ something special.”

Crowd-sourcing, via Indiegogo, supplied the funding for “Toastmaster.”

“We had more than 200 contributors that made this film possible,”
noted Boadella. “Toastmaster” is in English and Armenian with English
subtitles, but with Armenian subtitles forthcoming.

The film will be making the rounds of the international film festival
circuit through next spring. Boadella and producers are currently
planning a film premiere in Los Angeles and looking for a sponsor
to aid in organizing the event. “It will be a great event, with the
cast and crew and the Los Angeles Armenian community is expecting to
see the film,” said Boadella.

As for Boadella, he is waiting for that next inspirational moment
and has several possible upcoming projects to choose from, with
another independent film likely on the horizon. “The experience with
‘Toastmaster; was very positive, and I can’t wait to repeat the
experience with another feature-length film.”

For more information on “Toastmaster,” screening announcements or to
donate to the film, visit the film’s website,
or Facebook page,

– See more at:

NORAYR HAYRAPETYAN CONFESSES TO BEATING VAHE AVETYAN TO DEATH

10.08.2013 22:44 epress.am

One of the defendants in a high-profile case involvingthe death
of a military doctor at the start of the hearing today asked to be
interrogated again. The defendant, Norayr Hayrapetyan, said that he
would like to confess that he (and not the others on trial) personally
attacked Vahe Avetyan on Jun. 17, 2012, at the Harsnaqar restaurant
complex. Recall, the military doctor died in hospital from brain
injury 12 days after the beating.

Hayrapetyan insists that Avetyan died from his blows. After this
statement, Hayrapetyan’s attorney Yerem Sargsyan asked for a short
recess, announcing that he didn’t know his client would make such a
statement and that he’d like to speak with him. Judge David Harutyunyan
sustained the motion.

After recess, the judge said the court hearing will recommence,
beginning with placing Hayrapetyan on the stand. Hayrapetyan said the
actual incident lasted about 35 seconds, “not a massacre lasting hours,
as they have been saying.”

According to Hayrapetyan, at first he slapped one of the young men who
accompanied Vahe Avetyan to the restaurant. Then Vahe approached them
and attempted to intervene, asking “What’s going on here?” Hayrapetyan
cursed at Avetyan, and the latter responded by cursing back.

Then, Hayrapetyan hit Avetyan, who fell to the ground, got up
and gave a counter blow, after which Hayrapetyan began to strike
Avetyan repeatedly. The latter fell and didn’t get up. According
to Hayrapetyan, he only used his hand to strike, and he didn’t know
that he had caused serious injury; otherwise, “I wouldn’t wait for his
friends to come; I would take him to the hospital myself.” Hayrapetyan
mentioned that he was honest in his pre-trial testimony – he just
didn’t mention that he was the only attacker.

The accused also said that while he was hitting him Vahe was crying
out in pain. Asked by the prosecuting attorney how many times he hit
the victim, Hayrapetyan said, “I didn’t count.”

During his testimony in court, Hayrapetyan constantly insisted that he
was the only person who hit Avetyan. When asked why he was confessing
to the act one year later, he said that his conscience is tormenting
him and “I don’t want innocent people to sit [in jail].” He refused
to answer the questions of Tigran Yegoryan, who is defending the
interests of Avetyan’s legal successor.

Recall, Avetyan’s friend Artak Baladyan, who is named as a victim in
the case, previously had said that 15 people beat them in Harsnaqar.

Prosecuting attorney Armen Davtyan is asking for 13 years’
imprisonment for the accused: Garik Margaryan, Arman Khachatryan,
Armen Baghdasaryan, Artur Babloyan, David Adamyan, and Norayr
Hayrapetyan. According to documents presented to the court, the
accused were working in the restaurant complex, which belongs to
former Republican Party of Armenia MP, Football Federation of Armenia
President Ruben Hayrapetyan, who testified in court that he didn’t
know about the incident, expressing discontent that he was accused
of the crime, though, according to him, he didn’t do anything and
didn’t know anything.

WHY ARMENIANS EMIGRATE AND DON’T WANT A SECOND CHILD: UNFPA SURVEY

10.08.2013 23:29 epress.am

A significant growth in emigration from Armenia, reaching the highest
figure in recent years, was recorded in 2013. According to the RA
State Migration Service, in January and February of this year, there
were 272,918 people leaving the country and only 250,079 arriving. In
other words, 22,839 left the country in just two months.

Official figures are cited in a United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA)
report on the demographic situation in Armenia, presented in Marriott
Hotel in central Yerevan today.

According to the survey findings, relatively young and educated
respondents said that, apart from economic reasons, their decision to
emigrate was due to a lack of opportunities for professional growth
and development in Armenia, as well as a desire to live in countries
that have a higher level of human rights protection, democracy,
and governance.

Around one-third of survey participants said they plan to leave the
country in the next two years.

Also cited as reasons to emigrate were concentration and monopolies
in the business sector, the level of independence of the courts is
questionable, and problems in the education system.

The authors of the study state that a significant portion of emigrants
went to Russia, mostly through the Russian government’s Compatriots
program, which encourages and facilitates immigration from former
Soviet countries.

“Over the last four years, 26,000 Armenians applied to that program,
1,500 of whom renounced their Armenian citizenship and left for
Russia,” reads the report.

Along with the trend of increasing emigration, the birth rate in
Armenia is declining. In 2010, this figure was 1.7 children per woman,
indicating a demographic decline. According to the results of UNFPA’s
2009 study, 68.3% of the 1,139 survey respondent families said they
are not planning on having a second child, while 16.4% are and 13.6%
could not answer the question. According to the survey, financial
issues and a feeling of uncertainty towards the future were the main
reasons respondents were reluctant to have children.

ERDOGAN INSISTS ON ‘RECIPROCITY PRINCIPLE’ FOR ORTHODOX RIGHTS

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Oct 8 2013

8 October 2013 / TODAYSZAMAN.COM, Ä°STANBUL

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has categorically rejected
accusations that the government is reluctant to reopen the Halki
Seminary, an issue long under the spotlight, and demanded reciprocal
steps from Greece regarding the rights of Muslims there.

“[Reopening] the Halki Seminary hangs on an instant,” Erdogan said
during his Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) parliamentary
group meeting speech on Tuesday, indicating that the decision could
be made quickly. “Whenever we decide to return something, we also
have a right to expect something,” Erdogan said.

His remarks came amid debates surrounding the rights of non-Muslim
minorities after Erdogan unveiled a package of reforms last week that
largely improved the rights of Kurds and fell short of expectations
with respect to the rights of non-Muslims. Reopening the Halki
Seminary was among the reforms hoped for in the package and the
non-Muslim community in Turkey has expressed “deep disappointment”
over the government decision for it to remain closed.

Erdogan demanded the opening of two mosques in Athens and the election
of muftis in Western Thrace, which he said would be enough for Turkey
to reopen the Halki Seminary. “Let Athens say ‘yes’ and we will take
reciprocal steps,” Erdogan said.

The principle of reciprocity in relation to the rights and privileges
of minorities in Turkey and Greece was introduced by the Treaty of
Lausanne, to which the two countries are among the signatories. The
treaty was signed in 1924 after Turkey was victorious in its War
of Independence following World War I, driving the Greek army from
Turkish soil in 1922.

Erdogan said he told Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I that
Ankara would issue Turkish citizenship to any cleric they wish to
bring to Turkey, in line with the Treaty of Lausanne. He added that
Turkey has issued citizenship to 18 clerics so far, but complained
that Greek authorities are appointing muftis for more than 150,000
Turkish Muslims in Western Thrace.

“As I don’t appoint the administration of the patriarchate, you can’t
appoint the muftis,” Erdogan said. “This has always been on our agenda
for the past 10 years. We have brought this up with every Greek prime
minister in our meetings,” he added.

Turkey has returned property worth $2.5 billion to Greeks, Armenians
and Jews living in Turkey in the past 11 years. On Monday, the
Directorate General for Foundations (VGM) returned land appropriated
from the Turkish Syriac population’s Mor Gabriel Monastery to the
monastery’s foundation.

State cannot dictate lifestyle, sect membership Erdogan also dismissed
criticisms directed at his government over its alleged interference
in people’s lifestyles, saying that a state cannot impose a certain
lifestyle, a religion or membership in any sect on the public.

“The state cannot dictate a certain lifestyle to its citizens. The
state cannot dictate a religion or a sect,” Erdogan said during
his speech.

“No one will interfere in others’ lifestyles. We will walk toward
the future respecting each other. We will compromise by talking to
each other, not by using guns or Molotov cocktails,” he said.

Erdogan said the reform package he announced last week is a sign of
Turkey’s unity as it lifts “bans and impositions” on some sections of
society. “The package we announced is neither the first nor the last,”
Erdogan added.

The package included reforms to lift the requirement of reciting the
Turkish pledge of allegiance in primary schools and a ban on wearing
headscarves at public institutions; provides for education in one’s
mother tongue at private schools; the restoration of the original
names of villages, districts and provinces; and makes changes to the
law on political parties, including the possibility of lowering the
10 percent electoral threshold to enter Parliament.