Author: Kanayan Tamar

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

The Council of Religion of the Catholicosate of Cilicia meets in Antelias to
set its agenda and is briefed on the forthcoming Armenian Bishops Conference
by His Holiness Aram I

Antelias – On 16 September 2013, the Council of Religion of the Executive
Committee of the Catholicosate met under the presidency of His Holiness Aram
I at the monastery in Bikfaya.

After studying the programme adopted by the recent National Assembly of the
Catholicosate, the members of the Council agreed on a plan of action. They
set the following priorities: reorganizing the activities of the departments
of religious education and youth, strengthening ecumenical and
interreligious work, and assessing the Seminary programmes.

His Holiness briefed the Council on the forthcoming Armenian Bishops
Conference, to be held 24-27 September 2013. The conference will receive a
report on the study, “Harmonization of the Order of Baptism” and
“Classification of Armenian Saints.”

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

September 20, 2013
____________________________________________________

CATHEDRAL 45TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED IN GRAND STYLE

By Florence Avakian

It was an inspiring day, historic as well as futuristic, as more than 200
parishioners and friends gathered in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium on
Sunday, September 15 to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the consecration
of St. Vartan Cathedral in New York.

The event took place following the celebration of the badarak by the Primate
of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), Archbishop
Kahajag Barsamian on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The
names of more than 150 departed St. Vartan godfathers and Cathedral Project
committee members were read in a special requiem service during the
services.

In his homily, the Primate recounted the spiritual importance and symbolism
of the cathedral-not only for the Armenian community, also for Americans who
have come to pray and light candles throughout countless occasions. He
especially singled out the tragic day of September 11, 2001, when hundreds
of people entered the sanctuary to find solace and comfort in the wake of
the terrorist attack on New York.

The Primate also expressed great appreciation to the Catholicos of All
Armenians Karekin II for his gift to the Eastern Diocese of the
1500-year-old relic of St. Vartan the Brave, in honor of this 45th
anniversary. The precious relic, a piece of stone encrusted with the blood
of St. Vartan, is encased in a hand-crafted silver cross, which was
sanctified in Etchmiadzin in a special ceremony in late August, and brought
to St. Vartan Cathedral. It was unveiled for the first time on Sunday in a
procession led by members of the Knights of Vartan.

Opening the luncheon and program in Kavookjian Hall, Archbishop Yeghishe
Gizirian gave the invocation after which Commemoration Committee co-chair
Paul Zakian offered a toast to “all who sacrificed for this sacred place.”

Mistress of Ceremonies Arpine Barseghian, a medical student, speaking in
English and Armenian, introduced the keynote speaker: Mark Movsesian,
Professor of Law at St. John’s University, and an authority on the nexus of
law and religion.

* Part of the City’s Fabric

In an inspiring address, Movsesian related that this
cathedral which was consecrated by the late Catholicos of All Armenians
Vasken I “required vision, skill and courage, and has been part of the
fabric of this city.” Modeled in part on the ancient St. Hripsime Church in
Armenia, it is not only a “monument to antiquity, but a living spiritual and
cultural center.”

He recounted many milestones that have taken place in the cathedral,
including the liturgical celebrations, events for young people, families,
and the elderly, musical performances, art exhibitions, spiritual and
educational workshops and ecumenical gatherings.

Dedicated to Vartan the Brave whom, in preserving Christianity for Armenia,
achieved a “moral victory,” the history of St. Vartan “resonates with the
concept of religious liberty that is so fundamental to American culture-the
arguments of waves of immigrants who came here,” he continued. “Many of
these immigrants came so that they could worship God free from state
compulsion.”

* Sacrifice, Martyrdom, Survival, Rebirth

The story of Avarayr is one of “blood and sacrifice, of martyrdom and
survival, emblematic of our history as a Christian people from the
beginning.” The Genocide survivors were the founders of this cathedral,
Prof. Movsesian noted, and “associated this new American cathedral with the
message of survival and rebirth.” Many have since come having survived
persecution in Azerbaijan in the 1980s; and even the Copts who also have
suffered persecution, conduct services here, he related.

The name of St. Vartan is a reminder that in other parts of the world,
especially in Syria today, Armenians “continue to pay a price for their
faith,” Movsesian declared. “We must do what we can to help our brothers and
sisters who are persecuted for their religion – our religion-and welcome
them as our ancestors did. May the cathedral be a symbol of hope for them.”

To the delight of the audience, St. Vartan Armenian School students Erik
Assatryan, Valentina Assatryan, Marar Makarian, Ariana Pamoukian and Jano
Tokatiyan recited several beloved Armenian poems in clear and proud voices.

Violinist Sami Mardinian and pianist Riko Higuma offered selections from
Komitas, Khachaturian and Edgar Baghdasarian.

A video presentation was shown outlining the cathedral building’s history
and consecration, produced by Artur Petrosyan and narrated by the Diocesan
Communications director Chris Zakian.

Armenia’s Ambassador to the United Nations Garen Nazarian stated that for
Armenians who live outside of Armenia, the cathedral is “a piece of the
homeland. It is not only a peaceful sanctuary, but also embodies the
strength of our faith, our spiritual and cultural heritage, and symbolizes
the memory of our history and our reconstructed identity.” He recalled how
during the late ’80s and early ’90s, with Armenia struggling after the
devastating earthquake, war, blockades, and a depressed economy, St. Vartan
Cathedral and the Diocese served as a launching point for many of the relief
efforts to support the “vital programs” in Armenia and Karabagh.

The mission of the church today, the ambassador continued, is “revival and
renewal of our religion and social lives. The Armenian Apostolic Church has
always been, is, and will be our solid pillar of faith and love towards each
other, and towards the homeland.”

* The Dream Became Reality

Closing the memorable evening, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian recalled the
powerful “I Have a Dream” speech of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. “This
dream became a reality for us in this country of equality and opportunity.
The dream of the Armenian immigrants-60, 70, 80 years ago-became a reality.
Here, we welcomed the first ambassador of a free Armenia, and here we now
see the young people reciting in Armenian.”

That was the dream of those who built this cathedral, and “we express our
deep appreciation to them. The dream now is to see that the younger
generation feels proud of their identity,” the Primate stated. “It’s our
mission to keep the dream alive now and in the future.” Expressing
appreciation to the members of the Commemoration Committee, and to
Ambassador Nazarian who “represents for us the strength of our country,” the
Primate declared, “May the ties between Armenia and the diaspora always and
forever grow stronger.”

The closing prayer by Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian, and the singing of the
Hayr Mer by all present closed a memorable day of reflection and gratitude.

The Commemoration Committee was under the auspices of the Primate, and under
the direction of the Cathedral Dean, Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian.
Committee members included Paul and Berta Zakian, co-chairs; Araks Yeramyan
Andrews, Talene Baroyan, Sona Haratunian, Dr. Kevork Niksarli, Shoghik
Oganesyan, Avedis Ohannessian and Vartges Saroyan.

* * *

PHOTO CAPTION (SVC45thAnv1):

Diocesan Primate Abp. Khajag Barsamian presents the Relic of St. Vartan to
the congregation, during the Divine Liturgy honoring the 45th anniversary of
New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, on September 15, 2013.

PHOTO CAPTION (SVC45thAnv2):

Members of the Mid-Atlantic Knights of Vartan escort the Relic of St. Vartan
into St. Vartan Cathedral, on September 15, 2013.

PHOTO CAPTION (SVC45thAnv3):

The faithful express their devotion to the Relic of St. Vartan, during the
45th anniversary Divine Liturgy at New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral.

PHOTO CAPTION (SVC45thAnv4):

Prof. Mark Movsesian of St. John’s School of Law, keynote speaker at the St.
Vartan Cathedral 45th anniversary luncheon, on September 15, 2013.

PHOTO CAPTION (SVC45thAnv5):

Mistress of Ceremonies Arpine Barseghian, a medical student, at the
cathedral 45th anniversary luncheon.

PHOTO CAPTION (SVC45thAnv6):

Abp. Yeghishe Gizirian speaks with Cathedral 45th anniversary committee
co-chair Paul Zakian (left) and keynote speaker Mark Movsesian (right).

# # #

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

SEPTEMBER 13-19, 2013

HIGHLIGHTS:

CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS INSTITUTED UPON CASE OF CIVIC ACTIVISTS

LITIGATION BETWEEN FOUNDERS OF “ES? YES!” AND “ES EM.” MAGAZINE OVER
TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT

CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS INSTITUTED UPON CASE OF CIVIC ACTIVISTS

On September 14, Kentron Police Department of Yerevan instituted criminal
proceedings over the attack against Haykak Arshamian, Project Coordinator of
Yerevan Press Club, and Suren Saghatelian, Board member of Transparency
International Anti-Corruption Center, on charges of Articles 113
(“Infliction of willful medium-gravity damage to health”) and 118
(“Battery”) of the RA Criminal Code. As we have reported, in the evening of
September 5, Haykak Arshamian and Suren Saghatelian were brutally beaten up.
The two activists were hospitalized with bruises and fractures. On September
10 – only on the fifth day following the assault – Haykak Arshamian and
Suren Saghatelian underwent forensic examination. The statement
disseminated on September 6 in connection
with the acts of violence against the Armenian civic activists and signed by
more than 4 dozens of civil society organizations, particularly noted that
Yerevan Press Club and Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center,
the representatives of which were brutally attacked, are largely involved in
the activities of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, meanwhile,
civic activists Haykak Arshamian and Suren Saghatelian are public figures
and carry out their social activities within a legal framework. The authors
of the statement assessed the incident as intimidation against NGOs,
independent media, public figures and active citizens, who raise voice of
protest against the Armenian authorities and urged “the civil society and
all the free citizens to remain strong, not to retreat before the hired
thugs and their patrons, to continue the struggle for their personal rights
and freedoms”. Statements, condemning the incident, were also made by the
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks, the Steering
Committee of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum and the Amnesty
International (see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, September 6-12, 2013
).

On September 13, the EU Delegation to Armenia urged the Armenian authorities
to “take up immediate and firm steps to make the perpetrators accountable
without delay”, and recalled that “respecting democratic principles and
fundamental human rights and freedoms are still major elements of EU-Armenia
bilateral agenda”.

LITIGATION BETWEEN FOUNDERS OF “ES? YES!” AND “ES EM.” MAGAZINE OVER
TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT

On September 12, “PanArm Publishing House” CJSC, founder of “Es? Yes!”
magazine, disseminated a press release regarding the lawsuit, filed against
“Ani Kochar Production” LLC, founder of “Es Em.” (“It’s Me.”) magazine. As
stated in the press release, “PanArm Publishing House” is the owner of the
trademark, copyright and related property rights to “Es? Yes!” magazine (as
approved in the certificate of August 30, 2011). After learning that the
magazine “Es Em.” (Ani Kochar is the Chief Editor) was issued under a name
that, according to “PanArm Publishing House”, is confusingly similar to “Es?
Yes!” the publishing house decided to appeal the court. On September 10, the
Court of General Jurisdiction of Ajapnyak and Davitashen Administrative
Districts of Yerevan submitted into consideration the lawsuit claiming to
bind “Ani Kochar Production” not to infringe the trademark and the rights of
“PanArm Publishing House” related to it. At the same time, the plaintiff
petitioned the Court to prohibit further publication and distribution of the
magazine “Es Em.” – as a measure to secure the claim. The petition was
granted.

According to the press release, “Es? Yes!” magazine was founded by the “CS
Publishing House” CJSC in 2006 (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, May 12-18, 2006
). In July 2012, “CS Publishing
House” changed its name to “PanArm Publishing House” and joined the
“PanArmenian Media Group” holding. Since the day of the foundation of “Es?
Yes!” Ani Kochar was appointed as acting editor-in-chief of the magazine.
Later on, she assumed the post of Chief Editor and worked there until March
1, 2011. In September 2011, “PanArm Publishing House” signed a license
agreement with “Ani Kochar Production” LLC authorizing the use of the “Es?
Yes!” trademark. In August 2013, the contract was terminated, about which
“Ani Kochar Production” received a prior written notice.

In her turn, Ani Kochar presented her position in an interview published in
“Chorrord Inknishkhanutiun” on September 13, 2013,

“I Am Not the One Who Gives up Easily”. She particularly stated that the
dispute with “PanArm Publishing House”, which consequently brought to her
dismissal, arose because of her active civic engagement and independent
stance (Ani Kochar was in the electoral list of “Barev, Yerevan” bloc at the
May 6, 2013 elections to Yerevan Council of Elders). According to her, the
editorial office of “Es Em.” learned about the lawsuit only on September 12,
when the booth keepers informed that they had been presented with a document
prohibiting the sale of the magazine.

When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.
You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]

Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]

Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
____________________________________________
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
0002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

The Ambassador of Syria to Lebanon visited His Holiness Aram I

Antelias – On Wednesday 11 September 2013, Ambassador Ali Abdul Karim Ali
met with Catholicos Aram I in the presence of Member of Parliament Hagop
Pakradouni. The ambassador assured His Holiness Aram I that the government
had not used chemical weapons against its own people. In response, the
Catholicos told Ambassador Ali that the Syrian conflict had to be resolved
with dialogue with the participation of all parties including minorities.
##
Photo:

GOVERNMENT ISSUED SECOND LICENSE TO NPP

Country – Thursday, 19 September 2013, 14:05

During today’s meeting the government issued a license to the Nuclear
Power Plant for export of radioactive substances for a period of
one year. According to the justification of the government, metal
samples were placed inside the reactor to study changes caused by
neutron flow the metal of the reactor body which need to be sent to
Holland for a study. In the previous meeting the government issued
a license for export of nuclear substances for transporting the fuel
kept in the NPP for 20 years to Russia.

ARMENIAN-AMERICAN RELATIONS AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL, ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SAYS

12:30 20/09/2013 ” ANALYSIS

President Serzh Sargsyan received a delegation headed by California
State Assembly Speaker John A. Perez on Thursday, the presidential
press service reported.

Welcoming the guests, the President attached the utmost importance to
the contacts with Armenia’s friends, open and frank dialogue. Serzh
Sargsyan underscored that our country aspires to deepen traditionally
warm and friendly relations with California. According to the
President, our relations are based on the close historical ties of
the two nations and presence of a large Armenian community in the US
as well as common understanding of the ideas of democracy and freedom.

The President of Armenia noted with satisfaction that the
Armenian-American relations are currently at the highest level.

Stressing that the United States plays an important role in preserving
security and stability in our region and provides great assistance to
Armenia in the process of reformation, President Sargsyan expressed
gratitude to the Government and people of the United States.

Serzh Sargsyan expressed hope that the visit of the delegation headed
by John Perez will become an additional impetus and will open new
prospects for the development of cooperation between Armenia and
California which will undoubtedly create favorable prerequisites for
the deepening of the Armenian-US relations.

The parties highly praised the role of the large and influential
Armenian community of California in the state’s social, political,
economic and cultural life as well as in enhancing the bilateral
relations.

Serzh Sargsyan expressed gratitude to the authorities of California
which have adopted resolutions on the state and local levels, paying
tribute to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide and
strongly condemning that crime. According to the President, such
position testifies to their adherence to all human values.

The President of Armenia stressed the importance of the visit of the
members of the delegation to Nagorno-Karabakh which will allow to see
first hand and later familiarize the others with that ancient Armenian
land, its rich heritage and today’s achievements. Nagorno-Karabakh’s
openness, accessibility and hospitality, according to the President,
will only promote the peaceful resolution of the conflict.

At the guests’ request, the President spoke about the forthcoming
economic programs, reflecting also on the prospects of development
of the Armenian-American economic cooperation.

John Perez expressed thanks to the President of Armenia for warm
reception, open and frank discussions and a detailed presentation of
Armenia’s position on a number of issues. He presented his impressions
of the meetings and visits conducted in the framework of his pretty
heavy agenda and underscored that the California State Assembly
is faithful to its values and pledges to continue its efforts in
fighting for historic justice and truth, revealing them to the world
and promoting peace and stability, strengthening and developing also
our bilateral relations.

Source: Panorama.am

ARMENIA’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPENDS ON REGIONAL STABILITY, SAYS EXPERT

13:33 20.09.2013

Armenia’s economic development will remain under question without a
peaceful settlement of the military conflicts in the region, said an
Armenian expert in am interview with Xinhua.

For the last couple of years, Armenia has had the vision of
transforming the resort town of Dilijan into a financial center of
the South Caucasus region, but lacks necessary conditions such as
stability in the region and good-neighborly relations, said Vahagn
Khachaturyan, vice president of Political Legal Economic Research
and Forecast Center (PLERF).

A peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the
situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia are crucial to the economic
development of the region, otherwise communications will not be
exploited to their full strength, said Khachaturyan.

The expert also stressed the importance of the railroad connecting
landlocked Armenia with Iran, saying that “without an exit to the east,
it will be quite difficult for Armenia to be involved in large-scale
economic projects.”

Currently, Armenia is in isolation because of the Karabakh conflict.

The pipeline Baku-Jeyhan and the railroad Baku-Tbilisi-Kars went past
Armenia even though it would be much cheaper to go through the country,
Khachaturyan said regretfully.

To expand its transaction space, Armenia has concluded negotiations
on a free trade deal with the European Union (EU), bringing it within
reach of formalizing closer ties with the bloc at a summit in November.

In addition, Armenia is getting ready to join a customs union grouping
Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus.

Regarding these two deals, Khachaturyan has his own opinions.

He believes that the best option for Armenia would be the
possibility of benefiting both from the Customs Union and the Deep and
Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), an economic and trade document
with the EU, without necessarily joining one or the other structure.

But for such a possibility, Armenia had to express its will in that
regard openly, he added.

VAHAN HOVHANNISYAN’S “BETRAYAL”

Since September 3 the Armenian political opposition has been
demotivated and appears embarrassed. Some politicians occasionally
criticize Serzh Sargsyan for joining the Customs Union but their
parties approve his step.

Levon Ter-Petrosyan and his Armenian National Congress have not
condemned Serzh Sargsyan’s decision, considering it to be the only
way out of the situation. Ter-Petrosyan only said that this decision
could be presented in a more favorable light and boost one’s image
rather than ruin it altogether.

Does this mean that the ANC altogether supports Sargsyan’s policy?

As always, the PAP’s stance is uncertain. Naira Zohrabyan alleged
Serzh Sargsyan on TV for abusing the confidence of the EU.

Nevertheless, Gagik Tsarukyan and his PAP did not express their
official stance. Tsarukyan personally cannot criticize the decision
while supporting it means supporting Serzh Sargsyan. However, he
cannot demand Serzh Sargsyan’s resignation.

The ARF has put up with the decision to join the Customs Union and has
set to resolve the issue which it defines as more urgent – emigration.

The ARF thinks that this issue can unite the political forces.

Despite such state of things, Heritage leader Raffi Hovanissian thinks
that all the parties could come together against the decision to join
the Customs Union.

The political forces of Armenia will hardly come together, emergence
of blocs is more likely. The most topical motive could be Serzh
Sargsyan’s resignation. However, in order to put forth such a
demand the political forces must state that Serzh Sargsyan’s policy,
including his decision to join the Customs Union, contradicts the
national interest. Otherwise, the key political forces support Serzh
Sargsyan by default.

Although, in fact, the opinion and actions of the Armenian political
parties, including the RPA, hardly interest anyone, especially given
their miserable state. These parties could play a role before September
3, expressing their support for either the EU integration or membership
to the Customs Union, or after September 3, expressing vote of no
confidence to Serzh Sargsyan or approving his decision. However,
they did not do any of these, allowing Serzh Sargsyan to make a
single-handed decision and thereby becoming his accomplice.

Inability to take political steps has directed the entire “political”
energy against Vahan Hovhannisyan of ARF who has been nominated
ambassador. Now all the political forces are practicing allegations of
betrayal against Vahan Hovhannisyan and his ARF. What has he betrayed?

Serzh Sargsyan’s policy of failure? And are those allegers following
his policy?

Naira Hayrumyan 12:02 20/09/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

REVUE DE PRESSE N2 – 19/09/13 – COLLECTIF VAN

Publie le : 19-09-2013

Info Collectif VAN – – Le Collectif VAN [Vigilance
Armenienne contre le Negationnisme] vous propose une revue de presse
des informations parues dans la presse francophone, sur les thèmes
concernant la Turquie, le genocide armenien, la Shoah, le genocide
des Tutsi, le Darfour, le negationnisme, l’Union europeenne, Chypre,
etc… Nous vous suggerons egalement de prendre le temps de lire ou
de relire les informations et traductions mises en ligne dans notre
rubrique Par
ailleurs, certains articles en anglais, allemand, turc, etc, ne sont
disponibles que dans la newsletter Word que nous generons chaque jour.

Pour la recevoir, abonnez-vous a la Veille-Media : c’est gratuit !

Vous recevrez le document du lundi au vendredi dans votre boîte email.

Bonne lecture.

Collectif VAN : l’ephemeride du 19 septembre Info Collectif VAN –
– La rubrique Ephemeride est a retrouver
quotidiennement sur le site du Collectif VAN. Elle recense la
liste d’evenements survenus a une date donnee, a differentes
epoques de l’Histoire, sur les thematiques que l’association suit au
quotidien. L’ephemeride du Collectif VAN repose sur des informations
en ligne sur de nombreux sites (les sources sont specifiees sous
chaque entree). “19 septembre 2010 — Turquie : Une messe armenienne
a eu lieu dans l’eglise armenienne Sainte Croix sur l’île d’Aghtamar
situee dans l’est de la Turquie pour la première fois depuis le
genocide des Armeniens d’Anatolie, en 1915, celebree par l’archeveque
Aram Atechian. Plusieurs milliers de touristes venus d’Armenie et
de toute la diaspora ont fait revivre, dimanche 19 septembre, la
petite eglise de l’île d’Akhtamar. L’Etat turc a autorise la tenue
d’une ceremonie religieuse dans cette eglise du Xe siècle, l’une des
plus sacrees pour tous les Armeniens, dont la renovation avait ete
achevee en 2007. Malgre leurs promesses, les autorites turques ont
echoue a placer une croix sur le dôme de l’eglise. L’evenement du 19
septembre avait ete presente par le gouvernement turc comme le signe
incontestable de ‘sa grande tolerance’. Mais en signe de protestation
contre la liturgie qui s’est tenue le 19 septembre en l’eglise
armenienne Sourp Khatch d’Aghtamar, des centaines de nationalistes
(MHP) ont ete autorises par le gouvernement AKP de Recep Erdogan a
faire leurs prières islamiques du vendredi 1er octobre 2010 en la
Cathedrale armenienne de la Sainte Vierge a Ani.”

L’UE n’abandonnera pas l’Armenie ” Nous n’avons certainement pas
renonce a l’Armenie et au peuple armenien. Cela n’arrivera pas ” , a
declare Fule vendredi soir, après avoir parle avec le President Serge
Sarkissian et le ministre des Affaires Etrangères Edouard Nalbandian.

Erdogan promet des reformes reclamees par les Kurdes Le Premier
ministre turc, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, compte presenter la semaine
prochaine un ensemble de “reformes de democratisation” reclamees par
les militants kurdes.

Le Depute Jean-Francois Mancel invite par Aliev !

Monsieur le depute, vous n’etes pas a priori homme a nier le genocide
des Armeniens, reconnu par la France en 2001. Mais alors, de quelle
facon pouvez-vous justifier votre opposition a une loi condamnant cet
etat de fait, alors qu’il y a seulement quelques jours, s’ajoutant
a d’autres incidents, des lyceens d’origine turque, s’en prennent a
leur professeur d’Histoire-geographie, allant jusqu’aux insultes sur
les reseaux sociaux, niant en bloc l’extermination programmee de la
population armenienne dans l’Empire ottoman de 1915 ?

Article du journal franco-turc Zaman – 19/07/2013 – 1 La Turquie
poursuit la dynamique des reformes. Le traitement des minorites
culturelles et religieuses y figure en bonne place, a travers la
reouverture d’un seminaire destine a la formatin du clerge grec
orthodoxe et le retour a l’appellation kurde pour la province de
Tunceli.

L’Azerbaïdjan pourrait revoir certains noms sur sa “liste noire” si les
interesses en font la demande Les autorites de Bakou savent se montrer
magnanimes… Le ministère des affaires etrangères de l’Azerbaïdjan
a ainsi annonce qu’il pourrait reconsiderer l’interdiction de sejour
dont il a frappe certaines des personnes inscrites sur sa liste noire,
si toutefois elles en formulent la demande… ou s’il estime que le
pays a plus a perdre qu’a gagner de cette mesure !

Depeche de l’APA [ 18 Septembre 2013 19:57 ] – Agence de Presse
d’Azerbaïdjan Le Collectif VAN relaye ici les articles du journal
franco-turc Zaman (equivalent du Today’s Zaman en langue anglaise,
diffuse en Turquie).

Attention : ces articles ne sont pas commentes de notre part. Il
s’agit pour l’essentiel de traductions des versions turque et
anglaise du Zaman, journal proche du parti au pouvoir (AKP). “” Le
captif armenien detenu en Azerbaïdjan, Akop Injigulyan a fait appel
au gouvernement azerbaïdjanais pour son transfert au pays tiers ”
a declare le porte-parole de la Commission chargee des prisonniers
de guerre, des otages et des personnes disparues de l’Azerbaïdjan,
Chahin Sayilov.”

Il faut sauver les chretiens de Syrie, mais de quoi ?

Dès le debut de la revolution syrienne en mars 2011, en Orient comme en
Occident, des voix se sont elevees appelant a sauver les chretiens de
l’enfer de la guerre et a les proteger contre le nettoyage ethnique et
religieux, qui adviendrait ineluctablement en cas de chute du regime,
et donc d’arrivee au pouvoir – evidente – des islamistes. Dans les
faits, les chretiens se sont retrouves dans une revolte populaire
que le regime et les rebelles extremistes ont transformee en guerre
ouverte d’une violence inouïe.

L’Armenie et la Russie vont approfondir la cooperation dans la
sphère de la protection sociale ” Nos relations ont une histoire de
plusieurs siècles, nous avons fait un long chemin dans le domaine de
la protection sociale, nous avons signe des documents strategiques
qui sont très favorables pour le developpement conjoint ” a souligne
le ministre.

Election presidentielle en Azerbaïdjan: Ilham Aliev devrait etre reelu
Les Etats-Unis ont exprime leurs doutes sur le caractère democratique
de l’election presidentielle a venir. “Une election libre et juste ne
se limite pas a ce qui se passe le jour du scrutin. Pour assurer une
atmosphère electorale impartiale, il faut garantir l’accès de tous les
partis aux medias, creer des opportunites pour une campagne libre et
la tenue de meetings reguliers hors de toute interference du pouvoir.

Cela inclut la possibilite de mener d’un dialogue civil sain” a
declare l’ambassadeur americain a Bakou, Richard Morningstar.

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Turquie : Article 301 en route de restriction

Publie le : 20-09-2013

Info Collectif VAN – – L’article 301 du code
penal turc qui avait condamne le journaliste armenien de Turquie,
Hrant Dink, est mis en question. Apres de nombreux mois mouvementes
en Turquie pour la democratisation, le gouvernement a enfin decide de
reflechir sur cet article a cause duquel Hrant Dink a paye sa vie. La
restriction de l’article est prevue : > ne va plus etre un crime comme aujourd’hui. >>
Mais n’est-il justement pas ce mot > qui pose
problème ? Ne serait-il donc pas de nouveau un simulacre dans la
demarche de democratisation ? Le Collectif Van vous propose la
traduction d’un article paru dans le journal armenien de Turquie,
AGOS, le 26 Août 2013.

AGOS

26 Août 2013

La portee de l’article 301 (Nota CVan: le code penal turc) a ete
reduite

Dans le , l’article 301 concernant .

Dans le cadre des etudes du >
menees par le gouvernement depuis un certain temps, l’ebauche du
texte concernant les articles pouvant etre inclus est paru. D’après
l’article de Zubeyde Yalcýn du journal Sabah, le paquet prevoyant
de nombreux modifications sur les Alevis, les minorites, les Kurdes
et ceux qui affirment qu’ils sont discrimines, va etre enfin analyse
par les fonctionnaires du premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdoðan.

Les impacts des reglementations sur l’opinion publique, les
insuffisances ou bien les provisions a enlever plus tard vont etre
determines. Le paquet prendra sa dernière forme après les reunions
sous la presidence de M.Erdoðan. Le paquet contient l’article 301 du
code penal turc.

L’article prevoit la peine de prison jusqu’a deux ans pour ceux
qui humilient grâce a la reglementation
du paquet. Alors que humilier ouvertement