Author: Kanayan Tamar

Hovannisian urges Sargsyan to apologize to people

07:58 PM | TODAY | POLITICS

Presidential candidate Raffi Hovannisian has issued an address to
Serzh Sargsyan.

While the presidential hopeful expresses his respect for the incumbent
president in some issues, he warns that Sargsyan’s continuance in
office will lead the country downfall.

Also, Raffi Hovannisian calls on Serzh Sargsyan to apologize to the
Armenian people for the country’s current state.

Uznews.net
23.01.13 02:55

“Chronicler of Aral” Rafael Matevosyan dies in Tashkent

On 21 January, Karakalpakstan’s distinguished artist and WWII veteran Rafael
Matevosyan died aged 89 in Tashkent.

Matevosyan was well-known far beyond Uzbekistan’s borders – his works are
known in New York and Delhi, Berlin and London and many other places.

In Uzbekistan the artist, whose creations of the past 50 years were devoted
to the tragedy of the dead Aral Sea, was known as a “singer and chronicler
of the Aral Sea”. The artist also authored a book about the Aral Sea
tragedy.

The master created a unique series of paintings about the transformation of
the deep sea into a dead desert.

Muynak’s honorary citizen

Matevosyan was born in Samarkand on 31 January 1924 where his parents first
met by chance.

Six years later the family moved to Baku where the future artist graduated
from the Caspian Children’s Naval Flotilla’s school in 1938. Later he spent
his time in the war as a radio operator.

His attraction to painting had an impact on his career and he graduated the
Baku art college in 1957.

Matevosyan first came to the Aral Sea in 1962 during his working trip to
Karakalpakstan. In Muynak he familiarised himself with the lives of
fishermen who took him to the sea on boats.

The elements of the sea impressed the artist and his visits became regular,
enabling him to feel the power of the huge water body of the Aral Sea.

In the 1970s, he worked as an executive secretary of the Union of Artists of
Karakalpakstan and became Muynak’s honorary citizen, as well as the
autonomous republic’s distinguished artist.

In his painting the artist told about dangerous consequences of the
heartless treatment of nature. His paintings reflect the feelings and fears
of people who fought to save the sea.

“Boats in sands”

Aral became a test of endurance for Matevosyan. Despite discontent and
criticism of those who did not initially admit the Aral tragedy and tried to
oppose the publicising of it through arts, the artist remained loyal to the
truth of life.

In 2004, in an interview with the Narodnoye Slovo newspaper Matevosyan said
that he noticed the first signs of the disappearance of the sea back in 1964
during his scheduled trip to Muynak.

When his well-known “Boats in sands” painting was displayed in Nukus, a
scandal broke out.

Matevosyan was branded as an opponent of the development of deserted land.
The title of his painting was changed but the problem persisted. This work
heralded his series about the dying Aral Sea, the artist said at the time.

His works “A boat in reeds”, “Seagulls over the sea”, “Still”, “Storm
ripple”, “Foggy morning”, “Autumn in Aral”, “At fishing”, “Salting the fish”
speak for themselves. In them Matevosyan admired the beauty and grandeur of
the unique sea.

Years went by and the artist created other paintings: the abovementioned
“Boats in sands”, “At eternal mooring”, “Mooring in sands”, “In low water”,
“A thunder in a sand bay”, “Backwater”, “Solitude” and “Hope”. These titles
also speak for themselves.

Swan’s song

The main aide to the artist over 40 years was his spouse Ada Matevosyan.

Even when confined to bed he devoted himself to the Aral Sea and continued
to work.

Matevosyan intended to create a 360-degree panorama of Muynak – a painting 9
metres in length made up of nine components measuring 100×50 cm, each of
which is a complete painting.

Unfortunately, two fragments of the painting were left unfinished.

The artist’s funeral will be held at the Urta-Saray cemetery outside
Tashkent.

Uznews.net

ALIYEV’S STATUE TO BE REMOVED TO SUBURB OF MEXICO

21:02, 25 January, 2013

YEREVAN, JANUARY 25, ARMENPRESS: The Mexico Municipality decided
to remove Heydar Aliyev’s statue from the central park Paseo de
la Reforma of the city. As reports Armenpress, referring to “Ria
Novosti”, the statue will be installed in one of Mexico’s suburbs,
close to the building of cultural center of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani Ambassador to Mexico Ilgar Muhtarov threatened Mexico’s’
authorities saying that removal of statue would undermine relations
between Azerbaijan and Mexico. In a result, sides compromised.

Azerbaijani side was suggested to be provided with a building in
order to turn in into cultural center of Azerbaijan.

Mexico Mayor informed that statue would be removed and reinstalled
in its new place in a week.

For installing Aliyev’s monument in Mexico Azerbaijani government
spent about 5 million dollars on the renovation of Mexican parks.

Earlier the New York Times has reported that when the mayor inaugurated
a pretty little garden fronted by a very large statue at the edge
of the central Chapultepec Park last summer, it seemed another
step forward in his drive to improve the quality of life in this
impossible city.

Speaking off the cuff, the mayor praised the statue’s subject –
a complete stranger to many Mexico City residents – as “a great
political leader, a statesman.”

But the statue – a gift, along with the garden, from Azerbaijan – has
put the mayor in a bind. The United States State Department repeatedly
pointed out Azerbaijan’s poor human rights record under Mr. Aliyev,
which included serious abuses and the suppression of democracy. A few
weeks after his bronze figure materialized along Mexico City’s Paseo
de la Reforma, newspaper columnists, radio hosts and human rights
activists began to press for its removal.

Officials in Mr. Ebrard’s cabinet were tongue-tied. They argued
that it was not Mexico’s place to pass judgment on other countries’
leaders. That unleashed a spate of commentary in which writers threw
out the names of undesirable strongmen who might one day find a
pedestal on Mexico City streets under such reasoning.

GULBENKIAN FOUNDATION APPOINTS PANOSSIAN ARMENIAN COMMUNITIES DIRECTOR

Thursday, January 24th, 2013

Dr. Razmik Panossian

LISBON-The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation announced today the
appointment of Dr. Razmik Panossian as the new Director of the
Armenian Communities Department in Lisbon. He will assume the post on
February 1.

Panossian holds a Ph.D. from the London School of Economics and
Political Science, where he also taught. He has published widely on
Armenian-related issues, including a critically acclaimed book on
Armenian national identity. He has extensive experience in senior
management, including the administration of multi-million dollar
programs, as well as the allocation and distribution of international
development grants. For many years he served as the Director of
Policy, Programs and Planning at a Canadian governmental organization
based in Montreal. He has worked for the United Nations Development
Program. He is fluent in English, French and Armenian.

“I am both thrilled and humbled by this appointment,” said Panossian.

“This is one of the most important positions in the Armenian Diaspora.

I am looking forward to continuing the work of my predecessors and
further strengthening and expanding the activities of the Calouste
Gulbenkian Foundation in a focused and systematic manner within
Armenian communities around the world.”

Martin Essayan, the Trustee responsible for the Armenian Communities
Department, and great grandson of Foundation founder Calouste
Gulbenkian, said: “I am delighted that Dr. Panossian will be the new
Director of the Armenian Communities Department. He comes with
outstanding credentials for this role and brings the international,
integrative perspective we need. The appointment followed a global
search during which we were able to consider many excellent
candidates.”

Razmik Panossian is the author of The Armenians: From Kings and
Priests to Merchants and Commissars (Columbia University Press/Hurst &
Co., 2006). He received his PhD from the London School of Economics
and Political Science. His thesis won the prestigious Lord Bryce Prize
for Best Dissertation in Comparative and International Politics in the
UK (2001) granted by Britain’s Political Studies Association.

He received his MA from York University in Toronto, Canada, and his BA
(honors) from McGill University in Montreal. Panossian has taught at
the London School of Economics and at the School of Oriental and
African Studies (University of London) on the subjects of nationalism,
ethnic conflict, post-Soviet transition/democratisation, and
comparative politics. In 2004 he assumed the position of Director of
Policy, Programs and Planning at the International Centre for Human
Rights and Democratic Development, a Canadian federal institution
devoted to the promotion of democracy and human rights.

He managed the Centre’s international programming in Latin America,
Africa, the Middle East and Asia. His work took him to countries as
diverse as Afghanistan, China, Haiti, Colombia, Egypt, Morocco and
Congo. Between 2010 and 2012 Panossian worked as an international
consultant, including at UNDP in New York.

He has delivered numerous lectures and conference papers throughout
the world, has participated in Turkish-Armenian workshops and the
Armenia-Diaspora conferences. He has published many academic articles
on Armenian national identity and nationalism, as well as on
Armenia-diaspora relations. Razmik was born in Lebanon and immigrated
to Canada at the age of 12. He has lived in English and French Canada
as well as the UK.

The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation is one of the top ten Foundations
in Europe and one of the largest in the world with assets of ~@3
billion and annual spend of around ~@100 million. It operates in four
areas defined in its statutes: Arts, Education, Science, and Social
Welfare. It was founded by Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian, an Armenian
businessman and art collector who became a British citizen, conducted
much of his work in Britain and France, and finally settled in
Portugal. The Foundation was established in Portugal in 1956, a year
after his death.

The Foundation headquarters are in Lisbon and consist of the
administration, which deals with grant-giving throughout the world,
together with a Museum housing the founder’s art collections –
recognised as one of the world’s best small museums – a Modern Art
Centre, an art research library, a centre for scientific research,
concert halls, an open-air theatre, exhibition galleries and
conference halls, an orchestra and a choir. The Foundation also has
offices in London and Paris.

The Armenian Communities Department dates back to the creation of the
Foundation and was set up by the founder’s son-in-law Kevork Essayan.

Since then the trustee in charge has always been a member of the
founder’s family. The mission of the department is: “to create a
viable future for the Armenian people in which their culture and
language are preserved and valued”. Its work is inspired by the
example of the founder who never forgot his Armenian roots but sought
to engage with non Armenians and to bring different groups together.

ISSUE OF VIOLENCE AGAINST ARMENIAN WOMEN RAISED IN TURKISH PARLIAMENT

19:44, 25 January, 2013

YEREVAN, JANUARY 25, ARMENPRESS: Vice President of Turkey’s main
opposition Republican People’s Party Umut Oran has raised the issue
of two cases of violence against elderly Armenian women in Turkish
Parliament. Armenpress reports referring to “haberx.com” news agency.

Referring to the incidents, Turkish deputy raised the following
questions during his speech: “Are the attacks organized or individual?

Who are the authors of the violence? What actions must be initiated
in order to ensure the security of Samatia residents?”

Already 5 Armenian elderly women have been attacked in Samatia district
of Istanbul since December, 2012. One of them was tortured and killed
in her house; a cross was carved on her body. Other two lost their
eye in a result of severe attack.

RAFFI HOVHANNISYAN: ELECTORAL STRUGGLE PROCEEDS IN UNEQUAL CONDITIONS
Alisa Gevorgyan

“Radiolur”
17:53 25.01.2013

“The electoral struggle proceeds in unequal conditions. If the things
continue this way, the tale about free and fair elections can be
considered over,” presidential candidate Raffi Hovhannisyan said.

According to Hovhannsyan, the fair elections promised by the
authorities are becoming more and more unrealistic. Nevertheless,
he’s still resolute to continue the struggle.

As part of the election campaign, Raffi Hovhannisyan will meet with
voters in Metsamor tomorrow.

MORNINGSTAR CONSIDERS THE QUESTION OF AIRPORT IN KARABAKH BE THE SUBJECT OF DISCUSSION IN PARIS

15:37, 25 January, 2013

YEREVAN, JANUARY 25, ARMENPRESS: The question of airport in Karabakh
hopefully will be the subject of discussion on the meeting of
Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers with OSCE Minsk group
co-chairs next week in Paris, US ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard
Morningstar came forth with.

As Armenpress reports citing haqqin.az web site, Morningstar announced
“We are encouraging both sides not to do anything that could raise
the tension in the region and jeopardize the peace process. As the
co-chairs stated, such steps nor be helpful. Hope the issue on an
airport in Nagorno Karabakh will be discussed in Paris and this issue
will find its diplomatic resolution”.

KILLED SOLDIERS’ PARENTS CALLS FOR VOTING AGAINST ARMENIA’S PRESIDENT

25.01.13

At their meeting with journalists on Friday, the parents of servicemen
killed in non-battle conditions said that Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan had promised them to see to it that their sons’ deaths be
properly investigated.

However, no progress has so far been recorded.

Hasmik Hovhannisian, mother of conscript soldier Artak Nazaryan,
called for voting against Armenia’s incumbent president.

At his meeting with killed soldiers’ parents, Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan promised them to consistently supervise the investigation
and ensure punishment of those guilty.

Nana Muradyan, mother of soldier Valerik Muradyan (killed in 2010)
noted that Armenia’s president instructed Armenia’s Military Prosecutor
to examine all the complaints. However, nothing has so far been done.

“Investigators are changing, but nothing is being done. Moreover,
they are doing their utmost to get the cases to fall into oblivion,”
Ms Muradyan said.

Suren Ohajanyan, father of killed soldier Tigran Ohajanyan said that
his son’s death was presented as suicide.

“Photographers took pictures of my son’s body during the autopsy.

Bodily in juries are obviously seen, but the forensic report does
not contain this information,” he said. And now the 15-volume case is
“a chain of contradictions.”

Anahit Lazarian, mother of killed soldier Araik Avetisyan, is sure
her son was murdered for $100.

“The investigation bodies cannot explain the numerous contradictions
in the case. The commander of the battalion called him and said,
‘You have gone home and have not brought all the money.’ He answered
‘My family has no money.’ I could give him 15,000 drams.

In 2009, they dismissed the case and said they could not find the
murderer. But I know that it was Mher Stepanyan, commander of the
first battalion in the Vaik military unit, who murdered my son,”
Ms Lazarian said.

Irina Ghazaryan, mother of soldier Artur Ghazaryan, know who murdered
her son. A few days before his death, her son told her about Martin
Jhangiryan.

“He told me Martin was involved in drug trafficking with Turks. But
told him not speak of that over the phone. Three days later my son
was taken to hospital, and we were told that he had a tumor. We saw
blood on his clothes. His mouth was bandaged and his ear injured.”

She was told that Armenia’s Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan was
the only person authorized to resume the investigation. But he is
not answering the letters.

Despite everything, the killed soldiers’ parents are determined to
continue their struggle for justice. 

AFFAIRE PINAR SELEK: UN JUGEMENT INJUSTE ET RéVOLTANT

Publié le : 25-01-2013

Info Collectif VAN – – Le Collectif VAN vous
soumet ici le Communiqué de Presse du Président de l’université
de Strasbourg publié le 24 Janvier 2013.

Légende photo: Pinar Selek, sociologue strasbourgeoise d’origine
turque, lors d’une manifestation de soutien ce jeudi a Strasbourg.

Photo Dominique Gutekunst

Université de Strasbourg

Communiqué de Presse

Un jugement injuste et révoltant : Pinar Selek doit vivre en
chercheuse libre !

Le 24 Janvier 2013 par Alain Beretz, Président de l’université
de Strasbourg.

La 12ème cour d’appel d’Istanbul vient de condamner la doctorante
strasbourgeoise Pinar Selek a la prison a vie, pour un acte qu’elle
n’a pas commis. La mobilisation de nombreux acteurs, dont celle de
la communauté universitaire n’aura pas suffi a ce que les juges
entendent notre appel au respect des droits fondamentaux et des
valeurs de liberté et d’indépendance de la recherche.

Cette décision suscite notre émotion et notre indignation. L’acte
dont est accusée Pinar Selek n’existe pas et seul son courage
de vouloir travailler en chercheuse libre lui vaut cette terrible
condamnation.

Ce midi encore, lors d’une manifestation de soutien a l’université de
Strasbourg, la communauté universitaire a pu constater la dignité,
l’humanité et le courage qui caractérise l’une d’entre nous. La
défense conteste la légalité de la décision et va faire appel
auprès de la cour de cassation turque.

Ce soir Pinar Selek demande l’asile politique. J’appuierai sa demande
auprès des autorités francaises. Au nom de nos valeurs fondamentales,
nous lui disons ce soir: ” vous pouvez compter sur notre soutien,
sur mon soutien indéfectible tant que durera cette profonde et
inacceptable injustice. Nous vous mettons sous notre protection !”
J’agirai avec l’ensemble de la communauté universitaire de Strasbourg
et tous ceux qui se reconnaissent dans ce combat pour faire en sorte
que sa cause soit entendue et que la liberté et l’indépendance de
la recherche deviennent partout dans le monde une réalité.

Alain Beretz, Président de l’université de Strasbourg.

Le 24 janvier 2013

——————————————————————————————

Lire aussi:

Le Collectif VAN soutient la sociologue turque Pinar Selek

Communiqué du Collectif VAN : “Pınar Selek: exilée a perpétuité ?”

Pınar Selek: exilée a perpétuité ?

Ce qui se passe en Turquie nous regarde

Le Parti socialiste soutient la militante Pinar Selek

Strasbourg : Comité de soutien universitaire a Pinar Selek

Affaire Pinar Selek : Communiqué de la Ligue des Droits de l’Homme

24 janvier 2013 : une nouvelle audience du procès de Pinar Selek

Appel du SNESUP-FSU de l’Université de Strasbourg en soutien a
Pinar Selek

Appel de Pınar Selek (vidéo)

Appel pour la délégation au procès de Pinar Selek le 24 janvier 2013

Le procès de Pinar Selek se poursuit au mépris de la loi

Affaire Pınar Selek: Communiqué de Yasemin Oz

Turquie: Le procès Pınar Selek encore reporté

Affaire Pinar Selek : le soutien de l’Association
Strasbourg-Méditerranée

Procès Pinar Selek : le soutien du maire de Strasbourg

Affaire Pinar Selek. Communiqué de Presse du GIT France

L’Université de Strasbourg soutient Pinar Selek

Turquie : Historique de l’affaire Pinar Selek

Turquie : l’OMCT et la FIDH dénoncent le harcèlement contre Pinar
Selek

Action urgente en soutien a Pinar Selek

Turquie : une décision illégale dans l’affaire Pinar Selek

Turquie : scandale juridique dans l’affaire Pinar Selek

Pınar Selek : CP de la plate-forme “Nous sommes tous témoins”

Pinar Selek : la dissertation d’une femme de conviction

Turquie : L’OMCT exige la fin du harcèlement contre Pinar Selek

Turquie : Pınar Selek doit être définitivement acquittée

Turquie : nouvelle audience du procès de Pinar Selek

Turquie/Affaire Pınar Selek : Procès reporté, la lutte continue !

Turquie/Affaire Pınar Selek : Procès du premier aoÔt

Affaire Pınar Selek : Un communiqué du GIT France

Pınar Selek mérite la Tulipe des droits de l’Homme

Turquie: Les colombes inquiètes

Prison a vie a nouveau requise contre Pınar Selek !

Turquie: Le 7 mars, nouveau procès pour Pınar Selek

Chercheurs sans frontières : soutenir Pınar Selek

L’acharnement de la Turquie contre Pınar Selek

Retour a la rubrique

TÃ~ILÃ~ICHARGER : le Communiqué de Presse du Président de
l’université de Strasbour

Source/Lien : Université de Strasbourg

BHK TO WORK FOR SERZH SARGSYAN?

12:13 pm | January 24, 2013 | Politics

We were all invited to a binge. Urikh (Tigran Urikhanyan, Spokesman for
the Prosperous Armenia Party BHK) had invited us to order that we work
for Serzh Sargsyan in February’s ballot, a leader of a Yerevan-based
BHK office told A1+.

He says part of the party’s campaign headquarters [opened during
the May, 2012 parliamentary election] have now become Sargsyan’s
electoral headquarters.

“I am not going to work for him [Serzh Sargsyan],” said the BHK
representative.

Talking to A1+ BHK Spokesman Tigran Urikhanyan did not deny meeting
his party-mates on different occasions, but he refused giving them
such instructions.

“Generally I do not give instructions, I execute them,” said the
BHK official.

The presidential election is slated for February 18, 2013.