Author: Kanayan Tamar

ARMENIAN PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER DECLARES HUNGER STRIKE

news.am
January 15, 2013 | 12:21

YEREVAN. – Armenian presidential nominee, political scientist Andreas
Ghukasyan issued a letter, which is addressed to the Central Electoral
Commission Chairman Tigran Mukuchyan, in connection with holding free
elections in the country.

“Even though Armenia’s Electoral Code does not specify that the
presidential elections need to be free, they need to be such in order
to be real. [And] Since the state’s international commitments to
hold free and real elections are not clearly specified by the law,
this right of the citizenry is not guaranteed.

The party in power [that is, the Republican Party (RPA)] is abusing
its position within the state, and it is not a conscientious competitor
toward other participants in the elections.

I find that the body politic’s right to freedom of choice can solely
be exercised in the case of excluding the ruling party candidate’s
[that is, RPA leader and incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan’s]
running in the election.

If the ruling party candidate’s registration is not declared null and
void before the start of the [election] campaign, I will consider my
and the public’s right to vote to be violated. My civic duty dictates
me to declare an indefinite hunger strike to defend this right,”
presidential nominee Andreas Ghukasyan’s letter reads in particular.

VLADIMIR ABAJYAN PASSED AWAY

12:20, 15 January, 2013

YEREVAN, JANUARY 15, ARMENPRESS. Prominent master of theatre, film and
estrade, People’s Artist of the Armenian SSR Vladimir Abajyan passed
away at the age of 86. He died in the morning on January 15. The
Theater Workers’ Union of Armenia informed “Armenpress” about this.

Vladimir Abajyan was born in Shirak village of Shirak Province,
on November 27, 1927. He was a brother of outstanding art critic
Gevorg Abajyan. He graduated from Actor’s faculty of Yerevan State
Artistic-Theatrical Institute in 1951. In 1951 he started his career
of actor in the National Academic Theatre of Yerevan after Gabriel
Sundukyan, where he had created over 50 outstanding characters. He
played various roles in movies, TV and radio performances. He was
one of the greatest masters of the national art of reciting. In 1998
Vladimir Abajyan was decorated with “Movses Khorenatsi” medal.

ASSASSINAT DE TROIS MILITANTES KURDES : LETTRE OUVERTE A F.HOLLANDE

Publie le : 15-01-2013

Info Collectif VAN – – Le Collectif VAN vous
presente la lettre ouverte d’Andre Metayer, president des Amities
kurdes de Bretagne a Monsieur Francois Hollande, President de la
Republique francaise publie sur le site des Amities kurdes de Bretagne
le 14 janvier 2013.

lundi 14 janvier 2013 par Amities kurdes de Bretagne

Monsieur le President de la Republique, ne signez pas les accords
“Gueant” avec la Turquie

Lettre ouverte a Monsieur Francois Hollande, President de la Republique
francaise

Monsieur le President de la Republique,

C’est avec beaucoup d’emotion que nous evoquons l’assassinat commandite
de trois militantes kurdes dont l’une, Fidan Dogan (Rojbin), une
amie très proche, etait connue de vous. Les mots nous manquent pour
exprimer notre chagrin et notre colère.

Rojbin etait une veritable ambassadrice des Kurdes et un relais
utile auprès de tout le mouvement associatif, de la presse, des
personnalites politiques et des cabinets ministeriels. C’est sans
doute l’un des motifs de ce meurtre : il fallait faire taire cette
voix qu’on pouvait difficilement taxer de “terroriste”.

Les Kurdes et les amis des Kurdes ont ete sensibles a l’attention que
vous avez portee ainsi qu’a celle de M. le Ministre de l’Interieur
qui s’est rendu dès les premières heures sur les lieux du drame qui,
rappelons-le, s’est deroule a Paris, dans notre pays a qui, c’est un
comble, la Turquie demande des explications.

Dois-je rappeler ici que des milliers de responsables et militants
politiques et d’elus locaux, qui pour la plupart sont membres
du BDP, (Parti pour la Paix et la Democratie), parti membre de la
l’Internationale socialiste (IS) et du Parti socialiste europeen (PSE),
sont enfermes, certaines et certains depuis près de 4 ans, dans les
geôles turques, au motif qu’ils seraient membres d’une organisation
terroriste ? Voila pourquoi un Premier ministre turc se permet de vous
insulter en vous accusant d’etre “en relation avec ces terroristes”.

D’un autre côte, nous ne comprenons pas la complaisance affichee entre
les ministres des Affaires etrangères des deux pays quand il s’agit de
“lutter contre le terrorisme”, expression qui consiste, en l’espèce,
a poursuivre tout opposant politique comme c’est deja le cas en Turquie
devant des tribunaux, dans le cadre d’une parodie de justice, et ce,
au vu et au su de tous les observateurs attentifs du monde entier.

Nous avons, en effet, appris avec stupeur que l’accord signe le
7 octobre 2011, a Ankara, par Claude Gueant et Idris Naim Sahin,
ministres de l’interieur de leur pays respectif, “Accord de cooperation
dans le domaine de la securite interieure entre le Gouvernement
de la Republique francaise et le Gouvernement de la Republique de
Turquie” avait ete repris sans modification par votre gouvernement et
approuve le 1er aout 2012 en conseil des ministres. Il est a souligner
qu’aucune definition juridique ne precise le mot “terrorisme”, ce
qui permet de faire l’amalgame entre lutte politique, lutte armee et
actes terroristes.

Cet accord de cooperation policière est, dans le contexte
d’aujourd’hui, des plus inquietants car il permettra a la police turque
de pourchasser des militants kurdes, comme aurait pu l’etre Fidan
Dogan (Rojbin) que M. Erdogan accuse d’etre une ‘terroriste”, et des
centaines d’autres refugies en France qui pourront meme, si l’accord
etait finalise par le Parlement, etre extrades vers la Turquie.

C’est pourquoi, Monsieur le President de la Republique, nous vous
demandons très respectueusement de denoncer cet accord avec un pays
qui ne respecte pas les droits de l’homme et qui ne veut reconnaître
ni les droits culturels, ni les droits politiques pour lesquels le
peuple kurde se bat legitimement depuis plus de trente ans.

Nous vous prions de croire, Monsieur le President de la Republique,
a l’expression de notre très haute consideration.

Andre Metayer President des Amities kurdes de Bretagne

Retour a la rubrique

Source/Lien : Amities kurdes de Bretagne

LA CONSOMMATION EXCESSIVE DES RESSOURCES NATURELLES EST LE PROBLEME ENVIRONNEMENTAL LE PLUS GRAVE DE L’ARMENIE
Stephane

armenews.com
mardi 15 janvier 2013

Le vice-ministre de la Protection de la Nature Simon Papyan a dit aux
journalistes que la consommation excessive des ressources naturelles
est le problème environnemental le plus grave du pays.

Presentant les defis principaux de l’Armenie inscrits dans le
rapport d’Evaluation Nationale, qui a ete presente par l’Armenie a
la Conference de Nations unies sur le Developpement Durable de Rio +
20 il a dit que la situation deviendra dangereuse dans la prochaine
decennie, si aucune action n’est prise pour resoudre le problème
d’une facon civilisee.

” Je veux parler des ressources en eau, de la flore et de la faune et
des problèmes touchant a la protection des forets et de l’utilisation
excessive de ressources naturelles ” a-t-il dit.

En meme temps, le vice-ministre a pointe les accomplissements de
l’Armenie ces recentes annees.

” Le niveau du Lac Sevan a grimpe de trois mètres depuis 2001 et la
qualite de l’eau du lac s’ameliorera grâce aux stations d’epuration
de l’eau, qui seront mises en operation plus tard cette annee ”
a-t-il dit.

Comme autre accomplissement, Simon Papyan a choisi l’expansion des
secteurs naturels particulièrement proteges et la creation de deux
parcs nationaux et de plusieurs sanctuaires. ” Maintenant deja 13 %
du territoire du pays, incluant la surface du lac Sevan, est protege
” a-t-il dit.

De plus, la duree moyenne quotidienne d’alimentation en eau en Armenie
est passee de six heures en 2004 a 15 heures maintenant et 32 000
hectares de forets ont ete replantes en quelques annees.

mardi 15 janvier 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

The Daily Star, Bangladesh
Dec 29 2012

Pardoning war crimes accused: Turkish president’s request condemned

Dhaka

Social and cultural organizations yesterday strongly condemned Turkish
President Abdullah Gul’s recent letter to President Zillur Rahman
calling for “clemency” to the accused under trial in the International
Crimes Tribunal for the “sake of peace in the society”.

The organizations demanded quick completion of the trial of crimes
against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War.

Meanwhile, asked to comment on the letter, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni,
at the Trust Bank 12th National Senior and Junior Taekwondo
Championship in the capital’s National Sports Council Gymnasium,
invited journalists to her ministry tomorrow, reports UNB.

Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee President Justice Muhammad
Ghulam Rabbani, President-in-Charge Shahriar Kabir and General
Secretary Kazi Mukul issued a joint statement.

They said the Turkish president’s request interfered with Bangladesh’s
internal affairs, went against diplomatic norms, was a blow to
Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty, and was similar to siding
with those who committed genocides in 1971.

The Turkish president should remember that Turkey committed the
world’s first genocide in the last century by killing 15 lakh
Armenians from 1919 to 1921. No trial was held and Turkey is still
killing Kurds without any trial, they said.

Another statement was issued by Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi
President Kamal Lohani and General Secretary Prabir Sardar, stating
that the request was a shameless expression of a conspiracy to foil
the war crimes trial.

Workers’ Party of Bangladesh President Rashed Khan Menon, at a party
meeting in the capital’s Shaheed Asad Auditorium, said BNP Chairperson
Khaleda Zia’s ongoing movement’s main target was to save the war
criminals.

Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote leaders, at a rally organised in Jatiya
Press Club to congratulate Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the UN
acceptance of her peace model, said Bangladeshis would try Khaleda
once for assisting the war criminals.

Xinhua General News Service, China
December 27, 2012 Thursday 1:16 AM EST

Armenia to auction foreign ministry building

YEREVAN Armenia, Dec. 27

Armenia has decided to auction its foreign ministry building, the
government press service said Wednesday.

Government House No. 2, with a total space of 14,200 square meters,
also houses the Armenian Ministry of Territorial Administration and
the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.

It was sold to Armenian Argentinean businessman Eduardu Ernekian on
Oct. 4 for 51 million U.S. dollars.

Head of the State Property Department Arman Sahakyan said Ernekian had
not refused to go ahead with the deal but the building could be sold
at the auction if someone suggested a higher price.

Sahakyan said the decision was made to ensure greater transparency of the deal.

The building, built with rose Armenian tufa, is located on Republic
Square in central Yerevan. Government House No. 2 is one of the
landmarks on the square along with the National Gallery and other
government buildings.

Local media reports said the government would use the sale proceeds to
build new buildings for the three ministries.

Indo-Asian News Service, India
December 25, 2012 Tuesday

Taj city celebrates Christmas

Agra

Agra, Dec. 25 — An abrupt fall in day temperature and foggy
conditions did not deter merry makers who celebrated Christmas with
vigour in the Taj city.

In most Christian homes, like in Padri Tola colony, the shining stars
were put up with decorative lights. Some had little Christ figurines
in the crib.

The chief centre of attraction remained the imposing Cathedral of the
Immaculate Conception, built in 1848.

It showcased a huge float depicting the little Babe of Bethelehem, his
parents, the shepherds and the three wise men of the East along wih
models of animals.

“Festivals these days have become truly national and all-community
events,” said Rajesh of Vidhyarthi Stores on Motilal Nehru Road. “The
sale of Christmas trees and customary cakes saw a sharp increase.”

“The Xmas celebrations have taken a local flavour with sweets and
cakes made of khoya,” said Shishir Bhagat of the 250-year-old Bhagat
Halwai establishment.

“Our chaat stalls are crowded,” he added.

According to Surendra Sharma, president of the Braj Mandal Heritage
Conservation Society, more than 70 percent of hymns and carols were
now in Hindi.

Even the rituals in the church have taken a local hue.

“A ‘bhandara’ was organised at St Peter’s Church a few days ago,”
Sharma told IANS.

The midnight mass at the Cathedral and other churches draw the
faithful from their sleep, heralding the Christmas celebrations.

Over years, Christians in Agra have embraced local hue and flavour.

A sari-clad Virgin Mary under a peepal tree with St Joseph attired as
an Indian farmer no longer surprise the faithful.

Though the number of Christians in Agra has dwindled to just a few
thousand, the interest in Christmas celebrations has increased.

The Taj city’s Christmas tradition goes back to the early Mughals who
participated in festivals of all faiths and allowed European
missionaries and businessmen to settle down in Agra.

The Armenians from Central Asia had a sprawling colony and carried on
their trade with local merchants during Akbar’s rule.

Long before British colonials chose Agra as the centre of their
administrative network in the 18th century, Christian missionaries had
set up base and were formally entertained by Mughal rulers.

Emperor Akbar is said to have had a fascination for Christianity.

Church records say that in 1632, Emperor Shah Jahan defeated the
Portuguese. Thousands of Catholic prisoners were brought to Agra and
faced persecution.

The emperor later relented but asked the Jesuit fathers to demolish
the church. After a few years Shah Jahan again granted permission to
rebuild the church.

Armenia’s First President is the opposition bloc – newspaper

January 12, 2013 | 08:12

YEREVAN. – `Are you not concerned that even if [opposition bloc
Armenian National Congress] ANC does not dissolve, it will weaken its
positions?’ To this question posed by 168 Zham daily, ANC member
Armenian National Movement Party Board member Hovhannes Igityan
responded as follows:

`I believe the Congress, as a unit, cannot work the same way as
before. ANC was gathered around [First President Levon] Ter-Petrosyan
and aimed to nominate him [as presidential candidate]. ANC is not
those seven people that sit in the parliament. The Congress is Levon
Ter-Petrosyan, even in the case of [its] parliamentary faction.

I find that the time has come when the [political] parties in the
Congress should attempt to get active. They need to find their
political line, the layer of the society. They should become
independent, not in the sense that Ter-Petrosyan is no longer in
politics, but rather they should strengthen and not wait for when
Ter-Petrosyan would help them,’ 168 Zham quotes.

WB: ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO RAISE TAX REVENUES

YEREVAN, January 11. /ARKA/. The key challenge of the fiscal policy
remains the ability to improve domestic revenue mobilization effort
and raise tax revenues, Jean-Michel Happi, the World Bank’s Country
Manager for Armenia, said in an interview with ARKA News Agency.

This could be done through improvements of the tax administration and
streamlining of the tax policy. After massive counter-crisis expansion
in 2009, he said, the Government is left with a very little room for
fiscal maneuver, if required. To remain on debt-reducing path the
long-term fiscal deficit needs to remain below 3 percent of GDP.

“At the same time, the Government is facing the need to maintain
pro-poor expenditures and sustain public infrastructure to create
and support foundations for future economic growth,” Happi said.

In the government budget, tax revenue is projected to make 21.88%
of GDP in 2013 against 17.36% in 2012.

The consolidated budget revenue is planned to total AMD 1 trillion
32.7 billion and expenditure AMD 1 trillion 152.5 billion. Deficit
is projected at AMD 119.7 billion or 2.6% of GDP. -0—-

10 PLAYERS TO PARTICIPATE IN ARMENIA WOMEN’S CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

January 11, 2013 – 18:08 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenia will host 68th women’s chess championship
on January 12-21, with 10 players to participate in it.

The first round board pairings have been announced as follows: Anna
Hayrapetyan vs Diana Mnatsakanyan, Yevgenia Dolukhanova vs Lusine
Karapetyan, Siranush Andreasyan vs Narine Gasparyan, Marianna Gasparyan
vs Hasmik Ghambaryan, Naira Movsisyan vs Armine Babayan.

The championship winner will gain an entry to 2014 event and 2014
European championship.

The event will be held in 9 rounds.