ARMENIAN PROTESTERS TO PRIME MINISTER: “DID WE LIBERATE THE COUNTRY FOR A FEW PEOPLE TO BECOME A MILLIONAIRE (VIDEO)
2012-12-11 14:18:37
During RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan’s visit to USA, in Berbank,
California, US community and Armenian environmental activists organized
a protest in North America’s Armenian Apostolic Church yard.
Prime Minister approached the participants of the action and had a
short talk with them.
For more details watch the video.
PRESIDENT REJECTS KEY POINTS OF ARF ELECTION PLAN
asbarez
Monday, December 10th, 2012
ARF Bureau chairman Hrant Markarian
YEREVAN (arfd.info)-President Serzh Sarkisian on Saturday rejected two
key elements of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s seven-point
elections platform, following a lengthy meeting with the party’s Bureau
chairman Hrant Markarian and Supreme Council of Armenia representative
Armen Rustamian.
Markarian told press representatives on Monday that Sarkisian rejected
the ARF’s proposal for Armenia to adopt a parliamentary form of
government and the party’s insistence that Armenia withdraw its
signature from the Turkey-Armenia protocols.
Markarian explained that the president is firm in his belief that
Armenian government is on the right path vis-a-vis the protocols and
has added that the system of governance was not the problem.
“Was the meeting with the president useless?” said Markarian. “If we
look at it only in a purely functional way, then probably yes. But
it also made sense because our arguments and views might influence
his thinking.” “If that happens, we will be grateful. If not, we will
have no regrets that we did not try,” he told journalists.
Markarian explained that the meeting with Sarkisian was previously
scheduled and was among the series of meetings ARF leaders were having
with political forces in Armenia ahead of the February presidential
elections.
20TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN MEMBERSHIP TO UN CELEBRATED IN BOSTON
12:38, 11 December, 2012
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS: Armenian community in Boston has
initiated a classical concert dedicated to the 20th anniversary
of Armenian membership to UN. Information and Public Relations
department of the Foreign Affair Ministry informed Armenpress, over
thousand audience enjoyed works of renowned Armenian, American and
European authors.
Boston’s Opera, Orchestra and Symphonic chore and New York Metropolitan
Opera soloists jointly “Yerevan” choir and orchestra conducted
by Konstantin Petrosyan performed in the course of the jubilee
concert. Permanent Representative of Armenia to UN,Ambassador Karen
Nazarian came forth with a speech in the conclusion of the concert.
In the words of Ambassador Nazarian, the membership to that
intergovernmental universal organization in 1992 was one of the most
significant achievements of Armenia in the path of strengthening the
independence. Armenian diplomat underscored amid Armenian involvement
in UN actions we are continuing our commitment to the preservation of
international peace and democratic values, in the encouraging of rule
of law, participating in the discussion and elaboration of social,
economic and stable development issues and agendas. Ambassador Nazarian
hailed the role of UN in the development of independence in Armenia
and Artsakh.
LES ARCHIVES NATIONALES ARMeNIENNES PUBLIENT LES TeMOIGNAGES DES SURVIVANTS DU GeNOCIDE ARMeNIEN
Stephane
armenews.com
mardi 11 decembre 2012
Les Archives Nationales Armeniennes ont publie une edition en trois
volumes intitulee ” le Genocide Armenien dans la Turquie Ottomane :
les Preuves des Survivants “. Le livre presente les recits des temoins,
des documents d’archives de valeur, des cartes et des photos.
En 1916 le Comite Bakou de la Federation Revolutionnaire Armenienne
fonde une equipe d’enqueteurs pour rassembler des informations
sur l’organisation et la perpetration du massacre de la population
armenienne d’Armenie Occidentale.
L’equipe d’enqueteurs comprend Zabel Yesayan, Stepan Zoryan, Vahan
Totovents, le Commandant Andranik et d’autres personnes. Tous les
documents ont ete inclus dans le livre publie a l’initiative des
Archives Nationales Armeniennes et finance par l’ONG Van.
” Le fait que les recits des temoins ont ete rassemblees juste
un an après les massacres assure l’authenticite et la validite de
l’information, renforcant donc leur importance dans le processus
d’etude complète du Genocide Amenien ” a precise le redacteur en
chef de la publication, le Directeur des Archives Nationales Amatuni
Virabyan.
La publication presente les programmes et les actions visant a
l’annihilation de la population armenienne, les reels noms des
organisateurs et des criminels.
Par ailleurs les documents d’archives decrivent les pertes materielles
de la population armenienne, leur lutte d’autodefense, la migration
des survivants et les pertes en chemin.
L’edition en trois volumes sera traduite en turc, russe et anglais.
Les recettes de la vente du livre permettront de payer le coût de
sa traduction. La version electronique de la publication sera aussi
disponible.
Avant le 100ème anniversaire du Genocide Armenien les Archives
Nationales publieront un autre livre, qui inclura des milliers de
documents sur les pertes economiques de la nation armenienne.
mardi 11 decembre 2012, Stephane ©armenews.com
PRESS RELEASE
ARS of Western USA, Inc.
Regional Office
517 W. Glenoaks Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91202
Tel: 818-500-1343
Fax: 818-242-3732
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web:
FB:
CONTACT: Talar Aintablian
[email protected]
ARS and Pacific Clinics Forum On Depression, PTSD & Anxiety Offers Hope
Glendale, CA (December 12, 2012) – The Depression, Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder, and Anxiety forum held on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 was the
second in a series of community forums organized in partnership with the
Armenian Relief Society (ARS) of Western USA and the Pacific Clinics
community behavioral health center.
Over 75 community members gathered at the Glendale Youth Center and received
a wide breadth of information from an expert panel, including panelists:
PsyD. Charles Pilavian, Clinical Psychologist Rusanna Jurian, and
Psychiatrist Sarkis Arevian. Psychiatrist Arakel Davtian served as
moderator, and presented the overall program objectives and each presenter.
ARS Regional Executive Chairperson Lena Bozoyan explained what the ARS does
within the community and stressed the importance of discussing the issues
important to our community, while Dr. Emma Oshagan, Director of Armenian
Program Development at Pacific Clinics, explained the types of services,
which are provided to culturally Armenian clients at Pacific Clinics.
The first presenter, Dr. Pilavian who works for the County of Los Angeles,
defined and explained anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and
touched upon panic attacks, hyper-arousal, irritability and agitation. He
noted that human beings are very adaptable beings, they adapt to new
conditions very easily, but when the trauma experienced by someone is so
severe that it is beyond the capacity of the individual to tolerate it,
then, it could result in PTSD. He explained that in terms of recovery from
psychological disorders, the more someone is able to express himself, the
better it is; the more someone becomes more isolated, the worst the
situation becomes.
Depression was the subject presented by the second presenter, Rusanna
Jurian, who works as an intern-counselor for the ARS Child, Youth and Family
Guidance Center. After defining the symptoms of depression, she presented
the signs, causes and types of depression. Jurian explained the differences
on how men and women deal with depression, in addition to those of
children’s experiences. She said that counselors can help recognize signs of
depression, while talking and listening encourages sharing feelings of
depression.
The final speaker was Dr. Sarkis Arevian, who continues to practice
psychiatry. He continued the discussion on depression, bringing into focus
the serious illness, the reactions of Armenians due to cultural influences,
depression of the elderly, the difference between less severe and severe
depression, the role of therapy sessions and medications, and the biggest
problem of all: accepting that they have a problem. He summed it up as,
“When you are anxious, you get hopeless and you feel trapped; you get
depressed.”
The audience had a lot to share with and ask the panelists. One statistic
that Jurian had shared with the audience was that the U.S. was the top
country with depression, while Armenia was ranked 25. Dr. Arevian explained
that the norm in Armenia is slightly depressed, hence people consider
themselves depressed only if they are suffering more than what is
essentially the norm.
The following are the last two sessions of the upcoming community forums:
Issues of Immigrants: Acculturation, Adaptation & Generational Conflicts
Wednesday, December 12, 2012 – 6-8 pm
Glendale Youth Center (211 W. Chestnut St., Glendale, CA)
Panelists: Levon Jernazian, PhD; Ardashes Kassakhian, Glendale City Clerk
Moderator: Tamar Tufenkdjian
Divorce and Child Custody
Wednesday, December 19, 2012 – 6-8 pm
Glendale Youth Center (211 W. Chestnut St., Glendale, CA)
Panelists: Rev. Ghevond Kirazian, Maral Babian, PhD, PsyD; Mariam Vanounts,
MFT
Moderator: Suzanne Douzmanian, Chairperson, Armenian Advisory Board, Pacific
Clinics
For additional information on the community forum series, visit
or contact the ARS Regional Headquarters at (818)
500-1343.
The ARS of Western USA, established in 1984 and with regional headquarters
in Glendale, CA, has 27 chapters and more than 1,500 members in five western
states. The ARS-WUSA operates a Social Services Division, a Child, Youth,
and Family Guidance Center, and funds numerous youth programs, scholarships
and relief efforts.
For further information, please visit or call
818-500-1343.
###
FM: ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES MUST BE WITHDRAWN FROM OCCUPIED AZERBAIJANI TERRITORIES
Trend
Dec 11 2012
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has received a
delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister, Swiss Secretary of
State Yves Rocher, the Foreign Ministry said today.
Both sides have expressed satisfaction with their relations and they
stressed the importance of the strengthening of the legal framework
between the two countries.
Elmar Mammadyarov informed the Swiss Secretary of State about regional
energy projects and Azerbaijan’s role in ensuring Europe’s energy
security.
While informing his guest about the Armenian-Azerbaijani
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Mammadyarov stressed the importance of
changing the status quo and added that Armenian armed forces must
withdraw from the occupied Azerbaijani territories in order to resolve
the conflict. He emphasized that negotiations must be conducted in
order to achieve the desired result.
He noted that the withdrawal of Armenian forces from occupied
Azerbaijani territories would create broad opportunities for conflict
settlement.
Mammadyarov said that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is not a frozen
conflict. He stressed the importance of conducting significant
operations to resolve this conflict and to ensure peace in the region.
Both sides have stressed the importance of meetings between the
Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of Nagorno-Karabakh.
They added that Azerbaijan’s position is based on international law.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. –
are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.
AKP NO DIFFERENT WHEN IT COMES TO HISTORY
Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
Dec 11 2012
by SEMÄ°H Ä°DÄ°Z
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s attack on a television
dramatization of the court intrigues of Suleyman the Magnificent
clearly indicates that “official historiography” – which concerns the
writing of national myths rather than true history – is very much
alive in Turkey. For nearly 80 years, the Kemalist establishment
plugged its own version of historic events. In doing so, it ensured
that this version and the name of its principle hero, Mustafa Kemal
Ataturk, were protected by law.
A key element of Kemalist historiography, on the other hand, was the
discrediting of religion, which was seen as the main reason Turkey
had missed the industrial revolution and all that followed it. This is
why the Justice and Development Party (AKP) came to power in 2002 with
an ingrained hatred of Kemalist historiography, and set to whittling
away at this by highlighting the negative aspects of the Republican
era; including previously taboo topics such as atrocities against
the Kurds in the 1930s.
This approach by the AKP also resulted in a more open reading
of Turkish history. Touchy topics, including subjects like the
Armenian massacres of 1915, started to be discussed in ways that were
previously unthinkable. Turkish liberals were among those praising
the new approach to history that was unfolding under the AKP, with
many believing that Erdogan was indeed moving the country toward the
freedoms he promised.
Meanwhile the AKP also worked to revive public interest in Ottoman
history, with special emphasis on the Islamic nature of the empire.
This interest in turn led to a succession of films and television
series depicting historic events to do with the Ottomans. One of these,
“The Magnificent Century” (MuhteÅ~_em Yuzyıl), dealing with the rule
of Sultan Suleyman, went on to become a blockbuster television series,
not just in Turkey but even in countries where the Ottomans remains
an object of cultural vilification.
“The Magnificent Century” proved in this way that an expensive
production with dazzling sets, flashy period costumes, and a plot
tinged with political intrigue and sexual innuendo will sell no matter
what. The British series “The Tudors” is, of course, another example.
The AKP, however, did not consider the possibility that this new
interest in Ottoman history would also lead to renditions that are out
of tune with its own version of history. But the tables have turned
now, and Prime Minister Erdogan, clearly disturbed by the depiction
of the Harem conspiracies and the sexual antics during the rule of
Sultan Suleyman, is now lambasting the “Magnificent Century.”
“We do not have such ancestors. We do not recognize such a Sultan
Suleyman,” he declared during a recent public event, calling on the
authorities to act against the series. It did not take long for AKP
sycophancy to kick in, with a deputy from Erdogan’s party announcing
he would prepare a bill aimed at legally protecting Turkish history
against such series.
In short, the tendency towards “official historiography” has resurfaced
in Turkey under another guise, indicating that for all the government
talk about “expanding freedoms,” little has changed in this country
when it comes to the basics. Most historians agree, of course, that
“The Magnificent Century” is rife with inaccuracies, and most British
historians said the same of “The Tudors.”
It is, however, well known that the Ottoman court was a place of
intrigue where even fratricide, along side other mortal sins, was a
regular occurrence. But none of that is the point here, since we are
not dealing with history per se, but a fictional dramatization jazzed
up to bring in ratings.
One can criticize “The Magnificent Century” on aesthetic grounds,
of course. What is disturbing, however, is that the AKP should be
trying to ban even fictional accounts of historic events if they do
not fit with its own world view. In doing so, it shows that it is no
different to the Kemalists whose historiography it purports to detest.
December/11/2012
ECONOMIC LOSS DUE TO KARABAKH CONFLICT
The Messenger, Georgia
Dec 11 2012
The head of the political analysis and information department of the
Azerbaijan president’s administration, Elmur Aslanov said, the overall
loss the country has received from the Karabakh conflict came to $431
billion. The occupation of Azeri territories has created the utmost
threat of stability of the region. Azerbaijan demands form the world
community and Armenia two major principles for a peaceful agreement.
The first is Azerbaijan territorial integrity and the second –
the withdrawal of Armenia’s military presence from the occupied
territories without any preconditions. At the same time, Azerbaijan
is ready to make serious investment for of Karabakh development.
TURKEY FACES TO BE DIVIDED BY 2030: US INTEL REPORT SUGGESTS
11 December, 2012 | 13:49
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The intel report suggested that European countries should keep
the possibility of Turkey’s accession into EU going, as well as
the negotiations. ( Although the current Turkish government hints
their obvious disdain of EU at every available occasion) A recent
report from the US National Intelligence council claims the possible
formation of Kurdistan in the chatic Middle East may harm Turkey’s
unity in upcoming decades / Turkey News
Washington DC / NationalTurk – One of six scenarios presented in
the National Intelligence report consisted of a rising Kurdistan,
which in turn affects Turkey’s territorial unity by carrying a risk
of separation.
Turkey’s role in the international arena will raise and the country
will have a wider influence in worldwide poltical affairs, the report
pointed out.
The intel report suggested that European countries should keep the
possibility of Turkey’s accession into EU going, as well as the
negotiations. ( Although the current Turkish government hints their
obvious disdain of EU at every available occasion)
The report on Turkey, Kurdistan, chaos-ridden Iraq and Syria and
ever-troubled Middle East further stated that Turkey, among countries
like Colombia, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico and South Africa may
witness an economic rise. Russia, Japan and Europe, however, may
undergo an economic decline, the report says.
US Intel Report : Islamist terror to be over by 2030
Further scenarios included a decline in the “superpower” status as
the United States as the country becomes “first among equals” in a
new multi-polar world order in the near future.
China, however, is mentioned as a “slowly rising” global power that
will “remain a top-tier player in Asia.”
The most interesting fact the US National intelligence report puts
on the table is that the Islamist terror may be over by 2030. That
is wishful thinking at its best, dear NationalTurk readers.
CONSPICUOUS BY ABSENCE: TER-PETROSYAN’S FAILURE TO ATTEND OPPOSITION GATHERING LINKED TO UPCOMING VOTE
VOTE 2013 | 11.12.12 | 12:27
By SIRANUYSH GEVORGYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
Former president Levon Ter-Petrosyan did not attend Monday’s rally and
march staged by his Armenian National Congress (ANC) on the occasion
of International Human Rights Day – the first mass event held by the
alliance since last May’s parliamentary elections – raising
speculation about lingering uncertainty in the opposition ranks.
His absence from the event traditionally held by the Armenian
opposition alliance on December 10 would not be so conspicuous except
for the upcoming presidential election in which the ANC leader has
been expected to make another bid to return to 26 Baghramyan Street.
Ter-Petrosyan, who, by the way, attended a similar event last year,
has not come up with any public statements for months now, keeping his
supporters and the broader society unaware of and guessing about his
decision regarding the ballot slated for February 18.
Under Armenian law, the stage of nominations is due to start on
December 25 and last through January 4 – a period in which the lineup
of forces in the election will become more or less clear.
Leading members of the ANC keep describing Ter-Petrosyan as the only
presidential candidate for them, insisting that they are only waiting
for his decision to second it.
Commenting on Ter-Petrosyan’s failure to attend the Monday march of
his alliance and pointing out the thinness of the crowd, the Hayots
Ashkharh daily wrote today: “After all, Ter-Petrosyan would address
even smaller numbers of people. If only he had something to say… Of
course, for an orator like Ter-Petrosyan that wouldn’t be a problem to
say something on Human Rights Day, but now he is expected to say much
more than that.”
The pro-government paper suggests that Ter-Petrosyan cannot say “more
than that” at this moment because of being trapped in political
consultations initiated by the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) last
month and centered, as many analysts assume, around the person of
PAP’s millionaire leader Gagik Tsarukyan as a possible single
opposition candidate for president in 2013.
Talking to reporters, ANC coordinator and parliamentary leader Levon
Zurabyan did not exclude that a Ter-Petrosyan-Tsarukyan meeting could
be held soon. (After Tsarukyan’s criticism of the Armenian authorities
during his recent visit to Brussels most political analysts in Armenia
think that the PAP leader’s nomination as a presidential candidate has
become a foregone conclusion).
Zurabyan did not present any other details of the consultations that
he said were ongoing.
At the same time, the senior ANC representative stopped short of
drawing conclusions from the reported weekend meeting between
Tsarukyan and President Serzh Sargsyan, who is expected to seek
reelection next year.
After the unconfirmed news of that meeting some analysts rushed to
conclude that the PAP leader would rethink his strategy and decide not
to join the fray.
Political and electoral technologies expert Armen Badalyan, too,
believes that Ter-Petrosyan’s not attending the most recent mass event
of his alliance could be evidence that he did not have a decision yet
concerning the election. He, however, said he was far from regarding
it as a surprise or unusual occurrence.
“First it was not always that Ter-Petrosyan participated in marches.
Perhaps processions are not the right format for such statements [on
political decisions]. Of course, he knew that media would ask
questions on that, and there was no point for him to answer these
questions personally if Levon Zurabyan could do that instead,”
Badalyan told ArmeniaNow.
“Perhaps, the opposition leader’s age also mattered in this. It might
be hard for him to take part in marches and walk such long distances,”
added the analyst.
But anticipating such assumptions ANC’s Zurabyan had said that the
67-year-old ex-president was in “excellent” health.
ANC parliamentary faction secretary Aram Manukyan’s message during the
procession was remarkable. As if justifying Ter-Petrosyan’s absence,
addressing supporter he said: “Whatever Levon Ter-Petrosyan does, he
is right. We trust him and believe in his political wisdom and
foresight. We may have lost some of our supporters along the way, but
it is important that we remain committed to our idea.”