Author: Kanayan Tamar

KATNAGHBYUR ELDER: ‘IF THE KING CAN’T HELP US, WHAT CAN THE VILLAGE MAYOR DO?’
LARISA PAREMUZYAN

14:37, December 11, 2012

The 18 kilometre road from the town of Stepanavan in Armenia’s Lori
Province to the village of Katnaghbyur is practically impassable.

That’s just one of the problems facing this community of 1,000.

Local residents say that none of community’s overriding problems
have been addressed in the years since independence. While water is
abundant, none of the homes have running taps inside. Villagers must
go and fill up buckets from faucets installed on the streets.

Newly elected village Mayor Artour Savtalyan says that 80% of residents
seek seasonal work overseas.

“Katnaghbyur has become an old-aged home. Young people leave for
Russia and any foreign shores for work,” said Rafayel Hovhannisyan,
a young community resident.

The five children of 77 year-old Nazik Sargsyan have also left for
greener pastures.

“I have five kids and each is now living in a different country. You
won’t find a more depressed village than ours,” Mrs, Sargsyan exclaims.

The village is not supplied with natural gas and the streets are in
terrible shape. Residents blame Armenia’s president for the difficult
conditions they face.

Mrs. Galya, another resident, chimed in, “I would like for Serzh
Sargsyan to fix the roads leading to the village and to bring gas. We
need a little help here.”

John Kirakosyan, another resident, points to the road connecting
Katnaghbyour with Stepanavan as the number one problem. Taxis charge
4,000 AMD for the trip and 5,000 at night.

He says the impassable road jacks up the price of goods transported
to the village.

Serzh Hakobyan, the former mayor, didn’t run in the last election
and his four years in office could politely be described as a failure.

Mr. Kirakosyan believes the state must assist community mayors with
the necessary resources to improve conditions.

“What are people supposed to do? Must we go to Russia to work so that
we can pay our local taxes?” asks a disgruntled Kirakosyan.

Residents have little faith in the pledges made by government
officials. “They’ve been feeding us promises for the past twenty
years. But nobody acts on them,” says Kirakosyan.

We asked the mayor to show us a copy of the village’s four year
development plan but were told it was locked away in the accountant’s
safe. The accountant was away at the time.

Mayor Savtalyan told us that he expects assistance from the Lori
Regional Authority to solve the primary problems facing the village –
a gas and water distribution system.

Savtalyan said that the village is drafting its 2013-2016 development
plan and that it will soon be presented to the municipal council
for passage.

As I was walking down one of the village streets, I noticed a young
woman chopping wood. When I approached her, she turned her head away.

The woman, Emma Poghosyan, told me she’s been suffering from psoriasis
for the past ten years. Her face was marked with blotches.

“A few days ago I telephoned Yerevan for medical help. The doctor
told me to send someone to pick up some ointment for my face. But I
have no one to send.”

Emma says she feeds her family of four with the monthly 16,000
AMD medical pension she receives. I advised her to seek financial
assistance at the village municipality.

“Hey, all they want is our vote. Once they get in office they forget
about us,” said a disillusioned Emma.

As I left Katnaghbyur the prophetic words of Nazik Sargsyan rang in
my ears.

“What’s the name of our king? Yep, Serzh Sargsyan. If the king can’t
help our village what can the mayor possibly do?”

1 % OF ARMENIA’S INFANT POPULATION IS DISABLED

Tue, 12/11/2012 – 16:53

By the initiative of the NA Standing Committees on Healthcare,
Maternity and Child, Science, Education, Youth and Sport affairs
parliamentary hearings took place today on the topic ‘The protection
of disabled children in Armenia’.

The Chairman of the RA NA Permanent Committee on Healthcare, Maternity
and Child, the RA NA Head of the Working group Ara Babloyan noted that
the main goal of the hearings are the steps taken by the departments
and organizations with regard to the protection of the rights of
disabled children and the existing defects, which require both the
improvement of legislative field and realization of the programs of
sub-legislative acts.

‘We can be proud when saying that a lot has been done, however we
still have many tasks today’ said A. Babloyan, adding that there are
disabled children in Armenia, who cannot even attend school, most of
them attend integrated institutions and are deprived of social affairs.

‘The state must create corresponding conditions for all the children,
regardless their physical abilities’ added the RA Minister of Education
and Science Armen Ashotyan, adding that during the last years the
attitude towards the disabled children’s rights for education has
changed. ‘We have decided to have widespread inclusive education, so
that each school in Armenia could be able to accept every applicant
and create corresponding conditions for ensuring the right of education
of each applicant’.

According to A. Ashotyan’s words both inclusive and special schools
function in Armenia, which cannot be totally removed. Because there
are groups of diseases and corresponding limitations, which do not
allow providing all the children with inclusive education, however,
Armenia will make a revolutionary change by shifting to inclusive
education, in order to provide each child with the necessary education
corresponding to their abilities.

The working group member Heghine Bisharyan added in her turn that
this new law about inclusive education will give a chance to increase
the relevance of the issues and requirements, which the disabled
people face today. ‘We need to find rapid solutions to the issues,
which our disabled children face. They need to become full members
of the society’.

Parliamentary hearings will give a chance to the MP’s working group
to realize more reasoned and structured initiatives in the future
and suggesting new reforms for the protection of children, as well
as reviewing the attitude towards disabled children.

Let us note that there are 8000 registered disabled children
in Armenia, who according to official statistics, make 1 % of
the total infant population. Notwithstanding all the issues, a
substantial progress has been reported in Armenia with respect to
the protection of the disabled children’s rights, particularly in
the field of education. Today 1700 disabled children study in 100
inclusive schools, there are also 4 day care centers, which function
in the region of Tavush and provide specialized services to around
600 disabled children.

Õ~@Õ¥Õ²Õ”Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯: Factinfo

SERZH SARGSYAN AWARDED BORIS KOVALCHUK WITH ANANIA SHIRAKATSI MEDAL

15:36, 11 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS: President Serzh Sargsyan received
Chairman of the management board of “INTER RAO UES” OJSC Boris
Yuryevich Kovalchuk. As Presidential press service informed Armenpress,
Mr. Kovalchuk presented the company’s current year results, spoke about
development priorities and discussed further cooperation projects in
energy sphere with Armenia.

By the decree of Armenian President “INTER RAO UES” OJSC chairman Boris
Kovalchuk was awarded to Anania Shirakatsi medal for the contribution
in strengthening Armenian-Russian economic cooperation.

President Sargsyan congratulated Mr. Kovalchuk and handed in the award.

DANEMARK : UNE EXPOSITION NEGATIONNISTE A LA BIBLIOTHEQUE ROYALE

Publie le : 10-12-2012

Info Collectif VAN – – Pour contrebalancer
l’exposition ” Le genocide armenien et la reaction en Scandinavie
” qui se tient jusqu’au 15 decembre a la Bibliothèque Royale de
Copenhague, evenement qui a mis en emoi l’Ambassadeur de Turquie au
Danemark, la Bibliothèque Royale va donner la possibilite a l’Etat
turc de presenter, dans les memes lieux, sa version negationniste de
l’histoire. La future exposition se nommerait ” Le pretendu genocide
armenien “. Malgre les nombreuses critiques d’historiens danois
tels que Matthias Bjørnlund qui considère que toutes les versions de
l’histoire ne sauraient etre presentees car elles ne se valent pas,
Erland Kolding Nielsen, le directeur de la Bibliothèque Royale, reste
categorique et declare que la contre-exposition sera maintenue. Il
convient egalement de rappeler que le Danemark n’a pas reconnu les
massacres de la population armenienne par l’Empire ottoman comme
un genocide.

Le Collectif VAN vous invite a lire la traduction d’un article en
anglais ecrit par Christian Wenande et publie sur The Copenhagen Post
le 4 decembre 2012.

La Bibliothèque Royale sous le feu des critiques pour une exposition
sur le genocide armenien :

Mais le directeur de la bibliothèque a balaye la critique en declarant
que la Turquie presentera sa version des evenements comme prevu.

The Copenhagen Post

Christian Wenande 4 Decembre 2012

La Bibliothèque Royale a ete vivement critiquee après avoir accepte
de laisser la Turquie co-organiser une contre-exposition sur le
genocide armenien.

La Bibliothèque s’est pliee aux souhaits de l’ambassadeur turc au
Danemark de se meler de l’exposition ” Le Genocide armenien et la
reponse scandinave ” qui est actuellement presentee a l’Universite
de Copenhague.

L’Ambassade de Turquie a obtenu la possibilite d’exposer la version
turque des evenements historiques par une man~uvre qui a suscite
les critiques de certains cercles, notamment des hommes politiques,
des historiens et de l’Ambassade d’Armenie a Copenhague.

” C’est ceder a la pression de la Turquie, et ca ne peut pas aller.

Sans comparer les deux evenements, c’est comme si vous demandiez a
des neonazis de preparer une exposition sur l’Holocauste ” a dit au
journal Berlingske, Søren Espersen, un porte-parole pour le Parti
populaire danois.*

La Turquie refuse d’utiliser le terme ” genocide ” pour decrire
la mort de plus d’un million d’Armeniens qui ont ete tues durant
l’extermination massive organisee par l’Empire ottoman entre 1915 et
1923. La Turquie retorque que les morts ont ete un effet collateral
de la Première Guerre mondiale et que la question devrait etre laissee
aux historiens.

Mais Matthias Bjørnlund, historien et grand specialiste danois du
genocide armenien, est deconcerte par la decision de la Bibliothèque
Royale dans l’affaire.

” Si vous croyez que toutes les versions de l’Histoire sont
equivalentes, alors vous avez sabote votre rôle d’institut de recherche
” a declare Bjørnlund au Berlingske. ” C´etait un genocide et toute
autre interpretation n´est pas vraie. ”

L’ambassadeur d’Armenie au Danemark, Hrachya Aghajanyan, qui est
co-organisateur de l’exposition originale, est decu par cette
man~uvre.

” J’espère que la Bibliothèque Royale reexaminera sa decision et
ne cedera pas a la potentielle pression turque ” a dit Aghajanyan
au Berlingske.

Mais Erland Kolding Nieslen, le directeur de la Bibliothèque Royale,
a nie que l’institution avait cede a la pression de la Turquie.

” Personne ne peut faire pression sur nous, et nous n’avons pas
parle d’enlever l’exposition armenienne. Nous leur avons simplement
donne l’occasion de montrer leur contre-exposition ” a dit Nieslen
au Berlingske.

Actuellement, 24 nations – parmi lesquelles la France, l’Allemagne et
la Russie – considèrent officiellement les massacres comme un genocide,
mais le Danemark n’a pas encore fait une telle declaration.

Plus tôt cette annee, la Turquie a condamne l’adoption par le senat
francais d’une loi penalisant ceux en France qui refuseraient de
reconnaître le massacre des Armeniens en 1915 comme un genocide. Le
gouvernement turc a gele ses liens politiques et militaires avec la
France après l’adoption de la loi a la fin du mois de janvier 2012,
loi qui infligerait une amende de 335.000 Couronnes et une peine
d’emprisonnement d’un an a ceux qui seraient reconnus coupables de
nier que les massacres constituaient un genocide.

On ignore encore la date d’ouverture de l’exposition turque, mais
l’Ambassade de Turquie a dit que les preparatifs etaient en cours.

©Traduction de l’anglais Tigran Mheryan pour le Collectif VAN –
10 decembre 2012 – 06:00 –

*Nota CVAN : Le Dansk Folkeparti (DF) est un parti nationaliste
danois fonde en 1995. Des observateurs de la vie politique danoise
le decrivent comme ” populiste ” voire ” xenophobe “.

Retour a la rubrique

Source/Lien : The Copenhagen Post

LA CENTRALE NUCLEAIRE ARMENIENNE REPREND SES OPERATIONS APRES UNE MAINTENANCE
Stephane

armenews.com
lundi 10 decembre 2012

La deuxième unite de la centrale nucleaire armenienne a repris
ses operations a declare le directeur general de la centrale Gagik
Markosyan.

” Le 27 novembre la centrale nucleaire a repris sa production
d’electricite ” a dit Gagik Markosyan.

Selon une annonce precedente, les travaux de maintenance devaient
etre acheves pour le 11 decembre.

Le 15 septembre, la centrale nucleaire a interrompu ses operations
pour des travaux de maintenance, des mesures de securite et le
ravitaillement en combustible.

Aujourd’hui seul le deuxième reacteur avec une capacite de 407,5
megawatts est en operation. Il pourvoit de 40 % a 50 % de la production
d’energie en Armenie.

lundi 10 decembre 2012, Stephane ©armenews.com

AUTOMNE DU PRINTEMPS ARABE EN COMMUNAUTE ARMENIENNE (VIDEO)
Jean Eckian

A l’occasion d’un vol de secours affrete specialement au profit de
la communaute armenienne de Syrie, Armenia TV fait un etat des lieux
face a un spectacle de desolation.

Avec une dignite exemplaire les Armeniens de Syrie s’accrochent,
autant que faire se peut, malgre les souffrances endurees, a l’idee
de meilleurs lendemains.

En Armenien

lundi 10 decembre 2012, Jean Eckian ©armenews.com

LOWELL ARF HONORS JEKNAVORIAN FOR 50 YEARS OF LOYAL SERVICE
by Tom Vartabedian

December 10, 2012

LOWELL, Mass.-Every community has its faithful servant, the individual
who goes above and beyond the call of duty to pave a better road for
its members.

Aram Jeknavorian, center, was honored Dec. 8 by the Lowell ‘Aharonian’
Gomideh for his community service, including 50 years with the
ARF. He is joined by brothers Armen, left, and Ara. Together, the
Jeknavorian brothers have a combined total of 135 faithful years to
the organization.

In Merrimack Valley, Aram Jeknavorian not only fits that mold, he
breaks it.

The Lowell “Aharonian” Gomideh-the first organized ARF Committee of
its kind in America-celebrated its 117th anniversary Dec. 8 at St.
Gregory Church in North Andover.

A roomful of guests applauded Jeknavorian for his 50 years of unbridled
service to the organization, beginning with his days as a Central
Executive member with the AYF.

Over the interim, he has held every executive post possible. He has
organized April 24th commemorations at Lowell City Hall; represented
his committee dutifully on genocide committees; attended conventions
and conferences; and encouraged younger counterparts to get involved.

He also co-chairs the Merrimack Valley ANC.

Beyond the ARF circle, he has commanded the Sam Manoian Post, Lowell
Armenian-American Veterans; led the charge at parades and marches;
taught Sunday School at Sts. Vartanantz Church, where he has served
as a Parish Council member; worked the kitchen; and been the go-to
guy whenever an opportunity or a need presented itself.

“Few have done more for the ARF and its community than Aram,” say
members. “He embodies the true spirit of this organization in its many
facets. Indeed, he serves as the consummate role model for others.”

A recent bout with open heart surgery refuses to take its toll. A
month of recovery and rehabilitation had him back in his familiar role,
attending meetings and fulfilling goals.

Of immediate concern is a genocide memorial for Lowell, where he
was raised. Jeknavorian and others have initiated a $50,000 monument
project to be completed in time for the 2015 centennial.

Joining him on the project are his two brothers, Armen, who chairs
the committee, and Ara, a younger brother who provides strong impetus.

The three Jeknavorians have 135 years of combined service to the ARF,
following in the footsteps of their dad, Apraham, who set the early
example. Two sisters, Armig and Rose, have also been involved in ARS
work, along with their mother Flora.

“I’m deeply humbled by this recognition from my ungers,” said Aram.

“They’ve been an extended family over the years. I’ve been taught at
a very early age to become a devoted Armenian servant, both with my
church and outside community. It’s kept me vital over the decades.”

The anniversary celebration attracted a number of members from outside
the organization in an arena of conviviality. An update on the Lowell
memorial brought loud applause from the audience.

A musical performance by the mother-son duo of Ani and Haig Hovsepian
produced another highlight to the occasion. The two virtuosos
combined their talents on the piano and violin in a repertoire of
classical gems.

A moment of silence was observed for victims of the 1988 earthquake
that rocked Armenia, resulting in the loss of many thousand lives.

Prayers were offered by Der Karekin Bedourian.

NATIONAL SEMINAR TITLED “STRUGGLE AGAINST ONLINE HATRED” WILL BE HELD IN ARMENIA

20:02, 10 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS. National seminar named “Struggle
against Online Hatred” will be held in the hall of Armenian Youth
Foundation on December 15-16. It was initiated by the Federation
of Youth Clubs in Armenia (FYCA) with the support of European
Youth Foundation (EYF). The EYF secretariat informed “‘Armenpress”
that chairmen of governmental and non-governmental organizations,
representatives of international organizations, specialists of the
sphere, experts, journalists and young activists are invited to
the seminar.

The seminar will be held in the frames of the European Council’s
2012-2014 comprehensive campaign “Youth against Online Hatred”. The
campaign aims to empower the youth with the necessary knowledge and
skills and jointly struggle against online manifestations of racism
and discrimination.

Those who wish to take part in the seminar or contribute to the
national policy making should apply before December 13.

OXFAM: ACTIVE CIVIL SOCIETY MAY BOOST LIVING STANDARDS IN ARMENIA

December 10, 2012 – 20:07 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Formation of active civil society may intensify
government efforts to reduce inequality and ensure better social
conditions for citizens, Oxfam organization’s Armenian branch
representative said.

As Anahit Chitchyan noted, lawyers employed in the organization are
called to protect the consumer rights.

“Oxfam has succeeded in mobilizing the youth and business ladies to
solve social problems in the rural areas,” she said.

The organization has conducted a monitoring of partial payment system
for health care services.

MEAT PERCENTAGE IN MANY ARMENIAN SAUSAGES BELOW 16 PERCENT: SCPEC

YEREVAN, December 10. / ARKA /. Armenia’s State Commission for
Protection of Economic Competition (SCPEC) ruled today to penalize
21 local meat companies for breach of standards after a study found
that the percentage of meat in some of their meat products is only 16%.

These companies will be penalized in the amount of one percent of
their annual revenue, the maximum penalty prescribed by law for
such breaches.

The penalized companies are Mush, A. Bilyan, Ar delicates,, Natfood,
Jrvezh meat, Marila, Babak 90, Erebuni Astgh, Father and Son Galstyan,
Yeryomka, Elite Prod, A. Shirvanyan and friends, Brothers Artem and
Hrayr, Luma, Karine and Narine, Neptune Mar, SOS 97, Tiran Ghazaryan,
Gayan Jam, Good Stork, and Arthur Hakobyan.

SCPEC chairman Artak Shaboyan said the study revealed high content of
soy, semolina, starch, flour, nitrite, phosphorus and other substances
in the meat products, added to increase their weight and make them
look more appetizing. Besides, instead of beef and pork some varieties
of sausages contained frozen imported buffalo and chicken meat.

He said SCPEC will ask the ministry of agriculture to address the
existing gaps in the legislation regulating production of sausages.

“Dishonest companies have used the loopholes in the law. In particular,
technical regulations for meat and meat products do not specify the
percentage of meat in meat product for them to be considered sausage
products,” he added. -0-