Author: Kanayan Tamar

Exhibition in Gutenberg Museum dedicated to the 500th anniversary of
Armenian printing

armradio.am
15:52 08.12.2012

Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan visited the German city of
Mainz, where he met with Kurt Beck, Prime Minister of the
Rheinland-Pfalz Land. The sides discussed the opportunities for
bilateral cooperation, particularly in the fields of agriculture,
tourism and pharmaceutics.

The Prime Minister participated in the opening of the exhibition in
Gutenberg Museum dedicated to the 500th anniversary of Armenian
printing. Thanking the Prime Minister of Rheinland-Pfalz and the Mayor
of Mainz for participating in the event, Tigran Sargsyan noted it was
a great honor for him to be present at the marvelous exhibition.

According to the Prime Minister, printing was more for Armenia than a
tool of enlightenment and revival. The book and print press, education
and culture helped the Armenian national maintain its identity under
the conditions of lack of statehood.

`Printing and the creation of the Armenian alphabet at the turn of the
5th century created a solid basis for the future cultural and
spiritual development of the Armenian people,’ the Prime Minister
said.

Tigran Sargsyan expressed gratitude to the Gutenberg Museum for the
exceptional opportunity to present the Armenian culture to the German
society.

Boxing: Katie Taylor named ambassador for Rio 2016

Saturday December 08 2012

KATIE TAYLOR has been named the International Boxing Association
(AIBA) ambassador for women’s boxing worldwide in the lead-up to the
Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

AIBA president Dr Ching Kuo-Wu unveiled Taylor at their annual awards
banquet in Yerevan, Armenia. Taylor was in the Armenian capital to
accept her third AIBA World Female Boxer of the Year award to cap an
incredible year in which she claimed Olympic and World gold.

“It is an honour for me to be nominated AIBA women’s boxing
ambassador”, said the 26-year-old. “I want to help elevate women’s
boxing to ensure it sits at the pinnacle of sporting achievement.”

Tyrone’s Michael Gallagher was presented with his second AIBA World
Referee and Judge (R&J) award.

The ceremony was held after the AIBA 2012 World Youth Championships
finals at the Sports and Concerts venue where Ireland’s Kurt Walker,
who boxes out of the Canal BC in Lisburn, won bronze.

The National Intermediate semi-finals resume at 2.0 today at Dublin’s
National Stadium. The finals will be held next Friday at the same
venue.

New Game Around Abkhazia

Igor Muradyan
13:37 08/12/2012
Story from Lragir.am News:

No doubt Georgia and Russia are interested in lifting the blockade of
the Abkhazian railway. It would boost Georgia’s importance as a
transit country and bring additional income. It would be a factor of
strengthening Russia’s foothold in the South Caucasus, as well as Iran
and Western Asia where 20 million tons of cargo awaits transportation
to the northwest of Europe.

However, the sides are not in a hurry to make a decision, preferring
to shift responsibility on Abkhazia which feels danger of Georgian
expansion considering the big Georgian community in the southeast of
this small country.

Moscow has staged a show of concerns about Abkhazia. Georgia also
waits, realizing that this is just the beginning. A long political
trade is expected. Nobody wants to lose and nobody wants to appear as
a destructive partner.

Moscow has already mobilized political experts who put forth arguments
in the presence of identical motives to involve Armenia in this game
with conditions which will be most prejudicial for Armenia. Armenia is
presented as the author of this dangerous plan for Abkhazia which does
not take into account Russia’s interests.

But this is too thin a version though nobody cares how realistic this
version is. This position is so anti-Armenian that one doubts
Azerbaijani money has been put at its base. However, considering the
high level of integration of those experts, their `ruse’ could be
explained by office tasks.

The falsehood of these arguments is revealed as soon as there is a
possibility to compare arguments regarding the allegedly negative
opinion of Russian military with the real opinion of the military. It
is said that the military are against lifting the blockade of this
transportation line due to `fight against drug trafficking’ and
`appearance of Georgian terrorist groups in Abkhazia’.

This is totally stupid, the Moscow-based military experts say. It is
true that there are no more or less developed positions on this issue
in the Russian General Staff but the Russian military consider this as
a prospect of strengthening Russia’s foothold in the region. Everyone
knows about the lack of coordination in Moscow.

The American diplomats in Moscow have conveyed to the Russia-based
experts that the United States will not thwart the lifting of blockade
on this section of the railway. By the way, the Armenian lobby in
Washington could confirm this intention of the United States and
support it. That would be the `Armenian resource’ for this intention.

For its part, Georgia can sway the EU to provide funds for the
reconstruction of this railway. If Georgia cares for its sovereignty,
it cannot allow the Turkish-Azerbaijani guidance, especially regarding
issues which are not related to Turks and Azeris.

Certainly, the last word belongs to Abkhazia, and this republic has
already displayed its determination and staunch to build up its
sovereignty. Railway transit and transportation services will help
build up its sovereignty, not the contrary.

One way or another, the agreement of Russia and the United States will
have a deciding role for the solution of this issue. Therefore,
Armenia should not listen to the opinion of the `heralds of darkness’
and will continue to work towards this direction. This railway will be
opened sooner than the logically reasoning observers think.

NKR FM Karen Mirzoyan continues his visit to Washington

12:59 08/12/2012 » COMMENTS

On December 6, NKR Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan visited the Embassy
of Armenia in Washington, D.C. where he met with Ambassador Tatoul
Markarian and Embassy staff.

After the meeting with Armenian diplomats, Foreign Minister Mirzoyan
met with representatives of Washington-based American-Armenian
organizations and clergy. The current stage of negotiations around the
Karabakh-Azerbaijan conflict was discussed. The Minister also
presented the steps the Artsakh leadership is undertaking to ensure
country’s comprehensive development.

Later on the same day, NKR Foreign Minister participated in a closed
discussion on Karabakh conflict resolution. The event was organized at
the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace with participation of
regional experts, scholars and representatives of Washington-based
think-tank community, the press service of NKR MFA reported.

Source: Panorama.am

Paruyr Hayrikyan announces his intention to run for president

13:48 08/12/2012 » ANALYSIS

National Self-Determination Union (NSDU) chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan is
going to run for president, as he told reporters today.

`I am going to run in the elections. I can’t but participate in the
election race, although I have a better idea than any other politician
in Armenia about what difficulties are awaiting us after the
elections. Current politicians in Armenia think that the elections
will give the possibility of making radical changes in the country.
But I understand that it is only a moral and political possibility.
And I have an experience of working with moral and political
possibilities,’ said Hayrikyan.

Commenting on the chances of presidential candidates, NSDU leader
noted that incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan is in a favorable
position as he goes for elections with a united front.

`I will receive only 20 percent of the vote if I run in the elections
independently,’ he added.

Source: Panorama.am

Momentum to Help Syrian Armenians Continues with a $250K Transfer

Friday, December 7th, 2012 | Posted by Contributor

The band VIZA performs during last month’s HyeAid benefit concert

GLENDALE – The Syrian Armenian Relief Fund (SARF), a consortium of
religious, political and charity organizations in the Western U.S.A.
made another milestone by making a third transfer of funds for Syrian
Armenians. Meher Der Ohannessian, treasurer of the SARF Executive
Committee, reported that a $250,000 transfer was made to the
Catholicosate of Cilicia account set up especially for Syrian Armenian
relief efforts.

The latest transfer was possible after a concert at the Pasadena Civic
Auditorium was held on November 11, 2012, and other ongoing
fundraising efforts. A dinner organized by the `Kaghouteh Kaghout’
volunteers, which was held at the Pasadena Armenian Center on October
26, 2012, raised $48,000. A breakfast fundraiser was held on November
5, 2012, at the Lomita Armenian Center and raised $3,500 for Syrian
Armenian relief.

The Homenetmen Western U.S.A. Region held a Regional Convention
November 9 through 11, 2012, at the Kevork Andonian Hall and raised
$3,000 from the delegates with the determination that the fundraising
will continue at the chapter level.

The Knights of Vartan, Southwest District, held a fundraising dinner
for Syrian Armenians on November 18, 2012, at St. Peters Armenian
Church, Karagozian Hall in Van Nuys, California, and raised $7,500.

On November 18, 2012, a concert was held at the Saroyan Hall of the
Khachaturian Armenian Center in San Francisco. The combined efforts of
the Bay Area community raised $50,000. AGBU Silicon Valley Chairperson
Yervant Zorian emceed the event. Local artists sang, played musical
instruments, recited poetry and danced. In addition, Lilit Pipoyan
from Armenia and Vicken Tarpinian from France, who had participated in
the Pasadena concert, also performed. Zaven Khanjian, Chairperson of
the SARF Executive Committee, delivered the keynote address. Judy
Jingirian, Armenian Relief Society of Western U.S.A., Regional
Executive Board member, an organizing committee member, read the
supportive letters from Congresswomen Jackie Speier (District 12) and
Anna Eshoo (District 14).

The crisis in Syria continues. Share your Christmas gifts with the
Syrian Armenians by mailing your tax-exempt contribution to Syrian
Armenian Relief Fund, P.O. Box 1948, Glendale, CA 91209-1948 or by
credit card at

The following churches, charities and organizations came together to
form the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund: Armenian Catholic Eparchy in
North America; Armenian Evangelical Union of North America; Western
Diocese of the Armenian Church; Western Prelacy of the Armenian
Apostolic Church of America; Armenian General Benevolent Union;
Armenian Missionary Association of America; Armenian Relief Society of
Western U.S.A.; Armenian Democratic Liberal Party; Armenian
Revolutionary Federation-Western U.S.A.; and Social Democrat
Hunchakian Party-Western U.S.A.

Soso Pavliashvilii concert entire income be directed to needy children

12:08, 8 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS: Honored Artist of Russia Soso
Pavliashvili is scheduled to have an exclusive concert in Yerevan,
Mezzo club due December 10. The presentation of singer’s new CD is set
to be launched in the course of the planned concert: all income
gathered from sale will be donated to needy families in Armenia.

In a telephone conversation with Armenpress reporter the singer stated
he is going to come to Armenia with great pleasure, Armenians host
their guests as no nations do. ”Armenia is an astonishing country,
amazing people are living there”. In the words of Pavliashvili, the
new CD is a real Caucasian music holiday, it is a gift to Armenian
nation for their long-term faithful friendship. Concert entire income
will be used in charitable purposes, provided to needy children.

The singer is going to stay for two days in Armenia. In the course of
those days Pavliashvili will be preparing for the scheduled concert
and CD presentation. The singer added his friends in Tbilisi will join
him during his stay in Yerevan. Singer assures, he is always ready to
visit Yerevan.

ARMENIE
INGO Arménie nommé meilleure société d’assurance de l’année

La société d’assurance INGO Arménie a été reconnu gagnante dans la
catégorie de la Meilleure Société d’Assurance de l’Année.

Le gagnant a été déterminé par une enquête organisée par le Conseil
National Fiduciaire, qui a interrogé 1600 ménages à Erevan, Gyumri,
Vanadzor et d’autres villes de plus de 50000 habitants.

« J’ai dit à plusieurs reprises que la clef de notre succès est que
nous apprenons constamment de nos propres erreurs et des échecs
d’autres grandes sociétés. Nous apprenons aussi de nos clients, nous
répondons à toutes leurs demandes » a déclaré le PDG de la société
Levon Altunian lors de la cérémonie de récompense.

Environ 75 pour cent d’INGO appartiennent à la société russe
Ingosstrakh et le reste à Levon Altunian.

samedi 8 décembre 2012,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

Armenia must withdraw signature from protocols

December 06, 2012 | 15:09

YEREVAN.- Armenia and the Armenian people are facing serious
challenges. It is important to correct the mistakes, the gravest one
being the signing of Armenia-Turkey protocols, political analyst Ara
Papyan said.

Papyan, former Ambassador to Canada and head of Modus Vivendi center,
believes it is clear that the idea of protocols had failed. Both goals
– to establish diplomatic relations and open the borders – were not
achieved.

The diplomat says the border is in fact the border of the former USSR,
not Armenia’s border with Turkey. He believes the protocols are
legalizing violation of Armenia’s land rights. The signature must be
withdrawn, Armenia must adopt new policy on Turkey, Papyan emphasized.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am

LAVROV-CLINTON-CAZENEUVE: RESPONSIBILITY FOR RESOLVING THE NK CONFLICT REMAINS WITH THE SIDES

Mediamax
Dec 7 2012
Armenia

Yerevan/Mediamax/. Foreign Ministers of OSCE member states welcomed
the readiness of Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia to meet
jointly with the Co-Chairs early in 2013 to continue discussions on
the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

The joint statement by Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation
Sergey Lavrov, Secretary of State of the United States Hillary Clinton
and Minister Delegate for European Affairs of France Bernard Cazeneuve,
issued on the occasion of the OSCE Ministerial Council Meeting in
Dublin, reads this.

“We call upon the parties to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict to
demonstrate the political will needed to reach a peaceful settlement.

As our Presidents stated at Los Cabos on June 18, 2012, the parties
should be guided by the Helsinki principles, particularly those
relating to the non-use of force or the threat of force, territorial
integrity, and equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and
the elements outlined in our countries’ statements at L’Aquila in
2009 and Muskoka in 2010.Recalling the statement of our Presidents at
Deauville in 2011, we again urge the parties to take decisive steps
to reach a peaceful settlement,” the statement reads.

The Foreign Ministers of OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair states expressed
regret that the expectations of more rapid progress in the peace
process, which were raised by the Joint Statement of the Presidents
of Armenia and Azerbaijan at Sochi on January 23, 2012, were not met.

“The parties have too often sought one-sided advantage in the
negotiation process, rather than seeking to find agreement, based
upon mutual understanding. While recognizing the decrease in serious
incidents along the Line of Contact and the border in recent months,
we remind the parties of the need to continue to respect the ceasefire
of 1994, and that the use of military force will not resolve the
conflict,” the statement reads.

Foreign Ministers of OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries urged the
parties to refrain from actions and statements that foster feelings
of enmity among their populations and have raised tensions in recent
months.

“The leaders of the sides must prepare their populations for the
day when they will live again as neighbors, not enemies, with full
respect for each other’s culture, history, and traditions,” the
ministers stated.

They called upon the parties to demonstrate a greater sense of
urgency in the peace process and to work with the Co-Chairs to give
full and careful consideration to ideas presented by the Co-Chairs
during their trip to the region in November.

“Our countries continue to stand ready to do whatever we can to
assist the parties, but the responsibility for putting an end to the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains with them,” the statement reads.