Author: Kanayan Tamar

‘PAKISTAN ARMED FORCES ALWAYS STAND WITH AZERBAIJAN’

News.Az
Fri 02 November 2012 10:14 GMT | 10:14 Local Time

Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Dashgin Shikarov met with army
commander of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Parvez Ashfaq Kayani.

The embassy told APA that cooperation between Azerbaijani and Pakistani
armed forces was discussed at the meeting. Shikarov handed Azerbaijani
Defense Minister, Colonel-General Safar Abiyev’s letter inviting
Parvez Ashfaq Kayani to pay an official visit to Azerbaijan in 2013.

General expressed his gratitude for the invitation of Azerbaijani
Defense Minister, said he accepts the invitation with great pleasure
and will visit Azerbaijan. He underlined that his country unambiguously
supports Azerbaijan in Nagorno Karabakh problem, has not established
diplomatic relations with Armenia because of its aggressive policy,
does not recognize Armenia as a state. He said Islamabad’s support
for Azerbaijan will be continued until the occupied territories
are liberated.

Commander spoke about Pakistan’s defense industry, said there is a
great potential for bilateral cooperation in this sphere. He said
Pakistan Armed Forces, one of the most powerful armies of the world,
will always stand by Azerbaijan.

HRAPARAK: NA SPEAKER’S RIGHT-HAND MAN ‘BEATS UP’ CAR

Panorama.am
11:08 02/11/2012 ” Daily press

“Two days ago, near a monument to Alexander Tamanyan, manager of
Armenian National Assembly, NA speaker’s right-hand man Hamik, in a
drunken state, got out of his car and began to “beat up” a car which
he thought was parked in a wrong place, hitting at its glasses and
doors. Special police rushed to the scene and caught him, witnesses
say. However, he was set free by “important” calls. That was the
only topic of conversation in parliament’s corridors on Thursday,”
Hraparak says.

ARMENIAN VETERINARIANS PASSED TRAINING COURSES IN CHINA

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS: The “Support for Pesticide Quality
Control and Residue Monitoring in Armenia” project, in cooperation
with the State Service of Food Safety (SSFS) of the RA Ministry of
Agriculture and the Institute for the Control of Agrochemicals,
Ministry of Agriculture of People’s Republic of China, organized
a 20-day study tour for four participants from the ” Republican
Veterinary-Sanitary and Phytosanitary Center of Laboratory Services”
SNCO of the RA SSFS as part of the efforts to launch the next phase
of the specialised laboratory training courses implemented by FAO
in Armenia. As FAO informed Armenpress, In 2008, an Agricultural
University of Athens project provided basic analytical equipment to
the pesticide residue monitoring laboratory of the SNCO. Following
the capital refurbishment of the Central Laboratory, the FAO project
installed the new equipment, and the SNCO hired analytical chemists.

Establishing a high-tech laboratory under local conditions is a
demanding task requiring not only suitable laboratory premises and
expensive equipment but also highly qualified staff. The availability
of the staff for running the laboratory allowed the FAO project to
start the specialized training programs. The training in China was
the fourth phase of that program. The previous phases focused on
theory and practice of modern analytical techniques, in particular
the use of highly sophisticated equipment like the gas-chromatograph
(GC) in pesticide residue analyses. Ms. Heghine Gharibyan, one of the
study tour participants, said: The training was very effective and it
will be a great input for our laboratory. I am sure that trainings
of such kind offer powerful incentives with respect to exchanging
knowledge and skills of specialists and increasing the quality and
productivity of their work. The quality manager of the laboratory,
Mr. Ashot Danielyan, who was also among the training participants,
said: The study tour enabled us to exchange our knowledge and
skills with Chinese counterparts and bring back improved knowledge
and experience to Armenia. The objectives of the study tour for the
participants were to: experience first-hand a high level analytical
laboratory in the field of pesticide residue; receive an on-the-job
training at a fully operational internationally accredited laboratory;
and deepen their theoretical and practical skills in ensuring accurate
and proficient performance of pesticide residue analysis. Following
the study tour FAO continues providing trainings to the laboratory
specialists and developing their capacity related to identifying and
analyzing pesticide residues in food. The UN FAO Support for Pesticide
Quality Control and Residue Monitoring in Armenia project is sponsored
by the Government of the Hellenic Republic and implemented by FAO
Armenia and the RA Ministry of Agriculture. One of the project’s
objectives is to support the country in strengthening the national
institutional capacities to undertake pesticide residue surveillance
monitoring programs for food and feed.

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GENOCIDE ARMENIEN : ” NOUS DEVONS RECONNAITRE LE PASSE ”

Publie le : 02-11-2012

Info Collectif VAN – – ” Le Comite national
armenien d’Amerique, region occidentale, a distingue le leader de la
majorite democrate au Senat, Harry Reid, lui remettant le plus haut
et le plus prestigieux prix de l’organisation, le ” Freedom Award “,
le 28 octobre. Le leader de la majorite a coparraine chaque resolution
du Senat [americain] pour reaffirmer le genocide armenien. Harry
Reid a declare : ” Je connais l’histoire du genocide. Pour avancer,
je crois que nous devons reconnaître le passe – aussi difficile ou
douloureux soit-il “. Qu’il nous soit permis de noter que Harry
Reid connaît le genocide et ses victimes armeniennes mais a ”
oublie ” de citer l’Etat qui perpetue le crime depuis près de 100
ans par sa negation. Qui est ce ” Nous ” dont il parle ? S’agit-il
des Etats-Unis qui menagent leur allie turc et n’ont toujours pas
fait de reconnaissance solennelle du genocide armenien ? Ou bien
s’agit-il de la Turquie qui a perpetre ce crime en 1915 et persiste
a le nier depuis lors ? Le Collectif VAN vous propose la traduction
de l’editorial du journaliste armeno-americain Harut Sassounian,
paru dans The California Courier le 1er novembre 2012.

Legende photo : Harry Reid

L’ANCA honore le leader de la majorite au Senat qui soutient la
cause armenienne

De : Harut Sassounian Editeur de : The California Courier Editorial
de Sassounian du 1er novembre 2012

Le Comite national armenien d’Amerique, region occidentale, a distingue
le leader de la majorite au Senat, Harry Reid, lui remettant le plus
haut et le plus prestigieux prix de l’organisation, le ” Freedom Award
“, le 28 octobre.

Malheureusement, le senateur Reid n’a pas pu assister au banquet
annuel de l’ANCA, en raison d’un accident de la route, survenu deux
jours plus tôt. Le cortège d’automobiles du senateur a ete implique
dans un carambolage de six voitures sur l’autoroute 15, a Las Vegas.

Heureusement, le senateur Reid n’a pas ete gravement blesse, mais il
souffre de contusions des côtes.

Dans mes remarques liminaires au banquet, j’ai fait remarquer que
l’ANCA honorait l’un des legislateurs les plus puissants d’Amerique,
pour son service remarquable a la nation et son soutien de longue
date aux aspirations du peuple armenien.

J’ai souligne que ” le leader de la majorite a travaille assidûment,
souvent en silence, aux plus hauts echelons du gouvernement americain,
pour defendre les questions et les valeurs armeno-americaines. Il
a coparraine chaque resolution du Senat pour reaffirmer le genocide
armenien. ”

En raison de l’absence comprehensible du senateur Reid au banquet, le
president de l’ANCA Ken Hachigian a lu l’allocution que le senateur
avait preparee et il a accepte le prix en son nom. Voici quelques
points principaux du discours du senateur Reid :

” Je suis decu, car en raison d’un accident de voiture, je ne peux pas
etre avec vous ce soir. J’apprecie Harut Sassounian pour son plaidoyer
au fil de toutes ces annees et, en fin de compte, pour son amitie.

” Le Comite national armenien, bien sûr, a toujours ete au premier
rang pour soutenir l’Armenie et les causes qui sont importantes pour
la communaute armeno-americaine.

” J’ai apprecie ma relation avec les Armeno-Americains, de mon
partenaire d’entraînement au marathon Art Dakesian, a mon ami et
ancien client juridique, Kirk Kerkorian.

” Je suis ne dans une maison de Searchlight, Nevada, sans toilette
interieure, eau chaude ou autre confort moderne, et cela a ete dur
pour moi a accepter. Mes parents n’avaient pas d’education ; mon père
n’a pas termine ses etudes au collège et ma mère n’a pas termine ses
etudes au lycee. À bien des egards, toutes les choses qui ont entoure
ma jeunesse n’ont pas ete exemplaires.

” J’ai mis de nombreuses annees a vraiment accepter qui j’etais. Mais
ma jeunesse – le lieu et les circonstances de ma naissance – ont fait
de moi ce que je suis. Une fois que j’ai personnellement accepte ce
fait, je suis devenu une personne meilleure, un meilleur Americain.

” Ainsi, je le dis a chacun d’entre vous, peu importe les circonstances
de votre education – acceptez-les. Parce qu’en Amerique, cela n’a pas
d’importance, et j’en temoigne. Peu importe vos conditions economiques,
votre religion, l’education de vos parents ou votre appartenance
ethnique. En Amerique, nous pouvons tous reussir.

Bref, soyez fiers de ce que vous etes.

” J’ai le plaisir d’accepter cette recompense et de reaffirmer mon
soutien a la communaute armeno-americaine.

” Je le repète, le Comite national armenien d’Amerique a toujours
ete au premier rang pour soutenir l’Armenie et les causes importantes
pour la communaute armeno-americaine.

” Vous avez reussi a attirer l’attention de nos responsables politiques
nationaux sur la veritable histoire du genocide armenien.

” En tant que leader de la majorite, j’ai rarement coparraine une
legislation. Mais je me suis rendu en Armenie ; je connais l’histoire
du genocide. Par consequent, j’ai coparraine depuis des annees la
resolution sur le genocide armenien.

” Pour avancer, je crois que nous devons reconnaître le passe – aussi
difficile ou douloureux soit-il. Nous devons honorer la memoire de
ceux qui ont perdu leurs vies et rendre hommage a ceux qui ont survecu.

” J’ai la chance de representer une communaute armenienne prospère et
animee dans le Nevada, qui achèvera bientôt une nouvelle eglise a Las
Vegas. Et alors que j’etais en Armenie, je suis alle voir Etchmiadzine
et le Catholicos.

” Le courage et la force de la communaute armenienne du Nevada et
partout aux Etats-Unis, sont un testament et un honneur pour ceux qui
ont ete perdus dans le genocide. Nous devons toujours etre vigilants
envers des atrocites tel que le genocide armenien, afin qu’elles ne
se reproduisent plus jamais – nulle part dans le monde. ”

Le senateur Reid a alors exhorte tout le monde ” a honorer et a se
souvenir de la perte de tant de personnes lors du genocide armenien,
il y a presque 100 ans. ”

Le leader de la majorite a aussi exprime sa satisfaction que ”
l’administration Obama et un certain nombre de membres du Congrès
aient fortement condamne le pardon accorde par l’Azerbaïdjan a
un officier militaire azeri. L’officier a ete libere de prison,
bien qu’il ait ete condamne pour l’assassinat brutal a la hache,
d’un lieutenant militaire armenien pendant son sommeil. Les deux
hommes participaient a une formation organisee par l’OTAN en Hongrie,
lorsque l’assassinat a eu lieu. ”

Le senateur Reid a conclu ses remarques en exhortant les
Armeno-Americains a etre ” très fiers de votre origine et de votre
heritage armenien. ”

Outre le senateur Reid, l’ANCA a honore l’entrepreneur Varant
Melkonian, le reverend Joseph Matossian, le Dr. Rubina Peroomian et
l’auteur Chris Bohjalian.

©Traduction de l’anglais C.Gardon pour le Collectif VAN – 02 novembre
2012 –

Retour a la rubrique

MANIFESTATION ANTI-ERDOGAN BERLIN

Publié le : 02-11-2012

Info Collectif VAN – – Le Premier ministre
turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan était en visite a Berlin le mercredi 31
octobre 2012. La veille, le journal turc anglophone, Hurriyet Daily
News, avait annoncé la manifestation prévue par un grand nombre de
Kurdes, d’Ezidis, d’Arméniens, d’Alaouites et de Syriaques d’Europe,
déterminés a protester contre la venue du chef du gouvernement turc
en Allemagne. Azad Ordughanyan, a la tête du Centre des Arméniens
d’Allemagne, avait déclaré : ” La Turquie continue a nier le
génocide.

Nous réitérerons notre demande pour la reconnaissance du génocide
”.

Il est navrant de constater que la journaliste du HDN, Vercihan
Ziflioglu, Arménienne de Turquie, s’est sentie obligée d’utiliser
quant a elle, la rhétorique négationniste habituelle de l’Etat turc,
en parlant ” d’allégations sur le génocide arménien ”… Cela
en dit long sur la liberté d’expression dans ce pays qui donne
régulièrement des lecons a la France. Son papier est, par ailleurs,
l’occasion d’apprendre qu’il ne faut pas dire ” Yézidis ”, mais ”
Ezidis ”. A noter : la manifestation annoncée ci-dessous a bien
eu lieu le 31 octobre et a réuni 2 500 personnes. Le Collectif VAN
vous propose la traduction d’un article en anglais paru sur le site
Hurriyet Daily News le 30 octobre 2012.

Les Kurdes, les Ezidis prêts a se mobiliser a Berlin contre Erdogan

ISTANBUL – Hurriyet Daily News

October/30/2012

Vercihan Ziflioglu [email protected]

Un grand nombre de Kurdes, d’Ezidis, d’Arméniens, d’Alaouites et de
Syriaques d’Europe est prêt a manifester en guise de protestation
contre la visite en Allemagne du Premier ministre turc Recep Tayyip
Erdogan aujourd’hui.

Environ 10 000 personnes issues d’une cinquantaine d’organisations
devraient participer au rassemblement a Berlin. Ce sont
particulièrement les Ezidis qui sont en colère après les
déclarations récentes d’Erdogan qui a utilisé le terme de ”
Yézidi ” au lieu de ” Ezidi ”. Ils pensent que le mot ” Yézidi ”
a une connotation péjorative en Turquie.

Aziz AlkıÅ~_, a la tête de la Fédération des Associations d’Ezidis
a Berlin a déclaré que ” le Premier ministre méprisait les citoyens
ézidis ” avec ses déclarations. Il a ajouté qu’ils inviteraient
Erdogan a mettre un terme a sa politique en Syrie, ainsi qu’a cesser
de faire pression sur les minorités et les groupes ethniques en
Turquie. Constatant que la religion ézidie n’était pas reconnue sur
les cartes nationales d’identité et était indiquée par un ” X ”,
AlkıÅ~_ a déclaré que cela donnait l’impression que leur croyance
était anti-islamique.

” La reconnaissance du génocide ”

Azad Ordughanyan, a la tête du Centre des Arméniens d’Allemagne,
a déclaré qu’ils inviteraient la Turquie a reconnaître les
allégations sur le génocide arménien : ” La Turquie continue a
nier le génocide.

Nous réitérerons notre demande pour la reconnaissance du génocide
”.

Le chef de la Fédération des Unions d’Alaouites a Cologne, Huseyin
Mat, a déclaré que le gouvernement turc a adopté une politique
d’assimilation plutôt que d’accepter toutes les différences : ”
Erdogan dira que la Turquie est un pays démocratique lorsqu’il sera
ici. Nous dirons qu’il n’en est rien ”.

©Traduction de l’anglais Tigran Mheryan pour le Collectif VAN –
02 novembre 2012 –

Lire aussi :

Erdogan a Berlin : des relations turco-allemandes grincantes

Une manifestation anti-Erdogan a Berlin

Retour a la rubrique

Source/Lien : Hurriyet Daily News

UNE TRENTAINE DE KURDES ENVAHISSENT LE HALL DE FRANCE 3 RENNES
Stephane

armenews.com
jeudi 1er novembre 2012

Une trentaine de Rennais d’origine kurde ont envahi le hall de France
3 Bretagne, avenue Janvier a Rennes, mercredi soir vers 19 h 10.

Membres du PKK pour certains, ils entendaient attirer l’attention
des medias sur la grève de la faim actuellement observee, en Turquie,
par des prisonniers politiques kurdes. Le redacteur en chef de France
3, Alaix Rodaix, est descendu a la rencontre des manifestants, qui
etaient calmes. ” Il n’y a eu aucun eclat de voix, aucun degât et
France 3 ne deposera pas plainte, communique notre confrère de la
television regionale. Nous avons convenu d’un rendez-vous dans les
prochains jours “.

Contrôles d’identite

Une fois sortis de France 3, les manifestants kurdes sont tombes…

sur la police, prevenue par un automobiliste. Une trentaine de
policiers etaient presents. Tout s’est passe sans incident. Boulevard
de la Liberte, les policiers ont procede a des contrôles d’identite.

Les officiers de police ont egalement rappele aux hommes presents
que le droit de manifester existe, a condition d’en informer la
prefecture a l’avance. La dispersion s’est effectuee dans le calme,
vers 20 h le soir.

vendredi 2 novembre 2012, Stephane ©armenews.com

LA CEREMONIE DE LA POSE DE LA PREMIERE PIERRE DE LA CENTRALE HYDROELECTRIQUE DE MEGHRI DEVRAIT AVOIR LIEU DANS LES JOURS A VENIR
Stephane

armenews.com
jeudi 1er novembre 2012

Suite a la session de la commission intergouvernementale
armeno-iranienne de cooperation economique il aurait ete convenu
de poser, d’ici deux semaines, la première pierre de la centrale
hydroelectrique de Meghri sur la rivière Arax. Un accord sur la mise en
place de ce projet avait ete signe entre les Gouvernements d’Armenie et
d’Iran en 2007. Les travaux de construction devraient durer cinq ans
et necessiter des investissements a hauteur de 330 M USD qui seront
entièrement finances par la partie iranienne. Celle-ci, après avoir
exploite la centrale pendant 15 ans et beneficie de la totalite
de l’electricite produite, devrait ensuite la ceder a l’Armenie
sans contrepartie. La centrale devrait etre d’une puissance de 130
megawatt et produire annuellement 800 millions kw/h d’electricite. 2
000 specialistes et ouvriers devraient etre impliques lors des
differentes etapes de construction de la centrale. / Hayastani
Hanrapetoutioun, RFE/RL

Extrait de la revue de presse de l’Ambassade de France en Armenie en
date du 26 octobre 2012

vendredi 2 novembre 2012, Stephane ©armenews.com

AZERBAIJAN TO CHAIR PACE

Trend News Agency, Baku, Azerbaijan
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News
October 31, 2012 Wednesday

Oct. 31–Today Azerbaijan is preparing to head PACE after Andorra and
Austria, the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and
Inter-parliamentary Relations of the Parliament, head of the
delegation to PACE Samad Seyidov said during the meeting with
delegation headed by Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe
Gabriela Battaini Dragoni.

At the meeting, Seyidov said the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE has
always been active, brought opinion and problems of the country to the
attention of the organization and will act so in the future.

“Resolution No. 1416 on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, adopted by the
organization in 2005 — the success of the two sides,” Seyidov said.

He said Azerbaijan — the only member of the Council of Europe, which
has 20 percent of the territory occupied and one million people were
driven from their native land.

“Unfortunately, some of the structure and some representatives of the
international organizations demonstrate biased position against our
country. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is not only a problem of
Azerbaijan, but also a problem of the Council of Europe, and it has a
negative impact on the image of the organization,” Seyidov said.

Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni noted the special role of Azerbaijan in the
European Neighbourhood Policy and the promotion of intercultural
dialogue. She stressed the importance of the Council of Europe Action
Plan on Azerbaijan, and spoke about the importance of the Council of
Europe projects implemented together with the Baku office.

Chairman of the Committee on Legal Policy and State Building, deputy
head of the delegation to the PACE Ali Huseynli, members of the
delegation Sevinj Fataliyeva, Rafael Huseynov, Fazil Mustafa wished
success to the guest in her new position.

The sides exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.

THE FOUNDATION OF ARMENIAN-IRANIAN HYDROELECTRIC POWER STATION TO BE LAID IN THE COMING DAYS

Hayots Ashkharh (in Armenian)
Oct 26 2012
Armenia

by Vasak Tarposhyan’

[translated from Armenian]

It is obvious that economic ties between Armenia and Iran have been
developing slowly over the past years. Deadlines for the launch of
various projects are often changed.

Had all statements made previously come true, the construction of
Iran-Armenia oil pipeline would have begun at least two years ago
[in 2010]. However, this project has not started and it is unknown
when it will start.

The situation is similar around other joint initiatives. The project
of construction of a third Iran-Armenia energy line is proceeding
slowly. The project is to provide an opportunity to increase
collaboration between the energy systems of the two countries.

It is no accident that the trade turnover between Iran and Armenia
reduced this year [2012]. Whereas the trade turnover was 210m dollars
in the first eight months of 2011, it was 206m dollars in the same
period in 2010. The volume of exports from Armenia particularly
decreased and this decrease [in exports] was sharp – 22 per cent.

The construction of the Meghri hydroelectric power station has not
started despite a statement made previously.

However, both Iran and Armenia hope that work will become more active
in the future, particularly as neither side is content with the pace
of the work. Iranian Energy Minister Majid Namju, who co-chairs the
Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental commission, said this at the end
of the 11th session of the commission in [Armenian capital] Yerevan
on 25 September.

“Of course, we have recorded progress in jointly implemented projects,
but I should note that there are obstacles, which have slowed down
the course of those projects. Despite all the achievements, the
results are not satisfactory for us, and everything should be done
to overcome obstacles and move forwards,” [Namju said].

Essentially, problems in the implementation of the Meghri hydroelectric
power plant project have already been resolved. These issues were
first and foremost connected with funding the project. The amount
necessary for the construction of the hydroelectric power plant
was replenished. However, the minister did not name the amount of
the replenishment. It was only said that the Iranian government has
adopted a respective decision in this regard. Small obstacles remain,
which, in Namju’s opinion, will be resolved very quickly and the
construction of the power plant will start.

While the Iranian energy minister avoided to point to specific
deadlines, Armenian Energy and Natural Resources Minister Armen
Movsisyan said that:

“We will organise laying the foundation of the Meghri hydroelectric
power plant in 10-15 days according to the suggestion of Mr Namju
and construction will begin,” Movsisyan said.

Although a wide range of issues was discussed, three issues continue
to be a priority in the opinion of the Iranian energy minister.

“The first implies exchange of energy between Armenia and Iran and the
construction of the third high-voltage electricity line. Fortunately,
problems and obstacles linked to those have been eliminated, and the
Iranian contractor company must do its best in order to build this
electricity line as soon as possible,” Namju said.

The two other important projects implemented jointly by the
two countries, in the opinion of the Iranian minister, imply
the construction of the Meghri hydroelectric power plant and the
[Iran-Armenia] railway. Whereas the launch of the construction of
the hydroelectric power plant is a matter of days and uncertainties
around the construction of the railway remain to be numerous.

As it is known, the project of establishing railway communications
between Armenia and Iran has already been on the agenda for a long
time, but works aimed at its implementation have not materialised.

Even probable deadlines for the implementation of the railway project
are unknown. Although positive shifts in this regard are taking place
as well.

“The Iranian side has expressed willingness to take part in the
project. There is an arrangement to hold a discussion in Iran or
Armenia with the participation of all stakeholders,” Namju said.

[Translated from Armenian]

GARCETTI, KREKORIAN HONOR ARMENIAN HERITAGE MONTH IN CITY COUNCIL

ASBAREZ
Thursday, November 1st, 2012

>From l to r: Garcetti, Pirhamzei, AFFMA (Minassian), Karoun Dairies,
Lark Musical Society, Satamian, Parseghian, Krekorian

LOS ANGELES-City Councilmembers Eric Garcetti and Paul Krekorian
commemorated Armenian Heritage Month at the October 23 meeting of
the Los Angeles City Council by honoring members of Los Angeles’s
Armenian-American community.

“I’m proud to stand with the community to celebrate Armenian Heritage
Month in Los Angeles,” said Councilmember Garcetti, whose district
includes Little Armenia. “Los Angeles is home to the largest Armenian
diaspora in the world and we are a stronger city for it. Throughout
the centuries, Armenians have left a legacy of literature, music,
art, science, architecture, and more. The same spirit and tradition
continues today in Los Angeles and I’m proud to honor some of the
Armenian Americans who are leading the way.”

The City Councilmen with the JPL Mars Rover team

“For more than a century, Armenian-Americans have helped to weave
the fabric of our city and country through the richness of their
cultural heritage,” said Councilmember Paul Krekorian, the first
Armenian-American elected to the Los Angeles City Council. “Today,
I am proud to honor that heritage and the extraordinary contributions
of our honorees to the great wealth of cultural diversity that makes
Los Angeles unique. Beyond recognizing these honorees, through today’s
celebration we also offer tribute to the countless Armenian-American
Angelenos who share with all of us the depth of their ancient culture
and the vibrancy of its modern manifestations, and who contribute
so much to our city through their hard work, creativity, values,
civic pride and patriotism.”

This year’s honorees are: Parseghian Records. Celebrating its 50th
anniversary this year, Parseghian Records is Little Armenia’s oldest
operating Armenian-owned small business. The company pioneered the
production and distribution of Armenian music and film in the Diaspora
and in Los Angeles.

Arpa Foundation for Film, Music, and Art (AFFMA). Founded in 1995 by
Sylvia Minassian, AFFMA supports emerging artists and produces the
annual Arpa International Film Festival in Hollywood to showcase work
that seeks to bridge the cultural divide.

Karoun Dairies. Antranik Baghdassarian began making handmade cheese
from a small storefront in Hollywood in 1990 and quickly found a
market in ethnic stores across Southern California. Since that time,
Karoun Dairies has produced award-winning cheeses and yogurts that
are distributed in Armenian and other ethnic markets as well as large
retailers such as Costco and Ralph’s.

Krikor Satamian. Satamian is responsible for founding Armenian General
Benevolent Union (AGBU) theater companies in Boston, Detroit, New
York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. As Artistic Director of the AGBU
theater company in Los Angeles, he has directed or acted in more than
80 plays during a career that spans half a century. Satamian has been
credited for introducing the art of stand-up comedy in Armenian and
has appeared in numerous films and television shows.

Lark Musical Society. For more than 20 years, the Lark Musical
Society has educated hundreds of students who are preserving Armenian
heritage and culture through music. The Lark Musical Society offers
both a research facility and conservatory where hundreds of concerts,
lectures, and symposiums have taken place.

Vahik Pirhamzei. Vahik Pirhamzei is a writer, actor, and director
best known for creating the beloved stage character Rafael. His recent
film – My Uncle Rafael – is based on his stage character and has been
played to sold out audiences in theaters across the United States.

Armenian-American JPL Mars Rover Curiosity Team Members. The Jet
Propulsion Laboratory’s Mars Rover Curiosity Team included 16 Armenian
Americans whose work is expanding our knowledge of the red planet.