Author: Kanayan Tamar

Vartan Oskanian: Stefan Fule is pessimistic about the present and the
future of Armenia

arminfo
Friday, September 28, 17:20

The EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy
Stefan Fule is disappointed and pessimistic about the present and the
future of Armenia, ex-foreign minister of Armenia, MP from Prosperous
Armenia Party Vartan Oskanian says on his Facebook page after the
meeting with Fule.

“The Commissioner touched on some issues we are all concerned with”,
Oskanian says. Fule pointed out that he informed both the President
and the Prime Minister of Armenia that they should not hope to receive
a 1 bln EUR grant, at least, before the presidential elections,
Oskanian says. The prospects of receiving a grant will depend on the
quality of presidential elections in the republic, Oskanian stresses.
He adds that given the current situation in the republic, one should
not hope that the Armenia-EU Association Agreement will be signed in
the near future. “Certainly, the amount the authorities hope to
receive from the EU could stimulate the economic growth, especially
given that it is a grant, not a loan, but, actually, the authorities
are ready to sacrifice Armenia’s future in order to remain at power”,
Oskanian says. He recalls that the US refused to implement the
large-scale Millennium Challenge project because of the democratic
shortcomings in the country.

CIS free trade zone to be finally established by the end of the year

arminfo
Friday, September 28, 13:52

Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan attended the CIS Council of
the Heads of Government in Yalta on September 28, the governmental
press-service reports.

The agenda of the session contained over two dozens of issues. The CIS
prime ministers approved a CIS Cooperation Strategy of Development of
Information Society and an Action Plan for 2015. They discussed
perspectives of cooperation in the communication sector. The CIS
Council of the Heads of Government approved an Action Plan for
2012-2014 for implementation of a CIS Inter-state Program of
Innovative Cooperation for 2020.

The prime ministers approved Uzbekistan’s joining CIS free trade zone
that will be finally established till the end of the year. A joint
statement on ratification of CIS FTA by 5 countries, including
Armenia, was made during the session.

Armenian prime minister attended also the 3rd International Investment
Business Forum “Yalta Business Meetings”.

The Armenian delegation comprised Finance Minister Vache Gabrielyan,
Head of the Government Staff David Sargsyan, First Deputy Minister of
Economy Karine Minasyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Shavarsh
Kocharyan and other officials.

Ex-leader Robert Kocharian to benefit from Oskanian’s removal – paper

September 28, 2012 – 13:55 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Ex-president Robert Kocharian will be the first one
to benefit from former foreign minister, a leading figure in
Prosperous Armenia party Vartan Oskanian’s removal through stripping
him of parliamentary immunity, Hraparak daily said.

According to the daily, Kocharian has miscalculated a possibility of
Mormon candidate Mitt Romey winning the presidential race, which the
experts are highly skeptical about.

On the other hand, Kocharian’s relations with Russia are also at a low
point. Oskanian’s removal will untie Kocharian’s hands, with
Prosperous Armenia reassuming pro-Russian stance.

`All of the above explains why Kocharian hasn’t made an official
statement on Oskanian’s case, trying to prove his adherence to Russia,
which is what Moscow demands of Armenian leadership, the opposition
and Prosperous Armenia,’ the daily said.

National Competitiveness Foundation makes new steps towards Armenian
tourism image creation

09:48, 28 September, 2012

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS: In 2012 the National
Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia jointly with the Armenian
tourism agencies presented Armenia in 5 international tourism
exhibitions, including “Vakantiebeurs’2012” in Utrecht, “ITB’12” in
Berlin, “MITT’12” in Moscow (by the way, Armenia participates in the
exhibition for the first time), “Top Reza’2012” in France, “JATA’2012”
in Tokyo. Participation in two other international tourism exhibitions
is intended: in October “TTG Incontri” in ‘Rimini’ and in November
“WTM’2012” in London.

It was reported to Armenpress by the Executive Director of the
National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia Arman Khachatryan on
the occasion of the World Tourism Day.

In 2012 the National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia initiated
the idea of presenting Armenia by a joint pavilion with Artsakh in the
international exhibition thus raising the indignation of Azerbaijan.
“Despite the Azerbaijani’s complaints around the participation of
Artsakh and the vandalism towards our pavilion in Paris, we succeeded
to complete our joint participation as we had planned and in Tokyo we
suspended the anti-Armenian propaganda of the Azerbaijanis”, – said
the Executive Director of the National Competitiveness Foundation of
Armenia Arman Khachatryan.

The current year is quite significant for the Foundation from the
point of view of establishment of partner relations. “The annual
research of the international visitors to Armenia will be shortly
carried out jointly with the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of
Armenia, National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia,
USAID Enterprise Development and Market Competitiveness Program,
German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), aiming at defining
comprehensive descriptions of the incoming foreign tourists”, – said
Arman Khachatryan.

>From the point of view of the tourism development Arman Khachatryan
separated the memorandum of understanding signed with the UN, aiming
at the development of community and tourism infrastructures and
creation of new working places in Tatev and nearby villages. In the
same context he stated about the importance of the memorandum signed
between the Armenian Apostolic Church, Ministry of Education of the
Republic of Armenia and the National Competitiveness Foundation of
Armenia on cooperation in the reconstruction process of Tatev Monastic
Complex.

“We unite our potentials to carry our joint works in the Monastic
Complex reconstruction and territory improvement. The main objective
of the memorandum is to foster the restoration and preservation of the
historical and cultural heritage, as well as become a part of the
renaissance of the spiritual and cultural life”, – said the Executive
Director of the National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia.

Concerning the memorandum of understanding signed with the Birthright
Armenia Organization (known as Depi Hayk as well), Arman Khachatryan
mentioned that it aims at attracting the potential of the Diaspora
Armenians young people to the development of Armenia. “I am quite
certain that the consolidation of the ideas and knowledge potential of
the Armenian Diaspora might serve as a guarantee for building a
knowledge and national competitive state”, – concluded the Executive
Director of the Foundation.

The National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia carries out target
works in the international arena in the field of representation of
Armenia in tourism development in particular. In the abovementioned
platforms the Foundation presented up-to-date and refreshed
information materials describing Armenia in different languages and
currently it works on the development of a brochure in Persian, Arabic
and Chinese languages.

The National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia organized 5
journalistic-cognitive visits with the participation of Israeli and
Russian well-known mass media representatives, followed by the
numerous publications about the historic, cultural, national and
spiritual values of Armenia in foreign authoritative mass media.

In the photo – the Secretary General of the UN World Tourism
Organization (UNWTO) Taleb Rifai and the Executive Director of the
National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia.

Alexander Arzumanyan’s Volga and Eduard Nalbandyan’s Car Worth
100-300 and Given by an Unknown European as a Present

September 27, 2012 16:46

Today when the implementation of the Foreign Ministry’s budget was
being presented, Nikol Pashinyan, an Armenian National Congress (ANC)
MP, inquired of Shavarsh Kocharyan, a Deputy Minister of Foreign
Affairs, `The Minister of Foreign Affairs drives a car, which is the
most expensive car of all cars driven by the Ministers of Foreign
Affairs in the history of the third republic, he lives in luxury.
Don’t you think that the minister should be a bit more restrained?’
Shavarsh Kocharyan explained, `The car of the Minister of Foreign
Affairs is a present. It was given from Germany; it is not a car
bought for government money.’

In Nikol Pashinyan’s words, there are many persons in Germany – a gift
of one part of them may be acceptable, a gift of the other part will
mean something else. Shavarsh Kocharyan responded, `He is a German, we
will answer afterwards, we don’t remember the name, nonetheless, those
issues are the focus of the Foreign Minister’s attention.’

Later on, during a briefing with journalists, Nikol Pashinyan stated,
`What have we found out? We have found out that Eduard Nalbandyan’s
Mercedes-Benz S-Class, a car worth roughly 150-300 thousand, is a
gift. We tried to inquire who had given that car as a present.
Shavarsh Kocharyan didn’t know being a Deputy Foreign Minister; they
said he was some German. So let us finish today’s work on this
optimistic note. And since Mr. Kocharyan was late for his flight (he
had said earlier that he was leaving for Yalta, H.J.) and since Mr.
Nalbandyan is not in the Republic of Armenia because of very important
issues, this is all we can assert given the results of today’s
meeting.’

In response to a question why people usually gave such expensive cars
as a present , Mr. Pashinyan said that he couldn’t make a comment, `We
assert facts. I think that Mr. Kocharyan should be aware of more
issues. We thought that only governors were not aware of issues, but
it turns out he isn’t either.’ asked Mr. Pashinyan to
clarify whether he thought that one couldn’t give such a car as
present for nothing, he replied, `I understand that you want to awake
a journalist inside me, but I cannot comment.’ inquired
of Alexander Arzumanyan, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, what
car he had driven at the time. He replied, `Volga GAZ-31, which had
been used by Papazyan and Raffi Hovhannisyan before me.’

Hripsime JEBEJYAN

Who Is `Heating’ Autumn?

HAKOB BADALYAN

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 11:36:53 – 28/09/2012

The authorities are heating up Vartan Oskanian’s `case’ and are set to
bring charges against him for the Civilitas case. They may even remand
Vartan Oskanian in custody for two months. Ahead of the presidential
elections this will only boost Vartan Oskanian’s rating. So, after
Serzh Sargsyan, the ex-foreign minister will be the next most
motivated and substantial candidate for president, especially, taking
into account that the society likes `victims’.

The government seems to be doing a big favor to the chairman of the
Armenian National Congress Levon Ter-Petrosyan who is facing the
dilemma of running or not. Ter-Petrosyan understands that in case he
runs in the election, his results will be miserable, while generating
another February 2008 is actually impossible. On the other hand,
Ter-Petrosyan’s status and his entourage holds him back because they
state Ter-Petrosyan is everyone’s candidate there.

The optimal choice for Ter-Petrosyan would be not running regardless
of whether he wants to leave or stay in politics. Unlike his
entourage, Ter-Petrosyan has a better understanding of the situation.

Vartan Oskanian’s `persecution’ is a good rationale for Ter-Petrosyan
not to run. If the public is focused on Oskanian’s case, moreover, if
he is arrested, he will become a unique symbol of the country
suffering due to the system.

So, hardly anyone will accuse Ter-Petrosyan of not running in order to
support the symbol which becomes the victim of political persecution.

Heating up Oskanian’s case and bringing charges against him, the
authorities directly or indirectly do a favor to the Congress leader.
There is nothing else Ter-Petrosyan can do but to skip the election.
If the Congress’ leader wants to run he needs to do something to be
accused for something worse and remanded in custody for a longer term
than Oskanian.

The PAP has no alternative either. Vartan Oskanian is a PAP member.
Prosperous Armenia should do nothing but nominate a candidate who will
be Vartan Oskanian since he is `persecuted’.

The motion strip Oskanian of immunity came after Adibekyan the
sociologist had presented the results of a poll indicating Gagik
Tsarukyan as the popular candidate.

Apparently, as a presidential candidate Tsarukyan worries the
government so it is trying to have Oskanian run instead.

Or, in order to defend his friend Oskanian, Kocharyan will have to
run. It is not ruled out that Serzh Sargsyan wants to lure Kocharyan
out of his `den’ to close Kocharyan’s chapter in the ruling system and
political life once and for all. Or in order to show that Kocharyan
has no courage to confront him openly. This could be an eloquent
message to the system.

Anyway, interestingly the autumn which the opposition promised is
heated up by the government. Perhaps, after making those statements,
the opposition has understood that a heated autumn is what Serzh
Sargsyan needs, so it has decided not to follow up its own statements.
The government is following them instead.

Prosperous Armenia faction’s MP dissatisfied with Foreign Ministry’s report

TERT.AM
12:29 – 28.09.12

Armenia’s Foreign Ministry is not ready to present its budget
implementation, MP from Prosperous Armenia party faction, leader of
United Labor Party Gurgen Arsenyan said, speaking to Tert.am.

He stressed his dissatisfaction over the answers voiced by deputy
foreign minister Shavarsh Kocharyan at the budget implementation
discussion in the NA on September 27.

Gurgen Arsenyan demanded revealing two figures on payments of our
consulate services in Russia and the United States, but deputy FM
refused to do it, saying he would send them in a written form.

`I want to understand the migration processes and make editions in our
assessments and understand where people are going,’ the MP told
Tert.am.

Commenting on Russia’s president decree on making the Compatriots
migration program permanent aimed at inhabiting Russia’s remote areas
on the account of Armenian labor force, Arsenyan said Putin has done a
good thing for his country, he thinks about his country, and `we
should think about our country.’ According to MP’s calculations, this
year 90,000 people left Armenia.

September 28, 2012
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT HOLY MARTYRS CHURCH IN ENCINO

On Sunday, September 30, 2012, the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak,
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will preside over Divine
Liturgy and deliver the sermon at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino.
Following the decision of the Representatives Assembly to have
Prelacy Schools’ students attend Divine Liturgy regularly, this Sunday
Ferrahian School 10th grade students will attend Church.

“YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN BOOK” CELEBRATION CONTINUES WITH THE PRESENTATION OF
DR. RUBINA PEROOMIAN’S THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN LITERATURE

On Wednesday, September 26, 2012, the presentation of Dr. Rubina
Peroomian’s latest book The Armenian Genocide in Literature: Perceptions of
Those Who Lived Through the Years of Calamity was held at the Prelacy
“Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian” Hall. The event was held under the
auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and organized
jointly by the Prelacy, Armenian Educational Foundation, and Hamazkayin
Western Region. It was one of several undertakings celebrating the “Year of
the Armenian Book” as proclaimed by H.H. Catholicos Aram I. Members of
clergy were among the guests in attendance, as well as Executive Council
Chair Mrs. Rima Boghossian, members of the Executive Council and community
organizations.
The event began with welcoming remarks by MC Mrs. Dzovinar
Melkonian, who then invited the evening’s first speaker UCLA Professor Dr.
Hagop Koulloujian.
Dr. Koulloujian gave an overview of Dr. Peroomian’s book, noting
that foundation of the book is the correlation between calamity and
literature, especially witness testimonies found in literature, and
concluded his remarks by stating that this and similar books resonates in
each of us the tragedies we have experienced as a people.
A cultural program followed, with a trio of Khachadourian pieces
performed by pianist Mrs. Lydia Teloonts.
The MC then invited Dr. Peroomian to deliver her remarks and
thoughts. Dr. Peroomian first thanked the Prelate for hosting the event,
the organizers for their efforts, and also the guests for their attendance
and encouragement. She noted that Genocide research is an arduous process
which she has dedicated herself too for many years. Dr. Peroomian also
noted that it is an emotionally demanding process and one that requires the
difficult task of setting aside personal emotions to complete the research
accurately. She also iterated that in her research she does not aim to
prove that the Genocide occurred, because it is already a proven fact
documented in many historical books, memoirs, and other writings. Dr.
Peroomian concluded by emphasizing that Genocide related literature and
accounts must not be hidden away; we must not forget our past so that the
memory and sacrifices of our martyrs are not forgotten.
The event concluded with the Prelate’s message and blessings. The
Prelate began by first highly commending Dr. Peroomian for her latest
achievement in preparing this important book. He lauded her valuable
contributions to the advancement of Genocide research through her vast
publications as a respected scholar and researcher, her important
contributions to the education of our youth as the author of Hai Tad
textbooks published by the Prelacy and other textbooks used by Prelacy
Schools’ students, and her service to our Church and community as a former
Executive Council and Board of Regents member. The Prelate also thanked the
organizers, attendees, and especially the speakers and participants for
their presentations. Reflecting on the event, His Eminence stated that the
presentations brought forth witness testimonies through which we felt and
relived the emotions of our martyrs, which serves to drive and motivate us
even further to continue the struggle for our national rights and demands.

NEWLY ELECTED ARS REGIONAL EXECUTIVE
VISITS THE PRELATE

On Wednesday, September 26, 2012, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed members of the newly elected Armenian Relief
Society-WR Regional Executive to the Prelacy. The delegation was headed by
Chairlady Mrs. Lena Bozoyan. The meeting took place at the “Sulahian”
Reception Room, with the participation of Executive Council Chair Mrs. Rima
Boghossian and members Mr. Toros Kejejian and Mrs. Ani Mgrdichian-Garikian.
The Prelate congratulated the members on their election to the ARS
Regional Executive and wished them success in their new mission. Mrs. Rima
Boghossian, as an ARS member herself, wholeheartedly congratulated the new
members as well and wished them success.
The guests presented their upcoming endeavors, which encompass not
only the Western United States but also Armenia, Artsakh, and Javakhk, and
stated that they are ready to tackle new and future challenges which concern
our community, specifically the instruction of our youth in our faith,
family and moral values, language, culture, and heritage.
The Prelate highly commended the dedication of the ARS to the
advancement and well-being of the Armenian nation and the service of the
organization’s leaders and volunteers in this mission.
Also discussed was the long history of strong collaboration between
the Prelacy and the ARS, with the Prelate affirming that the Prelacy is
always ready to support the organization as needed because our nation and
communities can only succeed with collective and united efforts.

HAMAZKAYIN ANI DANCE COMPANY PERFORMANCE

On Sunday, September 30, the Hamazkayin Ani Dance Company will be
performing at the Torrance Cultural Art Center. The event is hosted by
Friends of Asbarez. The thirty member group will present traditional and
contemporary Armenian dances under artistic directors Yeghia Hasholian and
Suzy Barseghian-Tarpinian.
On behalf of the Prelate, St. Mary’s Church Pastor Rev. Fr. Gomidas
Torossian will attend and convey the Prelate’s well wishes.

PRESENTATION OF THE DOCUMENTARY
“ORPHANS OF THE GENOCIDE”

On Sunday, September 30, the broadcast version presentation of
“Orphans of Genocide”, a Regional Emmy Award Nominated Documentary presented
by four time Regional Emmy Award-Winner Bared Maronian, will be held at
Woodbury University in Burbank.
The event is hosted by Ararat-Eskijian Museum, and features an
introduction by internationally-renowned scholar Professor Vahakn Dadrian.
Prelacy Clergy members will attend.

CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARIAN SAW A FULLY-FORMED AND WELL-FUNCTIONING STATE SYSTEM IN NKR

arminfo
Thursday, September 27, 17:56

On September 23, a meeting with public representatives took place
at the Armenian Cultural Center in Canada. Member of the Canadian
Parliament Jim Karygiannis also participated in the meeting, NKR
Foreign Ministry reports.

The parliamentarian, in particular, shared his impressions on the
recent presidential elections in the NKR, in which he had participated
as an international observer. Mr. Karygiannis noted that the elections
had been held at a high level, and in this regard, Artsakh could
be an example for many countries. According to the Deputy, he saw a
fully-formed and well- functioning state system.

NKR Permanent Representative to the USA and Canada Robert Avetisian
made a speech at the meeting, after which he answered the attendants’
questions related to the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict settlement and
the situation in the NKR. The issue of Ramil Safarov’s extradition
and pardon was also touched upon. The NKR Permanent Representative
expressed hope that the international community would take a more
principled position not only on this fact, but also on Azerbaijan’s
destructive policy in general. The Azerbaijani party’s actions were
criticized also by Jim Karygiannis, who pledged to continue his
efforts to ensure that the political circles in Canada learn more
about Artsakh and the real situation in the Republic.

ARMENIAN RESCUERS AMONG DISTINGUISHED IN NATO TRAINING IN GEORGIA

news.am
September 27, 2012 | 17:19

YEREVAN. – The official closing of NATO’s “Georgia 2012” field training
exercise was held Thursday in Georgia.

The event, which had kicked off in the city of Rustavi on September 22
and during which a strong earthquake scenario was enacted, brought
together over 1,000 people-comprising search and rescue teams,
observers and experts-from 24 NATO-member and partner countries
and from a variety of international organizations that respond to
disasters, Armenia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) press
service informs.

During the closing ceremony, awards were given to those participants
who stood out by their high-level professional preparedness, and
members from MES rescue squad likewise were among the award recipients.

Head of the Armenian delegation, MES Rescue Service Director, Major
General Sergei Azaryan also presented MES awards to the foreign
participants of the training.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, in line with the scenario of
“Georgia 2012” field training exercise, a strong provisional earthquake
had struck Georgia’s central part, and search and rescue teams from
a variety of countries had rushed to provide help.

According to the enactment, there were numerous casualties, injuries,
and destruction. Also, this provisional quake had caused leakage of
hazardous chemical substances, traffic accidents, floods, and fires.