Author: Kanayan Tamar

CONGRESSMAN BERMAN CRITICIZES EXTRADITION AND RELEASE OF RAMIL SAFAROV

ARMENPRESS
1 September, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS: US congressman Howard Berman issued
a statement on occasion of extradition and release of blood-mad Ramil
Safarov. Armenpress reports that in the statement is particularly
mentioned: “Hungary’s release of Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov,
the convicted murderer of Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan is a gross
miscarriage of justice. That Safarov in a premeditated fashion killed
Margaryan at a NATO Partnership for Peace event underscores the cynical
brutality of his act. For the Hungarian Government to have demonstrated
leniency in this matter is of grave concern.The Hungarian government
owes the Magaryan family, the Armenian nation, all its NATO partners,
and all participants in Partnership for Peace a sincere explanation
and a profound apology for its inexplicable act. The Azerbaijani
government’s decision to free Safarov is contemptible and a serious
blow to hopes for Armenian-Azerbaijani peace.”

Canoë, Canada
28 août 2012

Le peintre Armand Tatossian est mort

Le peintre canadien d’origine arménienne Armand Tatossian est décédé
subitement le 23 août, à Montréal, a-t-on appris mardi matin. Il était
gé de 61 ans.

Plus jeune membre de l’histoire à avoir été admis à l’Académie royale
des arts du Canada (ARC) en 1973, M. Tatossian est né à Alexandrie, en
Égypte, en 1951.

Il a suivi les traces de son grand-père, qui en plus d’être peintre,
était conservateur au Musée d’Alexandrie, mais aussi de son oncle
Yeghiche Tatossian et de son père, Charles Garo Tatossian, qui
continue de peindre ici au pays.

Armand Tatossian s’est spécialisé dans les huiles sur toile et dans
les lithographies sur papier Arches. Son doigté, qui reposait tantôt
sur l’art abstrait, les paysages, les natures mortes et le ton sur
ton, a même été baptisé de l’étiquette «Tatossianisme». Ses `uvres ont
été exposées partout à travers le monde et plusieurs de ses
productions ont été intégrées à des collections prestigieuses.

Selon la chaîne Global, Armand Tatossian avait dû déposer son pinceau
en 2007 après avoir été victime d’un accident vasculaire cérébral.
C’est sa s`ur Mary Tatossian qui prenait soin de lui depuis.

La dépouille de M. Tatossian sera exposée à la Maison funéraire
Rideau (4275 boulevard des Sources, à Dollard-des-Ormeaux) ce jeudi,
de 14h à 16h et de 18h à 21h. La cérémonie funèbre se tiendra ce
vendredi, 11h30, à la cathédrale arménienne St-Grégoire L’Illuminateur
(615 Avenue Stuart, arrondissement d’Outremont). Au lieu de fleurs, la
famille invite les gens à faire un don par chèque à l’ordre de La
Fondation Tatossian, une entité qui sera bientôt incorporée, a-t-on
précisé dans un communiqué.

Released Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov given rank of major

ARMINFO
Saturday, September 1, 14:21

Azerbaijani Defense Minister colonel-general Safar Abiyev has given
Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov released earlier the rank of major,
the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

Trend news agency reports that the minister received Safarov and
congratulated him on his return to his homeland and pardon by
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Giving Safarov the rank of major, the defense minister wished him
success in his future activities in the military sphere.

Abiyev, expressing gratitude to the President of Azerbaijan, Supreme
Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev for the great care
and concern for the officer of Azerbaijan – citizen, praised this move
as unprecedented service to the people of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov, who was convicted in Hungary,
returned on Friday to Azerbaijan. The same day, under the order of the
head of state, he was pardoned.

Armenia should recognize Nagorno-Karabakh independence, political analyst says

tert.am
13:46 – 02.09.12

Armenia will do a right thing if it recognizes the independence of
Nagorno-Karabakh in case of inadequate response of the international
community to the extradition of murderer of Armenian officer Ramil
Safarov, political analyst Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan said.

`If the international community fails to respond to the extradition of
Safarov and not apply sanctions against Hungary and Azerbaijan, the
next thing Armenia will do should be recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic with its current borders,’ the political analyst said
speaking to Tert.am.

He said Safarov’s extradition will have a direct impact on the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement and stressed the necessity of
meeting between Armenia’s Foreign Minister and OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs and extraordinary sitting of the Armenian parliament.

`With this step Azerbaijan gave Armenia an opportunity to apply
stricter stance in the talks, or even suspend negotiations until
Safarov is free,’ he said. `Another way is to suspend the talks and
start process on international recognition of the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic.’

Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan said Azerbaijani behavior is agreed with mild
stance of both West and Russia.
`For many years Azerbaijan was one of the main threats to regional
security but neither West nor Russia gave appropriate assessments
which afforded the official Baku an opportunity to consider that it
will remain unpunished if continues its policy aimed at deterioration
of the situation,’ he stressed.

The political analyst says Russia is keeping criminal silence which
may be assessed a consent with what has happened.
`Hungarian authorities have entered into criminal transaction with
Azerbaijani leadership,’ he said.

`Naturally Safarov will not be handed but sanctions should be applied
against Azerbaijan and Hungary,’ he stressed.

Construction of three-arched building in Yerevan Republic Square not
serious, expert says

tert.am
12:19 – 02.09.12

Chairman of the Union of Architects Mkrtich Minasyan said the
three-arched building in the Yerevan Republic Square is nothing but a
proposal of artist-designer Eduard Vaneskekhyan.

Speaking to Tert.am, he calmed down all those who are against the
building, saying he does not treat the idea seriously. He said the
idea will not even be discussed.

Vaneskekhyan has sent a letter-proposal to Armenia’s President Serzh
Sargsyan suggesting construction of the arch in the center of which
the biggest coat of arms of the world will be placed.

Mkrtich Minasyan said no question has been raised to fill the empty
area of the square. He stressed that many architects feel their debt
to draft something new for the area and discuss it.

The chairman of the union said there is no novelty in the proposal as
such triumphal arches were previously offered to.
Vaneskekhyan’s proposal was widely discussed in the social networks as
well. In particular, member of the Heritage party Styopa Safaryan on
his Facebook page offered Vaneskekhyan to test his architectural ideas
in other place.

Nagorno-Karabakh celebrates Independence Day

tert.am
10:18 – 02.09.12

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan addressed a message on the
occasion of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Independence Day.

The message runs:

`Dear Artsakhians,
I cordially congratulate you on the occasion of Independence Day.

It’s been more than two decades that you have been healing the wounds
inflicted by the war unleashed by the short-sighted authorities of
Azerbaijan; you are restoring to life your villages and towns
devastated by the deadly bombs and missiles, your homes and schools;
you are building and beautifying the land of your ancestors. Today, we
state with confidence that the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh is an
accomplished state – democratic and developing. It is obvious for the
entire world, even for those who hate to admit it.

In 1991, when the people of Artsakh were making their historic
decision, we told Azerbaijan that the Armenians must not be
underestimated. Our words fell on deaf ears. We said that we didn’t
want war but we were ready and would fight. And again our words fell
on deaf ears. We said that we were not afraid of maniacs, sadists and
murderers, that we had already seen that. Once again our words fell on
deaf ears. And they unleashed war which had one clear-cut goal -to
wipe the Armenians out from the territory of Artsakh, or at least to
expel them. The program of ethnic cleansing failed, as will fail every
new one.

Today, we state the same: the Armenians must not be underestimated; we
don’t want a war, but if we have to, we will fight and win; we are not
afraid of murderers even of those enjoy the highest patronage. And
again our words fall on deaf ears. Well, they have been warned.

Recently, we have witnessed a morbid episode. The one who killed with
an axe a sleeping Armenian officer was set free. We expect the
response of the international structures as well as of the Minsk Group
Co-Chairs on this. However regardless of the response, on behalf of
the people of Artsakh and the entire Armenian nation, I would like to
pose a question – after what has happened, is there a living soul on
this planet who will advise the people of Artsakh to become part of
Azerbaijan, a country where illicit orders set free and publicly
glorify every bastard which kills people only because they are
Armenians?

A greater disgrace for the European justice is hardly to be imagined,
particularly for Armenia and Artsakh, because it was looked upon for
guidelines, but now we have seen another face of it.

Dear compatriots, unfortunately the history of Artsakh has never been
short of the invaders and brigands. We know that, we also know how to
send them right where they belong – to the cesspit of history. We have
been doing it regularly, and if needed, will do it again.

Almost daily, and particularly in recent days, we are witnessing new
proofs on how justified the choice made by the people of Artsakh 21
years ago was. We continue to receive new striking evidence what was
in store for the people of Artsakh. Today is a great day, and nothing
can spoil our glorious holiday. I wish your families peace and
prosperity.
Long live free Artsakh – embodiment of Armenian dignity!’

MUSIQUE
« Les Nouveaux Noms » en Concert

L’association Solidarité Protestante France- Arménie, présente Les
Nouveaux Noms, formation musicale composée de jeunes instrumentistes
gés de 10 à 25 ans.

Créée en 1989 sous la direction Silva Mekinian, ancienne directrice de
l’Opéra National d’Arménie et ex vice-ministre de la Culture, les
Nouveaux Noms se produiront en France en région et à Paris, du 30
septembre au 9 octobre 2012.

Ces jeunes talents sont tous lauréats de concours et de festivals
nationaux et internationaux. Ils se sont produits à la Banque Mondiale
(Washington), au Parlement du Canada (Ottawa), au Bureau central de la
Radio « Liberté » (Prague), à l’école de musique de Y. Ménuhin
(Londres), à l’ONU, ainsi qu’à Boston et New York. En Grèce, Iran,
Russie, Autriche, Monaco, Erevan et Venise.

En 2006, deux tournées de concerts, labellisés par « l’Année de
l’Arménie », avaient été donnés dans plusieurs villes de France.

Le but essentiel de cette création a été de découvrir et de soutenir
de jeunes virtuoses, représentant aujourd’hui la culture de l’avenir.

Les 30 jeunes musiciens inclus dans les projets, sont élèves de
différents établissements de musique, entraînés par les soins de
professeurs du conservatoire Komitas, Une branche du projet a été
créée à Gumri, en 2007, afin d’encourager les jeunes talents de cette
ville, mais aussi en 2008, à Vanadzor.

Le programme propose un large éventail musical, allant de la musique
classique, en passant par le jazz et la musique folklorique
arménienne.

Participation : adultes :10 Euros, plus de 12 ans : 8 Euros et moins
de 12 ans : gratuit

Renseignements : 06.11.98.37.12

L’oeuvre de la SPFA étend son action humanitaire jusqu’en Artsakh.
Elle subventionne une colonie de vacances (Khatchen), un internat
(Vardachen), parraine des familles arméniennes, un restaurant du coeur
à Gumri, fournit divers matériaux dédiés à la rénovation
d’habitations, etc.

voir diaporama ICI

Lien de l’association plus bas

dimanche 2 septembre 2012,
Jean Eckian ©armenews.com

Trend, Azerbaijan
Sept 1 2012

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry: Safarov’s return not contrary to international law

Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 1 / Trend M.Aliyev /

Return of Ramil Safarov to Azerbaijan is a matter of relations between
Azerbaijan and Hungary, which was resolved in the framework of the law
and is not contrary to norms and principles of the international law,
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Elman Abdullayev said at a
press briefing on Saturday.

“As for the Armenian side, Sargsyan’s hysterical statements, who is
one of the leaders of the group that committed the Khojaly genocide
with cruelty, are nothing like show and populism” -, Abdullayev said.

He reiterated that Ramil Safarov is an officer of the Azerbaijani army
and his return to Azerbaijan is not in contrary with any laws.

“We do not encourage the terrorists as Armenian leaders and don’t
looking for excuses for them,” – Abdullayev said.

Chess Base, Germany
Sept 2 2012

2012 Chess Olympiad Istanbul: Round five

02.09.2012- Today saw a number of match-ups of powerhouse teams in the
Open section. On the first match table, two-time Olympiad Champion
Armenia defeated defending champions Ukraine 2,5-1,5, with Aronian
scoring against Ivanchuk. GM Alejandro Ramirez wrote “Beautiful game
by Lev, dude’s a monster” – and sent us his analysis of the game Levon
Aronian vs Vassily Ivanchuk. GM analysis.

The 40th Chess Olympiad is scheduled to take place in the Turkish
metropole of Istanbul, from August 27 to September 10th, 2012. A
record of 158 national chess federations have brought teams to
Istanbul to participate in this prestigious event, which is being
staged in the WOW Hotel and Convention Center, just minutes away from
the airport.

Round five

Armenian Super GM and World #2 Levon Aronian (above middle, with
team-mate Sergei Movsesian and Armenian trainer Arshak Petrosian)
played the only decisive game in the match against Vassily Ivanchuk.
Aronian went up an exchange and sealed the fate of Ivanchuk and the
Ukrainian team a few moves later. Armenia scored a 2,5-1,5 victory.

The Russian and Hungarian teams engaged on the second match table,
pitting the long-time friends and competitors Kramnik and Leko (above)
against each other. The spectators were happy to see something that
wasn’t a Petroff between these two players. 32 moves later a quiet
draw was taken. But on the board next to them Grischuk slashed and
hacked at Almasi’s defenses until all that was left was yet another
simple tactical sequence to finish him off. The Russians had stuck the
proverbial fork into their Hungarian competitors and finished them off
2,5-1,5.

The Azeri’s and Chinese teams demolished their Canadian and Iranian
counterparts with a 3,5-0,5 score in each case, while France suffered
their first loss against the Croatian team with score of 2,5-1,5. On
the fifth match table we saw the USA held to yet another draw by the
Czech team. The US team has their work cut out for them, still having
to face the chess giants of Armenia, Russia, Ukraine, China, and
Azerbaijan.

In the Women Section Russia quickly secured the decisive advantage
against France, with the two victories on the lower boards. Sophie
Milliet could only reduce the losing margin after the European
Champion Valentina Gunina ran into a checkmate. Russia won 2,5-1,5 to
assume sole lead as the only team with a perfect score.

Serbia once again excelled as they defeated their Bulgarian neighbors
by a score of 2,5-1,5. Ana Benderac, returning to the playing arena
after being a captain for several years, won against Elitsa Raeva. The
experienced Margarita Voiska turned the tables against Andjelija
Stojanovic to even the score, but Maria Manakova continued to play in
fantastic shape to score her 5th consecutive victory and bring two
match points for Serbia.

Poland achieved a narrow victory against Greece, thanks to Jolanta
Zawadzka, while Slovakia won with the same result against Latvia,
where Veronika Machalova won the crucial game on the fourth board.

Harika Dronavalli made a good start for India in the match with China
as she held the World Champion Hou Yifan to a draw with the black
pieces. Yifan admitted that she couldn’t find any advantage against
the ultra-solid defence. Indian IM Karavade carelessly maneuvered a
knight into enemy territory with no where to escape. On the bottom
three boards the Chinese team scored three victories to obliterate the
Indian team with a 3,5-0,5 score.

Georgia and Ukraine, as well as Slovenia and Israel, tied their
matches with draws on all four boards. The US suffered a devastating
3-1 loss against Vietnam, who gave up an average of 158 rating points
to the Americans. Perhaps the US players were bored to death with the
lifeless London System showing up on boards 1 and 3 and dropped their
defences, losing those games. Interestingly enough boards 2 and 4 both
saw Caro-type formations for the Vietnamese ladies, where they split
the games.

For results, go to

Inquirer.net, Philippines
Sept 1 2012

Armenians stop PH run

By Roy Luarca
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Round 4 Standings

Open

8 points – Ukraine Hungary, Armenia, Russia: 7 points – Germany, France,
Czech Republic, Azerbaijan, Argentina, United States, India, Canada,
England, Croatia, Montenegro; 6 points – China, Spain, Bulgaria, Israel,
Philippines, Poland, Brazil, Georgia, Slovenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina,
FYROM, Serbia, Vietnam, Italy, Ireland, Kyrgyztan, Paraguay, Qatar,
Iceland, Peru, Iran

Women

8 points – Russia, France; 7 points – Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, Poland,
Georgia, Ukraine, Latvia, Slovakia, China, India; 6 points – Moldova,
Hungary, Vietnam, United States, Slovenia, Israel, Ecuador, Czech
Republic, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Spain, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, South
Africa, Philippines, Montenegro, Switzerland, Estonia, Costa Rica,
Argentina

ISTANBUL, Turkey – Grandmaster Wesley So forged a draw with world No. 2
GM Levon Aronian in their board 1 tussle, but the Philippines fell
short of holding mighty Armenia to a standoff and lost, 1.5-2.5,
Friday in Round 4 of the 40th Chess Olympiad.

Pitted against the highest rated player here with an Elo of 2816, So
(2652) showed his talent, splitting the point with the white pieces
after 51 moves of a Ruy Lopez-Rio Gambit Accepted.

GMs Oliver Barbosa (2554) and Mark Paragua (2508) likewise drew with
touted opponents Sergei Movsesian (2698) and Vladimir Akopian (2687),
respectively, on boards 2 and 3, at the Istanbul Expo Center.

But International Master Oliver Dimakiling, treading an unfamiliar
line with black, saw his three-game winning run in board 4 broken in
just 25 moves of a Blumenfeld Variation by GM Gabriel Sargissian
(2693).

Despite their first loss in the 11-round tournament, however, the
Filipinos remained track for a top 20 finish in the Open division that
lured a record 158 countries to this historic metropolis.

The Filipinos, sharing 16th to 36th spots with 6.0 match points, will
try to bounce back when they tackle the Icelanders in Round 5 starting
at 3 p.m. (8 p.m. in Manila) Saturday.

Asia’s first GM Eugene Torre (Elo 2649), whose mother was buried in
Manila Saturday morning, will finally suit up, facing GM Throstur
Thorhallsson (2426) as he takes over board 3 from Paragua.

So will tangle with GM Hannes Stefansson (Elo 2515), Barbosa will
tackle GM Henrik Danielsen (2506), while Paragua will battle IM Dagur
Arngrimsson (2375) when he slides to board 4.

The Filipino women, with streaking Janelle Mae Frayna (1991) at the
helm, notched their second straight 3-1 victory at the expense of the
Mexicans and also wheeled back into contention in the Women’s division
with 6.0 points.

Frayna, a Far Eastern University BS Psychology freshman, who posted
the Philippines’ highest finish of 22nd in the girls’ World Juniors in
India last year, bids for win No. 5 when she faces WIM Cecile Van der
Merve in board 2.

WIM Catherine Perena meets WGM Melissa Greeff on board 1; Jedara
Docena clashes with WIM Denise Frick on board 3 while De La Salle
mainstay Jan Jodilyn Fronda eyes her third consecutive triumph against
Woman Fide Master Tshepang Tlale on board 4.

Against Mexico, the 16-year-old Frayna won over WIM Lorena Alejandra
Mendoza Velasquez; Perena beat WFM Carime Real Pereyra, and Fronda
bested Janet Sarai Vasquez Flores.

So, who stretched his unblemished record against 2700+ opponents to 34
matches, merited praise from Aronian, one of only six players ever to
breach the 2800 barrier, in an interview after the fifth round.