Author: Kanayan Tamar

THE BOOK TELLING ABOUT THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE PRESENTED IN THE US CONGRESS

15:26 . 02/08

The known American writer Bohjalian described his last morning
in Yerevan, when he caught a clear glimpse of Mount Ararat as he
waited to board his flight home. “There I was standing, at Gate A5
waiting for my flight, and I started weeping… I was weeping for
my ancestors; I was weeping for the gift of this mountain; and, I
was weeping because I knew in my heart that The Sandcastle Girls is
the most important book that I was ever going to write; and, I was
grateful beyond words, that I had been given that gift”.

Armenian writer Chris Bohjalyan presented his 15th novel written on
the Armenian Genocide topic with such a confidence and warmth during
the presentation with the participation of numerous lawmakers in the
US Congress.

During the meeting held at the initiative of the Armenian National
Committee of America and a number of congressmen many words of
appreciation were heard. According to the author himself, his life
journey inspired him to write the book, and gave moving testament of
his visits to the lands of his Armenian ancestors, to current day
Armenia, and Anjar, Lebanon, the home of many who fought to defend
the villages of Musa Dagh during the Genocide.

Rep. Schiff explained that Bohjalian’s novel, “which has been so
wonderfully reviewed, has a power of its own, to tell the story in
very human terms, to bring us all into the living rooms of those
who were lost and those who struggled through those dark times in
the history of civilization. . . I think it is a vital part in the
education of not only the Congress, but the Armenian people about
the facts of the Armenian Genocide.”

Rep. Pallone told attendees that “all of you being here and the
author’s efforts constantly bring to our attention the need for
recognition of the Armenian Genocide”.

To recall, Bohjalyan’s this book is still in the centre of attention of
a number of American authoritative periodicals, particularly Washington
Post, The US Today, Boston Globe. It is now the 7th in the list of
best-sellers. On July 23, the well known broadcaster Oprah Winfrey
declared the book a must-read book of the week.

HAYPOST REOPENED 2 RENOVATED POST OFFICES IN ZVARTNOTS AND VAGHARSHAPAT COMMUNITIES, ARMAVIR PROVINCE

HETQ
15:25, August 1, 2012

Today the reopening ceremony of post offices in Zvartnots and
Vagharshapat communities, Armavir province, took place.

The post offices 1109 in Zvartnots of 132m2 and 1101 in Vagharshapat
of 382m2 spacesjoined the ranks of modernized post offices of Haypost.

The ceremony was attended by Karen Grigoryan, Mayor of Ejmiatsin, Juan
Pablo Gechidjian, Managing Director of Haypost Trust Management, Haik
Avagian, acting CEO of Haypost CJSC, as well as the local population.

Each modernized post office including the front and back offices is
capitally renovated. The new image developed for HayPost is reflected
in every post office, which is completely refurnished and rebranded
according to the new image. The modernized post offices began providing
services with modern IT technologies, state of the art software and
on-line connection to the head office, which allow providing faster and
efficient postal, financial and commercial services to the population.

Each modernized post office is equipped with new security and safety
equipment and technology. Modernized post offices have a designated
retail area for the sale of magazines, newspapers, books, stationary
and other products. “Service Corners” offer to the public Internet,
Photocopy, Fax, Printing, and Scanning services. Employees in
modernized post offices are provided with new uniforms and undergo
all the training programs and are ready to assist Haypost customers.

“HayPost Trust Management” intends to develop the traditional postal
services, as well as to introduce new modern, more demanded by the
population commercial and postal-financial services, such as catalogues
sales, motor, travel and visitor insurance, courier and other services.

Haypost ensures equal opportunities for provision of services to the
residents of cities and remote rural areas. The quality of provided
services is permanently increasing along with the development and
introduction of a new modern range of products and services.

Haypost expects to reopen 50 modernized post offices during 2012,
bringing the number of renovated post offices to 170.

Haypost Trust Management B.V.

Haypost CJSC

SOLUTIONS OF ARMENIAN IT SPECIALISTS HAVE HIGH DEMAND

ARMENPRESS
AUGUST 1, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS: Technological and engineering programs
which are planned and developed in Armenia have great demand also
in abroad. “Boomerang Software” is one the companies which has great
investment in the sphere. Armenpress reports that on Augsut 1 Minister
of economy of Armenia Tigran Davtyan visited above-mentioned company.

The minister talked with the employees of the centre, got acquainted
with the programs and their possibilities. “It is very god and
important that innovative solutions which have been developed in
Armenia are used both in Armenia and outside of it. One of the most
important circumstances is the fact that in IT sphere of Armenia work
young people who see their future in Armenia. It is an important
and productively developing sphere of Armenian economy” mentioned
the Minister.

Tigran Davtyan put the importance of the circumstance that new programs
which have great demand and modern services are planned and developed
in the centre. The company presents to the consumer Mobile banking and
Mobile trade programs which let to check bank accounts with the help
of mobile phones manage them and make payments. The centre suggests
MobiToWeb free system. This system was lately used during the coverage
of “Golden Apricot” film festival.

“Boomerang Software” company was founded in support of American
Armenian businessmen and on imitative of a little working group in
Armenia in 1997. Later it transformed into technological centre.

Almost 100 specialists now work there.

ARMENIA’S AGRICULTURE IN POOR CONDITION – SPECIALIST

tert.am
01.08.12

The situation with Armenia’s agriculture can be considered very bad,
with villagers constantly voicing complaints and the population in
rural areas becoming sparser, the chief of a farmer’s NGO has told
reporters.

“The minister of agriculture says every day that the things are
all right, but the situation is just the other way about,” Sargis
Sedrakyan, the president of the Farmer’s Movment, said at a news
conference on Wednesday. “The villages are becoming empty day by day,
making a villager impoverished and contributing to a desertification
and regress.”

Sedrakyan said a state-based approach is necessary to resist possible
challenges in the future.

“The world is going to face serious challenges requiring a state
based-approach which includes, first of all, economy of food products.

But everything here is left without attention,” he added.

ARTSAKH HEAD OF TOURISM: MINING WILL NOT IMPEDE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL TOURISM
Hayk Ghazaryan

hetq
11:04, August 1, 2012

In a conversation with Hetq, Artsakh Department of Tourism Director
Sergei Shahvedyan argues that mines now operating or planning to
be launched in Artsakh will not impeded the growth of tourism in
the country.

The Artsakh government has stated that tourism has great growth
potential given the country’s mountainous and forested landscape.

However, the mining sector serves as the biggest source of taxes for
the government. Can the two be reconciled?

Mr. Shahvedyan, what tangible successes have been registered of late
in the tourist sector?

Let’s first talk about the numbers. In the last two years we have
witnessed an unprecedented growth in the number of tourists, some 42%.

In the first half of 2012, we have seen an increase of 40% over the
same period last year. Compare this with the 10-12% growth rate in
tourism in Armenia.

Such results are due to the steps taken by the government. We have
worked to present Karabakh as an attractive country in the tourism
industry at various international trade shows and exhibitions.

The second step has been to improve services and accommodations for
tourist in Karabakh. But there still is much to do in this regard.

I’d like to point to the creation of the Hounot Gorge nature reserve
and the Tigranakert Archaeological Museum of late. These are sites
that can attract tourists from abroad to Karabakh.

We have also made a number of legal reforms and have set up better
monitoring of hotels in the country.

Environmentalists say that mining impedes the development of tourism
in Karabakh. A number of new mining sites are planned in the coming
years. What impact will they have?

Today, the mines operating are quite far removed from tourist sites.

As to the environmental impact issue, that’s best left to the experts.

Naturally, mining operations must also have contingency plans for
restoring the environment when needed so that tourism isn’t negatively
impacted.

Both sectors, mining and tourism, are priorities. Presently, mining
is of vital significance for the country.

Another issue always raised is the felling of the forests. In fact,
Karabakh is often compared to Switzerland. Doesn’t logging also
threaten the development of tourism?

Such issues are not included in our legal briefs. They are matters
for the Ministry of the Environment. Nevertheless, we don’t cut down
trees in tourist areas. Had you come across the remains of logged
trees in our tourist zones, then we’d take action.

A few days ago at a consultative session you said that the Kashen
mine area had never been studied. According to our information, 110
monuments and groupings of monuments are registered in the area for
a total of 2,500 specimens. What steps are being taken to preserve
and protect such cultural and historical artefacts?

In fact, there are no such monuments or other items in the area to
be mined. Generally speaking, we still haven’t fully researched the
historical monuments in Artsakh. We only have preliminary data about
possible monuments at Kashen.

To avoid any unforeseen consequences, we have asked Base Metals,
the mining operator, to finance more comprehensive studies at the
area. We have received the company’s assurance on this point.

It remains for us to assemble a group of experts to carry out the
study. If monuments are discovered, then we’ll discuss what is to
become of them. If such items are underground they will have to be
dug up. Architectural structures will have to be relocated. And I
can assure you that this work will be conducted according to legal
procedures.

ARMENIAN, TURKISH YOUNG MUSICIANS TO GIVE CONCERT IN ISTANBUL

TERT.AM
01.08.12

Istanbul’s Bosphorus University will tonight host the Armenian-Turkish
Youth Symphony Orchestra, consisting of 56 young musicians from Turkey
and Armenia, Hurriyet Daily News reported.

The concert will be conducted by the Akbank Chamber Orchestra’s
conductor Cem Mansur, with pianist Ashot Khachatourian on stage as
the soloist.

Young people from Armenia and Turkey first came together to form an
orchestra in July 2010, with the support of Bosphorus University
and the Turkish non-governmental organization Anadolu Kultur. Cem
Mansur and Nvart Andreasyan were the brains behind the orchestra,
and through it aim to contribute to peace between the two countries.

The orchestra performed three successful cztuoncerts at the Bosphorus
University, Buyukada Island and Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall in its
first year.

The orchestra, which has reunited upon the invitation of the Young
Euro Classic Festival, will also take the stage on Aug. 3 in Berlin,
one of Europe’s most lively cultural cities. Two concerts in Istanbul
and Berlin are being organized with support from theGerman and Turkish
foreign ministries, the Enka Cultural Foundation, Tower Tourism and
Fineco. Armenian conductor Andreasyan discussed the orchestra in an
interview with the Hurriyet Daily News in 2010.

“Our plan means gathering young people in an environment where there
is no chance to lose. The environment is international and it is
based in music,” she said.

Mansur said their aim was for the young musicians to become friends.

He took part in a similar project in 2008 and 2009 in South Africa,
adding, “In South Africa I conducted an orchestra with youth of
different races and saw the power of music. Before the project
those young people in South Africa hated each other because of the
misunderstandings that their races had gone through. By the end of
our project, those young people hugged each other. Through the power
of music, hatred left and in its place came love.”

SEVERAL QUESTIONS TO MARTIN VARDAZARYAN

ARMENPRESS
AUGUST 1, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS: They say that there is not more amazing
thing than follow the changes of people’s dreams and predilections. Of
course, it refers to childhood dreams and as a rule professional
education which is not connected with them. A few people know that
such “destiny” had pianist, composer, honorable citizen of Yerevan and
simply talented person Martin Vardazaryan who tried to become sailor
than boxer and in a result it turned it rather different thing. He
talked about his childhood dreams and nowadays present with Armenpress.

– Mr. Vardazaryan, what made you to chose the way which is your life
companion till today?

People become musicians not in their will – the will of parents has
a great role. If the parents of Paganini and Bethoven were not so
consistent they would not become the ones what they became. But there
is an important circumstance: the child should have if not talent but
capability. It turned so that I was born in a family of musicians and
had an important role. My father was a bugler. He graduated from State
Conservatory of Moscow. One day I began to play piano by two fingers
and my father thought that I would become a pianist. He did not saw my
way of becoming musician because he died from car accident. At that
time I understood that most important people for me besides parents
are teachers.

– Can you remember when your first acquaintance with music was?

Music world is a sphere which is like drug and very wonderful. When
for the first time I heard the adagio of fifth symphony of Maler
and cried. During the final of sixth symphony there was a feeling
of cleaning and now every time I have the same feeling. Then I heard
Shostakovich and Prokofev, Aram Khachatryan.

I like speaking about music and if there is not an interlocutor from
whom I can learn something I talk to myself and make interesting
conclusions.

– How would you describe Yerevan Jazz atmosphere?

In Armenia jazz has always been allowed. We have performers of high
quality, very talented jazzmen but I am a little afraid. The attitude
of society became consumer towards jazz in result of which the group of
real estimators has increased. But the group of lovers has increased.

THE OFFICIAL PAYMENTS FOR OBSTETRIC AID SERVICES REDUCED IN ARMENIA BY TEN TIMES

ARMENPRESS
AUGUST 1, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, AUGUAST 1, ARMENPRESS: The application of free of charge
payments system for obstetric aid services is compulsory for all
stratum of women.

In the briefing with Armenpress, the head of Division of Maternal
and Reproductive health, Ministry of Health Gayane Avagyan informed ,
the child delivery official payments have been reduced by ten times,
which is reflected in the Armenia Demographic and Health survey 2010
report published in April 2012.

If before the introduction of certificate by 2008 July 1 the rate of
payment for obstetric aid services was 82.4, 76.9 in urban areas,
and 89.4 in rural places, yet after the after the application the
rate has declined reaching 7.9, out of which 9.5 in urban areas and
5.8 in rural places. In the words of Avagyan regardless the fact
that mostly men mange the financial resources and the obstetric aid
services is affordable for them, the researches come to prove that
women also stand the payments.

There are 614 medical-obstetrical centers, 255 outpatient medical
organizations and 80 outpatient polyclinics, 101 women consultations
, 50 medical centers , 11 independent maternity hospitals operating
in the Republic of Armenia: 4 out of which in capital Yerevan,
7 in provinces.

LE DASHNAKTSUTYUN NOMME UN CANDIDAT POUR L’ELECTION MUNICIPALE DE GYUMRI
Stephane

armenews.com
mercredi 1er aout 2

La Federation Revolutionnaire Armenienne (Dashnaktsutyun) est devenue
lundi le premier parti de l’opposition a nommer un candidat pour
l’election du prochain maire dans la ville de Gyumri.

Le candidat, Hovsep Simonian, a ete presente lors d’une conference
de presse tenue par les chefs du Dashnaktsutyun de Gyumri et de la
province de Shirak.

Hovsep Simonian travaille actuellement comme directeur adjoint du
departement des finances et de l’economie dans l’administration
provinciale.

Le maire actuel de la ville, Vartan Ghukasian devrait se representer
le 9 septembre. Cependant, le parti Republicain d’Armenie (HHK),
dont Ghukasian est un membre, a appele a soutenir un autre candidat
representant le parti Armenie Prospère (BHK). Ghukasian a depuis ete
silencieux sur ses plans de reelection.

Les representants du Dashnaktsutyun dans Gyumri ont dit que la
decision de nommer Simonian a ete amorcee la section locale du pendant
une conference. ” Nous nous battrons jusqu’a la fin ” a dit Hovsep
Simonian. ” Rien ne peut nous inhiber ou nous retenir pendant cette
periode. ”

Le candidat Dashnaktsutyun s’est plaint de ce qu’il a appele
une connexion entre le vote de Gyumri et la prochaine election
presidentielle en Armenie en fevrier 2013.

Quelques observateurs ont suggere qu’en supportant un candidat du
BHK dans Gyumri la direction du HHK espère reparer les liens avec
le BHK et garantir son endossement pour la reelection du President
Serge Sarkissian.

US REPORT CRITICIZES TURKEY

Hurriyet
Aug 1 2012
Turkey

The Turkish Government has continued to impose limitations on Muslims
and other religious groups through, for example, a headscarf ban in
government offices for the stated purpose of preserving the “secular
state,” the U.S. State Department has said in its annual report on
religious freedom.

The report emphasized problematic issues in Turkey, such as the
reopening of the Greek Orthodox Halki Seminary, the headscarf ban
in government offices, conscientious objection to military service,
compulsory religious education and difficulties faced by Alevis in
creating suitable places for worship.

“There were reports of societal abuses and discrimination based on
religious affiliation, belief, or practice. Threats against non-Muslims
created an atmosphere of pressure and diminished freedom for some
non-Muslim communities. Many Christians, Baha’is, Jews, and Alevis
faced societal suspicion and mistrust, and some elements of society
continued to express anti-Semitic sentiments,” the report read.

Wearing headscarves in gov’t offices

The report pointed out that Turkish authorities have continued their
ban on wearing religious Muslim headscarves in government offices
and public primary schools, although the ban was not enforced in
universities and is often ignored in some workplaces.

In its report, the U.S. State Department criticized the Turkish
government’s policy regarding the Greek Orthodox Halki Seminary. The
report claimed the seminary “could be reopened after being closed
for 40 years.”

Some positive developments in religious freedoms were also noted in
the U.S. State Department’s report, including the Turkish government
recently permitting the forming of new religious community foundations
and allowing religious community foundations to regain property which
had in previous decades been confiscated.

“The government again permitted annual religious worship services to
be held in religiously significant sites that had previously been
converted to state museums, such as Sumela Monastery near Trabzon,
Akdamar Church near Van, St. Peter’s Church in Antakya, St. Nicholas’
Church near Demre, and the House of the Virgin Mary near Selcuk,”
the report stated.

The report also mentioned positive steps made toward decreasing
prejudice against graduates and applicants of imam hatip schools.

Applicants no longer encountered an automatic minimal reduction
in their university entrance examination grades when applying for
programs outside of the theology department, allowing for greater
academic freedom.

In its report the U.S. State Department criticized Turkey’s failure
to recognize conscientious objection to the country’s mandatory
military service. It also underlined the punishment of opposing
military service due to religious beliefs with charges in military
and civilian courts and possible prison sentences as a limitation of
religious freedom. However, the report also denounced the clouds of
suspicion hanging over the Sevag Balıkcı case, an Armenian citizen
who was killed during his army service.

August/01/2012