Author: Kanayan Tamar

PRIVATE ARMENIAN SCHOOL WINS SUIT IN GLENDALE

PanARMENIAN.Net
July 26, 2012 – 17:17 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – A private Armenian school was improperly shut down
by Glendale officials, some of whom gave false testimony about events
that led to the closure of the campus in 2010, a Los Angeles County
Superior Court judge has ruled, according to Glendale News-Press.

In the ruling handed down last week, Judge David Milton found that city
officials used “increased fees, yellow tagging and other steps” as a
“pretext to achieve an unlawful purpose, closing plaintiff’s school.”

Milton awarded that school, Scholars Academic Foundation, $135,000
in damages.

City Atty. Mike Garcia said by phone Wednesday, July 25, that he
vehemently disagrees with Milton’s decision, but city officials have
yet to decide whether to appeal.

“We were pretty shocked by some of these conclusions,” Garcia said.

The debacle began when Scholars Academic Foundation moved from its
location at 1021 Grandview Ave. to a former Glendale Unified School
District building at 3800 Foothill Blvd. in January 2010 without
proper city permits.

The school’s principal, Anahit Grigoryan, said during court proceedings
that the city’s former zoning administrator, Edith Fuentes, said they
could operate in the new building if they quickly applied for permits.

That turned out to be an incorrect assessment.

The city sent the kindergarten-to-12th-grade school violation notices
but never received a response. In a surprise February 2010 visit,
a fire inspector determined the building was unsafe to occupy as
a school.

But Milton said the inspector’s decision to yellow-tag the building
– making it temporarily uninhabitable – was “not supported by the
evidence.”

The inspector, Jeffrey Halpert, said the City Council ordered the
city attorney to “go after the school,” according to Milton’s ruling.

“It’s just not true,” Garcia said, contending that Halpert’s statement
was based on hearsay.

Mayor Frank Quintero also said Wednesday that the City Council did
not give those marching orders, but officials take children’s safety
seriously.

“When it comes to children’s safety, it’s always important that things
get done properly, and that’s the bottom line,” he said.

In court documents, city officials said the school had an inadequate
fire alarm and locked or blocked exits, prompting the shutdown.

Ron Billing, a city building inspector, testified that the exits were
blocked by chairs stacked in a hallway. Additionally, he said, the fire
alarm system needed replacement batteries. In an earlier declaration
used to support the temporary restraining order that resulted in the
school’s closure, he said the problems were more severe, claiming,
in part, that there was no fire system at all.

Billing, who has been in Glendale for 10 years, “did not display the
level of knowledge, expertise, objectivity or veracity expected from
a government official,” Milton wrote, noting Billing acknowledged
that the 2010 declaration was partially false.

The judge added that some witnesses, including Fuentes, were “not
candid during all court proceedings due to fear of retaliation”
by the city.

The school moved to several other locations after being shut down. It
is now operating in Los Angeles, although it has lost all but roughly
25 of its original 300 students.

“Our client was fully and completely vindicated,” said Richard Foster,
the school’s attorney. “As demonstrated by the decision, the city’s
misconduct was outrageous, dishonest and prevalent, reaching to the
highest levels.”

Foster added that the school plans to ask a judge to require the city
to pay its attorney’s fees.

A financial analyst testified that over 10 years, the school could
have made $2.75 million. Milton divided that to cover the first six
months after the building was yellow-tagged.

Garcia disagreed with the monetary damages, adding that the city’s
decisions did not constitute a “taking” of property because they did
not deprive the owners of economically viable use of their property.

GEORGIA’S NEUTRALITY ON THE KARABAKH IS THE BEST OPTION AT THIS POINT, ARMENIAN AMB. SAYS

armradio.am
26.07.2012 17:12

Armenia is convinced of the relevance of the Minsk Group format for the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict, Armenian Ambassador to Georgian
Hovhannes Manukyan said in an interview with news.ge. The Ambassador
added that “Armenia makes political efforts to achieve success within
that framework.”

“Unfortunately, the number of cases of ceasefire violation by the
Azerbaijan side has increased in the recent period, resulting in
human losses at the line of contact,” the Ambassador said.

“Such policy of Azerbaijan indicates that the country is not committed
to the principle of peaceful resolution of the conflict. As for
Georgia, at this point its neutrality on the issue is the best option,
which can contribute to the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh

PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710
Fax: (212) 779-3558
Web:
Email: [email protected]

TOP STORY
July 26, 2012

Hye Camp begins
Kids at Hye Camp enjoy an afternoon swim (file photo).

Hye Camp to Welcome Campers on Saturday

The Diocese’s Midwest Hye Camp, located at Camp Hickory in Ingleside,
IL, began this week with staff training on Wednesday, July 25.

More than 120 campers are expected to take part in the weeklong camp
program, which will begin on Saturday, July 28. Jennifer Morris, the
Diocese’s Youth Outreach coordinator, is overseeing the staff training
session.

Meanwhile, St. Vartan Camp, housed at the Ararat Center in upstate New
York, is preparing for the beginning of Session `C.’ This final
two-week session will run July 29-August 11.

[4]Click here for information about the camps, and to visit the camp
blogs.
Links:
4.

Scripture of the Week

Is 5:1-10
1 Cor 6:18-7:11
Mt 19:3-12

Prayer of the Week

May the fire of love which you cast on the earth be kindled in our
souls; to cleanse the thoughts of our hearts and cause the light of
your knowledge to shine in us to awake us from the sleep of death and
to kindle our minds with your flame, that by day and by night we may
give you glory incessantly. Amen.

Upcoming Saints & Feasts

28 July: Sons and Grandsons of St. Gregory the Enlightener

29 July: Third Sunday after Transfiguration

30 July: Sts. Maccabees: Eleazar the Priest, Samona and Her Seven Sons

CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

New Church in Arabkiry, Yerevan
An artist’s rendering of the new church scheduled to open in Yerevan
next year.

New Armenian Church Being Built in Yerevan

A new church is being built in Yerevan’s central neighborhood of
Arabkir. Once completed, the house of worship will be the second
largest church in Armenia’s capital city. The building will also house
the local women and youth organizations, as well as classrooms and
halls for community use.

Some 100,000 people reside in Arabkir, which does not have an Armenian
church at present. Members of the local community say they are looking
forward to the opening of the new sanctuary, where they will be able to
gather for services and fellowship. The project, made possible by the
generosity of Louise Manoogian Simone, is expected to conclude by 2013.

[5]Click here to view a video in Armenian about the construction.
Links:
5.

DIOCESAN NEWS

St. Nersess Junior High School Coference participants
Junior High School Conference participants on the steps of St. Vartan
Cathedral.

Junior High Conference Held at St. Nersess Seminary

St. Nersess Armenian Seminary held its Junior High School Conference
from July 19 to 23. Middle school students explored their faith,
learned about the traditions of the Armenian Church, and took part in
discussions about issues important to young people.

Participants also had the opportunity to visit New York’s St. Vartan
Cathedral and to tour the Diocesan Center. In the evenings, they
enjoyed Armenian singing, dancing, and fellowship.

The next conference, for high school students, is scheduled for July 30
to August 7. [6]Click here to visit the seminary’s website for more
information.
Links:
6.

St. Hagop Church, FL
Participants in Saturday’s program at St. Hagop Church pose for a group
photo ([7]click here to view the full image). Photo by Teresa
Haidarian.
Links:
7.

Diocesan Staff Give Presentations in Florida Parishes

The Diocese’s Armenian Studies coordinator Gilda Kupelian and Christian
Education coordinator Elise Antreassian visited two Florida parishes
last weekend, where they made presentations and held meetings with
parish leaders and educators.

At St. Hagop Church in St. Petersburg on Saturday, July 21, they led a
program titled `Raising Children of Faith in the Armenian Tradition –
What Every Parent Should Know.’ Over 30 parishioners attended,
gathering in the sanctuary for a talk on spiritual formation and a
PowerPoint survey of important Armenian historical, literary, and
cultural figures. A fellowship hour followed, during which the
community considered a parish retreat in the fall or spring.

The afternoon program was arranged by the Rev. Fr. Hovnan Demerjian,
parish pastor. St. Hagop’s membership has nearly tripled in recent
years, and Fr. Demerjian has been working with the Parish Council to
plan Sunday School, youth, and cultural initiatives to serve the needs
of the growing community.

On Sunday, July 22, Diocesan staff visited Soorp Haroutiun Church in
Orlando, where more than 50 parishioners gathered for the day’s
program. The parish’s visiting priest, the Rev. Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan,
celebrated the Divine Liturgy.

Following services, Ms. Kupelian gave a PowerPoint presentation on the
Armenian heritage and culture. Ms. Kupelian and Ms. Antreassian then
met with the pastor, Parish Council member Rita Harvey, parishioner
Anna Stepanyan Vega, and teaching volunteers to discuss the launch of a
new Sunday School in the fall. The school will offer both Christian and
Armenian studies for the parish children and teens.

Lenten Drive
A young Sunday School student at an Easter basket sale held as part of
this year’s Lenten Drive.

Sunday School Students Learn to Make a Difference

This year, Sunday Schools raised more than $14,000 as part of the
Eastern Diocese’s annual Lenten Drive. Three in particular=80’St. Leon
Sunday School of Fair Lawn, NJ, Holy Virgin Mary and Shoghagat Sunday
School of Belleville, IL, and St. James Sunday School of Watertown,
MA-were at the forefront of the effort.

The money will be distributed to two charities: Feeding America, the
nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief organization; and the Fund for
Armenian Relief’s Nor Hajn Soup Kitchen, which serves 300 elderly and
low-income people in Armenia’s Kotayk province.

Click to [8]read more and to [9]view photos.
Links:
8.
9.

DYE Catalogue

“Curriculum & Resource Catalogue” Available Online

In last week’s newsletter, we announced that the 2012 “Curriculum &
Resource Catalogue” is now available online, but provided an incorrect
link for the document. To view and download the catalogue, [10]click
here.
Links:
10.

The catalogue outlines the basic curriculum and supplementary texts and
materials available through the Christian Education division of the
Diocese’s Department of Youth and Education. Materials may be purchased
through the St. Vartan Bookstore using the order form at the end of the
catalogue.

FAR
Doctors take notes during a training session held this summer as part
of FAR’s Continuing Medical Education program.

FAR Hosts Workshops for Doctors in Goris and Kapan

This summer, the Fund for Armenian Relief, in collaboration with the
USAID-funded [11]HS-STAR project, successfully implemented training
sessions for doctors and healthcare workers in Armenia’s southern
cities of Goris and Kapan.
Links:
11.

The training was carried out as part of FAR’s Continuing Medical
Education (CME) program, and offered participants an opportunity to
update their medical knowledge and skills. Additional workshops are
planned for the fall.

CME was created in 2005 by FAR and the FAR Fellowship Alumni
Association. One of FAR’s most extensive programs, it aims to bolster
Armenia’s healthcare system by giving doctors in Armenia’s provinces
access to free workshops on the latest medical advances in their
field.

[12]Click here to read more.
Links:
12.

PARISH NEWS

Armenian Church, Providence

Primate Visits Providence, RI, Parish

On Sunday, July 22, Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian
visited Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, RI, where he
presided over the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and delivered the
day’s sermon. The badarak was celebrated by the Rev. Fr. Shnork Souin,
parish pastor.

Following services, Archbishop Barsamian presided over a planning
meeting for the 2013 ACYOA General Assembly and Sports Weekend, which
will be hosted by the ACYOA chapter of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church.

The meeting was conducted by several members of the ACYOA Central
Council and the parish’s ACYOA 2013 General Assembly and Sports Weekend
committee members. Also present were Fr. Souin, the Rev. Fr. Krikor
Sabounjian, and ACYOA executive secretary Nancy Basmajian.

Processional Cross
A new cross was donated to St. James Church by the Norehad family.

New Processional Cross Blessed in Evanston, IL

On Sunday, July 15, a new processional cross was dedicated at St. James
Church of Evanston, IL, in memory of two of the church’s founding
members: the late Christine and Onnig Norehad. Parish pastor the Rev.
Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan officiated at the dedication ceremony
following the Divine Liturgy.

The new cross was donated by the children of Christine and Onnig.
During the dedication ceremony, Fr. Khoja-Eynatyan blessed the cross
and members of the Norehad family.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Parish Events

St. John the Baptist Church | Milwaukee, WI
St. John the Baptist Church of Milwaukee, WI, will host its annual
`Armenian Fest’ on Sunday, July 29, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on church
grounds (7825 W. Layton Ave. in Milwaukee).

The celebration has been a Milwaukee tradition since the 1930s. It
features Armenian food, live music, and a cultural booth offering
Armenian books and souvenirs. [13]Click here for information.
Links:
13.

St. Gregory the Illuminator Church | Chicago, IL
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Chicago, IL, will host its annual
`Armenian Fest’ on Saturday, August 11, from 5 to 10 p.m., and Sunday,
August 12, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Enjoy lamb, chicken, and luleh kabob; live Armenian music; raffles; and
other activities. The event will be held on church grounds (6700 West
Diversey Ave. in Chicago). For information, call the church at (773)
637-1711, or [14]click here to view a flyer.
Links:
14.

YOUTH NEWS

ASP 2012
ASP participants volunteered at FAR projects in Gyumri.

ACYOA Armenia Service Program Concludes

Participants in this year’s ACYOA Armenia Service Program returned home
last Thursday after a three-week trip to Armenia.

The trip, which ran from June 29 to July 19, offered 17 young adults
from parishes across the Eastern Diocese a chance to experience
Armenia’s historic, spiritual, and cultural sites, and to volunteer at
projects run by the Fund for Armenian Relief in Gyumri. This year’s
program was led by the Rev. Fr. Hakob Gevorgyan, pastor of Holy Trinity
Church of Cheltenham, PA.

Click to [15]read more and to [16]view photos.
Links:
15.
16.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Higher Education Initiative, Inc.
P.O. Box 100103
Arlington, VA 22210

Email: [email protected]

Armenian Higher Education Initiative Completes 2012 Summer Humanities Program

The Armenian Higher Education Initiative is pleased to announce the
completion of its inaugural summer humanities program. Undergraduate
university students of Armenian heritage came together from Georgia,
Artsakh, as well as universities in Gyumri, Kavar, and Yerevan for an
intensive program in the humanities and social sciences. The aim of
the course was to stimulate critical thinking and provide sound
fundamentals in participants’ areas of study, as well as to deliver
valuable insights into subjects to which students would not otherwise
have had exposure. Core courses consisted of methodology seminars in
political science and history, and they were complemented by lectures
in a variety of other subjects given by local specialists. Classroom
space was provided by Yerevan State University and Counterpart
International.

AHEI staff members Asbed Kotchikian, Hamazasp Danielyan, Gayane
Vardanyan, and Arshak Balayan led the program, and visiting lecturers
included art historian Lilit Sargsyan, Lara Aharonian of the Women’s
Resource Center in Yerevan, ethnologist Tigran Matosyan, Artak
Kirakosyan of the Civil Society Institute, nationalism studies expert
Mikael Zolyan, and media expert Gegham Vardanyan. Drs. Danielyan and
Ara Sanjian led the methodology courses, preparing students for
long-term research projects that will take place in the coming months.

The program was sponsored by the Open Society Institute. OSI alumni
participated in a debate with the AHEI group, and also gave
presentations on their public service activities alongside AHEI final
presentations at the end of the course.

Participants had the opportunity to travel to Echmiadzin, where they
met with the Cross of Armenian Unity NGO. In addition, students met
with members of the Armenian Volunteer Corps/Birthright Armenia, where
they shared their respective experiences and agreed to cooperate on
issues such as finding host families for one another and exchanging
information on local organizations. Towards the end of the program,
students attended a seminar with Jirayr Libaridian, former Advisor to
President Levon Ter-Petrossian, in which they discussed Armenia’s
current and future political situation.

AHEI participants expressed overwhelming satisfaction with the course
and have already created active online networks with one another. The
AHEI aims to create strong bonds between its staff and participants
and provide alumni with valuable information and opportunities for
future academic pursuits. For further information about the Arrmenian
Higher Education Initiative, please contact Sarah Ludwig, Executive
Director, at [email protected] visit our website at

AGRICULTURE MINISTER: ARMENIA HAS GREAT POTENTIAL TO EXPORT CHEESE
NAZIK ARMENAKYAN

ArmeniaNow
27.07.12 | 12:50

Armenian varieties of cheese can be quite competitive at European
markets, agriculture minister Sergo Karapetyan told a press conference
on Thursday, as reported by Arka agency.

“Armenia has great potential for export of animal products, especially
cheese to the European markets”, said Karapetyan, adding that the
major obstacles to expanding exports are related primarily with food
safety standards.

“The first step to be done is to regulate the legislative framework in
relation to food safety, because if we want to integrate closely with
EU, we need to make our legislation comply with European standards”,
he said.

In early 2010, the government-run Armenian Development Agency and
the Union of Cheese Producers founded Armenian Cheese company, which
employs the best cheese-makers in the country, uses the highest quality
fresh milk from alpine pastures and is the largest cheese exporter
in the country. Last year the company exported 25 tons of cheese,
mainly to Russia.

NEW GAS PRICE DEAL KEPT SECRET

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 11:14:35 – 27/07/2012

In May, ARG and Gazprom signed a new agreement on the gas price,
while on July 12 the minister of energy and natural resources Armen
Movsisyan assured that negotiations on gas price with Gazprom were
still underway, CivilNet reports.

CivilNet was told by Gazprom that the price of gas supplied to Armenia
is set by the document signed in May 2012. According to them, the
customs price of the Russian gas amounts to USD219 per 1000 cubic
meters, while the ministry of energy and natural resources and ARG
claimed it is USD180.

The gas price is kept secret at the request of the Armenian party. It
will be announced only after the presidential elections. Before that
the gas price will not increase for the citizens and the difference
will be paid by the share of the Armenian government in ARG. 10%
of 20% of the Armenian shares will be transferred to the Russian side.

LES PHOTOS DU GENOCIDE ARMENIEN PRISES PAR DES TEMOINS ALLEMANDS EXPOSES A WASHINGTON
Stephane

armenews.com
vendredi 27 juillet 2012

Une exposition intitulee ” les temoins du Genocide armenien ” s’est
ouverte a Washington. Les photos du genocide armenien prises par des
temoins allemands sont presentees dans l’exposition.

L’exposition a ete organisee a l’initiative du Musee du Genocide
Armenien en Amerique dans une eglise dans le voisinage du Capitole

La plupart des photos presentees sont meconnues car soit elles n’ont
jamais ete exposees ou ont ete presentees il y a quelques decennies.

LE PRESIDENT SARKISSIAN ATTEND DES MEDAILLES AUX JEUX DE LONDRES
Jean Eckian

armenews.com
vendredi 27 juillet 2012

Le President de la Republique d’Armenie assistera ce soir a l’ouverture
des Jeux Olympiques d’ete a Londres.

Serge Sarkissian assistera egalement a une reception donnee par la
Reine Elizabeth II et sera recu par la communaute armenienne et le
Fonds Hayastan au Royaume Uni.

Par ailleurs, le Chef de l’Etat a adresse une lettre d’encouragement
aux athlètes representants la Republique d’Armenie, leur souhaitant
“bonne chance avec un retour victorieux”.

Il ecrit, en substance, etre “convaincu que les athlètes representeront
leur pays avec “honneur” en demontrant pleinement leurs competences
et en protegeant “l’honneur du drapeau armenien de l’athletisme.”

Il indique en outre qu’il suivra personnellement les Jeux pour etre
le temoin oculaire des victoires armeniennes et partager les triomphes
avec les compatriotes d’Armenie et de la diaspora.

Gageons que nos heros auront a coeur de remporter une medaille
d’Or qui leur rapportera la coquette somme de 700 000 dollars * de
recompense offerts par Gagik Tsarukyan, un homme d’affaires influent
et homme politique qui dirige egalement le Comite National Olympique
de l’Armenie (ANCO).

Le gouvernement armenien a pour sa part prevu des primes allant de 72
000 dollars pour l’Or, 48 000 dollars pour l’Argent et 24 000 dollars
pour le Bronze.

L’Armenie avait enleve six medailles de bronze aux Jeux de Pekin
en 2008.

25 athlètes sont en competition dans dix sports differents.

Mihran Jaburyan, lutteur. Il participe aux Jeux dans la categorie
des 55 kilos

ATHLÈTES EN COMPETITION

Artur Aleksanyan, 20 ans (Greco-Roman Wrestling), 96 kg – Norayr
Bakhtamyan, 41 ans (Pistol and Air Pistol Shooting) – Anahit
Barseghyan, 18 ans (Swimming, 100 m backstroke), – Meline Daluzyan,
24 ans (Women’s weightlifting, 69 kg) – Davtyan, 19ans, (Gymnastics)
– Hovhannes Davtyan, 28 ans (Judo, 60 kg) – Andranik Hakobyan, 30 ans
(Boxing, 75 kg) – Kristine Harutyunyan 21 ans Javelin throw Mihran
Jaburyan, 27 ans (Freestyle wrestling, 55 kg) – Melik Janoyan,
27 ans ( Javelin throw) – Arsen Julfalakyan, 25 ans (Greco-Roman
wrestling, 74 kg) – Ara Khachatryan, 29 ans (Weightlifting, 85 kg) –
Hripsime Khurshudyan, 24 ans (Women’s weightlifting, 75 kg) – Mikael
Koloyan, 29 ans (Swimming, 100m freestyle) – Tigran Martirosyan, 24 ans
(Weightlifting, 77 kg) – Arakel Mirzoyan, 22 ans (Weightlifting, 69 kg)
– Armen Nazaryan, 30 ans (Judo, 66 kg) – Gadzhimurad Nurmagomedov,
25 ans (Freestyle wrestling, 84 kg) – Vardan Pahlevanyan, 24 ans
(Long jump Yuri Patrikeyev 32 ans (Greco-Roman wrestling, 120 kg) –
David Safaryan, 22 ans (Freestyle wrestling, 66 kg) – Arsen Sargsyan,
27 ans (Long jump) – Norayr Vardanyan, 25 ans (Weightlifting, 94 kg)
– Hovhannes Varderesyan, 23 ans (Greco-Roman wrestling, 66 kg) –
Arman Yeremyan, 26 ans (Taekwondo, 80 kg)

* Avec cette prime exceptionnelle, l’Armenie se place en tete des
nations offrant la plus importante somme d’argent en cas de Medaille
d’or. Immediatement derrière l’Armenie, l’Azerbaïdjan offre 640 000
dollars, la France 50 000 et en queue de peloton, l’organisateur des
J.0 2012, le Royaume Uni avec zero ~@uro…

LES HOMMES D’AFFAIRES DE SYRIE SONT EFFRAYES PAR LES LOIS ET L’INIQUITE EN ARMENIE
Jean Eckian

armenews.com
vendredi 27 juillet 2012

Selon l’un des leaders de la communaute armenienne de Syrie, qui
a souhaite reste anonyme, les conditions selon lesquelles l’appui
offert par la mère-patrie qui serait mis en place pour l’accueil des
refugies, n’est pas tout a fait conforme a la realite, explique-t-il
a l’agence Arminfo.

“En fait, les Armeniens vivant en Syrie ne quittent pas le pays
parce qu’ils ne peuvent tout simplement pas acheter de billets
d’avion”, a-t-il dit. En ce qui concerne les hommes d’affaires
et les entrepreneurs, ils ne peuvent pas liquider leurs activites
en un jour et migrer. ” En fait, il n’y a pas de programme d’Etat
specifique visant a soutenir la migration des Armeniens de Syrie vers
leur patrie”,

Le representant des armeniens de Syrie explique que l’Armenie est le
pays le plus envisageable pour la migration des Armeniens, tandis que
les pays tiers ne peuvent seulement les recevoir que comme refugies,
alors qu’en patrie historique, ils peuvent obtenir la citoyennete.

“Par consequent, les Armeniens de Syrie veulent retourner dans leur
patrie historique, trouver un logement et ouvrir leur entreprise. De
très nombreux hommes d’affaires armeniens de Syrie voulaient demenager
leur entreprise en Armenie, cependant, après avoir fait une etude de
terrain et se familiariser avec les “règles du jeu “, ils ont abandonne
cette idee. Ils ont ete effrayes par les lois et l’iniquite qui règnent
en Armenie “, a declare le representant de la communaute armenienne.

Selon l’interlocuteur, les lois regissant la sphère economique de
l’Armenie ne creent pas les conditions pour des entreprises rentables.

“En Armenie, les impôts sont très eleves, et l’on peut tout simplement
faire faillite. Tout le monde sait l’attitude qu’a l’Armenie envers les
Armeniens de la diaspora, en particulier envers les entrepreneurs : Ici
on doit payer un pot de vin a quelqu’un, payer pour les durs a cuire,
et en meme temps payer des impôts eleves. En general, l’atmosphère des
affaires en Armenie n’encourage pas les Armeniens de Syrie a investir
en patrie historique, meme si ils ont un immense desir de le faire”,
a-t-il dit, soulignant que si la situation s’ameliorait, il pourrait
“faire venir” 10 grands entrepreneurs de Syrie en l’Armenie.

“A l’heure actuelle, il s’avère que les Armeniens de Syrie prefèrent
rester en Syrie, meme sous la menace de perdre la vie, que de demenager
dans leur patrie historique dans des conditions d’incertitude”,
at-il dit. Ajoutant que près de 3000 Armeniens de Syrie veulent se
rendre en Armenie cet ete en tant que touristes.

Toutefois, durant cette periode ils vont essayer d’etudier la situation
dans le pays et comprendre de quelle facon raisonnable il est possible
de retourner dans leur patrie.

Il a egalement souligne que l’afflux des Armeniens-Syriens en Armenie
a conduit a l’augmentation considerable des prix des billets d’avion
non seulement d’Alep-Erevan-Alep, mais aussi des appartements a Erevan
et dans les regions.

En ce qui concerne la situation en Syrie, l’interlocuteur a declare
que la crise est en train de s’accelerer a chaque jour qui passe. ”
Jusqu’a tout recemment, c’etait relativement calme dans le Alep peuple
d’Armeniens, mais au cours des quatre derniers jours, la ville a
ete sous un feu constant, les gens ont peur de quitter leur maison,
et il n’y a pas d’espoir de stabilite”, at-il dit.

En outre, selon des impressions recueillies auprès d’autres
representants de la communaute armenienne de Syrie, dont l’entrepreneur
Vasken Mesropian, “Un des problèmes est la barrière de la langue,
ce qui empeche une communication normale.” Toutefois, il a note que
la pleine integration dans la societe armenienne va prendre du temps,
“ce qui est naturel, parce Armeniens de la diaspora ont l’habitude
de vivre dans le meme environnement, et les Armeniens dans un autre.”

À son tour, Tigran Gaboyan, ecrivain, a apprecie les efforts deployes
par l’Etat et divers organismes publics pour resoudre les problèmes
des Armeniens de Syrie, d’integration et d’emploi.

Plus recemment est arrive en Armenie Carlos Gasparian, pharmacien. Il
a rencontre la delegation du Ministère de la Diaspora de l’Armenie
qui s’est enquise des preoccupations des passagers et leur ont fourni
les numeros de telephone a contacter en cas de besoin.

DEFENSE MINISTRY: AZERBAIJANI SOLDIER CAPTIVATED BY ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES

Trend
July 26 2012
Azerbaijan

Soldier of Azerbaijani Army, Firuz Farajov (born in 1992) lost his way
and was captured on the contact line between Armenian and Azerbaijani
troops on Thursday, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

He was taken prisoner on the contact line in the direction of Tovuz
region.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France and the U.S. –
are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.