Author: Kanayan Tamar

ARMENIAN HERITAGE PARK IN BOSTON INAUGURATED

armradio.am
23.05.2012 12:37

On May 22 Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and Minister
of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan participated in the inauguration of the
Armenian Heritage Park, the newest addition to the Rose Fitzgerald
Kennedy Greenway, and the opening of the monument to the Armenian
Genocide victims.

The Armenian Heritage Park is a gift from the Massachusetts’ Armenian
American community to the citizens of the Commonwealth and the City
of Boston and is meant for citizens of all ages to enjoy year-round.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Mayor Thomas M. Menino,
Congressman Edward J. Markey, and Middlesex Sheriff Peter J.

Koutoujian were among the Massachusetts elected leaders that voiced
their support at the dedication in celebration of Armenian Heritage
Park.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, and
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian led the audience in a blessing for the
dedication.

“This is a proud symbol of resilience for our Armenian community
and our Commonwealth,” said Patrick. “It is a tribute to those who
have, against many odds, contributed so much to Massachusetts, and
a marker for future generations to see our state as a place to reach
for their dreams.”

“Boston has and will continue to be a shining example of how
a culturally diverse community can succeed,” added Menino. “I am
honored by the gift of the Armenian Heritage Park to the city of
Boston as it will always serve as a tribute to the achievements of
our vibrant and successful Armenian American community.”

The park includes a 12-sided, shape-shifting sculpture surrounded by
a reflecting pool representing the immigrant communities renewed and
reshaped in Massachusetts. On the outer circle of the labyrinth the
names of the Armenian immigrants who distinguished themselves in the
arts, science, education, commerce, and public service are etched.

“Once again, it is at Armenian Heritage Park that we come together
to talk, think, learn, laugh, and remember,” said James Kalustian,
president of the Armenian Heritage Foundation. “The Armenian Heritage
Park continues to symbolize Armenian immigrants, who overcame so much
and contributed so greatly to American culture and society.”

ARMENIA IMPORTS CARPETS FROM AZERBAIJAN

news.am
May 23, 2012 | 02:48

YEREVAN. – Armenia imported 29.9 sq. meters of carpets from Azerbaijan
last year amounting to $8,500, the State Revenue Committee at the
Government report reads. Armenia has also imported carpets from
Afghanistan, Poland, Belgium and other states.

Armenia has imported 72,400 sq. meters of carpet in 2010, and 69,500
sq. meters last year, as compared to 1,400 sq. meters of carpet
export. Armenia imports carpets cheaper than it exports. 1 sq. meter
of carpet costs $12 for import, while it makes $55 for export.

Armenian carpets are exported mainly to the United States.

L’INGERENCE DE L’AMBASSADEUR DE TURQUIE
Stephane

armenews.com
mercredi 23 mai 2012

Present, hier, lors de la conference de presse de la mission
d’observation electorale de l’Union europeenne en Algerie, Ahmet
Necati Bigali, ambassadeur turc a Alger, n’a pas hesite a intervenir
dans les debats entre le chef de la mission et les representants de
la presse nationale et etrangère.

Ainsi, il a interpelle le chef de la mission d’observation de l’UE
concernant les elections legislatives. “Pourquoi les autorites
algeriennes et la television publique n’ont pas rendu publics les
pourcentages obtenus par chaque parti et dans chaque wilaya ?”

s’est-il interroge. Visiblement gene par l’intervention de
l’ambassadeur, M. Jose Ignacio Salafranca, le chef de la mission
de l’Union europeenne, s’est contente de repondre furtivement a
l’ambassadeur. “Les resultats definitifs seront proclames par le
Conseil constitutionnel, et le ministère de l’Interieur a donne les
resultats juste après la fin de l’operation de vote”, a-t-il repondu
en substance.

De leur côte, les representants de la presse presents, en grand nombre
a la conference, se sont interroges sur les raisons qui ont pousse le
chef de la mission diplomatique turc a Alger a intervenir dans une
conference de presse a laquelle il n’etait pas convie. D’autres ont
estime que l’intervention de l’ambassadeur turc, dans une conference
de presse, traduit “une prise de position politique” et “une manière
de s’immiscer dans les affaires internes d’un pays souverain !”.

ACCIDENTAL WAR WAITING TO HAPPEN ON EUROPE’S PERIPHERY

May 21, 2012

View of Mount Ararat in Turkey from Yerevan, the capital of Armenia,
November 18, 2004 (Scott LaPierre)

View of Mount Ararat in Turkey from Yerevan, the capital of Armenia,
November 18, 2004 (Scott LaPierre)

A minor incident could cause the frozen Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to
turn hot, threatening European oil supplies, the regional balance in
the Caucasus and Anatolia as well as increasing the European Union’s
dependence on Russia.

The border dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict could flare up
again, as recently demonstrated by an alleged ambush of Armenian
troops by Azerbaijani forces. The incident, taking in place in Armenia
proper, not the contested area of Nagorno-Karabakh, is viewed as an
escalation of tensions. Conflict is now more likely due to Azerbaijan’s
petrofueled growth of its military capabilities.

A small incident could spiral into a full blown conflict. While a
conflict would threaten European interests-i.e., threaten oil supplies
and increase Europe’s dependance on Russian energy-the European Union
is expected to do little under such circumstances except condemn
Azerbaijan and continue to offer free trade and visas to Armenia.

Analysis

The military solution is not in the interest of either country.

Armenia is feeling its military weaknesses and aware that it would
need Russia to come and help it.

The price to pay for a military conflict could be a further loss of
independence for both countries, including political and military
autonomy.

Azerbaijan does not want to have Russia any closer to its borders
and will never undertake substantial action without a green light
from Turkey.

The costs of war, for the economy and state budgets, will not be
a positive factor. For both countries, though, a conflict would
galvanize and unite the people beyond the current leadership.

Turkey would likely try to herald a deal between the parties in
order to promote its role as a stabilizing power in its neighborhood
vis-a-vis Europe and the United States. Brokering a deal with Armenia
might solve the national dispute between the two countries but it
could also upset Azerbaijan, which shares the same people, culture
and language with Turkey.

Russia would end up with a greater say in Caucasus affairs and after
having established military posts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia,
it might do the same in the contested regions.

Oil and gas flows would be only partially affected as there are no
major pipelines crossing through the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

For now, a total war between the two countries is to be excluded as
Azerbaijan will try to make all it can to keep a constant and regular
income for its development programs and investments. Price will rise
in the short term but the shock would be easily absorbed.

Wikistrat Bottom Lines

Opportunities

Turkey and its Western allies can test Russian assertiveness against
one of its former republics. Any player will be better able to monitor
the situation in Iran via the information flux from the Caucasus.

Risks

The creation of a new state with limited authority and severe problems
in terms of economic development and autonomy is possible.

Although the conflict may not escalate, the violence will create
necessary tensions which can easily protract or even escalate it.

Dependencies

National political agendas and diverging priorities for elites and
political parties in Armenia and Azerbaijan can cause internal and
external conflict in the countries.

Turkey might abandon its “zero problems with neighborhood” policy in
favor of a more proactive one.

Marinko Bobic, Finn Maigaard, Graham O’Brien and Miguel Nunes Silva
contributed to this analysis.

ARMENIA’S LITTLE SINGERS DECLARED BEST IN STOCKHOLM

news.am
May 21, 2012 | 17:29

Armenia’s Little Singers chorus is participating in a famous Let The
Future Sing festival held in Stockholm.

The Armenian singers were declared the best and won the right to
give a concert in one of the best stages in Stockholm – Konserthuset
concert hall.

ARMENIAN-TURKISH GIRL’S COMPOSITION WINS FIRST PRIZE

tert.am
21.05.12

A composition by Klara Yeteroglu, daughter of an Armenian father
and Turkish mother, won the First Prize in a competition held at the
Istanbul-based Erdil College.

The website reports that the girl’s composition was
posted on the blog ‘To be Armenian In Turkey’ of the Armenian Genocide
Resource Center.

“My name is Clara, my family name is Yeteroglu (means son of enough)
>From time I realized myself, one part of mine is Turkish and
Moslem, and my other part is ARMENIAN and Christian. The conflicts
and arguments which are intended to be placed in our country lately
bring questions to my mind. Why do they want to make enemies of these
two friendly communities, who lived in peace for centuries? What
side should I take or do I have to be on one side? I am born from
a Turkish mother and Armenian father. In this country I can go to
Armenian school and do my prayers in church. I can buy newspapers and
magazines in Armenian language and follow the events,” the girl writes.

During national holidays I can freely celebrate the days and become
part of our own community… When the Kurban Holiday or Christmas
comes, we celebrate both… I am both Armenian and Turk… I think
that there many who think the way I do.

SYNERGY INTERNATIONAL SYSTEMS WILL HAVE ACTIVITIES ALSO IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH

21.05.12, 17:56

Armenian branch of the Synergy International Systems Company and the
Ministry of Economics of Nagorno-Karabakh have signed an agreement
about the cooperation and according to it the company will act also
in NKR.

As REGNUM news agency informs chairman of the company Ashot
Hovhannisyan noted that all bases existed in Artsakh to develop the
Information Technologies. And this development will give an opportunity
to have new working places and will give the specialists appropriate
job with high salary.

For the first period some talented young people will formulate a
group and then the group will gather new forces. It is supposed to
invite also specialists from Yerevan to hold some classes for the
local professionals.

Yerevan branch of the Synergy International Systems Company offers
service pockets for the complex programming.

The Governments of various states and international organizations
are the main costumers of the company.

Synergy International Systems Company was founded on 1997 in the USA,
Virginia state and then spread its activities in the Central America,
European countries, Asia, Middle East and Africa. It acts in Armenia
since 1999.

NATO CALLS ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT SIDES TO DEMONSTRATE POLITICAL WILL TO SOLVE THE ISSUE IN EXISTING NEGOTIATING FORMAT

ARMENPRESS
21 May, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 21, ARMENPRESS: NATO member states call all the sides of
conflicts in South Caucasus and Moldova to demonstrate political will
and be constructive as well as respect existing negotiating formats.

Armenpress reports that about this is mentioned in the declaration
of NATO conference in Chicago. “We call on all sides all to avoid
steps that undermine regional security and stability” is mentioned
in the declaration.

“The persistence of protracted regional conflicts in South Caucasus
and the Republic of Moldova continues to be a matter of great concern
for the Alliance. we urge all parties to engage constructively and
with reinforced political will in peaceful conflict resolution, and
to respect the current negotiation formats” is said in the declaration.

NATO member states have been committed to support efforts towards a
peaceful settlement of these regional conflicts, based upon principles
and the norms of international law, the United Nations Charter,
and the Helsinki Final Act.

UNESCO TO CELEBRATE ANANIA SHIRAKATSI’S BIRTH ANNIVERSARY

tert.am
21.05.12

Great Armenian scholar Anania Shirakatsi’s 1,400th birthday has been
included in the UNESCO eminent personalities’ anniversary list.

A prominent mathematician, astronomer and geographer, Shirakatsi was
born in 612 AD. He was considered the founder of sciences in Armenia.

As a talented medieval pundit, he left behind a huge heritage that
largely contributed to the development of the natural sciences in
Armneia. Shirakatsi died in 685 AD.

The Armenian Government has is planning different events devoted to the
jubilee anniversary. A special committee composed of representatives
from the Ministries of Culture, Education and Science, Foreign Affairs,
and the National Academy of Sciences, has been set up upon Prime
Minister Tigran Sargsyan’s recommendation.

An international historico-astronomical symposium expected to shed
light on Shirakatsi’s astronomic heritage, as well as the astronomic
monuments in Armenia will be a key event on the agenda. The discussion,
entitled Astronomic Heritage in National Culture, will take place in
the Byurakan Observatory from September 24 to 28.

Additionally, the Observatory will host an international school of
young astronomers between September 15 and 23. It is also planned
to launch several publications and conduct studies into Armenia’s
historico-astronomical on the occasion of the anniversary.

BREAKING NEWS: MORE THAN $2.2 MILLION RAISED AT ANCA ENDOWMENT FUND TELETHON

ASBAREZ
Sunday, May 20th, 2012

The final moments of the ANCA 2012 Telethon

LITTLE ARMENIA-At the conclusion of the six-hour ANCA Endowment
Fund Telethon on Sunday, May 20, $2.2 million was raised from
donations large and small from a wide cross-section of the community,
demonstrating and bolstering the grassroots power and capability
of Armenian-Americans.

During the six-hour broadcast, the telethon aired segments documenting
the activities of the ANCA Endowment Fund in working for Genocide
education and recognition, aid to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh and
encouraging participation by the Armenian-American community.

Volunteers from all walks of life flooded the Horizon Armenian
Television studios for the entire day to help ensure the success of
the telethon, which was being planned for several months.

Asbarez will present highlights and entire coverage of the telethon
in its upcoming editions.