Author: Kanayan Tamar

Mediamax, Armenia
May 17 2012

David Tonoyan: EU gave a proper assessment to reforms in Armenian Armed Forces

Thursday 17 May 2012 09:42

Yerevan/Mediamax/. First Deputy Defense Minister of Armenia David
Tonoyan told Mediamax that the EU institutions “have given a proper
assessment to the policy of the Armenian Defense Ministry for
reinforcing civilian and democratic control over Armed Forces.’

David Tonoyan said this commenting by Mediamax’s request on the joint
Document of the European Commission and EU High Representative for
Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the fulfillment of the European
Neighborhood Policy by Armenia and other partner states in 2011.

`I would like to draw attention to fact that the framework of the
documents differs for all states. There is an impression that our EU
partners mainly referred to spheres where the progress is tangible or
there are serious issues subject to speedy resolution. It’s noteworthy
that out of countries of our region only in case with Armenia the EU
referred to issues of civilian control over Armed Forces,’ the
Armenian Deputy Defense Minister said.

`I think the reports give an objective assessment to current
situation. The EU institutions gave a proper assessment to Armenian
Defense Ministry’s policy for reinforcing of civilian and democratic
control over Armed Forces. This policy is expressed both through the
provision of transparency acceptable in terms of national security and
through the improvement of the mechanisms of human rights protection
and increase of awareness about them.

There are certainly remaining issues conditioned by objective and
subjective reasons, but we have to admit that the reformation is a
stage-by-stage process and its continuity requires political will.
These issues are in the focus of attention of the Armenian President
and Defense Minister. The approach is as follows: there is no
alternative to democratic values, including issues of defense and
security,’ David Tonoyan told Mediamax.

ARAM I VISITS ARMENIAN COMMUNITIES IN NORTHERN PART OF TEHRAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 19, 2012 – 13:10 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – As part of his pontifical visitation program,
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, paid
a pastoral visit to the Armenian communities in Ghazvin, Rasht and
Anzaly, located in the northern part of Tehran, Iran.

Accompanied by the Primate of Tehran Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian,
the Primate of Isfahan Bishop Papken Charian, reverend fathers Magar
Ashkarian and Mesrob Sarkissian and the representatives of the Armenian
community in Tehran, His Holiness received a warm welcome.

Besides, an ecumenical gathering was organized in honor of His
Holiness Aram I. The gathering was attended by the Armenian clergy
by Nuncio of Vatican, the archbishops and clergy representing the
Syrian Orthodox, Latin Assyrian, Chaldean and Armenian Catholic and
Evangelical churches.

“Interreligious dialogue should acquire a top priority on the
ecumenical agenda. Of course interreligious is not a new ecumenical
item, however His Holiness believes that “it requires a new approach
and methodology in light of the emergence of new concerns and
challenges pertaining to interfaith dialogue,” His Holiness said.

Hraparak: Tsarukyan targets prime minister’s job for his relative-in-law

Panorama.am
19/05/2012

PAP leader Gagik Tsarukyan targets prime minister’s job, Hraparak says.

“For joining the coalition, he demands the resignation of the
current prime minister, however, not for a PAP candidate but for his
relative-in-law Hovik Abrahamyan.

The authorities think his demand will not be fulfilled since Tigran
Sargsyan will stay in his job until the presidential elections, with
Serzh Sargsyan being determined to keep him on his position by all
means,” the paper says.

AZERBAIJANIS’ CLAIMS TO BE INHERITORS OF ALBANS NONSENSE – GEORGIAN EXPERT

news.am
May 19, 2012 | 03:32

TBILISI. – Dispute around David-Gareja monastery complex on the
Georgian-Azerbaijani border will not lead to military actions
between the two states, Georgian expert Soso Tsintsadze told Armenian
News-NEWS.am.

“The Azerbaijani claims are based on the allegedly fact that they
are inheritors of the Caucasus Albans. It is just like as to claim
that the modern Turks are the inheritors of Byzantine,” the expert
said adding inasmuch as Azerbaijani have no connection to the Albans,
the Albans have no connection to the monastery complex.

Regarding possible settlement of the issue between Georgia and
Azerbaijan, Tsintsadze said that it is likely to be solved through
territorial exchange.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am has earlier informed, Azerbaijan has installed
a border post in the disputable area of the unique David-Gareja,
60 km south-east to Tbilisi.

SOMMET DE L’OTAN : FRANCOIS HOLLANDE RENCONTRERA GUL

Publie le : 18-05-2012

Info Collectif VAN – – La 25e reunion du sommet
de l’OTAN se tient a Chicago ces 20 et 21 mai 2012. L’OTAN compte faire
progresser les principes et politiques cles qui faconneront l’Alliance
en 2020 et au-dela. Cette reunion est destinee a permettre de donner
corps aux decisions prises au sommet de Lisbonne en novembre 2010, en
les transposant en initiatives et programmes concrets. Un fonctionnaire
du gouvernement turc a confirme que le president Abdullah Gul, qui
representera la Turquie lors du sommet de l’OTAN, aura ses premiers
entretiens avec Francois Hollande, president francais nouvellement
elu. Nul doute que cette rencontre portera essentiellement sur les
desiderata turcs d’imposer le negationnisme d’Ankara sur le territoire
de la Republique francaise. Francois Hollande, qui soutient activement
depuis plus de dix ans, le combat pour la reconnaissance du genocide
armenien et par consequent la lutte contre sa negation, va affronter
la, son premier challenge visant a imposer des valeurs universelles.

16 mai 2012 / TODAY’S ZAMAN, ANKARA

Extraits :

Gul et Hollande auront leur première reunion au sommet de l’OTAN

Un fonctionnaire turc a confirme que le president Abdullah Gul, qui
representera la Turquie lors du sommet de l’OTAN, aura ses premiers
entretiens avec Francois Hollande, president francais nouvellement elu.

La Turquie espère que la victoire electorale d’Hollande contre son
predecesseur, Nicolas Sarkozy, puisse ouvrir la voie a la reactivation
de l’offre a rejoindre l’UE, actuellement au point mort. Sarkozy,
farouche opposant a l’adhesion turque, a bloque les negociations
d’adhesion sur cinq chapitres que Paris a estime directement lies a
l’adhesion. Les diplomates turcs et europeens s’attendent maintenant
a ce que le blocus francais soit desormais leve car Hollande est
connu pour avoir une opinion plus favorable sur l’adhesion turque
que Sarkozy.

Traduction Collectif VAN d’après The Today’s Zaman – 18 mai 2012 –
16:30 –

Lire aussi :

L’ambassadeur de France en Turquie affirme que la loi penalisant la
negation des genocides ne vise pas les Turcs

25e reunion au sommet de l’OTAN

Retour a la rubrique

Source/Lien : Today’s Zaman

DISPARITION DE L’HISTORIEN STEPAN BOGHOSSIAN, SPECIALISTE DE LA QUESTION ARMENIENNE
Krikor Amirzayan

armenews.com
samedi 19 mai 2012

L’historien Stepan Boghossian vient de disparaître a Erevan. Il
etait l’auteur de nombreux ouvrages sur l’Histoire et notamment la
Question armenienne et le genocide. En 1991 il avait fonde le Centre
d’etudes de la Question armenienne. De 1970 a 1988 Stepan Boghossian
exerca durant 18 ans la fonction de directeur de la Radio-television
d’Armenie. De 1988 a 1990 il etait egalement a la tete de l’agence
de presse armenienne Armenpress. Par ailleurs il fut responsable des
publications de l’Etat durant de très nombreuses annees. Recompense
par de nombreuses distinctions et medailles Stepan Boghossian etait
le père de l’actuelle Ministre de la Culture Hasmig Boghossian.

MP: AZERBAIJAN’S POSITION WILL BE DIRECTLY CONVEYED TO OPPOSITE SIDE IN YEREVAN

Trend
May 18 2012
Azerbaijan

Plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation
of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC PA) in Yerevan is very
important from the standpoint of presenting to the opposite side
the position of Azerbaijan not in an indirect way, and not through
international organisations, but directly, member of Azerbaijani
delegation to BSEC PA Zhalya Aliyeva told Trend on Friday.

Azerbaijani MPs Asaf Hajiyev, Musa Guliyev, and Zhalya Aliyeva will
attend the 39th meeting of the BSEC PA plenary session, which will
be held in Yerevan from May 21 to 24.

“The visit to Armenia is very important to convey the position of
Azerbaijan to the world,” she said.

The fact that Armenia has not implemented any Security Council
resolutions, is a well known fact, to this day Armenia hasn’t given
any adequate response to the steps taken by Azerbaijan to solve the
Nagorno-Karabakh issue through peaceful means, Aliyeva noted.

Despite the fact that the statute of the BSEC PA prohibits to touch
upon political issues Azerbaijani MPs will try to deliver their fair
position to the world, she said.

“If one of the issues raised in this organisation will be linked to
pollution, environmental protection, we will raise issue about the
destruction of forests, pollution of rivers by harmful substances in
the occupied territories. If it goes on violence against women, then,
first of all it’s necessary to remind about the damage war caused
to women. We will bring to the attention of the plenary condition
of women, who for more than 20 years have lived in war conditions,
in tents, and still remain in captivity,” she said.

The Azerbaijani delegation will go to Armenia for a visit on May 20.

At the meeting, the chairmanship in the PA will move from Armenia to
Azerbaijan. Thus, the 40th session of the BSEC PA will be held this
fall in Baku.

Q&A: ‘BREAKING DAWN’ COSTAR ANGELA SARAFYAN ON FINDING HER ‘AMERICAN ANIMAL’
By Matt Patches

NextMovie

May 18 2012

Angela Sarafyan is on top of her game and playing the field. In
the last couple of years, the young Armenian-American actress has
dipped her toe in TV (costarring with Colin Hanks on the short-lived
Fox series “The Good Guys”) and big-budget tentpoles (she’s Tia in
“Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2”). She’s currently filming
James Gray’s “Low Life,” in which she plays Marion Cotillard’s sister.

In the new indie “American Animal,” Sarafyan is Angela, a friend
of Jimmy’s (writer-director Matt D’Elia) who, along with Jimmy’s
roommate and her friend (also named Angela), becomes sucked into a
madcap world of pop culture and personal torture. It’s part comedy,
part drama and like nothing you’d expect.

Sarafyan talked to us at last year’s SXSW about the innovative process
of working on “American Animal,” along with details on why shooting a
“Twilight” movie isn’t that different then a tiny, micro-budget indie.

How did you become involved with “American Animal”? Matt D’Elia says
you were his first choice for the role.

What happened was that my manager sent me the script, and I read the
first 10-15 pages and immediately called him back and said, “I really
want to meet this director.” The way he wrote the script reminded me of
“Waiting for Godot” … I never read a script that was written in this
way before. You don’t know where it’s going, what’s going to happen,
even with very simple things happening at the beginning of the film.

We arranged a meeting with Matt and spent several hours just talking
and talking and talking, and I had read the script by then and was
very excited to be part of his process. The way he wanted to work on
it gave a lot of freedom to actors. It was exciting.

The film bounces from funny to horrifying to sad, oftentimes in only
a matter of minutes. Were you able to picture the finished project
before you started?

I had no idea what it was going to look like, besides the philosophy
and what was written on the page, which was fascinating. I didn’t know
what he was going to do, how he was going to shoot it. I knew he wanted
to shoot it in one place and that it was about the relationships. Based
on conversations about “Carnal Knowledge” [Mike Nichols’ 1971 film]
and how these characters intertwine — that’s what I knew.

Throughout the filmmaking though, it was incredible. I told Matt, it
was as if reality and the filmmaking process became one. It’s a very
strange thing and can be a luxury for actors to be able to do that.

Some of our relationships were very much like the script. We were
influenced by certain traits of the script; Matt and I really would
get into fights and arguments —

Oh no!

[laughs] It was unpredictable. But a lot of fun, because it’s based
on reality. But that was so much responsibility. I could see how
much work and focus it took Matt … I just remember not being able
to process how he was doing all of it. If he would scream at me I
would just scream right back. It was fun. It was a good challenge in
testing my own sanity and my own views on life.

Are there influences or inspirations that sent you down this career
path, and more specifically, ones that made “American Animal” a film
you wanted to make?

God, I love John Cassavetes. Throughout my acting career and continuing
to be an actor and grow, I think there have been so many outstanding
actresses, and I hope I can live up to the things they created and
continue that on. I think Gina Rowlands is an amazing actress. [I’ve
seen] her in a lot of Cassavetes’ films like “Opening Night” and
“A Woman Under the Influence.” The list could go on and on.

And I love Meryl Streep in the “Deer Hunter.” I don’t know, I could
make an endless list, even actors, like Robert De Niro, Al Pacino
and Anna Magnani — so many out there.

Summit How different is the experience of shooting a big, Hollywood
movie like “Twilight” as opposed to a smaller film like “American
Animal?” I imagine they must be two ends of the spectrum.

It’s funny you say that because it was quite the opposite from what I
expected. It’s a very big, big film and you’d think it would be filled
with pressure and … it’s not at all like that. It’s very intimate.

Easy to do, somehow. The people I work with are so helpful, kind and
welcoming. It’s been fun to go to work with those kind of people,
especially under very extraordinary circumstances.

It doesn’t feel as big as you’d think, which has been good for me
as an actor. I get to play around and create things and have fun in
the moment. We’re only one part of it as actors, because the special
effects and visual effects all come in [after] … It’ll be a huge
surprise at the end, [laughs] I don’t know what it will look like!

WITH SARKOZY GONE AND MERKEL WEAKENED, TURKS RESUME EU ENTRY BID
By Amiel Ungar

Arutz Sheva

May 18 2012
Israel

With Sarkozy gone and Angela Merkel weakened, Turkey is counting on
a more favorable reception in Brussels.

The elections in France ousted from power one of the leading opponents
of Turkish accession to the European Union- Nicolas Sarkozy.

Although the new French President, Francois Hollande, ruled out the
possibility of Turkey entering the European Union during his five-year
term the Turks are optimistic enough to reopen their entry bid.

There are three major reasons accounting for the renewed Turkish
optimism.

Turkey viewed Sarkozy as the main stumbling block, due to domestic
political considerations, part of his desire to win over voters from
the extreme right. Turkey’s European affairs minister Egemen Bagis
commented: It worked in 2007, he added, “but I think it did not work
in the second election.”

Sarkozy also sought the Armenian vote by pushing through a law that
would criminalize denial of the of the Armenian massacre by the Turks
during the First World War. The law was overturned by the French
constitutional court.

Hollande was the beneficiary of Moslem votes during the election
and appointed three Muslim ministers, including the government
spokeswoman. The Socialist victory was celebrated at the Bastille
square and at that celebration Moroccan and Algerian flags nearly
outnumbered the French tricolor.

For the Turks, this at least means that the new government will be
more sensitive to Moslem voters and cannot give the appearance of
excluding Turkey on these grounds.

The Turks also see a weakening of German Chancellor Angela Merkel as
a result of recent state elections in Germany. The main opposition
party, the Social Democratic Party, is on record as favoring Turkish
entry into the European Union. The most that Merkel would’ve granted
the Turks is a privileged partnership, something the Turks reject as
second rate status.

Turkey would like the Social Democrats and the Greens to replace the
current government, but even a grand coalition between the Christian
Democrats and the Social Democrats could soften German opposition to
Turkish entry.

A third factor that is encouraging to the Turks is the deteriorating
status of the traditional enemy – Greece – within the European Union.

Particularly over the Cyprus issue, Greece and Cyprus have been
blocking progress of negotiations between Turkey and the EU. As the
Greeks are far from the flavor of the month, Ankara may conclude that
Greek opposition could prove less influential.

Obstacles would remain, with the most important one being the state of
democracy within Turkey that has been recently in retreat. Perhaps the
Turks are counting on sentiments such as that expressed in a recent
op-ed in Bloomberg “without the active pull of the EU negotiations,
Turkey’s development as a free democracy has stalled”.

In other words, the EU has to restart negotiations even before
Turkey has demonstrated its democratic bona fides in order to check
anti-democratic trends.

37TH HOMENETMEN NAVASARTIAN GAMES OFFICIALLY KICK OFF

asbarez
Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

Homenetmen scouts march with the flags

Mr. & Mrs. Gagik and Madine Gevorkian Named Honorary Presidents;
Maro Kechichian named “Exemplary Homenetmen Member”

ENCINO-A series of events officially kicked off the much-anticipated
37th Annual Homenetmen Navasartian Games on Saturday, May 12. Standing
before the Holy Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church, Rev. Razmig
Khatchadourian commenced the opening by blessing the Navasartian torch,
which was then handed to a team of athletes, representing Homenetmen
chapters, by Regional Executive Vice-Chairperson Pierre Manoukian.

Alongside Manoukian, Regional Executive Board member Vicken Dakessian,
who is heading the Navasartian Organizing Committee; Exemplary
Homenetmen members; chapter representatives; athletes, parents,
and guests gathered in enthusiasm to support the start of another
exciting year of Navasartian games.

Honorary Chairs Mr. & Mrs. Gagik and Madine Gevorkian With the
Navasartian torch raised high, the athletes carried it to Birmingham
High School, where the opening ceremony would be held. Suzy Ohanian
MC-ed the program, which began with a call for a moment of silence
to honor the memories of departed Homenetmen members. A flag ceremony
led by Homenetmen Los Angeles Chapter scouts ensued by marching with
the American, Armenian, Republic of Artsakh, State of California,
Homenetmen, and Navasartian flags.

In her welcoming remarks, Ohanian paid special mention to the
importance and impactful nature of the Navasartian Games. She then
recognized the guests in attendance, including Rev. Fr. Gomidas
Torossian, who attended on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian; Homenetmen Central Executive member Viken Tavitian;
ARS Regional Executive Vice-Chairperson Carmen Libaridian; 2011
Exemplary Homenetmen Member Roupen Gourjian; honorary presidents and
exemplary Homenetmen members from years past, as well as executive
and chapter members.

The team of athletes delivering the Navasartian torch entered the
grounds with loud applause from attendees and passed it to Regional
Executive Chairperson Garnik Abrahamian, whose acceptance of the
torch marked the official start of the Navasartian season.

2012 “Exemlary Homenetmen Member” Maro Kechichian On behalf of the
athletes, who will participate in the forthcoming games, Homenetmen
“Azadamard” member Alik Marselian and “Shant” member Shant Ohanian
recited the athlete’s oath. Following this recitation, Abrahamian
made two special announcements. He declared Mr. & Mrs.

Gagik and Madine Gevorkian as Navasartian’s Honorary Presidents
this year and Maro Kechichian as Exemplary Homenetmen Member. Both
announcements received a warm and wholehearted response from the
audience. (Informative articles regarding the title recipients will
be published separately)

Although Mr. & Mrs. Gevorkian were unable to attend the ceremony, Maro
Kechichian addressed guests and expressed her sincere appreciation
for being bestowed with the honor. She spoke of the opportunities
awarded to her through Homenetmen to be able to help re-establish
chapters in Armenia, the collaborative efforts that contribute to the
organization’s success, and in her closing remarks expressed promise
to continue serving in Homenetmen with strength and vigor.

Abrahamian delivered the Regional Executive Board’s remarks and
highlighted that the start of Navasartian coincided with the 20th
Anniversary of the liberation of Shushi and Mother’s Day weekend. He
stressed that Homenetmen will continue to bring together Armenian
youth in order for them to remain drawn to their community and to
persist as the driving force of the organization.

After Rev. Fr. Torossian delivered his blessings, a series of
all-star games followed, which were dedicated to the memory of Rima
Abedi-Sagherian, a former member of the Homenetmen Regional Executive.