Author: Maral Takmazian

CC issue to be settled at the NA: Armenia’s PM says they cannot wait till the end of pandemic

Maral Takmazian
Aysor, Armenia

Armenia intended to apply to the Venice Commission in the period of referendum, Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a news conference today.

“Our forecast is that at least for a year coronavirus will exist in our reality, which means that at least for a year we cannot have a referendum,” he said.

The head of the government stressed that they cannot rank the political interest higher than the public health interest.

“It is impossible to conduct referendum, on the other hand we cannot wait for the solution of the issue of the Constitutional Court until the end of the coronavirus epidemic. Even if we wait for so long we will soon set a commission on constitutional amendments and will conduct a referendum, according to initial calculations, in June 2021,” he said.

Nikol Pashinyan said that they have applied to the Venice Commission and discuss the issue to solve the issue fully or partially at the NA.

“It is obvious for me that we cannot conduct referendum by May 2021 but neither we can wait for so long, consequently, there is no problem for us and our international partners to regulate our work and get effective solutions via consensus,” the PM said.



Prime Minister: Possibly, there is evidence in the case of March 1, 2008 that will remain forever lost

Maral Takmazian
Arminfo, Armenia


ArmInfo. The cartridge cases of those who shot were not found, and we have no way to identify and find the weapon from which the shots were fired from the cartridges. The Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan stated this during a press  conference, referring to the events of March 1, 2008 in Armenia.

When asked about who killed 10 innocent victims, during the events of  March 1, 2008, the prime minister noted that many details of the case  were disclosed. , Pashinyan  said.

The Prime Minister emphasized that all efforts should be made and  this person should be returned to Armenia.  ,  Pashinyan said.

The Prime Minister also said that perhaps there is also evidence that  will forever be lost. , Pashinyan said.

It should be noted that as a result of clashes at opposition rallies  that followed the 2008 presidential election in Armenia, in which  Serzh Sargsyan won de jure, 10 people died on March 1. The  investigation is still ongoing. The second president of Armenia,  Robert Kocharian, and a number of senior officials of the time are  undergoing a case on charges of overthrowing the constitutional  order. –

Asbarez: Armenian Adaptation ‘Treasure Island’s Anime Version Released

Maral Takmazian

Anime rendition of “Treasure Island” is available in Armenian

In an initiative the likes of which the Diaspora hasn’t seen in over a generation, Roslin Press announced the first-ever Armenian production of Osamu Dezaki’s anime rendition of the classic swashbuckling adventure, Treasure Island.  To capture the spirit of the 21st century Diaspora and Armenia, the 26-episode series features a mix of characters speaking Eastern and Western Armenian. Thanks to the assistance of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, young Armenians from across the globe can now sail the seven seas with Jim Hawkins in his search for buried treasure.

Especially during the pandemic with all of us spending an unprecedented amount of time at home, finding high-quality Armenian entertainment for children has never been more important.

A story we all love…
It was a dark and stormy night… Jim and his mother were tidying up the Admiral Benbow’ Inn of Black Hill, a remote part of the English countryside.  Just as they were about ready to lock up, a mysterious old sea captain arrives at their door.  This wayward stranger named Billy Bones warns of a certain one-legged man – a vicious, brutal pirate who must be avoided at all costs.  Fearing that he may not be around much longer, Billy entrusts Jim with some mysterious papers-one of them being a map – the map to Treasure Island.  And thus begins an epic saga of high seas adventure, treacherous mutiny, and one boy’s courage, faith, and good will.

High quality entertainment to ensure language preservation…
Treasure Island comes at a critical juncture in the Diaspora.  There is no denying that the Diasporan communities of the world are struggling when it comes to language maintenance.  In our opinion, what is needed to keep the youth engaged with the Armenian language is high quality entertainment with a strong literary backbone.  Children must be entertained but must also be exposed to complex thoughts, emotions, and themes.  The new Armenian production of Treasure Island has all these combined with a fantastic score and beautiful animation.

A true linguistic reflection of the Diaspora
Special attention was given to the translation of Treasure Island.  Both Eastern and Western Armenian are shown organically interacting for the first time in a children’s animated series.  From LA to Paris, the old mono-dialect Diaspora is no more.  Communities are more diverse than they have ever been – and we set out to celebrate this fact in Treasure Island.  Characters are depicted with their unique accents and linguistic stylings, encouraging our youth to embrace the linguistic diversity of the Armenian language.

From Armenia with love…
Each and every single member of the Roslin and TechnoLinguistics team that has contributed to bringing Treasure Island to life has left an indelible mark of love.

From the countless casting sessions to the multiple iterations of the translated script …

From the raw emotion poured out by the cast of over twenty voice actors and actresses to the hours upon hours of video editing to ensure a seamless dub…

From the stage direction to the uniquely Armenian composition of the opening score…

It is clear that this was a truly family effort.  We are after all creating art for our youth so that they may one day be able to create art as well.

A full list of the Treasure Island  family can be seen below during the credits montage:  Pay special attention to the beautifully orchestrated theme song, brought to you with love from Yerevan.

A new platform to bring us all together…
Treasure Island is available now on VLUME, a new media platform custom-built for the Armenian speaking communities of the world.  VLUME is already host to hundreds of eBooks, 1000’s of hours of audiobooks, and now with the introduction of Treasure Island – video content.  Whether you are in Buenos Aires or Nicosia, New Jersey or Paris, Glendale or Yerevan – VLUME provides an unprecedented sense of community, now centered around fantastic literature and the best and brightest video content that the world has to offer.

New episodes of Treasure Island are made available every Friday on VLUME.  Be sure to have your popcorn ready!

Armenia official: Epidemic has passed to 3rd stage in country

Maral Takmazian
News.am, Armenia

13:50, 14.05.2020
                  

Foreign Minister clarifies Canada’s position on Artsakh

Maral Takmazian
Public Radio of Armenia
May 6 2020

In a letter addressed to the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) on May 4th, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. François-Philippe Champagne clarified Canada’s position on Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), reported the ANCC.

Contrary to the diplomatically irresponsible and one-sided tweet published by the Canadian Embassy in Ankara, following the General Election held in the Republic of Artsakh on March 31st, Minister Champagne clearly stated that Canada fully supports the OSCE Minsk Group Process, the peaceful resolution of the conflict and the principle of self-determination – amongst others – as outlined in the Helsinki Final Act.

“While I regret any concern that this tweet may have caused the Armenian National Committee of Canada and the Canadian-Armenian community, I would like to reassure you that there has not been any change to our long-standing position on Nagorno-Karabakh,” said the minister in his letter.

“We are satisfied to see that the Minister has restored the balance vis-à-vis Canada’s position on this issue of paramount importance to Armenian-Canadians, effectively overriding the lopsided and foreign-influenced tweet published by the embassy in Ankara,” said Hrag Tarakdjian and Shahen Mirakian, co-presidents of the ANCC.

“The position of Canada remains based on our strong and consistent support for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group’s work toward a negotiated solution, and our position does not prejudge the outcome of this process. Canada agrees with the Minsk Group that there can be no military solution to the conflict and that any resolution must take into account the Helsinki Final Act. We want peaceful societies, and we will support the solution, when achieved,” the Minister said in the letter addressed to the ANCC.

“There is still a lot more that needs to be done on this issue and the ANCC will continue to stand at the forefront and work with our government to ensure that the fundamental human rights of the people of Artsakh are protected and upheld” concluded Tarakdjian and Mirakian.

On April 3rd, the ANCC forwarded a letter to Minister Champagne, raising serious concerns regarding the tweet, asking for its retraction and for the Minister to recall the ambassador for his irresponsibility and inability to uphold Canada’s balanced foreign policy.

Expert: Erik Grigoryan`s resignation may be related to the mining sector

Maral Takmazian
Arminfo, Armenia
May 6 2020

ArmInfo. Erik Grigoryan’s resignation from the post of Minister of Nature Protection of Armenia may be related to the mining sector. This opinion was expressed by Inga Zarafyan, head of the EcoLur NGO, in an interview with ArmInfo.   The expert noted that the mining sector in Armenia has been under criticism of the environmental community for many years. Over the years, it has been repeatedly pointed out that in the mining industry the superpowers are involved, including the state leaders. After the “velvet revolution”, strong changes and new processes began in this sector, which affected, in particular, Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine  and the Amulsar deposit. The redistribution of property, litigation and scandals, as well as the uncertainty in implementation of such large projects as, for example, the Teghout field development turned out, according to Zarafyan, to be a too heavy burden for the former minister. “Other sectors subordinate to the ministry in cannot be compared with the mining field in financial, economic and strategic terms,” she noted.  To recall, on May 5, the President of Armenia signed a decree on the dismissal of the Minister of Nature Protection Erik Grigoryan. According to media reports, Grigoryan personally resigned.   

President Sarkissian talks about meetings with intelligence officers Gevorg and Gohar Vardanyans

Maral Takmazian

President Sarkissian talks about meetings with intelligence officers Gevorg and Gohar Vardanyans

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 15:32, 9 May, 2020

YEREVAN, MAY 9, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian talked about legendary intelligence officers, Hero of the Soviet Union Gevorg Vardanyan and his wife Gohar Vardanyan, told about their friendship and meetings, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the President’s Office.

‘’I have had the honor to have personal relations with Gohar and Gevorg Vardanyans, we are friends’’, he said, adding that his mother and Gohar had been friends for long years and their friendship had started from Tehran.

Highly appreciating the activities and contribution of the intelligence officers, the President said that their lives, which were not so public due to objective reasons, is a beautiful and heroic story full of events that are sometimes out of imagination.

‘’Armenians can be not only brilliant scientists, politicians, businessmen, but also the best intelligence officers of the world. Gohar and Gevorg Vardanyans have proved it’’, he said, emphasizing that they are the best example of what one should understand saying ‘’serve the motherland’’, and living away from the motherland to love it and never forget. ‘’Armenian-Russian relations have always been based not only on shared historical ties, but also on the human stories of individuals, be they Hovhannes Ayvazovski, Hovhannes Baghramyan, Viktor Hambardzumyan or Gevorg and Gohar Vardanyans’’, the President said.  

At the proposal of President Sarkissian, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergey Naryshkin also talked about the life and activities of the legendary couple, stressing not only their high professionalism but also their bright human features.

Editing and Translating by Tigran Sirekanyan

Philanthropist Jack Youredjian provides 100,000 surgical masks to Los Angeles on behalf of Armenia

Maral Takmazian

Philanthropist Jack Youredjian provides 100,000 surgical masks to Los Angeles on behalf of Armenia

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 14:02, 5 May, 2020

YEREVAN, MAY 5, ARMENPRESS. As a contribution to the fight against the pandemic, 100,000 surgical masks were donated to the City of Los Angeles on behalf of the Republic of Armenia, the Armenian Consulate General in Los Angeles said in a statement.

“It will help alleviating the outbreak of COVID-19 in Los Angeles and assisting the city authorities in combating the virus. This important initiative comes from the well-known Armenian-American philanthropist Jack Youredjian, the Founder and Executive Chairman of Western Drug. He and his wife Zarig Youredjian implement successful projects in Gyumri – the second largest city in Armenia – helping the earthquake-stricken families with housing as well as empowering many children through academic success, career planning and vocational training.

Through coordination of Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles for International Affairs Ambassador Nina Hachigian and Consul General of Armenia Ambassador Armen Baibourtian, the masks were delivered to relevant authorities in Los Angeles. The surgical masks were provided to medical institutions and vulnerable groups in LA. This initiative highlighted the evolving strong partnership between the second largest city in the U.S. and Armenia, which was elevated to a new higher level during the visit of the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to Los Angeles and warm hospitality extended to him by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti in September 2019.

“The fight against COVID-19 has made the world smaller, and people across the planet are joining together to confront this deadly pandemic,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Armenia and Los Angeles share an unbreakable bond — and this generous gift will help protect vulnerable Angelenos and medical workers who are showing incredible courage and extraordinary determination to save lives.”

Los Angeles is home to one of the largest and most dynamic Armenian communities in the world. As an integral part of the city, the Armenian-American community holds pride in being Angelinos and spares no efforts to contribute to its advancement. In commemoration of the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in April 2020, the Armenian-American community of Los Angeles has launched a humanitarian fundraiser 1.5 Million Meals for 1.5 Million Lives in the framework of America We Thank You campaign in support of Feeding America to honor Near East Relief and provide meals to Americans in need at this difficult time. The Near East Foundation was the United States’ first congressionally sanctioned non-governmental organization that was able to pool resources to save 132,000 Armenian orphans and establish over 400 refugee processing centers, hospitals, vocational schools, thus greatly contributing to the survival of the Armenian people. As a response to America We Thank you, the Armenian-American community across the country donated more than 5 million meals by now”, the statement said.

Fresno marks 105th anniversary of the Armenian genocide

Maral Takmazian
Your Central Valley, Fresno, CA
April 27 2020

Local News

by: YourCentralValley.com Staff

Posted: Apr 27, 2020 / 08:35 AM PDT / Updated: Apr 27, 2020 / 08:35 AM PDT

Attorney: Documents, work computer confiscated from car of new director of Armenia’s Ucom company

Maral Takmazian
News.am, Armenia
May 2 2020

17:39, 02.05.2020

YEREVAN. – A search was conducted at the home and in the car of Ara Khachatryan, the new CEO of Ucom company of Armenia, and a number of documents and his work computer were confiscated from the car. Khachatryan’s lawyer Aram Orbelyan told reporters about this.

“[But] the license plate of the car was different than the license plate of the car they searched,” he added. “The search warrant was worded ‘planning documents,’ whereas the computer was confiscated and, unfortunately, all this is happening amid these discussions about Ucom, which, based on the information available at the moment, gives me grounds to believe that this is a process in connection with the current Ucom shareholders’ dispute, or the management dispute, also taking into account the statement of the Prime Minister’s spokesperson that it should be seized, confiscated, and paid to the state budget.”

To note, on Tuesday, Gurgen Khachatryan, co-founder of the Galaxy Group of Companies—and the son of ex-Minister of Finance and State Revenue Committee former chairman Gagik Khachatryan, announced that senior officials in the country had demanded to sell Ucom—which is also part of Galaxy, but he added that they will not give in to these pressures and Ucom will not be sold.

This statement was followed by a large-scale investigation by law enforcement agencies, which conducted searches at the residences and business offices of the Khachatryan family.

In addition, a new charge was brought against Gurgen Khachatryan, and a motion to arrest him was submitted to the court.