Author: Mary Lazarian

On the occasion of the Armenian Genocide Centennial, the parliament of the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, on Tuesday adopted a joint resolution condemning the genocide, 

In the Rhineland-Palatinate capital city of Mainz, all parliament factions used the term “genocide” to describe what occurred in the Ottoman Empire in 1915.

Our common goal must be to contribute to reconciliation, understanding and awareness,” the speakers said.

“This is not solely about remembering the victims, but the need to look ahead. Our joint objective is to achieve reconciliation, mutual understanding, and recognition. That is why we support the development of Armenian-Turkish relations.”

Factions call on the Rhineland-Palatinate state government to promote initiatives and projects to address the events of 1915-16 and the German co-responsibility.

The resolution calls to remember the Armenian Genocide that occurred 100 years ago. The [Rhineland-Palatinate] parliament factions condemn the Ottoman Empire’s actions that led to the extermination of 1.5 million Armenians.

 

Prelate of St. Hakob Church in Kanaker, Father Sahak Sahakyan has passed away after a long illness, the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese informs.

Father Sahak Sahakyan played a huge role in saving the Armenians of Kirovabad in 1988. He was the Prelate of the Armenian St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in the city of Kirovabad (Gandza).

At the beginning of the Artsakh war, when Armenians in Azerbaijani settlements were being massacred, Father Sahakyan hosted thousands of Armenians at the Church. Thanks to him, Armenians of Kirovabad managed to organize self-defense brigades, which helped Armenians to safely leave the city and escape mass killing.

Turkey has returned to the European Parliament an April 15 motion describing the mass killing of Ottoman Armenians during World War I as genocide, as a senior EU official warned Ankara about the consequences of its reaction to statements made by countries and organizations labeling the mass killings genocide, the Hurriyet Daily News reports.
The European Parliament sent its motion to the office of the Permanent Delegation of Turkey to the EU on April 29, Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency reported. The office returned the motion on April 30, with a statement by the Permanent Delegation of Turkey attached.

In a swift response, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said “the European Parliament repeated the same exact mistake it made in the past, by being incompatible with international law and exceeding its competence.”

“We return this text, which is an unprecedented example of incoherence in all aspects, verbatim to the abovementioned institution so that the text finds its place among the documents that the European Parliament will shy away from remembering in the future,” the Foreign Ministry said in a written statement released on April 15, only hours after the adoption of the motion in Brussels.

Almost simultaneously with Ankara’s move of returning the motion, that Turkey’s backlash against European countries calling the 1915 killings genocide will complicate Ankara’s ambitions to join the EU.

Commissioner Johannes Hahn told Austrian newspaper Der Standard on April 30 that Ankara’s “very harsh” reaction should be seen in the context of the upcoming June elections.

“This [response] may be quite popular in parts of the country and among certain parts of the population. But what worries me are the long-term consequences,” Hahn said. “The seeds of an anti-European and anti-Western stance are thus sown, which, from today’s perspective, make a future [EU] entry very difficult.”

Turkey has rebuked several EU members including Germany and Austria whose parliaments used the word in resolutions marking the 100th anniversary of the event in April.

IN FEB 2010 MONEY SUPPLY IN ARMENIA GREW BY 2.5% TO $2.1BLN

ArmInfo
02.04.2010

ArmInfo. In Feb 2010 money supply in Armenia grew by 2.5% to 799.1bln
AMD or $2.1bln. As compared with Feb 2009 the index grew by 27.1%.

The Central Bank of Armenia reports that in the structure of the
money supply the share of non-bank cash grew by 0.6% (10.8% growth as
compared with Feb 2009) to 254.2bln AMD. The share of AMD deposits
made up 20.5% or 164.1bln AMD (2.5% growth as compared with Feb
2009), the share of foreign exchange deposits – 47.6% or 380.8bln AMD
(+3.7%). In the structure of AMD deposits the share of call deposits
made up 63.2% or 103.8bln AMD (+6.6%), the share of time deposits –
36.8% or 60.3bln AMD (-3.8%).

In Feb 2010 foreign assets dropped by 3% to 345.9bln AMD (as compared
with Feb 2009 the index almost tripled). Domestic assets grew by 7.1%
to 453.1bln AMD. In the structure of domestic assets liabilities to
the government made up -149.6bln AMD.

The share of economy made up 779.7bln AMD (+2.2% and +16.4%)
wherein the share of organizations was 51.1% or 408.8bln AMD (+2.2%
in Feb 2010), households – 43.6% or 348.7bln AMD (+2.1%), non-profit
organizations – 1.3% or 10.6bln AMD (+1.8%).

NEW LAWSUIT AGAINST DENO GOLD MINING

ArmInfo
2010-03-15 10:24:00

ArmInfo. EcoLur told ArmInfo that on 22 February "For Ensuring
Ecological Safety and Developing Democracy" NGO brought an action
against Deno Gold Mining Company to the Court of General Jurisdiction
in Syunik Marz. Particularly, the organization demands the court to
obligate the company to submit information about the check results
conducted by the State Environmental Inspection of the Ministry of
Nature Protection of RA in 2009.

In November 2009 with the support of "For Ensuring Ecological Safety
and Developing Democracy" NGO 28 residents of Shahumyan Region of
Kapan Town brought an action on threat to life and health to the
Administrative Court of General Jurisdiction in Syunik Marz. The
problem is as follows: the territory of Shahumyan Region is a danger
zone as under this region are situated the mines and galleries
developed by the company. On 17 February 2010 Director General of
Deno Gold Ð~Jining Company Robert Faletta and Irina Manukyan, the
plaintiffs’ barrister, signed a friendly settlement on the behalf of
20 plaintiffs. Under this friendly settlement, the owners’ property
in the danger zone will be up for sale by 31 March, while the company
in its turn obliges to obtain this property at market prices. The
other 8 owners refused from the friendly settlement and called back
the legal action.

"For Ensuring Ecological Safety and Developing Democracy" NGO says,
the outcome of this proceedings and the court impartial decision in
a success no only for the NGO and people, but for Deno Gold Mining
Company itself.

GEORGIAN INTERNET PROVIDER UTG TO REPAIR THE OPTICAL CABLE LEADING TO ARMENIA WITHIN TWO HOURS

ArmInfo
2010-03-01 17:17:00

ArmInfo. Fibernet Communications, one of the three operating wholesale
internet providers in Armenia, reports about the technical malfunction
of one of the optical cables leading to Armenia.

Press-secretary of Fibernet Communications Mikayel Balayan told ArmInfo
correspondent that UTG, Fibernet’s partner for traffic transmission
from Georgia, reported about the malfunction of the cable in its
territory. "Their specialists have started removing the malfunction
and told us that the communication may be restored within 2 hours",-
said Balayan.

2010 Armenian Heritage Cruise Sails the Seas in `Armenian Style’
Asbarez
Feb 5th, 2010

BY BARBARA HAROUTUNIAN

There was magic in the air as more than 1100 Armenians boarded the
Costa Cruise Lines extraordinarily beautiful ship, Costa Atlantica.
The Costa Atlantica is a `Jewel Ship’, a well designed and elegantly
decorated with antique Italian flair.

Armenian Heritage Cruise XIII, sponsored by the Armenian Cultural
Association of America Inc. sailed from Ft. Lauderdale for a week long
cruise, January 16-23, 2010. The cruise was a welcome relief from the
shivering cold and snow that gripped the northern states.

The destinations included St. Thomas, of the US Virgin Islands; San
Juan, Puerto Rico; and Grand Caicos Islands. Everyone had eagerly
anticipated a week of beautiful sights, meeting new people, attending
cultural programs, listening and dancing to Armenian music, eating
good food and having fun in the sun in a profoundly unique Armenian
way.

Armenians came from all over the world: Armenia, Argentina, Australia,
Canada, England, France, Greece, Italy, Israel, Lebanon, Switzerland
and Turkey. The United States was also well represented with people
from almost every state in the country. Each guest received an AHC
tri-color tote bag and Travel Document Pouch as a gift from the ACAA
and Travel Group International. People met relatives, friends and
classmates after many years of separation. With tears in their eyes
and smiles on their faces they were all reunited on the Armenian
Heritage Cruise. There are three ways to experience complete
fulfillment on this cruise:

1. Spend a week of fun in the sun, leaving the hustle and bustle of
life on hold.

2. Learn and help preserve the Armenian culture and heritage.

3. Meet old friends and make new friends.

For one week we put aside our political and religious differences and
come together as one people and one nation to establish a `Little
Armenia’ in the Caribbean.

Everyone was given a tri-color ACAA Heritage Cruise cabin key card;
this card granted each guest entry into all the Special Armenian
activities for the week. Without this AHC Card no entry to any
Armenian event was allowed. Each morning the announcements of the
daily activities were presented in Italian, French, German and much to
our joy, ARMENIAN! We were honored to have onboard The Most Rev.
Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, Primate Emeritus of the Western Diocese
of the United States and Archpriest Rev. Fr. Vazken Bekiarian,
Worcester, MA. Everyday the Clergy onboard conducted the morning
service in the chapel which was always filled to capacity.

Nightly, two bands performed in various rooms on the ship. Joseph
Krikorian and his Band and The Aravod Band with Jim Kzirian, Aram
Hovagimian and featuring Khatchig Jingerian, John Harotian and Richard
Berberian. On Saturday, the first night of the cruise there was a
Welcome Reception for all guests hosted by George and Shakeh Basmajian
and Maria Tavitian. The Cruise Ambassadors were introduced and a
highlight of the week’s activities was announced. This was followed by
an Armenian Talent Show.

Throughout the week guests could sit poolside all day and enjoy the
wonderful tropical weather. Others jogged, played Bingo, listened to
lectures or watched Armenian movies. For those who did not venture out
of their cabins the cruise provided 24 hour Armenian song and dance
programs on two of the ship’s television channels.

In the morning there was Armenian Conversation Classes conducted by
Ara and Arevig Caprielian of New York. Margo Kaftajian of Dallas,
Texas taught Armenian Dance Classes. Many different styles of Armenian
Dance were taught such as the Tamzara, Shourch Bar, Haleh, and many
other popular traditional Armenian Dances. Guests could register for
the Tavlou and Belote Tournaments under the direction of Antranig
Boudakian and George Basmajian. The athletically inclined joined the
annual 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament under the direction of John
Jerikian.

There was a special table for the Armenian Heritage Tour 2010 with
Maro Asatoorian, the ACAA liaison, where people could register for 15
day tour to Armenia on July 18 – August 1, 2010, an optional excursion
to Karabagh will also be available. The Hairenik Bookstore was busy
everyday selling traditional Armenian products including CD’s, movies,
books, and artifacts on the ship. The ACAA Hospitality Desk was open
every morning to assist passengers. With so many activities it can be
difficult to decide what to do. The Armenian Heritage Cruise XIII had
something for everyone.

After dinner on Sunday there was a Singles/Mingles Cocktail Party.
This is a party where singles could meet and hopefully mingle. For the
first time each day there was an AHC Club 39 Happy Hour. Armenian
singles from ages 21-39 years old from all over the world had an
opportunity to meet and maybe…

On one of the days we spent a wonderful day shopping and swimming on
one of the worlds most beautiful beaches in St. Thomas, US Virgin
Islands. We returned to the ship and that evening there was an ACAA
Gala Cocktail Party sponsored by the ACAA Armenian Heritage Cruise
Committee and Travel Group International. Everyone enjoyed
complimentary champagne and cocktails. At dinner that evening guests
enjoyed a unique Armenian menu with Hummus, Tabouli, Boureg, Lamb
Chops and Chicken Kebob, Boulghour Pilaf, Salad and Pakhlava. The next
day we arrived in gorgeous San Juan, Puerto Rico.

On Thursday Ann Samuelian and her committee organized the Armenian
Festival Day pool party. Prizes were awarded for the best Armenian
tri-color outfit, red, blue, and orange. Along with face painting
Margo Kaftajian’s dance class performed the Shourch Bar, Tamzara,
Haleh and other dance steps they learned throughout the week. There
was an Armenian Dance Contest with prizes for the best Armenian
Traditional Dance. This has become an annual event and people came
prepared with original design outfits and special dance steps to
compete in the contests. To add to the festivities the ship prepared a
delicious Armenian menu for lunch. Later that afternoon we spent a
wonderful day at the beach in Grand Caicos Island.

Each day there were speakers and programs about relevant Armenian subjects:

* Hamazkayin Cultural Association Tea Reception and Program.

* Armenian Relief Society Tea Reception and Presentation-2010 is the
100th Anniversary of this great organization.

* Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston under the direction of Apo
Ashjian. The group has performed in the United States, Canada, and
Armenia. The company aims to preserve and promote Armenian culture
through the art of dance.

* Armenian Fund USA, by Irina Lazarian, was founded in 1992 as a
non-profit, non-governmental organization which represents all
Armenian constituents. The discussion was to learn more and take part
in a long standing effort to build, revitalize, and grow the Republic
of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

* ANCA Presentation – This presentation by Ken Hachikian, ANCA
Director, discussed the key points covered by the Protocols from both
the Armenian and Turkish perspective, including the implications as it
affects the legal, political, economic, and moral ramifications for
Armenians living in both Armenia and the Diaspora.

* Book Presentation by Mary Terzian – Her book `The Immigrants
Daughter’ won the Best Book Award in multicultural, non-fiction
category, and was a finalist in Indie Excellence 2007 Book Awards.

* The Diplomatic Protocols Recently Signed By The Government of
Armenia and Turkey – The panelists were: Dr. Antranig Kasabarian,
chairman of the Armenian Cultural Association of the Eastern United
States. Ken Hachikian, Chairman, Board of Directors Armenian National
Committee of America; Appo Jabarian, Executive Publisher USA Armenian
Life Weekly; and Jack Medzorian

* Comedian Kev Orkian entertained his audience with a one-man, piano
comedy performance. His program is filled with cultural satire that
has made him a favorite all over the world. He was born in London and
is active in the Armenian community. He has performed all over Europe,
the Middle East and the United States.

* Knights and Daughters of Vartan – a reception and presentation for
the members and friends of the fraternal organization.

* Armenia and Its Diaspora – An Important Factor in International
Politics. Appo Jabarian, Executive Publisher and Managing Editor of
USA Armenian Life Magazine and Hye Kiank – Presented the facts that
Armenia has a commanding geopolitical position in one of the world’s
most important cross-roads and progressive Diaspora makes Armenia a
social and economic force.

* Tea Reception – Anniversary Celebration of the Armenian Weekly
(75th) and the Hairenik (110th) – The celebration featured a
presentation on the past and present of both publications.

* Dr. Antranig Kasbarian – discussed the effects and relationship of
the Turkish Armenian Protocols and its impact upon Karabakh.

* Book Presentation – `Prior to The Auction Souls’, written and
produced by Sosy Kevonian. This graphic novel is based on the life of
Aurora Mardigian during the 1915 Genocide.

* The Humanitarian Outreach Foundation – `Each One Help One Movement’
by Berge and Terry Minasian. This project was created to provide
financial relief to over 500 extremely poor families in Vanadzor,
Armenia. These are the poorest of the poor in Armenia and they all
live in metal ocean shipping containers. The project staff interviews
the families and then they are selected for sponsorship. The goal of
the foundation is to keep families intact.

* Armenian Patriotic Songs and Concert – One evening everyone listened
to their favorite

* Armenian Patriotic songs. Joseph Kricorian and his band performed.

The Armenian Heritage Cruise has become a respected and prestigious
program working under the guidance of the Armenian Cultural
Association of America, Inc., which is a 501 (c) 3, non-profit
organization, that primarily assists in Armenian research, cultural
events, and especially provides primary assistance to the Armenian
language newspapers.

We are involved in many endeavors and work within our mission to
assist and help the Armenian people in the Diaspora and the Armenian
Republic. From all over the United States, dedicated individuals have
volunteered to work on this fabulous event. Each area of the country
and Europe are represented. There is no other event in the world that
brings Armenians together for seven full days of fellowship and
camaraderie. We look forward to seeing you on our 14th cruise sailing
on January 21-28, 2011, with a seven day Eastern Caribbean cruise to
Nassau, Bahamas, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Catalina Island,
Dominican Republic and Grand Caicos Island. Enjoy the unique
experience of a lifetime on `The Original Armenian Cruise’ where the
Armenian spirit comes alive on the Caribbean Sea.

The following comments were received from a few of the pleased passengers:

`Thanks to the ACAA committee members for a great cruise. We all had a
wonderful time on the Costa Atlantica. Our entire group from Paris,
France enjoyed the warm ambiance, full of fun, dance, music and shows.
We will gladly come back to repeat this wonderful experience. We will
definitely promote this cruise with our friends and family in France,
hoping to enlarge the `Fransa-Hyes.’

Michelle Tokatlian
Paris, France

`It is my second time but, God willing, you can bet it will not be my
last. Armenian Heritage Cruise…three words that sound like music to my
ears. Aside from good food, fabulous scenery, fantastic entertainment,
it awakens the hidden warm feelings of belonging to a nation of
wonderful people from all over the world. My heartfelt wish to my very
dear fellow Armenians, next to good health, is to take part in this
wonderful experience. May God bless the organizers’.

Karekin Gurumlian
Montreal, Canada

`I traveled from Argentina to become a part of the ACAA’s Armenian
Heritage Cruise onboard the beautiful Atlantica. This huge ship has
been converted into an `Armenian Town’. The events exceeded my
expectations with Armenian TV, dances, cultural programs, movies and
many more activities. This year there were over 30 Armenians from
Argentina on the ship, and I am sure this number will triple next
year. I want to thank the ACAA committee for providing us with this
wonderful experience’.

Madlen Tchrian
Buenos Aires, Argentina

`What an excellent experience for my first cruise! My kids have been
on this cruise before, what an excellent Armenian cultural and
friendly atmosphere. In fact my son found his life’s Armenian partner
here. What an excellent thing to happen’!

Haigazoun Chalian
New Jersey

`This cruise has enlightened me as to where the Armenian community
stands today or how far we have progressed. Your program was a nice
mix of social, educational, political and entertainment. It reminds me
of the bygone `Atlantic City Affair’ that was hosted by Philadelphia
years ago. I wish you continued success. Keep up the good work’.

Diana Papazian
San Diego, California

`The Armenian Heritage Cruise is outstanding. Besides that, I had the
opportunity to meet friends that I haven’t seen for 50 years. I was so
satisfied to attend each event that was perfectly organized. I invite
all Armenians from all over the world not to miss next year’s cruise.
We will show the world the Armenians are `UNITED’ in the Diaspora’.

Alecco Bezikian
Bergamo, Italy

`A week has passed and it is time to leave, but the memories will last
a lifetime. As I pack my bags I am filled with unforgettable memories
of a wonderful experience on the Costa Atlantica. I am taking with me
a feeling that the Armenians in the Diaspora are united which will
help Armenia’.

Lusine Gasparyan
Yerevan, Armenia

SERGEI MOVSESIAN COMES 10TH IN GIBRALTAR OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
28.01.2010 18:11 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian grandmaster Sergei Movsesian (Slovakia)
between 26 January and 4 February participates in Gibraltar Open
chess tournament, which runs 8th time.

In the first round Movsesyan met with Marcel Peek (The Netherlands)
and won, but with Victoria Kmilyati (Latvia) played a draw. In the
third game Movsesyan lost to Gabriel Battaglini (France).

After the first round the Armenian grandmaster has 1.5 points and
comes 10th among 109 participants.

Sergei Movsesian , (born November 3, 1978 in Tbilisi) is chess
Grandmaster of Armenian descent who now plays for Slovakia. In 1999
he reached quarterfinals of the FIDE World Chess Championship in Las
Vegas, but lost to Vladimir Akopian, 1.5-2.5. He won international
tournaments in Sarajevo (2002 and 2007),[2] 2007 Czech Coal Carlsbad
tournament in Karlovy Vary, Mikhail Chigorin Memorial in Saint
Petersburg in 2007[3] and B-tournament of the Corus Chess Tournament
in 2008. Movsesian is married to the Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Petra
Krupkova.

VARDAN KHACHATRYAN: AZERBAIJAN CONTINUES MILITARIZATION

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
25.01.2010 16:54 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Militarization is in progress in Azerbaijan, which
continues large-scale production and purchase of military equipment,
Vardan Khachatryan Social Democrat Hunchakian Party administration
member said.

As he said at the joint news conference in Yerevan with RPA member
Karen Avagyan, the quantity of military equipment acquired by Baku
runs counter to international agreements. "Armenia has to raise this
issue and demand explanations from Azeri side," Vardan Khachatryan
stated, characterising Azerbaijan’s explanations on the issue as
unsatisfactory.

Commenting on Baku’s military development, Karen Avagyan noted that
there’s no reason to feel threatened by Baku’s proceedings, as military
modernization is being successfully implemented in Armenia at present.

Schwarzenegger appoints Ronald Barsamian to Big Fresno Fair Board
08.01.2010 18:27 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has
appointed Ronald Barsamian, 56, of Fresno, to the Big Fresno Fair
Board.
He has served as managing partner for Barsamian and Moody Professional
Corporation since 1992. Previously, Barsamian was partner for Finkle
and Barsamian Law Firm from 1985 to 1992 and assistant general counsel
for Western Growers Association from 1978 to 1985. He is president of
the Agricultural Personnel Management Association Board of Directors
and vice-chairman and chairman-elect of the Clovis Chamber of
Commerce.

This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no
salary. Barsamian is a Republican, Asbarez.com reported.