Author: nina hovnanian

ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN RANKS AMONG TOP MILITARIZED COUNTRIES IN WORLD

Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
Dec 23 2014

ISTANBUL

Armenia and Azerbaijan have found themselves among the 10 countries
with the highest levels of militarization in the world, according to
the Global Militarization Index 2014 revealed by the Bonn International
Center for Conversation.

Neighboring states Armenia, ranked third, and Azerbaijan, 10th,
both belonging to Europe, show very high levels of militarization
and have initiated major increases in their military expenditures
over the past few years, according to a statement released by the
organization to announce index results.

Military expenditure in 2013 by Armenia reached $427 million, while
expenditures in Azerbaijan have grew to $3.4 billion, demonstrating
the countries’ focus on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the South
Caucasus.

While Azerbaijan has enjoyed economic prosperity thanks to a drastic
increase in its oil revenues and boosted its military spending as well,
Armenia showed only relatively moderate economic growth resulting in
a comparably slow growth in military expenditures.

However the report still adds that “Azerbaijan and Armenia aim at
comprehensive modernization activities for their outdated weapons
systems for which they are highly dependent on Russian support,
and that support is provided to both countries.”

The report also says “the high levels of militarization in these two
countries must be seen in the overall context.”

It notes Russia, which holds fifth place in the index rank, delivers
arms to both South Caucasian republics and has been pursuing a
comprehensive military reform since 2008.

The Global Militarization Index (GMI) depicted the relative weight
and importance of the military apparatus of one state in relation to
its society as a whole.

Along with Armenia and Azerbaijan, Israel, Singapore, Syria, Russia,
Greek Cyprus, South Korea, Jordan and Greece rank amongst the 10
countries with the highest levels of militarization. Three of the
countries are in the Middle East, two in East Asia and the remaining
five in Western and Eastern Europe.

December/23/2014

REGIME FAILED FOREIGN POLICY – DEMOCRATIC HOMELAND PARTY LEADER

15:00 / 24.12.2014

The 17 years of existence of the regime and 7 years of presidency
of Serzh Sargsyan have certain commonalities, leader of Democratic
Homeland party Petros Makeyan told the reporters on Wednesday.

“The typical thing is that the Genocide recognition issue has entered
a deadlock during the whole period of the existence of the regime. To
be more concrete, after football diplomacy and Armenian-Turkish
protocols,” he said. On the threshold of Armenian Genocide centennial
it was a big gift to the Turkish state. He said all the states abstain
from recognizing the Armenian genocide thinking that the two countries
are negotiating. “As a result we will mark the centennial with complete
failure,” he said

Another important element of Armenia’s foreign policy is the peaceful
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. “The thing is that our
country failed in this regard as well. There is no progress, instead
we are facing a growing danger of resumption of war,” he said.

SHARJAH WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL TO HOST LENA CHAMAMYAN AND OUMEIMA AL KHALIL

Gulf News, UAE
Dec 23 2014

Event to feature musical groups and bands from 12 countries

Sharjah: The Flag Island in Sharjah will be hosting two concerts for
Syrian-Armenian singer Lena Chamamyan and Lebanese singer Oumeima
Al Khalil on January 24-25 as part of the second Sharjah World Music
Festival.

Set to start on January 16, the event will feature performances from
musical groups and bands from 12 countries.

Lena Chamamyan is set to perform a collection of songs in which she
merges the traditional styles of eastern songs with western classics
on January 24, at 9pm. The singer will present new songs that reflect
classical, jazz, eastern, and Armenian musical influences on her
unique singing style.

Oumeima Al Khalil is scheduled to perform at the closing ceremony
of the Sharjah World Music Festival on January 25 at 9pm. The event
will see her perform songs written by great Arab poets such as Mahmoud
Darwish, Shawqi Bazea, Mohammad Abdullah, Haider Talal, Henry Zughaib
and Nizar Attiah Al Hindi.

The two concerts will be staged at the new amphitheatre at The Flag
Island. Tickets for Lena Chamamyan’s and Oumeima Al Khalil’s concerts
are available at customer service counters at Al Qasba and Al Majaz
Waterfront and online at

ARMENIA, HOW TO AVOID ARMAGEDDON AND EVEN PROSPER?

Lragir.am
Society – 24 December 2014, 18:39

A few days ago the US Congress approved even tougher sanctions against
Russia, essentially declaring cold war against Russia. The US will
convince Europeans to follow up with tougher sanctions against Russia
too. Russia has already lost more than $200 Billion ($70 Billion in
currency devaluation and $140 Billion because of sanctions and lower
oil prices) due to the current sanctions and it is going to get worse.

While Russia is going down, they will definitely pull Armenia’s economy
down, especially after the unpopular government of Armenia decided
to attach its entire Armenian economy to the sinking ship of Russia
with the EEU (Eurasian Economic Union). The outline of the upcoming
problems is eminent with the devaluation of the Armenian Dram, due to
Russian companies in Armenia trying to satisfy their thirst of dollars
by cleaning the Armenian economy of dollars. The problem is going to
deepen since at the same time the US is requesting Armenian banks to
provide information on the final destination of the monetary transfers
to Armenia from the US, making sure the money is not redirected to
Russia and will continue with making sure the Armenian export to the
US are not in any way generated in Russia. With the EEU, Armenia is
essentially becoming part of sanctions against Russia, without the
benefit that Russia had by gaining parts of Ukraine. It will become
tougher for Armenia to stabilize the Dram and with the current crisis
most probably deepening in Russia, we will see the Dram devaluating
at least 100% to around 800 to a dollar from 400 pre EEU levels in the
next 6 to 12 months due to the Dram closely following the devaluation
of the Ruble. It is apparent that 100% devaluation of the Ruble is
imminent, some experts are predicting new wave of devaluation of up
to 300% from current already 80% devaluation levels.

The crisis in Russia most probably will escalate into unrest. Economic
difficulties in Russia will at the same time motivate anger against
foreigners and most probably on the Armenian population in Russia.

Many seasonal Armenian workers will not be able to find jobs in
Russia and will be forced out of Russia, some hopefully will move
back to Armenia.

Families of the Armenian workers in Russia who desperately depend on
that income from Russia will find themselves in extreme financial
hardship in Armenia. The prices in Armenia will rise due to the
devaluation of the Dram and the slowing down economy. This will
generate a new wave of people leaving Armenia for the US and Europe.

What can Armenia do to stop the disaster and even benefit from the
crisis in Russia?

Taking into account that most exile from Armenia is not due to
economic problems of the population, but rather people are fed up
with unjust and uneven playing field; Armenia is in desperate need
of new, democratically elected government. The new government has
to establish an environment where Armenian people are equal in all
aspects of daily lives and economic endeavors. Major changes need to
be made to the Armenian laws to establish true equality of the people
by creating a fair playing field in criminal and business laws.

Even with detaching Armenia from the EEU, the devaluation of the
Dram is unstoppable; however the weaker Dram will be beneficial for
Armenia. The weaker Dram will give momentum to domestic production.

Outsourcing to Armenia for engineering and software development will
be more profitable, exports from Armenia will increase, and tourism
will prosper.

New Armenian government has to establish beneficial investment
opportunities in Armenia through changes to taxation laws and to the
tax exemption environment for new businesses. This will be the best
time for Armenians from other countries to establish businesses in
Armenia, by benefiting from the weaker Dram that will make Armenian
products more competitive in the marketplace, beneficial tax laws
and plain playing field. Armenians living in foreign countries have
a big role to play in helping Armenia, by investing in information
technology businesses in Armenia. This will also create jobs for
repatriating Armenians from Russia.

Armenia has an extremely beneficial environment for development of
IT and specifically for the software development industry. The work
force of Armenia is well educated, knowledgeable, loyal and well
versed in different IT technologies. The wonderful educational system
is producing qualified candidates for the software development
environment. Professional training facilities are available
for specific proficiency development. The Armenian work force is
multilingual in English, Russian, Farsi, Arabic, Spanish, German and
other European languages, speaking individuals are freely available
in Armenia.

Armenia has an advanced communications environment and has gone a
long way in establishing an advanced Internet infrastructure; there
are more fiber optic connections per capita in Armenia than in the US
Wireless communications via 4G, has much better coverage and is much
more affordable than in the US. Armenia’s Internet is interconnected
with redundant multiple links to the worldwide Internet, and this
makes it possible for exporting one of the best assets of Armenia,
namely the creativity in technology and software development.

Salaries for software developers are below worldwide salary levels.

Salaries in Armenia range from 80,000 Drams for beginner level
software developers and up to 800,000 Drams for most professional
level software developers and engineers (from $160 to $1500 taking
into account the current exchange rate).

Armenia can use this opportunity to create an economy that is strictly
based on the hi- tech industry and information technology and is
less dependent on Russia’s economy and diversified among many other
countries. Information technology and the hi-tech industry is the
key to an economically strong and independent Armenia.

Aram Ter-Martirosyan

Geopolitical Club, Armenian Desk

E-TICKETS FOR “TATEV WINGS” TO BE AVAILABLE

December 24, 2014 17:44

Yerevan/Mediamax/. In 2015, “Tatev Wings” aerial tramway will provide
new services and introduce a new system of e-ticket sales.

“Tatev Revival” Project Manager Hayk Tutunjyan and Director of
“Tatev Wings” aerial tramway Vahe Baghdasaryan stated this during
a meeting with representatives of Armenian tourism agencies, IDeA
Foundation reports.

Hayk Tutunjyan noted that works on laser scanning and projecting of
Tatev Monastery reconstruction finished in 2014. This year, “Tatev
Wings” ropeway transported its 300th passenger.

Representatives of tourism agencies came up with offers on more
effective organization of tours to Tatev and the project managers
promised to consider them.

– See more at:

PUTIN GIVES NOD TO ARMENIA JOINING EURASIAN ECONOMIC UNION

Russia Today, Russia
Dec 23 2014

Russian President Vladimir Putin has put his signature to a law that
makes Armenia a full member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU)
from January 2, 2015.

The document signed Tuesday will add the 3 million people in Armenia
to the 170 million consumers in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

The agreement stipulates that Armenia joins the Treaty of the EEU,
as well as other international agreements signed under the framework
of the Customs Union. It means Armenia will have to revise its tariff
commitments as a member of the WTO. The Common Customs Tariff (CCT)
of the EEU will be revised as well.

The treaty stipulates transitional periods from one year to eight
years for aligning Armenia’s import duties according to the CCT.

Applying the technical regulations of the Customs Union will take
from 12 to 60 months; three years will be given for revising the
issues of intellectual property protection.

Armenia’s President Serzh Sarksyan first said the country was choosing
to join its former Soviet ally rather than a European free trade
agreement in early September of 2013.

In October this year leaders of Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus and
Armenia signed a treaty that will make Erevan a new member of the
Eurasian Economic Union.

On top of this, the Presidents of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus
signed the treaty for Kyrgyzstan’s accession into the Eurasian
Economic Union. The country is now making serious efforts to adapt
its national legislation to the requirements of the Customs Union,
said President Putin at the EEU summit in Moscow.

Armenia in the Eurasian Economic Union: who wins?

Experts in Russia and Armenia agree that having Armenia in the EEU
is beneficial for both.

Armenia’s geographic position between Russia and Iran makes it an
important trade link between the two countries that have recently
been speeding up trade, the Deputy Director of the Russian Institute
of Strategic Studies Tamara Guzenkova said in early December.

Supplies of food from Armenia should also significantly increase,
as Russia’s food embargo on Western imports has puts big pressure on
the industry, Guzenkova added.

“Armenia could make a very significant contribution to food security
of the EEU and Russia in particular, as their production is absolutely
clean, good quality, and natural products,” she said.

For Armenia, cheaper imports of Russian energy will be one of the
biggest perks, according to Armenia Deputy Speaker of Parliament
Eduard Sharmazanov. Gas will be imported at old prices, and the
country will be able to import oil products 30 percent cheaper, and
acquire weapons at Russian domestic prices, he said on December 4 at
a meeting of the parliament.

On a more pessimistic note, Dr Mariam Voskasian, the assistant
professor of economics at Russian-Armenian University believes the EEU
will test Armenia’s economic strength, as to some extent the country
still isn’t ready for full integration, as the Russian crisis has
inflicted a painful blow on its economy.

The Armenian economy hasn’t shown high growth rates in the last
five years.

“Poverty is increasing along with public debt, general welfare is
decreasing, which in turn influences the growth slowdown. Thus, of
course, in the current situation the integration is risky for both
sides,” she concluded.

ANCA-WR REMEMBERS THE LEGACY OF RABBI HAROLD M. SCHULWEIS

Wednesday, December 24th, 2014

Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis speaks during commemoration ceremonies on
the 92nd Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

LOS ANGELES – The Armenian National Committee of America Western Region
mourns the passing of Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis, an ardent supporter
of the Armenian-American community’s efforts to garner recognition
for the Armenian Genocide and a partner and friend of the community.

“On multiple occasions Rabbi Schulweis has spoken on the importance of
teaching the Armenian Genocide to our children as an important lesson
to the survival of humanity,” stated ANCA-WR Chair Nora Hovsepian. “We
extend our sincerest condolences to his family and thank him for his
lifelong mission to raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide. We trust
that his legacy will be continued both through the Jewish World Watch
and other endeavors.”

Rabbi Harold Schulweis was the founder of Jewish World Watch and
during his time there, he urged members of Congress to support House
Resolution 252 on the Armenian Genocide. He authored a letter to
members of Congress accompanied by a DVD copy of The River Ran Red,
the epic documentary film on the Genocide by Dr. J. Michael Hagopian.

The Jewish World Watch has been a strong supporter of the Armenian
Film Foundation’s efforts to bring the events of the Armenian Genocide
to the forefront. In his letter to the members of Congress, Rabbi
Schulweis wrote, “We are men and women of conscience, and together we
ask our government to recognize what we know as true: that 1.5 million
Armenians were systematically slaughtered in a government-sponsored
campaign of genocide against them. … I urge you to watch this
film, and put your vote to work, recognizing the Armenian Genocide by
endorsing H.Res. 252.” DVD copies of The River Ran Red along with the
same letter also were sent to President Barack Obama, Vice President
Joe Biden and then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

In 2005 Rabbi Schulweis’ concern for Genocide around the world led
him to reach out to the large Armenian-American community in his San
Fernando Valley neighborhood. At that time, Schulweis officiated with
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian Primate of the Western Dioceses of the
Armenian Church of North America at the first joint commemoration
of the Jewish and Armenian Holocausts. Later that year he joined
the rock band System of A Down in an educational program affirming
the common responsibilities of Jewish and Armenian youth to remember
their collective experiences of Genocide and Holocaust, and to take
action to prevent such atrocities.

In 2004, Schulweis delivered a sermon on the Jewish high holidays
calling for a Jewish response to Genocide. He challenged the
congregation: “We took an oath, ‘Never again!’ Was this vow to protect
only Jews from the curse of Genocide? God forbid that our children
and grandchildren ask of us, ‘Where was the synagogue during Rwanda,
when Genocide took place and 800,000 people were slaughtered in 100
days?'” Rabbi Schulweis always spoke to his congregation and other
Jewish congregations across the United States about the consequences
of denial.

As a strong voice for justice, he will be sorely missed.

SERZH SARGSYAN INFORMED CSTO ABOUT ESCALATION ON NKR BORDER

Lragir.am
Politics – 23 December 2014, 22:04

Today Serzh Sargsyan attended the session of the Collective Security
Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in Moscow.

During the plenary of the Council a number of documents were signed,
including the statement of the heads of states of CSTO members.

In his address Serzh Sargsyan briefed on the situation in the South
Caucasus, particularly the incidents on the Armenian-Azerbaijani
state border and incidents at the line of contact, emphasizing that
Armenia condemns escalation of the conflict of Nagorno-Karabakh and
the militarization of our region.

“The documents we adopted today address collective and coordinated
response to challenges and existing problems. I am sure they will serve
the interests of CSTO development for the welfare of our countries
and peoples in collective terms in guaranteed security and peace.

We proceed from the fact that decision making on further strengthening
of the mechanism of cooperation of foreign policy will improve the
reputation of our organization.

I think creation of a Collective Air Force would be quite a pertinent
step. Besides, I would like to note the importance of measures taken
for developing defense cooperation of our states.

I believe that the package on information security will help boost
interaction of relevant bodies of our states in this sphere.”

ILLUMINATION DE L’ARBRE DE NOEL GEANT PLACE DE LA REPUBLIQUE A EREVAN

FESTIVITES DE FIN D’ANNEE A EREVAN

Lundi 22 decembre a 19h15 fut illumine l’arbre de Noël geant et ses
milliers de lumières, place de la Republique a Erevan. Une illumination
qui fut suivi d’un feu d’artifice. C’est le maire d’Erevan Taron
Margaryan, en compagnie de quelques enfants a procede au lancement
de cette illumination tant attendue.

Le ciel d’Erevan etait ainsi illumine des couleurs qui scintillaient
dans cette ambiance de fete en presence de milliers de personnes
et des centaines de touristes et de personnalites armeniennes et
etrangères, venues assister a ces festivites d’illumination sur la
place de la Republique.

Un concert suivit le feu d’artifice. Les premiers groupes sur scène,
furent l’ensemble > de la radio publique d’Armenie ainsi que
le chanteur qui representa l’Armenie a l’Eurovision 2014, Aram MP3. Un
autre concert geant devant se tenir le Jour de l’An. Mais recession
oblige, le budget des festivites de fin d’annee a Erevan est en baisse
depuis deux ans deja, limitant les animations du centre d’Erevan.

Krikor Amirzayan

mardi 23 decembre 2014, Krikor Amirzayan (c)armenews.com

704 NOMS DE QUARTIERS OU VILLAGES DE LA REGION DE VAN VONT REPRENDRE LEURS NOMS D’ORIGINE, EN KURDE OU EN ARMENIEN

ARMENIE OCCIDENTALE OU TURQUIE ORIENTALE

Sur decision d Conseil municipal de Van, dans la region de Van, 704
noms de lieux ont repris leur nom d’origine, en kurde ou en armenien.

Selon le journal armenien > paraissant a Istanbul, la mairie
de Van a demande a ses services de dresser la liste des anciens
noms des quartiers de la ville ainsi que des villages de la region,
aboutissant ainsi a une liste de 704 noms de lieux. Puis le Conseil
municipal de Van a vote la deliberation liee a redonner leurs noms
d’origine a ces 704 quartiers ou villages. Ainsi dans la region de
Bachkale -region de Van- 81 lieux -villages ou quartiers- furent
rebaptises en leur nom d’origine, 86 a Tchaldrtnou, 34 a Chadakh,
18 a Artamède, 105 a Ardjech, 37 a Kevache, 174 a Kyurpnar, 50 a
Ipkyolou, 41 a Mouradie, 53 a Ozalp, et 25 a Saray.

Krikor Amirzayan

mardi 23 decembre 2014, Krikor Amirzayan (c)armenews.com