Author: nina hovnanian

POURPARLERS ENTRE L’AZERBAIDJAN ET L’ARMENIE SOUS L’EGIDE DE LA FRANCE

Agence France Presse
27 octobre 2014 lundi 1:35 PM GMT

Paris 27 oct 2014

Le president francais Francois Hollande a recu lundi les dirigeants de
l’Azerbaïdjan et de l’Armenie dans le cadre des tentatives europeennes
de parvenir a une solution au conflit sur la region disputee du
Nagorny-Karabakh, qui connaît depuis quelques mois une recrudescence
de violences.

Le chef de l’Etat a recu separement le president azerbaïdjanais Ilham
Aliev puis son homologue armenien Serge Sarkissian, avant un sommet
tripartite prevu a 16H00 GMT et suivi d’un dîner.

Ces reunions interviennent après un deplacement la semaine dernière du
ministre allemand des Affaires etrangères Frank-Walter Steinmeier dans
les deux pays, au cours duquel il avait appele a mettre fin au conflit
larve qui menace, selon lui, la stabilite d’une region charnière.

“Il nous semblait important de reunir les deux presidents pour les
appeler a travailler ensemble, a se remettre autour de la table,
a faire baisser la tension pour pouvoir ensuite travailler sur le
fond : retablir la confiance”, avait explique une source diplomatique
francaise avant les entretiens de lundi.

Les relations entre l’Armenie et l’Azerbaïdjan, deux petits pays
caucasiens de l’ex-URSS, sont empoisonnees depuis plus de 20 ans par
une dispute territoriale autour de la region du Nagorny-Karabakh,
passee sous l’autorite de separatistes armeniens soutenus par Erevan
dans les annees 1990 après une guerre qui a fait près de 30.000 morts,
et dont Bakou entend reprendre le contrôle.

Malgre des annees de negociations sous mediation internationale
depuis le cessez-le-feu de 1994, les deux camps n’ont toujours pas
signe un accord de paix definitif a propos de la region, a majorite
armenienne, mais qui est toujours reconnue a l’etranger comme faisant
partie de l’Azerbaïdjan.

Pays riche de ses exportations petrolières et dont les depenses
militaires depassent le budget d’Etat total de l’Armenie, l’Azerbaïdjan
a menace de reprendre par la force le territoire dispute si les
negociations n’aboutissaient pas.

L’Armenie, qui est pour sa part armee par la Russie, assure toutefois
qu’elle est capable de repousser toute offensive.

En août, les violences au Nagorny-Karabakh et sur la frontière entre
les deux pays ont atteint un niveau sans precedent ces dernières
annees, provoquant la mort de plus de 20 soldats des deux camps.

Les tensions se sont egalement nourries de l’escalade entre la Russie
et l’Occident a propos de l’Ukraine, où les troupes gouvernementales
combattent les separatistes prorusses depuis plus de six mois.

bur-mbx/at/nou/sym

THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE: KEEPING THE MEMORY ALIVE TO COMBAT DENIAL (IN ITALIAN)

Spondasud News, Italia
27 ott 2014

Il genocidio armeno. Tenere viva la memoria per combattere il negazionismo

27 ottobre 2014. — Scenari

“La negazione è l’ultimo atto di un genocidio, la demonizzazione è
il primo”. Sargis Ghazaryan, giovane ambasciatore della Repubblica
d’Armenia in Italia, colloca lo sterminio del popolo armeno del
1915 in una dimensione attuale e lo fa con uno sguardo rivolto alla
Turchia e all’Azerbaijan, due stati che continuano ad avere una
politica aggressiva nei confronti di Yerevan. Il primo è accusato
di negare un crimine che i libri di storia oramai certificano come
il primo genocidio dell’era moderna, di farlo con tutti i mezzi a
disposizioni, con il disprezzo tipico di non voler riconoscere di
essere stato l’artefice di un massacro che produce degli effetti
ancora oggi. Ne sono un esempio anche le chiese e i monasteri chiusi,
luoghi di culto sbarrati a chiunque, perche l’intento è di nascondere
la verita e di impedire che le persone ne possano parlare.

Sotto questo profilo, evidenzia Ghazaryan, c’è una scollatura tra
il governo di Ankara (guidato dal partito del presidente Erdogan)
e l’opinione pubblica turca che invece si mostra interessata ad
aprire un dibattito e a riconoscere un crimine che ancora oggi pesa
sulla coscienza di un popolo che vorrebbe chiudere in modo definitivo
questa pagina nera. Ma non c’è solo la negazione a rendere orribile
un crimine. C’e anche la demonizzazione, atto iniziale di ogni azione
criminale. Ne è ben consapevole l’ambasciatore armeno in Italia quando
parla dei difficili rapporti con l’Azerbaijan, guidata “da un dittatore
che si preoccupa di minacciare con le armi la popolazione armena”. Per
questa ragione non è mai troppo tardi parlare di genocidio, soprattutto
alla presenza di relazioni diplomatiche e politiche che possono dar
vita a una nuova guerra e a causare nuove morti.

Il genocidio armeno è entrato con prepotenza nell’agenda del Centro
Italo Arabo. Nel 2015 si celebrera il centenario di questo evento
e Assadakah ha deciso di dedicare gran parte dei propri sforzi al
ricordo di questa pagina nera di storia. Nel corso del II Meeting
Internazionale delle politiche del Mediterraneo si è dunque affrontato
il problema di come tener viva la fiamma della memoria di un crimine
poco conosciuto anche in Italia. L’importante è interrompere il
“circolo vizioso dei silenzi”. Assadakah ha rinnovato l’invito,
rivolto alle Nazioni Unite e al Parlamento Europeo, di dichiarare il
2015 anno della memoria e della coscienza. Un riconoscimento formale
cui non si dovrebbe sottrarre neppure l’Italia che l’anno prossimo
sara protagonista di una serie di eventi dedicati proprio al tema
del genocidio. Il coinvolgimento delle scuole e degli studenti sara
l’occasione per riportare alla luce un evento che è considerato il
paradigma di tutti i crimini contro l’umanita.

Il Centro Italo Arabo sara impegnato anche su un altro fronte:
la scrittura di un libro con le straordinarie testimonianze di tre
sopravvissuti del genocidio. Un racconto che rappresenta un ponte tra
il passato e il futuro, una cerniera che unisce la memoria individuale
con la coscienza collettiva del popolo. Un progetto, hanno rilevato
Raimondo Schiavone e Alessandro Aramu, che non potra fare a meno
di evidenziare l’attuale condizione di vita dei cristiani in Medio
Oriente e le persecuzioni che gli armeni subiscono ancora oggi in
Siria per mano dei terroristi dell’ISIS e dei miliziani di al Nusra.

Il giornalista libanese Talal Khrais ha ricordato come il villaggio
armeno di Kessab, in Siria, sia stato attaccato e svuotato dai gruppi
jihadisti con la complicita della Turchia. Centinaia di famiglie di
origine armena sono state costrette ad abbandonare le proprie case
e i luoghi di culto cristiani sono stati devastati. Dopo una dura
battaglia, l’esercito arabo siriano ha liberato il villaggio e la
popolazione è ritornata finalmente a condurre una vita normale. Come
cento anni fa, anche questa volta i turchi hanno giocato un ruolo
decisivo.

Sara per questo che l’ambasciata turca in Italia ha inviato una
comunicazione riservata al sindaco di Cagliari, Massimo Zedda, per
invitarlo a non prendere parte alla sessione dedicata dal genocidio.

Una richiesta non accolta dal primo cittadino del capoluogo sardo che
ha ricordato come la pacificazione tra i popoli passi necessariamente
attraverso il riconoscimento delle proprie responsabilita, soprattutto
quando hanno a che fare con i crimini contro l’umanita.

Khrais ha criticato duramente “il sultano Erdogan” accusato di
utilizzare la guerra in Siria per far fuori i suoi nemici, a partire
dal popolo armeno. Poche settimane fa i terroristi dello Stato islamico
hanno distrutto la chiesa armena dei Martiri situata nella citta
siriana di Deir Ezzor, particolarmente importante per gli armeni poiche
includeva al suo interno un monumento commemorativo del genocidio e un
mausoleo con i resti delle vittime delle atrocita turche. Si tratta
di un luogo significativo perche centinaia di migliaia di persone
sono morte a Deir Ezzor e nei deserti circostanti dopo essere stati
deportati dai turchi.

Un altro giornalista siriano, Naman Tarcha, ha ricordato la storia
della nonna armena costretta ad abbandonare la sua terra per sfuggire
ai massacri turchi. Ad Aleppo, dove oggi risiede la più importante
comunita siriana di origine armena, pote ricostruirsi una vita. Oggi
la stessa citta e in particolare il quartiere armeno (Midan) sono
assediati e presi di mira dai gruppi terroristi. La vita è sempre più
difficile, manca l’acqua, la corrente elettrica e, spesso, il cibo. I
negozi sono sventrati, i palazzi crollati, i muri crivellati di colpi
e i ribelli continuano a bersagliarlo con missili, colpi di mortaio
e con le bombole del gas. Così vivono i cristiani e gli armeni ad
Aleppo e a parlarne sono rimasti soltanto pochi giornalisti, come
Gian Micalessin instancabile reporter che rischia la propria vita
per raccontare quello che molti non vogliono vedere.

Una chiave di lettura storica è stata data da Nicola Melis, ricercatore
dell’Universita di Cagliari, che ha ricordato come la presenza armena
nell’impero ottomano in certi momenti storici fosse essenziale per
la vita stessa dell’impero, tanto che la comunita veniva considerata
la più fedele allo Stato. L’emergere del nazionalismo fu devastante
non solo per la tenuta dell’impero, in cui convivevano varie etnie e
religioni, ma anche per le sorti della comunita armena. Il nazionalismo
turco, l’ultimo in ordine di tempo, e la deriva autoritaria furono
particolarmente feroci nei confronti di questa minoranza che non
poteva avere più spazio in uno stato “islamico e turco”.

Melis ha poi ricordato che tra i negazionisti occupano un posto
di rilievo importanti esponenti dell’establishment di Israele o
intellettuali dell’ebraismo internazionale per una sorta di volonta di
“monopolizzare la sofferenza, in quanto il genocidio è solo quello
ebraico mentre gli altri vanno negati”.

Aram Ananyan, direttore di ArmenPress, l’agenzia di stampa nazionale,
ha infine ricordato la storia di Aharon Manukyan, classe 1914,
sopravvissuto al genocidio. Oggi questo centenario parla attraverso
le parole della figlia. L’orfanotrofio americano in Leninakan divenne
la sua casa. A un anno di eta, infatti, fu costretto ad abbandonare
la sua abitazione nel cortile di una chiesa a Van. La citta oppose
una strenua resistenza contro le truppe turche. Durante l’eroica
difesa di Van, il padre di Aharon morì. Dopo aver preso i figli per un
breve periodo, la madre decise di andare a Etchmiadzin per trovare un
lavoro. La storia di Aharon è la storia di tanti bambini costretti a
vivere senza i genitori, spesso in un orfanatrofio dove gli affetti
spezzati sono stati ricostruiti con fatica. Anche grazie a persone
come uno dei responsabili di quell’orfanotrofio che, dopo aver perso
il suo unico figlio, dedicò tutta la sua vita al popolo armeno.

CHAMLIAN ARMENIAN SCHOOL RAISES OVER $21,000 FOR SARF

Friday, October 31st, 2014

Chamlian students walk to raise money and awareness for youth in Syria

GLENDALE–In an effort to support the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund’s
(SARF’s) “A Small Gift from My School to Yours” campaign, Chamlian’s
administration, faculty and students worked collaboratively to reach
out once again and help the Syrian Armenian community, especially the
Armenian youth trying to go to school in the midst of the violence
and chaos in Syria.

True to the message of the campaign, the students and campus student
organizations were heavily involved in organizing a host of activities;
including a bake sale, ice cream sale, a walk-a-thon for 4th -8th
grade students, and a fair for 1st -3rd grade students.

On Wednesday, Oct. 22, 4th through 6th grade students walked to the
Western Prelacy and were greeted and commended for their efforts by
his Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirosian. On the same day, 7th
and 8th grade students walked to the La Crescenta Armenian Center and
were greeted by the members of the Zavariangomideh, Hrair Shirikian
and Onnik Hayrapetian. Students were provided with refreshments and
some inspirational words by the executives. All 4th-8th grade students
collected sponsors for the walk-a-thons as they symbolically walked
in unity to support the Syrian Armenian students.

Chamlian students make Halloween masks during a fund-raising fair
organized by their older classmates

On Friday, Oct. 24, 1st to 3rd grade students participated in a fair
organized by the 7th and 8th grade student clubs and organizations.

With Armenian music playing in the background, the middle school
executive club members greeted the 1st-3rd grade students who enjoyed
a fun afternoon decorating pumpkins, making masks, and participating
in various games during a fair, while raising much needed funds for
the Armenian schools in Syria.

Besides these major fundraisers, the Parent Support Committee
hosted a special lunch for SARF, and the school also held an ice
cream fundraiser. A few dedicated staff members also made delicious
traditional lentil soup, which the faculty enjoyed and provided
donations for the worthy cause.

Chamlian students at the Western Prelacy after walking there from
school

The entire Chamlian Family was encouraged to participate in all of
the activities by the principal, Dr. Talin Kargodorian, to send a
message to the Syrian Armenian community and let them know that we
stand beside them in unity. “I am so proud of our Chamlian students,
faculty, staff and parents, who came together for this important
cause. The collective efforts of the entire Chamlian Family are
truly exemplary and an example of the strong sense of community
at the school. It was inspiring and moving to experience the true
generosity of all the members of our school. It was an honor for us
to unite for our brothers and sisters in Syria!”

BERNARD CHALLANDES: I WORK WITH VIGOR AND GREATLY ENJOY LIVING AMONG ARMENIANS

Friday 31 October 2014 16:42
Photo: Mediamax

Bernard Challandes

Bernard Challandes has been the head coach of the Armenian national
team for over half a year. Under the Swiss coach’s management, Armenia
lost once (Denmark) and tied once (Serbia) in Euro 2016 qualifying.

Portugal vs. Armenia match will take place on November 14. Armenian
footballers will complete the year with this match.

Mediamax Sport talked to Challandes who recounted about his work,
dreams he has for the Armenian national and the journalist who had
interpreted his views in a wrong way and then apologized for that.

– Mr. Challandes, two weeks remain for the Armenia vs. Portugal game
in Euro 2016 qualifying. What kind of match is awaiting us?

– A great match awaits us. At the first match of the qualifying
Portugal played without Ronaldo and lost to Albania. This team plays
differently with and without Ronaldo. Of course, the Portuguese will
attempt to score a victory in their own country but this match will
be a challenge for us. Any result can be registered in this qualifying
group. There is no a team which plays better or is obviously stronger
than the rest.

I believe each team has a chance to win. It refers to us as well –
the Armenian team has played well against Denmark and Serbia and now
has a very good opportunity to show itself. Portugal is perhaps the
favorite of the match but we can win or tie them, play a good game
and create problems for the rival.

Bernard Challandes Photo: Mediamax

This match will be our last this year. Afterwards, we will analyze
everything and get ready for the second part of the qualification
match.

– Our national team has played with losses in the previous two
matches. Several key players were not playing because of injuries. Are
they already back? What hopes do you have for them?

-Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Yura Movsisyan, Gevorg Ghazaryan and Hrayr Mkoyan
will play in the upcoming match. They are critical and key players
in the national team. These players can bring much into this team
and along with the rest, ensure the national’s good performance.

-Yura Movsisyan is already back in the field and was a substitute in
two matches. Is he in good shape?

-Movsisyan’s presence in the team is highly important. He played for
a few minutes in the match against Rubin yesterday. He is gradually
getting into shape. Two weeks remain for the match against Portugal
and I hope he will be ready and will be able to play the entire match.

I always talk to Movsisyan and the coaches of his team. He himself
is also eager to play in the national team. I am glad to have a
footballer like Movsisyan in my team. We watch all players every week
and are well aware of what shape they are in. Without fail, we make
notes of who has played and for how minutes. In case of injuries,
our physiotherapist contacts the footballer or a relevant expert of
his team for clarifications.

– Mr. Challandes, you have been in Armenia for over half a year. What
have you done so far?

– I enjoy my work. I watch the national championship, work with
national teams of all ages, academy teams as well as new coaches.

Bernard Challandes Photo: Mediamax

I feel attached to the Armenian national with all my heart. I love my
work over the top, I always watch the championship. I have left for
Iran, Kazakhstan and Macedonia and have watched Armenian footballers
play.

-Recently, “Le Matin” Swiss daily presented an interview in which you
had compared the Armenian national to the 4th division of Switzerland.

– Such a thing has never happened. They got me wrong. This is how it
actually was. It happened so that back in April we were present at
Banants-Gandzasar Cup Match with two representatives of the French
national who were in Armenia then. The French did not want to watch
the match until the end saying it resembles the match of the 5th
league of France. After that, in an interview a Swiss journalist
asked me about the level of the Armenian championship. I remembered
and told that story. I also noted that the level of the 5th division
of France equals to the 3rd division of Switzerland. The journalist
did not get me right and had attributed it to the Armenian national
team. I work with the guys in my team and I love them very much. Am
I crazy to make such a comparison? They have played well in matches
against Serbia and Denmark and I have thanked them for it. We have
been close to victory and I simply could not express such an opinion
over a team that has played such matches.

After reading the interview, I promptly contacted the Swiss journalist
and the latter apologized for having got me wrong and changed the
interview. This journalist has also officially sent a letter of
apology to me and the Football Federation of Armenia.

– What chances does our team have in the European Championship in
France in 2016?

– I have not just signed an agreement with the Football Federation
of Armenia. I am here to struggle along with the team for a “ticket”
to that championship. Together we will make it. These players are
capable of overcoming the qualification match obstacles. The Armenian
national championship is not the best in the world – the results of
the Champions League and the Europa League prove it. But serious work
is being done and gradually, certain progress is observed.

I have been here for seven months. Over this time I have been studying
Armenian football. I watch the videos of past year matches. I work
with vigor and I enjoy living among Armenians.

– Do you like living and working in Armenia?

Bernard Challandes Photo: Mediamax

– I want to stay here longer and along with the Federation to have
my own contribution to the development of Armenian football. I was
pleasantly surprised to reveal Armenia for me and I adapted easier
than expected. There were very nice fans in the stadium rooting for
the team in matches against Serbia and Denmark. It’s highly important
for us. They would be happier had we won the match, however, they
supported the national really well.

It’s my cherished dream to have the Armenian team play in the
championship in France. It’s the best team I have trained. Of course,
as a coach I have been at the Champions League and the Europa League,
have played against Real Madrid, have played in the Europa League with
the youth nationals but if I manage to go there with the Armenian
national team, it will be the greatest event in my life. We commit
every effort to fulfill this dream.

Gohar Nalbandyan and Hasmik Babayan talked to Bernard Challandes

ERDOGAN N’EST PAS BIENVENU EN FRANCE

MANIFESTATION VENDREDI 31 OCTOBRE 14 H PARIS

Non a l’ingerence turque dans la politique de la France a l’egard
des Kurdes !

Appel a manifester vendredi 31 octobre,14h, Paris, sortie Metro
Invalides

Voila plus d’un mois que les Kurdes et leurs amis manifestent partout
en France et en Europe, en demandant des armes pour la resistance
de Kobane et une aide humanitaire pour les refugies contraints de
fuir devant l’arrivee des barbares de Daesh. Au cours de toutes les
manifestations, ils n’ont eu de cesse denoncer le soutien apporte a
cette organisation terroriste par les riches Etats petroliers de la
region ainsi que par la Turquie.

Après avoir ferme les oreilles a ces demandes, Francois Hollande a
finalement fait entendre que la France serait aux côtes des Kurdes
en Syrie, comme elle l’avait ete en Irak.

Vendredi 31 octobre, le President de la Republique turque, Recep
Tayyip Erdogan rendra visite au President francais ainsi qu’au
Ministre des affaires etrangères. L’objectif de cette visite est
de faire pression sur la France afin de l’amener a inflechir sa
recente position favorable aux Kurdes. La Turquie qui a pour ambition
d’occuper la region du Kurdistan de Syrie et de mettre un terme au
système democratique d’autogestion mis en place dans cette region
essaye par tous les moyens d’entraver la resistance de Kobane contre
Daesh et d’imposer son projet de zone tampon au nord de cette ville.

Il est inadmissible que la France prete l’oreille a un Etat criminel
qui soutient Daesh et qui a jusqu’a ces derniers jours empeche
l’acheminement de l’aide humanitaire et militaire vers Kobane dans
le but d’etouffer la resistance.

Il serait choquant que la France s’engage dans une cooperation
policière avec un pays dans lequel les refugies sont maltraites et
les manifestations de solidarite avec Kobane reprimees dans le sang.

Rappelons qu’au cours des dernières semaines, au moins 30 manifestants
kurdes ont ete tues par les forces de l’ordre en Turquie.

Nous protestons vivement contre la visite d’Erdogan et demandons a
la France

de ne pas ceder a la volonte turque de mettre en place une zone tampon

de fournir des armes aux resistants de Kobane et une aide humanitaire
urgente aux refugies

d’enterrer definitivement les accords des cooperation liberticides
signes avec la Turquie

— Conseil Democratique Kurde de France (CDKF) 16, rue d’Enghien –
75010 Paris Avec le soutien du CCAF et de l’Institut armenien de France

jeudi 30 octobre 2014, Ara (c)armenews.com

CHANGING ATMOSPHERE?: TSARUKYAN SEES IMPACT OF ‘POPULAR MOVEMENT’, RULING PARTY MEMBERS REMAIN SKEPTICAL

Politics | 31.10.14 | 10:32

GOHAR ABRAHAMYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter

The leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) believes that the
cooperation of non-governing parties and their joint rallies change
the atmosphere in the country. In an interview with Zham.am, Gagik
Tsarukyan said that the authorities see the dissatisfaction of the
people and, hopefully, understand that “old methods and steps will
quickly lead them to an impasse.”

Meanwhile, representatives of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia
and part of ordinary citizens see no essentially new thing at the
rallies or expect them to produce any serious effect.

In the interview (zham.am) the PAP leader spoke about problems in the
country, saying that the immediate task now is to give “structural
and organizational solutions” to the formed “popular movement”,
which is the only way of “turning dissatisfaction into concrete
drastic changes.”

“We have no time to wait for long. The economic situation in Armenia
is very difficult, the social conditions of the people get worse day
by day. We need solutions fast and deep. No one will believe empty
promises and assurances. If this uncertainty and the progress of
regression continue, our country will cease to be competitive in the
region,” said Tsarukyan, again stressing that the PAP has no enemies
within the country, and despite all the political changes, the state
administration system should work in a normal atmosphere and should
always feel protected.

Reacting to Tsarukyan’s statements, spokesman for the ruling Republican
Party of Armenia, Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly Eduard
Sharmazanov told Panorama.am said that in his interview the PAP leader
repeated what he already said at the rally, simply his thoughts were
presented “in a clearer manner”.

Sharmazanov again said that the authorities are very well aware of the
situation, know about problems, as well as how to solve them. Simply,
in contrast to the non-governing forces, according to the deputy
parliament speaker, the government has to refrain from populism.

While opposition forces have repeatedly called for a change of
government and early elections, members of the ruling party and the
government see no grounds for any power change.

Some citizens are also skeptical about the movement of the three
political parties in which the party of Tsarukyan is regarded as a
locomotive. Tsarukyan, one of the wealthiest businessmen in Armenia
whose party was part of the governing coalition until 2012, has also
been accused of evading taxes. People also remember that Tsarukyan is
in-laws with current Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan and, therefore,
regard this struggle as artificial and fake. For many the cooperation
between the Armenian National Congress (ANC) and the Prosperous Armenia
Party is also ridiculous as many consider the PAP to be a brainchild
of Armenia’s second President Robert Kocharyan, whom the ANC accuses
of the bloody suppression of the 2008 post-election protests.

No date of the next rally of the political trio has been announced
yet. The opposition has submitted applications to the Yerevan
municipality for holding events on October 31, November 7 and
November 14.

THE RESIDENTS OF GNDEVAZ VILLAGE DEMANDING FROM EBRD TO STOP FINANCING AMULSAR PROJECT AND NOT TO VIOLATE THEIR RIGHTS

12:11 October 29, 2014

EcoLur

The residents of Gndevaz Village in Vayots Dzor made a complaint
to the Ombudsman (CAO) of the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (EBRD) demanding to stop financing the project of opencast
development of Amulsar gold mine and the construction of a heap leach
facility in the territory of the village, where 209 residents signed
under this complaint.

The complaint of the residents of the village Gndevaz in Vayots Dzor
to the Ombudsman of the European bank of Reconstruction and Development

Considering the threats from the opencast development of the gold mine
and heap leaching facility, which must be constructed in our village,
the residents of the village Gndevaz in Vayots Dzor make a complaint.

We, the residents of the village Gndevaz, once more make a complaint
to an international organization about the problem of Amulsar
mine. On August 25 during the public hearings Geoteam Company once
more misled the villagers of Gndevaz that the new project meets the
international standards, while the project completely contradicts to
the international standards as the true risks haven’t been assessed,
particularly:

1. Relocation of a heap leach facility,

2. Storage of cyanides

3. Preparation of cyanide solution and its use,

4. Liquidation of the wastes of cyanide production,

5. Ensuring safety for the workers and population.

The project bears high risks for the environment and the local
population, but the impact of dust containing heavy metals,
contamination of ground and surface water haven’t been estimated. We
demand from the international organizations that they should
investigate this disastrous and senseless project. We, the residents
of the village Gndevaz, are categorically against the development of
Amulsar mine and the construction of a heap leach facility and sites
of heaped leaching. We demand from the EBRD to stop financing that
criminal project as it bears scathing risks for the people of the
village Gndevaz. And we also demand to take into account our opinions
and not to violate our rights.

ICRC: SCHOLARS IN ARMENIA DISCUSS CURRENT CHALLENGES OF HUMANITARIAN ACTION

17:00, 31 Oct 2014

Some 50 specialists of international law, researchers and
representatives of the international community, the Armenian
government and civil society are meeting in Yerevan today to discuss
the challenges currently facing humanitarian work.

The event, taking place on the sidelines of the annual Yerevan
conference on international humanitarian law for young researchers,
was organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
and moderated by Vladimir Vardanyan, professor of international law
at the Armenian-Russian University and head of the Legal Advisory
Service of Armenia’s Constitutional Court.

Increasingly, humanitarian organizations face difficulty obtaining
access to people suffering the effects of armed conflict or other
violence. “Understanding the legal basis forhumanitarian action in
different situations of violence is essential for building dialogue
with actors on the ground,” said Marco Sassòli, professor at the
University of Geneva, Switzerland.

The online version of the leading casebook on international
humanitarian law, “How Does Law Protect in War,” of which Prof.Sassòli
is co-author, was launched at the event. With the new online platform,
scholars and practitioners alike will have easy access to a virtually
exhaustive and up-to-date source of materials on international
humanitarian law.

“Rules of IHL do not operate in a legal vacuum. Thus International
Human Rights obligations create limitation on the right of states to
deny humanitarian access,” said Levon Gevorgyan, professor at Yerevan
State University, referring to the challenges of humanitarian action.

The latest issue of the International Review of the Red Cross, which
features articles on the 150thanniversaryof the ICRC’s humanitarian
work, was also presented at the event.

INVESTMENTS IN ENGINEERING LABORATORIES IN ARMENIA’S SCHOOLS TO PAY BACK BY 2018

YEREVAN, October 30. /ARKA/. Installation of engineering laboratories
in all 1,400 secondary schools in Armenia costing about 8 billion
drams will pay back by 2018, executive director of the Union of
Information Technology Enterprises (UITE) Karen Vardanyan told
reporters on Wednesday.

The feasibility study for the projects has been already completed,
Vardanyan said. Starting from 2015, engineering laboratories will be
installed in 200 schools every semester, he said.

Investments will pay back by the end of 2018 as people who studied
in schools in 2015-2018 will start paying taxes at that time.

Along with this, each Armenian IT company will be patronizing one of
the secondary schools and telling children what they do, Vardanyan
said.

The UITE head also noted it is agreed upon with the minister of
education and science Armen Ashotyan.

As university online program is currently being developed to enable
kids from provinces working in IT field. Vardanyan said they have
already had experience of such companies in Goris, Kapan, Giumry
and Vanadzor.

UITE was founded in 200 to protect economic interests of IT companies
and to promote IT business and research. ($1 – 411.55 drams). –0-

SOCIAL SECURITY SPENDING AT ABOUT 385.6BLN DRAMS FOR 2015 – ARMENIA’S MINISTRY OF FINANCE

YEREVAN, October 31. /ARKA/. Armenia’s social security spending will
total about 385.6 billion drams in 2015, by 23.5 billion drams more
than in 2014, first deputy minister of finance Pavel Safaryan said
at the draft budget discussion in the parliament committees on Friday.

Social security expenditures rose mainly due minimum wages to be
raised from 45,000 to 55,000 drams as from July 1, 2015, Safaryan said.

Pension payments will total about 225.6 billion drams, by 29.9 billion
drams more than in 2014, the deputy minister said. He noted that
average pension was raised from 36,000 to 41,000 drams in 2014. Number
of pensioners has increased as well, he added.

Over 13.2 billion drams will be appropriated for the new funded
pension system, compared to over 20.6 billion drams in 2014.

According to the 2015 draft budget, Armenia’s consolidated budget
revenues will amount to 1 trillion 221 billion drams and budget
spending will total 1 trillion 337 million drams. Budgeted deficit
is 116.6 billion drams. ($1 – 411.74 drams). -0–