Author: nina hovnanian

KAREN NAZARYAN: FORCE CANNOT SOLVE THE KARABAKH CONFLICT

15:08 31.10.2013

Nagorno-Karabakh, UN

Armenia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Karen
Nazaryan offered a speech on “Regional confidence-building measures”
within the framework of the 68th session of the UN General Assembly.

Noting that those measures are an important component of establishing
and maintaining international peace and security, the Ambassador
referred to the constant threats of the Azerbaijani leadership towards
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, increase of the military expenses,
the arms race and the provocative incident at the border.

Karen Nazaryan noted that Azerbaijan not only turns down the basic
principles proposed by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, but also the
confidence-building measures, including the withdrawal of snipers
from the line of contact and creation of mechanisms to investigate
border incidents.

The Ambassador stressed that the use of force cannot lead to the
settlement of the issue, and there is no alternative to the peace
talks.

International Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies

A Division of the Zoryan Institute

PRESS RELEASE
ZORYAN INSTITUTE OF CANADA, INC.
Suite 310
Toronto, ON, Canada M3B 3H9
CONTACT: Patil Halajian
Tel: 416-250-9807
Fax: 416-512-1736
E-mail: [email protected]

CONTACT: Deborah Hay
DATE: October 29, 2013

Armenian Genocide Museum Institute and Canadian Museum of Human Rights to
Sign Official Memorandum of Understanding

Toronto – On November 7, Dr. Hayk Demoyan, Director of the Armenian Genocide
Museum Institute (AGMI) in Yerevan, will visit Mr. Stuart Murray, President
and CEO of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) in Winnipeg, to sign
a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The objective of the MOU is to exchange knowledge and expertise, educational
materials, and exhibitions with respect to human rights, share research and
advice, cooperate to advance the academic study of human rights and
reconciliation, the Armenian Genocide and its effects, and processes seeking
justice and reconciliation, and work together to educate people on issues of
human rights, in both national and global contexts.

The MOU will be signed in the presence of His Excellency, Mr. Armen
Yeganian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of
Armenia, officials of the Zoryan Institute, and representatives of the
Armenian community.

In March of this year, Zoryan officials accompanied Dr. Clint Curle, the
CMHR’s Head of Stakeholder Relations, to Yerevan, to meet with the Director
of the Armenian Genocide Museum Institute, the Republic of Armenia’s
Minister of Diaspora and other officials, to discuss the significance of the
new museum being developed in Winnipeg in relation to the Armenian Genocide.
At that time, discussions for formal cooperation between the two museums
were held and plans for the formal signing ceremony later in the year made.
The International Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies (A
Division of the Zoryan Institute) (IIGHRS) has been instrumental in bringing
the CMHR and AGMI together to the mutual benefit of both organizations and
the Armenian and Canadian people.

IMG_06951559a8.jpgWhile in Canada, Dr. Hayk Demoyan will also be making two
public appearances at events hosted by The Zoryan Institute in Montreal and
Toronto. Dr. Demoyan will speak about recent research on Aurora Mardiganian,
and he will also update the public on the official plans for the
commemoration of the centennial of the Armenian Genocide.

The official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the CMHR and
AGMI is the culmination of the Zoryan Institute’s efforts to bring the two
institutions together. This agreement will help both institutions in their
efforts to use awareness and dialogue as a way to promote enhanced human
rights for the Armenian community, for Canadians, and for all visitors to
the two museums.

Please join us at one of the following two events:

Location: St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Catholic Church, 100
Northdale Rd., Toronto

Date: Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Time: 7:30 PM

Location: AGBU Centre, 805, rue Manoogian, St-Laurent, QC

Date: Sunday, November 10, 2013

Time: 5:00 PM

The Zoryan Institute is the parent organization of the International
Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies, which runs an annual,
accredited university program on the subject and is co-publisher of Genocide
Studies and Prevention: An International Journal in partnership with the
International Association of Genocide Scholars and the University of Toronto
Press. It is the first non-profit, international center devoted to the
research and documentation of contemporary issues with a focus on Genocide,
Diaspora and Armenia. For more information please contact the Zoryan
Institute by email [email protected] or telephone 416-250-9807.

LARD TECHNOLOGY

October 30 2013

If the Russian First Channel says something in the analytical
transmission on Sundays, it can not be accidental. Moreover, it can
not be the initiative or personal opinion of the newscaster. Thus,
Irada Zeynalova’s national identity has nothing to do with it. On
the other hand, one should not make a national tragedy from the
assessment voiced in this transmission. Yes, the official in the
Kremlin, who is responsible for TV social and political broadcasts,
had given instructions to make this allusion about us (you will not
enter into the Customs Union until the Karabakh conflict is resolved)
to please Azerbaijanis and to show us our place. Such “approaches” were
made also by Lukashenko and Nazarbayev. But obligating Armenia to enter
the Customs Union, in this case, is the so-called last minute scoring a
‘reputation goal’ under the circumstance of failure with a big score.

It is clear that losing by 1.5 is a little bit comforting than by 0.5.

The problem must be seen in the general context of Russia’s politics,
and campaigning where not only we, but all three South Caucasus
Republics, plus Moldova, are less worrisome than Ukraine. The main
reason for this, of course, is the greatness and geographic location
of this country, as well as the fact that the Association Agreement
with the EU will be signed in Vilnius, rather than initialing, like
with the rest of the states. The leadership of Russia continues to
approach the world with “zero end game” logic, either you are mine,
or my enemy, either Ukraine is my countryside, or a conflict border
passes between Ukraine and me. Hence, this results in ‘unbridled’
(I can not find another word) campaign of Russian national TV channel
against the neighboring country. Ukraine is warned about how terrible
life will be “provided” to it by Russia upon signing the Association
Agreement. As one Russian newspaper joked, Ukrainians are explained
that even their technologies of preparing lard do not meet the European
standards and, therefore, the product will not be consumed.

This campaign with its “verbiage” and “clumsiness” is comparable
to the hysteria, which Armenian pro-government media, before and
immediately after the 2008 elections, conducted against the opposition
candidate. May be they are the same technologies? Of course, a part
of Russian intimidations will become true. During the next 2-3 years,
Ukrainians will have serious difficulties. It is possible that Russia
will turn off its gas, thus revenging for geopolitical election of
neighbors. There will also be other “sanctions”, about which the
intimidations are constantly voiced by Russia. However, if people
know what for they will suffer loses, if the nation has specific,
clearly defined goals, it will come out from this ordeal with honor.

Aram Abrahamyan

Read more at:

JEUNESSE : KHATCHIK, LEONARDA, REVENEZ!

NEWS Press
Jeudi 24 Octobre 2013

NPA – Nouveau Parti Anticapitaliste

Voila une semaine que les lyceens se mobilisent contre les expulsions
de leurs camarades sans papier. Tout est parti du lycee Camille Jenatzy
dans le 18e arrondissement de Paris où Khatchik a ete arrete puis
mis en centre de retention car il n’avait pas de titre de sejour…

Ses camarades, ainsi que des militants du RESF et du RUSF de Paris 4,
se sont mobilises et ont empeche qu’il soit expulse jeudi 10 octobre
en allant a l’aeroport. Il a malheureusement ete expulse deux jours
plus tard vers l’Armenie que ses parents avaient fuie. Les lyceens
ont decide de se mettre en grève lundi 14 et d’aller convaincre
d’autres lyceens de se battre avec eux. À cette colère s’est ajoutee
l’annonce de l’expulsion de Leonarda et de sa famille. Il y avait deja
un sentiment de revolte contre la politique du gouvernement Hollande,
et les expulsions ont ete la goutte d’eau qui a fait deborder le vase.

C’est ainsi que mercredi 16, les lyceens de Jenatzy ainsi que de
plusieurs lycees, notamment de l’est de Paris, ont debarque a un
millier dans les rues, en direction du rectorat de Paris. N’ayant
pas obtenu satisfaction sur leur revendication première, a savoir le
retour de Khatchik, ils ont decide de continuer la mobilisation.

Le mouvement est monte en puissance jeudi et vendredi, avec 170 lycees
bloques dans toute la France et plusieurs milliers de manifestants.

Cette mobilisation est un bol d’air frais dans une situation où la
politique antisociale et raciste du gouvernement ne trouvait pas
de resistance sur son chemin. C’est la meilleure reponse a tout le
climat raciste qu’a connu le pays ces dernières semaines.

Cela demontre qu’il est possible de resister et de mettre en difficulte
le gouvernement. Preuve en est le retour imprevu de Valls a Paris et
les “reponses” qu’ont ete oblige de donner Hollande et ses ministres.

L’ensemble des lyceens mobilises ne sont pas la pour rater les cours
comme le pretend Peillon, mais bel et bien pour se battre pour que
leurs camarades reviennent. D’ailleurs, dans les manifestations, les
slogans qui animaient les cortèges tournaient autour de l’arret des
expulsions de jeunes et le retour de Khatchik et Leonarda d’une part,
et la demission de Valls d’autre part. Le sentiment de solidarite
entre les lyceens a egalement fait du chemin: on se bat pour ceux
qui n’ont pas de papier mais aussi pour le droit a une education de
qualite pour toutes et tous.

Tout le monde s’attendait a ce que le mouvement lyceen meure aussi
vite qu’il est apparu. Pourtant dès les premières heures des vacances
scolaires, samedi 19 octobre après midi, des centaines de lyceens se
sont de nouveau retrouves a Bastille et ont dû affronte les forces de
l’ordre pour pouvoir manifester jusqu’a la Nation. Des initiatives sont
en cours d’organisation pour les vacances. La rentree sera chaude sur
les lycees: une journee de mobilisation nationale semble se dessiner
le 5 novembre prochain a l’appel de plusieurs organisations syndicales
et politiques de jeunesse.

Cette journee doit etre bien plus massive encore que ce qu’on a connu
ces derniers jours. Dans les lycees de Paris bien sûr, mais egalement
en banlieue parisienne et dans toute la France. Ca a deja ete en
partie le cas vendredi dernier puisque plusieurs lycees du 92, 93 et
94 ont ete bloques et ont participe a la manifestation. Des lycees
ont aussi ete mobilises dans d’autres regions, comme a Marseille,
Rouen, Dax ou Grenoble.

Pour la regularisation des jeunes sans-papiers

Pour obtenir le retour de Khatchik et Leonarda, il faudra un mouvement
de tous les jeunes, et meme au-dela de la jeunesse. Cela permettra de
rabattre le clapet a Valls et Hollande qui osent proposer a Leonarda
de revenir seule en France sans ses parents et sans ses frères et
soeurs eux aussi scolarises en France. Nous devons continuer la lutte
pour que Leonarda et toute sa famille reviennent, mais aussi pour que
Khatchik soit de retour, car il risque debut novembre d’etre enrôle
dans l’armee armenienne.

Le combat ne s’arrete pas la. Pour que plus aucun jeune, plus aucun
sans-papier ne soit expulse, il faudra se battre pour la regularisation
de tous les sans-papiers, a commencer par les jeunes scolarises. Et
continuons aussi le combat contre celui qui expulse nos camarades:
Valls demission!

WHAT IS THE IMAGE OF AZERBAIJAN ON THE WORLD MAP?

Turan Information Agency, Azerbaijan
October 30, 2013 Wednesday

Baku/29.10.13/Turan:

Website thedoghousediaries.com, publishing comic books, has created
a kind of map of the world, where instead of the name of each country
is a symbol and short features.

At the presentation of the map it was reported that they comply with
the country’s leadership in a particular area, according to the radio
“Azadlig”.

For example, on the map of the USA it is written, “Nobel laureates
and deaths from lawn mowers.” Russia is represented as “Raspberry
and nuclear warheads”, China – “Carbon dioxide”, Turkey – “Apricot”,
Mexico – “Lightning Strike”, Spain – “Cocaine “, UK – “The fascist
movement”, etc.

Azerbaijan is represented as a country of “pirated software”, Iran
is called “brain drain”, and Georgia – “Khachapuri”. Armenia is not
mentioned at all in any way. Mapmakers have ignored it. -02D

CULTURE MINISTER HASMIK POGHOSIAN TIRED OF CLOSED MARKET SUBJECT

Wednesday,October 30

Armenian Minister of Culture Ms. Hasmik Poghosian declared that she
is tired of the subject of the Central (Closed) Market in downtown
Yerevan. She made that statement during a briefing after the discussion
of the 2014 draft state budget in the Armenian parliament today.

“I am already tired of the Closed Market. I have repeatedly said that
we did everything in the prescribed manner. The Ministry of Culture
did not violate the law with regard to the Closed Market,” H.

Poghosian said. In her words, the ministry didn’t approve a new
project of the Closed Market and the respective documents were sent
to law enforcement agencies.

“How many times should I comment on this problem? Unfortunately I
cannot say anything new,” the minister said.

‘WHO SAYS RUSSIA IS NOT EUROPE?’ – HRANUSH HAKOBYAN

14:52 ~U 30.10.13

Armenia’s Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan is calming down all
those concerned over Armenia’s foreign policy and the country turning
its back on Europe.

“I have met many people with healthy thinking. They believe Armenia’s
security is above all,” Ms Hakobyan said.

People with “healthy thinking” are Armenians living in Europe.

“They believe that we cannot sever our ties all of a sudden. The
Commonwealth of Independent States is a great market for European
and American businessmen for them to come to Armenia and later enter
the Customs Union market. I have not seen any concern on their part,”
Ms Hakobyan said.

About 3.5 million Armenians are living in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh,
and “we are interested in excellent terms.”

Armenia has been moving toward the Customs Union since 1992. “I think,
we have made the right step by cooperating with all the structures
that consider our vital interests,” Ms Hakobyan said.

“Who says Russia is not Europe? We must realize our national interests
are above all,” she said.

Armenian News – Tert.am

GAGIK MAKARYAN: ARMENIA HAS NO PROSPECTS IN CUSTOMS UNION

by Alexandr Avanesov

ARMINFO
Wednesday, October 30, 16:27

Armenia has no prospects in the Customs Union, Gagik Makaryan, Chairman
of the Republican Union of Employers of Armenia, said at today’s
press conference in Yerevan when replying to ArmInfo’s question.

He thinks that Armenia should have no place in the family of
authoritarian regimes. Belarus holds the 18th position in the commodity
turnover with Armenia, and Kazakhstan holds the 27th position. In
the meantime, the shares of Belarus and Kazakhstan in the commodity
turnover with Armenia are 0.8% and 0.2%, respectively. “As for Russia,
it is the second largest trade partner of Armenia after the European
Union”, said Makaryan. He added that Armenia has nothing to do in
the Customs Union.

“The Customs Union countries experience economic downturn, corruption
growth, non-competitive environment hopelessness of rural development,
dependence on the pipelines, authoritarian regimes and shortage of
democracy. We have nothing to do in that Union”, Makaryan said. He
expressed confidence that a document will be signed with the EU by
March 2014.

To recall, on September 3 Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan confirmed
Armenia’s intention to join the Customs Union and to contribute to
the formation of the Eurasian economic union. Before that Yerevan had
actively been holding talks on AA/DCFTA, which was to be initialed
during the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius in November 2013.

RUSSIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS AGREE THAT RUSSIAN ARMS SUPPLY TO AZERBAIJAN CREATES PROBLEMS IN THE REGION

by Ashot Safaryan

Wednesday, October 30, 12:59

Russian parliamentarians agree that delivery of Russian arms to
Azerbaijan creates problems in the region, Armenian parliamentarian
from Heritage Party Faction, Leader of Free Democrats Party Khachatur
Kokobelyan told reporters after today’s meeting of the two-day session
of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly Committee for Security and Defense
that kicked off in Yerevan on 30 October.

Kokobelyan said he raised the issue of the Russian arms supply
to Azerbaijan at the meeting and said that such arms deals do not
contribute to security and stability in the region.

“Substantially, the CSTO cannot be considered as a serious structure
if the Russian-Azerbaijani arms deal for $4 bln is introduced
just as a ‘business project’. Our Russian counterparts agree that
this is a really serious problem that needs thorough discussion,”
Kokobelyan said. The parliamentarian also called it strange that the
final document to be adopted after the session touched upon external
threats the region has faced, including Syria, Iran, Afghanistan and
other conflicts, without a single word on the Russian-Georgian war,
the Abkhazian, South Ossetian and Nagorno Karabakh issues.

“ROSTELECOM” EXPENDS GEOGRAPHY OF ITS ACTIVITY IN ARMENIA

by Arthur Yernjakyan

Wednesday, October 30, 13:45

Residents of 15 towns of Armenia and 4 districts of Yerevan can use
services of “Rostelecom”, the subsidiary of “Rostelecom”, GNC-ALFA
reported. Today “Rastelecom” net was launched in Dilijan, Sevan,
Masis and Artashat towns and in the Nor Nork district of Yerevan.

GNC-Alfa company launched IPTV services in Armenia in September of
the current year. The services were launched in cooperation with
the broadcaster Hybrid Solutions. The monthly subscription rate for
the Start package including 45 TV channels totals AMD 4,000 and the
Optimum Package with 80-channels costs 6,000 AMD and the rate for the
Premium package containing 120 TV channels – AMD 8,000. Interactive
television prices depend on different packages with different number
of TV channels of various genres. Those who want to add additional
channels to their packages for a separate payment can do it. The
price for one additional TV channel ranges from 50 to 250 drams.

GNC-ALFA operates a modern fibre-optic network spanning approximately
1,500 km, which passes through 80% of the territory of the Republic
of Armenia. GNC-ALFA’s network is interconnected with the region’s
major backbone networks and major MMR (“meet-me-room”) centres, as
well as with international gateways with Iran and Georgia. GNC-ALFA
is the largest independent aggregator of national IP-traffic, and
its subsequent transit, in Armenia.