Author: nina hovnanian

ARMENIAN SAINT THOMAS MONASTERY IN VAN IS ON THE EDGE OF COLLAPSE

[ Part 2.2: “Attached Text” ]

12:04, 27 July, 2013

YEREVAN, JULY 27, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Saint Thomas monastery in Gevash
region of Van has been left to the mercy of fate. In result of actions
of adventurous treasure seekers now the monastery is on the edge of
collapse. “Armenpress” reports calling Turkish Demokrathaber.net that
about this alarmed art critic Mesut Gul. “The value given to Islamic
architecture should be given also to Armenian architecture. In order to
stop the destruction of Armenian cultural values by local people it is
necessary to compare them with Islamic architecture. In order to stop
the damage to buildings the society should be made more cognizant,”
he highlighted. In his words the church is in abandoned condition. In
100 meters to west of the monastery is Armenian cemetery where have
been kept many tombstones with trims.

Mesut Gul alarmed that the church is being attacked very frequently.

Particularly, treasure seekers dig holes inside the church and on
the walls in result of which it is on the edge of collapse.

According to Armenian historian Tovma Artsruni the monastery was built
in 10-11 centuries by architect Manuel. It was repaired in 1581 and
in 1671 were built the walls around it. In 1801 it again was repaired.

LA POLICE MET EN GARDE LES JEUNES MILITANTS

ARMENIE

Les policiers armeniens ont publie une declaration avertissant les
jeunes militants de se conformer a la loi dans l’exercice de leurs
manifestations quotidiennes contre la recente hausse des tarifs de
transport par bus a Erevan.

La police a declare que les protestations ne pouvaient etre consideres
comme spontanes et depuis elles attirent plusieurs centaines de
personnes, elles ne peuvent plus avoir lieu sans une notification.

“Nous avertissons de nouveau les participants a ces reunions de
s’abstenir de violer la loi “, a declare la police, notant que dans
les derniers jours, certains manifestants ont viole les règles de
circulation, restreint les deplacements des transports publics ainsi
qu’obstrue le travail de la police visant a maintenir l’ordre public.

Quatre militants ont ete brièvement interpelles mardi et ont ete
emmenes au Service de police de Kentronakan a Erevan pour avoir
viole la loi au cours d’une protestation près du bâtiment de la
municipalite. Chacun d’entre eux a ete relâche plus tard dans la
journee.

samedi 27 juillet 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

GAGUIK DZAROUKIAN ET SAMVEL ALEXANIAN EN VACANCES A MONACO

VACANCES MONEGASQUES

Loin de la chaleur d’Erevan et des manifestations contre l’augmentation
du prix des transports, selon le journal ” Jamanag ” l’homme d’affaire
Samvel Alexanian et le leader du parti Parkavadj Hayastan (Armenie
Prospère) Gaguik Dzaroukian s’appretent a passer en famille leurs
vacances a Monaco. Delaissant cette annee Dubaï qu’ils affectionnaient
jadis. Un autre homme d’affaire, le richissime Samvel Garabedian qui
est le parrain des enfants de Samvel Alexanian et Gaguik Dzaroukian
pourrait rejoindre ces derniers a Monaco.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 27 juillet 2013, Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

CONSULATE GENERAL: ARMENIANS’ ATTEMPT TO OBSTRUCT EVENT ON AZERBAIJAN IN LOS ANGELES FAILED

Trend, Azerbaijan
July 26 2013

Azerbaijan, Baku, July 26/ Trend, S.Ahmadova/

On July 25, the prestigious International Visitors Council of Los
Angeles (IVCLA) hosted an event dedicated to Azerbaijan. The event
took place at the Levantine Cultural Center, Consulate General of
Azerbaijan in Los Angeles reported.

The event took place in Levantine Cultural Center.

It should be mentioned that, the International Visitors Council of
Los Angeles, specialized in the field civil diplomacy, hosts the
professionals from different countries, visiting Los Angeles for
short-term training courses through the U.S Department of State.

Speaking at the event Consul General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles
Nasimi Aghayev informed the audience about Azerbaijan’s history,
culture, traditions of strong ethnic and religious tolerance,
the country’s steady development as an independent nation, its oil
strategy, as well as its relations with the U.S., Europe, Israel and
neighboring states. Highlighting the challenges faced by Azerbaijan,
the Consul General spoke about the illegal military occupation of 20%
of Azerbaijan’s internationally recognized territory by Armenia. “This
illegal occupation is not only a flagrant breach of international law.

It is also a huge violation of basic human rights,” the diplomat said.

“The policies of Armenia’s leadership do not only impede the
restoration of sustainable peace and stability in the region. These
policies also put the future of the Armenian people under question
and drive the country to an even bigger catastrophy.” Stressing the
fact that since independence Armenia has lost around 1 million of its
population, and referring to a recent international poll which has
revealed that almost half of Armenia’s population want to permanently
leave the country, the Consul General said that all these are direct
results of destructive policies pursued by Armenia’s government,
which are primarily damaging Armenians themselves.

It should be mentioned that a number of representatives of radical
Armenian organizations, who were also present at the event, tried to
obstruct the event by making much noise, but faced a harsh reaction
of the event participants and were booed out of the event venue.

The event was conculded with the performance of Azerbaijani songs
by the Azerbaijani singer Shahla Saroukhani, who received multiple
ovations.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France and the U.S. are
currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

OZBILIZ LEAVES KUBAN FOR SPARTAK

UEFA.com
July 26 2013

Published: Friday 26 July 2013, 16.09CET

FC Kuban Krasnodar have allowed Armenia winger Aras Ozbiliz to join
fellow UEFA Europa League hopefuls FC Spartak Moskva after a successful
first season in Russia.

Armenia winger Aras Ozbiliz has left FC Kuban Krasnodar for fellow
UEFA Europa League contenders FC Spartak Moskva, signing a contract
until the summer of 2018 with the Moscow side.

The 23-year-old could line up against FC Dinamo Moskva in the Russian
Premier League this weekend alongside Spartak’s other summer signings,
Russia midfielder Denis Glushakov and former Valencia CF playmaker
Tino Costa.

Born in Istanbul to an Armenian family but raised in the Netherlands,
Ozbiliz came through the youth ranks at AFC Ajax. He won two Dutch
Eredivisie titles in Amsterdam before moving to Krasnodar last summer.

Capped ten times by Armenia, he helped Kuban qualify for the UEFA
Europa League with a fifth-placed finish in 2012/13, and started the
new campaign with two goals in as many league games.

His new club enter the UEFA Europa League in the play-offs, while Kuban
meet Motherwell FC in the third qualifying round on 1 and 8 August.

STRANGE ESPIONAGE SENTENCE

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
July 26 2013

26 July 2013 – 9:59am
Yuri Kramar exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza

On July 23 the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Court handed down an
espionage sentence – two defendants, a soldier of the so-called Defense
Forces of the NKAR, Rafael Avagyab, and a student, David Barsegyan,
were sentenced to imprisonment for 11 and 10 years. It was made in
the context of a rather mocking statement by judge Anatoly Tadevosyan,
that the court had considered many extenuations – that they are young,
have health problems, have never been sentenced before and have
positive characteristics. “Humanism” from the occupational authorities.

However, there is a certain indulgence for the convicts. Article 310
of the current Criminal Code of Nagorno-Karabakh requires 15 years
behind bars for “treason against the State in the form of espionage.”

At the same time, it is fair to ask – how can anybody cheat on an
unrecognized state?

Even if we pretend that notions of “law” and “statehood” operate there
in reality, it should be noted that “the espionage case” doesn’t match
them or common sense. What is the crime of the two convicted young
Karabakh people from the court’s point of view? A year ago a Samvel
Azatyan addressed them on the Internet, saying that he lived in Turkey
and asking them to give him some information, promising to pay for it.

The guys received $1 thousand, after which the watchful Armenia
special services arrested them.

What was the secret data given to Turkey? The information concerned
accidents in armed units, the quality of the healthcare service
and food for soldiers. This is thought to be “a military secret”
in Karabakh. It seems they are so enthusiastic about fighting for
“freedom and democracy” that haven’t noticed that they actually
live under the conditions of 1937. At that period anything could be
considered espionage – a small conversation with a foreigner in the
street could lead to a sentence, according to the Article 57 on various
“public enemies.”

It should be noted that the identity of Samvel Azatyan hasn’t been
discovered, i.e. the statement that “foreign special services”
are hidden under name of “a Turkish Armenian” is as debatable as
confessions forced by the NKVD on cooperation with “the Ceylonese
intelligence service” so that the police could fulfil the plan on
arresting “public enemies.” However, absence of normal evidence didn’t
prevent the court of the unrecognized state from sentencing the guys
to awful terms.

At the same time, the story is not extraordinary. There is a statement
that “The nation which suppresses other nations cannot be free.” The
current “statehood” of Karabakh was founded on aggression against
Azerbaijan, deportation of its citizens, genocide in Khodzhaly,
occupation of the Lachin region, and so on. Why should we be surprised
that a court of “independent” Karabakh makes decisions not according
to the law, but to the game rules of a group which breaks international
and internal law?

ARMENIA AND EU FINISH ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP TALKS, BUT NO AGREEMENT PUBLISHED SO FAR, EXPERTS SAY

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
July 26 2013

26 July 2013 – 4:41pm

Armenia and the European Union have finished their talks concerning
the country’s associate membership in the body, EU foreign policy chief
Catherine Ashton and EU commissioner for enlargement and neighbourhood
policy Å tefan Fule say.

“We are delighted to confirm that the talks devoted to the EU-Armenian
agreement on the country’s associate membership are finished,” the
statement issued by the two EU officials read.

They believe the agreement will be approved during the Eastern
Partnership summit that is going to be held in Vilnius on November
29th.

VK asked three experts to comment on the agreement and EU-Armenian
relations. The head of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the
Armenian Academy of Sciences, Ruben Safrasyan, stresses that the text
of the agreement has not been published so far. This means that certain
provisions remain unknown and it’s hard to make a final judgement,
the expert says. He doesn’t believe, however, that the agreement will
play a serious role in Armenia’s foreign policy.

Andrey Areshev, a member of the Central Asia and Caucasus Research
Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, also believes that the fact
that the agreement has not been published yet is very peculiar. The
expert is certain that Armenian society is interested in public
discussion of the process, which may be rather complicated since the
European states and the countries of the South Caucasus are based on
different values.

Alexander Karavayev, a member of the Lomonosov Moscow State University,
agrees with his colleagues that it’s hard to comment on the agreement
while its text has not been published. He says, however, that some
experts believe that a free trade regime with the EU will encourage
a 3 percent economic growth in Armenia.

SPECIALIST DOES NOT EXCLUDE POSSIBILITY OF CLASHES NEAR ARMENIAN DISTRICT OF ALEPPO

[ Part 2.2: “Attached Text” ]

17:37, 26 July, 2013

YEREVAN, JULY 26, ARMENPRESS: Armenian community of Syria faces serious
problems and it is not excluded the number of victims among Armenians
will increase. On July 26 during press conference such opinion
expressed specialist on oriental studies Armen Petrosyan. “Governmental
forces are going to implement special operation in order to throw
away the opposition forces from central parts of the country, which
can become reason of battles near Armenian district of Aleppo,”
he said adding that representatives of Armenian community will face
difficult problems, reports “Armenpress”.

In his words in this situation it will be difficult for Syrian
Armenians to leave the country immediately. “It is not a case
of decision either of Armenian government or individual Syrian
Armenians. It must be decided by authorities of Armenian community
and such decision can be made only after long discussions,” he said
highlighting that the blockade of Aleppo can create extra difficulties
in case if Armenians decide to leave the country. He reminded the
last case when armed forces fired the bus transferring Armenians in
result of  which an Armenian woman was died.

Armenian government supports Syria as it can. “Our government does its
best in order to support Syrian-Armenians in financial, diplomatic
and other spheres,” said Petrosyan noticing that it si the problem
not only of the government but also of all Armenians.

By the UN data, during the two-year bloodshed in Syria more than 100
thousands of people have fallen victims. Currently 4,5 million refugees
live in Syria and 1,5 million – in the neighboring countries. Several
tens of Armenians have been killed in the result of the collisions.

BAREV YEREVAN BLOC TO URGE MAYOR TO STEP DOWN

17:15 26.07.13

Barev Yerevan, the opposition alliance represented in the Yerevan
city council, is initiating a legal proceeding to demand the mayor’s
resignation, the Armenian service of RFE/RL reported, citing a member.

Anahit Bakhshyan has told the radio station that before filing the
lawsuit, they are planning to apply to the Administrative Court to
dispute the controversial decision of hiking bus fares by 50%.

“If we manage to prove the process was unlawful, the demand for his
[Mayor Taron Margaryan’s] resignation will be the next thing to do,”
she was quoted as saying.

Bakhshyan, who was formerly a lawmaker of the opposition Heritage
party, said they now receive assistance from different specialists,
including judges.

Following the heated protests and civil disobedience campaigns that
lasted five days, the mayor issued Thursday an address, declaring his
intention to reverse the decision and resume the original amount of
the fares.

Armenian News – Tert.am

ARMENIA’S AUTHORITIES UNDERESTIMATE SOCIETY – EX-MP

15:50 26.07.13

Azat Arshakyan, an ex-member of Armenia’s parliament, believes that
the Yerevan Municipality showed disrespect for society by raising
fares and, later, suspending its decision.

“They are just underestimating our society. I think it was mere
disrespect,” he said.

As to whether it was an authorities-constructed scenario “for people
to feel happy about their small triumph”, he said: “I do not think
it was a test. I think it was a spontaneous triumph.”

Also, the issue of raising incomes can be put on the agenda along
with the price rise.

“The government’s duty is to govern and create. Armenia round the
world can get rich except for Armenians in Armenia,” Arshakyan said.

Chairman of the Political Scientists Union of Armenia Hmayak
Hovannisyan reminded the journalists that two months ago he warned
the authorities would orchestrate social unrest to be able to meet
the challenges.

“Donors have gone back on their promise to provide funds if Armenia’s
authorities organized good elections. This is also a problem of
geopolitical orientation – a most serious step with its consequences,”
he said.

Despite the claims that the movement is nonpolitical, Hovhannisyan
said: “If this is a social movement expressing the opinion of the
larger part of society, then political movements are not party
movements.”

“Authorities like giving bribes and dividing. It is common knowledge
that socially vulnerable sections are using transport,” he added.

Armenian News – Tert.am