Author: nina hovnanian

EUROPE’S SEVEN MOST ENDANGERED MONUMENTS AND SITES ANNOUNCED: EUROPA NOSTRA

Art Daily
June 12 2013

ATHENS.- The Roman amphitheatre in Durrës in Albania, the buffer zone
in the historic centre of Nicosia in Cyprus, Vauban’s 17th century
fortifications in Briancon in France, the Renaissance monastery of
San Benedetto Po in Italy, the 15th century monastery in Setúbal in
Portugal, the historic mining landscape of Rosia Montana in Romania
and the Armenian church of St. George in Mardin in Turkey have been
selected as the 7 most threatened landmarks in Europe. The announcement
was made today by the leading European heritage organisation Europa
Nostra, together with the European Investment Bank Institute, at
a press conference in Athens, on the eve of its 50th Anniversary
Congress. These gems of Europe’s cultural and natural heritage are
in danger, some due to lack of funds or expertise, others due to
inadequate planning, neglect, natural disaster or even political
conflict. Urgent action is therefore required.

“These monuments and sites were selected not only because they tell
a fascinating story about our shared past, anchoring the sense of
belonging to a European family, but also because they are highly
valuable to the local communities who are strongly engaged in saving
them. Rescuing these sites would also act as a catalyst for the social
and economic revitalisation of entire cities or areas. This is why
Europa Nostra calls upon many public and private partners, at local,
national and European levels, to join forces with them to ensure a
promising future for the selected sites,” stated Placido Domingo,
President of Europa Nostra.

“Investment in heritage conservation contributes to sustainable
development and ultimately to growth and employment through its
positive impacts on the local and regional economies. Support to
heritage conservation therefore falls well within the remit of the
European Investment Bank (EIB). The EIB Institute, together with Europa
Nostra and associated partners, will undertake the necessary efforts
to assess the selected sites and to contribute to the development
of realistic action plans, in close cooperation with the national
and local public and private entities,” added Remy Jacob, Director
General of the EIB and Dean of the EIB Institute.

Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank Institute, founding
partner of ‘The 7 Most Endangered’ programme, will undertake rescue
missions to these heritage sites after the summer. More specifically,
experts appointed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Council
of Europe Development Bank (CEB), an associate partner, will provide
analysis and advice on how funding could be obtained, for example,
through European Union funds or, in appropriate cases, loans.

The initial rescue action plans will be presented at the European
Heritage Policy Conference, organised by Europa Nostra, in Brussels
on 5 December 2013.

“For 50 years, Europa Nostra has been active in saving endangered
heritage all over Europe, from the ancient site of Delphi in Greece
in the early 1980s to the historic city of L’Aquila in Italy in
the 2010s. We are proud that this year, for the first time, we have
launched an advocacy and operational scheme in partnership with such a
prestigious financial institution as the European Investment Bank. Our
alliance demonstrates the recognition by the EU Institutions of their
responsibility towards safeguarding Europe’s cultural heritage,
as stated in the Treaty of Lisbon (article 3.3). We expect that
‘The 7 Most Endangered’ programme will encourage others to support
our efforts to rescue and promote the unique heritage of Europe,”
concluded Denis de Kergorlay, Executive President of Europa Nostra.

The 7 Most Endangered for 2013 were selected by Europa Nostra’s
Board from the 14 sites shortlisted by an Advisory Panel composed
of international experts. In this initial year, civil society
organisations and public bodies from 21 European countries submitted
40 nominations. ‘The 7 Most Endangered’ programme was launched last
January, having been inspired by a successful project run by the
US National Trust for Historic Preservation. Nominations for 2014
can be submitted until 1 November 2013 by Europa Nostra’s country
representations, member and associate organisations.

17.883.120 PEOPLE KNEW HOW ARMENIA BEATS DENMARK DUE TO KIM KARDASHIAN. DAILY MAIL

21:51, 13 June, 2013

YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS: English Daily Mail newspaper reverberated
to the victory of Armenian national football team towards Denmark and
reaction of Kim Kardasian. Newspaper writes: “Inspired by celebrity
fan Kim Kardashian and her 17.9 million Twitter followers, Armenia
equalled the biggest win in their history as they beat Denmark 4-0
in Copenhagen.

No doubt spurred on by Kardashian’s ‘Let’s go Armenia!!!’ tweet,
the Armenians managed even more goals than Kardashian managed
exclamation marks.

The Danes were 1-0 down inside 30 seconds and had enough trouble
keeping up with their opponents; little did they know that they must
now contend with keeping up with the Kardashians.

Only 14,784 turned up in Copenhagen to watch Denmark’s World
Cup-qualifying humiliation but, thanks to Kardashian’s tweet, a further
17,883,120 people were glued to the events in the Danish capital.

The American socialite, TV celebrity and pregnant mother to Kanye
West’s child achieved fame through the highly successful reality TV
show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

West and Kardashian’s combined wealth is reported to be in excess of
£51 million.

By contrast, Henrik Mkhitaryan, scorer of Armenia’s record-equaling
fourth goal, cost Shakhtar Donetsk just £4 million.

Armenia’s population may be five-and-a-half times smaller than
Kardashian’s twitter following but that hasn’t stopped them putting
a big dent in Denmark’s hopes of qualifying for Brazil 2014.

While Kardashian was rejoicing in Armenia’s success, Denmark coach
Morten Olsen called the loss ‘the worst night of my footballing life’.

The Danes now sit in fifth place in Group B, with Italy top of the
table, ahead of only last-placed Malta with four matches remaining.

Conversely, Armenia’s win keeps alive their slim chances of reaching
a first World Cup in their 21-year history.

Kardashian’s Armenian heritage can be traced through her father’s
side. Robert Kardashian, who achieved fame as O. J. Simpson’s defense
attorney, was a third-generation Armenian American.

His great-grandparents, Sam and Harom Kardaschoff, were ethnic Armenian
Molokan Jumpers from Kars in what is now Turkey), who emigrated to
the United States in 1913”.

HEAD OF BAYANDUR VILLAGE FOUND JOB IN RUSSIA

07:46 PM | TODAY | POLITICS

In its June 13 session the Armenian government discussed the
resignation letter of Hovakim Sargsyan, Head of Bayandur community
in Shirak province. The government decided to terminate Sargsyan’s
powers based on his application.

Speaking about motifs behind the village head’s resignation, Rubik
Harutyunyan, a senior official at the Governor’s Office of Shirak
province, said Hovakim Sargsyan was going abroad to receive treatment
while the locals say that Sargsyan has gone to Russia where he will
work with his son.

The full text is available at

ECTHR RECEIVES COMPLAINT FROM ARMENIAN PARTY ON SAFAROV CASE

June 13, 2013 | 16:44

YEREVAN. – The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has received
a complaint from Hayk Makuchyan and the legal successors of Gurgen
Margaryan.

Makuchyan, who miraculously had survived death in Budapest and whom the
Hungarian court had declared injured party, confirmed this information
to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

To note, the matter of complaint refers to the receipt of documents.

The Armenian party had applied to ECtHR in February, in connection
with the Ramil Safarov case. The complaint is with respect to Articles
2 and 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Armenian and
foreign specialists are included in the working group that is preparing
the complaint.

Armenian News-NEWS.am reported earlier that Ramil Safarov, a
then-lieutenant in the Azerbaijani military, was extradited on August
31, 2012 from Hungary, where he was serving a life sentence-and with
no expression of either regret or remorse-for the premeditated axe
murder of Armenian lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan, in his sleep, during a
NATO Partnership for Peace program in Budapest back in 2004. Safarov
had planned on killing the other Armenian military serviceman, who
likewise was attending the aforesaid program, but he was unable to
carry out this plan.

Ramil Safarov’s return to Baku was welcomed, as was his act of murder,
by the officials of president Ilham Aliyev’s government and much
of Azerbaijani society, and the Azerbaijani president immediately
granted him a pardon, he was declared a national hero, promoted to
a higher military rank, and was allocated housing and pension.

And Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan announced on August 31, 2012
that Armenia is suspending its diplomatic ties with Hungary. Also,
Sargsyan instructed the Ministry of Justice to take all measures to
petition to the international judicial tribunals, and with respect
to the Safarov case.

Ramil Safarov’s pardoning was condemned by virtually all international
organizations.

Also, a group of Hungarian intellectuals visited Armenia last year-and
in connection with this incident-to announce that they are ashamed
of the action that was taken by the Hungarian authorities.

ISHKHAN ZAKARYAN SPEAKS ABOUT KICKBACKS IN CONSTRUCTION SECTOR

03:49 PM | TODAY | POLITICS

By a vote of 66 to 36, the National Assembly today passed the report
on implementation of the 2012 budget.

Lawmakers of the opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC),
Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun and Heritage, as
well as Prosperous Armenia Party voted against the report.

After the vote, the Control Chamber began its report for 2012. The
Chairman of the Chamber, Ishkhan Zakaryan announced that they continue
to focus on sectors that have been in the center of public attention
in the past two years. “This refers to the urban planning which has
recorded numerous violations, andthe sector of state purchases.”

He pointed out the high interest rates in the construction industry.

“They charge 3-4 times more for construction works. Of course, the
government has already made some conclusions. We have repeatedly
spoken about the kickbacks and artificially increased rates in the
construction sector. We can surely find solutions to the issue,”
said Mr Zakaryan.

He also referred to the imperfect pricing mechanism and said that
the prices differ from the market prices. “We suggested establishing
control prices. Why not sign a contract with a company that will be
responsible for this?”

With regard to tenders, the chairman of the Control Chamber said
that occasionally the winner becomes a company which is neither the
author of the project nor the importer of the product. “Tenders are
organized according to a well-planned scenario, with companies knowing
in advance that they will win the competition,” he said.

ARMENIA’S PUBLIC CHAMBER OBSERVES MAJOR FLAWS IN CONSTRUCTION, PROCUREMENT SECTORS

16:26 ~U 13.06.13

The president of Armenia’s Public Chamber said Thursday that
their recent inspections have revealed serious shortcomings in the
development and procurement sectors.

In his speech at the National Assembly, Ishkhan Zakaryan told the
parliament members that serious flaws have been particularly observed
in the road construction sector.

He pointed out to the poor quality asphalt concrete used in the
construction process.

As for the violations in the procurement procedures, Zakaryan was
concerned to note that the consumer prices for all products had turned
out to top the real market prices.

Speaking further, President of the National Assembly Hovik Abrahamyan
said he is surprised about the findings. “We are surprised that we are
dealing with plunderers. We have to file cases with the Prosecutor’s
Office,” he said, noting that the trend bears a repeated character.

Zakaryan answered that they had a long discussion with the government
over the issue. “Don’t you think our public will gain an impression
that we are accomplices too, given that we do not levy a fine after
revealing [the violations]? Those officials have to be relived of post;
no one is irreplaceable. The prime minister has to take serious steps
in this direction. I find that this has to have serious consequences,”
he said, stressing once again the importance of sacking officials
engaged in corrupt practices.

NA Vice Speaker Edward Sharmazanov added for his part that the
legislative is capable of differentiating shortcomings and flaws
from malfeasance. “If one has neglected duties, that’s a different
matter, but if he has wasted [resources], he has to be where he
is supposed to,” he said, highlighting the need of getting rid of
corrupt officials.

The Control Chamber president said there are serious risks everybody
knows and speaks of. “Punishability is not the issue we are supposed
to tackle; we are not vested with a punitive function. In the [United
Arab] Emirates, for example, there is such a thing; our laws say
nothing about that,” he said.

Responding to his remark, Sharmazanov warned the Controls Chamber
president against making threats. “There is no need to draw the sword
of Damocles against us; but we must distinguish things in between. It
is necessary to discipline corrupt officials, if there are any at all.

Those people have to go home as soon as possible; otherwise we will
send them to a different place,” he said.

Armenian News – Tert.am

CAMPS WILL BE ORGANIZED IN DIFFERENT RESIDENCES OF THE REPUBLIC

Thursday, 13 June 2013 14:11

>From June 29-30 in the area neighbouring the monastery complex
of Dadivank the NKR Ministry of Culture and Youth Issues is going
to organize a two-day family summer camp under the heading “Happy
Together” which will be participated by families with children at
the age between 6 to 13 years old.

The organization of the family camp has already become a tradition. It
started in 2010 and was conducted in Patara village of Askeran region,
Vank village of Martakert and Mets Tagher of Hadrout region.

This year summer camps will be organized also by the Ministry of
Education and Science. As Karabakh-open.info was informed this year
for schoolchildren camps would be organized in Gandzasar and Shoushi.

In Gandzasar it will start from July 5, in Shoushi after August 10. It
is not clear yet how long they will last and how many schoolchildren
will be involved in these camps.

Besides, as every year, the Ministry will also organize a military camp
participated by 700 teenagers and youths. This year it will start on
July 8 and will last 30 days in 3 shifts. Mainly the schoolboys of the
10th form and the 3rd-year students of Artsakh State University /the
correspondence course/ as well as 60 students from “Mkhitar Sebastatsi”
educational complex of Armenia and from 20 to 25 participants from
the Lebanon will enjoy their vacation there.

APARTMENTS FOR SYRIAN-ARMENIANS IN DAVTASHEN

10:33, June 14, 2013

The “Help Your Brother” benevolent fund has announced that it has
reached a preliminary understanding with the Yerevan Municipality
that the latter will allocate land in the Davtashen district for the
construction of a residential building to house for Armenians who
have fled the civil war in Syria.

The fund says that those wishing to get on the list and to learn
more on the project should either go directly to their office at 30
Hanrapetutyun Street (Yerevan) or call (+374 98) 90 33 88, (+374 93)
13 17 17.

3 ARMENIAN SWIMMERS TO PARTICIPATE IN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 14, 2013 – 14:00 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian swimmers are training for Barcelona-hosted
2013 World Swimming Championships due in July 19-August 4.

In conversation with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, coach Misak Gabrielyan
said the team will conduct a team practice session on June 20.

“Both participants of Junior European games and athletes to participate
in World Student Games will join the session,” Mr.

Gabrielyan said.

Armenia’s line-up for 2013 World Swimming Championships has been
announced as follows: Monika Vasilyan, Vahan Mkhitaryan and Khachik
Plavchyan.

MANY IN ARMENIA WANT SEX CHANGE – NEWSPAPER

June 14, 2013 | 08:55

YEREVAN. – Armenia does not have a law on sex change, Aravot daily
reports.

“In the meantime, according to plastic surgeon Karen Petrosyan, the
Armenian plastic surgeons are scientifically ready for such complex
surgeries, [and] are as good as the Europeans.

The twelve-year plastic surgeon said too many people apply to them
with a request to have their gender changed. But since there is no
[respective] law, they [i.e., the plastic surgeons] refuse to perform
[such surgery].

Incidentally, the doctors cannot operate also so that no problems
arise in the future with respect to the passport, [and] name change.

In actual fact, a law will not only allow for a sex change, but will
regulate the name change of the given person,” Aravot writes.