Author: nina hovnanian

PBS STATION TO SCREEN ‘ORPHANS OF THE GENOCIDE’

Wednesday, March 27th, 2013

Actor Ken Davidian will be a guest at the screening

Documentary Weaves Historical Archives, Interviews and Memoirs
Establishing Proof of the Armenian Genocide

FRESNO-Armenoid Productions- a documentary film production company of
dedicated, storytellers of concealed history announced Wednesday that
its documentary production Orphans of The Genocide will be screened
by ValleyPBS, Station KPVT 18, in Fresno on April 18 at 7 p.m..

The screening will be part of the ValleyPBS station fundraising drive,
which will be hosted by actor Ken Davitian from the Academy Award®
winning film The Artist. Donors will receive copies of Orphans of the
Genocide DVD and accompanying book with various levels of donations.

Created by four-time Regional Emmy Award winner filmmaker, Bared
Maronian, the documentary weaves historical archives with interviews
and memoirs of Armenian orphans establishing irrevocable proof of
the Armenian Genocide.

Armenians nationwide are asked to contact their local PBS station and
urge them to screen Orphans of the Genocide during the month of April.

Orphans of the Genocide is an emotional visual journey through
never-before-seen archival footage and discovered memoirs of orphans
who lived through the last century’s first, fully documented and
least recognized Armenian Genocide of 1915. The documentary follows
Maurice Missak Kelechian whose research findings unveil the site of
an Armenian orphanage located at the present day Antoura College near
Beirut, Lebanon where 1,000 Armenian Genocide Orphans had lived and
were forcefully converted and “Turkified” during W.W. I. In addition
to the Antoura site, the documentary unveils numerous other orphanages
where Armenian orphans were housed – and profiles one orphan girl who
was adopted and later became one of Turkey’s high-profiled national
icons as the daughter of Ataturk, the founder of modern-day Turkey.

The documentary traces the lives of many orphans who lived through
the horrors of a war, losing parents and being separated from siblings
and shipped to various countries.

The documentary also explores the herculean task of the American Near
East Relief Foundation in saving, feeding and sheltering over 150,000
documented Armenian genocide orphans between 1919 and 1926 by setting
up over 200 temporary and permanent orphanages in Historic Armenia,
Turkey and throughout the Middle East. One of these orphanages
was built in Gumri, the second largest city in Armenia, and housed
22,000 orphans.

Additionally, Orphans of the Genocide includes interviews with
numerous public figures including British journalist Robert Fisk –
whose article “Living Proof of the Armenian Genocide” published
in 2010 by The Independent included many of the archival proofs –
Armenian-American Dr. Jack Kevorkian, as well as revealing testimonials
from children of the Armenian Genocide orphans scattered around the
world. The Armenoid team offers never-before-seen archival footage
weaving stories of Armenian orphans from around the globe.

Individuals interested in supporting the Armenoid projects can make
tax deductible donations following the screening or by contacting
Armenoid Productions at 954-646-0944 or director, Bared Maronian at
[email protected].

Founded in 2006, Armenoid Productions has produced numerous
award-winning documentaries among them Father Komitas depicting the
lives and deaths of two major Armenian clergymen’s contributions to
the Armenian nation and The Wall of the Genocide a poetic tribute
to the 5,000 year-old Armenian History starting from the Noah’s
Ark resting upon Mount Ararat to the modern day assassination of
outspoken Turkish-Armenian editor of “Agos” weekly newspaper, Hrant
Dink. Both documentaries were honored with Telly Awards in 2007 and
2008 respectively.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to premiere this powerful
documentary on ValleyPBS. As Your Valley Classroom, we continually
strive to bring compelling content such as Orphans of the Genocide
to residents of the San Joaquin Valley who appreciate quality,
educational programs and lifelong learning. This is truly an
unforgettable show.” Paula Castadio, ValleyPBS President & CEO

For more information on Armenoid Productions visit
or contact 954-646-0944.

DIPLOMAT: ARMENIA SHOULD GAIN MAXIMUM PROFIT FROM ALL INTEGRATION PROJECTS OFFERED BY GLOBAL PLAYERS

ARMINFO
Wednesday, March 27, 21:43

Armenia should gain maximum profit from all the integration projects
offered by the global force centers, be it Russia or the European
Union, Arman Navasardyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary,
head of diplomat.am project, said at today’s public debates on the
topic “The European Union vs. the Eurasian Union: Armenia’s choice”
held at the Caucasus Institute.

He said that when independence was being established, the Armenian
diplomacy failed to cope with a number of vital problems: it was ousted
from numerous regional projects, and the situation aggravated even more
by the transport and economic blockade imposed on Armenia by Turkey and
Azerbaijan. “For further development our country should participate in
all possible projects. And in this context, both European integration
and participation in the projects initiated by Russia are a good
opportunity for Armenia to solve its vital problems”, he said.

He added that Armenian diplomacy can and must compare the both foreign
political vectors in its own interests and should conduct a flexible
policy.

Hayk Babukhanyan, MP, Head of the Constitutional Law Party and member
of the parliament faction of the Republican Party of Armenia, said that
though he shares the opinion that Armenia should combine the specified
two foreign political lines, nevertheless, Russia is the strategic
partner of Armenia in terms of system of values, geographic proximity,
military and political security, as well as diplomatic support.

To note, the debates were organized by the Caucasus Institute with
support from and in cooperation with the South Caucasus Regional
Bureau of the Heinrich Boll Foundation.

TRAVEL FILMS & EVENTS: PRESENTATION ON ARMENIA

Los Angeles Times
March 27 2013

Presentation

Matthew Karanian will showcase both modern and ancient Armenia in this
presentation about creating the country’s first commercial travel
guide, “Armenia and Karabakh: The Stone Garden Guide.” Illustrated
with images that he and co-author Robert Kurkjian photographed during
their research.

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Monday at Distant Lands, 20 S. Raymond Ave.,
Pasadena.

Admission, info: Free. RSVP to (626) 449-3220.

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.

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION LEADER DEMANDS POSITIONS FOR 13 PARTY MEMBERS

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
March 27 2013

Raffi Ovannisyan, leader of the Heritage Party who had lost to Serzh
Sargsyan during the presidential polls, said that his list of demands
was inseparable.

Commenting on demands for 13 governmental positions, he noted that
it was not a matter of bargain. He added that his party had a reserve
of specialists, professionals.

Ovannisyan noted that he was glad to see Sargsyan demonstrate political
will for negotiations.

ARMENIAN VILLAGE

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
March 27 2013

David Stepanyan, Yerevan. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza

According to official statistics, the share of agriculture in the
GDP structure is growing in past years. In 2010 agriculture took 17%
of the GDP, in 2011 it grew to 20.2% and in 2012 – to 21%. At the same
time the authorities don’t want to stop. The minister of agriculture
Sergo Karapetyan stated that his ministry has big goals this year –
“hard work” on providing necessary development of agriculture. The
Ministry of Agriculture is sure that it is impossible to develop
agriculture without an effective system of crediting. In theory
everything is simple.

But the reality is far from the commercials broadcasted on TV. The
question is on what conditions an Armenian farmer is being credited.

The state takes the sums from international credit organization at
tiny interest of 1-1.5% per year, giving these sums to the Central
Bank at fixed interest of 4% in dollars annually. At the same time,
the interest rate in drams is not fixed. After this, the process of
interest churning on “benefit” credits continues and the interest
grows. Banks and credit organizations fix an interest rate and pay-off
terms by themselves, considering their credit business-program. They
explain it by the fact that the whole risk of the deal is put on them.

Therefore, a farmer cannot pay off a credit, but the financial
organization has to compensate the resources for the office. In most
cases it pumped out last property from the farmer. As the result the
interest rate of “benefit” credits is flowing in limits of 15-24%
per year.

Thus, the nonsense which is voiced by the government and the Ministry
of Agriculture on beneficial financing of agriculture comes down to
pumping out money through smashup of farmers. Considering the fact
that for any Armenian oligarch-bureaucrat it is an affair of honor to
have a bank or a huge share in a bank, the government’s desire to give
“benefit” credits to the citizens is understandable, considering the
general logic of “development” of the Armenian economy.

The Ministry of Agriculture is working in the same way. For funding
the program of purchasing diesel fuel and fertilizers the government
of Armenia decided to allocate 3.16 billion drams to the Ministry of
Agriculture. About 27 thousand tons of fertilizers will be imported
on these resources in 2013; each bag of them will be sold to farmers
for 6 000 drams. As for diesel fuel which will cost 350 drams, 17
million liters will be imported in the country. The marketable value
of a bag of the fertilizers is about 8-8.5 thousand drams; and the
wholesale price of diesel fuel liter is 410 drams in Armenia. Thus,
the difference between “benefit” and marketable fertilizers is not
significant, so it cannot influence the development of the sphere.

Only price equity which appears as the result of buying fertilizers
and diesel in Russia for really beneficial prices by the Ministry of
Agriculture and selling them for “myth” benefit prices to farmers is
significant. Of course the society is not aware of these prices.

Farmers have to feed down results of their year work to pigs and cows.

For example, potato is the only source of revenues for farmers of the
Gegerkunik Region. All other revenues are coming from their relatives
who have to work in Ukraine and Russia. That is why the residents
of the mountain areas demand that Sergo Karapetyan should be the
minister of agriculture of not only valley regions, for example,
prospering Ararat or Armavir regions, but also mountain regions,
including Gegarkunik. In case if Karapetyan is unable to work for the
whole country, farmers ask the government to appoint one more minister
who would agree to pay attention to mountain regions. According to
farmers, President Serge Sargsyan ordered Karapetyan to keep prices
of potatoes down in the pre-election and postelection period for
prevention of a riot in Yerevan.

.

IS NAIRIT CASE AGAINST TIGRAN SARGSYAN?

Naira Hayrumyan
17:17 28/03/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

Will the National Security Service focus on Nairit Company or will
the government address this case which could involve people who occupy
quite high-ranking positions in Armenia?

The press reported that the case files on misuse by Nairit Rubber
Company have been handed to the police department for organized crime.

The department has not launched proceedings yet, apparently there is
no order yet. However, the factory staff who have not received their
salaries for eight months will not be satisfied with the disbursement
of several thousands of drams. They want to know who has crushed
the huge company, who incurred debts and why the factory is not
working yet.

These questions could interest other people as well. A few years ago
the coordinator of the Ramkavar Party Harutyun Arakelyan explained in
detail what was happening on this factory and blamed Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan. By the way, Sargsyan~Rs brother is in the management
of Nairit and when Tigran Sargsyan was the president of the Central
Bank, Nairit borrowed money from a CIS bank which later closed.

At that time, Tigran Sargsyan did not sue Arakelyan for slander. He
only said that the law enforcement bodies of Armenia could check the
information. Apparently, the law enforcement bodies finally inquire
about Nairit, quite reluctantly, though. Is it a sign that Tigran
Sargsyan is having trouble?

The NSS is investigating a case against the Civilitas while the
~Svictims~T say they have no claims to Vartan Oskanian. In addition,
the Armenian law enforcement bodies state they will not implement
the decision of the New York court fining Vartan Aivazyan, member of
parliament, at 35 million dollars.

In this context, it looks very artificial that the law enforcement
bodies lack interest in a deal resulting in the loss of a major
industrial asset, leaving hundreds of people jobless and the loan
history of the country marred.

Armenia is used to bringing cases against officials and proceeds with
investigation only whenever there is a need to influence them. The task
of the law enforcement bodies is not to reveal and punish criminals
but to collect compromising materials. And when a case is raked over,
everyone understands that either the given official will be made to
do something or will be sacrificed.

SYNOPSYS ARMENIA, KARABAKH TELECOM START COOPERATION WITH ARTSAKH STATE UNIVERSITY

15:39 28/03/2013 ” ECONOMY

Synopsys Armenia CJSC, Karabakh Telecom CJSC and Artsakh State
University will sign a cooperation agreement to promote education in
micro-electronic circuitry and systems of the communication means in
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) on March 29, 2013, the press service
of Synopsys Armenia reported.

Using a successful and proven educational model of cooperation
the program will make it possible to provide NKR’s workforce
with industry-ready graduates, who have the required knowledge and
practical skills to quickly become productive in the industry. Within
the agreement “Microelectronic Circuits and Systems” inter-university
chair will be created at Artsakh State University, providing bachelor’s
and master’s degrees in “Micro-Electronic Circuitry and Systems of the
Communication Means” specialization. The chair will be equipped with
state-of-the-art hardware and software infrastructure and provided
with curricula and instructional materials that meet international
standards, as well as qualified teachers, trained at Synopsys Armenia
Educational Department.

In the frames of agreement Karabakh Telecom CJSC allocated AMD 28
million drams to repair the auditorium, specified by Artsakh State
University, in accordance with state-of-the-art education standards
and requirements, to equip it with modern computers, and to cover the
faculty salaries and other additional payments. Synopsys Armenia CJSC
will provide Artsakh State University with 60 licenses of Synopsys
software tools required for preparing qualified specialists, as
well as comprehensive educational materials, including complete
methodological materials for all courses, lecture presentations,
labs, practical materials and course projects, homework and exams. In
addition, the faculty will be trained at least once every six months.

According to the criteria agreed on by the parties, Artsakh State
University will establish the inter-university chair, will hold regular
educational activities and conduct selection of the undergraduates
in the given specialization from the pool of bachelors students,
who have completed the second year of theirs studies. The best
undergraduate students will have an opportunity to continue their
education pursuing master’s degree.

“Since its inception, Karabakh Telecom has been supporting all
the initiatives aimed at providing the youth of Artsakh with new
avenues for opportunities and achievements. Karabakh Telecom firmly
believes that the ICT sector is a key for the economic development
of Artsakh, which we have to support by all means. The establishment
of “Microelectronic Circuits and Systems” chair at Artsakh State
University is an opportunity to give momentum to developing ICT sector
in Artsakh and is very important for strengthening its positive
image internationally, at the same time attracting talented youth
to ICT sector in the country. The ICT sphere has a real chance to
become an engine for the development and cultivation of supportive
environment for the long-term sustainable development in Artsakh,”
said Karabakh Telecom CJSC General Manager Ralph Yirikian.

“As a world leading company, Synopsys cooperates with more than 1300
universities. There are four partner universities in Armenia – SEUA,
YSU, RAU and European Regional Academy. The cooperation with Artsakh
State University, a unique initiative aimed at preparing qualified
specialists in the field of microelectronics, will have an exceptional
significance in creating an innovative environment in the republic,”
said Synopsys Armenia Director Hovik Musayelyan.

“Synopsys Armenia Educational Department will do its best to assist
the training of qualified graduates in the field of “Micro-Electronic
Circuitry and Systems of the Communication Means” aiming to develop
microelectronics sphere in Nagorno-Karabakh Republic,” said Synopsys
Armenia Educational Department Director, Professor Vazgen Melikyan.

“As you know, Synopsys Armenia invests locally in IT education and
is engaged in a number of successful cooperation programs with major
universities in Armenia and Russia,” said Artsakh State University
Rector, Professor Stepan Dadayan. “We are very happy that Artsakh State
University has joined that list due to the generous assistance from
Karabakh Telecom CJSC, as well as, the donation of Synopsys Electronic
Design Automation software tools and educational support from Synopsys
Armenia. By signing the cooperation agreement today, we are taking the
first steps in a huge process that will make a substantial difference
in socio-economic development of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.”

Source: Panorama.am

ARONIAN HAPPY TO RECOVER AFTER LOSS AGAINST GELFAND

YEREVAN, March 28. /ARKA/. Defeating Vasyl Ivanchuk of Ukraine,
Armenian chess grandmaster Levon Aronian told reporters he was happy
to kind of recover after a loss against Boris Gelfand.

Ivanchuk’s opening play, however, is still as unpredictable as ever,
Aronian said.

“He’s known to play any kind of opening so I just decided not to
prepare much, keep my head fresh,” he clarified at a news conference.

The official website of Candidates Tournament London 2013 reports the
Armenian felt he played “a bit imprecise” in the early middlegame,
but after he found a double pawn sacrifice (going from one up to one
down), the tables turned.

“After 26.g4 I have very good compensation. I was actually quite happy
with my position,” said Aronian and added, “By then Ivanchuk was yet
again in horrible time trouble: after his 27th move he had two and a
half minutes left, and then his moves just didn’t get through anymore.”

“Let’s see, let’s see. Still many round to go!” the Armenian chess
player added.

After ten rounds Carlsen is leading with 7 points. He’s followed by
Aronian (6.5) and then Kramnik (6). Then there’s a gap with: Gelfand,
Grischuk and Svidler who have 4.5 points. Ivanchuk and Radjabov are in
last place with 3.5 points. On Thursday, March 28th at 14:00 GMT with
the tenth round: Grischuk-Carlsen, Kramnik-Radjabov, Svidler-Aronian
and Ivanchuk-Gelfand.

The tournament will be over on April 1.

The tournament winner will play with world champion Vishy Anan.

Levon Aronian was World Chess champion in 2005. He is a winner of
three Olympiads (2006, 2008, 2012), super tournaments in Linares,
Wijk aan Zee. He was a member of the gold-medal winning Armenian team
at the World Team Chess Championship in 2011. -0-

EU SUPPORTS RAISING HUMAN RIGHTS AWARENESS IN ARMENIA

NEWS.AM
March 28, 2013 | 11:34

YEREVAN. – A new initiative aimed at boosting justice and human rights
standards in Armenia was launched with EU support by the Armenian
non-governmental organization “Protection of Rights without Borders”
(PRWB) in January 2013.

The main goal of the EU funded project “Empowering Armenian Justice
System through studying EU Law” is to increase knowledge and
disseminate information about European Union Law and the European
Court of Justice (ECJ) through public awareness raising activities.

In the words of the Project Director Siranush Sahakyan, “Europe,
European values and European guidelines of human rights are discussed
every day, they are praised and criticized, but sometimes even
professionals find it complicated to duly comprehend and apply them,”
noted Sahakyan, “Awareness of European human rights standards will
help Armenian people to better protect their rights.”

In the scope of the project, a number of debate sessions with
professionals involved in EU-Armenia integration will be held. The
project will set up workshops on the EU, EU law and the European Court
of Justice-its case-law-for judges, prosecutors, attorneys, lawyers
and lecturers. Short and long-term courses on European Union Law will
be designed in collaboration with the Higher Education institutions.

Moreover, a Moot court competition for students will also be
organized and the winning team will be able to join an informative
study-visit to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg called
“Trip to Justice.” Overall, the project will contribute to efficient
legal approximation of Armenian legislation and incorporation of EU
human rights standards into Armenian legal system.

The duration of the project is twelve months and the total EU funding
amounts to 149,491 euros.

WORLD BANK SUPPORTS DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL IN ARMENIA

12:32 28.03.2013

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors today approved a US$35
million credit for the Disease Prevention and Control Project in
Armenia. The project will support the Government of Armenia in
improving maternal and child health services, and the prevention,
early detection, and management of selected non-communicable diseases
at the primary health care level,as well as the efficiency and quality
of selected hospitals in Armenia.

Despite structural and organizational reforms, the health care system
is still struggling to catch up with the epidemiological changes in
morbidity and mortality patterns. The greatest burden of disease in
Armenia, as in most European countries, comes from non-communicable
diseases, a group of conditions that includes cardiovascular disease,
cancer, mental health problems, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease,
and musculoskeletal conditions. Based on the statistical data,
around 50 percent of all deaths are due to cardiovascular diseases
and 74 percent are due to combined cases (cardiovascular, neoplasms,
and diabetes mellitus). Non-communicable disease challenges require
action at different levels: prevention, behavioral change, early
detection, and adoption of cost-effective treatments.

The project’s main beneficiaries would be the Armenian population
who would benefit from improved maternal and child health services;
prevention, screening and management of selected non-communicable
disease risk factors and conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension,
and cervical cancer; as well as improved hospital services. Health care
providers would also benefit from the performance-based incentives. The
project would promote positive health outcomes for both women and
men, as well as for infants, children, working age adults, and senior
citizens.

The use of a performance-based financing approach will support the
delivery of primary health care services related to non-communicable
diseases and contribute to reducing informal payments by increasing
performance bonuses to health workers, meanwhile, increasing their
accountability for results. Thus,service delivery will be more
accessible both in financial and geographical terms.

“Bolstering the supply of quality health care services has been a
cornerstone of Armenia’s health reforms in the past decade. On the
other hand, the economic crisis forced half of the poorest households
to decrease spending on healthcare,” says Jean-Michel Happi,World
Bank Country Manager for Armenia. “This project will support better
targeting of the services to the poor by linking primary health care
services to performance bonuses of health workers. We believe that
this will help to achieve better health results in the country.”

The major expected results under this project are:

Over the last six years the Government has been implementing regional
(marz) hospital modernization program with World Bank’s financial
assistance. To successfully complete the plan, this project would
finance the upgrading and refurbishing of remaining marz hospital
network in Lori, which will serve over 281,000 people of the region.

It would finance civil works, provision of medical and waste
management equipment, training activities aimed at improving the
management system of Vanadzor Medical Center, as well as increasing
professional skills and competencies of medical staff. In addition,
provision of angiographs for the newly opened Gyumri hospital and
the Nork-Marash specialized cardiology and cardiac surgery center
for adults and children in Yerevan is proposed.

“The project will address the rising incidence of non-communicable
diseases by increasing services volume at the primary health care
level,” says Susanna Hayrapetyan, World Bank Senior Health Specialist
and Task Team Leader of the project. “This will positively impact the
poor population as screening tests will become more affordable. The
project will actively promote the mass screening and will allow
cutting the time and cost of travel to health care facilities.”

The project would finance substantial design work for the
reconstruction of the Center of Hematology in Yerevan and for the
creation of a Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit at the Center.

Renovation/reconstruction, provision of equipment, medical furniture
and supplies, as well as clinical and management training would also
be supported. Treatment standards in accordance with international
standards for treatment of blood diseases will be sustained.

The project would also support the establishment of a new Armenia
Oncology Center to allow provision of integrated oncology services
for the population which the country is currently lacking.Radiation
treatment is inadequate, as the equipment is obsolete. Theproject would
support the Government’s plans to construct a new single building
that would house all related servicesby allocating funds for the
construction of a radiation therapy facility,provision of diagnostic
and treatment equipment, as well as development of clinical protocols
and treatment standards.The Government is exploring the possibility
of creating the new oncology center using public-private partnership.

Total financing of the project is US$45 million, of which the
Government of Armenia will provide US$8.2 million. The Health Results
Innovation Trust Fund (HRITF)will contribute grant funding in the
amount of US$1.8 million. The World Bank credit of US$35 million will
be provided on standard blend IDA terms at a fixed interest rate
of 1.25 percent per annum with a maturity of 25 years and a 5 year
grace period.