Author: nina hovnanian

STUDENTS VISIT RAFFI HOVANNISIAN, PRESENT NAREKATSI’S BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS

TERT.AM
11:20 ~U 20.03.13

A group of first-course students of Yerevan State University visited
today Raffi Hovannisian hunger striking in the Yerevan Liberty Square
for already the 10th day.

They presented to the Heritage party leader Grigor Narekatsi’s Book
of Lamentations.

Hovannisian thanked the students and advised them to learn well enough
to write Armenia’s history in future and write it right.

AS ARMENIAN PRESIDENT’S BROTHER BEATEN UP IN MOSCOW?

ARMINFO
Tuesday, March 19, 14:57

Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan’s brother Sashik Sargsyan is
receiving treatment in a Moscow hospital, a Yerevan-based Chorrord
Inqnishkhanutyun newspaper writes.

The paper writes that the president’s brother proved in the focus of
attention of Moscow “tough guys” due to his behavior.

“At first, relevant circles received Sashik Sargsyan with respect, but
at the end of the meeting he behaved so badly that he was beaten up,”
the authors of the item say. By data of the paper, Sashik Sargsyan
was hospitalized in a very grave state.

AZERBAIJAN REACTS EXTREMELY PAINFULLY AT SETTING UP OF FRIENDSHIP GROUP WITH NKR IN LITHUANIAN PARLIAMENT

ARMINFO
Tuesday, March 19, 11:43

Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov met Lithuanian
Ambassador to Azerbaijan Arturas Zhurauskas on 18 March, as APA
reported.

Kh. Khalafov said that Azerbaijan is concerned of the initiative to
create the Lithuanian Parliament Friendship Group with Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic. Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan informed the ambassador
that the creation of such a group on Nagorno-Karabakh, is a fact
of a gross violation of Azerbaijani and international law. Khalafov
noted with regret that this initiative put forward by some MPs, does
not respond to the state of relations between the two countries,
and casts a shadow on the existing relationship. According to the
Deputy Minister, Azerbaijan sees this initiative as a “violation
of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, as
well as support for separatism and disrespect for international
law principles”.

According to the Ambassador of Lithuania Arturas Zhurauskas, he
understands the concerns of official Baku and will forward Azerbaijan’s
position to their government. The ambassador also said that according
to the laws of his country, each Seim member has the right to put
forward initiatives. Initiative of several deputies does not reflect
the position of the Seim and the government of Lithuania.

Khalafov noted that this answer does not satisfy Azerbaijan, that MPs
represent Lithuanian legislature and are persons with special status,
and also brought to the attention of the Ambassador the fact that
these deputies took the initiative of establishing relations with the
representatives of Nagorno- Karabakh Republic at no personal ties,
but at parliametary level.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs handed a note of protest to
Lithuanian diplomat and expressed the hope that this case will be
investigated and the Lithuanian side will take measures to prevent
such situations.

I’M THE CHIEF OLIGARCH
Naira Hayrumyan

11:49 19/03/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

During yesterday’s press conference Serzh Sargsyan stated that there
are no oligarchs in the Armenian parliament. There are only latent
businessmen who have businesses but everything is all right with all
their documents. Serzh Sargsyan spoke only about the parliament. But
are there oligarchs in the country and where are they hiding? In the
end, by definition, oligarchs can be only in state bodies.

In a normal state of law the epithet “oligarch” is a testament to a
crime against the state. Oligarchs are people who use their public
office and leverages to develop their own business and prosperity.

They use their position to get contracts with the government for the
disposal of national benefits in their own interests. The misuse of
public levers is a state crime.

Let’s say there are no oligarchs in the parliament. But Serzh Sargsyan
does not deny their existence in the country. This means they are
either in the government or in the judiciary. Can Serzh Sargsyan point
out an oligarch who was punished for misuse of power? The oligarchs’
“crime” is not that they have businesses or money but that they
obtained everything at our expense.

After all, the wealthiest people in the world are in the IT business.

Each of them has invented something that is used and sold all over the
world. They earned with their mind and creativity. How do Armenian
oligarchs earn? How did 20 Armenian members of parliament become
millionaires? What did they invent for Armenia at least?

Isn’t Vardan Aivazyan an oligarch who got rich by selling state
licenses for production of national mineral resources? Isn’t Gagik
Tsarukyan an oligarch who owns the largest companies with the help of
his governmental levers? Isn’t Samvel Alexanyan an oligarch who got the
monopoly of import of some food products? Isn’t Gagik Khachatryan an
oligarch who heads the State Revenue Committee and holds the monopoly
of import of certain goods?

We could continue listing but for who? Serzh Sargsyan and everyone
else know there are oligarchs in parliament. The point is that the
society and the international community expected that Serzh Sargsyan
would mind his oligarchs understanding that they drag him to the
bottom. Everyone expected he would sacrifice at least one of them
for the sake of liberalization.

Instead, Serzh Sargsyan states there are no oligarchs and he is not
going to sacrifice anyone. This means that he agrees to become the
victim both for the society and the international community. This means
he accepts he is the chief oligarch. Do with me whatever you want.

AZERBAIJANI JOURNALISTS WERE OFFENDED BY FINDING GAY BAR CALLED “TURK OGUZ” IN BAKU

12:58 19/03/2013 ” SOCIETY

There are several closed type entertainment places in Baku, where
representatives of not traditional sexual orientation gather at
nights. News “Vesti.az” prepared reportage about one of the bars,
where young people have recently had a knife-fight.

The author of the story was especially outraged by the fact that the
owner of the place, “who apparently suffered a severe disease of
brain”, had named the bar “Turk Oguz” (Turks- Oghuz were medieval
Turkic tribes, whom the Azerbaijani consider to be their ancestors
– Ed.).

“You must agree that a businessman who zealously cares of the “rest”
of sexual minorities, could give this place an appropriate name,
for example,” Blue Oyster”,” We’re in a trance from a trance,”
“Gay is man’s best friend “, etc.”, the author writes.

“It is outrageous that our nation gets insulted in the very heart
of the capital, almost publically. And we, who love to speak about
the love towards our Fatherland and nation with foam on our mouths,
we keep silent, like with a mouth full of water. It is impossible
to think that the police, the executive bodies or the others did not
know of the existence of that institution. Unfortunately, the moral
degradation of our society is evident. Degradation grows and we should
fight with it,” the article of the Azerbaijani news agency says.

According to the author, calling a gay bar “Turk”, “Oguz” or
“Azerbaijani” is offensive. “There are gay bars all over the world,
but is there a gay bar called “Armenian”, ” Georgian”,” Russian “,
” Greek”, “Polish” and even “French”? No, and cannot be. Because even
in liberal Europe, where we are advised to respect the rights of gay,
insulting the nation is a taboo. Maybe besides defending the rights of
gays we should learn from the Europeans what is self-esteem too?” the
author writes with outrage.

Then the reportage says that the gays gather at the bar after ten at
night, both in men’s and women’s clothing, in mini-skirts and wigs.

“Last year in August betrothal of homosexuals was held here. One was in
a red evening dress and the other in white. They arrived in decorated
cars, with all traditions, how ridiculous it would not sound. Our
employee took it on video, and in the morning showed us pictures,”
girls working in the nearest shop told the author.

A transvestite named Eliza told the reporter that exclusively gays
attend this bar. Here at nights the gays celebrate their birthdays,
engagements and weddings. The bar is open until morning. According
to sources, the age of the attendees ranges from 18 to 28.

Source: Panorama.am

LE TRAFIC DE FRET EN ARMENIE EN HAUSSE DE 4,3 %

Le trafic de fret en Armenie entre janvier et novembre 2012 s’est
eleve a 9 168 500 tonnes en hausse de 4,3 % compare a 2011 selon le
Service National de la Statistique d’Armenie.

Selon le rapport statistique, les vehicules automobiles ont porte 4
437 100 tonnes ou 48,4 % des cargaisons transportees sur la periode
mentionnee, les trains ont porte 3 153 900 tonnes ou 34,4 % et les
avions 10 800 tonnes ou 0,1 %.

Environ 1 566 700 tonnes (17,1 %) ont ete transmises par des gazoducs.

mardi 19 mars 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

ZAREH EKMEKJIAN SELECTED AS EXEMPLARY HOMENETMEN MEMBER

Monday, March 18th, 2013

Zareh Ekmekjian

GLENDALE-Many people who know Zareh Ekmekjian recognize him through
his involvement and dedication among two of his greatest passions:
Homenetmen and cycling.

Born on September 15, 1941 Zareh Ekmekjian was the youngest of two
sons, his parents were Mardiros and Araxi Ekmekjian. He was born and
raised in Damascus, Syria. Following in his brother Yervants footsteps,
at the age of 5 he became a kayleeg in the Damascus’ Homenetmen Agoomp,
also known today as “Nadi Souri Reeahdi” or “Syrian Sports Club.”

Growing up in the Homenetmen in Damascus as a young Cub Scout,
he learned he had a passion for playing sports. He played soccer,
basketball, he swam, weight-lifted, cycled and ran track and field.

But for some reason his interest in cycling grew further. By the age
of 14, he began to train, not knowing where his cycling career was
about to take him.

He began training part time with fellow Homenetmenagans, the late
Garbis Derhagopian and his childhood friend Assad Kassis. Then, and
on his own, Zareh began a two-year training regime of 400 kilometers
a week. He training routes included from Damascus to Aleppo, Beirut
and Jerusalem.

In 1956, Zareh won his first cycling championship for Damascus. In 1957
and 1958 he won both cycling championships for Damascus and Syria. In
1959 he cycled and ranked first of all the Arab Countries in the
“Tour of Egypt”. He also cycled in the “Tour of the Mediterranean”
in Beirut Arz, representing Syria, an honor he was so humbled b

By this time Zareh was a Boy Scout and went through the motions of
Pokh Arachnort, Arachnort, Varich Arachnort, by the age of 17 he was
promoted to Akela, a very proud moment for him and his famil Within
the same year, he was also appointed to their Scout Council and became
the liaison between Homenetmen and the Boy Scouts of Syria.

A few years prior to his promotion to Akela, as a scout, Zareh
participates in the 1st Arabian International Jamboree in Damascus in
1956. In 1960 Zareh was 1 of 8 scouts chosen to participate in Greece’s
Scouting Jamboree to celebrate their 50th Anniversary. And in 1961
he was one of thirty selected in the entire country to participate
in Austria’s World Scout Jamboree; he attended representing the
Boy Scouts of Syria. His participation to the jamboree delayed his
military obligations. His military entry was deferred by one year,
at the request of the Boy Scouts of Syria.

Thereafter, Zareh served 2 years in the Syrian military. In 1962, he
spent a year in Derzor , then was deployed back to spend his second
year of military in Damascus, and was able to continue his obligations
as Akela and continued his cycling training.

In addition to his involvement in Homenetmen, he was very active
in Hamaskayn, as well as “Yerdasartats” or, as we know today, the
Armenian Youth Federation.

In 1963, Zareh had completed his military services and his experience
while traveling created an unsettling itch to see the rest of the
world. So he and his childhood friend, Assad Kassis decided to go on a
new adventure, they would plan a cycling tour of the world. As of May
1964, at the age of 22, together they cycled through Lebanon, Turkey,
Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Austria, Czechoslovakia, West and East Germany,
Poland, The Soviet Union, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Holland,
Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, and by 1966 they reached England.

Throughout their journey they were followed by the BBC and many other
media outlets. But their adventure did not end there. They continued
by boarding a ship to head to the “new world” Montreal, Canada. By
May 1966 Zareh arrived and found his home away from home by joining
Homenetmen in Montreal, Canada, where four years later he became a
Varchagan while continuing his involvement in Hamaskayin and AYF.

By 1970, Zareh married and moved to Seattle, Washington, where his
first daughter Aline Ekmekjian was born. As his family grew, his
desire to plant his roots somewhere he would eventually call home
took precedence. Moving away to Oakland, California, to settle and
begin their new lives near family and friends in 1971, was an aim he
fulfilled for his young family. His love for cycling did not diminish,
even though those days were behind him, he still trained and stayed
active, but providing for his family was of more importance. That’s
when he began to work and go to school to learn the craft of jewelry
and watch repair. Zareh’s hard work led him to open his own jewelry
business in Berkeley, California.

Zareh’s involvement in Homenetmen was a priority that led him to become
the first Khmpabed of San Francisco Chapter in 1971. Throughout the
years he became a executive board member in San Francisco and continued
working in the chapter as Scout Council all while watching his daughter
follow in his footsteps. Zareh was elected to the first Shrchanayn
Varchytyoon of Homenetmen Western US Regional Executive member and
was appointed the first Regional General Troup Leader. The region at
the time consisted of 4 chapters, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Fresno
and Montebello. He brought them together to plan and carry out the
first “Entanoor Panagoom” in 1977. It didn’t stop him there. Zareh
assisted in planning and preparing for the first Navasartian Games
in Los Angeles, California, a proud beginning for the region.

In 1994, Zareh as the scout Khoroort Adenabed helped organize San
Francisco scouts to attend Homenetmens World Jamboree, and for the
first time in “Free Armenia.” This was a lifelong dream, but what
made it very special was, both his daughters were participants in
the Jamboree with him. Indeed, a proud moment for a father who had
given so much to Homenetmen and his communit

In 2000, and with Zareh’s help, Walnut Creek’s “Gars” Chapter was
founded. Zareh, was elected as the chapter’s first Adenabed.

>>From generation to generation Zareh has been a prime example of
Homenetmen’s Motto, “Partsratsir Partsratsur,” “Elevate Yourself and
Others.” This type of dedication holds true today and can clearly
be seen amongst his children, Aline, Anie Lydia, born in 1979 and
Mardiros Sahag, born in 1990, and now his grandchildren.

At a young age Zareh was taught the only way to stay true to your
culture and your values are to stay connected and involved in your
community, and that he did. Homenetmen has been his community for
the last 70 years. Homenetmen allowed him to live his dream, travel
the world and meet other Homenetmenagans who have the same love and
commitment. Today he is indebted to the organization that kept him
Armenian. “Partstsratsir, Partsrtsoor!”

ANCA IS ON THE MOVE IN IDAHO

Http://Asbarez.Com/108850/Anca-Is-On-The-Move-In-Idaho/
Monday, March 18th, 2013

Armenian Community Of Boise, Idaho Gatheres For ANCA Town Hal Meeting

BY WILLIAM BAIRAMIAN

BOISE, Idaho-Johnny Kazian Is 80-Years Old. He Is A Korean War
Veteran, A Former Hollywood Stuntman, And An Oil Field Engineer. He Is
Also A Leading Force For The Armenian Cause In Boise, Idaho.

On Saturday, March 2, The Armenian National Committee Of America
-Western Region (ANCA-WR) Traveled To Boise For A Town Hall
Spearheaded By Johnny Kazian. The Gathering With A Small But Lively
Idaho Armenian Community Was Reminiscent Of The Town Hall Meetings
Once Held In Small Towns Across The United States. The ANCA Town Hall
meeting was held in the basement hall of the quaint Saints Constantine
and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, where a dozen Armenian-Americans –
originally from Boise, Baku, Philadelphia, Istanbul, and Yerevan –
gathered to learn about the ANCA’s work and discuss ways of becoming
involved in the political process.

Sitting in an all-American diner earlier that morning, a hearty
Mountain West breakfast of steak, eggs, bacon, and hash browns before
him, Mr. Kazian shared his family’s story with me. His father was the
only survivor of the Armenian Genocide – he was from Sebastia. “He was
a great man, one of a kind,” said Mr. Kazian, fondly remembering his
father.

I had met Mr. Kazian in Washington, DC, years ago when he bravely
walked through the halls of Congress to advocate, with the ANCA, for
the Armenian American issues so dear to him. Years later, in Boise, I
realized that the resolve in his eyes when he spoke with me was one of
the reasons why I work for the ANCA and why I was in Idaho – because
people like him believe that Armenians deserve justice and that they
will fight for it with passion and undying devotion.

Later that day, as we sat in that church hall, the small Boise
Armenian community trickled in. Among them was Flora, a survivor of
the Baku pogroms perpetrated by Azerbaijani mobs, encouraged by the
government, against the city’s Armenian population. She had escaped to
Yerevan and then moved to Boise to start a new life. She had brought
cake and others had brought delicacies to share with their
compatriots.

The vibrant discussion that followed the introductory remarks about
the ANCA’s efforts evidenced the Boise Armenian community’s interest
and readiness to play its part in the Armenian Cause.

One of the attendees asked, “What makes you think we’re going to win
considering the odds we’re up against?” Looking around, the answer was
clear: we had already won. Sons, daughters, and grandchildren of the
Armenian Genocide, Stalinist purges, and Azerbaijani pogroms sat
around the table, as Armenians, and talked about how they can
contribute to the goals of their people – there could be no greater
victory.

After the church hall emptied out and everyone did their part in
cleaning up to leave the room tidy, a small group remained outside.

Kazian sat in his car and, before driving off, said, in a resounding
tone, “This isn’t our last meeting. I’ll see you again soon!” I
believe him, which is the only thing I could do. After all, this man
had spent his whole life believing.

The next ANCA Town Hall meeting will take place in Fresno, California
on March 16 and, following that, in Phoenix, Arizona on April 7. A
previous ANCA Town Hall was held in Las Vegas, Nevada earlier this
month.The ANCA Town Hall meetings are being held across the nation
consistent with the ANCA’s belief in grassroots organizing and
activism.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the
largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy
organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination
with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the
Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country,
the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community
on a broad range of issues.

TURKEY JOINS WORLD’S TOP FIVE WEAPONS IMPORTERS

Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
March 18 2013

Turkey has become the fourth-largest comventional weapons importer of
the world, a Swedish think tank revealed, despite ongoing attempts by
the country to shift the balance in favor of arms exports by
supporting research and development projects.

Turkey’s weapon imports rose to $1.2 billion last year, up from $900
million the previous year, putting it in fourth place after India,
China and the United States, respectively, according to data recording
major arms transactions worldwide collected by the Stockholm
International Peace Research Institute. The report on “Trends in the
Arms Industry” showed that Turkey jumped to fourth place from its
ranking of 13th place a year earlier. The U.S. and China also made
similar bounds to the head of the table, up to third and second place,
respectively. The previous year had seen the U.S. rank number 12,
while China came in at number 11. The report reveals the biggest arms
supplier to Turkey remains the U.S., which has sold $772 million worth
of weapons, while Spain and France appear as new arms trade partners
of the country.

France has sold $10 million worth of industrial defense products,
while Spain has sold $111 million worth. According to the database,
the purchase of French weapons marks a first since 2003 for the
Turkish defense industry, despite France having been a close trading
partner up until that time.

The report came on the announcement of French Defense Minister
Jean-Yves Le Drian ‘s visit to Turkey on March 28 and 29, as a guest
of Turkish Defense Minister İsmet Yılmaz to discuss cooperation
oppportunities between two countries in the defense field, while the
defense industry tenders will be at the top.

French companies had found themselves in a disadvantageous position in
Turkish defense industry tenders due to political disputes between two
countries stemming from French parliamentary bills recognizing
Armenian genocide claims from 1915.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s exports, the figure that representatives of the
country have been watching most keenly, remained largely the same in
the overall ranking, moving up only one place to become the 24th
largest exporter globally, up from 25th in 2011.

Turkey has recently accelerated attempts to boost its arms exports,
especially to Middle Eastern countries, by developing locally produced
systems and allocating high amounts of investments to research and
development studies.

March/18/2013

ARTISTS EXCITED TO PAINT IN QATAR

Gulf Times, Qatar
March 17, 2013 Sunday

By Salman Siddiqui/Staff Reporter If there is one artist who is really
excited to be in Qatar, it is Alik Assatrian. He has been smiling ever
since he landed in Doha. In fact, so infectious is his smile that
everyone around him, especially his Russian colleague who has joined
him to participate in the Al Asmakh International Art Symposium, can’t
help but return his smile.

“I feel like I’m in a fairytale right now. It’s always been my dream
to visit this part of the world. I feel so good that sometimes I
forget that I have come here to paint as well,” he told Gulf Times in
an interview.

Assatrian is one of the 23 artists from around the world who are
participating in the Al Asmakh International Art Symposium 2013 in
Doha. The workshop will culminate with an art exhibition at the
Wyndham Grand Regency Doha Hotel on March 20.

Born in 1960 in a small village in Armenia, Assatrian has been living
in the Netherlands for the past 20 years. He described his artwork as
somewhere between abstract and figurative.

Speaking about his current work, he said: “At the moment, I have a
theme in my paintings which is about children affected by the war or
‘war children.’ It’s about the emotions of the people and their lost
feelings. What we really are original as people, I’m trying to bring
that out in my artwork.” One of the recurrent themes in Assatrian’s
artwork is the story of a young boy whose head is tilted upside down
that continuously stares at the sky. He says on his website
() that he used to enjoy looking at the sky as a
child. “I did not know what I was looking for and was astonished at
the existence of heaven. Sometimes I stared so long at the sky I used
to get neck pain. Years later, this boy has become the main character
in my art. I have his head at 180 degrees, so that he could continue
staring at the sky without straining his neck.” When asked what does
he plan to paint in Qatar, he said laughingly “Maybe, I will paint a
camel here. But maybe, my camel would be different from anything the
world has ever seen,” he said with a wink in his eye.

“I’m sure the experience I gather here will inspire my art and
hopefully when I return home, I will take these inspirations and make
a series of artwork there as well,” he added.

The soft-spoken Russian artist Svetlana Rumak said she too was excited
to be in Qatar and was glad she found a friend in Alik to show her
around the country.

Rumak was born in Ukraine in 1969 and moved to Russia when she was five.

“I’ve been painting as a professional artist for the last 15 years.

This is my first visit to Qatar and I like it very much,” she said.

Speaking about her art, she said: “I began with figurative art, but
I’m not a realist. I like to mix different styles. I like
expressionism. I like to portray life in a different way.” On her
website (rumak.net,) Rumak describes her work as “a rich synthesis of
unique visual vocabulary with medieval Russian iconoclasm. The
canvases are inhabited by humans and animals rendered in an earthy
palette, set against very stylised but highly textured backgrounds.”

Speaking about her inspiration in art she said: “I was inspired by my
first love, who was a Russian artist, Felenov. He had his own
distinctive style and I’m trying to develop my own style too.” When
asked what is it that she is trying to share with the world through
her art, she said: “When I was a student, my teacher used to tell me,
everything has seven layers. I try to find deeper and deeper layers in
my art. My message is to show the people these layers.” Explaining
further, she said: “When I paint a cup, it’s not only the cup. When I
paint the flower, it’s not only the flower. When I paint the table
it’s not the table. I try to say to the people through my art that you
need to look deeper. Everything in the world has different sides.”