Author: nina hovnanian

“REGRET IS NOT A POLITICAL CATEGORY, A DECISION TO RETURN A1+ MUST BE MADE,” RUBEN HAKOBYAN SAYS

October 5, 2012 21:26

“Depriving A1+ of airtime was the biggest mistake,” yesterday
Samvel Farmanyan, a Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) MP, made this
assessment during his speech in the National Assembly. Another RPA MP,
Margarit Yesayan, expressed hope that A1+ will get a license and will
return to broadcasting during this government’s term in office. Today
asked Ruben Hayrapetyan, the leader of the Heritage Party
parliamentary group, in this regard whether we could assume from the
stern assessments of the 2 RPA MPs that this government regretted about
that serious sin of the former government and wanted to expiate the
sins of the former government now, before the presidential election. In
Ruben Hakobyan’s words, “Regret is not a political category. One can
express regret with a toast; one can express regret with a speech. When
a decision to return A1+ to broadcasting is made, I will understand
that and will make my assessment. A decision must be made.”

Mr. Hakobyan informed that he was going to meet with the
representatives of A1+ in the short-run and to find out at what stage
this issue was, because he, along with a few MPs, intended to bring
that issue to the National Assembly agenda, “Every one of us has an
obligation to A1+, because at the time when the political stage was
completely closed, they could shoot at an opposition party in broad
daylight and avoid punishment, the only place, that small window where
one could come and say to the people what was going on in the country,
the only bold and normal place was A1+. And we are under obligation.

It is not that it happened to us. The people were able to understand
through it what was going on. Unfortunately, we, both the government
and the opposition, were not able to carry out our

obligation to A1+ with a joint program. I am very happy now that A1+
is broadcasting on ArmNews. I am happy insofar as it can appear and
say ‘here I am, folks.'”

In response to a question whether A1+ would be able to have as much
freedom as it had had before, Ruben Hakobyan said, “You know what,
times have changed. It is not completely its element. Perhaps,
there is an issue of communication here, but it has found a path
to communicate its message. Times have changed – in the past, they
would shoot people dead in broad daylight and the response had to be
adequate and very sharp. When I was a guest on A1+, I didn’t speak
like I speak today, because my friend’s murder for political reasons
was before my eyes.” In response to our question whether we had made
progress in that sense, he said, “Time makes progress, because it
is unimaginable that one will always be in the same condition. It is
natural. On September 26, 1996, they threw an MP on the floor in that
same meeting hall and were kicking him – say politicians like Paruyr
Hayrikyan or Vazgen Manukyan – they hit him as if in the boxing ring,
whereas today there is no such thing. Certainly, the parliament has
become a bit more civilized. We shouldn’t say that it has come to
its senses etc., but time has made certain corrections. Now they have
been to Europe, come back or I don’t know what has happened to them,
they have changed. The language and audience A1+ had or the guests
in the studio were absolutely different at the time. After I saw
my friend be murdered in broad daylight, naturally, my language and
attitude had to be different.”

Hripsime JEBEJYAN

ARMENIAN WINEMAKING’S AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH IS 20 PERCENT

news.am
October 08, 2012 | 14:01

YEREVAN. – The average annual growth of Armenia’s winemaking industry
is twenty percent, over the course of the past five years, Economy
Ministry’s Department of Industrial Policy Head Hayk Mirzoyan stated
during a press conference on Monday.

In his words, a winemaking strategy has been developed, according
to which Armenia’s wine production and export will be tripled by the
year 2020. To note, 5.6 billion liters of wine were produced in the
country last year and its 700 million liters were exported.

The aforesaid strategy will be examined at the Winemaking Council,
which includes all of Armenia’s twenty winemaking companies. Once
approved by the Council, this strategy will be submitted for the
approval by the Prime Minister-adjunct Industrial Council.

As per Hayk Mirzoyan, activities are underway toward expanding
grape production because there is a shortage of grapes due to rapid
development of winemaking.

RA NA PRESIDENT HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN SENDS A TELEGRAM OF CONDOLENCES ON WELL-KNOWN COMPOSER EDWARD MIRZOYAN’S DEATH

06.10.2012

I am deeply saddened by the death of the professor Edward Mirzoyan, one
of the pillars of our culture, well-known composer, People’s Artist
of the USSR and the Republic of Armenia, “Saint Mesrop Mashtots”
and Knight of “Honour” orders.

The Armenian people lost a talented artist, a man of creative
great vigour and energy, whose wonderful works are loved by the
representatives of different generations.

Edward Mirzoyan was unique with his assiduousness, intellectual’s
behaviour, devotion to his work and profession. The great artist’s
loss is invaluable not only for the family members and relatives,
but also for all those, who knew and appreciate him as a talented
composer, skilful pedagogue and wonderful man.

Edward Mirzoyan is not with us anymore, but the kind and bright
character of the great Master of melody and lasting musical highly
qualified heritage in the rich treasury of the world and Armenian
culture is with us.

I express my condolences to Edward Mirzoyan’s family members and
relatives and share their sorrow.

SDHP TO HOLD CONFERENCE TO MARK THE PARTY’S 125TH ANNIVERSARY

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 8, 2012 – 11:22 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – An academic conference of the Social Democrat
Hunchakian Party, which is scheduled for Oct 27 at the Fletcher
Jones Foundation Auditorium of Woodbury University in Burbank, CA,
will mark the 125th anniversary of the SDHP.

The conference is organized by the Armenian Educational Benevolent
Union (AEBU) and Nor Serount Cultural Association (NSCA); and
co-sponsored by the Richard Hovannisian Endowed Chair in Modern
Armenian History at UCLA, the Armenian Research Center at the
University of Michigan, Dearborn; Woodbury University and the National
Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR).

A host of renowned historians, academics and scholars will conduct a
day-long review of the political, intellectual and social history of
the Armenian people, as analyzed through the history of the Hunchakian
Party and many of its prominent members who shaped it.

THEN I WILL COME TO DRINK CHAMPAGNE
Siranuysh Papyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 10:52:49 – 08/10/2012

Interview with the former proprietor of Le Cafe de Paris, an Armenian
French businesswoman Valerie-Ashxen Gortsunyan

Ashxen, a lot of organizations, especially Diaspora organizations,
have expressed concern about stripping Vartan Oskanian of immunity.

What do you think about these developments?

As a political figure Vartan Oskanian certainly hindered them. But
their concerns are not related to corruption issues, so they make
those steps to create obstacles to Vartan Oskanian’s activities.

Vartan Oskanian may not have a good name in Armenia but outside it,
in the Diaspora he is a respected political figure. I heard French
ministers expressing a wish to see Vartan Oskanian as president of
Armenia. He is a charismatic person, which hinders our authorities.

And they have decided to choose this way to get rid of him.

The second president issued a statement on Vartan Oskanian’s issue.

Do you think he may return to politics?

If Vartan Oskanian remains, I would not like Kocharyan to interfere
in his affairs because I don’t know whether it is good or bad for
him. Kocharyan had better not intervene at all but he couldn’t because
Oskanian was his foreign minister. Anyway, Kocharyan’s activity
is worrying.

What are the threats?

This is my personal opinion. Robert Kocharyan is the president who is
related to March 1 and I can never forgive him. Both Robert Kocharyan
and Serzh Sargsyan decided together that it was necessary to shoot at
people and I can’t forgive them. Today, looking at what is happening
in Georgia, we are jealous. They are so much forward.

European TV channels report on the Georgian elections, noting
that Saakashvili admitted his defeat. And you are jealous because
he admitted his defeat and didn’t use violence. The interest of
foreign investors in Georgia has grown because they see that country
is democratic. I think the Armenians in Georgia live a good life
because ten years ago their country was much worse than Armenia,
while now it is much better.

I’m sure Vartan Oskanian was an alternative. He delivered good
speeches, expressing his opinion, explaining, and he was the person
who could be the new candidate for Armenia. He got higher education
in the U.S. and, unfortunately, his name is related to Kocharyan’s
name. We need to go forward, we need to forget all the bad things
but, I think, the three presidents should not stay, they should be
forgotten as well. But I don’t hope anything will change and the recent
events prove my opinion. If something changes and I’m not yet retired,
I will return to Armenia to drink a glass of champagne.

SECTEUR MEDICAL : DES FRAUDES DANS LA VENTE DE MEDICAMENTS
Laetitia

armenews.com
lundi 8 octobre 2012

Les hôpitaux et autres etablissements medicaux a travers l’Armenie ont
systematiquement augmente le prix de leurs medicaments subventionnes
par le gouvernement. Ces pratiques frauduleuses ont coûte a l’Etat
1,5 milliard de drams (3,7 millions de dollars) l’annee dernière,
a declare les regulateurs de l’Etat vendredi.

La Commission d’Etat pour la protection de la concurrence economique
(SCPEC) a suggere que le gouvernement a egalement perdu des quantites
similaires de fonds publics au cours des annees precedentes pour la
meme raison.

La SCPEC a enquete sur les operations financières de 134 hôpitaux et
polycliniques qui recoivent des fonds du gouvernement pour assurer
la gratuite des medicaments pour les patients socialement vulnerables.

Les lois et règlements du gouvernement armenien obligent a tenir
des offres transparentes pour acheter ces medicaments auprès de
fournisseurs prives a bas prix. ” A cause de cela, les medicaments et
autres fournitures medicales ont ete acquises auprès de fournisseurs
choisis arbitrairement et a des prix très eleves “, a declare Manuk
Mikaelian, un fonctionnaire de la SCPEC qui a dirige l’enquete.

” Nous pouvons conclure que ce n’etait pas des cas isoles d’abus, mais
toute une chaîne de violations systematiques “, a annonce Mikaelian
lors d’une reuniona Erevan. Il a declare que les resultats de l’enquete
seront soumis aux forces de l’ordre pour complement d’enquete.

Le service de contrôle du President Serge Sarkissian a fait des
allegations similaires. Sarkissian a affirme que les fonctionnaires
charges de ce secteur doivent etre tenus responsables.

VARTAN OSKANIAN IS NOT GOING TO BEAR WITNESS TO NATIONAL SECURITY SERVICE ABOUT MONEY LAUNDERING CASE

arminfo
Monday, October 8, 13:01

Ex-foreign minister of Armenia, a deputy from the Prosperous Armenia
Party, Vartan Oskanian, said at his Facebook page that he is not going
to bear witness to National Security Service about the case on money
laundering by the Civilitas Foundation set up by him.

He also added that in compliance with the summons sent to him, he
will go to the NSS on 8 October at 12:00 PM, but is not going to bear
witness there. “Today, not only people do not believe that Oskanyan was
dealing with money laundering and pocketing, but also the “authors”
of the case, its customers, investigators and those which satisfied
the prosecutor’s motion about striping me of immunity. All of them
know – all this is absurd”, – Oskanyan said.

To recall, on October 2 the National Assembly voted by 64 ballots
for, six against, and with one invalid vote in favor of Prosecutor
General’s petition to include Vartan Oskanian as a defendant in a
criminal lawsuit. On May 25 NSS Department of Investigation filed a
criminal lawsuit on charges of money laundering with respect to The
Civilitas Foundation.

The NSS Press Center had informed that an investigation is underway
in connection with selling the 100-percent shares of the Huntsman
Building Products Company for around $2 million, but not informing
Armenia’s tax authorities about this business deal; not using for
charitable purposes $1,135,000 of that amount envisioned for charity;
transferring this amount to the bank accounts opened under the names
of the Civilitas Foundation’s founder Vartan Oskanian, and of the
Foundation’s Board of Trustees member Tigran Karapetyan; and using
some of this amount for private purposes.

AZERBAIJAN LIKELY TO LOSE CONTROL – ARMENIAN MP

tert.am
08.10.12

With Azerbaijan’s conduct becoming non-adequate, it is very likely
that the country may lose control sometime in the future, a senior
Armenian parliamentarian has said.

The head of the National Assembly’s foreign affairs committee, Artak
Zakaryan, believes that the attempts to involve Turkey in the Syrian
crisis may become an encouraging factor for Azerbaijan.

“Turkey’s active operations may cause Azerbaijan to involve itself
in a process of implementing hard-line policies in the region. Any
involvement will contribute to an increased tension,” Zakaryan told
a news conference on Monday.

He stressed the importance of Armenia’s attention in the process,
warning against any steps that could pose hazards to regional security
or undermine the maintenance of control.

“The role of Russia, as well as the European Union and the United
States in relation to Azerbaijan’s non-constructive and unfavorable
steps is important in this matter,” he said.

Zakaryan, who is a member of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia,
called upon Armenia to increase its diplomatic efforts and avoid the
Turkish-Azerbaijani propaganda in the international arena.

On the other hand, he said, Turkey may again provoke tension,
contributing to undesired developments in the Middle East.

Meantime, Zakaryan was concerned to note that Turkey’s intervention in
Syria may increase the tension, contributing to undesired developments
in the Middle East. “The danger is that the geography of the current
developments may expand,” Zakaryan explained.

Another external challenge, according to him, is the developments
around the Iranian nuclear program. But Zakaryan said he is hopeful
that it will be possible to maintain peace in the region.

He further referred to the Georgian parliamentary election, considering
the opposition’s victory the only positive development that may lay
the foundations of democracy.

“It is very commendable to see democracy win in the neighboring
country, as it may be a cornerstone for maintaining stability,”
he said.

SYRIE : LE CONFLIT INQUIÈTE LE DERNIER VILLAGE ARMENIEN DE TURQUIE

Publie le : 09-10-2012

Info Collectif VAN – – > Le Collectif VAN vous livre la traduction
d’un article en anglais, paru sur le site Al Monitor le 2 octobre 2012.

Legende photo : Le village endormi de Vakifli est le dernier village
peuple d’Armeniens, qui a survecu en Turquie, perche au milieu
d’orangeraies, surplombant la côte est de la Mediterranee. (Photo
Nurettin Gulay)

Al Monitor

L’impact du conflit syrien sur le dernier village armenien de Turquie

De : Hasan Kanbolat poste le mardi 2 octobre 2012

Je suis dans le village de Vakifli, le dernier village armenien de
la province de Hatay, district de Samandag en Turquie, près de la
frontière syrienne.

Vakifli est situe sur les pentes du Mont Musa. Avec le temps,
le village est devenu un district de Samandag. Nous montons pour
atteindre le village de Vakifli, situe a quelques kilomètres du centre
ville [de Samandag]. Nous sommes entoures de roseaux, d’oliviers,
de mûriers et de grenadiers, alors que nous montons le Musa.

Le cafe Gabris, a l’ombre de pins gigantesques, sert des sirops
d’orange, de citron, de mandarine et de mûre. La brise fraîche venant
de la Mediterranee ajoute un certain plaisir a notre discussion.

Bogos Silahli, professeur de philosophie d’Istanbul a la retraite, est
occupe avec les preparatifs du Festival des Journees de la Philosophie,
qui fetera son quatrième anniversaire en 2013. Il a deja choisi le
sujet : >

J’ai demande a Silahli s’il envisageait d’organiser les Journees de
la Philosophie sur le Moyen-Orient ou la question syrienne. Il a dit
calmement qu’il ne veut pas etre implique dans la politique.

Malgre sa population en baisse, Vakifli prend de plus en plus
d’importance, car c’est le seul village armenien en Turquie. Il est
en cours de restauration, mais son architecture ancienne est preservee.

Sa population est tombee a 135 Armeniens.

Il y a 35 foyers a Vakifli. Dans les annees 1940, c’etait le plus
grand village de la region, pourtant sa population est tombee a 320 en
1964. La jeunesse a immigre dans les grandes villes ou a l’etranger,
pour travailler ou etudier. L’âge moyen dans le village est desormais
d’environ 60-70 ans. En raison de la diminution du nombre d’enfants,
l’ecole du village a ete fermee.

Vous croisez des personnes âgees dans les rues et les jardins de
Vakifli, tandis que les routes sont encombrees de voitures de luxe
avec des plaques d’immatriculations etrangères, appartenant aux
jeunes. Pendant les vacances, ceux qui vivent a l’etranger ou dans
de grandes villes reviennent dans leur village natal ; en ete la
population de Vakifli monte a 2 000 personnes.

La famille de Levon Ter-Petrossian, le premier president de l’Armenie,
est originaire de Vakifli. La famille a d’abord emigre du village en
Syrie, puis de la en Armenie.

Avec l’ouverture de l’aeroport Hatay voisin, les perspectives
croissantes d’Antakya de devenir une ville touristique, le
developpement des relations entre la Turquie et le Moyen-Orient et la
suppression des visas entre la Turquie et la Syrie, ainsi qu’avec le
Liban, Vakifli a commence a voir arriver de nombreux visiteurs. Par
consequent, quelques petits hôtels et bâtiments ont ete construits
dans le village.

Cependant, la guerre civile en Syrie et les relations qui empirent
entre la Turquie et la Syrie ont eu un impact nefaste sur le village.

Le flux touristique de l’etranger et de la Turquie a diminue.

Les villageois s’inquiètent des privations auxquelles sont confrontes
les Armeniens en Syrie et du debut de leur emigration en Armenie. Ils
hesitent a parler de la question syrienne. En general, ils sont d’avis
que ce sont les puissances imperialistes qui ont attise les crises en
Syrie. Ils pensent aussi que la chute [du President syrien Bashar]
Al-Assad est inevitable, et que toutefois la paix ne reviendra pas
en Syrie après sa chute.

L’eglise de Vakifli sert d’element unificateur. Le bâtiment a ete
construit pour la sericiculture en 1890. Il a ete converti en eglise
en 1924 et reconstruit en 1996. C’est un beau monument architectural
avec une maconnerie en pierre.

Ses deux clochers la distinguent d’autres eglises. Chaque annee,
Surp Asdvadzadzin (le Jour de l’Annonciation) est celebre le deuxième
dimanche d’août, qui est aussi le temps des recoltes.

Herise (un plat specialement prepare pour cette occasion) est
cuisine dans sept marmites dans le jardin de l’eglise. Ce chiffre
a une signification symbolique. Chaque marmite represente les sept
autres villages armeniens qui se trouvaient dans la region. Les noms
contemporains de ces villages sont : Yogunoluk, Bityas, Kebusiye,
Hidirbey, Hacihabipli, Azir et Vakifli.

Pendant les fetes chretiennes, Vakifli accueille des visiteurs
venant d’autres regions de Turquie, d’Armenie, de Syrie, du Liban,
des Etats-Unis et d’autres pays. Malgre les combats en Syrie, le
festival a ete celebre dans la paix a Vakifli cette annee.

(c)Traduction de l’anglais C.Gardon pour le Collectif VAN – 9 octobre
2012 – 07:30 –

Traduit en anglais par : Ceren Kenar : Looking at Syria from the only
Armenian Village in Turkey

Titre original en turc:

Hatay-Vakýflý Koyu’nden Suriye Gozlemleri

Auteur: Hasan Kanbolat Publie le 28 septembre 2012 Traduit en anglais
le 2 octobre 2012

Retour a la rubrique

Source/Lien : Al Monitor

LA PRODUCTION DE COTON VA REPRENDRE EN ARMENIE
Stephane

armenews.com
mardi 9 octobre 2012

La production de coton et le developpement de l’industrie du traitement
du coton devrait reprendre en Armenie. Les investisseurs montrent de
l’interet envers cette production.

L’usine de traitement du coton de ” Arakne ” a ete etablie en Armenie.

” En raison du coût de la matière première la branche n’est
pas developpee en Armenie et nous avons decide de creer une base
economique en organisant la production sur place ” a declare Ashot
Eranosyan president du Groupe de Finances Parvana et directeur de
l’entreprise Arakne.

Le projet est actuellement dans sa phase pilote. L’annee precedente 18
hectares ont ete semes de coton dans la province d’Armavir a Mrgashat.

Le rendement a ete de 2,3 tonnes par hectare.

Le maire du village Gevorg Danielyan a declare que c’etait un rendement
moyen : L’absence d’equipement necessaire a gene l’obtention d’un
bon resultat.

Une grande quantite de coton a ete produite dans les annees Sovietiques
en Armenie qui a ete utilise dans la production textile locale et
avait ete exportee vers les pays d’Asie Centrales. Le coton peut
etre employe dans la production de cellulose, les graines peuvent
etre employes dans l’huile vegetale, aussi bien que comme fourrage.