Author: nina hovnanian

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IS ‘WIDELY RECOGNIZED’ IN ISRAEL

News | August 30, 2012 10:07 am

Armenian Genocide Is ‘Widely Recognized’ in Israel YEREVAN (RFE/RL)
– The 1915 mass killings and deportations of Armenians in Ottoman
Turkey are widely recognized as a genocide in Israel, an Israeli
cabinet minister said after visiting the Armenian Genocide memorial
here on Friday, August 24.

Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs Minister Yuli-Yoel Edelstein
also drew parallels between the Jewish Holocaust and the World War
I-era slaughter of some 1.5 million Armenians, which many historians
consider the first genocide of the 20th century.

“True, there is no state law [in Israel rec- ognizing the Genocide,]”
Edelstein said. “But I think that in Israel, in view of … our common
history and some similar elements and moments, you will hardly find
people who will deny the Genocide, who will say, like we unfortunately
hear, that all this is fabrications and lies.”

“So I think that unfortunately – I stress, unfortunately – in this
area our peoples have quite a lot in common, quite a lot for mutual
understanding,” he said.

Citing the strategic character of Israel’s relationship with Turkey,
successive Israeli governments have resisted domestic calls

for Armenian Genocide recognition. An Israeli Foreign Ministry official
reaffirmed this stance during landmark hearings on the issue that
were organized by an Israeli parliament committee last December.

Support for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide appears to have
grown within the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, and the government
since 2010. Some observers link that to Israel’s worsened relations
with Turkey, which vehemently denies the Genocide.

VARDAN GHUKASYAN’S BODYGUARD DETAINED

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 14:35:09 – 29/08/2012

Harutyun Hambaryan, the bodyguard of Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan,
was detained yesterday. He is a suspect to a shooting incident,
Pastinfo reports.

In the evening of August 24, a shooting incident was reported in
Gyumri. A criminal case has been brought under Art. 258 Para 4 and
Art. 235 Para 1 on anti-social behavior, purchase and keeping of
illegal weapon.

KYURKCHYAN, KHATCHERIAN COLLABORATE ON ‘ORNAMENTAL ART’ PUBLICATIONS

Armenian Weekly
August 29, 2012 in Armenia,

YEREVAN-The independent Armenian publisher Craftology has announced
the American release of the twin titles Armenian Ornamental Art and
Armenian Ornamental Script-the result of a landmark collaboration
of artist-designer Armen Kyurkchyan and photographer Hrair Hawk
Khatcherian, who spent more than a decade excavating and capturing the
Armenian patterns, symbols, and scripts that have survived centuries
and civilizations to take their place in the world cultural treasury.

The cover of Armenian Ornamental Art For the first volume, Armenian
Ornamental Art, the collaborators journeyed across the eastern and
western homelands, crossing rivers and borders to visit every church,
cemetery, and monument where an Armenian craftsman might have taken
chisel to stone. They uncovered thousands of miniature masterpieces:
rosettes, birds, human figures, angels, crosses. Now, for the first
time, these masterpieces have been captured both as photographs
(taken by Khatcherian) and as meticulous drawings (rendered by
Kyurkchyan), which are presented side-by-side in print as they are
on a CD accompanying the glossy, full-color volume.

“Our intent was not merely to collect and present our national
treasures for admiration on coffee tables and in classrooms,”
Kyurkchyan said, “but also to offer our country’s native designs-true
masterworks of medieval art-to practicing designers, architects,
and artists who might incorporate them in their own creations, giving
them new life in the 21st century.”

The second volume, Armenian Ornamental Script, sent the collaborators
on a journey of another kind-an excursion to the libraries,
repositories, and archives of the world, where ornamented Armenian
manuscripts have been scattered through time. In their pages the
authors found the original 36 Armenian letters, but not in their
standard geometric forms. The Armenian masters have transformed
our letters from mere symbolic units into unique masterpieces of
ornamental art. Now we, too, can see them-letters that blossom into
flowers or take flight into birds or find higher life, with a sudden
burst of imagination, in human forms.

“The Armenian illuminated manuscripts are especially dear to me,”
Kyurkchyan said, “decorated as they were not only by skilled
professionals, but also by monks-sometimes even by their young
students. These illustrations are my favorite. They are so simple,
so charming, even naïve. It is almost heartbreaking to consider their
innocence and sincerity.”

Both volumes are now available on Amazon and at select bookstores
across the world.

RUSSIAN BLOGGER’S ACCOMPLICE CHARGED WITH SYRIAN ARMENIAN’S MURDER

news.am
August 29, 2012 | 15:54

Charges have been laid, in Yekaterinburg, Russia, against Russian
blogger Vasily Fyodorovich’s accomplice, the Russia’s Investigation
Committee website informed on Wednesday.

The person by the name of Roman, 29, who resides in Yekaterinburg,
is charged with committing three murders. One of them, according to
the examination premise, was committed in March 2012, when he and his
four followers had taken Armenian George Yakubian-who held Syrian and
American citizenships-to an abandoned location, where they robbed,
killed and burned the foreign national.

This gang’s crime was widely covered because well-known blogger Vasily
Fyodorovich was announced as a member of this gang in July 2012.

The Investigation Committee had announced on August 16 that Fyodorovich
was charged with Yakubian’s murder and for two other crimes.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, George Yakubian’s dead body
was found in an abandoned garage in Yekaterinburg. The handcuffed
man’s throat was slit, and his partly burned American passport had
fallen beside him. Also, the victim’s bank card was missing, and a
huge amount of money was later withdrawn with this card.

HEAD OF MALTA FOOTBALL FEDERATION CONSIDERS ARMENIA AS A DIFFICULT OPPONENT

ARMENPRESS
29 August, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, AUGSUT 29, ARMENPRESS: President of Malta football federation
Bjorn Vassallo considers Armenia as a difficult opponent. Armenpress
reports calling timesofmalta that Vassallo said the national team
was expecting a very difficult match against Armenia.

“We were drawn in a very tough group,” he contended.

Armenia, who were seeded just ahead of us in the draw, will be tough
opponents.

“In the last qualifying competition for Euro 2012, they finished
third, just behind Russia and Ireland, with 17 points. Both top teams
qualified for the Euros.

“That shows the task awaiting our players next month so we’re urging
the public to attend in numbers and continue giving their support to
our team”.

The match between Malta and Armenia will take place on September 7.

The response match will take place on June 7 of 2013.

SYRIAN-ARMENIAN FAMILY DENIED ENTRY TO ARMENIA AT AIRPORT

news.am
August 29, 2012 | 13:07

YEREVAN. – Armenia’s Police issued a clarification in connection with
Tuesday’s incident that occurred at capital city Yerevan’s Zvartnots
International Airport, where a Syrian-Armenian family of eight was
denied entry to Armenia.

“Pursuant to Armenia’s Law on Foreigners, the Government specifies
the list of countries whose citizens can apply solely to Armenia’s
diplomatic agencies abroad to be issued a visa, and solely based
on an invitation envisioned by the given law. The given countries’
list is specified by the Government’s decision, and Syria likewise
is included in this list.

[Yet] Pursuant to Armenia’s Law on Foreigners and by the Government’s
decision, the Armenian[-origin] citizens of these countries can be
issued a visa at Armenia’s border checkpoints without an invitation.

The Government of Armenia specifies the list of documents that
substantiate the fact of being Armenian.

[And] The nine citizens of Syria, who arrived in Armenia, did not
submit any document that substantiates their being [of] Armenian
[origin],” the Police statement reads in particular.

HUNDREDS ATTEND GREG KRIKORIAN CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF

Asbarez
Tuesday, August 28th, 2012

Gov. George Deukmejian with candidate Krikorian at the kick-off event
on Sunday

More than 300 Supporters of Greg Krikorian for State Assembly Gather
in Burbank to Celebrate Campaign Kick-Off

BURBANK-Joined by honorary host Governor George Deukmejian, along with
dignitaries such as California State Assemblymember Connie Conway
and California Senator Bill Emerson, Greg Krikorian, candidate for
California State Assembly (43rd District), spent the evening meeting
his supporters and discussing the upcoming choice on Election Day.

“On November 6th, Californians will have a choice. The first choice
is politics as usual, led by Assemblymember Mike Gatto, who continues
to drive businesses out of our state with burdensome regulations. His
first choice has been cutting funds from our schools and serving the
needs of special interest groups, not the constituents of the 43rd.

You also have another choice-where you can vote for sending a new
voice to Sacramento that will stand up for common sense policies and
sustainable solutions. During the next 70 days, with your support,
we can turn that choice into a victory,” said Krikorian.

In a preverbal passing of the torch from Governor George Deukmejian
to Greg Krikorian, the Governor reflected on his own State Assembly
race from 1962:

“50 years ago, I ran for California State Assembly. After I was
elected, I quickly learned that education was the key to strengthening
the workforce and creating jobs. With Greg’s experience on the Glendale
School Board and as a small business owner, I know his leadership
experience can get California back on the right track. For those
reasons, we must work together to elect Greg Krikorian to State
Assembly in November,” said Governor George Deukmejian.

The packed house at Arbat banquet hall included over 300 special
guests that pledged their support for Krikorian’s State Assembly
campaign. The evening’s guest list was comprised of friends and
elected officials that included Burbank Councilmember Gary Bric,
Glendale Councilmember’s Ara Najarian and Dave Weaver, La Cañada Board
of Education Member Susan Boyd, Burbank Unified Board of Education
Member Ted Bunch, Glendale Community College Trustee Vahe Peroomian,
L.A. District Attorney candidate Alan Jackson, and former chair of
the Republican Party of L.A. County, Jane Barnett.

Background On Greg Krikorian – Candidate for State Assembly 43rd
District Greg Krikorian is the immediate past President of the Glendale
Unified School District Board of Education. He is currently serving
in his 11th year as a Board Member. As a business entrepreneur
in Glendale, Greg has been actively involved in many business,
educational and community service organizations for over 20 years
within Los Angeles County.

RUMORS ABOUT GAGIK TSARUKYAN’S CONDITIONS PUT BEFORE PRESIDENT ARE UNTRUE – PROSPEROUS ARMENIA

news.am
August 28, 2012 | 15:32

YEREVAN.- The Prosperous Armenia Party dismissed rumors saying
their leader Gagik Tsarukyan put before President Serzh Sargsyan two
conditions to support his [Sargsyan’s] candidacy in the presidential
elections.

Talking to Armenian News-NEWS.am, Secretary of Prosperous Armenia
parliamentary group Naira Zohrabyan said the reports are untrue.

She said numerous press reports, rumors have been recently circulated
referring to “reliable” sources. However, all the speculations have
no relation to reality.

“Any attempt to get party’s answers concerning the presidential
elections will be unsuccessful. Prosperous Armenia will clarify its
position on the 2013 presidential elections and will issue a relevant
statement,” she added.

Earlier media reported Gagik Tsarukyan met with PAP’s Masis city
members and spoke about next year’s presidential elections.

“He announced that he put before President Serzh Sargsyan two
conditions to support his [Sargsyan’s] candidacy in the presidential
elections: Giving PAP thirty percent of the Government and changing
the PM,” Hraparak daily writes.

L’UE PREVOIT UNE AIDE BUDGETAIRE POUR L’ARMENIE
Laetitia

armenews.com
jeudi 30 aout 2012

L’Union europeenne soutiendra l’Armenie en lui attribuant 60 millions
d’euros (75 millions de dollars) dans le but de soutenir les reformes
judiciaires et d’accelerer l’integration du pays dans l’UE. L’organe
executif de l’UE, la Commission europeenne, a annonce mercredi 29 août
2012 que cette aide vient de son programme de Partenariat oriental,
couvrant six anciennes republiques sovietiques. La commission a
indique que l’argent permettra d’accelerer la reforme de la justice
et de preparer le terrain pour resserrer les liens bilateraux.

L’adjoint au ministre de l’Economie, Garegin Melkonian, a declare
mercredi 29 août 2012 que le segment le plus important du programme
d’aide, d’une valeur de 25 millions d’euros, prendra la forme
d’un financement budgetaire pour les organismes etatiques armeniens
impliques dans les negociations en cours sur un ” accord d’association
” avec l’UE.

L’accord permettra l’accès aux visas pour les ressortissants de
l’UE et la creation d’une ” zone de libre-echange approfondi et
global ” entre l’Armenie et l’UE. Les deux parties ont entame des
negociations formelles sur la facilitation des visas cette annee. Selon
Melkonian, 20 autres millions d’euros seront canalises vers des
reformes judiciaires promises par le gouvernement armenien. Dans une
declaration ecrite, la Commission europeenne a affirme que cette aide
sera utilisee pour la creation d’ecoles speciales pour les avocats, les
juges et les procureurs. ” L’objectif global est un système judiciaire
independant, transparent et efficace pour servir le peuple armenien,
qui s’appuie sur l’aide de l’UE “, a explique le communique.

Les autorites d’Erevan ont annonce en juin un plan de reforme
du système judiciaire. Les politiciens de l’opposition sont très
sceptiques quant a ces assurances, affirmant qu’un système judiciaire
independant constituerait une menace serieuse pour le president Serge
Sarkissian. Ils affirment que les tribunaux armeniens defient rarement
le gouvernement.

Le president de l’UE Herman Van Rompuy, a pourtant salue les reformes
faites en matière de justice, lorsqu’ il s’est rendu a Erevan le
mois dernier. Il a dit que l’administration Sarkissian est sur la
bonne voie.

PUBLIC FIGURE SAYS ASSIMILATION BIGGEST PROBLEM FOR RUSSIAN ARMENIANS

PanARMENIAN.Net
August 29, 2012 – 20:44 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Assimilation is the biggest problem Russian Armenians
currently face, head of Russia-based Russian-Armenian Cooperation
NGO said.

Varvara Margaryan attributed the problem to Armenian community’s
reluctance to learn mother tongue, rather than the policy country’s
authorities pursue.

“The number of Armenian population residing in Russia’s Krasnodar
Krai totals 250 thous. according to the census, with unofficial data
putting the figure at 1 mln,” Ms. Margaryan said.

Dwelling on the ethnic conflicts in Russia, she noted they are
initiated and financed by external forces, which aim to weaken the
country.