Author: Tambiyan Samvel

PACE Co-rapporteurs make correction to earlier statement

Tambiyan Samvel

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 21:15, 6 February, 2020

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 6, ARMENPRESS.  The Co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) for the monitoring of Armenia have made a correction to their earlier statement. ARMENPRESS reports, citing the twitter page of the PACE, following the February 6 developments at the National Assembly of Armenia, Co-rapporteurs  Andrej Šircelj and Kimmo Kiljunen said, “We were informed that the so-called “package” of amendments has been withdrawn from the agenda of the parliament. We nonetheless encourage the Armenian authorities to request the opinion of the Venice Commission on the constitutional amendment”.

The earlier statement of the Co-rapporteurs ran as follows,

“The Armenian Parliament decided to hold an extraordinary session on 6 February in order to discuss a series of amendments that would remove the requirement for the Constitutional Court to check the compliance of draft legislation with the Constitution of Armenia. Among other things, this would change the procedure of revision of the Constitution itself. In addition, a constitutional amendment that seems to aim at ending the terms of several members of the current Constitutional Court with immediate effect has been tabled,” said the co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe for the monitoring of Armenia, Andrej Šircelj (Slovenia, EPP/CD) and Kimmo Kiljunen (Finland, SOC).

These two topics are important, and the proposed changes could have long-term repercussions on the functioning of constitutional institutions. In this context, as well as taking into account some of the questions raised in that respect, we call on the Armenian authorities to request as soon as possible, the opinion of the Venice Commission, the Council of Europe’s expert body on constitutional law. We believe that this opinion, which could be adopted very quickly via an urgent procedure, would be valuable to all stakeholders, including the Armenian electorate if a referendum were to be held”.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Armenia actively cooperates with a number of countries to implement a program for planting 10 million seedlings

Tambiyan Samvel
Arminfo, Armenia
Feb 3 2020

ArmInfo.Armenia launched the implementation of a program for planting 10 million seedlings.

As RA Deputy Minister of Environment Vardan Melikyan said at a  February 3 press conference, in order to acquire the necessary  planting material, relevant requests were sent to Russia, Belarus,  Georgia, Kazakhstan and Iran. In particular, the Belarusian side  announced its readiness to provide 10 million pine seedlings and up  to one million birch seedlings. Collaboration with Poland and Finland  is also planned.

The territories where the seedlings are planned to be planted are  already mapped, and at the next stage, the specialists will have to  select the plots taking into account which climate and soil will be  more preferable for a particular breed. As noted, the areas under  planting do not need to provide additional irrigation.  According to  Melikyan, tree planting will start tentatively on October 10,  however, this program will also have an educational component in  order to increase awareness of environmental aspects.

We add that by ratifying the Paris Agreement, Armenia committed to  increase the size of forest territories by 285 thousand ha by 2050,  which implies the planting of 800-900 million trees. This means that  up to 30 million seedlings should be planted at an annual rate. This  process automatically implies the creation of new nurseries of  seedlings, the creation of additional jobs, active interaction with  communities adjacent to forests, and so on. According to experts, the  large-scale planting program will enter the active phase around  2025-2026.

Pashinyan: No conflict between Armenian government, ARF Dashnaktsutyun

Tambiyan Samvel
News.am, Armenia
Jan 25 2020

16:50, 25.01.2020
                  

YEREVAN. – There is no opposition between the Armenian government and the ARF Dashnaktsutyun, PM Nikol Pashinyan assured.

He admitted there is a conflict between a part of the ARF and the Ministry of Education, but insisted that those members of ARF have links to the former authorities and the former corrupt system.

“Sometimes you get the impression that there is a conflict between the Armenian government and the ARF. The entire ARF party cannot be judged in the same way, because I have an impression the Armenian government and the ARF have great potential and willingness to cooperate on national issues. At least we have that willingness. I am convinced that we will be able to start a constructive dialogue together with the Dashnaktsutyun, as a pan-Armenian body. As for Armenia, my opinion remains the same, unless the abobve mentioned is stated, ARF will have a vague political future, here in Armenia, ”the Prime Minister said.

Armenian PM added that the government has good relations with the traditional political parties.

“We have great, close relations with the Diaspora agencies, traditional parties. I have positive attitude towards the governing bodies of our three traditional parties, their representatives, and I have a very warm and fraternal attitude towards them,” he added.

Armenia PM publicizes promised fact about Constitutional Court president

Tambiyan Samvel
News.am, Armenia
Jan 26 2020

17:18, 26.01.2020
                  

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has publicized the promised fact about president Hrayr Tovmasyan of the Constitutional Court (CC) of Armenia.

“This is Hrayr Tovmasyan's pen. I'd been thinking about whether or not throwing it to the garbage bin for a long time,” he wrote, in particular, on Facebook. “In the end, I decided to keep, as a testimony of the most bizarre buttering-up, flattery I've ever seen.

After being elected Prime Minister, I met with Hrayr Tovmasyan for the first time at the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Hayastan All Armenian Fund convened in May2018. He was sitting next to me.

It seemed strange to me, Mr. Tovmasyan's obviously flattering attitude towards me—a man as a result of whose actions his longtime political team had been crushed just days earlier.

Then I had to make a note, I couldn't find my pen, (…) he suggested this ‘elite’ pen of his.

I made my notes, gave a talk, and my attempts to return the pen to him became a story.

In short, this pen remained with me as a ‘pledge of faithfulness.’

Anyway, then the petitions for a reception by me started. I didn't accept.

Then July 5 [Constitution Day anniversary] was drawing near. ‘Message-requests’ began for me to participate in the reception to be held at the CC that day.

I refused, moreover, several times because I understood that the person occupying the CC wanted achieve legitimacy in this way.

Then we met in the Christmas [church] liturgy in 2019. He began buttering up to [my wife] Anna [Hakobyan] that, 'I thank you for giving my daughter scholarship.'

Then, the person whom he referenced recently came to me several times to report that 'Hrayr says, ‘I wrote this Constitution. Why doesn't the Prime Minister use my capabilities?'

In response, I suggested to him to go somewhere far, far away."

7 hrs ·

Սա Հրայր Թովմասյանի գրիչն է: Երկար ժամանակ մտածում էի՝ այն աղբանոցը նետե՞մ, թե ոչ:

Ի վերջո, որոշեցի պահել, որպես իմ տեսած ամենատարօրինակ քծնանքի, շողոքորթության վկայություն:

Վարչապետ ընտրվելուց հետո Հրայր Թովմասյանին առաջին անգամ հանդիպել եմ 2018թ. մայիսին կայացած «Հայաստան» համահայկական հիմնադրամի հոգաբարձուների խորհրդի նիստում: Իմ կողքին էր նստած:

Ինձ տարօրինակ թվաց պարոն Թովմասյանի ակնհայտ շողոքորթ պահվածքն իմ նկատմամբ, մի մարդու, ում գործողությունների արդյունքում իր երկարամյա քաղաքական թիմը ընդամենը օրեր առաջ ջախջախվել էր:

Ինձ դիմում էր բացառապես «պարոն Փաշինյան ջան», «պարոն վարչապետ ջան» ձեւերով: Էդ «ջաները» ականջս սղոցում են մինչեւ հիմա: Ի դեպ, մեր շփման ողջ պատմության ընթացքում այլ կերպ ինձ չի դիմել. բացառապես «ջան»-երով:

Հետո՝ հանկարծ հիշեց եւ կարեւոր համարեց ընդգծել, որ Իջեւանի փեսա է:

Հետո՝ նշում պետք է անեի, գրիչս չէի գտնում, չեմ հիշում՝ ես ուզեցի թե ինքը նկատեց, որ գրիչ եմ փնտրում, իր այս «էլիտար» գրիչը առաջարկեց:

Գրառումներս արեցի, ելույթ ունեցա ու գրիչն իրեն վերադարձնելու փորձերս պատմություն դարձան: Թե բա՝ դա ձեր գրիչն է, շատ եմ խնդրում վերցրեք, ինչ կլինի եւ այլն։ Արդեն տեսախցիկների առաջ անհարմար պատմություն էր դառնում:

Կարճ ասած՝ այս գրիչը մնաց մոտս որպես «հավատարմության առհավատչյա»: Հիմա մտածում եմ՝ այն ժամանակ գրիչը վերցնելիս ենթագիտակցությունս է աշխատել՝ այսօր «առարկայական փաստ» ունենալու համար:

Ինչեւէ, հետո սկսեցին ինձ մոտ ընդունելության գալու հայտերը: Չընդունեցի:

Հետո մոտենում էր հուլիսի 5-ը: Սկսվեցին «մեսիջ-խնդրանքներ», որ այդ օրը մասնակցեմ ՍԴ-ում կայանալիք ընդունելությանը:

Մերժեցի, ընդ որում՝ մի քանի անգամ, որովհետեւ հասկանում էի, որ ՍԴ-ն օկուպացրած անձը այդպիսով լեգիտիմություն է ուզում ձեռքբերել:

Հետո հանդիպեցինք 2019թ. սուրբծննդյան պատարագին: Սկսեց Աննային քծնել, թե բա շնորհակալ եմ, որ դստերս կրթաթոշակ եք տվել: Որ տեսա շողոքորթության չափն անցնում է, ասացի՝ չեն իմացել ով է: Չնայած՝ պարզվեց, իրոք չեն իմացել (ասեմ նաեւ, որ իմանալ-չիմանալը որոշման համար նշանակություն չէր ունենալու. դա հստակ չափանիշների խնդիր է):

Հետո մի քանի անգամ այն մարդը, ում էս վերջերս հղում էր արել, եկել ինձ զեկուցել է, թե բա Հրայրն ասում է՝ ես եմ գրել էս Սահմանադրությունը, ինչու իմ հնարավորությունները վարչապետը չի օգտագործում:

Ի պատասխան իրեն առաջարկել եմ գնալ մի հեռու-հեռու տեղ:



ABMDR facilitated 33 life-saving bone marrow transplants over the past years

Tambiyan Samvel
Panorama, Armenia
Oct 26 2019
Politics 15:03 26/10/2019 Armenia

Yerevan is hosting the 8th regional meeting of European Federation for Immunogenetics (EFI) that has brought together leading specialists in the sp¬here of immunogenetics and histocompatibility from around the world. The meeting is organized at the initiative of the Armenia Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR). As the president of the Registry Frieda Jordan told Panorama.am the program will showcase the very latest advances and developments in the field and provide an excellent pathway for educational and professional growth through its workshop component.

Reflecting on the activity of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR), Frieda Jordan informed that over the past 20 years of its operation, the organization has recruited around 31,000 donors, 2,300 from Armenia and Artsakh, and 7,000 – from Diaspora. Thus far, 4469 matched unrelated donors have been identified for 4885 registered patients suffering from leukemia and other life-threatening blood related illnesses. As a result, 33 lives were saved through bone marrow transplant.

The President of ABMDR added that anyone aged from18 to 50 may apply to get registered in the Registry that will allow to expand the data bank of information of the Armenian donors and increase the chances of the registered patients to find matched unrelated donors.

To note the mission of ABMDR is to save lives by recruiting and providing matched unrelated donors for bone marrow or stem cell transplantation to all Armenian and non-Armenian patients worldwide suffering from life-threatening blood related illnesses through searching requests and provide marrow or stem cell matching services for potential bone marrow transplant recipients. 

The Armenian church marks the Feast of the Holy Translators

Tambiyan Samvel
Panorama, Armenia
Oct 12 2019
Society 10:55 12/10/2019 Armenia

The Armenian Apostolic Church marks to day the Feast of the Holy Translators. For the Armenian people the Feast of the Holy Translators is one of the most favorite and beloved national-ecclesiastical feasts. As Qahana.am reports, nearly two hundred disciples of St. Mesrob Mashtots and St. Sahak are known by the general group name “Holy Translators”. The disciples of the above mentioned group of Holy Translators are known as “Junior Translators”.

Celebrating this feast, the Armenian Apostolic Church pays tribute of respect to the bright memory of St. Mesrob Mashtots, Yeghishe, Moses of Khoronk, philosoppher Davit Anhaght, whose sacred work and mission later has been continued on by St. Gregory of Narek and St. Nerses the Gracious. The word “Translator” means "Interpreter”. Comprehending and precisely understanding the demands of that period, the Holy Translators initiated the sacred work of creating the Armenian alphabet and literature. By the strength of their faith they dispersed the darkness and warmed the human souls. Thanks to the Holy Translators the Holy Bible was translated into Armenian and the Armenian people obtained the possibility to read the Holy Book in the native language.

By means of their activity the Holy Translators contributed to the spiritual-cultural awakening of Armenia. After the translation of the Holy Bible, many books of Church Father were translated into Armenian, and thanks to this fact many translations, the original copies of which haven’t been preserved, presently exist only in the translated variant and thus the translations have obtained the value of the original.

American Armenian Circle of Artists to Present ‘A Piano & 19 Voices’

Tambiyan Samvel
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11 hours ago

The Meghety Ladies Chamber Choir’s debut concert

BY TONY PIERRE KEUSSEYAN

This November, the American Armenian Circle of Artists invites you to savor both Armenian and International Music with Nora Roumian Bairamian and the dedicated Meghety Ladies Chamber Choir. After almost two years of hard work, the notes and compositions are ready, and the voices are ripe to be heard!

Original songs are especially arranged for the choir by our music director, Nora. You are invited to come and fill your senses with a unique listening and pleasurable experience. Beginning with the first note played on the piano, you will immediately feel Nora’s talent, dedication, and passion for music.

For over 40 years, Nora Roumian Bairamian has worked diligently, dedicating her life to the love of music. If she could help a child discover a liking, or even sense the slightest passion for music in their life – Nora has always made sure to pursue these seeds of talent, because, for her, music has always been, above all, wonderful.

It is with the same spirit and commitment that we, at the AACA, have embarked on a mission to help discover, pursue, and enhance American Armenian talent in all its shapes and forms. After all, Armenia may very well be one of the leading countries in the world, where you can find more talent per square meter than anywhere else in the world. Our destiny may have robbed us of many things, but it could not take our music, talent, and laughter away!

The AACA is working hard to elevate Armenian art and talent so that it can be appreciated and compensated fairly by all. For this reason, we had our very first fundraising event, where we introduced two talented Armenian artists and their amazing works of art and performance. This successful fundraising event was a stepping stone for elevating and promoting future Armenian artists. As for the past Christmas Season, we organized another lavish sit-down dinner at the Chevy Chase Country Club where the Meghety Chamber Choir performed beautifully, alongside talented solo singers, and presentations of special artwork from three different artists.

Where are we going tomorrow? Well, we have you in mind, and we are looking to have a circle of sponsors and ambassadors to help us keep this unique dream alive. We understand that in order to achieve anything, we first need faith and belief in ourselves. Vision, hard work, determination, and dedication must also join our endeavor, hand in hand. Please remember that all things are possible, and the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. In the end, it is not about where our dreams will take us, but where we will take our dreams!

The performance will take place on Sunday, November 3 at 5 p.m. at the Janet and Ray Scherr Forum Theatre, located at 2100 E. Thousand Oaks. Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362. For tickets, contact Anahid at 818.368.4005.

Tony Pierre Keusseyan is Chairman of the American Armenian Circle of Artists.



http://asbarez.com/186277/american-armenian-circle-of-artists-to-present-a-piano-19-voices/?fbclid=IwAR3oI_bhs-5GKn4IW7eZwTRKyD5qe2L3GZ5-z4dCV6mO5–VbAecQDLr0To

50 US doctors arrive in Armenia as part of charity medical mission

Tambiyan Samvel
News.am, Armenia
Sept 30 2019
 16:03

Fifty doctors from the US have arrived in Armenia as part of the charity medical mission. During the current week, they will consult patients for free, perform surgeries and other procedures in medical centers of Yerevan and Armenian regions as well as in Artsakh in next week, Honorary Consul of Armenia in Fresno Berj Apkarian told NEWS.am Medicine.

Most of the doctors involved in the charity mission do not have Armenian roots, but expressed a desire to come to Armenia and help those who need their help.

“These people believe in the goals of our mission and want to serve people. When they see a smile on the patient’s face, this is a huge encouragement for them,” he said.

According to Apkarian, every year more and more experts and donors join the mission. Over four years, 4997 patients received medical care (including surgery) as part of the mission. This year, the mission includes five surgeons who will work in different clinics of the country, performing both small and large surgeries, as well as training local doctors, transferring their knowledge and experience to them.

According Dr. Vache Vassilian, who was involved in organizational work as part of the mission, a group of doctors is working in the village of Myasnikyan (Armavir Region); a group of dentists went to Vanadzor, another group to Gyumri, and several gynecologists to Akhuryan. Some specialists, including the famous surgeon Carl Owada, work in Yerevan. Doctors will work tomorrow in Masis, Myasnikyan, Vanadzor and Akhuryan, and from Wednesday – in the villages of Lori.

This year the mission also brought medical equipment to Armenia (including ECG devices, ultrasound, instruments for laparoscopic surgery) and medicines for more than $ 250,000. All this will be sent to the medical centers of Yerevan, Gyumri, Akhuryan, Masis, Myasnikyan, Karagerdi and, of course, in Artsakh.

As part of the mission, the operating room at the Ashtarak Medical Center was repaired for $ 325,000. The opening of the new operating room will take place on October 4.

This mission, as Apkarian noted, became possible thanks to the donations of the Armenian community in Fresno and other benefactors.

USCIRF calls on Turkey to cease interference in elections of new Armenian Patriarch

Tambiyan Samvel
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 28 2019
Society 18:19 28/09/2019 Armenia

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has urges U.S. policymakers to remain engaged on religious freedom in Turkey and call on Turkish government to cease interference in elections of new Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople.

As the Commission reminded in a press statement, Turkish authorities have issued guidelines for the election of a new patriarch for the Armenian Apostolic Church. The guidelines reportedly include a new condition that would preclude clerics serving outside of Turkey from participating in the election and severely restrict the number of individuals eligible to stand for election. The election for patriarch is scheduled to take place on December 11, 2019.

In response, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Chair Tony Perkins said, “The Turkish government has increasingly interfered in the internal affairs of religious communities by placing gratuitous conditions on electoral processes for religious leaders.” Perkins urged U.S. policymakers to raise the importance of this election with the Turkish government.

“This latest interference is just one of many that has deprived the Armenian Apostolic Church of its right to choose its spiritual leadership for almost a decade,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Gayle Manchin.

Music: Famous French tenor Ruben Elbakyan presented a video dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Komitas

Tambiyan Samvel
Arminfo, Armenia
Sept 26 2019
Famous French tenor Ruben Elbakyan presented a video dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Komitas

ArmInfo.The famous French  tenor of Armenian descent Ruben Elbakyan presented a video dedicated  to the 150th anniversary of Komitas.  The video in which Komitas's  work "Chinar es" sounds is already available on all social networks.  This is the third video by the performer, which is based on Komitas  music.

<This time I wanted to introduce our Great Komitas not as a mournful  song, but as a lyrical piece like "Chinar es". I wanted to recreate  the era in which Komitas lived, and the moment when he probably first  heard this work. I'm glad that my son played the main role in the  video'', the tenor said.  On November 29, Ruben Elbakyan will give  Ave Maria a large recital at the Madeleine Church in Paris, which  will mark the beginning of a major European tour. It is worth noting  that the tenor is also preparing for a solo concert in Armenia.

It should be noted that according to the authoritative edition  LUXURY, Ruben Elbakyan is included in the list of 57 most famous  Armenians of the world, along with Charles Aznavour, Henri Verno,  Michel Legrand, Cher, Kirk Kirkoryan and others. This is the only  Armenian performer, who was trusted three times to perform the French  anthem.  To watch the video, go to the following link:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1EpYNY4C3Q&feature=youtu.be