FUNDS RAISED FROM ENTERPRISE 2000 TO BENEFIT ARTSAKH THROUGH HALO
TRUST
LOS ANGELES, MAY 27, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN.
About 250 Armenian’s boarded the Enterprise 2000 on May 24 night for a
Dinner Cruise and an evening of entertainment featuring Adiss
Harmandayan from Los Angeles and our very own Harout Bedrossian. The
funds raised from the cruise will benefit the HALO Trust which works in
the removal of landmines in Artsakh.
HOVHANNES HAROUTIUNIAN’S CHARGE KEPT UNCHANGED
35
YEREVAN, MAY 27, NOYAN TAPAN. On May 26, the Appeal Criminal Court kept
unchanged the March 28 judgement of general jurisdiction court of
Yerevan’s Arabkir and Kanaker-Zeytun communities, by which Hovhannes
Haroutiunian was found guilty by part 1, Article 235, RA Criminal
Court, Purchasing, Selling, Keeping, Transporting or Bearing Ilegal
Arms, Ammunition, Explosives or Explosive Devices and was sentenced to
imprisonment of one year and six months.
The general jurisdiction court of Yerevan’s Kentron and Nork-Marash
communities, presided over by judge Armen Danielian, sentenced Soghomon
Yeritsian accused of using not dangerous violence to a power
representative on March 1 to one year’s suspended imprisonment with a
probation term of a year and a half. The case examination proceeded by
the order of speeded-up judicial procedure.
HERITAGE’S REPUBLIC DAY STATEMENT
armradio.am
27.05.2008 14:05
On this glorious 90th anniversary of the founding of the Republic
of Armenia, the Heritage Party extends its sincere congratulations
to the citizens of the Republic and to the Armenians of Artsakh,
Javakhk, and the Diaspora.
In the millennia-old history of the Armenian nation, May 28, 1918
stands as a beam of light which has come to balm the enormous pain
of 1915 caused by the Great Crime and its resulting dispossession
of most of the Armenian homeland. Despite its short lifespan, the
First Republic succeeded in succoring the Armenian people with the
strength to reestablish a statehood long lost. And thanks to the
just quest for Artsakh and its ultimate liberation decades later,
this process found its contemporary continuation.
Today the Armenian nation and the Heritage Party, which is unwavering
in its service, affirm yet again their commitment to the values of
liberty, sovereignty, and the rule of law, the substantive absence of
which could diminish the concept of Fatherland so earnestly cherished
by successive generations.
The recent turmoil in Armenia dealt a heavy blow to our country, its
regional endurance, and its international standing. It is our deep
conviction that the only way out of the current crisis is through the
consolidation of the precepts of democracy and the full reinstatement
of freedom and justice across the Republic.
Pursuant to the letter and spirit of this Republic Day, the Heritage
Party underscores its long-standing call for the immediate release
of all political prisoners, the complete and credible investigation
of this year’s tragic events, the rendering to account of those
responsible and, in keeping with the ancient wisdom and true ethical
mores of the Armenian nation, realization of the high imperative to
anchor political and civil liberties in every dimension of society.
We hold in our hands the spirit, the lesson, and the legacy of May
28. In our deeds and by our union, let us be worthy of them.
THEY DEMAND POLITICAL ASYLUM FOR ZHIRAIR SEFILIAN
A1+
[08:11 pm] 26 May, 2008
"We demand to cease ongoing "chases" against Zhirair Sefilian and to
grant him a residence permit in the Republic of Armenia," said the
adherents of Sefilian.
On May 26 the Committee supporting Sefilian handed an open letter
to the Armenian leadership and representatives of international
structures. The protest action started from the OSCE Yerevan office.
"Zhirair Sefilian is chased for his political standing. We urge you to
stop the ongoing persecution and prevent Sefilian’s banishment from
the Republic of Armenia as it is a rough breach of human rights,"
runs the letter.
Sefilian is prosecuted for his announcement "to smash the heads of
those who would dare to surrender the liberated territories and the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic," reminded the presentees.
"The problem refers to all Karabakh war veterans including Zhirair
Sefilian. We call your attention to Sefilian’s deeds while considering
the issue of granting Sefilian a political asylum," said veteran
Robert Hairumian in the name of Sefilian’s proponents.
Former Mayor of Goris Town, Samvel Harutiunian said, "Eveybody
knows that the authorities started in pursuit of Zhirair Sefilian
long ago. Sefilian played a significant role in the proclamation
of the NKR independence in 1992. The NKR President made a wise and
fair decision that Sefilian should settle in the lands liberated by
him. The President thought his decision would contribute to NKR’s
resettlement with Diaspora Armenians."
Reminder, the term of Sefilian’s detention expires on June 9. In case
the Administrative Court upholds the authorities’ motion to expel
Sefilian, the family will have to leave Armenia where they have spent
17 years of their lives.
Sefilian’s wife Nanor informed A1+ that she has no intention to move
elsewhere with her two underage children.
"The country doesn’t belong to Serzh Sarkissian, Robert Kocharian
and Alvina Zakarian. The country belongs to ordinary people. The
illegitimate authorities tarnish the countries reputation," said
Sefilian’s wife.
RA EX-FM: ‘ACTUAL INDEPENDENCE OF NAGORNO KARABAKH IS INDISPUTABLE’
arminfo
2008-05-26 08:18:00
ArmInfo. , ex-Foreign Minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanyan said
during the International conference in Stepanakert entitled "20th
Anniversary of Karabakh Movement: Realities and Prospects", ArmInfo
special correspondent in Stepanakert reports.
He said that the document currently available on the negotiating table
is an achievement of the Armenian diplomacy, as the right of Nagorno
Karabakh for self-determination has been fixed in it, that allows
to solve the problem in a best way. "This document will enable our
diplomacy to keep on active working preserving the registered fact of
self- determination of the Karabakh people", ex-FM said. V. Oskanyan
also said that he sees no alternative to this document and expressed
hope that Baku will not refuse of its provisions as the document
was drawn-up under active participation of the Azerbaijani party. RA
ex-FM specified a number of factors influencing the Karabakh settlement
process, in particular, the interests of powers, the internal political
and economic state of the conflicting parties, the degree of efficiency
of negotiations between the conflicting parties, etc.
To recall, political experts, scientists and representatives of
power of Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia, Russia, the United States, Iran,
Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Transdniestria, and a number of European
countries take part in the conference. At this stage, the participants
in the conference work in three directions: "Historical-legal
substantiations of Nagorno Karabakh self-determination and
International Law", "Peculiarities of the international perception of
Nagorno Karabakh problem and the modern geopolitical developments" and
"Information challenges in Karabakh conflict settlement process". The
conference will end today, on May 24.
ARMENIAN YOUNG MAN KILLS HIS COMPATRIOT DURING FIGHT IN GLENDALE
Noyan Tapan
Ma y 23, 2008
GLENDALE, MAY 23, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. Hayk Torosyan,
20, an Armenian man, was stabbed during a fight in Glendale in the
night of May 17. He was taken by ambulance to hospital, where he was
pronounced dead.
Police spokesman John Balian of the Glendale Police Department said
that Torosyan had been involved in an argument with his girlfriend’s
ex-boyfriend on May 16. Later that day, Torosyan and a friend, Brian
Herbert, 38, went looking for the ex-boyfriend, Avetis Barnasyan, 23,
also Armenian. The two men found Barnasyann early Saturday. Balian
said Torosyan and Barnasyan fought and during the fight, Torosyan
was stabbed once in the chest with a knife. Balian said the knife
punctured his heart.
Police arrested Herbert and Barnasyan on suspicion of murder. Balian
said the two men were released by the court on May 20, because Torosyan
had initiated the fight and Barasyan was simply defending himself.
MATTHEW BRYZA: EARLY TO EXPECT ANY RESULTS FROM THE MEETING OF AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN PRESIDENTS
Azeri Press Agency
May 22 2008
Azerbaijan
Baku. Tamara Grigoryeva-APA. OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Mathew Bryza,
Bernard Fassier and Yuri Merzlyakov will have next talks in Moscow on
June 3. They also plan to meet with Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia
Grigory Karasin, US co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza told
APA about it.
He said that the co-chairs and Grigory Karasin would discuss the
continuation of the cooperation for completing the core principles
of the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
"Later Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents will have the opportunity
to get acquainted with each other within the framework of the 12th
St. Petersburg international energy forum. It is early to expect any
results from the meeting, it will be a meeting of familiarization,"
he said.
Matthew Bryza said the co-chairs would later meet with OSCE
Chairman-in-Office Alexander Stubb in Helsinki. The American diplomat
noted that it was early to speak about the steps to be taken after
the meeting of the presidents.
"Everything will depend on the meeting," he said.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY APPROVES 2007 STATE BUDGET
Noyan Tapan
Ma y 22, 2008
YEREVAN, MAY 22, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA National Assembly on May 22
approved the annual report on execution of the 2007 state budget with
84 votes for and 4 votes against. In accordance with a previously
expressed position, the members of "Heritage" faction voted against
the report’s approval.
The National Assembly adopted in the first reading the bill on property
of members of an apartment cooperative society with invalid foundation
documents and the bill on status of private residential houses in
Yerevan with no documents confirming their right. The latter bill,
in particular, solves the issue of further status of 15-20 thousand
residential houses and annexes, which were registered as of May 15,
2001 and the documents confirming the right of these houses and
annexes are either not retained or absent.
630 FAMILY DOCTORS, NURSES NEEDED FOR OPTIMAL MEDICAL SERVICES TO POPULATION IN YEREVAN
ARKA
May 20, 2008
YEREVAN, May 20. /ARKA/. 630 family doctors and nurses are enough
to ensure optimal outpatient medical services to the population in
Yerevan, the Chief of Healthcare and Social Security Department of
the Yerevan Municipality Armen Soghoyan said. The Municipality expects
the family doctor institution to be completely introduced by 2009.
Training of out-patient doctors and nurses to form family medical
staff started three years ago: now there are 344 family doctors and
205 nurses in Yerevan, Soghoyan said.
Currently 42 doctors and 43 nurses are attending the training. 427
family doctors and 255 nurses are to be available in Yerevan by the
end of 2008; they will work both through independent groups of family
doctors and individual medical practice.
The family doctors institute is being introduced in Yerevan under
the World Bank loan program ($20mln). Two hospitals of Yerevan –
"Surb Grigor Lusavorich" and "Surb Astvatsamayr" are to be modernized
under the same project.
COUPLE AWARDED MEDAL OF EXCELLENCE
by Peter Corbett
The Arizona Republic
08/05/20/20080520sr-asuhonors0521-ON.html
May 20 2008
AZ
A Valley couple who founded the Armenian Church and Cultural Center in
Scottsdale was honored earlier this month by Arizona State University.
ASU President Michael Crow presented Gregory and Emma Melikian with
the University Medal of Excellence for their leadership and civic
engagement.
The Melikians have supported ASU for more than three decades,
including an endowment of the Melikian Center and its Critical
Languages Institute.
They have also invested in historic preservation of more than a dozen
properties in Scottsdale, Tucson and Phoenix, including the San Carlos
Hotel, downtown landmark since 1928.
The Melikians were presented their medals at the ASU graduation
ceremonies May 8.
The University Medal of Excellence honors innovative leaders who have
advanced awareness and action on issues that affect the well-being
and positive development of their communities.