Category: 2019

ACNIS reView

Emil Lazarian
Pass of the week 

 

MAY 03 2019 
 April 27 – May 4
The passage of the week with commentary

A regular session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council was held in Yerevan on April 30, in which the heads of governments of EAEU member states participated. According to the information and public relations department of the Armenian Prime Minister’s Office, a wide range of issues related to integration interaction were discussed during the session. The meeting of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission was held yesterday, the agenda of which included more than two dozen issues, including the results of concluding international agreements between EAEU member states and third parties and individual issues, free trade with Singapore and Serbia. the progress of the negotiations of the agreements, the draft agreement on the pension insurance of the employees of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union. Reference was made to the digitalization agenda, the results of the implementation of the main directions of the EAEU international activity in 2018.
…On April 29, on the day of the meeting of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev arrived in Armenia on a working visit, and was hosted by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the government mansion. Welcoming Medvedev, he noted. “In Armenia, it is customary to receive the most precious guests at home, I am very happy for such an opportunity. I think that during the last year our relations developed as planned, of course, this does not mean that there were no questions. I think now is a very important moment in our relations, and I am sure that despite the pessimists, we will manage to raise our relations to a new level, not in spite of the pessimists, but, I think, we should turn the pessimists into optimists. Of course, we will do everything for it.”
In his speech, the Prime Minister of Armenia emphasized that relations in the Eurasian Economic Union and our participation in that organization are very important for Armenia. “We will do everything to make the Eurasian Economic Union and our membership in the Eurasian Economic Union more effective, the organization more attractive,” Nikol Pashinyan said in the continuation of his speech, adding: – I greet you once again, I am happy about your visit and I am sure that we will have a very constructive and fruitful work. We have some issues to discuss, and thank you for your visit.” In his turn, Dmitry Medvedev said: Dear Nicole Vova, First of all, thank you for the invitation, especially at such a wonderful time, because today is perfect spring weather. Secondly, there is actually a good occasion to meet, it is the meeting of the heads of governments of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union. We regularly hold these events where various issues are discussed, including difficult ones. Now, Armenia is the presiding state in the Eurasian Union and, of course, it is important for us to move forward in the direction of solving a number of issues of the Eurasian agenda.” According to the Prime Minister’s official website, Medvedev emphasized in his speech that this is a good opportunity to discuss bilateral relations as well. “We have met with you several times, discussed the current situation of affairs, we also met at the beginning of the year when you arrived in Moscow as the prime minister of the presiding country, during which we discussed bilateral agenda issues. Now we will go through the main points, especially since our partners have prepared a number of questions for us,” said the Russian Prime Minister. Medvedev expressed hope that Armenia’s presidency in the Eurasian Union will be absolutely successful, and the negotiations will contribute to the development of cooperation between the two countries, especially since our countries are allies with a unique history of relations.
During the meeting, the interlocutors discussed current issues of Armenian-Russian trade and economic cooperation and integration interaction within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union.
 
The last weekend was marked by the celebration of the Citizen’s Day, which was celebrated for the first time in our country and will be celebrated every year from now on, on the last Saturday of April. In this regard, on April 27, cultural, sports and other festive events were held throughout the republic, in particular, children’s chalk painting, chess, backgammon and backgammon tournaments, demonstration performances of athletes, concert programs, exhibitions of works of art representatives, public discussions, etc. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke about the council of the day live on Facebook. “This is the biggest symbol of the fact that the government of the citizen has been established in Armenia, and there will be no other government after this,” Pashinyan said. 
…On April 9, the National Assembly adopted the bill submitted by the Government on making an addition to the law “On Holidays and Memorial Days”, by which the last Saturday of April is defined as Citizen’s Day. According to the adopted law, if May 1 falls on a Saturday, the last Sunday of April will be celebrated as Citizen’s Day. 124 million drams were provided to the Prime Minister’s office from the government’s reserve fund for the events, so that the events dedicated to the Citizen’s Day could be properly implemented in all regions of Armenia and in Yerevan. The need to adopt such a day in the Armenian calendar is due to the 2018 with the political situation in Armenia in April.
This decision was definitely not accepted by the people. And that’s natural. Perhaps time is needed for the society to get used to the new holiday, to make it its own. Many are of the opinion that there was no need to set such a day. “If Armenia is a prosperous, legal country, where a person really feels like the owner of the land, every day will be a holiday for him,” this is how people against the Citizen’s Day judge, at the same time considering the huge expenses related to the implementation of the events as unnecessary. Although the issue of large and small costs is relative. For example, referring to the amount of money allocated for the celebrations, Echmiadzin Mayor Diana Gasparyan noted that it is not such a big amount if we divide it among the regions of Armenia. “A citizen who was able to dictate his will in a peaceful way has the right to celebrate his holiday,” the mayor expressed his opinion. Undoubtedly, regarding the earned right, honorable Diana is absolutely right, but she ignores an important circumstance. well, what did that proud citizen who “dictated his will peacefully” get in the end? Pragmatically speaking, you can say nothing, and in general, disappointment. It’s sad, but this is the reality.
People’s views, as in many other matters, are diametrically different. Gas technologist Karen Kocharyan does not see any problem with the money to be spent for the holiday. “It’s a holiday, it’s a state, I’m sorry, isn’t it a homeless shelter… Recently, Armenians like to celebrate mourning days more lavishly than holidays,” said Kocharyan. All this, according to him, is related to the low educational level of the society. It is difficult to agree with this argument of the technologist, because the factor of educational level does not seem to play a big role here. For example, one can hardly doubt the educational level of Artur Ghazinyan, head of the European Studies Center, candidate of law, but the latter also suggests on his Facebook page to dedicate one of the days of the month to the memory of those who died in the April war. The parents of the servicemen who died in the Four-Day War, who were very upset with the decision to establish Citizen’s Day, expressed a similar desire. “You celebrate the last day of April as Citizen’s Day, gentlemen leaders, and for 7 months we have asked you to give one day in April to our heroic boys as a day of remembrance. It’s because of them that day exists and we exist, didn’t you find it worthy to dedicate a day to our sons, those boys who dedicated all the remaining days of their lives to you,” wrote Marine Hakobyan, the mother of the hero who died in the April war, on her Facebook page.
Of course, it is impossible to take any action or make a decision that will satisfy everyone indiscriminately. However, there are sensitive issues, the solution of which should be dealt with extremely carefully in order not to offend the feelings of other citizens of the country.
Gevorg Lalayan commented
 
About the other important events of the week – in a few lines
May 1 is the International Day of Labor and Workers’ Solidarity. The Communist Party of Armenia started the traditional May Day march from the area adjacent to Saryan’s statue and marched to the square of prominent communist Stepan Shahumyan. The festive parades were led by Yerjanik Ghazaryan, acting first secretary of the Communist Party Central Committee, and Vazgen Safaryan, head of the Progressive United Communist Party. Parallel to the event of the two Communist parties was the march of the Confederation of Trade Unions with the slogan “Decent work, equal pay”. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President Armen Sargsyan sent congratulatory messages on the occasion of the International Day of Labor and Workers’ Solidarity.
On April 30, Armenian Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan participated in the regular session of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member states in Bishkek. In a narrow framework, the heads of the defense departments discussed the issues of international and regional security, particularly collective security in the Central Asian region and the implementation of additional measures aimed at reducing tension on the Tajik-Afghan border.
 
International press
The crisis in Venezuela. Maduro claims the coup attempt has been foiled 
The New York Times reports that clashes broke out between anti-government protesters and law enforcement in Caracas after Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó, along with soldiers at a military base, called on the population to rise up against President Nicolas Maduro.
The BBC reports that Guaido, who has declared himself interim president, has called for more troops to help end Maduro’s “seizure” of power. But the armed forces support Maduro, despite the fact that dozens of countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States and various Latin American countries, recognize Guaidó as Venezuela’s legitimate leader. According to the news agency, some photos taken from Caracas show some soldiers supporting Guaido. “Maduro’s naysayers hope the military will reconsider its allegiance to Maduro because of currency devaluation, discontent is growing due to power outages, lack of food and medicine,” reports the BBC.
According to The Guardian, Nicolás Maduro claims his troops “thwarted an attempted coup in Venezuela led by Donald Trump’s separatist imperialist group.” Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, according to the newspaper, announced that the US is considering the possibility of military operations “if necessary”.
According to Foxnews, Pompeo, who previously stated that Maduro was on the verge of fleeing to Cuba, said that the United States would prefer a peaceful transfer of power in Venezuela, but was ready to consider military intervention as well. According to the news outlet, Guaido insisted that a “peaceful uprising” was being attempted, not a military coup, and called on supporters to return to the streets to continue what he called “Operation Freedom”. According to him, Venezuelans have the opportunity to “conquer their future” and that the march will be the biggest in the country’s history.
Prepared by Marina Muradyan
  

Innovate Armenia Comes to USC on May 18

Babken Chilingarian 
For Immediate Release
May 7, 2019
USC INSTITUTE OF ARMENIAN STUDIES
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California, USA
Contact: Syuzanna Petrosyan, Associate Director
[email protected] | 213.821.3943
Innovate Armenia Comes to USC on May 18
Innovate Armenia -- the festival of ideas, music and action -- will once again 
burst on to the USC Campus on Saturday, May 18, from 10 am to 6 pm. Want to 
know what to expect?
Imagine you walk into USC at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 18. Parking is easy. You 
grab a (free) cup of coffee from Serj Tankian's Kavat Coffee or Henry's House 
of Coffee from the DIALECTS OF COFFEE station. Maybe you stop and record a 
conversation with journalist Liana Aghajanian about your memories of coffee, 
family, immigration and different traditions of making coffee. Then you head 
inside to Bovard Auditorium and listen to six different scholars talk about 
connecting to identity and memory in old Armenian towns and routes throughout 
Turkey. 
You get ready to listen to a conversation with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan 
live via Skype about HOW TO BUILD A COUNTRY.
You decide it's time for some jingyalov hats, kabob tacos or some other 
innovative mix of familiar food from Z's. You grab a bite while you listen to 
Garabala (from Beirut), the Nur Qanon Ensemble (from Yerevan), or Richard 
Hagopian (from Fresno) on the day-long music stage. 
You walk back into Bovard just in time for SOUND STORIES -- a surprise 
collaboration between the Institute and Element Band -- presenting the stories 
we don't know about the music we love. 
Now you're ready for an afternoon of talks on HOW TO BUILD A COUNTRY, 
POST-REVOLUTION -- by ministers and policy makers from the Government of 
Armenia. 
It’s been a really stimulating day and you could use a glass of beer, so you 
head outside and sample (free) craft Armenian beer while you listen to the beer 
guru himself, Charlie Papazian, talk about the 4,000 traditions of Armenian 
craft beer. Then you walk around the various booths where organizations from 
Armenia can work with you to discuss how you can connect. You make sure to stop 
by the Institute’s booth to say hello to the staff and student workers, and to 
learn about what it is that the Institute does.
Innovate Armenia is at the intersection of innovation and engagement. Come play 
your part.
About the Institute
Established in 2005, the USC Institute of Armenian Studies supports 
multidisciplinary scholarship to re-define, explore and study the complex 
issues that make up the contemporary Armenian experience—from post-genocide to 
the developing Republic of Armenia to the evolving diaspora. The institute 
encourages research, publications and public service, and promotes links among 
the global academic and Armenian communities.
For inquiries, write to [email protected] or call 213.821.3943.

RFE/RL Armenian Report – 05/07/2019

George Mamian 
                                        Tuesday, 
Karabakh Leaders Call For Kocharian’s Release
        • Naira Nalbandian
Nagorno-Karabakh -- Karabakh President Bako Saakian (R) and Armenian Prime 
Minister Nikol Pashinian meet in Stepanakert, November 4, 2018.
Nagorno-Karabakh’s current and former leaders called on Armenian 
law-enforcement authorities on Tuesday to release former President Robert 
Kocharian from custody pending the outcome of his upcoming trial.
In a joint letter to Armenia’s Prosecutor-General Artur Davtian, Karabakh 
President Bako Sahakian and his predecessor Arkadi Ghukasian said Kocharian 
should be able to attend Thursday’s official celebrations of Karabakh’s main 
public holiday. They cited his and other former Karabakh leaders’ “huge 
contributions” to the Armenian victory in the 1991-1994 war with Azerbaijan.
Kocharian ran the Armenian-populated territory during and after the war before 
becoming Armenia’s president in 1998. His successor and another native of 
Karabakh, Serzh Sarkisian, will also participate in the official ceremonies in 
Stepanakert and Shushi, as will Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.
Sahakian and Ghukasian also expressed readiness to offer “any public guarantee” 
that would enable Kocharian to remain free at least until a court verdict on 
corruption and coup charges leveled against him. They said his release would 
send a “signal of solidarity and unity” to Armenians as well as Azerbaijan.
Nagorno Karabakh -- Robert Kocharian (left), Bako Sahakian (second from left) 
and Arkadi Ghukasian (right) attend an official ceremony in Stepanakert, 9 May, 
2015.
Armenia’s Office of the Prosecutor-General responded to the letter later in the 
day. In a statement, it said that it is no longer in a position to free 
Kocharian because the high-profile investigation has already been completed and 
its findings sent to a court in Yerevan.
Law-enforcement authorities have until now opposed the ex-president’s release 
from pre-trial detention, saying that he could obstruct justice if set free. 
They ignored a similar appeal made by Karabakh’s three main parliamentary 
parties shortly after Kocharian was again arrested in December.
Kocharian and three retired Armenian army generals will go on trial soon on 
charges of “overthrowing the constitutional order” in the wake of a disputed 
presidential election held in February 2008. The Special Investigative Service 
(SIS) says that they illegally used the armed forces against opposition 
supporters who demonstrated against alleged electoral fraud.
Eight protesters and two police servicemen were killed in street clashes that 
broke out late on March 1, 2008. Kocharian declared a state of emergency in the 
Armenian capital on that night. He completed his second presidential term and 
handed over power to Sarkisian in April 2008.
All four indicted men deny the charges. Kocharian, who was also charged with 
bribery in March, has accused Pashinian of waging a political “vendetta” 
against him.
Pashinian was one of the main opposition speakers during the February-March 
2008 protests. He has denied any political motives behind the coup charges that 
were brought against Kocharian shortly after he came to power in May 2018.
Nagorno-Karabakh -- Supporters of Armenia's arrested former President Robert 
Kocharian demosntrate in Stepanakert, December 22, 2018.
A senior aide to Sahakian, Davit Babayan, insisted that the letter to the chief 
Armenian prosecutor will not cause renewed friction between the Karabakh 
president and Pashinian.
“This move is not directed at Nikol Pashinian and there are no personal motives 
behind it,” Babayan told RFE/RL’s Armenian service. “Bako Sahakian has a good 
relationship with Nikol Pashinian.”
Pashinian’s publicly lambasted Karabakh leaders in November during Armenia’s 
parliamentary election campaign. One of the premier’s political allies, Sasun 
Mikaelian, declared at a campaign rally that last spring’s protest movement 
that brought Pashinian to power was more important than the Armenian victory in 
the Karabakh war.
Mikaelian’s remark was condemned by Armenian opposition politicians as well as 
senior officials in Stepanakert, including the spokesmen for Sahakian and 
General Levon Mnatsakanian, the then commander of Karabakh’s Armenian-backed 
army.
Pashinian accused the Karabakh leadership of misinterpreting Mikaelian’s 
statement and “meddling” in the Armenian parliamentary race. Mnatsakanian was 
sacked in December.
Parliament Majority Won’t Investigate Tsarukian For Now
        • Astghik Bedevian
Armenia -- Lilit Makunts, the parliamentary leader of the ruling My Step bloc, 
at a news conference in Yerevan, May 6, 2019.
The pro-government majority in the Armenian parliament said on Tuesday it will 
avoid for now launching an inquiry that could lead to Prosperous Armenia Party 
(BHK) leader Gagik Tsarukian’s expulsion from the National Assembly.
A small and reputedly pro-government party demanded last week a criminal 
investigation into Tsarukian’s entrepreneurial activities, saying that they may 
have violated the Armenian constitution which bans lawmakers from doing 
business. Prosecutor-General Artur Davtian swiftly responded by instructing the 
Special Investigative Service (SIS) to look into the issue.
The party also urged parliament speaker Ararat Mirzoyan to set up an ad hoc 
ethics commission that would also scrutinize Tsarukian’s activities and 
consider asking the Constitutional Court to strip him of his parliament seat.
Under Armenian law, such a commission can be formed by the parliamentary 
faction of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s My Step bloc, which has a 
two-thirds majority in the parliament. The faction leader, Lilit Makunts, said 
that it will not trigger a parliamentary inquiry at least until the release of 
the SIS’s findings.
“At the moment it is important and interesting for us to wait for the 
conclusion of law-enforcement bodies,” Makunts told reporters.
A spokeswoman for the SIS, Marina Ohanjanian, said the law-enforcement agency 
will decide by May 13 whether to launch criminal proceedings against the leader 
of Armenia’s largest parliamentary opposition force.
Tsarukian, who is also one of the country’s richest men, maintains that he 
fully complies with the constitutional requirement. He says that he owns but 
does not manage dozens of businesses.
Accordingly, the tycoon made clear on Tuesday that he will not resign from the 
parliament. “I will give up my mandate only when I see a country of my dreams, 
when the plight of the people improves, when they repay their debts, when they 
become prosperous and when the country develops,” he said.
Tsarukian’s parliament seat was called into question amid mounting tensions 
between his party and Pashinian’s bloc. The BHK leader strongly criticized the 
government’s economic policies in early April. His associates did not deny last 
week media reports saying that all 25 other lawmakers representing the BHK will 
quit the parliament if their leader dose lose his seat.
Armenian Opposition Adamant In Rejecting New Government Structure
        • Gayane Saribekian
Armenia -- The Armenian government's main meeting room at the prime minister's 
office in Yerevan, February 21, 2019.
Armenia’s two main opposition parties continued to denounce the government on 
Tuesday for reducing the number of its ministries from 17 to 12 and refusing to 
limit Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s powers.
The Prosperous Armenia (BHK) and Bright Armenia (LHK) parties reaffirmed their 
strong opposition to a government bill setting a new structure of Pashinian’s 
cabinet as the National Assembly debated it in the second reading.
The bill passed in the first reading last month calls for abolishing the post 
of first deputy prime minister, meaning that Pashinian would have only two 
deputies. Also, the Armenian ministries of education, culture, and sports and 
youth affairs would be turned into a single agency. A similar merger of the 
ministries of energy and local government would lead to the creation of a new 
Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures. The Diaspora 
Ministry is due to be scrapped altogether.
“This model of super ministries will definitely not work,” said Naira 
Zohrabian, a senior BHK lawmaker. “If you merged the ministry of culture with 
tourism … I would see logic there. But there is no logic in this synthesis of 
science, education, sports, youth affairs and culture.”
Zohrabian also claimed that Pashinian’s political team lacks competent and 
skilled individuals capable of running the “monster agencies” that will be set 
up soon.
“We believe that this structure will have very bad consequences,” agreed BHK 
leader Edmon Marukian.
Marukian again singled out Pashinian’s refusal to turn Armenia’s police and 
National Security Service (NSS) into ministries subordinate to the cabinet, 
rather than only the prime minister.
Former President Serzh Sarkisian made sure that the police, the NSS as well as 
the State Revenue Committee will be directly accountable to the prime minister 
when he turned Armenia into a parliamentary republic. Sarkisian planned to stay 
in power as prime minister after serving out his second presidential term in 
April 2018.
Pashinian, Edmon Marukian and other leaders of the now defunct Yelk opposition 
alliance accused him of introducing a “super prime-ministerial” system of 
government with the aim of maintaining a tight grip on power. Pashinian has 
been reluctant to change that system since he came to power in May 2018.
“Why aren’t you fulfilling Nikol Pashinian’s promises?” Marukian asked 
parliament deputies from the ruling My Step bloc. “He had said that the NSS and 
the police must become ministries.”
My Step representatives say that such a change would only “politicize” the two 
law-enforcement agencies. One of them, Gayane Abrahamian, claimed on Tuesday 
that the heads of those agencies could “manipulate the political landscape” and 
abuse their powers if they become government ministers. She argued that Serzh 
Sarkisian rose to power after serving as minister of interior and national 
security in the 1990s.
U.S., Armenia Hold ‘Strategic’ Talks
Armenia - Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanian (R) and U.S. Deputy Assistant 
Secretary of State George Kent are about to sign an agreement after the first 
session of U.S.-Armenia Strategic Dialouge in Yerevan, May 7, 2019.
The United States promised $16 million in fresh assistance to Armenia on 
Tuesday after senior officials from the two countries held talks in Yerevan 
described by them as “strategic dialogue.”
The delegations led by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent and 
Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Grigor Hovannisian discussed a wide range of 
issues and pledged to strive for closer bilateral ties.
“The conversation today started with talking about how Armenia can reform its 
justice system and improve anti-corruption activity,” Kent told reporters. “By 
the end we were talking about clean water, protecting the environmentally 
endangered animals and different possibilities of energy generation.”
“I think it shows how many issues we talked about and the possibilities of the 
U.S. and Armenia working together based on shared values and shared interests,” 
he said at a joint news conference with Hovannisian.
Regional security was also on the agenda of what both sides described as the 
first session of the “U.S.-Armenia strategic dialogue.”
“We had a long discussion about the security in the region, not just the 
Caucasus but all around Armenia, and the implications when countries look to 
destabilize, rather than to support security and peace,” Kent said in reference 
to neighboring Iran, with which Armenia is maintaining a cordial rapport 
despite the renewed U.S. sanctions against Tehran.
Armenia -- Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian meets with a U.S. government 
delegation led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent (second from 
right) , May 6, 2019.
Kent met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Monday. Pashinian was cited by 
his press office as telling him that forging closer ties with the United States 
is “of great importance to Armenia.”
Speaking in the Armenian parliament in March, Pashinian complained about 
Washington’s “zero reaction” to democratic change in his country. He seemed 
unhappy with the fact that there has been no significant increase in U.S. 
economic assistance to Armenia since last year’s “velvet revolution” which 
brought him to power.
The U.S. ambassador in Yerevan, Lynne Tracy, countered last month that in 2018 
Washington provided $26.7 million in assistance to Armenia in addition to an 
ongoing $66 million aid program implemented by the U.S. Agency for 
International Development (USAID).
A memorandum of understanding signed as a result of Tuesday’s talks calls for 
further U.S. aid. In a statement, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said the U.S. 
government will provide up to $16 million to support economic growth and good 
governance in the South Caucasus nation. In addition, it said, the USAID will 
allocate $6 million in support of the Armenian government’s “democratic reform 
agenda.”
“The delegations reaffirmed the United States’ and Armenia’s mutual commitment 
to deepening cooperation in all areas of bilateral relations,” added the 
statement.
Press Review
Lragir.am comments on Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) leader Gagik Tsarukian’s 
remark that “connections, trust and faith” are still necessary for doing 
business in Armenia. The online publication says that while Tsarukian may be 
right he is still not explaining why needs to hold a seat in the parliament. It 
says he must explain “what he would lose by losing his seat.” “Do his foreign 
partners trust and respect him because of his seat?” it asks. “If so, that 
means Gagik Tsarukian also does not trust in change in Armenia and believes 
that his parliament mandate is the guarantee of his immunity and security.”
“Zhamanak” reports that former President Serzh Sarkisian will attend Thursday’s 
celebrations in Nagorno-Karabakh of the 27th anniversary of a key Armenian 
military victory in the war with Azerbaijan. The paper says the very fact that 
the trip was announced by Sarkisian’s office is interesting in itself. “It is 
not Sarkisian’s first trip to Artsakh since his resignation,” it explains. “But 
it is apparently the first time that his trip is announced beforehand.” Prime 
Minister Nikol Pashinian will also be taking part in those ceremonies. 
“Pashinian and Sarkisian will again be in Artsakh at the same time,” writes the 
paper. “Will they be attending the same official celebrations? If that happens, 
it will herald the development of a new layer of revolution, so to speak, one 
year after the velvet revolution.”
“168 Zham” expects Yerevan’s municipal council to hold heated debates on 
Wednesday on Mayor Hayk Marutian’s controversial plans to double his and his 
top aides’ salaries. The paper criticizes those plans, arguing that the minimum 
monthly wage in Armenia is equivalent to just $113.
(Lilit Harutiunian)
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2019 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
www.rferl.org

Film review: Cliffs Of Freedom *

Frangulian Shushan
Cyprus Mail
May 6, 2019 Monday

Film review: Cliffs Of Freedom *



By Preston Wilder

Why get angry? This is what diasporas do. The Armenian diaspora did it a couple of years ago with The Promise, a film re-enacting the Armenian genocide of 1915 – and now the Greek-American diaspora (led by writer-producer Marianne Metropoulos, wife of billionaire Dean Metropoulos) does it for the Greek war of independence that began in 1821. The result is Cliffs of Freedom, the stirring tale of Maria Christina (Tania Raymonde) who loses almost all her family to the Ottoman swine, then – having shortened her name to just ‘Christina’ – becomes a warrior and a legend, meanwhile falling in love with broodingly handsome Tariq (Jan Uddin) who is both a colonel in the Ottoman army and that almost unheard-of rarity, a good Turk.

Cyprus is the worst possible market for this movie – though Greece, I assume, would be just as bad. This is a film made for Astoria or Greektown, or whatever the Greek neighbourhoods are called in Melbourne or Toronto – a film for doting diaspora grandparents to watch with their impressionable grandkids. Pappou will talk about the old country and have a little snooze as the 137-minute running time wears on, Yiayia will remark that her own yiayia used to read coffee cups too, like the yiayia in the movie, while 10-year-old Hector will look up from his iPhone long enough to nod appreciatively at the occasional slit throats and lopped-off heads (which are actually a little too graphic for Hector, a reminder that director Van Ling has a background in special effects). Everyone will feel like they’ve gotten in touch with their heritage, and no-one will mind how stultifyingly bad the movie is.

It’s bad, that goes without saying – bad from the opening caption and scene-setting voice-over, the latter delivered with a plummy English accent in a voice rendered tremulous by emotion. A prologue shows Maria Christina’s aunt sacrificing herself for the Cause. “Look at my face, Turks!” she commands; “You will never conquer us!” she spits, then actually spits on the ground for emphasis – then dances a Greek dance and jumps off a cliff, like the famous women of Souli. These, I assume, are the cliffs of freedom, though the Turkish captain is unimpressed by Greek women leaping to their deaths so dramatically. “Who are the barbarians here?” he asks pointedly, clearly aware that Turks, by and large, have a bad rep.

That sardonic captain isn’t Tariq, of course. Tariq is wise and charming, and knows just what to say to a lady. “Even with a weapon, I stand disarmed,” he tells MC, having come upon her alone in the forest, and she feels her hatred of Turks melting away. “Are we really so different, you and me?” she sighs later, as they sit together with the sun hanging low in the sky and soupy music flooding the soundtrack. The film keeps finding ways to get them alone together – even as their paths diverge pretty sharply in the second half, Tariq stuck in the court of a skirt-chasing emir while Christina joins the rebel army led by a spy named Stavros. It’s obviously not the film’s fault that repeated mentions of Stavros made me think of Harry Enfield – though you’d think someone in Astoria might’ve seen Monty Python’s Life of Brian and avoided po-faced dialogue like “Observe the cheesemaker’s activities”. To slightly paraphrase that Roman matron: “What’s so special about the cheesemaker?”.

Then again, what’s a little more cheese to such a resplendent fondue of the stuff? We reel at the convoluted lines, and spend many happy moments gawping at the Turks and their elaborate headgear (the cobra headbands of ancient Egypt seem to have made a comeback in the 19th century). The pivotal battle is won by a single shot, Christina aiming her rifle at an ammunition wagon – guided by the spirit of her dead father – to cause an explosion that instantly kills all the Turks while leaving the Greeks unscathed. A Turkish soldier shows his native cruelty by taking a savage bite out of a bunch of grapes. Our heroine portentously warns that “my blade will taste the blood of anyone who violates my honour” (to be fair, she’s narrowly avoided getting raped at the time). Her actions at the climax are supposed to be inspirational, but just seem… puzzling.

So it goes, this stilted – but well-meaning – drama, bad in the way of state-funded nationalist epics, bad in the way of those made-for-TV Biblical parables we get during Easter week. All that said, I suspect I’d enjoy the film more (and might even have found it so-bad-it’s-good) if it weren’t about Greece, and by extension Cyprus. That’s how it goes, after all, the motherland forever resenting the diaspora for being stuck in the past, the diaspora forever looking down on the motherland for no longer being the place they’ve been told about. Nicosia cares about the now, the economy and the serial killer, Astoria cares about old traditions and ancestral hatreds, the ethnic pride – Cliffs of Freedom includes a reference to the Greeks having invented democracy – which still clings, when all else has faded, to every diaspora. Don’t be angry; this is what they do.

  

DIRECTED BY Van Ling

STARRING Tania Raymonde, Jan Uddin, Raza Jaffrey

DRAMA

US 2019      137 mins

A stilted mix of convoluted dialogue, cheesy action and general histrionics – but it means well, aimed at re-enacting the war of independence for a Greek-American audience.

Music: Cercle invites Acid Pauli at Garni Temple, Armenia

Emil Lazarian
The Groove Cartel
May 7 2019


Martin Gretschmann’s club-oriented alias, Acid Pauli, joined Cercle for a psychedelic adventure at Garni Temple in Armenia.

Another week another Cercle event around the globe. This time the French media company has landed in Armenia, on the beautiful site of the fortress of Garni. They invited Martin Gretschmann aka Acid Pauli for a mindblowing set in front of the Garni Temple.

As usual, during this time of sets, Acid Pauli has played a lot of IDs as well as unreleased music. Almost 70% of the set is made by new music.

Acid Pauli’s performance was longer than usual. With its 1 hour and 40 minutes, Viken Arman has joined Martin for a special 20 minutes b2b set. Of course, all the record played were exclusive but, even better, they’ve used analog synths, drum machines, and Ableton to mix them live.


Martin Gretschmann’s club alias Acid Pauli has evolved over the years, incorporating in his set, not only techno and house but a wide variety of music across genres beyond dance music. In 2016 Martin started a record label called Ouïe together with Nico Stojan. The label has recently released a stunning 2-track EP called ‘BLD Bonus’.

Acid Pauli has performed for Cercle in front of the Garni Temple, the only standing Greco-Roman colonnaded building in Armenia. The structure was probably built by King Tiridates I in the first century AD as a temple to the sun god Mihr. The temple is a part of the fortress of Garni, one of the oldest fortresses in Armenia; it was strategically significant for the defense of the major cities in the Ararat plain.

Acid Pauli set for Cercle at Garni Temple, Armenia, is now available for the stream below.

https://thegroovecartel.com/news/parties/cercle-acid-pauli-garni-temple/

Sports: Judoka Susanna Stepanyan named European Cup winner

Emil Lazarian
Panorama, Armenia
May 7 2019
Sport 18:56 07/05/2019 Armenia

The Armenia judo cadet team has taken part in the Cadet European Judo Cup held in Romania, the National Olympic Committee reported.

Susanna Stepanyan (40 kg) became a gold medalist. It was the second participation and win of the Gyumrian athlete in an international tournament.

The Armenia team had left for Romania led by head coach Hovhannes Davtyan. The tournament brought together 563 athletes from 28 countries, the source said.

Music: The team of the Opera and Ballet Theater is looking forward to a new meeting with Pashinyan in connection with the “unlawful“ dismissal of Konstantin Orbelian

Ekmekjian Janet
Arminfo, Armenia
May 7 2019
Asya Balayan

ArmInfo.The team of the National Opera and Ballet Theater named after Spendiaryan again expressed a desire to meet with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to present him the true facts related to the scandal related to the dismissal from the post  of theater director Konstantin Orbelian.

 The soloist of the National Philharmonic Orchestra Levon Javadyan and conductor Harutyun Arzumanyan expressed this intention at today’s meeting with  journalists. They explained that a month had passed since the meeting  with the Prime Minister, but the staff of the theater had not  received a clear answer yet.  Levon Javadyan, commenting on the  situation around about a number of  violations allegedly committed by Orbelian, accused the former lawyer  of the Opera Theater Kristina Naghdalyan, who, in his opinion,  provoked Orbelian’s resignation, publishing an article openly  accusing the maestro of being illegally in the position of director  of the theater and also told about the problems in the theater.

As Javadyan explained, by the order of the Ministry of Finance in  2017, a number of employees of the Opera Theater were reduced, and  Orbelyan has already been appointed director of the theater then. As  for Ms. Naghdalyan, she was dismissed due to official abuse, in  particular, the accumulated debts in 2014- 2016, he noted.

In addition, the opera theater team believes that the “contrived”  arguments of the lawyer served as the basis for the order to dismiss  Orbelyan, assuring that in the order given by the acting Culture  Minister of Armenia Nazeni Gharibyan the accusations that were  previously published in the media were literally copied.

According to the estimates of the theater staff, the misinformation  spread in the media mislead both the public and Nikol Pashinyan and  Nazeni Gharibyan themselves. In connection with this, the staff  demands a meeting with the prime minister so that Pashinyan hears the  truth and makes the right decision.  The theater team is confident  that the conflict around Orbelyan is caused by a clash of interests  and abuse of official powers, given that the husband of Christine  Naghdalyan is the head of the staff of the Ministry of Culture.

Employees of the theater consider the evidence collected against  Orbelyan as far-fetched, calling his dismissal from the post of  director unlawful, and condemn the decision of the Ministry of  Culture, believing that the department did not have the right to  remove Orbelyan from office until the contract expires in 2020.

In addition, Arzumanyan explained that after Orbelian’s dismissal,  Gharibyan announced the appointment of a new director of the theater,  whose name remained secret for them, but only after meeting with the  Prime Minister and the Minister of Culture statement was made saying  that Karine Kirakosyan was appointed  Director of the theater.

Despite the fact that Kirakosyan temporarily acts as director of the  theater, the artists do not agree with the development of such a  scenario, noting that the question will cause concern until the  problem gets its final decision, while expressing the hope that  Orbelian will be able to reassume the position. 

To note, Konstantin Orbelian currently continues to be the artistic  director of the Opera Theater. On March 29, 2019, the world-famous  conductor was dismissed from the post of director of the theater  according to the decree of the Acting Minister of Culture of Armenia  Nazeni Gharibyan, the basis for which was Article 15 of the Law of  the Republic of Armenia “On State Non-Profit Organizations”, which  states that a person appointed to the position of Director of SNCO  cannot occupy another position or perform other paid work, except for  scientific, pedagogical and creative work.  It should be noted that,  along with a brilliant pianist career, Orbelyan also developed a wide  range of activities in the opera field as a conductor and artistic  director. In particular, in 1991-2009, he was artistic director and  chief conductor of the State Academic Chamber Orchestra of Russia. In  2003, Orbelyan, a US citizen, the first foreigner who does not have  Russian citizenship, was awarded the honorary title of Honored Artist  of Russia. In 2012, he was awarded the Order of Friendship for his  great contribution to the popularization of Russian culture outside  Russia. 

Sports: New sports school to be built in Armenian Gyumri

Karakhanian Suren
ARKA, Armenia
May 7 2019

YEREVAN, May 7. /ARKA/. A new sports school named after Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling Arthur Aleksanyan to be built in Armenia’s second-largest town of Gyumri will cost 480 million drams (about $998,000), the acting Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Gabriel Ghazaryan told a news conference today.

He said the Mayor’s Office of Gyumri should make a decision on the allocation of a land plot for the construction of the sports school. 

According to him, all the main technical procedures are planned to be completed during this year, and to begin the construction in 2020. 

Artur Aleksanyan, born in  1991) is an Armenian Greco-Roman wrestler. He is an Olympic Champion (2016) and bronze medalist (2012), a three-time World Champion (2014, 2015, 2017), and a four-time European Champion (2012, 2013, 2014, 2018). 

Aleksanyan is the second Olympic gold medalist of Armenia since regaining independence in 1991 and is the most decorated Olympian of independent Armenia as well. He has been nicknamed the “Polar Bear” and is one of the most renowned Armenian athletes of the 21st century.-0-


Turkish Press: Turkey decries burial of Armenian terrorist’s remains

Arsine Chaltikian
Anadolu Agency, Turkey
May 7 2019
 
 
Turkey decries burial of Armenian terrorist’s remains
 
Remains of Armenian terrorist, who martyred Turkish officials in Los Angeles in 1973, buried with ceremony
 
Sena Güler   | 06.05.2019

Turkey on Monday condemned the burial of remains of an Armenian terrorist — who martyred Turkish officials in Los Angeles in 1973 — in the Armenian capital Yerevan. 

“We condemn in the strongest terms the burial of the remains located in Los Angeles of the Armenian terrorist Gurgen Yanikiyan, who martyred Mehmet Baydar, Consul General, and Bahadır Demir, Consul, in Los Angeles on 27 January 1973, to the Military Cemetery in Yerevan with a ceremony on 5 May 2019,” Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“This action, which attempts to glorify a brutal terrorist as a hero, constitutes a crime of promoting terrorism and it is unacceptable under any circumstance,” it added.

It also commemorated with respect all the officials who fell martyrs while serving for their country.

Asbarez: Dr. Daniel and Juliette Abdulian Honored at Merdinian 37th Annual Banquet

Emil Lazarian
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Left to right: Honorees Dr. & Mrs. Daniel and Juliette Abdulian with Merdinian School Board Chair Dr. Vahe Nalbandian

BY JOYCE ABDULIAN

The joyous atmosphere at the Phoenicia Banquet Hall on Sunday evening felt like a family reunion within a Celebratory Banquet. The April 28 event was planned by the Merdinian School Women’s Auxiliary, and Co-Chaired by Ani Hanessian and Louisa Janbazian.

Louisa Janbazian welcomed the full house by quoting former AMAA Vice President, Peter Kougasian, Esq at the 30th Annual Merdinian banquet. “Why Merdinian? What is the purpose of a Christian, Armenian education in this increasingly secular world?” she said.

“Without the kind of education children receive at Merdinian School, how will our children come to see that Christian faith is not just tradition, or superstition, or ethics. That Christian faith is so important, that for its sake, their Armenian forbears went to their death. We are here today, because we want a school where young minds are at least exposed to the idea that right and wrong really are sacred commandments,“ Janbazian continued.

Master of Ceremonies, The Honorable Alice Altoon, created a warm and informative atmosphere as she moved the program along; also sharing the family connections she has with her first cousin, honoree Dr. Daniel Abdulian.

After the singing of the American and Armenian National Anthems by soloists Arpy Aintablian and Raffi Kerbabian, the opening prayer was given by Rev. Hendrik Shanazarian, Associate Pastor of the United Armenian Congregational Church of Los Angeles. Dr. Nazareth Darakjian, AMAA Board President, congratulated the honorees for their many years of dedication to the Merdinian School and AMAA—both having served for years on the AMAA Board.

A full table of Abdulian/Atikian cousins, which included the honoree’s children, Dr. John, Richard, and daughter Diana, were all present to honor their Uncle Daniel and Juliette. Everyone enjoyed greeting the many relatives and friends present, making an evening full of warm exchanges. Juliette’s daughter, Tamara Jabour, of Nashville, Tennessee, was pleased to be at the event. Mr. Aram Boulgourjian, first Principal of Merdinian, as well as many teachers and parents were in attendance.

Left to right: Banquet Co-Chairs Ani Hanessian and Louisa Janbazian with Merdinian Board Chair Dr. Vahe Nalbandian and Principal Lina Arslanian

The booklet message from Dr. John and Linda Kay Abdulian and family is worthy of quoting. “In love and honor of Dr. Daniel and Juliette Abdulian for their long devotion and stewardship to Christian education and the Merdinian School. They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”

Dedicated Principal, Lina Arslanian congratulated the honorees for their years of devotion to the School. She also shared a poignant account of her appreciation of Dr. Daniel as her personal physician.

Five year old Zoey Atachian, Merdinian Preschool student, brought down the house as she sang the Armenian song Menk Chenk Tzeker Sourp Kirkeh (We don’t leave the Bible) accompanied by her grandmother, Esther Assilian. Enjoying the limelight, she continued impromptu reciting a Bible verse she had learned in school.

Vahe Snapyan, a dignified 8th grade student gave an eloquent, emotional recitation of Zarmanali Hye (Amazing Armenian) by Poet Gevorg Emin. Later,  soloists Arpy Aintablian (Soprano) and Raffi Kerbabian (Tenor), presented a meaningful musical program of Armenian songs, the last of which was Dr. Daniel’s favorite, “How Great Though Art.”

Mrs. Elizabeth Agbabian introduced the honorees, depicting how experiences in their youth formed their life’s actions of dedication and service. She gave an interesting history of the honorees’ family lives in Kessab and Aleppo. She shared her personal and family friendship with both, presenting their life-long love and commitment to the C&E Merdinian Armenian Evangelical School and the AMAA. She also shared how the brothers, Drs. Daniel, Jack, and Misak were a trio of healing hands in the community.

Merdinian Board of Directors Chairman, Dr. Vahe Nalbandian, presented the honorees with a gift and Lifetime Achievement Award—thanking them for their years of generousity, dedication, and service to the School. The honorees graciously accepted the honor bestowed upon them—Dr. Daniel in his usual dignified manner. Juliette expressed her appreciation by personally thanking everyone involved with the planning and execution of the evening. It was evident how much the evening meant to both of them. Well Done Good and Faithful Servants.

Honorees Dr. & Mrs. Daniel and Juliette Abdulian (center) sharing their table with some family members

Women’s Auxiliary Co-Chairs Ani Hanessian and Louisa Janbazian presented a $20,000 check to Dr. Nalbandian as the Auxiliary’s contribution to the School for scholarships and operations.

Dr. Nalbandian introduced Mrs. Azniv Ghazanian, a long-time parent of three Merdinian students—who will miss the school, now that her children have moved on. She lovingly spoke of her years with the PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization) and the life-long friendships forged. She shared how the Merdinian outstanding education within a Christian environment was of foremost importance to her and her family. Perhaps grandchildren will bring her back.

The “Kessab” element was very apparent. Rev. Serop Megerditchian, Senior Pastor of Armenian Cilicia Evangelical Church of Pasadena, shared how he is a cousin with the late Anush Abdulian. His closing comments and prayer came with a comment directed to Dr. Daniel in their own beloved Kessab dialect.

The devotion to Merdinian, not only by our honorees Dr. Daniel and Juliette Abdulian, but by the entire community, keeps the legacy of the School’s founders Charlotte and Elise Merdinian vital. These two sisters planted the seed for countless children to reap the benefits of their benevolence—and pass it forward.

Established in 1982, Merdinian is the only Armenian Evangelical School in the United States. The School offers a broad-based curriculum that fosters academic excellence, high moral values, and spiritual enrichment in the Armenian Evangelical tradition. The School strives to create a safe and nurturing environment where every student receives personal attention to become a successful and responsible individual.