Author: Andres-Papazian

ABSENCE OF COMMON BORDERS WITH EEU NOT OBSTACLE FOR ARMENIA: PRESIDENT

14:52, 10 April, 2015

YEREVAN, APRIL 10, ARMENPRESS. The critical phenomena in the Russian
economy cannot have no effect on Armenia regardless of Armenia’s
accession to the Eurasian Economic Union. As reports “Armenpress”,
the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan stated this
in an interview to “Together” program of Mir TV company.

Among other things, the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh
Sargsyan reflected on various topics and particularly underscored:
“In the beginning there was an opinion that the absence of common
borders can become an insuperable obstacle. But then, a vast group of
experts studied the issue and concluded that it is not a big obstacle.”

From: A. Papazian

Panorama.am
08.04.15

Henry Theriault: Armenia is suffering from legacy of Genocide;
Armenia’s long-term security and viability depend on reparations

Nvard Chalikyan from Panorama.am has spoken with Professor Henry C.
Theriault – Chair of the Philosophy Department at Worcester State
University and Chair of the Armenian Genocide Reparations Study Group
(AGRSG) about the recently published report of the Group titled
Resolution with Justice: Reparations for the Armenian Genocide
(Armenian and English versions of the executive summary and full
report are available at ).

Part 1

Dr. Theriault says that the issue of Genocide reparations is gaining
greater popularity and that recognition should only be a part of broader
reparations process and not an end in itself; he believes that the
present-day Republic of Armenia is suffering from the legacy of Genocide
and that Armenia’s long-term viability as the secure and permanent
home of
all Armenians depends on territorial reparations; he also explains the
group’s formula for calculating the reparations package presented in the
report.

Nvard Chalikyan: Dr. Theriault, there seems to be a lack of discussion
on the reparations aspect of the Genocide, which the AGRSG Report addresses
in detail. How much support does the issue of reparations have in general?
How popular is it nowadays?

Henry Theriault: The reparations issue has recently acquired greater
importance and acceptance in general. This is true not only for the
Armenian case but for many other human rights cases around the world. It is
important to put the question of the Armenian Genocide in the context of a
wider area called Genocide Studies where many cases are examined together.
This is not just an individual group concerned about its own history but it
is a much bigger issue in history that concerns everyone else in the world.
I link the question of the Armenian Genocide to human rights, social
justice, civil rights, and gender issues in the US and across the world.
Our report is actually very applicable to other groups, as we tried to
present a universal case.

While some ten years ago many Armenians did not consider reparations as a
practical issue to be talked about, there has been a major shift in this
direction, especially within the last five years. Now there is a tremendous
interest in the Armenian community and readiness to advocate for
reparations, much more than we had expected when beginning the study
group’s work. The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), for
instance, has changed its strategy a good deal from a focus on recognition
towards emphasising reparations; many Armenian scholars have gotten
involved, many studies have been conducted and books published on the
subject, and in Turkey major work is now being done (by Ugur Ungor and
Mehmet Polatel, for instance).

And, the recently adopted pan-Armenian declaration by the State Commission
on the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide talks about reparations,
specifically `preparing . . . a file of legal claims as a point of
departure in the process of restoring individual, communal and pan-Armenian
rights and legitimate interests.’ So there is a positive trend in this
direction.

N.C: Chapter 3 and Chapter 8 of the Report identify steps for a
comprehensive reparations package, among which are recognition, apology and
return of property. What is the sequence of these steps? Can reparations be
considered only after recognition or should we be pushing for reparations
without further delay?

H. Theriault: These points of the Report identify different key aspects,
but their order is not in time. Recognition is there as part of reparations
approach because we think that without recognition by the perpetrator group
and others that the harm happened, there is a danger that the point of
material reparations will be lost. As one of the report’s co-authors,
Jermaine McCalpin, has emphasized in recent speeches, reparations is not
`hush money.’ On the contrary, it is only meaningful if all concerned
acknowledge the injury that was done and understand how and why the
reparative measures taken now promote justice. This is especially true for
territorial returns.

At the same time, even though recognition and apology should be a part of
the overall process, what we want to emphasize is that on their own or as
an end result they are absolutely inadequate. It doesn’t help produce
justice to push for recognition without pushing for reparation. Thus, we
tried to reverse the usual logic – we see reparations as the most central
issue which includes both material and symbolic acts, with recognition as
part of reparations, but only a part. The idea of giving up a broader
reparations process in favor of recognition alone is an old and a very
problematic idea.

In terms of the timing, if recognition is understood as a step towards
justice and reparations then it can come first, but if it is treated as the
central goal then it is very dangerous to put it first.

Still, we should keep in mind that from the Republic of Turkey’s
standpoint, one major reason for not recognizing the Armenian Genocide is
because they fear that reparation claims will immediately follow
recognition, and their primary concern I believe is reparations. We could
see this clearly in the case of the Armenian-Turkish protocols. It is very
telling that of the very few specific Armenian-Turkish relations issues
addressed, the territorial issue, i.e., the point about confirming the
border, was on the top of the Turkish agenda. It does tell us a lot about
what their concerns are and shows that it is all about territorial issues
ultimately. Going forward, we must be very careful to include reparations
as an issue in any political discussion of the Genocide with Turkey.

N.C: By recognition do you mean recognition by Turkey, by the
international community or both?

H. Theriault: Ultimately both. Many people in Turkish civil society today
recognize the Genocide but it is a real question of what would get the
Turkish state to do so. Historically for the most part (Australia being an
exception) countries have recognized genocides or mass human rights
violations only when external actors pushed them to do it. So, there is a
role for the international community in pushing for recognition. What is
more, the Armenian Genocide is not a Turkish-Armenian issue. Going back to
the work of Raphael Lemkin in creating the concept and word `genocide,’
genocide affects all of humanity and is thus the concern of all of humanity.

N.C: The Report presents specific calculations of financial, material
and territorial compensations that are due to Armenians. Based on what data
are these calculations made? How reasonable and realistic are they?

H. Theriault: First of all, in the Report we tried to present numbers
based on historical data and on the work that was done previously, in the
aftermath of the Genocide, by those with direct data on what happened in
the genocidal process. We took data from the Paris Peace Conference for
instance, where there was a real historical effort to catalogue the
Armenian losses and to calculate a reparation package based on evidence. We
also used the New York Life settlement method to get an idea of what
appropriate compensation for deaths would be. By `appropriate’ here I do
not mean that compensation can in any way make up for the deaths, but that
compensation funds can help Armenians as a group – in the Republic,
Diaspora, and Turkey – with resources that can promote Armenian security,
identity, and well-being, against the very significant impacts of the
Genocide on Armenians today.

In terms of territorial compensations we tried to come up with a formula
based on a realistic approach to Wilsonian boundaries. Woodrow Wilson’s
Arbitration Award (Ara Papian addresses this) likewise presents a detailed
process which formulated the appropriate territories necessary for
Armenians surviving the Genocide to reconstitute in a sustainable way the
group. It must be stressed that the need issue is really important because
the Republic of Armenia today is suffering from the consequences of the
Genocide. We must not forget that the hardships and the limitation of
resources in Armenia today are in large part a direct result of Genocide.

Of course, the issue of territorial return is very complex, and in the
report we offer four possible approaches to it that include three different
territorial determinations and an alternative political approach that could
work with any of the territorial determinations.

As for how realistic the size of the proposed financial compensation is, it
is a limited, conservative estimate of what would be appropriate. The
numbers we are presenting are very reasonable and actually represent a
middle point. There are certainly higher estimates that would be legitimate.

N.C: How is the present-day Republic of Armenia suffering from the
consequences of the Genocide? How can reparations actually mitigate this?

H. Theriault: This is a huge topic, but I can single out two major
issues. First, when Ataturk militarily conquered the bulk of the 1918
Armenian Republic’s lands and forced the remainder into the Soviet
Union,
that not only stunted the potential population (think about how many
Armenians later left just to go to Russia, for instance) but it also
created a situation where Armenia just cannot sustain a bigger population,
cannot sustain the kind of agriculture that’s necessary for full
independence. Thus the impact of that legacy is quite demonstrable today;
but it also goes way beyond that. We must not forget that, in fact, the
Wilsonian Arbitral Award gave Armenians at least partial reparations for
the Genocide, but the Turkish nationalist movement that established the
current Turkish Republic took the portion of the awarded lands that the
1918 Republic actually possessed away – that is, Turkey took away the
reparations given to Armenians.

The second thing to stress is the way Turkey is currently a threat to
Armenia. Just going back to the blockade in 1990s when Turkey was
interfering with shipments of food aid from the US – it was scandalous.
Turkey is also able to interfere in a significant way with Armenia today
and to harm the country economically and politically, while supporting
Azerbaijan is a whole other dimension. All of this is the legacy of the
Genocide as well, and specifically that the Genocide is unacknowledged and
unrepaired. Could Germany, for instance, treat Israel in this way?

So if we are talking about calculating the land that’s necessary, it really
has to be focused on what the Armenian Republic needs in order to be
permanently viable for its population and any Turkish and Diasporan
Armenians that would like to resettle. Territory is not only a historical
justice issue but it is also a very legitimate human rights issue for the
present. My analysis of the situation has led me to conclude that the
future viability of the Armenian Republic as the secure and permanent home
of Armenians as an identity group depends on territorial reparations.

N.C: From your words can we conclude that the present territory of the
Republic of Armenia is not viable for the long-term survival and prosperity
of the Armenian people, and that the Genocide reparation is actually a
question of security of Armenia and Armenians in the long run?

H. Theriault: Yes, absolutely…

To be continued…

By Nvard Chalikyan
Panorama.am

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA’S FREIGHT TRAFFIC SHRINKS 8.8% TO 1,220,700 TONS IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2015

YEREVAN, April 9. /ARKA/. Armenia’s freight traffic totaled 1,220,700
tons in January and February 2015 after shrinking 8.8%, compared
with the same period a year before, the National Statistical Service
reports.

According to the statistical report, some 545,400 tons or 44.7%
of the total freight traffic were transported by motor vehicles,
384,900 tons or 31.5% by pipelines, 289,400 tons or 23.7% by trains
and only 1,000 tons by aircrafts.

Cargo turnover shrank 16.7% in January and February 2015, compared
with the same period a year earlier, to 732 million ton-kilometers.

($1 – AMD 474.99). –0——

From: A. Papazian

TWELVE-YEAR EDUCATION WILL BE COMPULSORY IN ARMENIA

13:38 | April 9,2015 | Social

Twelve-year education will be compulsory in Armenia. Yesterday the
NA adopted the bill on amending the RA Laws on Education.

“Now, according to this law, after graduating from primary school,
children must continue their education at high schools or secondary
vocational colleges according to their choice,” Deputy Minister of
Education and Science Karine Harutyunyan told “A1+”.

The law will enter into force in 2 years.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN REGIONAL GOVERNORS’ ASSETS ACCORDING TO INCOME DECLARATIONS

11:37 * 09.04.15

Tert.am has studied the income and property assets declared by Armenian
regional governors and their families in 2014 and 2013.

The declarations reveal that the newly appointed governor of Kotayk,
Karapet Guloyan, owns the highest money assets. In 2014, he declared
1.352 million Armenian Drams (approx $3,000); his wife, Roza Tsarukyan,
had a declared income of 17.44 million Drams (over $3,500).

As for the governor of Tavush, his declared income decreased from 40.2
Drams ($85,000) in early 2014 to 31.11 million Drams (over $65,000)
at the end of the year. The declaration does not say anything as
to the spending made, apart from a TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 100 4.5 car
purchased for 7.5 million Drams ($15,000). His assets in the tax
income year were 2.583 Drams (over $5,000). His spouse’s assets were
down to 101.4 Drams (over $200,000). The regional governor’s daughter,
Anna Abovyan purchased a TOYOTA RAV 4 2.0 GAS vehicle for 20 million
Drams ($ 42,180).

The regional governor of Ararat, Rubik Abrahamyan, comes next with his
declared assets. Upon taking office in 2014, he declared 7.6 million
Drams (over $16,000), 33,000 US Dollars and 15,000,00 Euros. A FORD
COURRIER VAN 1.3 truck was the only property asset on his declaration.

In late-2014, his declared monetary assets amounted to 10 million
Drams ($21,000), 35,000 US Dollars and 15,000 Euros. His spouse, Naira
Nersisyan, had a declared income of 15 million Drams (over $30,000),
21,000 Dollars and 16,000 Euros. Her annual income was 25,000 Euros.

The regional governor’s sons, Emin and Gor Abrahamyan, declared 10
million Drams (over $20,000) and 4 million Drams (over $40,000),
respectively.

The regional governor of Lori, Arthur Nalbandian, declared 2.834
million Drams (approx 6,000) and 229,862 Dollars in late-2014.

The governor of Armavir, Ashot Ghahramanyan, had 21.340 million Drams
($45,000) on his declaration in the same period; his annual tax income
was over 5.5 million Drams ($ 11,5000).

Shirak region’s governor, Felix Tsolakyan, had 16.888 million Drams
(over $35,000), 2 million Drams ($4,200) more compared to the beginning
of the year. His spouse, Zinaida Barseghyan declared 6.620 million
Drams (approx $14,000).

The governor of Syunik, Surik Khachatryan, had a declared income of
about 3,000 US Dollars; his total assets amounted to 215.202 million
Drams. His wife, Loreta Barseghyan, has not declared any assets, but
her annual tax income was 215.202 million Drams (over $400,000). The
governor’s son, Tigran Khachatryan, had no declared assets either.

Harutyun Sargsyan, the regional governor of Vayots Dzor, declared
a MITSUBISHI PAJERO 3.0 L upon taking office. His income has been
2 million Drams (over $4,000) ever since. His spouse did not have
declared assets in late 2014, but her annual tax income amounted to
about 3 million Drams (over $6,000).

The regional governor of Aragatsotn, Sargis Sahakyan, had no declared
money assets either; his annual tax income was about 0.5 million Drams
(over 3,000).

No money assets were registered on the income declaration of Rafik
Grigoryan, the governor of Gegharkunik. His 2014 annual tax income
was 6.620 million Drams (aproxx $14,000). The governor did not declare
money assets in 2013 either.

From: A. Papazian

POPE PRAYS THAT DIVINE MERCY MIGHT HELP RECONCILIATION OVER ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

17:40, 09 Apr 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Pope Francis has prayed that the Divine Mercy might hasten
reconciliation over the deaths of more than a million Armenians a
century ago in what is commonly referred to as the Armenian genocide,
the Catholic Herald reports.

The Pope made the comment during a meeting with Armenian bishops and
faithful ahead of a Mass on Sunday that will mark the 100th anniversary
of the massacre.

In his prepared remarks he prayed that the Divine Mercy “might help us
all, in love for truth and justice, to heal every wound and to hasten
concrete gestures of reconciliation and peace among the nations that
have not yet reached a consensus on the reading of such sorrowful
events”.

According to Vatican Radio, the Pope noted the long history of
Christianity in Armenia, which goes back to 301, when Armenia became
the first Christian nation. Pope Francis called on the bishops to
“always cultivate a feeling of gratitude to the Lord”.

He also paid tribute to those who worked to relieve the suffering of
the Armenian people during the “Great Crime”, notably Pope Benedict XV,
who tried to intervene with the Ottoman rulers to stop the massacre.

An estimated 1.5 million Armenians – more than half the Armenian
population at the time – died in a forced evacuation from their
traditional territory in the Ottoman-Turkish Empire from 1915 to 1918.

Turkey rejects the accusation of genocide, saying the deaths were
due largely to disease and famine.

On Sunday Francis is to proclaim a 10th-century Armenian monk as a
Doctor of the church when he celebrates a liturgy with leaders and
faithful of the Armenian Catholic Church.

The Vatican announced in February the Pope’s decision to confer
the title “Doctor of the Church” on St Gregory of Narek. The title
indicates that the saint’s writings are considered to offer key
theological insights for the faith.

St Gregory of Narek is considered one of the leading figures of
Armenian theology and thought, and many of his prayers are included
in the Armenian Divine Liturgy.

He was born in 950 in the Armenian town of Andzevatsik, located in
present-day Turkey. He entered a monastery at a young age and was
ordained a priest at 25. He lived at the monastery at Narek his whole
priestly life and taught at the monastic school.

His best-known writings include a commentary on the Song of Songs
and his “Book of Lamentations”, now commonly known as “Narek.”

“Narek” is considered his masterpiece. It includes 95 prayers and
has been translated into more than 30 languages.

St Gregory died in Narek around 1005. His feast day in the Armenian
churches is Oct. 13; he is remembered in the Roman Catholic Church
on February 27.

Designating him a Doctor of the church, Pope Francis will bring to
36 the number of saintly theologians to hold the title.

The Pope will concelebrate the liturgy with Armenian Catholic Patriarch
Nerses Bedros XIX Tarmouni.

From: A. Papazian

PRICES FOR NONFOODS IN ARMENIA RISE 1.2% IN MARCH 2015

YEREVAN, April 9. /ARKA/. Prices for nonfoods in Armenia rose 1.2% in
March 2015, compared with the previous month, the National Statistical
Service of Armenia reports.

This price rise was mostly due to 1.2% increase in prices for personal
usage goods, 1.6% increase in furniture and household electronic
devices, 2.1% in detergents 4% in shoes and 5% in clothes.

Prices rose also for cosmetics – 0.1%, kitchen appliances – 0.7%,
construction goods and textile – 0.9% and medicaments and office
appliances 1%.

Instead, prices for cultural goods shed 1.5%, golden jewelry 1.2%,
fuel 0.5% and carpets 0.1%, and prices for gardener goods remained
unchanged in March.

Food prices slid 0.9% in March 2015, compared with the previous
month. -0—–

From: A. Papazian

RUSSIAN FM’S STATEMENT ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH A THREAT – ASHASI YENOKYAN

19:05 * 09.04.15

Political scientist Aghasi Yenokyan, who, in an earlier interview
with Tert.am, said that Russia was making preparations for an
Armenian-Azerbaijani war, believes that it is an even more topical
problem for Russia now that an agreement on the Iran nuclear program
has been reached.

As regards Russian FM Sergey Lavrov’s statement, Mr Yenokyan considers
it a threat.

At their meeting, the Armenian and Russian FMs reportedly discussed
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s planned visit to Armenia to attend
events marking the Armenian Genocide centennial.

“We can be sure of the Russian president’s visit when Mr Putin arrives
in Yerevan. Russia may thus be showing its favorable attitude to
Armenia in the context of certain regional problems. First of all,
they involve Armenian-Iranian relations because, after sanctions are
lifted from Iran, Armenia will become a most important factor in the
region, and Russia will spare no effort to ‘neutralize’ this factor.

It is primarily energy carriers that are in question because
facilitating their transit is not at all in Russia’s interests,”
Mr Yenokyan said.

Elaborating on the Russian FM’s statement, the expert said:

“This seems to be a threat, and the official report does not appear
to contain its ‘initial part’. And why should they want – or does any
state want – hostilities? Such statements do not follow contemporary
political logic. It means a number of preconditions have been
presented, which, Russia believes, will escalate the conflict. I think

From: A. Papazian

ZHIRAYR SEFILYAN WAS CHARGED (VIDEO)

20:08 | April 9,2015 | Politics

Short time ago the interrogation of leader of “Centennial without the
regime” movement Zhirayr Sefilyan ended. He was charged under Article
225, part 1 of the Criminal Code- organization of mass disorder.

Zhirayr Sefilyan was transferred to the court for discussing the
issue of choosing 2-month arrest as measure of restraint for him.

At present Garegin Chugaszyan and Gevorg Safaryan are being
interrogated. Details- later

With best regards,

“Centennial without the regime” movement

From: A. Papazian

PRESS RELEASE
The Busby Group
Scott Busby
[email protected]
310.475.2914

New Armenian-American Author Aida Zilelian Featured at
Burbank and Glendale Bookstore Events This Week

WHAT: Armenian-American author Aida Zilelian, whose first published
novel The Legacy of Lost Things was released to rave reviews last month,
will participate in several arts and cultural events taking place
throughout the Greater Los Angeles Area this week to commemorate the
100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, including:

· Wednesday, she will be the featured author at a
`Read & Sign’ hosted by Barnes & Noble in Burbank.

· Thursday, she will join other writers, an award-winning
comedic actress and playwright, a multi-instrumental musician and others
for an Armenian-themed literary/cultural event happening at Abril
Bookstore (the Los Angeles area’s largest and best-known
Armenian bookstore) in Glendale. The event is part of the monthly
`Tongue and Groove’ program produced by Conrad Romo that
features short fiction, personal essays, poetry, spoken word and music.
April’s theme is `The Legacy of Lost Things,’ a
commemoration of the community’s losses and a celebration of
Armenian culture and music. The program is free and open to the public.

WHERE/WHEN: Barnes & Noble-Burbank `Read & Sign’

Burbank Town Center
731 N San Fernando Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502
818-558-1383

Wednesday, April 8

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Abril Books Literary/Cultural Event

415 E. Broadway, #102
Glendale, CA 91205

818-243-4112

Thursday, April 9

7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

WHO: Zilelian, a New York writer and English teacher, has been
published in several anthologies and more than 25 literary journals.
Even before acceptance and publication, The Legacy of Lost Things
started attracting national attention. In May 2014, it won the Minas and
Kohar Tölölyan Prize in Contemporary Literature, an annual
award that recognizes and encourages the literary works of talented
writers in North America who are of Armenian ancestry or whose work has
an Armenian theme.

Watch a video Q&A with Zilelian HERE.

WHAT ELSE: In The Legacy of Lost Things – which is available in
all formats online and in bookstores – Zilelian traces three
generations of a family of Armenian immigrants living in Queens, New
York as they struggle with one another and against the Old World
expectations of their community. When Araxi, the oldest daughter of the
desperately unhappy Levon and Tamar, goes missing, the remaining family
members are forced to confront their painful histories together, and the
role each of them has played in driving Araxi away. Through Araxi and
her family, readers are given a unique look at the generational and
cultural tensions that both keep families together and tear them apart.

Aram Saroyan, son of Pulitzer Prize-winning author and dramatist William
Saroyan – and an internationally renowned poet and author in his
own right, describes the author and book thusly: “The Legacy of Lost
Things is a beautifully written and artfully constructed novel that
explores the intimate lives of several generations of an Armenian
immigrant family in America. Aida Zilelian has the superior
novelist’s combination of equanimity and empathy. In
deceptively simple prose, she takes you right to the heart of the
matter.”

Other reviews:

“The Legacy of Lost Things is a page-turning puzzle, a gripping study of
a family of lost souls, burdened by patterns beyond their control, borne
of tradition and decisions made in the blindness of youth. With
unblinking bravery, Aida Zilelian has composed a complex,
exquisitely-crafted story about the reality of violence and the
possibility of redemption.” – Nancy Agabian, award-winning author, Me as
Her Again: True Stories of an Armenian Daughter

Kirkus Reviews calls The Legacy of Lost Things “a lyrical description of
a family’s search for their daughter and for their humanity.”

The Legacy of Lost Things is published by Bleeding Heart Publications, a
new literary publishing house based in Southeast Asia that specializes
in creative non-fiction and fiction for the U.S. market.

###

From: A. Papazian