Hovsep Chakrian – Page 42 – Armenian Directory & News

President Sarkissian holds meeting with tourism sector representatives

August 31, 2020August 31, 2020 Hovsep Chakrian

10:56, 26 August, 2020

YEREVAN, AUGUST 26, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian had a meeting with heads of several companies operating in the tourism sector, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

President Sarkissian said this is his second extended-format meeting with the tourism sector representatives and proposed to hold it in a practical environment discussing concrete assistance opportunities by the President and the presidential institute.

The meeting participants presented a number of problems, in particular touching upon the possible steps, including the need for state assistance, aimed at restoring the tourism sector in Armenia. They stated that after the previous meeting with the President certain actions have been taken on this direction.

President Sarkissian attached importance to the information both about the situation, the country and concrete areas. He also highlighted focusing on the local market in line with the foreign tourism market. “Domestic market should become one of your directions, and you need to support the local tourism to develop”, he said. “The main development assistance by you I see that you must be able to dictate certain conditions and demands for the right organization of work, ensuring service quality and the necessary hygiene. Over the past two weeks I visited many provinces, communicated with the local residents. I noticed that people have started to think about giving one or two rooms of their homes for rent which can become an additional source of income, especially when these infrastructures do not exist, there are no small hotels in each village”.

As for the assistance by the presidential institute, President Sarkissian proposed to form a working group and clearly outline the main directions. “We can assist you with participation to international structures or exhibitions at forums”, he said, adding that people need to know Armenia, what it is and what they can expect from Armenia.

He also touched upon the implementation of several projects and international events in Armenia at the initiative of the presidential institute which will also contribute to the tourism development and awareness raising on Armenia. “We are ready to cooperate with you within the frames of each project. Each of them has a connection with tourism in some sense. The first project is ATOM. It’s about the development of artificial intelligence in Armenia, and in addition to the city of artificial intelligence and cooperation with major companies, it also involves a number of other programs. One of them is the Armenian Summit of Minds. Here as well we are ready to involve you as a partner. The working group can directly work with us. Invitation is sent to nearly 3000 individuals, of which we choose 300.

The next one is STARMUS. I think that we can cooperate starting today. All these measures can contribute to tourism development. Many of the guests arrive with their families, discover Armenia and establish ties.

The next project is the Hay Park. It’s an Armenian project over which we expect the whole Armenian people to unite starting from the Diaspora to Artsakh and Armenia. We also aim at cooperating with you on the sidelines of this project”, the President said, once again expressing readiness to cooperate and assist the tourism sector representatives.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Chess: Understandably Frustrated Armenian Team Defaulted Against India

August 30, 2020August 30, 2020 Hovsep Chakrian

Chess Daily News

Aug 29 2020

Understandably Frustrated Armenian Team Defaulted Against India

Susan Polgar

"I can confirm that no further disciplinary actions are being considered at this point," FIDE's Chief Communications Officer David Llada told IANS. He said the quarter-finals is a knockout event, so the withdrawal does not impact other teams.

The quarter-finals consist of a knockout duel of two matches and an Armageddon game.

During the first quarter-final match, Sarin was pitted against Martirosyan. When the Armenian was to make his 69th move, it seems he lost internet connectivity and thus lost out on time.

The Armenian team then appealed, saying that the net connectivity was good and it was the problem with the Chess.com server.

"As a leader of a 3-time Olympic champion I feel very dissatisfied with FIDE's decision to reject our just appeal. In our match against India, Haik Martirosyan lost on time due to disconnection from http://chess.com. We proved that our connection was stable (sic)," tweeted Armenian player Levon Aronian.

"It was a problem with access to http://chess.com, not on our side. All we asked for was to continue that game from the same position and same time. Is it too much to ask?" he wondered.

Chess players had said continuing the game from the same position and same time could not be allowed as the players would have analysed the position in depth with the help of computers.

One option was to start a fresh game.

FIDE had laid down strong rules for players, including a ban from playing in the next round even if their internet connectivity is lost for two minutes or less.

"We understand the frustration experienced by the Armenian players, but we have followed the same criteria we followed in previous rounds — like when Vidit (Santosh Gujrathi) and Koneru (Humpy) lost their games in their match against Mongolia," Llada added.

Apart from these two Indian players, Divya Deshmukh too lost a game as she was disconnected from www.chess.com server.

Deciding on Armenian's team's appeal, the FIDE's appeals committee discussed the event regulations in detail with the team captains. As per the regulations, the quality and stability of the of internet connection is the sole responsibility of the players.

"In their appeal, the Armenian team pointed out that the specified player was connected to the zoom call during the whole incident, and the video call was not interrupted. In their opinion, this confirms the normal operation of the internet connection in the game room, and proves that the technical problems were limited to the chess.com website," the appeals committee said.

The committee also pointed out that India had lost two games owing to disruption in internet connectivity against Mongolia.

"No other reliable evidence of problems on the game server was presented to the Appeals Committee, in addition to the general conclusion provided by the Armenian team," the committee said.

According to the committee, Armenian player Martirosyan had about 50 seconds to restore the connection, which turned out to be insufficient.

"In the current situation, any other decision would be inconsistent with the tournament regulations, creating a precedent that could lead to further conflicting situations. The Appeals Committee also finds that any other decision would be unfair to the opposing team," the committee decided.

Meanwhile, the Indian team has beefed up its power and internet connectivity backup systems.

The team now has a channel bonding system for uninterrupted net connectivity. In simple terms, if one net connection fails, the next one takes over within a second so that there is no loss of precious time in this fast game.

Asbarez: Veteran ARF Member, Educator Haigaz Terterian Passes Away

August 27, 2020August 27, 2020 Hovsep Chakrian

August 26, 2020

Haigaz Terterian

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Central Committee of Western United States announced the passing of veteran party member, activist, educator and leader Haigaz Terterian. He passed away on Sunday, August 23 in Los Angeles.

Throughout his storied career spanning Kessab, the community in Syria and Lebanon, as well as the Western U.S. Unger Terterian will mostly be remembered as a dedicated educator to countless generation of Armenians. He was a long-time teacher at the Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School in Hollywood. While he held several leadership positions in the organization, Unger Terterian was true believer in advancing the ARF’s ideology as a key to its mission in serving the Nation.

The Central Committee extends its deepest condolences to his family, relatives, friends and all his fellow ARF members.

Asbarez: Armenia Provides Medical Supplies to Aleppo Hospitals

August 26, 2020August 26, 2020 Hovsep Chakrian

August 25, 2020

Armenia’s Humanitarian Mission to Syria with some of the two tons of medical supplies

The Armenian Humanitarian Mission in Syria, in cooperation with the Consulate General of Armenia in Aleppo, delivered more than two tons of medical supplies to Aleppo medical facilities on Monday.

Local health officials thanked the Armenian doctors for the medical supplies provided, as well as the Armenian nursing home, pharmacy, the “Bethel” medical centers, and a number of other medical institutions for daily support.

According to them, Armenian and Syrian doctors are jointly working to help the injured. The director of the hospital also thanked the Armenian authorities and healthcare bodies for their assistance and support from the very first days.

Armenian Humanitarian Mission to Syria delivered supplies for needy families in Damascus

The Armenian Humanitarian Mission, in cooperation with the Syrian Relief Cross, provided necessary supplies and food to the students of the National Shelter Orphanage belonging to the Armenian community in Aleppo.

The financial assistance provided to Syrian Armenians by the Armenian government was delivered to needy Armenian families in Damascus, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on Saturday.

Armenia’s Ambassador to Syria Tigran Gevorgyan and the Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Bishop Armash Nalbandian were present at the event.

The special commission set up at the Prelacy provided financial assistance to about 300 needy Armenian families for our compatriots to buy food, basic necessities and personal hygiene items from a chain of shops in Damascus and its suburbs.

In the coming days, the next tranche of assistance provided by the Armenian government to Syrian-Armenians will be distributed to 4,750 needy Armenian families in Aleppo and the northeastern regions.

Asbarez: Youth Political Organizations from Sèvres Signatory Countries Call on Turkey to Make Reparations to Armenia

August 24, 2020August 24, 2020 Hovsep Chakrian

August 17 2020

Youth political organizations from Sèvres signatory countries call on Turkey to make reparations to Armenia

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Treaty of Sèvres, the ARF Youth Office published a joint statement with socialist and social-democratic youth organizations of countries that signed the Treaty. The text of the statement is presented below:

Joint statement on the 100th anniversary of the Treaty of Sèvres

The Treaty of Sèvres represents the only international legal document which provides for just reparations of the Armenian genocide and which was signed between principle allied powers and Turkey following World War I during the Paris Peace Conference in 1920.

Based on the resolution that was unanimously adopted by the International Union of Socialists Youth (IUSY) World Council (2015) in Yerevan, which condemns the genocide of Armenians that was carried out by the Ottoman Empire․

We, as socialist and social democratic youth organizations of countries and successor states that have signed the inviolable document, reaffirm the importance of the Treaty of Sèvres and call upon the Republic of Turkey to begin the process of eliminating the consequences of the Armenian Genocide by initiating the restoration of the rights of the Armenian people.

We believe that this is the only way to create mutual trust between the people of both nations and to establish peace within the region.

Co-signed by the following organizations:

Armenia – Armenian Youth Federation – Youth Organization of the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun
Belgium – Young Socialists (Jongesocialisten)
Belgium – Movement of Young Socialists (Mouvement des Jeunes Socialistes)
Canada – New Democratic Youth of Canada
Croatia – Croatian Social Democratic Youth
Czech Republic – Young Social Democrats
France – Movement of Young Socialists (Mouvement des Jeunes Socialistes)
Greece – Panhellenic Socialist Movement – PASOK Youth
India – Young Voters Party
Italy – Young Democrats (Giovani Democratici)
New Zealand – New Zealand Young Labour Portugal – Young Socialists (Juventude Socialista)
Poland – Union of Young Social Democrats
Republic of North Macedonia – Social Democratic Youth of Macedonia
Slovenia – Young Forum of Socialist Democrats (Mladi forum Socialnih demokratov)Serbia – Youth of Freedom and Justice Party
Turkey – Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Youth

Russian defense minister notes Armenian soldiers’ high preparedness during Victory Parade at Red Square

August 23, 2020August 23, 2020 Hovsep Chakrian

News.am, Armenia

Aug 23 2020

Russian defense minister notes Armenian soldiers' high preparedness during Victory Parade at Red Square Russian defense minister notes Armenian soldiers' high preparedness during Victory Parade at Red Square

18:53, 23.08.2020

Armenia unveils new ‘Dragon’ suicide drone: video

August 23, 2020August 23, 2020 Hovsep Chakrian

AMN – Al-Masdar News

Aug 22 2020

By News Desk

–

2020-08-22

Media Advocate: Negative articles on Arsen Torosyan prevail

August 17, 2020August 17, 2020 Hovsep Chakrian

Panorama, Armenia

Aug 13 2020

Negative media reports on Armenia’s Minister of Health Arsen Torosyan prevail, the Media Advocate initiative said in a statement on Thursday, presenting the results of its monitoring. The statement reads:

"From 1 to 10 August, 2020, the Media Advocate initiative followed online media reports on Armenian Minister of Health Arsen Torosyan’s personality and activities.

35 leading Armenian news agencies have been monitored․

In the specified period, 333 articles were declared, 176 of which were negative, 157 were neutral.

The negative articles published on Minister of Health Arsen Torosyan exceeded the number of neutral ones this time, no positive articles were declared.

The confrontation between the former head of the SCS (State Control Service) Davit Sanasaryan and Arsen Torosyan continues. According to Davit Sanasaryan, Arsen Torosyan must appear in the court as a witness. There will be surprising questions. He added: “If my powers had not been terminated, I would not have allowed the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption to study the case, because there is a specialized structure to deal with it, I would have instructed my employees to study and see how it turned out that he is a minister and makes a 170 million deal with a medical center run by his wife with a single purchase and without holding a tender. Let the relevant bodies find out, the prosecutor’s office also has something to do here.”

According to Marine Sukiasyan, who represents the Alternative Projects Group initiative, “Arsen Torosyan failed the fight against the epidemic, but he failed that case with others, that is, not alone. He failed the medical side of the disaster, but the deaths that exceeded 1000 have not stopped and this is not only a healthcare problem. Such a situation in a small country, where currently 40.000 patients are officially registered, can not go unnoticed. More than 1,000 deaths are not anonymous figures that are presented to the public every morning. Each of them is a personal, family tragedy.”

According to the press, Arsen Torosyan will be dismissed soon, the names of the candidates replacing Arsen Torosyan are even being discussed, they, by the way, according to various sources, are sponsored by the Prime Minister’s wife, Anna Hakobyan.

Tehmina Vardanyan, a member of Yerevan Council of Elders from the Luys fraction, thinks that Arsen Torosyan should resign: “It is clear that Arsen Torosyan’s great desire for the cult of his personal self exceeds the permissible limit, he does not stand anyone’s competence and professionalism. Do you know why? Complex, it is a pure complex. Of course, it is more difficult to work with a person with his own standpoint and qualities, on the same level, so that the advantages of the other person are not vivid. But not in this difficult situation. And, indeed, if there is anyone who has to resign, it is you, Mr. Torosyan. Respect us, respect the people and leave! For God’s sake, leave…”

Recently, the director of Nork Infectious Diseases Clinical Hospital, Mher Davidyants, resigned. It was mentioned in the press that Arsen Torosyan will appoint his close friend Hovhannes Madoyan as the director of Nork Infectious Diseases Clinical Hospital, who has certain ties with Soros and is the program consultant of the “Real World, Real People” NGO. The latter is a prominent Soros-related specialist who has been working in an NGO for more than 15 years, and is engaged in defending the interests of HIV-infected people."

Armenia economy minister hopes inbound tourism will resume in autumn

August 15, 2020August 15, 2020 Hovsep Chakrian

16:00,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 14, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Economy Tigran Khachatryan has expressed hope that inbound tourism to Armenia will resume in autumn this year.

“There are businesses that shut down during the coronavirus outbreak,” he said at a news briefing. “Compared to last year tourism turnover dropped more than 90%. Because there is no inbound tourism, these organizations have no income. We find the shutdown of these companies to be conditional, because they will immediately reopen when tourism flows will be restored,” he said.

He hoped that by late autumn tourists will start arriving to Armenia from some directions.

Reporting by Lilit Demuryan; Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Asbarez: We Call On the Community to Aid Our Armenian Compatriots In Lebanon

August 8, 2020August 8, 2020 Hovsep Chakrian

August 7, 2020

Pan-Armenian Council of Western United States

In the wake of the humanitarian crisis caused by the catastrophic explosion in the Port of Beirut on August 4, the Pan Armenian Council of the Western United States of America has resolved to undertake emergency efforts to facilitate relief aid through fundraising for the devastated families, communities and people of our community in Lebanon.

DONATE NOW!

All donations will be transferred to a unified body under the high auspices of His Holiness Aram I, comprised of all the leading Armenian religious, political, and philanthropic organizations of the Lebanese-Armenian community, and for the distribution to the thousands who are in immediate need of daily necessities, food, shelter, and medical attention.

The PAC-WUSA urges everyone to rise and stand together in support of our compatriots in Lebanon, a country which provided refuge, aid, and a peaceful home for our parents and grandparents in the aftermath of the Armenian Genocide.

Furthermore, we urge all our compatriots to be particularly vigilant as they identify causes and campaigns seeking donations.

United in our common humanity, we stand in solidarity and support at their most urgent time of need.

Pan Armenian Council of Western United States of America member organizations

Armenian Assembly of America
Armenian Bar Association
Armenian Catholic Eparchy of Our Lady of Nareg of North America
Armenian Democratic Liberal Party Western District
Armenian General Benevolent Union, Western District
Armenian Evangelical Union of North America
Armenian Missionary Association of America
Armenian National Committee of America, Western Region
Armenian Relief Society of Western USA
Armenian Revolutionary Federation of Western USA
Armenian Society of Los Angeles – Iranahay Miutyun
Armenian Youth Association of California – Irakahay Miutyun
Armenian Youth Federation of Western USA
Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society of the Western USA
Homenetmen Western USA
Iraqi Armenian Family Association of Los Angeles
Kessab Educational Association
Organization of Istanbul Armenians
Service Employees International Union – Armenian Caucus
Southern California Armenian Democrats
Tekeyan Cultural Association
Unified Young Armenians
Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America