Author: Kalantarian Kevo

KIM AND KHLOE: HEY PRIME MINISTER, NICE TO MEET YA!

TMZ.com
April 9 2015

4/9/2015 8:22 AM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

Kim and Khloe Kardashian had a meeting Thursday with none other than
Hovik Abrahamyan, the Prime Minister of Armenia.

The P.M. heaped praise on the Kardashian girls for staying in touch
with their Armenian roots and remembering the 100th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide.

It’s unclear if “KUWTK” cameras were rolling during the visit, but
there was plenty of video so the girls are in luck. They apologized
for not speaking the Armenian language but promised to learn it … or
at least give it the ol’ college try.

The Prime Minister gave them a flower arrangement that symbolizes
the anniversary.

Just wow.

COMMUNITY CENTER BEING CONSRUCTED IN KHACHMACH, ARTSAKH

[ Part 2.2: “Attached Text” ]

13:04, 10 Apr 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund is putting the finishing touches on
a community center it has built in Khachmach, a village in Artsakh’s
Askeran Region. The project has been made possible by the financial
support of the fund’s Lebanese, Brazilian, Dutch, Greek, and Cypriot
affiliates as well as the government of Artsakh.

By the end of May, the Khachmach mayor’s office and health clinic,
which still operate out of a decrepit building, will move to the
newly constructed, two-story community center, only meters away
from the old site. The community center will also house a library,
a 150-seat events hall, and a computer room, all of which will serve
the 233 residents of the village.

Currently crews are decorating the interior of the community center,
a visually striking structure covered with local marble. The building
also features state-of-the-art amenities and creature comforts,
including central heating and air-conditioning.

“Apart from solving a host of key issues faced by our village, the new
community center will function as a wonderful leisure destination,”
said Mayor Mkhitar Ghahriyan. “Moreover, the construction of the
building in the past few years has provided numerous jobs to our
residents.”

“The new, beautiful community center of Khachmach is a testament to
the community’s ongoing development,” said Ara Vardanyan, executive
director of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund. “As significantly,
the structure is a vivid example of the synergistic efforts of our
compatriots living in various countries. The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
has implemented and continues to carry out a great many collaborative
projects of this scale, including the complete renovation of the
Noyemberyan Hospital and the construction of the Karin Tak water
network.”

Thanks to the support of several benefactors, living standards have
risen considerably in Khachmach. The community now has regular access
to water and natural gas, as well as a recently built road that
runs the length of the village. In addition, St. Stepanos Church,
a Khachmach landmark, has been rebuilt.

achmach-artsak/

VARDAN VOSKANYAN: IRAN ASSUMES FUNCTIONS OF “A GENDARME” TO REMOVE CHAOS IN MIDDLE EAST

ArmInfo’s Interview with Vardan Voskanyan, Head of the Chair of
Iranian Studies, Yerevan State University

by Ashot Safaryan

Friday, April 10, 08:52

Mr. Voskanyan, Iran and the world powers reached a framework agreement
on April 2. Which of the parties has benefited from it?

The results of the talks in Switzerland are a compromise, but Iran
has reserved the right to develop the nuclear program. The Geneva
agreements have actually removed the threat of a military operation
against Iran. No one would benefit from a new war in the Middle East.

What would you say about the prospects of economic partnership in
the context of Armenian-Iranian cooperation?

The Iranian market has always been closed and protective. I don’t
think it will undergo any serious changes if the sanctions are
rescinded. Nevertheless, joint projects with Armenia are either
frozen or semi- frozen now as Iran is suffering financial problems
due to the west’s sanctions. I am speaking about the construction of
Iran-Armenia railway and oil pipeline. After the sanctions are lifted,
Iran will return to the world market of energy resources as the
economic situation will significantly improve in that country. This
will guarantee resumption of the energy projects with Armenia. It is
very important that Armenia has special trade regime with the EU –
GSP+. On the other hand, Armenia as a member of the Eurasian Economic
Union is an important channel for Iran to enter the European and
Eurasian markets.

Given the growing role of Iran in the regional processes, what goal
does the US pursue when temporizing with Tehran and actually letting
off the leash for further actions in the Middle East?

The United States and its western satellites, which were conducting a
“controlled chaos” policy, have lost the control over that chaos. So,
the West needs a stable and strong player in the region that can help
remove the “outrage” in the region. The USA needs a country that has
levers of influence and is able to assume the functions of a regional
“gendarme” to settle the situation in Iraq. The city of Tikrit was
liberated from the Islamic State militants with active participation
of the Iranian special forces. Iran is also needed for normalizing
the situation in Syria and to some extent in Afghanistan given the
withdrawal of the coalition troops from that country. In addition,
the latest developments in Yemen and Iran’s support to the Houthis
have demonstrated that Tehran’s interests on the Arabian Peninsula are
still relevant. We know that Bab el Mandeb – the oil-bearing artery –
is currently in the Houthis’ hands. Iran has held its ground under the
sanctions without undergoing internal shocks and has become the only
stable place in the Middle East today. Tehran may become a valuable
ally of the West. Certainly, it has a long way to establish allied
relations, but the first steps are already being taken.

How will Ankara react to the strengthening of its traditional regional
rival, which also has a certain influence – the Kurdish factor?

Turkey is really concerned by Iran’s ascendancy in the Middle East.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent anxious response
and comments on Tehran’s stand on Yemeni events proves the Turkish
concerns. Until recently Iran and the West had strained relations
and at that time Iran no how responded to the Turkish attempts at
regional expansion. Up to a certain time Tehran did not want to mar
its relations with the closest neighbour. I believe the situation
has changed. Less confrontation with the West gives Iran a chance
to take a more radical and unyielding position towards Ankara. Iran
has essential levers in Turkey – the Kurdish factor, alawi – who
are almost 20% of the Turkish population. Tehran has not played this
trump yet – or has played it partially. I mean the recent abduction of
the Turkish prosecutor general. Despite far right Shia organizations
were responsible for the abduction, most often alawi are behind such
actions. To sum up, we can say that Iran has both political, economic
and energy leverages against Turkey.

What factor is Armenia for Iran following the accession to the EEU?

Judging by the Iranian high-ranking officials’ statements, Tehran’s
attitude to Armenia’s choice is positive. Now it is hard to say how
Iran sees Armenia within the EEU, but Armenia may become a bridge
between Tehran and the EEU countries. Armenia has always been a
reliable partner in this respect.

May Moscow hinder the intensification of the Armenian-Iranian economic
cooperation?

Certainly, there is some competition between Moscow and Tehran in the
South Caucasus, even in the energy sector. But it should be noted that
the third countries also have their interests in the South Caucasus.

Amid the Russia-US confrontation, Moscow benefits from the presence of
a strong ally in the region – Armenia. This envisages close cooperation
between Yerevan and Tehran. Armenia is also an important point for
entering the Middle East. The Russian leadership should realize that
Russia itself eventually benefits from the multi-vector foreign policy
of Armenia. I think the best scenario here is to combine the Russian
and the Iranian interests in the South Caucasus.

BAGRAT ASATRYAN SAYS GOVERNMENT SHOULD REVISE THIS YEAR’S BUDGET

10.04.2015 17:01

YEREVAN, April 10. / ARKA /. The Armenian government should revise
completely the 2015 budget, a former head of the Central Bank Bagrat
Asatryan told a news conference today.

He said the budget was adopted in 2014 early December and did not
consider the situation in the local financial and economic markets
that emerged late in 2014.

He argued that the government should make an overhaul of its fiscal
policy with the focus on social issues.

He also said that the government should develop a new program to
stimulate the economy, attract foreign investment and support socially
vulnerable segments of the population.

The 2015 budget calls for 1 trillion and 191 billion drams in revenue
(including 1 trillion and 138 billion drams or 23.39% of the GDP
as taxes) and for a spending in the amount of 1 trillion and 305
billion drams or 26.82% of the GDP. The projected budget deficit is
114 billion drams or 2.34% of the GDP.

The 2015 draft budget projects also a 4.1% GDP growth and a 4% (±
1.5%) inflation. The cost of budget a USD in the budget is set at
411 drams. Today it is 475.55 drams.-0-

FORMER GOVERNOR OF CENTRAL BANK SAYS RISK OF DRAMATIC DROP IN THE VALUE OF DRAM STILL PERSISTS

10.04.2015 16:58

YEREVAN, April 10. / ARKA /. A former governor of Armenia’s Central
Bank Bagrat Asatryan said today the risk of another dramatic drop in
the cost of the national currency, the dram, still persists.

He recalled that the Central Bank’s reserves slashed by $750 million
alone in 2014 and by another $200 million in the first two months
of 2015 because the regulator had to sell that amount to try to
stabilize the exchange rate of the dram. According to Asatryan,
these moves jeopardize the exchange rate of the dram and may lead to
another dramatic fall in the value of the national currency.

Asatryan praised the Central Bank for taking necessary measures late
last year to stabilize the dram’s exchange rate, however, said in
the present circumstances the regulator should abandon the policy of
intervention to maintain the exchange rate of the dram.

Asatryan said the Central Bank should not have responded to the
weakening of Russian ruble last December, although Russia is Armenia’s
major economic partner, ‘because the impact of Russian economy on
Armenia is inevitable and natural.”

“We must not oppose the formation of the real market value of
our currency, and the Central Bank should abandon the policy of
intervention to maintain the dram’s value, because abandoning that
policy is likely to boost economic development,” said Asatryan.

Armenia’s international gross reserves surged by 18.1% in 2015
March to $1.491.5 billion, according to a provisional Central Bank
of Armenia report. Foreign assets in convertible currency stood at
$1.490.9 billion and the Special Drawing Rights (SDR) with the IMF
were worth $0.7 million.

In 2014 Armenia’s gross international reserves slashed by 33.8% or
$762.3 million to $1.489.3 billion. The reduction continued into 2015.

In February they stood at $1.260.9 billion. -0-

FRANCE CULTURE – TURQUIE : LE TABOU ARMENIEN

Publie le : 10-04-2015

Info Collectif VAN – – Cette semaine dans
CulturesMonde sur France Culture : Comment – et en quoi – la chute
de l’empire Ottoman est redevenue – depuis >
– le moteur des conflits au Moyen-Orient? Alors que se preparent les
commemorations du genocide armenien, CulturesMonde debatte avec Ahmet
Insel du tabou armenien et la nostalgie de la grandeur imperiale
ottomane en Turquie… Le Collectif VAN vous invite a ecouter ou
reecouter cette emission ici.

France Culture

CulturesMonde

par Florian Delorme

du lundi au vendredi de 11h a 11h50

7 avril 2015 a 11h

Le retour de la question d’Orient (2/4) – Turquie : le tabou armenien &
la nostalgie de la grandeur imperiale

07.04.2015 – 11:00

Cette semaine dans CulturesMonde: Comment – et en quoi – la chute de
l’empire Ottoman est redevenue – depuis >
– le moteur des conflits au Moyen-Orient?

Ce matin, alors que se preparent les commemorations du genocide
armenien, nous debattons avec Ahmet Insel du tabou armenien et la
nostalgie de la grandeur imperiale ottomane en Turquie…

lundi: Israël-Palestine : La promesse d’un Etat

mardi: Turquie : le tabou armenien & la nostalgie de la grandeur
imperiale

mercredi: > ou la revanche de
l’histoire

jeudi: Echapper a l’influence occidentale

Une emission preparee par Tiphaine de Rocquigny

Invite(s) :

Ahmet Insel, economiste, politologue, professeur a l’Universite de
Galatasaray et maître de conference a Paris I Maya Arakon, maître de
conferences a l’Universite Suleyman Sah, au departement des Relations
Internationales.

Ali Bayramoglu

—————————————————————————————

Lien(s)

Conference L’Islam et Politique : Turquie par Ali Bayramoglu

Document(s)

Dialogue sur le tabou armenien Ahmet Insel et Michel Marian L. Levi,
Paris. Collection Essais, 2009

Source/Lien : France Culture

TEN WEIGHTLIFTERS TO REPRESENT ARMENIA AT EUROPEAN WEIGHTLIFTING CHAMPIONSHIPS

14:44 | April 10,2015 | Sports

The European Weightlifting Championships 2015 will be held at Tbilisi
Sports Palace, Georgia, on April 11-18. A total of 232 athletes from
38 countries will take part in the championship. Armenia will be
represented by ten weightlifters.

Smbat Margaryan (56 kg w/c), Vanik Avetisyan (69 kg), Rustam Karapetyan
(69 kg), Tigran G. Martirosyan (77 kg), Andranik Karapetyan (77 kg),
Aghasi Aghasyan (85 kg), and Simon Martirosyan (105 kg) will compete in
men’s competitions, and Anna Govelyan 53 (kg), Izabella Yaylyan (58 kg)
and Hripsime Khurshudyan (+75 kg) will compete in women’s competitions.

TURKEY LOOKS TO PREVENT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT’S RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

by Marianna Lazarian

Friday, April 10, 12:00

Turkey will do everything possible to hold European Parliament from
passing a resolution to recognize the Armenian Genocide of 1915,
says Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tanju Bilgic.

To that end, he said, Turkey’s officials will visit the European
Parliament to meet with Martin Schultz, Trend reports referring to
Hurriyet Daily News.

According to Bilgic, Turkey has already taken all possible measures
to prevent a similar resolution of the Danish Parliament.

Turkey is against “one-sided assessment of the events of 1915 and
their use as a measure of political pressure on Ankara,” he said.

Vice-President of the European Parliament Ulrike Lunacek highlighted
the necessity of the adoption of the resolution on the Armenian
Genocide to be discussed on April 14-15 at the European Parliament,
which will suggest and commission EU member-states’ national
Parliaments and Governments to adopt appropriate resolutions and
decisions on recognition and condemnation of the fact.

ITALIAN VIOLINIST IS AWARE OF AMENIAN GENOCIDE (VIDEO)

15:11 | April 10,2015 | Culture

Armenian National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet after
Alexander Spendiarian has declared April as Month of Commemoration and
Remembrance. Within the framework of events commemorating the Armenian
Genocide Centennial, the acclaimed Italian violinist Francesca Dego
will perform with the Theatre’s symphony orchestra on April 11.

The program includes Wolf-Ferrari’s Concerto for Violin and F.

Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 (Italian).

“The young violinist is very talented and has a bright future. I am
glad that we could invite her to Armenia at this important time for
us. She easily established contact with the orchestra. We attach great
importance to the work with good artists,” said Karen Durgaryan, the
music director and principal conductor of National Academic Theatre
of Opera and Ballet after Alexander Spendiarian.

In says in Armenia there are people who seriously understand classical
music and cannot imagine their lives without it.

This is Francesca Dego’s first visit to Armenia. “I am glad for the
opportunity to play in Yerevan for the Armenian audience,” she said.

Asked what she knew about the Armenian Genocide, the 26-year-old
violinist said, “We are taught about it at school. Of course, it is
very sad that this happened and I think it is very important that
the killings be internationally recognized.”

ASSEMBLEE DE CORSE : MOTION > DE FEMU A CORSICA

Publie le : 10-04-2015

Info Collectif VAN – – A l’occasion de la prochaine
session de l’Assemblee de Corse, une motion >
a ete deposee par Jean Biancucci au nom de Femu A Corsica.

Femu a Corsica (Faisons la Corse) est une coalition politique corse
constituee pour la 1re fois a l’occasion de l’election territoriale
de mars 2010. Elle constitue le 3e groupe politique de l’Assemblee de
Corse avec 11 conseillers territoriaux. Elle regroupe les nationalistes
dits > de Gilles Simeoni et Jean-Christophe Angelini
(prônant l’autonomie). Le Collectif VAN vous soumet cette information
publiee sur Corsica Infurmazione, le 8 avril 2015.

Corsica Infurmazione

8 avril 2015

Femu A Corsica

Assemblee de Corse – > Motion

Biancucci Jean

A l’occasion de la prochaine session de l’Assemblee de Corse, voici
la motion > deposee par Jean Biancucci au nom
de Femu A Corsica

Le 24 avril 1915 debutait l’extermination des Armeniens de l’Empire
ottoman, par le regime Jeune-Turc, ce qui eut pour consequence la
disposition quasi-totale du peuple armenien de sa terre d’origine et
la dispersion des survivants dans le monde entier.

Considerant que 100 ans après, cette tragedie de l’histoire nous
interpelle. Le peuple corse, ses elus doivent prendre leur part dans
la prise de conscience et la reconnaissance de ce crime contre le
peuple armenien,

Considerant que l’Assemblee de Corse, a travers ses sensibilites
doit marquer de manière significative sa volonte de contribuer a la
reparation historique de ce drame international,

Considerant en conformite avec la loi francaise N° 2001-70 du
29 janvier 2001 et la resolution du Parlement Europeen en date du
18 juin 1987, que >, tel que defini par la
Convention des Nations Unies pour la prevention et la repression du
crime de genocide du 9 decembre 1948,

Considerant que la Turquie qui souhaite adherer a l’Union europeenne
doit faire face a son passe,

Assemblee de Corse

Demande :

– Que la Turquie reconnaisse le crime de genocide perpetre par le
regime Jeune-Turc a l’encontre du peuple armenien.

– Que la Turquie etablisse des relations harmonieuses avec la
Republique d’Armenie.

– Le gouvernement de la Republique francaise a transmettre cette
deliberation aux autorites competentes d’Armenie et de Turquie

Lire aussi:

> vs >

TELECHARGER : Motion > deposee par Jean Biancucci

Source/Lien : Corsica Infurmazione