Author: Suren Karakhanian

St. Stephen’s Armenian School Seeks Director

Suren Karakhanian
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St. Stephens Armenian Elementary School logo


Established in 1984 in Watertown, Massachusetts, St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School is a private preschool through elementary school dedicated to educational excellence in an environment rich in Armenian culture. The school is accredited by the Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE). 

St. Stephen’s Armenian Preschool, in addition to its accreditation by AISNE, is licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and maintains its status as a high quality bilingual preschool in the region.

SSAES is a child-centered American-Armenian institution committed to academic excellence. At the preschool level, the curriculum nurtures the whole child, developing skills in the Armenian language. At the elementary level, core curriculum subjects are taught in English. Armenian language, religion and history are taught in Armenian, with an emphasis on creating awareness and instilling an appreciation of Armenian culture and traditions.

The primary responsibility of the Head of School is to carry out the aforementioned mission of SSAES with integrity. The Head of School leads by example by embodying dedication and commitment to this mission in order to promote a positive environment for teaching and learning

General Responsibilities:

  • Serves as the chief administrator of the school and upholds the mission and values of the school;
  • Maintains, implements, and ensures adherence to school policies and procedures;
  • Manages the day to day operations of the school;
  • Develops and manages the after-school enrichment program and late stay;
  • Manages, maintains and implements recommendations as part of the AISNE school accreditation process;
  • Maintains health and safety protocols.

Instruction and Supervision:

  • Reviews English and Armenian curricula with the Curriculum Coordinator and Education Committee;
  • Interviews, hires and on boards new staff members;
  • Supervises, supports and collaborates with the St. Stephen’s Armenian Preschool director;
  • Evaluates directors, administrative staff and teachers;
  • Conducts faculty meetings in coordination with the curriculum coordinator.

School – Community Outreach:

  • Communicates and enforces policies and procedures as they align with the philosophy of the school for students, staff and parents;
  • Communicates and/or attends meetings with school committees (Board of Directors, Education Committee and Health Committee);
  • Fosters a strong connection between the school, parents and the wider community;
  • Prepares a variety of communications for parents, the church and the greater Armenian community;
  • Maintains a positive relationship with neighboring school communities (Watertown Public Schools and AISNE member schools);
  • Organizes and facilitates school functions, including Christmas and end-of-year ceremonies;
  • Cultivates relationships with prospective benefactors to the school.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in education;
  • Experience in administration, as well as curriculum and instruction;
  • Minimum of 10 years relevant experience.

Benefits: 

  • Competitive salary;
  • Coverage for health and dental insurance;
  • 403(B) plan with match.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and résumé, a statement of educational leadership philosophy and three letters of recommendation to [email protected].

No explosives found so far as authorities continue search following bomb threat in Yerevan metro

Suren Karakhanian

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 16:15,

YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. Authorities have completed searching three stations of the Yerevan metro after receiving a bomb threat and no explosives were found, the Ministry of Emergency Situations said in a statement.

K9 units and bomb squads have so far searched the Barekamutyun, Marshal Baghramyan, and Republic Square stations.

Search operations are ongoing in the remaining stations.

Rescue Service Director Colonel Armen Gasparyan and his deputy Colonel Tigran Petrosyan are personally supervising the operations.

Armenian FM emphasizes OSCE MG Co-Chairmanship’s key role in NK conflict resolution

Suren Karakhanian

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 17:32,

YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. Opening an era of peaceful development for Armenia and the region is our principle and strategy, and Armenia hopes that the OSCE, together with the institute of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, will use all the mechanisms in its toolkit to ensure a constructive atmosphere and create conditions for comprehensive peace, Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan said in a statement for the press following the meeting with the Foreign Minister of Poland Zbigniew Rau.

“Dear Mr. Minister, 

Dear colleagues, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,  

First of all, I would like to thank my colleague Zbigniew Rau for the warm welcome.

I am delighted to be in Poland in the year of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. These three decades have been years of progress, mutual trust and understanding, which provided a solid foundation for the consistent development and strengthening of our interstate relations and political dialogue.

Armenian-Polish relations are based on centuries-old friendship, common principles and values between our two peoples. In this regard, we highly appreciate Poland's support for the ongoing democratic reforms implemented by the Government of Armenia.

Today, during the discussions with my colleague, we touched upon the prospects of expanding cooperation between Armenia and Poland in areas of mutual interest. We have expressed our readiness to undertake steps towards the utilization of the great potential in Armenian-Polish economic relations, for which we have a strong legal and contractual framework of about 30 documents and an effective working platform – the Armenian-Polish Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation, the 7th session of which is scheduled to be held in Yerevan in the near future. 

Of course, the volume of trade turnover between Armenia and Poland is not high, but we can commend that we have a gradual increase in this direction. We consider information technologies, pharmaceuticals, agribusiness and renewable energy to be promising areas for the activation of Armenian-Polish economic cooperation.

We also exchanged views on issues of Armenia-EU partnership agenda. We referred to the implementation of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement and the steps towards further increasing the efficiency of the Eastern Partnership. In this regard, Poland, as one of the initiating countries of the Eastern Partnership, is an important actor for us, and we expect further expansion of cooperation in this direction.

Of course, a number of issues of regional stability and security were at the core of our discussions today. We touched upon our cooperation within the framework of the OSCE, where Poland is currently chairing. I presented to Mr. Rau in detail the position of  Armenia regarding the processes aimed at establishing regional peace and stability.

I emphasized the key role of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship in the promotion of the peace process aimed at the comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the normalization of relations with Azerbaijan.

Dear attendees, 

Unfortunately I have to underscore that despite Armenia’s efforts, we continue to encounter the provocative actions of Azerbaijan towards Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, warmongering and expansionist statements aimed at undermining regional stability and peace.

Moreover, violating the norms of international humanitarian law and the November 9 trilateral Statements, Azerbaijan continues to hold Armenian PoWs and civilians hostage, using them as a tool for political speculation. In this regard, the continued support of the international community and the OSCE Chairmanship, committed to human rights and humanitarian principles is important for solving this problem.

The policy implemented by the leadership of Azerbaijan aimed at the destruction, desecration and distortion of identity of the Armenian historical, cultural and religious heritage of Artsakh in the territories fallen under Azerbaijani control is also unacceptable. In this regard, we expect a clear, targeted and continuous response from the international community and emphasize the urgency of the involvement of relevant international organizations in Nagorno-Karabakh. 

Once again, I want to emphasize that opening an era of peaceful development for Armenia and the region is our principle and strategy, and we hope that the OSCE, together with the institute of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, will use all the mechanisms in its toolkit to ensure a constructive atmosphere and create conditions for comprehensive peace.

I will conclude my speech with this.

 Dear Mr. Rau, thank You once again for the warm welcome and fruitful discussions,” FM Mirzoyan said.

Police reform process discussed at Government

Suren Karakhanian

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 19:14,

YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. Chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, a session of the Police Reforms Coordination Council took place, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

The discussion of the topics covered at the previous session continued. Reference was made to the work on the introduction of the Patrol Service provided by the Police Reform Strategy. In particular, issues related to the structure of the Patrol Service, the process of purchasing vehicles, measures taken to increase the involvement of women in the Service were discussed.

Next, the new model of territorial divisions of the Police within the framework of the Ministry of Internal Affairs that is expected to be established in the near future was discussed. Details were presented on the reorganization of regional departments, the issues related to the coordination, structure and functions of territorial divisions were addressed.

The Prime Minister noted that as a result of the Police reforms, it is expected to have more optimal structures, exclusion of same-type functions and salary increase. The Head of the Government instructed to continue the work under this logic, emphasizing the importance of the digitalization agenda and the interoperability of state bodies.

The session also addressed the implementation of the procedure for reporting traffic rules violations through the mobile application, relevant statistics were presented. The participants of the session exchanged ideas on simplification of the procedures for applying the system. In this regard, Prime Minister Pashinyan gave specific instructions.

Armenian Government to provide aid to Yazidi refugees, displaced Kurds and Assyrians in Iraqi Kurdistan

Suren Karakhanian
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia – July 14 2022
July 14, 2022, 17:13

 1 minute read

The Government of Armenia will provide assistance to Yazidi refugees, internally displaced Kurds and Assyrians in camps in Iraqi Kurdistan, member of the Armenian National Assembly Rustam Bakoyan informs on Facebook.

The Government decided today to allocate 80,000 USD to the Consulate General of Armenia in Erbil for the purpose of purchasing necessary goods and distributing aid in the amount of $100 per person.

The remaining 30,000 USD of the total amount will be allocated for the purchase of heaters (fujika) and blankets for Yazidi and other minority refugees living in various camps.

“We all know the difficult conditions in which the national minorities live and survive in the entire Kurdistan region,” Bakoyan said, adding that “the need for humanitarian assistance is always there as long as a number of problems remain unresolved.”

Gagik Tsarukyan says ‘nothing changes’ on demand for Pashinyan’s resignation

Suren Karakhanian
NEWS.am
Armenia – July 9 2022
Gagik Tsarukyan says 'nothing changes' on demand for Pashinyan's resignation
18:13, 09.07.2022

The head of the Prosperous Armenia Party, Gagik Tsarukyan, said nothing has changed in his de the resignation of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan even after the end of the war.

“In June 2020, when I demanded the resignation of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, I said that we have 4 months, we are in danger, and after 4 months the war began,” Tsarukyan said.

As for the government's project regarding the compensation of duty debts of the Shangri La casino owned by Tsarukyan from the state budget, the head of the party did not elaborate.

Opinion: "Cooperation between Armenia and Iran in the military sphere is unlikely"

Suren Karakhanian

July 8 2022


  • JAMnews
  • Yerevan

Iranian Security Council Secretary in Yerevan

Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Shamkhani is currently in Yerevan on an official visit. With his Armenian colleague, Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan, he discussed both the issues of bilateral cooperation and the normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations.

Speaking about regional stability and security, Ali Shamkhani stressed that it is necessary to respect the principles of territorial integrity and inviolability of borders.

According to political observer Hakob Badalyan, Iran first of all means the inviolability of its borders and territory.

Details of the meeting of the secretaries of the Security Councils, as well as a commentary by an Armenian expert on what issues are more relevant for Iran and how relations with Armenia can develop below.

  • Iran supports opening of Zangezur corridor, signs new gas supplies contract with Azerbaijan
  • Armenia-Iran-Azerbaijan: “war” of transport corridors. Commentary from Yerevan
  • “Tehran is watching closely.” What will happen to cargo transportation from Iran to Armenia

As for bilateral relations, Armen Grigoryan and Ali Shamkhani discussed:

  • cooperation within the framework of the free economic zone on the Armenian-Iranian border and the construction of the North-South highway;
  • the importance of the Iranian port of Chabahar in the context of the development of the southern, Syunik region of Armenia.

Talks between heads of security councils of Armenia and Iran

Armen Grigoryan presented to his Iranian colleague the process of normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, Armenia’s approaches to ensuring regional security and unblocking communications.

Ali Shamkhani said that Tehran is ready to make its contribution to ensuring security in the South Caucasus.

The heads of the security councils agreed to continue the dialogue, their next meeting will take place on the Armenian-Iranian border.

According to political observer Hakob Badalyan, when discussing the Armenian-Iranian relations, first of all, the following should be taken into account:

  • the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict has been and remains in the focus of Tehran’s attention;
  • At this stage, Iran is also interested in the course of the Moscow and Brussels formats, that is, negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan mediated by Russia and the West;
  • in connection with the recent intense processes unfolding around the future of its nuclear program, Iran is even more wary of the situation in the region.

Hakob Badalyan believes that through economic cooperation, Iran is trying to contribute to the formation of a stable and predictable regime in the region.

“Iran is focusing on enhancing its role through economic projects and thereby increasing its importance in the Caucasian security system. This refers to the economic relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan”, Hakob Badalyan said in an interview with JAMnews.

Regarding Ali Shamkhani’s statement on the principles of territorial integrity and inviolability of borders, Badalyan notes that all states stand for the supremacy of these principles, but there is one but:

“Speaking of this principle, each state proceeds from its own agenda. In these statements regarding relations with Azerbaijan, Iran means not the Karabakh problem, but that it will not tolerate any risks on its border with Azerbaijan”.

According to the observer, Iran means, first of all, the inviolability of its borders and territory.

As for the Iranian guest’s statement that Tehran is ready to make a contribution to ensuring the security of the South Caucasus, Hakob Badalyan does not rule out, but considers cooperation between Iran and Armenia in the military sphere unlikely.

When asked how Armenia should position itself in the event of the formation of the Iran-Turkey-Azerbaijan format, the political observer replied that this is unlikely to happen. But if such a format is nevertheless formed, Armenia will not be able to exert a significant influence on it:

“Armenia should assess the situation in accordance with the risks that threaten it, work on promoting its formats”.

Hakob Badalyan believes that Armenia faces the following tasks:

  • deepening relations and most effectively implementing economic programs with Iran,
  • achieving the effectiveness of the negotiation process on the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations,
  • moving the conflict with Azerbaijan to a more manageable and predictable stage in order to reduce the security threat,
  • working on deepening Georgia-Armenia-Iran cooperation.


Turkish press: Shinzo Abe made ‘serious contribution’ to Turkish-Japanese relations

Suren Karakhanian
Nazli Yuzbasioglu   |08.07.2022


ANKARA

Türkiye's former ambassador to Japan recalled the "significant contributions" by Japan's former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated on Friday, in advancing Ankara-Tokyo relations.

"He was a person who believed in the importance of developing Turkish-Japanese relations and sincerely made efforts to contribute," Serdar Kilic told Anadolu Agency after the announcement of Abe's passing away.

Kilic, now appointed as Türkiye's special envoy for Turkish-Armenian normalization process, served as ambassador to Tokyo from 2012-2014.

He recalled that Abe attended opening of the exhibition on Ertugrul Frigate at the Turkish Embassy in Tokyo in 2013, and also the inauguration of Marmaray underwater railway in Istanbul the same year.

"I want to express my condolences to the Japanese people and Abe's family, especially Abe Akie," widow of Abe, he said.

The frigate sank 131 years ago in Kushimoto province of Japan, and is considered the turning point of Turkish-Japanese relations.

Abe was shot at twice at a political campaign event in the city of Nara Friday morning. He died in a hospital. The shocking assassination has stunned the world, drawing condemnation.

Armenian parliament halves the size of penalty for lack of car insurance policy

Suren Karakhanian
July 7 2022

07.07.2022 14:54

YEREVAN, July 6. /ARKA/. By a vote of 55 the Armenian parliament amended the country's Code of Administrative Offences on July 6, slashing the size of penalty for lack of mandatory car insurance from 100,000 drams to 50,000 drams.

The mandatory insurance against physical damage caused to other cars and individuals became mandatory in the country on January 1, 2011.

However, due to the state of emergency declared in the country in connection with the covid-19 pandemic, as well as the outbreak of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh in  September  2020, the government suspended the application of five thousand dram penalties (about $ 10) for every 10 days of delayed renewal or absence of car insurance policy. On July6, 2022 the suspension was removed and the law became effective again.

"We think that the fine of 100 thousand drams is disproportionate to the nature and the degree of danger of the offense. A fine of 100 thousand drams is quite a heavy social burden today and if we take into consideration that the main reason for the offense is the financial situation of the person, we have to admit that the fine is disproportionate to the violation," said MP Armen Khachatryan, an author of the amendment. ($1 – 408.2 drams). -0-

http://www.armbanks.am/en/2022/07/07/140873/

Germany MPs appeal to Armenia parliament for fair trial in case of pregnant woman fatally hit by PM’s motorcade

Suren Karakhanian
NEWS.am
Armenia – July 7 2022
Germany MPs appeal to Armenia parliament for fair trial in case of pregnant woman fatally hit by PM's motorcade
15:32, 07.07.2022

The MPs of the German Bundestag have appealed to the National Assembly of Armenia in the hope of solving through a fair trial the criminal case in connection with the fatal hit-and-run involving Sona Mnatsakanyan, and ensuring justice for the possible culprits. Attorney Raffi Aslanyan wrote about this on Facebook.

They drew the attention of the Armenian MPs to what had occurred, and asked them to carefully follow this case and to ensure justice for Mnatsakanyan and her family.

On April 26, a motorcade ran over Sona Mnatsakanyan, 28, at a downtown Yerevan intersection, and she died in hospital without regaining consciousness. The said motorcade was accompanying Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and the woman who died was pregnant.