Category: 2017

Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
Governmental Building 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Hasmik Grigoryan
Tel:  +(3741) 56 01 06  ext. 105
Fax: +(3741) 52 15 05
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: 
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.himnadram.org_&d=DwIF3g&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=q5Wuo_q_554-atwQvIvTOZqToJbT7-_dO7PB8y-aXAY&s=TQUdoPptS0JBXcjJwMZv7OC_-2MxjBFq_2P8FDmHlIA&e=
 

Hayastan All-Armenian Fund begins project-site visits in Artsakh and Armenia

Yerevan, 

Within the framework of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund Board of Trustees'
annual meeting in Yerevan, a delegation led by Executive Director Ara
Vardanyan began a string of project-site visits and unveilings of newly
completed projects in Artsakh and Armenia. The delegation comprises close to
45 trustees, representatives of affiliates worldwide, colleagues, and
benefactors.

The events kicked off on May 20, as the delegation traveled to Artsakh via
the Vardenis-Martakert Highway, the construction of which will be completed
in autumn. The first event was the official opening of the newly built
community center of Kochoghot (Martakert Region), a village near the
Vardenis-Martakert Highway. The construction and furnishing of the
multifunctional community center were made possible by the financial support
of the fund's French affiliate, with additional support from the government
of Artsakh. The Kochoghot community center houses the village mayor's
office, a medical clinic, a library, a game room, and a large hall equipped
with a kitchen. In recent years, French-Armenian support has enabled the
fund to build similar community centers in 12 villages throughout Artsakh,
helping vastly improve the daily lives of close to 7,700 residents.

On May 21, the delegation held opening ceremonies for two more community
centers, in the villages of Kyuratagh (Hadrut Region) and Sargsashen
(Martuni Region). The construction of both community centers - which, as
with all such structures built by the fund, feature a full complement of
modern amenities - was likewise sponsored by French-Armenians, with
additional assistance from the government of Artsakh. Given its ongoing and
instrumental role in the realization of major development projects across
Artsakh, the French-Armenian community is held in high regard by the
grateful citizens of the republic. 

Today, on May 22, the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund delegation visited
Stepanakert's School No. 9, which is undergoing a large-scale renovation
sponsored by the fund's US Western Region affiliate, with a generous
donation from benefactor Gerald Turpanjian. With 395 students, the school is
unique in that it complements primary and secondary education with inclusive
education for special-needs children, as well as specialized classes for
hearing-impaired children. The School No. 9 is the latest of several
Stepanakert educational institutions that have been rebuilt and modernized
by the fund. 


Subsequently the delegation will visit the newly built Stepanakert Oncology
Center, which opened its doors in April. The state-of-the-art medical center
was made possible through the sponsorship of French-Armenian benefactor
Richard Ohanessian, with additional support from the government of Artsakh. 

Later today, the delegation will attend the opening ceremony of the second
wing of the Shushi Cultural and Youth Center comprising a large auditorium.
The extensive renovation of the building was sponsored by the government of
Artsakh and supervised by the fund. The newly renovated second wing, which
comprises a hall with a seating capacity of 368, will now become the
permanent home of the Mkrtich Khandamiryan State Theater. The building
designed for theatrical performances and other events, dressing rooms,
administrative offices, and a storage room. The main building of the center,
which was reconstructed in 2012 with the financial support of the Hayastan
Foundation Toronto affiliate, is home to a youth choir; classrooms for
painting, ballet, instrumental folk music, and embroidery; and a puppet
theater named after Canadian-Armenian filmmaker Atom Egoyan. 

Following the opening ceremony, the delegation will visit the Harutyunyan
family, in the village of Krasni (Askeran Region). The Harutyunyans are one
of the beneficiary families of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund's latest
housing program, through which private homes are built and donated to
low-income Artsakh families with five or more children. Since the launch of
the program three years ago, 16 families have been provided with brand-new
homes, and currently 15 more homes are under construction. All of these
houses are distinguished by the fact that they come fully furnished and
feature all necessary home appliances.

                                        Monday, 

Expert Says Rouhani's Reelection In Iran Suits Armenia


 . Artak Hambardzumian


Iran -- Newly re-elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani gestures
after delivering a televised speech in the capital Tehran, May 20,
2017

Iran's reformist President Hassan Rouhani's reelection is good for
Armenia, since it means that the implementation of the agreements
reached between the two neighboring countries recently will not be
delayed, an expert in Yerevan believes.

"We will not have any loss of time," Vartan Voskanian, who specializes
in Iranian studies, told RFE/RL's Armenian service (Azatutyun.am),
commenting on Rouhani's May 19 victory in the Islamic Republic's
presidential election.

"We will have the same team [in Tehran] that is committed to
developing relations with Armenia," he added.

Rouhani beat his main challenger, conservative ex-prosecutor Ebrahim
Raisi in the first round of the election, polling nearly 57 percent of
the vote and winning another four-year term as president.

"There are certain processes within Iran, but one should not expect
any political upheavals or post-election developments," said
Voskanian. "The population in Iran is generally satisfied and even
representatives of the team opposed to Rouhani have recognized the
results of the election. Iran's supreme spiritual leader has blessed
by these results," the expert explained, concluding: "In fact, the
elections in Iran are over."

Some Iranians visiting Armenia also went to cast their ballots at
their country's embassy in Yerevan on Friday. Talking to RFE/RL's
Armenian service (Azatutyun.am), most of them said they had voted for
continued reforms.

Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian over the weekend congratulated
President Rouhani on his victory in the presidential election,
emphasizing the friendly nature of Yerevan's relations with Tehran.

In his congratulatory message to Rouhani, Sarkisian, as quoted by his
press office, expressed confidence that during the Iranian president's
tenure "the friendly neighborly Iran will continue to develop upward,
bringing its considerable and important contribution to the
establishment of regional peace and stability."

"I am hopeful that through our joint efforts, the traditionally warm
and friendly Armenian-Iranian relations will continue to develop and
strengthen in all areas, registering a qualitatively new level of
cooperation between our peoples," Sarkisian said.

Sarkisian and Rouhani discussed ways of deepening economic ties
between the two countries when the Iranian president paid a visit to
Armenia late last year. Those include cooperation in the energy and
transportation spheres as well as a tax-free zone in Armenia for
Iranian manufacturing firms.

Sarkisian also praised Iran for its balanced position on the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.



Opposition Faction Cries Foul Over Parliament Committees Formation


 . Ruzanna Stepanian


Armenia - President Serzh Sarkisian addresses the newly elected
National Assembly, Yerevan,18May,2017

The opposition Yelk faction in the Armenian National Assembly claimed
on Monday it was deprived of the opportunity to lead a standing
committee following what the alliance of three parties believes was an
unfair approach shown by the parliament majority.

Edmon Marukian, a representative of the nine-member faction, insisted
that Yelk could have its member lead a standing committee dealing with
human rights, but at the suggestion of the ruling Republican Party of
Armenia's (HHK) the number of standing committees had been reduced
from 12 to 9, with the committee in question merged with the one on
state and legal issues where a majority representative was to be
elected as head.

In the current distribution of leadership roles in the Armenian
parliament the regulations apply the so-called D'Hondt method under
which opposition parties also get to participate in some leadership
roles proportionally to their representation. Senior officials in
Armenia have argued that this change in the electoral code that became
possible after the country's constitutional transition to a
parliamentary form of government will make it possible to increase
dramatically the role of the opposition in state governance.

On Saturday, representatives of the HHK were elected heads of six of
the committees, while the second largest parliamentary bloc of tycoon
Gagik Tsarukian that had declared itself an opposition faction got
leadership positions in the remaining three committees.

Many observers in Armenia challenge the opposition credentials of the
Tsarukian alliance, arguing that in many cases representatives of this
faction will go along with the majority during the parliament debate
and votes, which was also manifested during the election of parliament
speaker and his deputies (the Tsarukian alliance got the position of
one deputy speaker) last week.

Marukian believes that the changes in the Constitution and the
Electoral Code eventually did not make any difference as the real
opposition did not get any advantage. He said that "one thing is
written in texts, but another thing is the reality."


Armenia- MP Edmon Marukian is a guest at Azatutyun's News Center, 23
January 2015
"De jure we had the right [to have a committee head] under the D'Hondt
method, but de facto that committee was dissolved," Marukian said. He
stressed that the kind of approach by the HHK "nullifies" whatever
President Serzh Sarkisian was saying about the increased role of
political parties and the opposition in his address to lawmakers last
week.

Vahram Baghdasarian, the leader of the HHK parliamentary faction,
however, disagrees with the kind of assessment by his opposition
colleague. He believes that the Tsarukian bloc "is also an
opposition".

"This was not the HHK that regulated this distribution of leadership
positions, this was the result of the application of a formula," said
Baghdasarian, criticizing Yelk for "being after a committee head's
position".


Armenia -- Parliament majority leader Vahram Baghdasarian gives an
interview to Azatutyun.am, Yerevan, 18May,2016

Baghdasarian also disagreed with assessments that the human rights
committee was "dissolved". He said that simply it will be part of the
committee on state and legal issues and will also be in its name.



Armenia, Azerbaijan Exchange Blame Over Karabakh At Black Sea Summit
In Istanbul


 . Tatevik Sargsian


Turkey -- Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan poses with member
countries' representatives during the 25th anniversary summit of the
Organisation of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) in Istanbul,


Representatives of Armenia and Azerbaijan traded accusations over the
conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh during the 25th anniversary summit of the
Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) held in Istanbul on Monday, with
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan voicing objections to the
speech of the Armenian deputy foreign minister.

Representatives of about a dozen countries participating in the
organization, including Armenia, made speeches at the opening of the
summit. According to Turkey's Dogan news agency, in a clear reference
to Armenia Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Oktay Asadov said in his
speech that "one of the members of the organization has not abandoned
its toxic ideology."

Armenia's Deputy Foreign Minister Ashot Hovakimian, responding to
Azerbaijan's representative, was quoted as saying that "the
Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation is not a place for
voicing accusations."

Turkish President Erdogan, for his part, reportedly agreed with this
statement of the Armenian representative, but added, addressing his
words to him: "No representative here has voiced accusations or
assessments. It was you who fully dedicated your speech to political
assessments."

According to the official website of the Armenian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, in his speech at the BSEC summit Hovakimian criticized
Azerbaijan for its belligerent policies and for torpedoing peace
efforts of Armenia and international mediators in resolving the
protracted Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"Accusations, war rhetoric and unilateral maximalist demands cannot
resolve the conflict. It is possible to achieve progress in the
resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict if Azerbaijan abandons its
policy of the use of force and engages in good faith in the
negotiations within the framework agreed by the OSCE Minsk Group," the
Armenian diplomat, in particular, said.

The Armenian ministry reports that the BSEC summit in Istanbul adopted
an anniversary declaration where it reaffirmed the economic nature of
the organization.



Press Review


(Saturday, May 20)

"Haykakan Zhamanak" tries to understand why in their statement on the
most recent ceasefire violations in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone
the American, Russian and French co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group
decided to clearly put the blame on Azerbaijan: "This is an
unprecedented reaction. Even during the April 2016 war the
international mediators and the individual co-chair countries
refrained from defining Azerbaijan as an aggressor, even though they
surely could not have failed to notice, due to their satellite
equipment, that it was Azerbaijan that had launched an offensive along
the perimeter of the line of contact# What has changed? The thing is
that if the Minsk Group had not made such a targeted statement, having
received such data from one of the parties, it would have put its
mandate and further activities in doubt."

"168 Zham" assesses the latest statement of the OSCE Minsk Group as
one of the most serious successes of recent years and even decades in
the settlement of the Karabakh conflict: "Finally, the Minsk Group is
calling things by their proper names... It is not an exaggeration to
say that this was a slap by the international community in the face of
Azerbaijan, which is doing and will be doing everything in order to
scuttle the agreements reached after the April 2016 war during
meetings in Vienna and St. Petersburg... It is hard to say how far
this is the result of Armenian diplomatic efforts and how far it is
the reflection of the current global geopolitical developments. It is
important, however, to keep this result and take the initiative. And
this should become the number one task for Armenian diplomacy."

"Zhoghovurd" comments on the process of the formation of standing
committees in the newly elected Armenian parliament. The daily, in
particular, writes: "Armenia has become so dependent on the Kremlin
over the past decade that even the existence of a parliamentary
committee on European integration should be regarded as a serious
achievement. It is another matter whether this was done after
permission obtained from the North or as a result of political
courage, for which in the near future the Armenian authorities are
certain to get some `fraternal' slaps. Given the nominal presence of
this committee and its actual inaction in the past, it can be said
that this can become a small bonus for the Armenian authorities in
order to win the favors of EU officials promising tens of millions in
loans. After all, the Kremlin understands that if it gives no money to
its outpost, then at least it should not close the opportunity for it
to get money from another channel. Otherwise, there may be some
uncontrolled developments."

Assessing the speech of President Serzh Sarkisian during the first
meeting of the new parliament, "Hayots Ashkhar" writes: "The speech of
the president at the first meeting of the National Assembly of the
sixth convocation was an important one from the point of view of
expectations for the coming years in the sphere of economy, social
development and other areas. The speech sets out the basic tasks that
must become the basis for the future governments' programs. Judging
from the president's speech, both in the economic and social spheres
strict and high demands are being put forward, and the fulfillment of
these demands should create conditions for the formation of a new
quality of economic and social environment in Armenia."

(Tigran Avetisian)


Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2017 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
www.rferl.org

Armenpress News Agency, Armenia
May 20, 2017 Saturday


 Armenian Genocide recognition by Texas is clear response to brazen
conduct of Turks in Washington: Vice-Speaker Sharmazanov



YEREVAN, MAY 20, ARMENPRESS. Vice Speaker of Armenia’s Parliament
Eduard Sharmazanov thanked the US Texas House of Representatives from
the Parliament’s floor for recognizing and condemning the Armenian
Genocide.

“Texas is the 46th US state to recognize and condemn the Armenian
Genocide. I believe we must welcome this step and thank our American
partners for this step”, Sharmazanov said during the Parliament
session.

He emphasized that this step of the Texas House of Representatives was
a very clear response to Turkey’s denial policy and the recent
impudent conduct of Turks in Washington.

On May 16, Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians and Kurds held a protest
against Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Washington
outside the Turkish Ambassador’s residence.

Erdogan’s security detail violently attacked and battered the peaceful
protesters.

Later, the Voice of America released a footage showing personally
Erdogan giving orders to his bodyguards.

Erdogan calmly watches how his security detail is beating up the
protesters, including women, and then a few bodyguards hurry back to
the president to brief him.

Armenpress News Agency, Armenia
May 20, 2017 Saturday



Ensuring attractiveness of service in Armed Forces priority for us – Armenian MP



YEREVAN, MAY 20, ARMENPRESS. The attractiveness of serving in the
Armenian Armed Forces is a priority issue, Koryun Nahapetyan,
candidate for the post of Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing
Committee on Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs, said at
the parliament session, in response to a question of ‘Yelk’ bloc
faction MP Mane Tandilyan, Armenpress reported.

“Today through the state budget resources provided for the armed
forces everything is being done to ensure the normal service of
soldiers and create favorable conditions for them. Of course, some
concerns were voiced, and the Committee held discussions over those
issues”, Nahapetyan said.

He stated that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defense,
National Security and Internal Affairs also needs to take steps to
ensure attractiveness of the service in the armed forces since the
role of the newly-elected parliament in the parliamentary system is
bigger, the parliament is going to have serious control mechanisms.

Commenting on MP Tandilyan’s view that parents of soldiers provide the
first necessary things to their sons, Koryun Nahapetyan said it is
normal that each parent wants to ensure the maximum good conditions
for his/her son in the army. The MP said the state takes steps on this
path.

Armenpress News Agency, Armenia
May 20, 2017 Saturday


Increase of transactions with Armenian bank-issued cards abroad linked
with development of outbound tourism – economist



YEREVAN, MAY 16, ARMENPRESS. Economists say the increase of overall
transactions in foreign countries with credit cards issued by Armenian
banks is associates with development of outbound tourism, while
increase of non-cash transactions is associated with formation of the
culture of making payments with cards.

According to official statistics, 208,642 transactions with Armenian
bank-issued cards were made abroad in March, 2017, while in February
the number was 177,365 and in March of 2016 – 173,742. The volume of
these transactions in March, 2017 amounted 6 billion 823 million drams
– an increase of more than 1 billion drams in a month.

Economist Aram Kayfajyan told ARMENPRESS the increase is associated
with development of outbound tourism. “Tourists or businessmen are the
ones using Armenian banking cards abroad, I don’t think large
expenditures are made with them. If people buy some property or begin
activities abroad, usually cards aren’t used”, he said, adding that
taking into consideration the activation of Armenia’s economy,
outbound tourism has also been activated, which can be the reason of
volume and quantity increase of transactions made by Armenian banking
cards abroad.

In March, the volume of cash withdrawals amounted 1 billion 444
million drams, while the quantity amounted to 14,162. Withdrawals
increased by 179 million drams compared to February.

In March, 194,480 non-cash transactions with Armenian banking cards
were made abroad, with a volume of 5 billion 380 million drams,
compared to the previous year the quantity increased by more than 39
thousand. More card transactions were made than withdrawals.

Economist Tatul Manaseryan, director of the ‘Alternative’ research
center, says the decrease of cash operations is associated with the
formation of a culture of making non-cash payments among Armenian
citizens.

Armenpress News Agency, Armenia
May 20, 2017 Saturday



Azerbaijani forces fire anti-tank grenade launcher and mortar at Artsakh posts



YEREVAN, MAY 20, ARMENPRESS. The Defense Ministry of Artsakh Republic
told Armenpress the Azerbaijani forces violated the ceasefire regime
more than 100 times across the Artsakh-Azerbaijan line of contact.

The Ministry’s statement reads: “On May 19 and overnight May 20 the
Azerbaijani forces violated the ceasefire regime more than 100 times
by firing over 1750 shots from various caliber small arms at the
Armenian positions in the Artsakh-Azerbaijan line of contact.

Moreover, the Azerbaijani forces fired also anti-tank grenade launcher
(32 grenades) at the eastern direction and 60 mm mortar (7 shells) at
the north-eastern direction of the line of contact.

The Defense Army forces of Artsakh took countermeasures to suppress
the Azerbaijani activeness”.

Armenpress News Agency, Armenia
May 20, 2017 Saturday


En Marche! Movement of France nominates Daniel Cazarian's candidacy
for National Assembly elections



YEREVAN, MAY 20, ARMENPRESS. The En Marche! Movement led by French
President Emmanuel Macron has nominated the candidacy of Daniel
Cazarian, originally Armenian, for National Assembly elections,
“Armenpress” reports Co-chair of the Coordination Council of Armenian
Organizations of France Murad Papazian has posted a note in support of
Daniel Cazarian on his Facebook page.

“I am with my friend Daniel Kazarian. I will be very proud and happy
if she is elected”, Papazian wrote.

Daniel Cazarian is 52 years old and only recently started to get
involved in active politics. Before that she was engaged in
entrepreneurship. Cazarian is also the chairwoman of the National
Center for Armenian Remembrance.

She has announced about her intention to enter into politics in
support of En Marche to struggle the French nationalism. Cazarian has
particularly stated that her main goal is to struggle against the
“National Front” led by Marine Le Pen.

Parliamentary elections in France will be held on June 11 and 18, 2017.

Armenpress News Agency, Armenia
May 20, 2017 Saturday


First Aurora Prize Laureate Marguerite Barankitse visits Armenian
Genocide Memorial



YEREVAN, MAY 20, ARMENPRESS. The first Aurora Prize Laureate
Marguerite Barankitse visited the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial on May 20
to pay tribute to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims, reports
Armenpress.

She was welcomed by Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute
Hayk Demoyan who introduced the history of the Armenian Genocide and
the creation of the Memorial Complex.

“The denial of the Armenian Genocide is a great mistake. It is very
important to have a sense of compassion, and if many say it didn’t
happen, they make a great mistake. We must call on those people to be
part of that compassion since we are one big family, children of God.
Today the fact of the Armenian Genocide must force everyone to
perceive that such events will not repeat anymore”, Barankitse said.

Marguerite Barankitse visited Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute where
a special exhibition is opened dedicated to Aurora Mardiganian, the
inspirational woman behind the Aurora Prize.

She laid flowers at the Armenian Genocide Memorial. Then the First
Aurora Prize Laureate planted a tree in the Memory Alley of
Tsitsernakaberd complex in memory of the Armenian Genocide victims.

“I have an impression that people were unable to understand that such
crimes really happened. But at the same time I want to congratulate
the Armenian people who maintained their honor and accepted to some
extent their own history, as well as had the courage to pass the
brutal page of this history for brighter times to come. This gives me
hope that tomorrow genocides will not happen anymore, this also gives
hope to my country Burundi which fights for the past, present and the
future. We must stand up, and each person must deny brotherly crimes
against each other”, Marguerite Barankitse said.

At the end of the visit she left a note in the Honorable Guest Book:
“I am deeply grateful to the proud Armenian people for the endless
courage. Yes, love will always win”.

Marguerite Barankitse, the founder of Maison Shalom and REMA hospital,
received the Aurora Prize on April 24, 2016, for the exceptional
impact of her actions on preserving lives during the years of civil
war in Burundi. To date, she has saved 30 thousand children and
offered them shelter and care.