Davit Tonoyan: Armenia Changes Its Military Doctrine

22 YEARS The #6 Noah’s Ark (1094) 22 February 2016 Published Since 1993

Weekly Newspaper HIGHLIGHTS ÜáÛÛ³Ý î³å³Ý ß³μ³Ã³Ã»ñÃ (³Ý·É. / ýñ³Ýë.) Davit Tonoyan: Armenia Changes its Military Doctrine

From February 16th to 17th, the delegation headed by RA First Deputy Minister of Defence Davit Tonoyan took part in the "Military Doctrine Seminar" in Vienna.

See page 2 In This Issue Noyan Tapan Video Studio Perspectives of development is offering professional video and photography for indoor of Armenia-Iran economic ties p.2 and outdoor events such as weddings, birthday parties, official events, seminars and conferences. Tel: 060 27 64 62 Georgia, Iran in fresh talks on energy Address: Isahakyan 28, 3rd floor, Yerevan 0009 supplies via Armenia p.4 Iran interested in establishing medical center in Armenia p.7 Noyan Tapan Printing House is offering coloured and black and white offset and digital Recent Music News p.p.12-13 printing of books, brochures, booklets, journals, etc with Genocide survivors share their experiences high quality and low prices Tel: 060 27 64 62 in panel discussion p.17 Address: Isahakyan 28, 3rd floor, Yerevan 0009

22 February #6 (1094) 2016 2 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights Perspectives of development of Armenia-Iran economic ties President Serzh Sargsyan will hold a series of consultations with Armenian Ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions in foreign countries and international organizations to discuss the opportunities of furthering Armenia's economic interests, the perspectives of implementation of new projects, development of ties in a number of spheres. The first meeting of the series was dedicated to issues on the agenda of Armenia-Iran relations, the ongoing programs and new initiatives. The discussion featured Armenia's Ambassador to Iran Artashes Tumanyan, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Karen Chshmarityan, Minister of Transport and Communication Gagik Beglaryan, other officials. President Sargsyan asked Armenia's Ambassador Artashes Tumanyan to report on a wide range of issues on the Another issue high on the agenda of of "four corridors," one of which passes bilateral agenda. "Naturally, the lifting today's consultations was Armenia's through Armenia. of sanctions against Iran has opened per- investment capacity, especially consider- "Two important political events have spectives for the implementation of new ing that it's the only member state of the taken place in the region. First, the eco- programs in a number of fields. I would Eurasian Economic Union sharing a land nomic and financial sanctions against like to know about Armenia's chances of border with Iran. Iran have been lifted. Second, our coun- becoming a key transit route for Iran," Ambassador Tumanyan reported that try has become a member of the Eurasian the President said. the constriction of the third high-voltage Economic Union. The two developments Cooperation in the field of energy power line is under way and will be com- are fundamental for building our eco- was the second important issue outlined pleted by 2018. He said that serving as a nomic policy," Artashes Tumanyan said. by President Sargsyan. He stressed the transport corridor is of fundamental At the end of the consultations, need for establishment of additional importance to Armenia. He referred to a President Sargsyan gave instructions to infrastructures and generating capaci- recent statement by Iran's Transport the participants of the consultation and ties. Minister about his country's state policy involved agencies. Davit Tonoyan: Armenia Changes its Military Doctrine The seminar that is held once every five years and attended ally replaces the static defense concept of the Armenian Armed by the high-ranking military and civil officials of all OSCE Forces that the foe may perceive as an evidence of insufficient member states, is dedicated to the exchange of ideas about the power capacity. But in fact, that defensive strategy gave us change in the security environment, in parallel with doctrinal nothing more than encouraged provocative actions by the foe. solutions. Thus, the Republic of Armenia will implement qualitative During the seminar, RA First Deputy Minister of Defense solutions to neutralize quantitative disbalance, meantime strict- Davit Tonoyan presented the results of the strategic review of ly maintaining the existing restrictions on the arms control. The Armenia's defense and specifically stated that: "In order to Deterrence System will include both responsive and proactive achieve the objectives of ensuring security in Armenia, and with measures". intention of creating favorable conditions for peace talks within During his stay in Vienna, Davit Tonoyan met with Rose the OSCE Minsk Group, we plan to implement a series of meas- Gottemoeller, the US under Secretary of State for Arms Control ures. and International Security. The parties discussed issues con- It includes the Deterrence System that Armenia will use to cerning regional security, arms control as well as the implemen- reduce the armed confrontation. The Deterrence System gradu- tation of humanitarian demining projects in Armenia.

22 February #6 (1094) 2016 The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 3 Dashnaks reveal cabinet posts Yerevan - (RFE/RL) The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) confirmed on February 18 that it will receive three ministerial posts in Armenia's government as part of a "long-term" power-sharing deal with President Serzh Sargsyan Armen Rustamyan, a Dashnaktsutyun leader, told RFE/RL's Armenian service that Artsvik Minasyan will become minister of economy while two other prominent party members, Davit Lokyan and Levon Mkrtchyan, will take over as ministers of local government and education respectively. a cabinet meeting. Echoing statements made by Rustamyan said that Dashnaktsutyun The cabinet approved corresponding Dashnaktsutyun's Minasyan earlier this will also name new governors of the amendments to an Armenian law on the week, Rustamyan said the agreement will western Aragatsotn and Shirak provinces. government's structure which were pre- spell out concrete political and economic "You will hear about other details later sented by Hovannisyan. The Armenian reforms stemming from the recently on," he said when asked about other gov- parliament will debate and almost cer- enacted amendments to the Armenian ernment jobs to be covered by the tainly pass them later this week. constitution. upcoming deal. The two ministries were merged into Asked whether Sargsyan and the rul- Lokyan and Mkrtchyan already held a single agency for cost-cutting purposes ing Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) cabinet positions before their party pulled 18 months ago. are really committed to significant policy out of Sargsyan's governing coalition in In Rustamyan's words, the upcoming changes, Rustamyan said: "That's what 2009. government appointments will be part of the agreement is all about." Paving the way for Lokian's new a broader political accord between Political groups remaining in opposi- appointment, the government moved on Dashnaktsutyun and Sargsyan that will tion to Sargsyan dismiss such statements. Thursday to split the Armenian Ministry be finalized "in a matter of days." "We One of them, the Armenian National for Local Government and Emergency are now working on the text of an agree- Congress (HAK), claims that Situations. "As a result of political coop- ment on political cooperation," he said. Dashnaktsutyun is only anxious to retain eration, there has a risen a need to create "That agreement will be open-ended. its modest presence in the parliament by the Ministry for Local Government and We have already said that we are talking benefiting from fraud and government the Ministry of Emergency Situations," about not just an ordinary coalition bloc resources in next year's parliamentary Justice Minister Arpine Hovannisyan told but long-term cooperation," he added. elections. Armenian National Committee expects Armenian Genocide to be included in Knesset’s plenary session’s agenda In the near future it will be clear when He noted that positive changes are those MPs who have a positive stance the bill on the Armenian Genocide will be observed in Israel regarding the regarding the Armenian Genocide, included in the agenda of the plenary ses- Armenian Genocide issue. “There has "Hakob Sevan said. According to him, sion of the Knesset, the Chairman of the been considerable progress in the their number is growing. Hakob Sevan Armenian National Committee Hakob approach of Israel’s Knesset towards the also positively evaluated the conferences Sevan said during a phone conversation Armenian Genocide issue in recent years. and initiatives which were organized in with “Armenpress”. We are carrying out works on different scientific institutions on the issue of the "We are currently working on deter- levels. In particular, we are working with Armenian Genocide. mining the exact date. We expect this to be clear in the nearest future. As we know, the bill on the Armenian Genocide Noyan Tapan Press-Center was discussed in Knesset’s Education, Noyan Tapan Press Center holds different discussions, press confer- Culture and Sports Committee and now ences, round tables, teleconferences, seminars each week which we are waiting for it to be included in the are broadcast live on the Internet. We invite you to take advantage plenary session’ s agenda and discussed, of the Center, as well as to place your banner in our Press Room. "Hakob Sevan said. Tel: 060 27 64 62. Address: Isahakyan 28, 3rd floor

22 February #6 (1094) 2016 4 www.nt.am POLITICS Armenian Ex-PM takes over as Eurasian Union Head Armenia's former Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan met on February 16 with Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in his new capacity as head of the executive body of the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). Tigran Sargsyan formally took over as chairman of the Eurasian Economic Commission on February 1 less than two months after the presidents of Russia, Armenia and three other ex- Soviet states aligned in the bloc announced his appointment at a summit in Moscow. He was Armenia's ambassador to the United States at the time. He moved to Washington in July 2014, three months after resigning as prime minister amid mounting opposition challenges to President Serzh Sargsyan and the Armenian government. Tigran making up the Eurasian Economic Union." Sargsyan had served as prime minister since 2008. The 56-year- "Both citizens and businesses in our countries want to see old economist had previously run Armenia's Central Bank. some real pluses resulting from integration, and we must show that "Tigran Surenovich, we last met at a time when you still head- integration is working," Sargsyan said for his part. "This will be an ed Armenia's national government, and now you are a really big additional stimulus for integration processes." boss," Medvedev told him his opening remarks publicized by the Sargsyan's appointment as the top official in the EEU's Russian government. "You head a supranational body which over- Moscow-based executive leadership came as a surprise given his sees the work of other governments." past statements against Armenia's accession to the trade bloc. The "I first of all want to wish you success," Medvedev went on. ex-premier renounced them after President Sargsyan unexpected- "It's a difficult but, I think, interesting job because it is aimed at ly decided in 2013 to join the EEU under apparent Russian pres- integration, at achieving big results beneficial for all the countries sure.

Georgia, Iran in fresh talks on energy supplies via Armenia Georgian Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze called for mutual supplies of electricity between Georgia and Iran through Armenia at the start of a visit to Tehran on February 16. Kaladze was scheduled to meet with his Iranian counterpart Hamid Chitchian and other senior Iranian officials for fresh talks expected to focus on the possibility of Iranian natural supplies to Georgia through a pipeline running across Armenia. "When we have a surplus of water and hydropower in the spring and summer peri- ods, Iran needs electricity and imports it from Armenia," Kaladze said in comments power supplies among their countries. Georgia has purchased the bulk of its to the Georgian Energy Ministry's press Zakharyan said afterwards that their coun- gas from Azerbaijan for the past decade. office cited by Russian news agencies. tries could do that after two new power The Georgian government announced in "We have a possibility of selling elec- transmission lines connecting Armenia October that it is now considering buying tricity to Iran through Armenia [during with Georgia and Iran go on stream in gas also from Russia or Iran. spring and summer months] and import it 2017-2018. Kaladze told journalists in Tbilisi on from Iran in the winter period -- when elec- The Georgian and Iranian governments Monday that the gas supplies will be on the tricity consumption is at its peak -- through also reportedly negotiated around that time agenda of his trip to Iran. He reiterated that Armenia," he added before the planned on possible Iranian gas supplies to Georgia Georgia could soon import Iranian gas via talks with Chitchian. via Armenia. The head of the Iranian Armenia or Azerbaijan. Kaladze, Chitchian, Armenian Energy National Gas Export Company, Alireza "We must make the most of this coun- Minister Yervand Zakharyan as well as the Kameli, claimed in early January that two try's resources," the Georgian minister said chief executive of a Russian electric utility sides have already reached a tentative in Tehran. "We must do everything to already met in Yerevan in late December to agreement on the matter. implement new and interesting projects." explore ways of significantly boosting

22 February #6 (1094) 2016 POLITICS The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 5 Russia details fresh arms supplies to Armenia Yerevan - (RFE/RL) Devastating multi- The publicized list also includes TOS- Russian-made anti-tank weapons, shoulder- ple-launch rocket systems, heavy 1A heavy flamethrower systems that can fired surface-to-air missiles, demining and flamethrowers and advanced anti-tank mis- fire up to 24 incendiary or thermobaric communication equipment, armored per- siles are among new weapons Armenia will rockets in a single salvo. With a 6-kilome- sonnel carriers and heavy military trucks. buy from Russia soon with a $200 million ter range, the rockets are meant to destroy The anti-tank systems include 9M133 Russian loan, it emerged on February 18. defense fortifications, enemy personnel, guided missiles that first went into service The Russian government posted on one armored vehicles and transport. with the Russian army in the late 1990s.The of its websites a copy of the loan agreement Russia reportedly sold 18 Smerch 135-milimeter rockets can supposedly that was signed by the two sides in Yerevan launchers and as many TOS-1A destroy tanks within a 4-kilometer range. in June last year. The Armenian and flamethrowers to Azerbaijan in accordance Citing another Russian-Armenian Russian parliaments ratified it later in 2015. with defense contracts signed in 2009- accord signed in 2013, Armenian military Armenian officials have until now 2010. The Russian-Azerbaijani arms deals official stress that Yerevan can now buy declined to specify the Russian weapons to worth more than $4 billion have raised seri- brand new weapons at domestic Russian be purchased with the relatively low-inter- ous concerns in Armenia. Some Armenian prices that are well below international est loan repayable in 13 years. They have politicians and commentators have accused market-based levels. The 2015 loan agree- said only that the Armenian army does not Moscow of undercutting its main regional ment makes a reference to that deal. have most of them in its current arsenal. ally. The Russian arms loan might have The military alliance with Russia has The publicized agreement carries a long been aimed at placating the Armenians. already enabled Armenia to receive many list of defense items which Yerevan will be The agreement on its disbursement Russian weapons at discount prices or even able to purchase from Russian manufactur- coincided with dramatic street protests in free of charged over the past two decades. ers by the end of 2017. But it does not spec- Yerevan against a rise in electricity price That has put it in a position to fully or part- ify their quantities. The heaviest weapon on engineered by Armenia's Russian-owner ly offset Azerbaijan's massive military that list is the Smerch multi-launch rocket national electric utility. The so-called buildup fueled by oil revenues. Ohanian system with a firing range of up to 90 kilo- "Electric Yerevan" movement raised thanked Moscow for its "huge" military meters. One of the most destructive Russian fears of yet another Western- assistance when he met with Russian weapons of its kind in the world, it can fire backed another "color revolution" in the Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu in 12 300-milimeter rockets in less than a former Soviet Union. The funding for fresh Moscow in December. minute. The Armenia military reportedly Russian arms supplies to Yerevan was A Russian-Armenian intergovernmen- acquired in 2011 six Chinese-made AR1A therefore construed by some observers as tal commission on bilateral "military-tech- systems that have many technological sim- an attempt to bolster the Armenian govern- nical cooperation" most probably discussed ilarities with Smerch. Both rocket launchers ment. An annex to the 2015 Russian- the fresh arms deliveries to be financed by are designed to attack concentrations of Armenian agreement revealed on Thursday the Russian loan when it met in Yerevan troops, command centers and important says that the Armenian government will late last month. Few details of the four-day ground targets. also spend the $200 million loan on buying meeting were made public. Analyst: Erdogan's cancelled visit to Baku "respite" for Aliyev in Russo-Turkish standoff orientation Turkish President Recep Tayyip expected to be attended by Erdogan. conducts an adventurist policy with its Erdogan has canceled his visit to Baku, "Azerbaijan faces a serious problem in Western partners, and this situation sug- after the terrorist attack in Ankara on the context of the Russian-Turkish con- gests that it will also try to get involved in February 17. According to the political flict. In this situation both political and the Karabakh issue," he said. scientist, this cancellation will give public affection is for the Turkish side, but The Russo-Turkish relations worsened President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev Azerbaijan never forgets the Russian fac- dramatically last November after Turkish some "respite" in his geopolitical orienta- tor and avoids making a clear choice," air forces shot down a Russian bomber at tion. political analyst Sergey Minasyan, the the Syrian border. A powerful blast occurred in Turkish Deputy Chairman of the Yerevan-based In remarks made in Ukraine earlier this capital Ankara on Wednesday, killing 28 Caucasus Institute, told media on week, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet people and woundings dozens more. Thursday. Davutoglu accused Russia of "jeopardiz- According to Turkish officials, the proba- Referring to the Armenian side, ing Azerbaijan's territorial integrity" by ble cause of the explosion is a mined car, Minasyan said that Armenia should stay supporting Armenia. which is regarded as terrorism. away from military confrontation and try Azerbaijan, which as an ethnic cousin The 5th meeting of the Strategic to prevent it by working with western part- of Turkey and its top ally in the South Cooperation Council between Turkey and ners. Caucasus region, has repeatedly accused Azerbaijan was scheduled for today in "When global crises occur, it immedi- the international mediators of their pro- Baku. The Nagorno-Karabakh issue ately creates serious dangers and threats, Armenian bias, but has so far been careful should have been one of the topics of dis- and in theory can also create new opportu- not to put blame on Russia for the status cussion at the meeting, which was also nities for each player. Turkey obviously quo in Nagorno-Karabakh.

22 February #6 (1094) 2016 6 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights ECONOMY EU, Armenia launch first round of negotiations on trade and investment On February 15, the first round of the EU-Armenia negotiations on trade and investment issues was launched within the process of forming a new legal basis for relations between the Republic of Armenia and European Union, the Armenin Ministry of Economy informs. The negotiations were attended by the Armenian delegation headed by the First Deputy Minister of Economy of RA Garegin Melkonyan. The delegation comprises representatives of Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Central Bank, as well as other organizations. The European delegation was led by Petros Sourmelis, head of unit, Russia, CIS, Ukraine, Western Balkan, EFTA, EEA, Turkey and Central Asia, the European Commission ments, etc. Directorate-General for Trade (DG TRADE). Generally, the first round of negotiations is quite compre- The negotiations are held around the fields and directions hensive and extensive. Besides the plenary session of negotia- previously clarified with the European side, in particular trade tions, more than 12 meetings of the negotiating subgroups are of goods and services, trade protection measures, technical bar- being scheduled. During those meetings the draft texts of the riers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, intellectual corresponding directions will be discussed. property rights, competition, public procurement, sustainable Further negotiating processes, rounds, timetable/ schedule, development, transparency, current payments and movement of as well as some sectoral issues of future cooperation will also be capital, investment cooperation and protection, dispute settle- discussed. Armenia manages to World Bank loan to cover conduct policy of Armenian energy losses restraint, economist says The Armenian government announced Armenia on February 18 plans to borrow $30 mil- manages to con- lion from the World Bank to compensate duct policy of two large power plants for their losses restraint to ensure caused by the national electric utility and that the fluctua- two chemical enterprises. tions of foreign "We are taking a loan in order to solve currency rate previously accumulated problems," Prime have minimal influence on our economy, Minister Hovik Abrahamyan said during a making ENA's total debts to power plants economist Vardan Bostanjyan told weekly session of his cabinet. He said the and commercial banks exceeded $200 mil- reporters on February 17. low-interest loan will be repayable in 30 lion as of last September. He did not rule out that the USD years. Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel exchange rate could hit 500 AMD, but said Energy Minister Yervand Zakharyan Karapetyan's Tashir Group was expected that it should be done 'fluently." "I'm con- said the money will be provided to the to assume the debts when it purchased the fident the Armenian financial authorities state-owned Metsamor nuclear power sta- ENA from a state-controlled Russian com- are doing their best to avoid price pres- tion and a thermal power plant in Yerevan pany in October. The planned World Bank sures that exist in a number of countries," so that they can repay short-term loans loan means, however, that the government he said. extended by Armenian commercial banks. will cover a part of them. The economist said the current situa- He said the energy facilities resorted to Speaking to reporters after the cabinet tion does not provide for good conditions expensive borrowing last year in order to meeting, Zakharyan declined to clearly for exports and negatively affects the sustain their operations after failing to explain why Armenian taxpayers should export-import ratio. ensure timely payments for electricity sup- pay for losses incurred as a result of poor "Imports exceed exports several times, plied to the power grids and the idling management of the ENA and the other which is not good. There is no proper envi- chemical giants. enterprises. ronment for exports," he said. According a separate statement by the Opposition representatives were quick He also pointed out the high level of Armenian Ministry of Energy and Natural to condemn the government move. "This is our economy's dependence on Russia, Resources, the Electricity Networks of theft committed in broad daylight," said stressing that the state of the Russian ruble Armenia (ENA) utility alone owes them Vahagn Khachatryan of the Armenian finds its reflection in Armenia. 22.4 billion drams ($47 million). The loss- National Congress.

22 February #6 (1094) 2016 ECONOMY The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 7 Iran interested in establishing medical center in Armenia A delegation headed by Iran's Deputy Minister of Health Rasoul Dinarvand has arrived in Armenia with a view of deepening the cooperation between the two countries in the field of healthcare. The delegation comprising outstanding specialists of the sphere and representatives of the private sector had a meeting with Armenian Health Minister Armen Muradyan. Rasoul Dinarvand said his country is interested in develop- ing the cooperation with Armenia in the field of healthcare. "We want to make use of all opportunities for more effective cooperation," he said. Iran's Deputy Health Minister said the Iranian private sector is interested in making investments in our country, namely establishing a medical center. The parties pointed to pharmaceutics as a promising sphere of cooperation. The development of advanced technologies and made to the promotion of exports and imports, as well as methods of drug production was discussed. Reference was exchange of experience. Armenian Ambassador, Canadian FM New book spotlights hail political dialogue, economic ties 'Armenians of the Merrimack Valley' Two Haverhill men - E. Philip Brown, a Haverhill High School world history teacher, and Thomas Vartabedian, a retired Haverhill Gazette reporter and photogra- pher - researched and wrote "Armenians of the Merrimack Valley," newburyport- news.com reports. The book, released this month, was officially launched Saturday at the Haverhill Public Library. Vartabedian said the project was "about a year in the works." Brown, who graduated from Haverhill High in 1976 and has taught there for nine On February 15 Armen Yeganian, the visit of the first Canadian trade mission to years, does not claim Armenian heritage. Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia Armenia in 2015 is the proof of that He's half-Irish, half-Italian. to Canada, met Stéphane Dion, Minister progress. The Ambassador mentioned So how did he acquire an interest in the of Foreign Affairs of Canada. that Canadian companies are interested in Armenians? The sides outlined with satisfaction the different brunches of Armenian He was working toward a master's the intensification of political dialogue industry, especially in the mining sector. degree in public history from American between the two countries. Ambassador Upon the request of Minister Dion, Public University and was required to Yeganian stated that during 2015 Yervand Ambassador Yeganian briefed on the complete a capstone project. Zakharyan, Minister of Energy and commemoration events dedicated to the "I was looking at different things," he Natural Resources, and Hranush Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, said. Hakobyan, Minister of Diaspora, visited held in different countries, including Meanwhile, Vartabedian did a presen- Canada; the official visit of Galust Canada. tation about the 1915 Armenian genocide Sahakyan, Speaker of the National The sides also discussed the results of at Haverhill High last year, the 100th Assembly of Armenia, took place in May the 31st Ministerial Conference of the anniversary of the massacre. of 2015. At the same time, the International Organization of La Brown wondered if the time had come Ambassador welcomed the visits of two Francophonie, which took place last to write about the Armenians who fled the Canadian official delegations to Armenia October in Yerevan. genocide at the hands of the Ottoman during last year, headed by Minister They agreed to continue efforts Empire and came to the Merrimack Valley. Chris Alexander and Minister Christian towards the further enhancement of bilat- "I love culture," he said. "I'm a Paradis. eral political dialogue and deepening of National Geographic type of guy." The progress achieved in bilateral trade and economic ties. He discussed the idea with trade and economic relations during the During the meeting regional issues Vartabedian, who has spoken at many recent years was emphasized, and the were discussed as well. continued on page 20

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Price: 3574.Blur, Land-779sq.m.,2 storied building- repaired, heating system, 1.300.000$ nego- 720sq.m.,4 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, study, capital- Ac, furnished. tiable ly repaired, heating system,sauna swimming pool, Price: 400.000USD 2012.Mashtots garden. Price: 2.000.000 USD 1156.Komitas Ave., Ave., 5/1,2, 3590 Blur, Barbyus str., Land-450 sq.m.,4 sto- Hambardzumyan str. 5/3, 140sq.m.,window ried building-470sq.m.,3bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 110sq.m, 2 bedrooms, cap- glasses, capitally capitally repaired, heating system, AC, garden. itally repaired, heating system, kitchen is furnished. repaired, AC. Price: 1.100.000$ negotiable Price: 680.000 USD Price: 150.000 USD negotiable. 2155.Mashtots ave., 3storied building, 3651.Blur, Barbyus str., Land-900sq.m.,5 sto- 2949.Aram str., Newly built, 1st floor, 143 sq.m, 540sq.m., each floor-180sq.m, window ried building-800sq.m.,4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 bedrooms, zero state, Price: 2000 USD per sq.m. glasses,parking. capitally repaired, heating system, AC, garden. 2300.Northern ave., Newly built, 6/2, 130 Price:3.600.000 USD Price:1.700.000 USD. sq.m., 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, 2020.Hr. Kochar str., Land-300sq.m,1st line, 3401.Antarayin str, Newly built, land-700sq.m, heating system, AC,parking. Price: 400.000 USD. 4storied building, 1080sq.m.,each floor-270sq.m, 3 storied bld-690sq.m, 5 bedrooms, capitally h-3.6m,without divisions, parkings, 3 access. repaired. Price: 1.300.000 USD 3 ROOMS Price:1.400.000 USD negotiable 3712 Cascade Newly built, land-450sq.m, 4 sto- 1986.Cascade, Land 1000sq.m. 3storied build- ried bld-600sq.m, zero state. Price: 550.000 USD 3090 Dzorap Newly built, 190sq.m, 2 bed- ing1200sq.m., unfinished, parking. Price:1.000.000 USD. rooms, study, 2 bathrooms, capitally NEWLY BUILT RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS renovated,parking, Price: 460.000 USD 2167.Sayat Nova str., newly built, 38sq. m, 3090. Busand str, /Near Republic Square/, capitally repaired. Price: 200.000 USD 142. Verin Antarayin str., 14 floors, 65-133sq.m, Newly built, /6th floor,116sq.m, 2 bedrooms, 2 2175.Tumanyan str, Ground and 1st floorof the capitally renovated, parking. Price: 900-1300 USD bathrooms one in master bedroom, capitally reno- building, 600sq.m, ground floor300sq.m, 1st floor- 74.Cascade, Verin Antarayin. 136-315 sq vated, open balcony. Price: 350.000 USD nego- 220sq,m, basement-80sq.m, - 1st line, zero level, 2 m.,walls plastered, electricity, water, gas, euro win- tiable entrances, facade-15m, 4 window glasses, capital- dows,no exploitation fees. Price:1200 USD per 3046.Amiryan str., Newly built, 9/9, ly reapired, heating system, AC, Price: 3500 USD sq.m, parking -15.000 USD. 81sq.m.,without divisions. Price:Negotiable. per sq.m, 107.Monument, Verin Antarayin. inhabited, 8 3012.Aram str, Newly built, /7th floor, 136sq.m, 2172. Isahakyan str, 92sq.m, 1st line, 7 floors, gas, windows, street view -1000 USD per 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, heat- degrees above zero level, facade-9m, 2 window sq.m., city looking -1500 USD per sq.m., parking - ing system, AC, parking, facing to bulvar, glasses, h-3.20m, 2 halls, cabinet, bathroom, capi- 4 million USD preliminary. Price:300.000 USD negotiable. tally repaired, heating system. Price: 450.000 87.Sayat-Nova str., 21 floors, 3 bedrooms -188 2998.North Ave, Newly built, 9/6, 181sq.m, USD sq.m., 199 sq.m., Price 1900 USD per sq.m., 2 bed- 3bedrooms, capitally repaired, climate control, rooms have a beautiful sight - 117 sq.m., 120 parking, Price: 700.000 USD LANDS sq.m., 124 sq.m.,Price: 1700 USD per sq.m., cli- 2682.Aram Str., Newly built,13/6 187sq.m., 3 mate control, gas. bedrooms,2 bathrooms, 2 open balconies, capitally 2122.Davitashen, 1800 sq.m., water, gas, elec- 93.Kievyan str., Given to the operation in reapaired,heating systen, 2AC, 2 garages, view to tricity, possible to sell separately 600 sq.m., and October 2011, 16 floors, walls plastered, windows, garden. Price: 550.000 USD negotiable. 1200 sq.m. Price: 150 USD per sq.m. exterior doors, h -3, 15 m, gas,parking. Price: 1500- 2958.Pushkin str., 5/2, 140 sq.m., stone build- 2121.Demirchyan str., 1338 sq.m.,building per- 1600USD per sq.m,parking-12 000 USD. Possible ing,4 bedrooms,capitally repaired,heating system. mits. Price: 2million USD. with mortgage, for 13 years term. Price: Negotiable. 2013.Cascade. 1000 sq.m. building permits, first 94.Masiv. 3floors,8 flats,each flat has 3 bed- 2895.Northern Ave., Newly built, 3rd floor, line, gas, water and electricity possibilities. Price rooms, 210 sq.m., parking. Price: negotiable. 300sq.m,3bedrooms, 2 bathrooms,capitally 460.000USD 130.Antarayin str., 34 flats, 110-275 sq.m., 4 repaied, climate control, AC. Price: negotiable 1402.Hr. Kochar Str., 1100 sq. m.,facade -25 m. penthouses-200-275sq.m,available sevices-car 2802.Amiryan str., Newly built,8/4, Price negotiable. wash, cleaning service, garbage removal service, 166sq.m,3bedrooms, 2 bathrooms,capitally 2090.Lori region, close to Stepanavan, Gyargyar parking. Price: Negotiable repaired, central heating,AC,security system. village, 6 hectares, forest 2 hectare has building 131.Busand str., commercial, office and resi- Price:320.000 USD. permits, 3 water source, electricity. Price: dential areas, penthouse, available sevices-car 1104.Komitas Ave., Aram Khachatryan str., 100.000USD. wash, cleaning service, garbage removal service, 5/2, 125sq.m.,stone bld, h-2.75m.,3 bedrooms, 2406.Avan, Mher Mkrtchyan block, 1000 sq.m., parking. Price: Negotiable office, 2 bathrooms, old repair, gas, garage. Price:

22 February #6 (1094) 2016 FOR RENT The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 9 YOUR CHOICE IS OUR CHOICE www.mrealty.am (010) 564631 (010) 562181 [email protected] 12 G. Lusavorich str., Yerevan, Armenia 227sq.m.,4bedrooms, 2bathrooms, guest toilet, capi- 1195.Nork, Armenakyan str., Land - 2000 sq.m, 4 1 ROOM tally repaired, furnished,parking. Price:2500 USD storied bld.-520 sq.m., 4 bedrooms, 4bathrooms, 2303 Hanrapetutyan str Newly built, 9/5, capitally repaired, heating system, sauna, gym, fur- 2037.Baghramyan str., 5/2, 60sqm, 1 bedroom, 165sq.m, 3bedrooms,1bathroom, 1 guest toilet. cap- nished, swimming-pool, garden. Price: 4.000 USD euro repaired, gas, heating system, AC, modern fur- itally repaired, furnished, parking. Price: 2000 USD negotiable. nished,equipped. Price:negotiable 2257.Northern Ave., Newly built, 17/16, 160 1142.Djrvej, Bagrevand community. Land-1000 2189.Vardanants str., Newly built,24/12, 90 sqm, sq.m.,3 bedrooms, capitally repaired, heating system, sq.m., 3 storied bld.-700 sq.m., 5 bedrooms, 5 bath- 1 bedroom, capitally repaired, furnished, equipped. AC, parking. Price: Negotiable rooms, pantry, playing room, capitally repaired, no Price: 1000 USD. 2005.Northern Ave., Newly built,8/8, 130 sq.m, 3 furniture/ can be furnished, if necessary /garage for 2 2099.Sayat-Nova Ave., 12/6, 1 bedroom, capital- bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, heating cars. Price: 4 000 USD. ly repaired,gas, heating system, AC, furnished, system, furnished, parking. Price: 2200 USD. 1293.Nork-Marash, Land-1100sq.m,2 storied bld- equipped. Price:600 USD. 1723.Northern Ave., Newly built,8/4., 170 sq.m 3 520 sq.m, 6 bedrooms,5 bathrooms, capitally 1972.Northern ave., 8/4, 80sq.m.,1bedrrom, 2 bedrooms,3 bathrooms, open kitchen, capitally repaired, heating system, AC, swimming pool, gar- bathrooms, open kitchen, capitally repaired, climate repaired, furnished, equipped. Price: 2000 USD. den.Price7.000 USD control. Price: 1200 USD 1981.Vardanants Str., Newly built, 14/14, 140 sq 327. Nork-Marash, Land-500sq.m.,4 storied 2171.Tumanyan str., Newly built, 5th floor, 94 m,3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, heat- building-600 sq.m., 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, capi- sq.m., 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, capitally repaired, ing system, AC, 3 open baconies, furnished, tally repaired, heating system, furnished, equipped, central heating, furnished, equipped. Price: 1000 USD equipped,parking. Price: 2000 USD. swimming pool, garden, sauna, 2 car parking. Price- 2367.Northern ave., Newly built, 9th flloor, 98 1793.Teryan str., Newly built, 8th floor, 260 sq.m.,3 4000 USD sq.m., capitally repaired, heating system, furnished bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, study, capitally repaired, cli- 1306. Tsarav Akhbyur /near Botanical garden/, equipped. Price: Negotiable. mat control, parking, unfurnished (possible to furnish), Land-1000sq.m., 3 storied building-750sq.m., 6 bed- Price: 3500 USD. rooms, 5 bathrooms, 2 kitchens, capitally repaired, 1720.Amiryan str., Newly built,16/10, 179 sq.m, 3 heating system swimming pool, garden, sauna, 2 car 2 ROOMS bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, central parking, with or without furniture. Price:6000-8000 heating, AC, cellar- 25sq.m, with or without furniture, USD negotiable 2302 North Ave, Newly built, 11/4, 137sq.m, parking, Price 3000 USD negotiable 1288. Tsarav Akhbyur /near Botanical garden/, 2bedrooms,2bathrooms,capitally repaired, furnished, 2195.Northern ave., Newly built, 3rd floor, Land-560sq.m., 4 storied building-560 sq.m., 4 bed- parking. Price: 2000 USD 300sq.m, 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 kitchens, cap- rooms, 4bathrooms, a kitchen, office, capitally 1780.Amiryan str, Newly built, /13th floor, 82 sq.m, repaired, heating system, furnished, equipped, swim- 2 bedrooms, capitally repaired, heating ming pool,garden, 2 car parking. Price: 5000 USD system, AC, furnished, equipped. Price: 1197. Blur, Land-779sq.m.,2 storied building- 1700 USD negotiable. 720sq.m.,4 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, study, capitally 942.Teryan str. 4/3, 130 sq.m.,2 bed- repaired, heating system, sauna swimming pool, gar- rooms, capitally repaired, heating sys- den. Price:8000 USD tem, furnishred, equipped. Price: 1500 1312. Blur, Barbyus str., Land-450sq.m., 4 sto- USD. ried building-470sq.m., 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1950.Buzand/Mashtots area. Newly capitally repaired, heating system, AC, garden. Price: built, 8th floor, 163 sq.m., 2 bedrooms, Negotiable 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired,climate 1317. Blur, Barbyus str., Land-900sq.m.,5 storied control, furnished, open balcony. Price: building-800sq.m., 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, capi- 2500 USD. tally repaired, heating system, AC, garden. Price: 1681.Northern Ave., Newly Negotiable. built,6/2,130 sq.m.,2 bedrooms, 2 1323.Monument, Babayan str, Land - 400 sq.m, 3 bathrooms, capitally repaired, heating storied bld-300sq.m, each floor-100sq.m, 4 bed- system, AC,parking. rooms, 4 bathrooms, capitally repaired, heating sys- Price: 2000 USD. tem, AC, furnished, equipped. Price: Negotiable 1535.Busand str., Newly built, 7/4, 82sq.m,2bedrooms, capitally repaired, heating system, AC, parking, furnished, PREMISES itally repaired,climate control, AC, parking. equipped. Price: Negotiable. Price:5000 USD 1738.Amiryan str., 8/8, 159sq.m.,2 bedrooms, 2 2049.Teryan str, ground floor+basemnet, 1st line, 2261.Hin Yerevantsi, /North Avenue/, Newly bathrooms, capitally repaired, heating system, park- 200sq.m, repaired. Price: 6.000 USD built, 10/3, 124sq.m., 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, cap- ing. Price: Negotiable 1693.Malatia-Sebastia 4 storied building, itally repaired, heating system, AC, furnished, 1951.Busand str., Newly built, 13th floor, 122sq.m, 1200sq.m, each floor-300sq.m, 2 separate entrances, equipped, parking. Price: 1700 USD 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, climate climate control, 2 elevators, basement, parking. Price: 2084.Tumanyan str., 4th floor, 200sq.m, 3 bed- control. Price: 2500 USD 15USD per sq.m. rooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, climate con- 1406.Sayat Nova ave., 7/3, 110sq.m., 2 bed- 1526.Byuzand str., 5/semi-basement, 170 sqm., 4- trol, parking. Price:5000 USD rooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally reapired, heating sys- 5 degrees below zero level,window glasses, cellar - 50 2252.Northern ave, 7th floor, 350 sq.m., 3 bed- tem, furnished, equipped. Price: Negotiable sq.m.,6 rooms, the largest is 30 sq.m., 2 entrances, 2 rooms, 4 bathrooms, study, open balconies, capitally 2109.Northern ave., Newly built,10/4, 137sq.m, 2 lavatories. Price 2000 USD per month, negotiable. repaired, climate control, parking. Price Negotiable. bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, central 1408.Zarobyan str., /parallel to Baghramyan str./, heating, furnished, equipped, parking. Price: 2000 2 storied building,600 sqm. ground floor- hall and USD. PRIVATE HOUSES kitchen,1st floor 5 rooms, bathroom, open balcony, 2243.Buzand str, Newly built, 17/4, 125sq.m, 2 capitally repaired, gas, heating system,parking. Price: bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, heating 1335 Baghramyan str., Land-200sq.m, 3storied Negotiable. system, AC, furnished, equipped. Price: 2000 USD bld-300sq.m.,4 bedrooms, 3bathrooms,capitally 1462.Teryan str., 3 storied building, 800 sq.m., cap- Amiryan str, Newly built, 14/5, 120sqm, 2 bed- repaired, furnished. Price: 3000 USD itally repaired, AC, parking, Price: 10.000 USD. rooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, heating sys- 1336 Aygedzor, Land-1000sq.m, 2 storied bld- 1945.Mashtots Ave., 5/1,2, 140sq.m., window tem, AC, partly furnished. Price 2000 USD 240sq.m, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathroosm,capitally glasses, capitally repaired, AC. Price: 8000 USD repaired, furnished. Price:2000 USD 1943.Tumanyan str., Ground floor of the building, 1337 Davtashen Land-406sq.m,3 storied bld- 265sq.m.,1st line, capitally repaired, heating system, 3 ROOMS AND MORE 306sq.m, 4bedrooms, 2bathrooms, capitally repaired, cellar. Price: 7000 USD furnished. Price:3900 USD 1868.Tumanyan str., Ground floor of the building, 2358 V. Sargsyan str, Newly Built, 7/4, 145sq.m, 3 1323.Monument, Babayan str, Land-400sq.m, 220sq.m.,1st line, facade-55m.,capitally repaired, h- bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, one guest toilet, capitally 3storied bld-300sq.m, 4bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, cap- 5m., cellar. Price: 15.000 USD. renovated, furnished, underground parking. itally repaired. Price: Negotiable 2087.Northern ave., Ground floor of the building, Price:3000 USD negotiable 1248.Aygedzor, Land - 1021 sq m ,3 storied bld. - 100sq.m,1st line, zero level, capitally repaired, win- 2353 V. Sargsyan str. 8/5, Newly built, 98sq.m, 501 sq.m., 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, study, capitally dow glasses. Price: Negotiable. 2bedrooms,capitally renovated, furnished, Price 1500 repaired, central heating, AC, sauna, boiler room 2033.Abovyan str, 388sq,m, Ground floor of the USD garden, swimming pool, garage, alarming system, building, 3 degrees above zero level, windoq glasses, 2347 Teryan str. Newly built, 10/8, 320sq.m, 3bed- security system. Price: 8000 USD. h-3m.,basement-235sq.m, capitally repaired, heat- rooms, office, 3 bathrooms, capitally repaired, fur- 999.Aygedzor, Land -1000 sqm, basement + 2 ing system, AC. Price: 15.000 USD nished. Price: Negotiable floors- 310 sqm, capitally repaired, 4 bedrooms, 4 2031.Vardanants str, 500sq.m, ground floor of the 2277.Kievyan str. duplex, 4 bedrooms, 3 bath- bathrooms, newly furnished, equipped, sauna, swim- building, 2 entrances, facade-20m, window glasses, rooms, capitally repaired, with or without furniture. ming-pool. Starting Price: 5000 USD. without divisions, ,basement-250sq.m, Price:8000 Price: Negotiable. 1094.Noy block, Land-450sqm, 2 storied building - USD 2310 Busand str., Newly built, 190sq.m, 3bed- 220sq.m, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally 2027.Sayat Nova str, 95sq.m, ground floor of the rooms, 3bathrooms, capitally repaired, furnished, repaired, heating system, furnished, equipped, swim- building, 2 entrances, 7 degrees above zero level, 4 parking. Price: 2500 USD ming pool, garden. Price: 2000USD. window glasses, capitally repaired. Price: 4.000 USD 2316 Northern Ave, Newly built,6th floor,

22 February #6 (1094) 2016 10 www.nt.am SOCIETY Recent News from Armenia’s Leading Telecom Operator Housewarming in Since 2007, VivaCell-MTS has con- “I can’t talk about these brothers with- tributed AMD 228.3 million for the basic out expressing my admiration to them. Kotayk Region reconstruction or renovation of houses thus Meeting them for the first time and reading improving the life quality of 480 people the motto written on the wall of their half- Owing to the housing project financed with social needs in 10 regions of the coun- built house – “Fortune favors the brave” – by VivaCell-MTS, the construction of a try, including 31 villages, of which 10 are filled me with great respect towards these half-built house and a renovation of anoth- borderland villages. remarkable young people. All the hardships er family house have been completed at the they have been through have made them end of 2015. VivaCell-MTS General Housewarming in Syunik more determined, robust and persevering. I Manager Ralph Yirikian and Fuller Center am glad and proud that we have managed for Housing Armenia President Ashot region: the realized dream to pass more confidence in the future Yeghiazaryan visited Mayakovsky com- of three brothers through our support,” said VivaCell-MTS munity to see the improved housing condi- General Manager Ralph Yirikian. tions of the two families and share with The construction works which started “I want to stress that this project stands them their happiness. in Darbas village of Syunik region half a out from hundreds of others. The construc- For 13 years Arthur Antonyan’s family year ago have now been completed. The tion of a house for Karapetyan brothers has lived in his parents’ house – 11 people dream of the Karapetyan brothers is ful- was truly rewarding. The efforts, the enthu- in three rooms. For five years the house of filled: the family celebrates housewarming. siasm and the seriousness with which the a neighbor, who had left for a job abroad, VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph three brothers undertook the construction served as a shelter for the family. It’s Yirikian and “Fuller Center for Housing of their house is promising. Months ago it already several years the Antonyans have Armenia” President Ashot Yeghiazaryan was still a half constructed building and started the construction of their house, but participated in the house blessing ceremo- now it has become a real home for the were unable to complete the works. ny sharing the happiness of the Karapetyan brothers who are about to enter adulthood,

“It was a dream for me to have a home. family. but who have already seen so much for My children grew up moving from one Vrezh Karapetyan and his two brothers their young age,” said Ashot house to another not having their own. lost their parents when they were children. Yeghiazaryan, “Fuller Center for Housing Nothing can be compared with the feeling After the death of their grandparents, the Armenia” President. of having your own home. Our happiness brothers could rely only on themselves. For and gratitude is endless,” said the mother years they had been living in an earthen Special tariff plan: larger of the family, Nayira Antonyan. two-room house without a kitchen and a “In terms of the outcome all the meas- bathroom. Yet, the brothers never gave up Internet package for the ures undertaken within this project are on their dream and continued the construc- same monthly fee equally efficient: the end result is a house- tion of the half-built house inherited from warming. Yet, the hardships and the depri- their parents believing that one day they The volume of the Internet provided vations that last for years for these families will have a decent house. within VivaCell-MTS’ «Special» tariff are different. It is a major achievement to “It is hard to describe what I feel now. plan has increased and now makes 2000 see people in despair and uncertainty This house has become a real stronghold MB instead of 500 MB before. cheered by the positive attitudes. The more for us. Even in my bravest dreams, I could “With time, the importance of Internet kindness and positive energy we give away not imagine that we would have such a becomes more and more vital in our every- to families like these, the more committed beautiful home. On behalf of my brothers day life. Utilization of data is growing. In they get in terms of building their homes, and me I express our deepest gratitude for order to meet the consumer demand for raising decent children, and being useful to turning the seemingly unrealizable dream more data, for now on the subscribers of the country,” said VivaCell-MTS General into reality,” said the eldest of Karapetyan “Special” tariff plan will be provided four Manager Ralph Yirikian. brothers, Vrezh. times of the previous volume of internet,” “Today we are the witness of another In the frames of the housing project, the VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph success. Another Armenian family now partnering organizations have completed Yirikian commented. stands on a solid ground. As a result of the the construction of the half-built house as To remind, in case of subscribing to the partnership with VivaCell-MTS the hous- well as installed a heating system. Owing tariff plan till July 31, 2016, the monthly ing problem of 93 families has been solved to VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph fee is just AMD 2500. For a fixed monthly becoming a cornerstone of new opportuni- Yirikian’s personal initiative, the house of fee, the subscriber to this tariff plan also ties and successes for those families,” said the Karapetyan family has been furnished gets 1500 on-net minutes and an opportu- “Fuller Center for Housing Armenia” and replenished with necessary household nity to send 150 SMS to RA GSM net- President Ashot Yeghiazaryan. appliances. works every month.

22 February #6 (1094) 2016 POLITICS www.nt.am 11 Tight US presidential race: Good news for Armenian-Americans Once elected, officials would want to - As Senator, cosigned letters to Pres. satisfy some of these demands in order to Bush urging him to recognize the maintain the support of the Armenian com- Armenian Genocide in 2005 and 2006; munity during their future campaign for - Cosponsored Resolutions on the reelection. Armenian Genocide in 2006 and 2007; Here are the records of all six - As Presidential candidate in 2008, Now that the two major political parties Republican presidential candidates on made a promise to recognize the Armenian have begun holding Primaries to select Armenian issues: Genocide; their nominees for this fall's Presidential Gov. Jeb Bush (Florida) - Later in 2008, spoke at a Turkish elections, Armenian-Americans are weigh- - Traveled with his son on a humanitar- Cultural Center banquet in New York City ing the merits of the eight remaining candi- ian mission to Armenia on Dec. 24, 1988, in the presence of then Prime Minister dates. shortly after the earthquake; Erdogan; I would like to propose that from now - Issued an Armenian Genocide procla- - During an official visit to Yerevan in on Armenians refrain from asking presi- mation on April 7, 2006; 2010, placed a wreath at the Genocide dential candidates whether they would rec- - Received the Friend of Armenians Monument, which the US Embassy in ognize the Armenian Genocide once elect- Award in 2013 from the Eastern Diocese of Armenia called a "private" act, even ed. There are two problems in posing such the Armenian Church. though the ribbon on the wreath carried a question: Gov. John Kasich (Ohio) the inscription: "From Secretary of State 1) Armenians should know from previ- - Received ratings of C, D, and F from Hillary Rodham Clinton"; ous disappointing experiences that they ANCA during most of his tenure in the - In 2012, as Secretary of State, cannot trust promises made by most politi- House of Representatives, 1983-2001; referred to the Armenian Genocide as "a cians. - Cosigned letters to Pres. Bush and matter of historical debate," contradicting 2) There is no need to ask for such a Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev support- her earlier clear stand on this important promise since the Armenian Genocide has ing Artsakh's independence in 1991; issue. been repeatedly recognized by the various - Cosponsored the Armenian Genocide Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vermont) branches of the US government for many Resolution in 2000; - Received an A+ rating in 2012 and C years: - As Governor, issued a proclamation in in 2014 from ANCA; a) Document submitted by the US gov- 2012 to celebrate Armenian Independence - During his tenure in the House of ernment to the World Court in 1951; Day. Representatives (1991-2007), he support- b) Resolutions adopted by the House of Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas) ed a variety of Armenian issues, including Representatives in 1975 and 1984; - Received a C- rating from ANCA in the Genocide Resolution, in 1996, 1997, c) Pres. Reagan's Proclamation refer- 2014; and 2000; ring to the Armenian Genocide on April 22, - In 2015, issued statement on the - Cosigned letters to Pres. Bush urging 1981. Armenian Genocide and cosponsored the him to recognize the Armenian Genocide Furthermore, the continued pursuit of Armenian Genocide Resolution. in 2002, 2003, and 2004; genocide recognition - when it has been Sen. Marco Rubio (Florida) - As Senator, he cosponsored in 2012 already recognized - would simply under- - Received a C rating in 2012 and B in two Resolutions on the Armenian mine its acknowledgment and cast doubt 2014 from ANCA; Genocide and Return of Armenian on it veracity. - Voted for passage of the Armenian Churches by Turkey. Instead, Armenian-Americans should Genocide Resolution in the Senate Foreign The polls and results of the early ask presidential candidates for their posi- Relations Committee in 2014; Primary elections indicate that no candi- tions on more pressing issues such as: - Cosponsored the Armenian Genocide date in either party is likely to have an 1) Allocating more foreign aid to Resolution in 2015; overwhelming majority in the Primaries Armenia and Artsakh (Karabakh); - Cosigned letter to Pres. Obama urging and the November elections which would 2) Promoting US trade with Armenia; him to recognize the Armenian Genocide encourage the candidates to be more 3) Pressuring Turkey to lift its blockade in 2015. accommodating to all voters, including of Armenia; Neurosurgeon Ben Carson (Michigan): Armenian-Americans. 4) Demanding that Turkey return the No statements on Armenian issues. Under these circumstances, my sug- confiscated Armenian churches to the Businessman Donald Trump (New gestion to the Armenian-American com- Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul; York): No statements on Armenian issues. munity is to refrain from making an early 5) Condemning Azerbaijan for its Here are the records of the two commitment to any candidate. The deci- repeated threats and attacks on Armenia Democratic presidential candidates on sion as to whom to support can be made and Artsakh; Armenian issues: later as the presidential race gets tighter 6) Supporting the independence of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (New and the candidates get more desperate for Artsakh. York) votes!

22 February #6 (1094) 2016 12 www.nt.am CULTURE Recent Music News Sergey Smbatyan: "Our composers.Today, we have observed that ous and multi- genre pieces, such as Greatest Mission is to there is a trend - more people are attending operas, ballets, three symphonies, vocal- contemporary music concerts. In Armenia, symphony, chamber- instrumental, cham- Perform Contemporary we have a lot of composers whose works ber- vocal and choral pieces. One of the Armenian Composers" should be performed, and the world should sources of the creative inspiration of hear their music, and this festival is a solu- Hovhannisyan was the human voice in his On February 17, at the Aram tion for this problem, " said Smbatyan. various performances. Among his unique Khachaturian Concert Hall they summed Each year this festival is dedicated to pieces are well-known and beloved songs up the 7th Armenian Composing Art anniversary of one of the Armenian com- such as “Erebuni-Yerevan”, “Sardarapat”, Festival. To remind, the Festival is being posers. This year it was dedicated to the “ Arpa-Sevan”, “ In the Armenian organized by the State Youth Orchestra Mountains” that have been exciting the of Armenia, Union of Composers and audience for more than 4 decades Musicologists of Armenia and sup- already. ported by the Ministry of Culture. The Festival is held under the patronage of Chamber pieces of the RA President. During the closing concert "All Rise, the Court is in Edward Mirzoyan were Session!" symphonic suite, by Aram performed in the frame- Nazaryan, Vardan Ajemyan’s Fourth work of the festival Symphony dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide On February 12 the chamber (premiere), "Sound Theater” for Piano, pieces of Edward Mirzoyan were per- Timpani and String Orchestra Concert 95th anniversary of a prominent composer formed in the framework of the 7th Poem, Aram Satyan "The Song to the Edward Mirzoyan and entitled Mirzoyan- Armenian Composers’ Art Festival in the Nature" Symphony. Performances by the Fest. Sergey Smbatyan noted that every concert hall of the Komitas Museum-insti- State Youth Orchestra of Armenia conduct- year, after the completion of the festival, tute. ed by the SYOA Artistic Director and they invite the Fest Council to decide what Artists such as Silva Petrosyan (sopra- Principal Conductor Sergey Smbatyan, to do at the next festival. “In the near future no), Diana Haroutyunyan (soprano), Arus Ajemyan (piano), Magda Mkrtchyan the format and the content of the 8th Julianna Berberyan (soprano), Julietta (soprano), A A leading way Armenian Armenian Composing Art Festival will be Alexanyan (soprano), Arsen Gevorkyan composer Vartan Ajemyan appreciated the decided. For me, as a musician, a greatest (baritone), Levon Araqelyan (cello), Artur Armenian Composing Art Festival, achievement is that the composers write Avanesov (piano), the String Quartet of the because, according to him, during the Fest works specifically for this festival. It is the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia (Erik musical compositions written in the 21th greatest value of music today. " Manoukyan – 1st violin, Ani Adikyan – century are presented which is “extremely 2nd violin, Elena Hayrapetyan – viola, interesting and important because it is our Choir music performed at Elya Balasanyan – cello) performed during future”. "I want to thank the Youth the concert. The concert program included Orchestra and Sergey Smbatyan for this the “Mirzoyan-Fest” romances “They Say, That…” and “I had a great event," he said. Speaking about his Dream…”on the poetry of Avetic Fourth Symphony, the composer stated An evening of wonderful choir music Isahakyan, as well as “You understood” (V. that it was created in 2014 for a big sym- was held on February 16 in Komitas Teryan), “Now I Remember” (E. phony orchestra and dedicated to 100th Museum –Institute: The choral songs of Charents), “Recollection” (S. anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Edgar Hovhannisyan were performed by Kapoutikyan). The String Quartet (Themes Symphony has a three-part structure. the Yerevan State Chamber Choir. The and Variations) and Sonata for Cello and Notably, in the third part the composer concert was organized in the framework of Piano by Edward Mirzoyan were also per- used the church bells. Symphony symbol- the 7th Armenian Composer’s Art Festival. formed during the the concert. izes the image of the reborn and victorious The choral songs of Edgar people who is building its new history and Hovhannisyan with the lyrics of a glorious future. Artistic Director and uotstanding poet Vahan Teryan Principal Conductor of the State Youth such as “Drape My Heart with a Orchestra of Armenia Sergey Smbatyan Sweet Dream”, “I Seem to Have also highlighted Armenian Composing Art Returned Home” as well as inter- Festival for all, especially for contempo- pretations of national songs were rary composers. "We've been talking much performed during the concert. about the fact that the contemporary music Talking about the composer should sound, and I am proud of all that Edgar Hovhannisyan, Tsovinar we’ve done... Our greatest mission is to Movsisyan, PhD in Arts men- perform works by contemporary Armenian tioned that he was author of vari-

22 February #6 (1094) 2016 CULTURE The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 13 Thanks to Vladimir Avetisyan and His «D'Black Blues Orchestra» Music of Eric Clapton Sounded in Artsakh

By Gourgen James as well. Therefore «D'Black Blues American singer Monica Green who sung a Khazhakian Orchestra» appears in those countries and nice duet with Mane Sargsyan from Chief Correspondent to those audiences where live, the authentic Yerevan, brass section, and Vladimir music of this band is more than just an ordi- Avetisyan himself with his special, typical ... All his life your author considered nary concert. This is an opportunity to blues voice and very artistic style of per- himself a rocker familiar with all of more or recharge yourself with new energy that formance. Light and visual effects created a less noticeable rock/pop groups. «D'Black opens new horizons and fills the life with unique atmosphere ... Blues Orchestra», Vladimir Avetisyan ... new meanings. The Group has a rich histo- “Encore!" – required excited, Who is this? "- Yours truly did not even ry and many years of experience in blues singin’n’rocking audience, and the looked thru the Internet… I just kept in and jazz festivals in Russia and Europe. Its response was Clapton’s "Rainbow" - this mind that the joint concert of the group and musicians successfully toured in the UK, time our Youth Orchestra showed all their the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia con- Spain, Switzerland, Finland, China, the skills. Avetisyan, an ethnic Armenian, espe- ducted by Sergey Smbatyan on February Baltics as well as in Armenia and Nagorno- cially with Karabakh roots, simply could 14, the Day of All Lovers will be dedicated Karabakh Republic. «D'Black Blues not avoid the issue of the Armenian

to the 70th anniversary of the great musi- Orchestra» has participated in performanc- Genocide: forget-me-not, a world-recog- cian Eric Clapton. So for the first time the es that accompanied the most important nized symbol of the Genocide 100th “Claptomania” project was presented in cultural events in Europe - from the Anniversary appeared on the screen, and Armenia, and high class virtuosos led by "Monaco Yacht Show" to the Moscow Film Vladimir spoke about the project our compatriot of the Karabakh origin Festival…" But the No.1 program of the OneHundredLives. But the biggest surprise Vladimir Avetisyan were not simply "copy- Orchestra is the «Claptomania» project, was waiting for your author immediately ing" famous pieces of the legend of the and the list of Eric Clapton's compositions after the concertl: "Vladimir Avetisyan is world blues rock - «Sunshine of Your is permanently updated. And always in the not a professional musician," I was Love», «Layla», «I Shot the Sheriff» and project the Band is accompanied by a "enlightened" by one of the technical crew others, but presenting them in a very special Symphony Orchestra, this time – the State members. interpretation, synthesizing a variety of Youth Orchestra of Armenia chosen by ??! - It was found out that the founder genres: rock, blues, jazz, classical music. Vladimir Avetisyan. In an interview with and leader of the orchestra was a successful And there were no tracks, sequencers, or the Armenian newspress Avetisyan noted businessman in Russia in a number of areas electronic harmonizers, all the music and that they pleased with the fact that the con- - from energy to the publishing industry vocals were live, they were using clarinet, ductor of the orchestra was a young man who now cooperates with the "RUS- flute, Hammond organ and duduk – ’cause this program requires “courage and NANO" Corporation, and, according to Armenian traditional instrument. boldness for the classical musicians”. In himself, he has never been gaining money An extract from the official website of turn, Sergey Smbatyan noted that they were playing music... Vladimir met Eric Clapton the group: "... Created in 2000, the team happy to play with such a good group and himself, and the great musician presented gathered the bright and talented artists from that the new format of the legendary works him his guitars - one of them we saw at the five countries: US, Russia, Belgium, was of the great interest. And he was confi- concert. «D'Black Blues Orchestra» Switzerland, Spain. dent that the concert would be a success… received from the blues-rock icon status of The attractivness of «D'Black Blues Definitely, it was a success... As the audi- the official cover group, and thanks to this, Orchestra» is in a constant aspiration for ence was surprised by actually everything, in particular, a CD and a DVD with the per- professional self-improvement, and as a and especially musicians – Alex Raskopov formance of the Clapton’s songs by result, - the ability to fill with the new sound who in addition to his "Hammond" played «D'Black Blues Orchestra» have been classic blues and jazz standards. also saxophone, flute, harmonica, lead gui- released and the autobiography by Eric Participants of this unique project believe tarist Maxim Kolchin whose riffs were very Clapton was translated and published in that their mission is wider than the music impressing ones, the drummer -“our" Russia thanks to generosity and efforts of itself. It bears educational and social trends Roman Petrosyan, incomparable Afro- our compatriot Vladimir Ye. Avetisyan.

22 February #6 (1094) 2016 14 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights SOCIETY Azerbaijan's continued war-mongering a threat to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenian Amb. tells the UN On 15 February Permanent the principles of sovereignty, non-interfer- Representative of the Republic of Armenia ence and territorial integrity, leading to to the United Nations, Ambassador Zohrab political culture of repression, systematic Mnatsakanyan delivered a statement dur- violation of human rights and disregard of ing the Security Council Open Debate on the rule of law. The people of Nagorno- "Respect for the Principles and Purposes of Karabakh have effectively won their right the Charter of the United Nations as a key to self-determination and freedom, yet, the element for the maintenance of internation- continued cultivation of hatred and aggres- al peace and security." sion, the entrenched culture of systematic In his statement, Ambassador violations of human rights in Azerbaijan, Mnatsakanyan expressed appreciation to their continued war-mongering and effec- sovereignty. In this regard, Ambassador the Secretary General for his continued tive refusal to achieve a swift and negotiat- Mnatsakanyan emphasized that enhanced contribution to a comprehensive and con- ed peace agreement, mediated by the international co-operation to this end is, solidated approach to the trinity of peace, OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs, represent therefore, compelling, not least when development and human rights. He noted an actual physical threat to the people of viewed strictly through the prism of main- that the history of humanity has indeed Nagorno-Karabakh, Ambassador tenance of international peace. "The func- been marked by conflicts, conquests and Mnatsakanyan explained. He furthermore tion of prevention and elaboration of early wars; yet, the same history is overwhelmed stressed that consolidated support of the warning mechanisms and capacity to chan- with continued struggle of oppressed peo- international community to the negotiating nel early signs of deteriorating situations ple for their freedom, self-determination process within the agreed format is of into the UN system remains a vital objec- and independence. Ambassador uttermost importance, "not least in order to tive," - suggested Ambassador Mnatsakanyan furthermore reminded that deny the unwilling party the privilege of Mnatsakanyan, recalling the Framework the Charter is based on the reaffirmation of procrastination, deviation from agreed Analyses for Atrocity Crimes as an impor- the faith in basic human rights and in the principles of the settlement and forum tant tool in this regard. dignity and worth of the human person, shopping." The Open Debate was presided by H.E. and it is exactly due to these fundamental Referring to the principles of sover- Delcy Rodríguez, Minister of Foreign principles of the Charter that 193 free eignty, the Ambassador of Armenia noted Affairs of Venezuela. Representatives of nations are gathered under the roof of the that sovereignty entails responsibility, about seventy state members, including United Nations. whereas irresponsible sovereignty repre- Deputy Foreign Ministers of Angola, The Ambassador of Armenia referred sents a threat to international peace and Spain, Guyana, Argentina and El Salvador, to fundamental difficulties that often arise security. Building peaceful and inclusive as well as UN Secretary-General Ban Ki when the voice of the affected people is societies is, therefore, as much about Moon and a number of senior UN officials drowned in the justification and abuse of responsibility of government, as it is about participated in the Open Debate. MP criticizes Georgia's support for 'anti-Armenian' water resolution at PACE Ethnic Armenian member of the certain politicians, I am confident that Georgian parliament Samvel Petrosyan brotherly ties between the Georgian and criticized some of his colleagues on Armenian nations will deepen and devel- Wednesday for voting for a controversial op in the future." Council of Europe resolution regarding Head of Georgian Dream's faction access to water in Nagorno-Karabakh, Giorgi Volsky called Petrosyan's state- DFWatch reports. ment 'populist' and said the Georgian The resolution passed at the Council delegation to PACE did not do anything of Europe parliamentary Assembly on to cause tension in Georgia's neighbor- January 26 asserts that "inhabitants of hood. frontier regions of Azerbaijan are delib- "The closer we get to the election the erately deprived of water". 98 MPs voted Petrosyan called the resolution biased more populist statements there will be. for it, 71 against, and 40 abstained. and said people in the community he rep- Georgia is our common country for Georgian MPs Tedo Japaridze, Irakli resents, the southern town Akhalkalaki, Georgians, Armenians and Azeri. Let's Chikovani and Giorgi Kandelaki voted were astonished by the way the Georgian keep stability in this state," he said, for the resolution. delegates voted. adding that the energy supply problem At a plenary session of parliament, "Despite the anti-Armenian views of has gotten worse and needs to be solved.

22 February #6 (1094) 2016 SOCIETY The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 15 Pope's visit to Armenia 'expected in September' September. Garegin and President Serzh Sarkisian personally invited the pontiff to visit their country in 2014, underlining increased links between the Roman Catholic and Armenian Apostolic Churches. Both men attended his papal inauguration in 2013. One of Francis's predecessors, John Paul II, and the previous Armenia Church head, Garegin I, laid the groundwork for the rap- prochement in 1996 with a joint declaration that put an end to cen- turies-old theological disputes between the two Christian denomi- nations. John Paul went on to become in 2001 the first Catholic Church leader to set foot on Armenian soil. During that historic trip, he issued a joint declaration with Garegin I describing the 1915 Armenian massacres in Ottoman Turkey as genocide. Pope Francis is due to pay his first-ever visit to Armenia in Francis has publicly reaffirmed the genocide recognition dur- September, the Armenian Apostolic Church announced on ing his papacy, most recently at an April 2015 mass at the Vatican's February 18. St. Peter's Basilica dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the The announcement came in an official statement on the ongo- tragedy. Turkey reacted angrily to his reference to "the first geno- ing session in Echmiadzin of the church's decision-making cide of the 20th century," accusing the pontiff of distorting history Supreme Spiritual Council chaired by Catholicos Garegin II. and recalling its ambassador to the Vatican in protest. The statement said members of the council were informed that Armenia rejected the Turkish criticism. Foreign Minister Francis's trip is "expected in September" and that Garegin's Edward Nalbandian praised Francis for delivering the "important Echmiadzin-based office is "in contact with the Vatican in connec- message of solidarity with and support to the Armenian people." tion with the visit's organization." Francis again paid tribute to Armenians massacred "just for Francis will likely travel to Armenia as part of a tour of the being Christians" after holding a mass with Armenian Catholic three South Caucasus states. Citing unnamed Vatican sources, the Patriarch Gregory Peter XX at the Vatican's St. Martha chapel in Russian TASS news agency reported earlier this month that the September. He compared their suffering with the ongoing perse- pontiff plans to visit Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in cution of ancient Christian communities of the Middle East. Tracing family roots: First Armenian Genealogy conference planned for April An Armenian Genealogy Conference will take place April 9- 10 in Watertown. The conference, which grew out of the Armenian Genealogy group on Facebook, will feature several speakers on various topics regarding Armenian genealogy, history, geography, and presentations on different organizations and initiatives, the Armenian Weekly reports. George Aghjayan, a retired actuary and one of the conference organizers, noted that the study of Armenian genealogy has grown substantially over the last decade, and that organizing a conference was a necessary step. "Advances in technology have allowed access to information previously thought unattainable," said Aghjayan, who hopes the conference will become an annual event. Aghjayan has been working with Tracy Rivest Keeney and Mark Arslan to organize the conference, which is co-sponsored by the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR), Project Save Armenian Photograph Archives, Inc., Houshamadyan, the Armenian Museum of America (AMA), and er people from the Armenian Diaspora worldwide, as well as the Hamazkayin Boston. During the weekend, participants-both Republic of Armenia-individuals who share a passionate interest beginner and advanced-will learn how to carry out genealogical in learning more about their Armenian families and heritage. "The research specific to Armenians and will take part in workshops, collective knowledge of our online community is amazing, every- during which experienced volunteers will help answer questions, one brings their own special talents to uncover genealogical treas- teach how to get started, and how to go beyond existing research. ures from the primary records online and in archives, as well as "The recent proliferation and acceptance of social media has shares their own family anecdotes, memories, and experiences," allowed a level of collaboration on genealogical and historical he said. research never before possible," Arslan told the Weekly. He noted The conference will take place at the Armenian Museum of that the Armenian Genealogy Facebook group has brought togeth- America.

22 February #6 (1094) 2016 16 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights POLITICS Israeli party accused of lobbying for Azerbaijan, preventing Armenian Genocide recognition getting benefits from them; you have set up organizations through which you get money from them. You set up the organization called AZIZ, you are part of the management of AZIZ. "Knesset colleagues, the AZIZ organization, the Israel- Azerbaijan International Association, serves as a financial and organization platform for Yisrael Beiteinu, and is funded by Azeri government officials. You are party of AZIZ's management in a revolving door fashion; whoever isn't an MK or a minister is part of AZIZ's management. "Avigdor Lieberman, when he was foreign minister, attended a conference funded by the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic, the same company that a year before Lieberman helped get involved in oil and gas drilling off the Israeli coast. This company got a five percent share, and it's funded by a foundation Meretz chairman MK Zehava Galon charged on February 17 headed by the president of Azerbaijan," said Galon. that Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party is getting finan- She added that former Yisrael Beiteinu MK Faina cial support from Azerbaijan government officials in return for Kirschenbaum "named a street in Israel after the father of advancing Baku's political and financial interests in Israel, Azerbaijan's great dictator." The Meretz leader also accused Haaretz reports. Lieberman and his party of "working to prevent the recognition According to Galon, Yisrael Beiteinu is supporting the inter- of the Armenian genocide because you are envoys of the ests of the Azeri national fuel company and has been actively Azerbaijan government and because of Nagorno-Karabakh. You working to prevent Israel from officially recognizing the Turkish are getting millions from Azeri sources through the fund you've genocide of Armenians during World War I, because of set up and you dare to speak of and demand transparency from Azerbaijan's territorial feud with Armenia. civic society groups. You are a corrupt gang and now you are Galon said that she has filed a complaint on the matter to seeking to work against civic society organizations." Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit, along with evidence of her Lieberman categorically denied Galon's claims, saying, "In claims. Party chairman Lieberman vehemently denied Galon's this case, as usual, there is not a word of truth in what Zehava allegations, saying "not a word of what Galon said is true." Galon is saying. MK Galon, who was questioned for hours by the Galon made the statement in the Knesset Wednesday while police [in 2001 on suspicion of financial irregularities in a peace condemning Yisrael Beiteinu's support of the so-called "trans- center she ran] and whose case was closed for lack of evidence, parency bill," which primarily targets left-wing NGOs that get has turned lies and libel into a way of life. Even Meretz doesn't funding from foreign governments. Galon charged that deserve such a shallow and deceitful leader like Zehava Galon. In Lieberman's own party benefited from Azeri government money. any case, every lie by Zehava Galon against me and Yisrael "You are the foreign agents of the Azeris," she said. "You are Beiteinu is a big compliment." OSCE MG format effective in many ways, says Russian Foreign Ministry Members of the OSCE Minsk Group themselves should solve the issue of modifying the existing format on the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict settlement, said Maria Zakharova, a spokesper- son of Russia's Foreign Ministry, Feb. 18. She made the remarks in response to a question of Trend correspondent on the possibility of holding an expanded meeting of the OSCE Minsk Group. "The current format has been approved, and it is widely recognized and effective in many ways," said Zakharova. "Of course, everyone would like to have better results, however this format works." Earlier, Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström said in Baku that Sweden offers to convene an enlarged meeting of the OSCE Minsk Group for settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "If there is a need for a meeting in a broader format for the conflict settlement, we, as an OSCE Minsk Group member, are willing to participate in it," she added.

22 February #6 (1094) 2016 SOCIETY The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 17 Genocide survivors share their experiences in panel discussion The Tufts Daily - Approximately 60 people filled the chapel at the Granoff Family Hillel Center last night to hear survivors of genocide share their stories as a part of Tufts Against Genocide's (TAG) 6th annual Survivors Speak panel. The event was held as a component of the Cummings/Hillel Program for Holocaust and Genocide Education. Senior Shoshana Weiner and sopho- more Mariel Kieval, both interns for the Cummings Foundation, introduced the event with a joint speech about the importance of remembrance. Weiner and Kieval organized the event in conjunction with TAG President Caroline Atwood. In their speech, they said that while the Trompetter was born in Nazi-occu- weapons and checkpoints were sprouting phrase "never again" is often used while pied Holland in 1942, and was separated up everywhere. discussing such atrocities, events of from his family as they split up to avoid He recalled a time when a Tutsi boy genocide continue to happen to this day. persecution, ultimately reuniting with his went up to a checkpoint and was beat by The first panelist to speak was sopho- family at the close of the war. the guards with the blunt ends of their more Nairi Krafian, the great-grand- "When people went into hiding in machetes. One guard hit the boy with the daughter of Hagop Madoian, a survivor those days, nobody had any idea how wrong side of the blade, drawing blood, of the Armenian Genocide. long it would be," he said. "I was one of he said. "My experience is so different from the lucky children." "Once they start seeing blood, it's like [his]," she said. The next panelist, Edina Skaljic, open season," Kaitare said. Krafian shared snippets of her great- spoke about living in constant fear during After the boy fell to the ground, the grandfather's fractured childhood work- the Bosnian Genocide, where ethnic guards announced they were taking him ing as a forced gravedigger, who record- cleansing in the late 1990s took the lives to the hospital, which was really "a mass ed the surreal experience of living among of thousands of Bosniaks. Skaljic said burial place," he said. the dead in a journal. "Nobody would pay she remembered being given a shopping The survivors on the panel all spoke any attention," she shared from his jour- bag by her mother, and being told to pack about the importance of remembering nal. "People died, and deaths went unno- only what she needed while leaving their genocide. ticed." home. "In telling you these stories, that Krafian said that the repercussions of "I didn't understand. Why did I have makes you witnesses," Trompetter said. the Armenian Genocide, where masses of to choose?" she said. "That was the Students should now carry the burden Armenian people were murdered in 1915 moment my childhood ended." of preserving his history, he said. Skaljic by the Ottoman government, have been Skaljic said out of fear of danger, she echoed this sentiment, expressing her passed onto her, and "that discomfort was forced to assume a new name and fears that their stories of death and sur- influences [her] life." She said she main- hometown to shield the truth of her her- vival would go untold. tains a deep connection to her itage. She recalled arguing with her "Silence is betrayal," she said. "We Armenianidentity, and takes pride in mother at the time about pretending to be say we have to forgive, but not forget." what she describes as the failure of the something she was not. The panelists also discussed the diffi- Turkish people to extinguish her own. "Your name could actually mean life culty in the healing process after surviv- The next panelist, Holocaust survivor or death in Bosnia at that time," she said. ing genocide. All of them said that no sur- Jack Trompetter, said that genocide stems The last panelist to speak was Claude vivor can ever fully recover, but that edu- from a process of demeaning and dehu- Kaitare, a survivor of the Rwandan cating the next generation helps survivors manizing another people. Genocide, where the Tutsiswere being personally come to terms with their diffi- "To have a genocide, you need to targeted and slaughtered by the Hutu cult histories. "There is nothing more have 'the other.' Once you have that other, majority in 1994. Kaitare said the conflict amazing, there is nothing more healing the path is clear for an atrocity to occur," began without warning; suddenly, neigh- for a genocide survivor than to see people he said. bors were turning on neighbors, and who actually care," Skaljic said.

22 February #6 (1094) 2016 18 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights SOCIETY La Boheme: New play to track Charles Aznavour's creative path The National Opera and Ballet Theatre after Alexander Spendiaryan will stage a ballet La Boheme based on the songs of Charles Aznavour, choreographer, People's Artist of Armenia Rudolph Kharatyan told reporters today. The one-act play will track Aznavour's creative path. Among the important works of 2012, Rudolph Kharaytyan pointed out the "Two suns" ballet dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. In 2016 Kharatyan will also stage "Anush" ballet, which, he said, has nothing to do with Armen Tigranyan's famous work. Through combination of classical and Armenian national motifs, he will try to create something that will allow the Armenian ballet to enter the international arena. He's confident we cannot be part of world ballet with "Gayane," because the latter is too 'Armenian.' "Folklore is interesting to foreigners, but within limits," Kharatyan said. Czechs present lost music composed by Mozart and Salieri A long-lost composition by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri was performed for the first time on Tuesday after a musicologist discovered the piece in the reserve collection of the Czech national music museum, Reuters reports. The piece also appears to show the rivalry between the two was not especially fierce and provides more evidence that Salieri played no role in Mozart's death in 1791 at the age of 35, the play and Oscar- winning film "Amadeus" suggested. The collaborative score was written in 1785, during one of the most fruitful peri- ods of Mozart's career when he composed some of his best-known pieces, including the operas "Don Giovanni" and "The Magic Flute." "We all know the picture drawn by the piece by Mozart, but at least something That made it nearly impossible to movie `Amadeus'. It is false," said Ulrich that really sheds new light on his daily identity the composers until the museum Leisinger, director of research at the life as an opera composer in Vienna," digitized its collection, allowing Mozarteum Foundation Salzburg. Leisinger said. Herrmann to sift through a huge database "Salieri did not poison Mozart, but they German composer and musicologist to discover the joint effort that had been both worked in Vienna and were com- Timo Jouko Herrmann discovered the sitting unnoticed. petitors." work last November while searching for During the performance in a large hall The piece, titled "Per la Ricuperata pieces by Salieri's students in the catalog in the former Baroque church that now Salute di Ofelia" ("For the recovered of the Czech Museum of Music. houses the Czech Music Museum, a harp- health of Ophelia"), was written to cele- The piece's fate after Mozart and sichordist played the short and upbeat brate the recovery of a English singer Salieri wrote it is unclear, but it came to piece to the delight of a few dozen people who had performed pieces by Mozart and the Czech Museum of Music in 1950s hearing music that probably has not been Salieri, museum officials said. It is carrying the names of Mozart and Salieri performed in hundreds of years. unclear whether it was ever performed in in a kind of signature code common at the "To hear a joint piece by Mozart and public before today, they said. time, said Michal Lukes, director of the Salieri … lost for more than 200 years, is "Here we have a short, not great, Czech National Museum. an amazing experience," Lukes said.

22 February #6 (1094) 2016 The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 19 Zodiac Weekly Forecast

Aries (March 20-April 19) Libra (Sep. 23-Oct. 22) In some way you are called upon to That which is normally creative energy bring out one element of your personal for you becomes a challenge this week. It genius in order to solve a problem or is similar to Sisyphus, rolling the rock demonstrate what you can do. Often this uphill. It may feel as though your mind is comes as a surprise and requires that you sluggish and unable to communicate clearly or figure out prob- think "out of the box". The usual rules lems. One of your senses, such as sight or hearing may be "off". don't fit here and you will need to resolve the dilemma in a way This is a transiting phase and will be over within a week. totally unique to yourself. Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Taurus (April 20 -- May 20) It is of paramount importance that you Your attention is on moving forward in control your mouth this week. Although your life direction, but various rocks and you have an opinion about whatever is pebbles are in your way. One of them has happening, let it go and say nothing unless to do with financing the budget for your asked for it. Being "right" is not as impor- plans. This is a challenge that won't go tant as maintaining human relations. Later you can take action away, although you can resolve it with a to correct what you perceive is wrong, but now you would be determined mind. Love life is probably in a plus zone right challenged to a fight. now. Sagittarius Gemini (May 20-June 20) (November 22-December 20) You have a desire to celebrate. The Your feelings are exuberant and your temptation to overspend is strong. mind is chattering like a magpie. Make an Consider what would be fun and interest- effort to watch the faces of others. They ing that doesn't require a big expenditure. may not be so absorbed with your ideas as Activities concerning education, publish- you are. Write about what you are thinking so you can take a ing, the law, and travel have positive aspects. You are talkative good look at it later. Not everything you plan is practical, but it and in an exploring frame of mind. Curb your tendency to be will probably lead you somewhere into creative territory. opinionated. Capricorn (December 21-January 19) Cancer (June 21-July 21) The Capricorn Goat is so focused on his At present your rational mind tells you or her direction that he sometimes becomes one set of facts while the heart/instincts overbearing and pushy to others. Now is a are in another camp altogether. A conflict time in which partners or other significant of this type is one which ultimately will be people are not cooperating. They may be resolved in a creative way. Take your con- fatigued with your constant management and delegation of proj- flict to a higher place--not one of either/or, but both/and. A larg- ects. Ease off if you want to maintain these relationships. er perspective would satisfy both ends of the equation. Aquarius (January 20-February 17) Leo (July 22-August 21) You may enjoy positive outcomes via There are occasionally moments in life joint resources. That includes partner's when we are focused upon contemplation income, IRS, investments, or any other of the deeper topics in life. Why am I large body of money. It won't be huge, but here? What is my purpose? Where am I gifts are in store. Gifts include money, headed? Do I take action based upon my time, or the use of another's resources. You may experience a principles or am I adopting the values of someone else? Taking challenge to your ego by a friend or associate. Try not to limit stock brings greater clarity and needs to happen occasionally. your attention to the situation.

Virgo (August 22-September 22) Pisces (February 18-March 19) Your workplace or your daily living The sun returns "home" to your sign habits are given a boost in the positive this week. You likely will find it to be direction. Fresh ideas are opening up new energizing. Now is the time to focus on spaces for creativity. Someone may enter new plans for this next year of your life. the picture who becomes a teacher. You Take a fresh look at where you want to have a lot of energy to direct toward physical health at this time. direct your energy. Use this month to let go of past hurts and Maybe this person is a coach or educator. take a deep breath of healing energy.

22 February #6 (1094) 2016 20 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights New book spotlights 'Armenians of the Merrimack Valley'

From page 7 schools about the genocide and its after- math. Vartabedian knew that writing such a book would be "no easy task." "After hemming and hawing, I decided I'd collaborate," he said. Vartabedian's mother survived the genocide by hiding in a well and came to the United States as a very young girl, he said. He is an active member of the Armenian Genocide Education Committee of Merrimack Valley and decided the time was right to put the story of his people into a book. "Armenians of the Merrimack Valley" tells readers about men and women who rose from humble circumstances and achieved prominence. Paul Kazarosian, for example, was a very successful lawyer who served as Haverhill's first city solici- tor. His parents survived the genocide and athletes, artists and entertainers. Both Brown and Vartabedian expressed came to America. The book also features folks who disappointment that Turkey, the successor His daughter, Marsha Kazarosian, has haven't become famous but have neverthe- state to the Ottoman Empire, has never rec- also achieved distinction as a lawyer, hav- less made solid contributions to the ognized the Armenian Genocide. ing won a high-profile gender discrimina- Merrimack Valley and America. On the "It is very disturbing," Brown said. tion suit against the Haverhill Country front cover, for instance, is a photo of "Nobody came to Armenia's aid," Club, among other accomplishments. Sebou Devejian standing in the grocery Vartabedian said. Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly has store he owned and operated at Washington Vartabedian estimates that there are described her as one of the top attorneys in Street and Washington Avenue in 5,200 people of Armenian descent in the New England. Haverhill. Merrimack Valley. The Armenian Then there are the Jaffarians, who have Devejian was born in Armenia in 1890 Apostolic churches in the region - Hye built one of the biggest auto dealerships in and immigrated to the United States, where Pointe in Haverhill, St. Gregory in North the area. Other Armenian-Americans in the he, like his fellow Armenian immigrants, Andover and St. Vartanantz in Chelmsford Merrimack Valley have achieved success had to learn a language that has no similar- - have "done yeoman's work" in keeping as physicians, business owners, educators, ity to his native tongue. their culture alive, he said.

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