22 YEARS The Noah’s Ark #26 (1066) 29 June 2015 Published Since 1993

Weekly Newspaper HIGHLIGHTS ÜáÛÛ³Ý î³å³Ý ß³μ³Ã³Ã»ñà (³Ý·É. / ýñ³Ýë.) Electric Yerevan: The sit-in on Baghramyan Avenue enters 7th day

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In This Issue PACE adopts Res. on Azerbaijan, removes the word "occupation" with regard to NK p.2 Protesters against power tariff hike in Armenia have no claims to Russia - A. Iskandaryan p.5 Noyan Tapan Printing House Armenia ranked 66th in IBC 2015 p.7 is offering coloured and black and white offset and digital Gyumri Massacre Case 'Transferred printing of books, brochures, booklets, journals, etc with To Armenian Jurisdiction' p.10 high quality and low prices Tel: 060 27 64 62 European Court reiterates liberation of Lachin was vital: Armenian FM p.p.12-13 Address: Isahakyan 28, 3rd floor, Yerevan 0009 29 June #26 (1066) Š 2015 2 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights POLITICS Armenian President meets Georgia's Minister of Justice

President Serzh Sargsyan received on June 26 Thea Tsulukiani, Minister of Justice of Georgia, and Giorgi Mghebrishvili, Minister of Corrections of Georgia. The president welcomed the guests and their participation in the first Armenian-Georgian Forum for Legal Cooperation held in Yerevan. Expressing his satisfaction with the fact that Armenia and Georgia continue to conduct high-level political dialogue and deepen multi-sectoral cooperation, Serzh Sargsyan stressed that it lays the groundwork to add new dimensions for partnership. In that context, the Armenian president attached importance to the relationship between the two countries' legal affairs ministries and expressed the hope that the forum for legal cooperation will con- tinue on a regular basis, thereby bringing its contribution to the further strengthening and development of friendly ties between Armenian and Georgia. Serzh Sargsyan underscored that the men- tioned ministries mainly deal with problems faced by both Armenian and Georgian citizens, and, hence, it is important to find During the meeting, Serzh Sargsyan also emphasized that our effective solutions to them through mutual discussions and country is keen on developing and deepening Armenian-Georgian exchange of experience so that citizens can feel the difference. interstate relations under new conditions created by Armenia's At the meeting, President Serzh Sargsyan once again membership in the EAEU and the conclusion of the Georgia-EU expressed his sincere support for the friendly people of Georgia on Association Agreement. the occasion of the floods and natural calamity in Tbilisi and Ministers Thea Tsulukiani and Giorgi Mghebrishvili under- expressed the hope that Georgia's government and Tbilisi's local scored that they intend to follow the legal cooperation format authorities will try their best to quickly overcome the effects of the established during the Armenian justice minister's visit to Georgia calamity. The Armenian president reiterated Armenia's readiness and make it a tradition, as well as to conduct exchange of experi- to render necessary assistance to the friendly country of Georgia. ence and promote cooperation between the two friendly countries.

Armenian DM attends PACE adopts Res. NATO meeting on on Azerbaijan, removes Afghanistan the word "occupation"

On June 25 the delegation Minister Nalbandian reiter- with regard to NK headed by Armenian defense ated Armenia's commitment to Minister Seyran Ohanyan par- contribute a 131-member After a marathon of ticipated in the meeting of group until the end of the mis- amendment voting, PACE Defense Ministers of the coun- sion. Within the framework of approved its resolution on tries contributing to the the visit Minister Ohanyan par- democratic institutions in NATO-led Resolute Support ticipated in ministerial consul- Azerbaijan by 140 votes to 13. Mission in Afghanistan. tations organized by Germany, The Assembly voted 85 to The Defense Ministers of where the strategy of the mis- 78 to accept the amendment Azerbaijani foreign policy NATO partner countries dis- sion was discussed. tabled by the Armenian dele- agenda." cussed the progress of NATO The same day Seyran gation to exclude the The draft resolution read: mission in Afghanistan, the Ohanyan met with Georgia's term"occupation" with regard "The Assembly is fully aware political and security situation newly elected Defense to Nagorno Karabakh. of the occupation by Armenia in the country. The participants Minister Tinatin Khidasheli. The Parliamentary of Nagorno Karabakh and decided to start the second The parties discussed the per- Assembly says in the final text seven other provinces of stage of the mission on May 1, spectives of defense coopera- of the Resolution it "is fully Azerbaijan, which dominates 2016. The NATO presence will tion and exchanged views on aware of the Nagorno- to a large extent the be restricted to capital Kabul issues of international and Karabakh conflict which dom- Azerbaijani foreign policy and its neighborhood. regional security. inates to a large extent the agenda."

29 June #26 (1066) Š 2015 POLITICS The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 3 Electric Yerevan: The sit-in on Baghramyan Avenue enters 7th day Thousands of people continued to hold a nonstop demonstration in Yerevan on Sunday night, rejecting its organizers' calls to unblock a key street in the city center voiced after concessions made to the pro- testers by President Serzh Sargsyan. The No To Plunder youth movement leading the campaign against a controver- sial rise in electricity prices decided to move its weeklong street protests back to Liberty Square and thus reopen Marshal Bagramyan Avenue to traffic. One of its leaders, Vaghinak Shushanyan, announced the decision on Sunday evening in a speech delivered from a barricade erected at the blocked street section. He cited the risk of renewed vio- No To Plunder leaders in marching to near- ing "the rules of cohabitation" with resi- lent clashes with riot police deployed near- by Liberty Square. dents of nearby apartment buildings. by as well as President Serzh Sargsyan's "I am begging you to get out of "We are calling on the police to under- announcement on Friday that the Bagramian," Shushanyan wrote on stand and protect us," Tigran Khachumian, Armenian government will at least tem- Facebook later in the evening. one of the activists remaining on Marshal porarily subsidize the energy tariffs. The warning came amid fresh police Bagramian Avenue told RFE/RL's "By staying here longer we won't be threats to break up the "illegal" demonstra- Armenian service . physically prepared to endure more police tion. In a statement, the Armenian police Khachumian also said that the new beatings and jets of water," Shushanyan said they are allowed to use force under an protest leaders are not seeking regime told the crowd. Armenian law on public gatherings. change and only want the Armenian "I stand for continuing the struggle At one point, phalanxes of police clad authorities to officially reverse a more than with different methods," he said. "We in full riot gear and backed up by a water 17 percent rise in electricity fees that was could again shut down Bagramyan Avenue cannon began moving towards the protest- approved by state regulators on June 17. at any moment." ers. However, they moved back shortly "The people are simply demanding what The 24-year-old activist argued that after several dozen Armenian opposition they demanded yesterday and the day while No To Plunder has still not received politicians and prominent public figures before," he said. a "clear answer" from the Armenian lined up in front of the barricade in hopes President Serzh Sargsyan defended the authorities to its demands for a scrapping of preventing violence. price hike on Friday, saying that it is need- of the energy price hike it has succeeded in Valeri Osipyan, a deputy chief of the ed for saving the Armenian energy sector ensuring that Armenians will not pay more Yerevan police, skirted reporters' questions from collapse. Still, he said that the for electricity for the time being. about crowd dispersal when he again Armenian government will subsidize the "With their unity the people have approached the barricades at around 11:00 electricity tariffs to make sure that forced the authorities to step back," he said. pm local time. Osipyan said only that he Armenian households are unaffected, at "From now on, citizens will continue to wants to warn the protesters to stop breach- least for now, by the price hike. pay the old price." The speech angered many in the crowd. They responded by jeering Shushanyan CONDOLENCES and chanting "Bagramyan!" and "Shame!" Some of them also bitterly argued with TO MR ARSEN GHAZARYAN other young protesters who backed the decision announced by Shushanyan. With deep sorry we've been informed on the recent timeless passing away Immediately after Shushanyan finished of Mrs AMALYA YESAYAN, mother of a prominent intellectual, benefac- his speech, several hitherto unknown tor and businessman, President of the Union of Businessmen (Employers) activists jumped onto the makeshift podi- and Manufacturers of Armenia (UMBA), Co-Founder of the "Apaven" Co. um to make angry statements accusing No Mr ARSEN V. GHAZARYAN. To Plunder of betrayal and urging the pro- The entire Noyan Tapan Media Holding staff expresses its deepest condo- testers to remain camped out on the street lences to Mr Ghazaryan, all the family members, relatives and friends of leading to the presidential palace. Mrs Yesayan of the blessed memory. Only several hundred people joined the

29 June #26 (1066) Š 2015 4 www.nt.am POLITICS Armenian President Offers Plan On Energy Price Hike

Bowing to pressure from thousands of hike approved by state regulators last week "It is inadmissible to go over the top; protesters blocking a central Yerevan was economically justified or resulted the police are capable of accomplishing avenue for the sixth consecutive day, from alleged corruption and mismanage- any task," Serzh Sargsyan warned in a thin- President Serzh Sargsyan announced on ment in the ENA. The loss-making compa- ly veiled threat to forcibly end the protests. June 27 that his government will effective- ny will be held accountable if it is found "For God's sake, please stop paralyzing ly suspend a controversial rise in electrici- guilty of forcing households and corporate the city center," he said. "The burden of ty prices in Armenia. consumers to bear the financial burden of responsibility born by all of us would only Serzh Sargsyan said the government fraud among its senior executives, he said. increase. Switch to more serene actions. will keep the tariffs unchanged for con- Conversely, the Armenian government Unblock Bagramyan Avenue." sumers by subsidizing their increased cost will stop covering the extra cost of power Activists of the No To Plunder move- at least until the release of findings of an supplies if the ENA is cleared of major ment, which organized the protests, were international audit of Armenia's Russian- wrongdoing, added the president. He gave not satisfied with Sargsyan's latest offer to owned power distribution network. no estimates as to the monetary value of defuse the crisis, saying that it did not meet Speaking at an emergency meeting the subsidy, saying only that the govern- their main demand for the decision on the with senior government officials, he said ment will tap into "funds that were set tariff rise to be revoked. One of them, he remains "deeply convinced" that state aside for further strengthening our securi- Vaghinak Shushanian, told that they are regulators were right to raise the tariffs by ty." calling on Armenians to turn out on more than 17 percent last week. He said he Accordingly, Sargsyan called for an Marshal Baghramyan Avenue on Sunday opted for the "meticulous" audit in an effort end to the nonstop protests on Marshal for a vote at 18.00 local time that will to address a lack of popular trust in the Bagramyan Avenue, one of Yerevan's main determine their attitude towards the plan Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) util- arteries leading to the presidential palace. and further actions. ity and Armenian state bodies dealing with He also urged young leaders of the protests Meanwhile, the thousands of people the energy sector. to get involved in the planned audit and rallying on Marshal Bagramian Avenue The audit, he went on, will determine reiterated his offer to meet them and dis- were in no rush to disperse and unblock the whether the more than 17 percent price cuss their demands. street.

Russia 'Very Closely Monitoring' Events In Yerevan

MOSCOW (RFE/RL)-Russia has called for a "legal" solution to the contin- uing standoff over electricity prices in Armenia and warned against a destabi- lization of the political situation in the South Caucasus country allied to it. "Armenia is our closest partner," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters late on Tuesday. "We are bound by historic links with Armenia and the Armenian people." "We are very closely monitoring what is going on there and hope the situation will be settled in the near future in strict accordance with the law and that there Yerevan and Armenia in general and are not criticize the Armenian authorities for will be no violations of the law," Peskov against any conflicts here. Armenia can using force against protesters and some said, according to the RIA Novosti develop only in stable conditions," he said journalists on Tuesday morning. agency. in what appeared to be a warning The Kremlin has been highly critical Russia's ambassador to Armenia, Ivan addressed to scores of mostly young peo- of sustained anti-government protests in Volynkin, also reacted on June 23 to the ple demonstrating in Yerevan. ex-Soviet states and Ukraine in particular. ongoing street protests in Yerevan against A civic group leading the protests has It has accused Western powers of encour- a controversial rise in electricity prices. twice rejected Sargsyan's offers to meet aging and even financing "color revolu- "This situation can be settled only at a with its leaders and discuss their tions" there to weaken Russia's presence negotiating table, which is what has been demands. It says that the president knows in what it considers its "near abroad." repeatedly proposed by Armenian their views and should simply reverse the Some Russian state-run media and President Serzh Sargsyan," Volynkin told price hike. pro-Kremlin pundits have already alleged journalists. Unlike the United States and the that the West has a hand in the Armenian "We want to see a stable situation in European Union, the Russian officials did standoff.

29 June #26 (1066) Š 2015 POLITICS The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 5 Protesters against power tariff hike in Armenia have no claims to Russia - A. Iskandaryan believe that it is up to the Armenian with the Ukrainian maidan and intrigues authorities to deal with the problem of the of 'external forces', Russian Deputy Russian company, Iskandaryan added. Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said on He stressed that it is a social protest, June 24 that statements to the effect that not a political one, and it was the power the situation in Armenia was provoked price hike that prompted people to take to from outside need to be proven. "We will the streets. carefully examine everything that preced- "It does not resemble the Ukrainian ed it, but I would not jump to conclu- maidan. Maindan had a different, foreign sions," he said. political nature, but here the character of As was reported, Electric Networks of protests is domestic: it is annoyance with Armenia (ENA) Company earlier submit- When commenting on the fact that the economic situation. An economic ted a bid to the Public Services Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) stagnation has been observed in the coun- Regulatory Commission about a rise in Company that submitted an application try since 2008. The country remained in electricity tariffs. The parliamentary for a rise in electricity tariffs in Armenia that situation for long, and there is grow- opposition considers it unfounded and is a daughter company of Russia's Inter ing annoyance with the economic serving the interests of that company. The RAO UES, political scientist Alexander scheme. Of course, it is a specific rise in current night-time tariff for the popula- Iskandaryan said that it does not neces- prices which is a pretext, rather than a tion is 31.85 drams per one KWh, the sarily mean the protesters have claims to cause," the expert noted. daytime tariff is 41.85 drams. The bid of Russia. "In Armenia there is a culture of street ENA proposed raising the tariffs to 48 "Stereotypical thinking leads people political activity. Rallies have been and 58 drams respectively. Yet the to assume that if it is a Russian company, staged regularly since 1991. A culture of Commission satisfied the bid of ENA there must be an anti-Russian compo- achieving something through rallies does only partially on June 17. The tariffs in nent. I suppose that some people can say exist in Armenia. A year ago a pension Armenia will increase by 6.93 drams, and anything and that one can always find reform was scrapped. Rallies against the not by 17 drams. The Commission's deci- people who show their emotions that gas price increase took place in Yerevan, sion will take force on August 1, 2015. way. Yet there is simply no background and the decision on transport fare hike The decision triggered non-stop protests for widespread anti-Russian sentiment in was suspended. People are accustomed to staged by 'No to Robbery' civic initiative. Armenia," the expert said. the fact they can take to the streets and The participants demand that the head of He invited attention to the fact that the gain their end in some cases. True, they state revoke the Commission's decision, demonstrators have appealed to the may not gain it, either," Iskandaryan said. which at the same time does not suit ENA authorities, the president, rather than they It should be noted that amid numer- Company as well. Rally participants say "gather outside the office of Electric ous statements of Russian politicians, that their protest is purely social by Networks of Armenia". Protesters also MPs and senators about some similarities nature. U.S., EU Concerned Over Armenia Unrest The U.S. Embassy in Armenia praised the "responsible and gen- erally respectful behavior by both protestors and police" at the start of their standoff in the city center on Monday evening. "However, we are concerned about reports of excessive police use of force to disperse the crowd on the morning of June 23, as well as several reports of abuse while in police custody," it said in a state- ment. "In addition, we are troubled by reports that journalists and their equipment were specifically targeted during the operation." The U.S. mission went on to urge the Armenian authorities to conduct a "full and transparent investigation" into those reports. The U.S. concerns were echoed by Dirk Lorenz, the acting head of the EU Delegation in Yerevan. "Reports about excessive use of force against a peaceful rally, as well as on violence directed against journalists are alarming," he said in a statement. The United States and the European Union on June 23 expressed Lorenz too called for an "impartial" inquiry into the violence. "A concern at the use of force by the Armenian police against scores of genuine dialogue between authorities and the civil society is the people who took to the streets of Yerevan to protest against rising only way to overcome tough and unpopular economic decisions," energy prices. he added.

29 June #26 (1066) Š 2015 6 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights ECONOMY Russia, Armenia Discuss Energy Fees As Yerevan Protests Go On President Serzh Sargsyan and Prime Minister Abrahamyan discussed on June 26 with a visiting Russian government mem- ber the increased cost of power supplies by Armenia's Russian- owned electric utility, which has sparked angry street protests in Yerevan. It was announced after their talks with Russian Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov that a Russian-Armenian intergovern- mental commission economic cooperation will organize an independent audit of the under-fire power distribution network. Sokolov arrived in the Armenian capital on Thursday to co- chair, together with Abrahamian, a regular session of the com- mission. His visit followed concerns expressed by Moscow in connection with the ongoing nonstop protests against a more than 17 percent rise in electricity prices in Armenia. A senior Russian diplomat on Wednesday urged the Armenian govern- ment to work out a "compromise solution" with the protesters Sargsyan's office. camped out on a major Yerevan thoroughfare. The statement quoted Sargsyan as also stressing the impor- "We discussed the entire agenda of our intergovernmental tance of a "meticulous audit" involving representatives of commission," Sokolov told reporters on Friday after the meet- Armenian civil society. ing of the Russian-Armenian body. Inter RAO is a successor to Russia's now defunct Unified Asked whether the energy tariff issue was also on the agen- Energy Systems conglomerate that bought the ENA in 2006. In da, he said: "Of course it was. We discussed all issues." He the last few years the ENA has posted growing losses, which declined to comment further. many in Armenia believe blame on poor management. Official Armenian press releases on the commission meeting The company's outstanding debts totaling over $225 million as well as Abrahamian's separate talks with Sokolov made no are a key reason why Armenian regulators last week raised the mention of the issue. ENA tariffs for a third time in two years. The price hike infuri- Later on Friday, the Armenian government's press office ated many Armenians feeling that they are forced to pay for cor- reported that Deputy Prime Minister Vache Gabrielyan and ruption and inefficiency within the ENA. Energy Minister Yervand Zakharyan held a "discussion" with The Armenian press reported in the months leading up to the Sokolov that focused on "Russian-Armenian cooperation in the price hike that Inter RAO plans to sell its loss-making Armenian area of energy." subsidiary. Energy Minister Zakharyan confirmed those reports A statement by the office said they specifically discussed last month. He also did not deny reports that the Tashir Group "the situation that has arisen around the Electric Networks of of Samvel Karapetyan, an Armenian-born Russian billionaire, is Armenia (ENA)," the national power distribution network interested in acquiring the ENA. belonging to Inter RAO, a Russian energy corporation. It gave Karapetyan has so far made ambiguous statements to that no other details. effect through his Yerevan-based brother Karen, a parliament Sokolov met with President Sargsyan afterwards, reported- deputy and former chief of President Serzh Sargsyan's staff. ly telling him that the Russian-Armenian commission decided Some Armenian observers have suggested that a new ENA to initiate an audit of the ENA that will involve representatives owner might be willing to abandon the price rise and thus meet of "all interested parties." The company's books will be inspect- the key demand of the Yerevan protesters. Abrahamian on ed in a transparent manner, he said, according to a statement by Thursday defended the unpopular measure. There have also been calls in Armenia for Inter RAO to inject more cash into the ENA and restructure the company, instead of trying to sort out its financial troubles at the expense of Armenian consumers. The Russian group, which also owns Armenia's largest thermal power plant, posted $13.4 billion in operating revenue last year. The Russian calls for Armenian government concessions to the protesters seems to reflect fears in Moscow that the unrest could grow into the kind of popular revolt that toppled Ukraine's pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych last year. Some pro-government Russian politicians and media have alleged that Western powers orchestrated the ongoing protests to install a pro-Western regime in Yerevan. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin disputed these allegations on Wednesday.

29 June #26 (1066) Š 2015 ECONOMY The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 7 Russian Loan To Finance More Arms Supplies To Armenia cooperation that took place in Yerevan earlier in the day. Serzh Sargsyan told the Russian co-chair of the commission, Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov, that the funding will enable Armenia's armed forces to "considerably expand the assortment of modern weaponry in their arsenal." A statement by his office did not specify what type of new military equipment will be purchased for them. Sargsyan's announcement came less than two weeks after Armenia's top military official in charge of arms procurements flew to Moscow for talks with representatives of Russia's Defense Ministry and state intermediary agency for arms exports. The Armenian Defense Ministry said the official, Alik Mirzabekyan, will discuss with them "supplies of products Armenia will purchase soon more Russian-made weapons designed for military use." with a $200 million loan that has been provided to it by the Russia has long been the principal source of weapons deliv- Russian government, it emerged on June 26. ered to Armenia. A military alliance with Moscow and member- President Serzh Sargsyan said that the disbursement of the ship in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization "concessional export loan" was formalized at a meeting of a (CSTO) entitles Yerevan to receiving Russian-made weapons at Russian-Armenian intergovernmental commission on bilateral discounted prices or even free of charge.

Armenia ranked 66th in International Inter RAO UES Business Compass 2015 does not confirm reports on sale of Electric Networks of Armenia

Inter RAO UES does not confirm the reports on the intention to sell the Electric Networks of Armenia, official representative of the Russian energy holding told TASS. “We do not confirm the information on the sale of the company,” he said. Russian Kommersant daily reported Armenia is ranked 66th among 174 included. Luxembourg is also excluded earlier that the ongoing protests in countries in the BDO International due to its special economic structure and Armenia against the planned electricity Business Compass 2015 index. its exceptional per capita investment flows. price hike and the promise of the author- Other countries in the region are The BDO International Business ities to nationalize the Electric Networks ranked as follows: Georgia 43rd, Turkey - Compass measure the attractiveness of a of Armenia could make the Inter RAO 57th, Russia - 100th, Azerbaijan -65th and country as a multi-dimensional concept in UES to sell the Company. Iran - 163th. three dimensions: the economic, politico- Armenia's partner in the Eurasian legal and socio-cultural conditions. Economic union Belarus is rated 85th, The BDO International Business Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are placed Compass measure the attractiveness of a 73rd and 102nd respectively. country as a multi-dimensional concept in Switzerland tops the list, followed by three dimensions: the economic, politico- Singapore and Hong Kong. legal and socio-cultural conditions. The The study covers 174 countries from 6 appeal of a country is associated with its continents. Countries with less than level of development. It is understood as a 150.000 inhabitants as well as Cuba, West combination of economic, politico-legal Bank, Somalia and Western Sahara are not and social factors.

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Price: 2.000.000 USD Hambardzumyan str. 5/3, building1200sq.m., Š3590 Blur, Barbyus str., Land-450 sq.m.,4 sto- 110sq.m, 2 bedrooms, capi- unfinished, parking. ried building-470sq.m.,3bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, tally repaired, heating sys- Price:1.000.000 USD. capitally repaired, heating system, AC, garden. tem, kitchen is furnished. Š2167.Sayat Nova str., Price: 680.000 USD Price: 150.000 USD nego- newly built, 38sq. m, Š3651.Blur, Barbyus str., Land-900sq.m.,5 storied tiable. capitally repaired. Price: building-800sq.m.,4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, capi- Š2949.Aram str., Newly 200.000 USD tally repaired, heating system, AC, garden. built, 1st floor, 143 sq.m, 2 bedrooms, zero state, Š2175.Tumanyan str, Ground and 1st floorof the Price:1.700.000 USD. Price: 2000 USD per sq.m. building, 600sq.m, ground floor300sq.m, 1st floor- Š3401.Antarayin str, Newly built, land-700sq.m, 3 Š2300.Northern ave., Newly built, 6/2, 130 sq.m., 220sq,m, basement-80sq.m, - 1st line, zero level, 2 storied bld-690sq.m, 5 bedrooms, capitally repaired. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, heating entrances, facade-15m, 4 window glasses, capitally Price: 1.300.000 USD system, AC,parking. Price: 400.000 USD. reapired, heating system, AC, Price: 3500 USD per Š3712 Cascade Newly built, land-450sq.m, 4 sto- sq.m, ried bld-600sq.m, zero state. Price: 550.000 USD 3 ROOMS Š2172. Isahakyan str, 92sq.m, 1st line, 7 degrees above zero level, facade-9m, 2 window NEWLY BUILT RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS Š3046.Amiryan str., Newly built, 9/9, 81sq.m.,with- glasses, h-3.20m, 2 halls, cabinet, bathroom, capital- out divisions. Price:Negotiable. ly repaired, heating system. Price: 450.000 USD Š74.Cascade, Verin Antarayin. 136-315 sq m.,walls Š3012.Aram str, Newly built, /7th floor, 136sq.m, 3 plastered, electricity, water, gas, euro windows,no bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, heating exploitation fees. Price:1200 USD per sq.m, parking system, AC, parking, facing to bulvar, Price:300.000 LANDS -15.000 USD. USD negotiable. Š2122.Davitashen, 1800 sq.m., water, gas, electrici- Š107.Monument, Verin Antarayin. inhabited, 8 Š2998.North Ave, Newly built, 9/6, 181sq.m, 3bed- ty, possible to sell separately 600 sq.m., and 1200 floors, gas, windows, street view -1000 USD per rooms, capitally repaired, climate control, parking, sq.m. Price: 150 USD per sq.m. sq.m., city looking -1500 USD per sq.m., parking - 4 Price: 700.000 USD Š2121.Demirchyan str., 1338 sq.m.,building per- million USD preliminary. Š2682.Aram Str., Newly built,13/6 187sq.m., 3 bed- mits. Price: 2million USD. Š87.Sayat-Nova str., 21 floors, 3 bedrooms -188 rooms,2 bathrooms, 2 open balconies, capitally rea- Š2013.Cascade. 1000 sq.m. building permits, first sq.m., 199 sq.m., Price 1900 USD per sq.m., 2 bed- paired,heating systen, 2AC, 2 garages, view to gar- line, gas, water and electricity possibilities. Price rooms have a beautiful sight - 117 sq.m., 120 sq.m., den. Price: 550.000 USD negotiable. 460.000USD 124 sq.m.,Price: 1700 USD per sq.m., climate con- Š2958.Pushkin str., 5/2, 140 sq.m., stone building,4 Š1402.Hr. Kochar Str., 1100 sq. m.,facade -25 m. trol, gas. bedrooms,capitally repaired,heating system. Price: Price negotiable. Š93.Kievyan str., Given to the operation in October Negotiable. Š2090.Lori region, close to Stepanavan, Gyargyar 2011, 16 floors, walls plastered, windows, exterior Š2895.Northern Ave., Newly built, 3rd floor, village, 6 hectares, forest 2 hectare has building per- doors, h -3, 15 m, gas,parking. Price: 1500- 300sq.m,3bedrooms, 2 bathrooms,capitally repaied, mits, 3 water source, electricity. Price: 100.000USD. 1600USD per sq.m,parking-12 000 USD. Possible climate control, AC. Price: negotiable Š2406.Avan, Mher Mkrtchyan block, 1000 sq.m., with mortgage, for 13 years term. Š2802.Amiryan str., Newly built,8/4, electricity, gas, water, the district is inhabited. Price: Š94.Masiv. 3floors,8 flats,each flat has 3 bed- 166sq.m,3bedrooms, 2 bathrooms,capitally repaired, 30USD per sq.m rooms, 210 sq.m., parking. Price: negotiable. central heating,AC,security system. Price:320.000 Š2310.Monument, Babayan str, 1000 sq. m, Š130.Antarayin str., 34 flats, 110-275 sq.m., 4 USD. facade-25m, privatized, Price:350 USD negotiable penthouses-200-275sq.m,available sevices-car Š1104.Komitas Ave., Aram Khachatryan str., 5/2, Š2107.Monument, 2400sq.m, building permits, wash, cleaning service, garbage removal service, 125sq.m.,stone bld, h-2.75m.,3 bedrooms, office, 2 building project. Price: 400 USD per sq.m. parking. Price: Negotiable bathrooms, old repair, gas, garage. Price: 130.000 Š2413.Ashtarak roadway, 1000sq.m, building Š131.Busand str., commercial, office and resi- USD permits, building project. Price: Negotiable dential areas, penthouse, available sevices-car Š2836.Pushkin str., 4/4,5, 400sq.m., 3 bedrooms, 3 Š2414.Demirchyan str. land-750sq.m., building wash, cleaning service, garbage removal service, bathrooms, capitally repaired, heating system, AC. permits. Price:750.000 USD. parking. Price: Negotiable Price: 460.000 USD.

29 June #26 (1066) Š 2015 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 Price: Negotiable. capitally repaired, heating system, sauna, gym, fur- 1 ROOM Š2310 Busand str., Newly built, 190sq.m, 3bed- nished, swimming-pool, garden. Price: 4.000 USD rooms, 3bathrooms, capitally repaired, furnished, negotiable. Š2037.Baghramyan str., 5/2, 60sqm, 1 bedroom, parking. Price: 2500 USD Š1142.Djrvej, Bagrevand community. Land-1000 euro repaired, gas, heating system, AC, modern fur- Š2316 Northern Ave, Newly built,6th floor, sq.m., 3 storied bld.-700 sq.m., 5 bedrooms, 5 bath- nished,equipped. Price:negotiable 227sq.m.,4bedrooms, 2bathrooms, guest toilet, cap- rooms, pantry, playing room, capitally repaired, no Š2189.Vardanants str., Newly built,24/12, 90 sqm, itally repaired, furnished,parking. Price:2500 USD furniture/ can be furnished, if necessary /garage for 1 bedroom, capitally repaired, furnished, equipped. Š2303 Hanrapetutyan str Newly built, 9/5, 2 cars. Price: 4 000 USD. Price: 1000 USD. 165sq.m, 3bedrooms,1bathroom, 1 guest toilet. cap- Š1293.Nork-Marash, Land-1100sq.m,2 storied bld- Š2099.Sayat-Nova Ave., 12/6, 1 bedroom, capital- itally repaired, furnished, parking. Price: 2000 USD 520 sq.m, 6 bedrooms,5 bathrooms, capitally ly repaired,gas, heating system, AC, furnished, Š2286.Sose str, Newly built, 12/2, 154sq.m, 3bed- repaired, heating system, AC, swimming pool, gar- equipped. Price:600 USD. rooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally reapired, furnished, den.Price7.000 USD Š1972.Northern ave., 8/4, 80sq.m.,1bedrrom, 2 equipped. Price: 1700 USD Š327. Nork-Marash, Land-500sq.m.,4 storied bathrooms, open kitchen, capitally repaired, climate Š2257.Northern Ave., Newly built, 17/16, 160 building-600 sq.m., 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, capi- control. Price: 1200 USD sq.m.,3 bedrooms, capitally repaired, heating system, tally repaired, heating system, furnished, equipped, Š2171.Tumanyan str., Newly built, 5th floor, 94 AC, parking. Price: Negotiable swimming pool, garden, sauna, 2 car parking. Price- sq.m., 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, capitally repaired, Š2021.Teryan Str., Newly built,9/8,9, 245 sq.m., 4 4000 USD central heating, furnished, equipped. Price: 1000 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms,capitally repaired, heating Š1306. Tsarav Akhbyur /near Botanical garden/, USD system, furnished. Preliminary price: 3500 USD. Land-1000sq.m., 3 storied building-750sq.m., 6 bed- Š2367.Northern ave., Newly built, 9th flloor, 98 Š2005.Northern Ave., Newly built,8/8, 130 sq.m, 3 rooms, 5 bathrooms, 2 kitchens, capitally repaired, sq.m., capitally repaired, heating system, furnished bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, heating heating system swimming pool, garden, sauna, 2 car equipped. Price: Negotiable. system, furnished, parking. Price: 2200 USD. parking, with or without furniture. Price:6000-8000 Š1723.Northern Ave., Newly built,8/4., 170 sq.m 3 USD negotiable bedrooms,3 bathrooms, open kitchen, capitally Š1288. Tsarav Akhbyur /near Botanical garden/, 2 ROOMS repaired, furnished, equipped. Price: 2000 USD. Land-560sq.m., 4 storied building-560 sq.m., 4 bed- Š1981.Vardanants Str., Newly built, 14/14, 140 sq rooms, 4bathrooms, a kitchen, office, capitally Š2302 North Ave, Newly built, 11/4, 137sq.m, m,3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, repaired, heating system, furnished, equipped, swim- 2bedrooms,2bathrooms,capitally repaired, furnished, heating system, AC, 3 open baconies, furnished, ming pool,garden, 2 car parking. Price: 5000 USD parking. Price: 2000 USD equipped,parking. Price: 2000 USD. Š1197. Blur, Land-779sq.m.,2 storied building- Š2295 North Ave., Newly built,16/15, Š1793.Teryan str., Newly built, 8th floor, 260 720sq.m.,4 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, study, capitally 173sq.m.,2bedrooms, 2 bathrooms,capitally sq.m.,3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, study, capitally repaired, heating system, sauna swimming pool, gar- repaired, furnished. Price:5000 USD repaired, climat control, parking, unfurnished (possi- den. Price:8000 USD Š2290 Bayron str., Newly built, /5th floor, 220sq.m, ble to furnish), Price: 3500 USD. Š1312. Blur, Barbyus str., Land-450sq.m., 4 sto- 2bedrooms, study, open kitchen, 2 bathrooms, capi- Š1720.Amiryan str., Newly built,16/10, 179 sq.m, 3 ried building-470sq.m., 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, tally repaired, climate control,furnished, parking. bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, central capitally repaired, heating system, AC, garden. Price: Price: 4000 USD heating, AC, cellar- 25sq.m, with or without furniture, Negotiable Š1780.Amiryan str, Newly built, /13th floor, 82 parking, Price 3000 USD negotiable Š1317. Blur, Barbyus str., Land-900sq.m.,5 storied sq.m, 2 bedrooms, capitally repaired, heating system, Š2195.Northern ave., building-800sq.m., 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, capi- AC, furnished, equipped. Newly built, 3rd floor, tally repaired, heating system, AC, garden. Price: Price: 1700 USD nego- 300sq.m, 4 bedrooms, 4 Negotiable. tiable. bathrooms, 2 kitchens, cap- Š1323.Monument, Babayan str, Land - 400 sq.m, 3 Š942.Teryan str. 4/3, 130 itally repaired,climate con- storied bld-300sq.m, each floor-100sq.m, 4 bed- sq.m.,2 bedrooms, capitally trol, AC, parking. rooms, 4 bathrooms, capitally repaired, heating sys- repaired, heating system, Price:5000 USD tem, AC, furnished, equipped. Price: Negotiable furnishred, equipped. Price: Š2261.Hin Yerevantsi, 1500 USD. /North Avenue/, Newly Š1950.Buzand/Mashtots PREMISES built, 10/3, 124sq.m., 2 area. Newly built,8th floor, bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 163 sq.m.,2 bedrooms, 2 Š2049.Teryan str, ground floor+basemnet, 1st capitally repaired, heating bathrooms, capitally line, 200sq.m, repaired. Price: 6.000 USD system, AC, furnished, repaired,climate control, Š1693.Malatia-Sebastia 4 storied building, equipped, parking. Price: furnished, open balcony. 1200sq.m, each floor-300sq.m, 2 separate 1700 USD Price: 2500 USD. entrances, climate control, 2 elevators, basement, Š2084.Tumanyan str., 4th Š1681.Northern Ave., Newly built,6/2,130 sq.m.,2 parking. Price: 15USD per sq.m. floor, 200sq.m, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, heating Š1526.Byuzand str., 5/semi-basement, 170 sqm., repaired, climate control, parking. Price:5000 USD system, AC,parking. Price: 2000 USD. 4-5 degrees below zero level,window glasses, cellar Š2252.Northern ave, 7th floor, 350 sq.m., 3 bed- Š1535.Busand str., Newly built, 7/4, 82sq.m,2bed- - 50 sq.m.,6 rooms, the largest is 30 sq.m., 2 rooms, 4 bathrooms, study, open balconies, capitally rooms, capitally repaired, heating system, AC, park- entrances, 2 lavatories. Price 2000 USD per month, repaired, climate control, parking. Price Negotiable. ing, furnished, equipped. Price: Negotiable. negotiable. Š2089.Northern ave., Newly built,8/6, 120sq.m.,2 Š1408.Zarobyan str., /parallel to Baghramyan bedrooms,2 bathrooms, capitally reapired, climate PRIVATE HOUSES str./, 2 storied building,600 sqm. ground floor- hall control, furnished, equipped. Price: 2500 USD and kitchen,1st floor 5 rooms, bathroom, open bal- Š1738.Amiryan str., 8/8, 159sq.m.,2 bedrooms, 2 Š1335 Baghramyan str., Land-200sq.m, 3storied cony, capitally repaired, gas, heating system,park- bathrooms, capitally repaired, heating system, park- bld-300sq.m.,4 bedrooms, 3bathrooms,capitally ing. Price: Negotiable. ing. Price: Negotiable repaired, furnished. Price: 3000 USD Š1462.Teryan str., 3 storied building, 800 sq.m., Š1951.Busand str., Newly built, 13th floor, Š1336 Aygedzor, Land-1000sq.m, 2 storied bld- capitally repaired, AC, parking, Price: 10.000 USD. 122sq.m, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally 240sq.m, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathroosm,capitally Š1945.Mashtots Ave., 5/1,2, 140sq.m., window repaired, climate control. Price: 2500 USD repaired, furnished. Price:2000 USD glasses, capitally repaired, AC. Price: 8000 USD Š1406.Sayat Nova ave., 7/3, 110sq.m., 2 bed- Š1337 Davtashen Land-406sq.m,3 storied bld- Š1943.Tumanyan str., Ground floor of the build- rooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally reapired, heating sys- 306sq.m, 4bedrooms, 2bathrooms, capitally ing, 265sq.m.,1st line, capitally repaired, heating tem, furnished, equipped. Price: Negotiable repaired, furnished. Price:3900 USD system, cellar. Price: 7000 USD Š2109.Northern ave., Newly built,10/4, 137sq.m, Š1323.Monument, Babayan str, Land-400sq.m, Š1868.Tumanyan str., Ground floor of the build- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, central 3storied bld-300sq.m, 4bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, ing, 220sq.m.,1st line, facade-55m.,capitally heating, furnished, equipped, parking. Price: 2000 capitally repaired. Price: Negotiable repaired, h-5m., cellar. Price: 15.000 USD. USD. Š1248.Aygedzor, Land - 1021 sq m ,3 storied bld. - Š2087.Northern ave., Ground floor of the build- Š2243.Buzand str, Newly built, 17/4, 125sq.m, 2 501 sq.m., 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, study, capital- ing, 100sq.m,1st line, zero level, capitally repaired, bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, heating ly repaired, central heating, AC, sauna, boiler room window glasses. Price: Negotiable. system, AC, furnished, equipped. Price: 2000 USD garden, swimming pool, garage, alarming system, Š2033.Abovyan str, 388sq,m, Ground floor of Š Amiryan str, Newly built, 14/5, 120sqm, 2 bed- security system. Price: 8000 USD. the building, 3 degrees above zero level, windoq rooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally repaired, heating sys- Š999.Aygedzor, Land -1000 sqm, basement + 2 glasses, h-3m.,basement-235sq.m, capitally tem, AC, partly furnished. Price 2000 USD floors- 310 sqm, capitally repaired, 4 bedrooms, 4 repaired, heating system, AC. Price: 15.000 USD bathrooms, newly furnished, equipped, sauna, Š2031.Vardanants str, 500sq.m, ground floor of swimming-pool. Starting Price: 5000 USD. the building, 2 entrances, facade-20m, window 3 ROOMS AND MORE Š1094.Noy block, Land-450sqm, 2 storied building glasses, without divisions, ,basement-250sq.m, - 220sq.m, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, capitally Price:8000 USD Š2347 Teryan str. Newly built, 10/8, 320sq.m, repaired, heating system, furnished, equipped, swim- Š2027.Sayat Nova str, 95sq.m, ground floor of 3bedrooms, office, 3 bathrooms, capitally repaired, ming pool, garden. Price: 2000USD. the building, 2 entrances, 7 degrees above zero furnished. Price: Negotiable Š1195.Nork, Armenakyan str., Land - 2000 sq.m, level, 4 window glasses, capitally repaired. Price: Š2277.Kievyan str. duplex, 4 bedrooms, 3 bath- 4 storied bld.-520 sq.m., 4 bedrooms, 4bathrooms, 4.000 USD rooms, capitally repaired, with or without furniture.

29 June #26 (1066) Š 2015 10 www.nt.am SOCIETY Gyumri Massacre Case 'Transferred To Armenian Jurisdiction' Russia has agreed to allow Armenian Permyakov has been kept under arrest law-enforcement authorities to prosecute a at the Gyumri headquarters of the Russian Russian soldier who has confessed to mur- military base in Armenia ever since being dering the seven members of an Armenian arrested hours after a local couple, their family in Gyumri last January, President daughter, son, daughter-in-law and 2-year- Serzh Sargsyan announced on June 26. old granddaughter were found dead in their Sargsyan was cited by his press office home on January 12. The seventh member as revealing a Russian "decision to transfer of the Avetisyan family, a 6-month-old the murder case to the jurisdiction of baby boy, died of his stab injuries a week Armenia's Investigative Committee" at a later. meeting with Russia's visiting Transport Permyakov admitted murdering them The unprecedented protests forced Minister Maxim Sokolov.He also spoke of during his separate interrogations by Armenia's Prosecutor-General Gevorg its "further judicial investigation by a rele- Russian and Armenian law-enforcement Kostanian to formally ask his Russian vant Armenian body." officials. His motives remain unclear. counterpart Yuri Chayka to ensure that the A statement by the office did not clari- Russian authorities made clear imme- high-profile case is transferred to fy whether this means that the soldier, diately after the shock massacre that Armenian jurisdiction. Still, even after Valery Permyakov, will be extradited to Permyakov will not be extradited to Kostanian's letter to Chayka Russian offi- Armenian investigators or at least be tried Armenia. This caused outrage in Armenia, cials insisted that the detained soldier will by an Armenian court. with many fearing a Russian cover-up of be tried by a Russian military court. The Interfax news agency quoted an the case. Thousands of people demonstrat- Sargsyan's announcement of what unnamed source in Russia's Office of the ed in Gyumri on January 14-15 to demand looks like a Russian U-turn on the issue Prosecutor-General as only confirming that Permyakov's handover to the Armenian came amid continuing street protests in "the indictment in the Permyakov case will side. Some of them clashed with riot police Yerevan against electricity price hikes ini- be supported by the prosecutor's office of near the local Russian consulate in tiated by Armenia's Russian-owned power Armenia." It did not elaborate. Armenia's second largest city. distribution network. Amnesty International urges Armenian authorities to investigate alleged police abuses

The Armenian authorities must urgently ensure an impartial, independent and thorough investigation into allegations that police used excessive force - including dousing people with water can- non - to disperse a mainly peaceful demonstration before arresting more than 200 protesters on the streets of the capital Yerevan early this morning, Amnesty International said. Yerevan police said they arrested 237 people after a crowd marched away from round-the-clock protests in a central square towards the presidential headquarters. Since 19 June, thousands of people have taken part in the demonstrations against rising elec- tricity prices in Yerevan and elsewhere, including the town of Gyumri where 12 others were arrested. against demonstrators who may have obstructed traffic but were "For the Armenian authorities to disperse what was up until peaceful. Any security forces found responsible of violations must then a peaceful demonstration is a heavy-handed tactic that must be disciplined or prosecuted." be avoided to protect the right to freedom of expression and In a statement, police said that stones were thrown and that at assembly. Video footage showing high-powered jets from water least seven protesters and 11 police officials were injured. No seri- cannon flinging peaceful protesters to the ground is a cause for ous injuries were reported. concern," said Denis Krivosheev, Deputy Europe and Central Asia Police and an eyewitness also confirmed that journalists were Programme Director at Amnesty International. targeted as well as peaceful protesters. Despite the journalists "It is our understanding that the Armenian authorities are showing press credentials, police confiscated and damaged video investigating the protesters for 'hooliganism', rather than the equipment. heavy-handed police response. They must not do this at the "The allegations that police specifically targeted journalists expense of an impartial and independent investigation into the have worrying implications for freedom of expression, and must police's alleged use of excessive force, including water cannon, also be independently investigated," said Denis Krivosheev.

29 June #26 (1066) Š 2015 POLITICS www.nt.am 11 A Personal Tribute on the Passing of Kirk Kerkorian

Armenia needed assistance." Within a is estimated that from 1989 to 2011, The few days, the United Armenian Fund Lincy Foundation contributed over $1 was born which successfully delivered billion, split equally between Armenian over the next 25 years $700 million of and non-Armenian charities. relief supplies to Armenia and Artsakh, In 2011, when The Lincy Since his passing on June 15, thou- on board 158 airlifts and 2,250 sea con- Foundation closed its doors, unfounded sands of journalists have highlighted tainers. and false rumors began circulating Kirk Kerkorian's amazing business In 1998, Mr. Kerkorian invited me to about the supposed reasons for its clo- accomplishments and substantial chari- travel with him to Armenia, his first trip sure. The fact is that Mr. Kerkorian had table contributions. However, these during which he pledged to Pres. planned all along that at a certain journalists had never met this great Kocharian to allocate $100 million advanced age he would no longer deal man, as he rarely gave interviews to the (raising it later to $242 million) to build with the deluge of daily requests for media. or renovate tunnels, bridges and dozens funding from around the world and dis- Having worked with Mr. Kerkorian of schools throughout Armenia and one tribute the bulk of his wealth after his for almost three decades as passing. Senior Vice President of I would like to conclude by The Lincy Foundation and mentioning some of the likes President of the United and dislikes of this remarkable Armenian Fund, I would Armenian-American: like to offer a personal trib- - Mr. Kerkorian detested the ute about this compassion- divisions among Armenians. It ate Armenian-American upset him to no end that and wonderful human Armenians could not get along being. with each other. He often said: I remember vividly the "Why can't they unite and first time I met Mr. march in the same direction?" Kerkorian. It was at a He was pleased to see seven Beverly Hills restaurant in major Armenian-American the mid 1980's during a organizations working together small gathering of wealthy Armenians in Artsakh; hundreds of miles of high- under the umbrella of the United who supported Gov. George ways, roads and streets; 34 cultural Armenian Fund. Deukmejian's reelection. I was there as institutions and museums; 3,700 apart- -He cared deeply about the destitute editor of The California Courier news- ments in the earthquake zone; and $20 condition of the people in Armenia and paper. When I walked over to introduce million of loans to small businesses. was constantly worried about emigra- myself, Mr. Kerkorian recognized me These projects not only dramatically tion. He sought to create jobs so right away and told me that he was a improved Armenia's infrastructure, but Armenians won't have to leave their regular reader of my weekly columns. I also provided much needed employ- homeland. was greatly surprised and flattered…. ment to over 20,000 workers. Mr. - He hated the limelight and never The next time I met Mr. Kerkorian Kerkorian asked me to supervise these lent his name to any building or institu- was in his Beverly Hills office on projects, in my capacity as Senior Vice tion. November 1, 1989, eleven months after President of The Lincy Foundation. - He was extremely wealthy, yet the devastating earthquake in Armenia. Over the years, Mr. Kerkorian's lived very modestly and spoke gently We discussed the possibility of forming Lincy Foundation contributed hundreds and politely. He preferred that people a coalition of seven major Armenian- of millions of dollars to Armenians address him as Kirk rather than Mr. American organizations, including The worldwide, including $14 million to Kerkorian. Lincy Foundation, to airlift humanitari- provide heating oil for Armenia's freez- Finally, no one had to prompt Kirk an aid to Armenia. Mr. Kerkorian ing population during the harsh winter to donate money to worthy causes. He offered to pay the full cost of trans- of 1993, $4.5 million in 2006 to all 28 often volunteered to make large contri- portation and went on to generously Armenian schools in Lebanon, and mil- butions without being asked. pledge to cover not only the cost of one lions of dollars to Hayastan All- The Armenian nation and the world airlift, but "all future airlifts as long as Armenia Fund's projects in Artsakh. It owe him a great debt of gratitude.

29 June #26 (1066) Š 2015 12 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights SOCIETY European Court reiterates liberation of Lachin was vital: Armenian FM An interview with Aravot daily private and family life and effective rem- Armenian Foreign Minister speaks edy. about the European Court rulings on Chiragov vs. Armenia and Sargsyan vs. Question: In your comment just after Azerbaijan cases and referred to their the Judgment was issued you said that possible impact on the Nagorno the issues related to the right of the Karabakh conflict. refugees and displaced persons to return are integral part of the negotiation Question: Mr. Minister, the first process, they can be settled as a result of question has somewhat general nature. the comprehensive resolution of the What is the opinion of the Republic of issue. Can the ECHR's Judgment have an Armenia on the European Court of impact on the negotiation process? Human Rights? Nagorno-Karabakh has exercised its Edward Nalbandian: The decision right to self-defense, in the paragraph Edward Nalbandian: Armenia of the Grand Chamber of the ECHR on 197 of the Judgment the Court takes note highly values the role of the European the admissibility of the case notes that it of the claims that the district of Lachin Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in the may be reasonable for applicants to wait was of military strategic importance and effective protection of the human rights for the outcome of political processes that there was a need to deliver food, of the 800 million people of the 47 mem- such as peace talks and negotiations medicine and other supplies into ber states of the Council of Europe. which, in these circumstances, may offer Nagorno-Karabakh. In fact the Court Armenia has always supported the the only realistic hope of obtaining a takes note that under the conditions of processes and reforms aimed at strength- solution. At the same time the decision the Azerbaijani aggression the liberation ening the effectiveness and full imple- finds that irrespective of the ongoing of Lachin had a vital importance for the mentation of the activities of the ECHR. negotiation process the individuals have survival of the population of Nagorno- the right to pursue the protection of their Karabakh ensuring the access of its pop- Question: Ever since the publication rights under the European Convention on ulation to the essential supplies. of the Chiragov case by the ECHR, Human Rights. Azerbaijan tries to manipulate it, to inter- Azerbaijan notorious of its violations Question: What was the reaction pret it in its own arbitrary version, in par- of the human rights does not shay away from Baku on the Sargsyan vs. ticular claiming that the Court blamed to exploit for its political calculations the Azerbaijan case? Armenia for the occupation of the Judgment of one of the most prominent Azerbaijani territories. Is that the case? institutions on the human rights protec- Edward Nalbandian: You are right, tion. Once again Baku tries to present the on the same day of the Chiragov's case Edward Nalbandian: As for the issues related to the protection of human Judgment, the Court adopted another interpretations of Azerbaijan as if the rights, including the rights of refugees, in Judgment protecting the rights of ECHR judgment on the Chiragov vs. its own arbitrary interpretative manner, Mr.Sargsyan who was forcefully dis- Armenia case allegedly refers to the thus falsifying the whole essence of the placed by Azerbaijan from the Gulistan occupation of the Azerbaijani territories Case. The Judgment of the ECHR on the village of the Shahumyan region. In both by Armenia, it should be stressed that the Chiragov case pertains to an individual cases the Judgments of the Court are Judgment of the Court does not contain court case, to the rights guaranteed by almost symmetrical. In both Cases the any such assertion. the European Convention on Human Court has registered the violation of the Furthermore, in the 168th paragraph Rights and cannot have any impact on same rights of the Convention. It is note- of the case the Court reiterated its princi- the negotiation process of the Nagorno- worthy that Baku tries to circumvent any pled position that this Judgment applies Karabakh conflict resolution. mentioning of the Sargsyan vs. only to the protection of the rights per- Azerbaijan case. taining to the European Convention on Question: Does the Judgment any- It should be noted that this is not the Human Rights, and nothing more. As it is how touch the circumstances that made first time that the Court makes mentioned in the case the Judgment the applicants leave their homes? Judgments on the protection of the rights refers to the rights contained in the of the displaced persons. As it is men- European Convention on Human Rights Edward Nalbandian: To the obser- tioned in the 129th paragraph, the Court on the protection of property, respect for vation of the Armenian side that examined for the first time the rights of

29 June #26 (1066) Š 2015 POLITICS The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 13 displaced persons in 1996 and later on that its Judgment is not related either to Committee of the Ministers, Azerbaijan has had a number of similar cases where the settlement of the conflict or to any of continues to boast that allegedly the it in accordance to the European its elements and hence once again refutes Judgment of the Court pertains to the Convention protected the rights of dis- Azerbaijani falsifications. The Court conflict resolution. placed persons. goes on to state that the comprehensive solutions to such questions as the return Question: What Azerbaijan strives to Question: Are there any formula- of refugees to their former places of res- achieve by such policy? tions in the Sargsyan vs. Azerbaijan case idence, or payment of compensation can which, as you mentioned, make only be achieved through a peace agree- Edward Nalbandian: The manipu- Azerbaijan to refrain from mentioning ment. lation of the Judgment of the ECHR can about this Judgment of the Court? In the paragraph 236 of the Case the harm the efforts of the Minsk Group Co- Court underlines the importance of the chairs aimed at the peaceful resolution of Edward Nalbandian: The 32nd peace process in the framework of the the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. By this paragraph of the Sargsyan vs. Azerbaijan Minsk Group Co-chairs and observes Azerbaijan again tries to shift the negoti- case notes that in April-May 1991 the that the right of all internally displaced ation process of the conflict settlement to USSR Internal Forces and the special- persons and refugees to return to their other formats, mislead the international purpose militia units (the OMON) of the former places of residence is one of the community, and undermine the efforts of Azerbaijan SSR launched a military elements contained in the Madrid Basic the Co-chair countries. operation with the stated purpose of so Principles which have been elaborated in Based on its own arbitrary interpreta- called passport checking. However, that the framework of the OSCE Minsk tion of the Judgment of the ECHR was only the pretext to expel the Group and form the basis of the peace Azerbaijan already makes statements Armenian population of a number of vil- negotiation. Here again the ECHR reiter- alleging that the withdrawal of the armed lages in the Shahumyan region, forcing ates that its Judgment pertains neither to forces will ensure conditions conducive them to leave their homes and flee to the conflict resolution nor to its ele- to the return of the refugees and that this Nagorno-Karabakh or Armenia. The ments, including the right to return of issues should in no way be considered as expulsions were accompanied by arrests refugees and internally displaced per- a compromise. Therefore, Azerbaijan by and violence towards the civilian popula- sons, which should find their solution its arbitrary and selective interpretations tion. In 1992, when the conflict escalated within the only internationally mandated once again opposes the proposals con- into a full-scale war, Shahumyan region framework of the conflict resolution - the tained in the five well-known statements came under attack by Azerbaijani forces. Co-chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk of the leaders of the Co-chair countries. The Armenians in other regions faced the Group. Baku forgets that the Co-chairs consider same fate. The ECHR confirms that That the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict these elements as an integrated whole as Azerbaijan exercised violence and settlement process runs within the frame- any attempt to select some elements over expelled the Armenian population of work of the Minsk Group Co-chairs and others would make it impossible to Nagorno-Karabakh. In the 216th para- has nothing to do with the mentioned achieve a balanced solution. This is graph of the Case the Court observes Judgments of the ECHR has been once another evidence that Azerbaijan is not again that the applicant is one of the hun- again confirmed on June 22nd in ready for the conflict settlement based on dreds of thousands of Armenians who Strasbourg during the Summer Session the norms and principles of the interna- fled during the conflict leaving property of the PACE by Igor Crnadak, Chairman tional law and elements proposed by the and home behind. Getting familiar with of the Committee of Ministers of the heads of the Co-chair countries in their the materials of the Case it becomes clear Council of Europe, Minister of Foreign statements at L'Aquila, Muskoka, why Azerbaijan stays silent about this Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Deauville, Los Cabos and Enniskillen. Judgment. Referring to the Chiragov and others vs. This attitude of Azerbaijan does not Armenia and Sargsyan vs. Azerbaiajn allow reaching a comprehensive settle- Question: Is it possible to consider cases he said that the Committee of ment, which would also solve the issues the Judgments of the ECHR as interfer- Ministers monitors the execution of the of the refugees and displaced persons. ence in the conflict resolution? judgments. At the same time he stressed that the mediation for the settlement of In the absence of any grounds to jus- Edward Nalbandian: While exam- the conflict is done by the OSCE Minsk tify its non-constructive approach oppos- ining the issues within the Court's juris- Group, and the peaceful settlement was a ing the Co-chairs Azerbaijan resorts to diction the Court notes in the 216th para- joint commitment by Armenia and falsifications as the last available possi- graph of the Sargsyan case that it is the Azerbaijan upon accession to the bility under its disposal. The exploitation responsibility of the parties to find a Council of Europe. of the ECHR Judgment on the Chiragov political settlement to the conflict. In However, even after the unequivocal case is just the last evidence of this atti- other words the Court itself underscores statement of the Chairman of the tude.

29 June #26 (1066) Š 2015 14 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights POLITICS Lebanese-Armenian designer founds Beirut's first free fashion school Creative Space Beirut (CSB), Lebanon's first free fashion school, was founded by Lebanese-Armenian fashion designer Sarah Hermez, Al-Monitor reports. The school is inconspicuously housed in a run-of-the-mill, weathered apartment building tucked in a corner of the raucous neighborhood of Mar Mikhael - the capital's capital of cool, generously lined with characterful bars and eateries, home to many an engaging art and design studio. The ambitious CSB, founded in 2011, operates out of an average-sized flat, its spa- tial modesty belying the bountiful tutelage it offers. A nonprofit, CSB runs a three-year program catering to stu- dents from underprivileged backgrounds. It relies primarily on the generosity of donors for sustainability and it admits only department of a boutique furniture store, taught preschool to four new students a year, choosing to offer a compact cohort a Palestinian refugees and explored other opportunities within the fulfilling experience rather than overreaching and providing very different worlds of NGO work and design, but nothing fit more students with less. quite right. "Design education has become institutionalized, and more Then, during a visit to New York, a conversation with her about how much money you have than talent," said the initia- former professor, Lebanese-American designer Caroline Shlala- tive's founder, 29-year-old Kuwait bred, Lebanese-Armenian Simonelli, sparked what Hermez called "the American light fashion designer Sarah Hermez. "Back in the day, designers bulb moment - that 'aha' moment Oprah talks about." After lis- would go work under others and build their way up, but today tening to Hermez articulate the desire to marry her passions, and without a degree it's impossible to get a job. We're trying to pro- her frustration with not knowing how to do so, Simonelli sug- vide equal opportunities to people who don't have access to the gested she start her own, free school. She even offered to help elitist world of design." her do it. A product of the unconventional academic coupling of fash- Luckily, Hermez and her fledgling initiative were extended ion design and media/cultural studies at the New School's a number of supportive hands. A friend from Donna Karan in Parsons School of Design and the New School's Eugene Lang NY donated $100,000 worth of fabric for the future students to College for Liberal Arts in New York, Hermez graduated want- work with. "We had fabric and a professor but we needed a ing to do more than "fashion for fashion's sake." school," she recalled. "It was my job to make that happen." Her desire to merge her zeal for social work with her love Hermez hopes to eventually grow CSB into a school for all for fashion motivated her to move back to her native Lebanon. manners of design, not just fashion, believing that marginalized "I didn't know what I wanted to do," she said, "but I knew there communities can greatly benefit from the problem-solving was so much work to be done here." She worked in the textile skills the discipline imparts.

U.S. consular services to be retored by next week U.S. Embassy Yerevan expects to be your passport, you can pick up your pass- able to restore full visa services by next port and visa at the U.S. Embassy: week thanks to the Department of State's - Monday, June 29 from 4:00 - 5:20 PM Bureau of Consular Affairs' hard work to - Tuesday, June 30 from 2:00 - 3:00 PM resolve the technical issues that affected - Wednesday, July 1 from 4:00 - 5:20 PM consular systems worldwide. Due to the - Any work day afterwards from 5:00- backlog of pending visa cases caused by 5:20 PM. (Please note that Friday, July 3 is these technical issues, we remain unable to an Embassy holiday.) If you were interviewed, your case print visas within the usual 2-3 business If you were interviewed, your visa was required additional administrative process- days. approved, and you have your passport, the ing, and your case number has been posted Non-Immigrant Visa Applicants passport may be dropped off at the on our website, you may return your pass- (Tourists, Businesspeople, Students, etc.): Embassy beginning Monday, June 29th. port to us beginning Monday, June 29th. If you scheduled an appointment and Your passport and visa will be available for Your passport and visa will be available for were informed that your appointment was pick-up one calendar week from the day pick up one calendar week from the day cancelled by the Consular Section, please the passport is dropped off, unless it is a the passport is dropped off unless it is a call +374 60 27 0113 to reschedule your holiday or weekend, in which case the holiday or weekend in which case the pass- interview. passport and visa will be available for pick- port and visa will be available on the next If you were interviewed, your visa was up on the next working day after a calendar working day after a calendar week has approved, and the Consular Section has week has passed. passed.

29 June #26 (1066) Š 2015 SOCIETY The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 15 Fuller Center for Housing Armenia celebrates 400th home milestone

The Fuller Center for Housing Armenia team and the Global Builders volunteer team from the U.S., led by Cynthia Reimers Erickson, celebrated the 400th home milestone in Lejan village of Lori Region. It's the call of blood and the will of helping others that brings Cynthia Erickson to Armenia already 10 years; and she comes not alone, but with teams of volunteers who do tremendous work in short time building homes for Armenian families in need of decent housing. The day was of triple celebration; the 400th home milestone construction became more noteworthy with the 10th year celebration of the dedicated veteran team leader, Cynthia Reimers Erickson and a devoted, selfless volunteer Charles petent staff who have generous hearts and have felt the constructive force of Cynthia Takesian - 10 years with Fuller Center for are devoted to helping their fellow Erickson's team. This time the Margaryans Housing Armenia, 10 years of dedicated Armenians be successful in Armenia. It is from Lejan Vilage of Lori Region were and selfless service to help the dream of a pleasure for me to bring a team of among the happy ones, who have been the having a decent home of the families in Americans to Armenia to work with these eyewitness of the unreal seeming change need come true. selfless folks and contribute to the comple- of their house since June 15. "I am very happy to be working with tion of a suitable home for a family. The Margaryans lost their house dur- the Fuller Center Armenia all these years. Armenia is in my blood and, for me, this is ing the 1988 earthquake and since then They have dedicated and extremely com- the best way I can honor the memory of they have been living in a temporary shel- my grandparents ter (domik). and their family "Each time I see the Armenian families members who were becoming homeowners it fills me with deprived of their special joy and sense of pride. Today it's lives and their the 400th times I am the eyewitness of homeland - by such happiness. I hope that we will still helping others gain build many more homes with the help of a home and our friend, Cynthia, who helped us in our strengthen their mission throughout her 10 years of devo- homeland," said tion, her team and many other volunteers Cynthia Reimers who come to Armenia to help build Erickson. homes," said Fuller Center for Housing Many families Armenia President Ashot Yeghiazaryan.

29 June #26 (1066) Š 2015 16 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights SOCIETY State Department Slams Turkey In Annual Human Rights Report

conduct a long-delayed official investigation into corruption allegations against the four former ministers, namely Erdogan Bayraktar, Egemen Bagis, Zafer Caglayan, and Muammer Guler. The inquiry had not reached a conclusion by year's end. Immediately following the corruption allegations, however, the government opened misconduct cases against the police inves- tigation, it added. The report also addresses the government's interference with freedom of expression, stressing that the penal code and anti- terror law retain multiple articles that restrict freedom of expres- sion, the press, and the Internet. "At least seven journalists remained in jail at year's end, most charged under the anti-terror law or for connections to an illegal organization. Self-censorship was common because jour- nalists feared that criticizing the government could prompt WASHINGTON reprisals," it says. The report says several organizations, including the An annual US human rights report on Turkey has slammed Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Freedom House, a series of violations over the past year, focusing particularly on reported Turkish authorities' continued abuse of the anti-terror the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, freedom of expression law and criminal code to prosecute journalists, writers, editors, and freedom of assembly. publishers, translators, rights activists, lawyers, elected offi- "The judiciary and law enforcement agencies were politi- cials, and students. cized, the government reassigned thousands of police and pros- "President Erdogan frequently attacked journalists by name ecutors in response to an anti-corruption investigation, the gov- in response to critical reporting. In August 2014, while cam- ernment closed the investigation and destroyed evidence," the paigning, Erdogan targeted the Economist journalist Amberin report presented by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on June Zaman over her remarks on Muslim society in a television pro- 25 stated. gram; Erdogan called her a 'shameless militant disguised as a It cited Turkey's most significant human rights problems in journalist' and told her to 'know your place, you shameless 2014 as impunity and weak administration of justice, govern- woman.' In September 2014, Ceylan Yeginsu, a New York ment interference with freedom of expression and assembly, Times reporter based in Istanbul, had her photograph published and inadequate protection of minority and vulnerable popula- on the front pages of pro-government newspapers and received tions. thousands of threatening online messages after President Human rights reports are released by the US Department of Erdogan took issue with a story she had written. Human rights State every year for all countries receiving assistance from and press freedom activists asserted authorities filed numerous Washington and all UN member countries. civil and criminal complaints against journalists, authors, and The latest report on Turkey also criticized Ankara for not publishers for ideological reasons under various laws that effectively implementing the law that provides criminal penal- restrict media freedom," it said. ties for official corruption and said that "some officials engaged The report also touches on worker rights issues and negli- in corrupt practices with impunity." gences in worker health and safety, citing the May 13, 2014 Corruption cases against dozens of suspects originally mine disaster in which 301 miners died of carbon monoxide detained in December 2013 on suspicion of bribery, money poisoning after an explosion at a coalmine in Soma, in the west- laundering, and misuse of state-owned land in real estate deals, ern province of Manisa. Mine management at the time had shut were closed or not pursued, while thousands of police and pros- off gas sensors, fire alarms, and communication systems to ecutors linked to the cases were reassigned, the report stated. It avoid slowing productivity, the report stated. Workers also added that the government closed the investigation and reported that safety equipment at the mine was antiquated and destroyed evidence that was gathered, publicly accusing many faulty. police officers involved in the probe of a conspiracy to over- The report also refers to the mine disaster that killed 18 min- throw the government. ers after they were trapped underground by a flood at a "Many of the suspects had family or business ties to the coalmine in the Ermenek district of the Central Anatolian Justice and Development Party's (AKP) top echelon." province of Karaman on October 28, 2014. Four ministers implicated in the scandal resigned from their According to a report released on November 26, 2014, the ministries but continued as members of parliament. The consti- Energy Ministry's General Directorate of Mining, along with tution protects members of parliament from criminal investiga- two companies that operated the Ermenek mine, were responsi- tion, but delegates investigatory responsibility to the parliament ble for the accident after reopening the mine prematurely fol- itself. On October 17, parliament convened a commission to lowing an inspection in August 2014.

29 June #26 (1066) Š 2015 SOCIETY The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 17 ANCA presses Obama Administration for action on Syrian Armenians

U.S. assistance to Syrian Armenians has consistently been part of the ANCA's ongoing dialogue with the Obama Administration on a broad range of Armenian American priorities. In Congress, the ANCA continues to raise the issue in the run-up to Senate and House passage of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 for- eign aid bill. ANCA Government Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations earlier this year detailing Armenian American concerns. The House version of the measure, adopt- Armenian Americans are calling on the risk populations. Gaps in the delivery of ed by the Appropriations Committee earli- Obama Administration and the U.S. assistance have left many communities - er this month, spotlights the broader need Congress to take urgent action to address particularly minority populations - outside to provide humanitarian assistance for the pressing humanitarian crisis facing the the stream of international relief supplies Syrian refugees. The ANCA is currently Syrian Armenian community, reported the and support. The second, in Armenia, is working with Senate Appropriations Armenian National Committee of America for the Administration to provide direct Committee members to address the Syrian (ANCA). U.S. support and facilitate increased inter- crisis as well as expand assistance to Taking action via the ANCA's website, national aid for Armenia's refugee and Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia. local advocates are encouraging their elect- resettlement programs. Armenia has, to Committee consideration of the measure is ed officials to respond to two sets of prior- date, received only very limited interna- expected in July. Armenian Americans can ities. The first, in Syria, is for the U.S. gov- tional aid for rental subsidies, social servic- take action by sending an ANCA webmail ernment to ensure that international aid es, work-training, health care, and other to legislators by visiting actually reaches Armenians and other at- basic needs. http://www.anca.org/aid. U.S. Report Highlights 'Systemic Corruption' In Armenia The U.S. State Department has These corrupt practices are a "signifi- urged the political parties represented in described "systemic corruption" as one of cant" hurdle to Armenia's sustainable eco- the Armenian parliament and civic groups the most frequent and serious forms of nomic development, says the report. "In to nominate their representatives to the human rights violation in Armenia, saying the view of many observers, oligarchs council. that the authorities in Yerevan are not doing linked to the government or holding gov- None of those groups expressed readi- enough to tackle it. ernment posts monopolized the economy," ness to join the body. Local anti-graft "Allegations of persistent corruption at it adds. watchdogs like the Anti-Corruption Center all levels of government undermined the Commenting on these claims on (ACC), which operates as the Armenian rule of law, although the government took Friday, a senior lawmaker representing the branch of Transparency International, are limited steps to punish corruption by low- ruling Republican Party of Armenia highly skeptical about the government and mid-level officials," the State (HHK) admitted that corrupt remains a assurances. Department said on Thursday in its latest "serious problem" in Armenia. But "We don't see a genuine process of annual report on human rights practices Hovannes Sahakian insisted that the gov- combatting corruption," Sona Ayvazian, around the world. "There were numerous ernment is committed to combatting it. the ACC's deputy director, insisted on reports of systemic government corruption, "We must draw a red line and not allow Friday. "We don't even expect that some- including in such activities as urban main- corrupt officials and their relatives to thing can change in this environment of tenance, construction, public administra- thrive among us," Sahakian told RFE/RL's [government] inactivity." tion, the judiciary, state procurement and Armenian service (Azatutyun.am). Armenia ranked, along with four auctions, health care, taxation, law The government pledged to reinvigo- African states, 94th of 174 countries and enforcement bodies, and military person- rate its stated fight against corruption in territories evaluated in Transparency nel," reads the report. "There were reports February when it announced plans to set International's most recent Corruption of embezzlement of state funds, involve- up a new Anti-Corruption Council that Perceptions Index (CPI) released last ment of government officials in question- will be headed by Prime Minister December. It occupied the same position able business activities, and tax privileges Abrahamian and comprise several minis- in the 2013 CPI which covered 177 for government-linked companies." ters and other top state officials. It also nations.

29 June #26 (1066) Š 2015 18 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights Red Hail: Works by Armenian photographers on display at Kafka House in Prague

Katharine Biorn, who worked in Armenia in an orphanage in 1905. One year, she raised money in Norway to give each of the girls a doll for Christmas and pho- tographed all the happy children with their new toys. After the 1915 massacres of the Armenian people, Mother Katharine - as she was called - tried to find out what hap- pened to those girls. She couldn't find a sin- gle one of them. They had all been mur- dered. Altogether, 500,000 children were among the victims of the massacre. "We've been wanting to work with these photos for a long time. Bodil Katharine Biorn's grandson gave us access to the approximately 60 surviving shots in Works by Armenian photographers are writes. a Norwegian Archive," explained on display at Franz Kafka's House in The Armenian photographer Vahan Stepanyan. The black-and-white film they Prague within the framework of the Prague Stepanyan and his three colleagues took made also features sacred music specially Quadrinale. 50,000 photos of schoolgirls with dolls in written by the Armenian composer Tigran "The last room on the third floor of the the ruins of a church and used 10,000 of Hamasyan. Kafka house definitely makes one thing them for an eerie film they show in Prague The soundtrack for the new staged pic- clear: Scenography is much more than as part of the installation, "Red Hail… tures revives the atmosphere of the original stage design for theater. It is the art of com- because it never ends." ones, as if time had stopped and still held bining images, sounds and objects to create The photos are based on documents of the laughter of these children. The result is something new," The Deutsche Welle the Norwegian missionary Bodil a very aesthetic and moving work of art.

Time for Azerbaijan to return to reality: Armenian FM The parties attached importance to the reciprocal visits and development of inter-parliamentary ties. Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Minister Nalbandian referred to the process of settlement of the Karabakh conflict. He said "Azerbaijan uses the Nagorno Karabakh conflict to justify its authoritarian system and violation of human rights." He added, however, that the world is sick of Azerbaijan's use of oil dollars. "A vivid example was a recent resolu- tion adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, where Azerbaijan failed," he said. Armenian and Czech Foreign including the political dialogue, cooper- Ministers Edward Nalbandian and ation within international organizations, "I think it's time for Azerbaijan to Lubomír Zaorálek discussed a wide the legal framework, trade and econom- return from the virtual world of oil and range of issues on bilateral agenda, ic relations. khavier to reality," Nalbandian stated.

29 June #26 (1066) Š 2015 The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 19 Zodiac Weekly Forecast ARMENIAN POETRY Vahan Teryan Aries (March 20-April 19) through metamorphosis. Pretty words, but Your ruling planet (or avatar) Mars, not a lot of fun. moves into Cancer today, June 24. Your THE LAST POET focus shifts at this time to matters of home, Libra (Sep. 23-Oct. 22) Am I the last singer, then, property, and family. Through the next 7 Your energy is high and your mind is my country's last poet? weeks you may be handling heavy work busy at this time. You want to enjoy things Is this death or sleep around your home, and/or making repairs. of beauty and romance now. It could be enveloping you, bright Nayiri? This is an accident prone sector for you. hard to concentrate upon mental work that Wherever I walk on this earth Use caution. requires attention to detail. If you must do I dream of your luminescent so, then check everything twice. This is a countryside, and your language Taurus (April 20-May 19) week for the arts, for love, and for fun! that rings like prayer. You are in an especially cordial frame of mind at this time, and likely to invite Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Rings always, deep and clear. people to your home, or to share whatever Mars, one of your ruling planets, enters Burns and pierces. you have to offer. Your spirits are high and your 9th house for 6 weeks. You will notice Are those blazing roses you have a need to be social. You are inter- a shift into a new direction. It will likely be burning? Or my fiery wounds? ested in whatever feels luxurious, looks related to contacting people at a distance, beautiful, or tickles the senses. Going over- preparing to travel, seeking professional Anxious. Alone. I call you. board would be all too easy! advice, or focused on education. Drive Shine on, my dream Nayiri. Am I your last singer then, within the speed limit. my country's last poet? Gemini (May 20-June 20) You are experiencing a major change in Sagittarius (Nov 22-December 20) the areas of shared resources, investments, This is a fine time for love, romance, THERE WERE BENE- alimony, or inheritance. At this time you play and enjoying your children or grand- FITS TO BLINDNESS are mentally quarreling with yourself or children. You may be traveling or on an with others over finding a solution to the exotic vacation. Any activities related to I realize now, as everyone does, problem. You want things as they were and travel, education, publishing, or the law are you were commonplace, run-of-the-mill. that is not possible. Ask your Supervising favored. Your luck is strong so drop a dol- I was the one forcing flat pictures to life Self for a perspective change. lar or two on games of chance. wishing to see what I willed. I was the one who filled, out of need, Cancer (June 21-July 21) Capricorn (December 21-January 19) your small heart and your mind, Mars, the warrior energy, enters your You need to make significant changes endowed your tiny concerns sign for 6 weeks. You will need to be more in your daily life in order to enhance your with what I wanted to find. conscious of setting boundaries around personal health. This may include a change yourself. Speak up about what you will and of work venue or re-organizing your sched- I know at last, and alas, will not do. You may feel edgy and quick ule to accommodate an exercise routine. you are like most of your kind. on the trigger. Maybe this is necessary at Others may not see this, but you know quite But how many times I've wished I this time. The Crab often hides in his hole well what is happening to your body. remained until he is forced to protect himself. in the dark about you and blind. Aquarius (January 20-February 17) TO AN UNKNOWN GIRL Leo (July 22-August 21) A new friendship or romance that You have a desire to break loose from begins now may be really exciting. (Walking toward and past me) routine now. You may be more forward and Unfortunately it is not likely to be stable or Light is failing, night is falling. inventive than is your norm in personal rela- long lasting. The relationship comes along House to house the dark comes calling. tionships. Unusual twists may develop con- to snap you out of a rut and open your eyes A stranger walks toward me, alone, cerning artistic interests. Travel, publishing, to new possibilities. This is a good time to her face familiar as my own. church, and legal interests are favored. investigate high tech equipment. As in fairy tales, the fountain dances Virgo (August 22-September 22) Pisces (February 18-March 19) beside us, blessing our passing glances. There may be a crisis with your chil- This is a week of favorable change in Her calm gait, her rhythmic stride dren or a lover this week. There are ele- relation to your work, health, or both. continue into what I write. ments of obsessive thinking and criticism Those under treatment will get good news Fate's gift: this moment occurs, involved. Be intentional about keeping an about progress. Those who are employed luminous and without words open mind and don't insist on a black and will have improvements in equipment or like a scene from a romance white answer. Ultimately this situation is special help from co-workers. A positive but just a small happenstance. about necessary change and growth attitude will serve you well.

29 June #26 (1066) Š 2015 20 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights Award-winning Armenian pianist Tigran Hamasyan performs on Akhtamar Island Award-winning Armenian jazz pianist Tigran Hamasyan performed a concert on June 23 outside the Akhtamar Church on the historical Akhtamar Island in Van, the Hurriyet Daily News reports. The concert on Akhtamar Island was "vigorous," said Tamar Nalci, the project coordinator at Anadolu Kültür (Anatolian Culture), a non-profit cultural institution that organized Hamasyan's concerts in Turkey. "Tigran Hamasyan is a reputable Armenian jazz pianist who performs mini concerts at historical sites and churches with the company of the state chamber choir of Armenia [Hover]. This is a con- cert of church music." Tigran Hamasyan is accompanied by a group of 25 musicians. This has been our second concert. It attracted much interest. The concert was vigorous," Hamasyan will continue performing and the U.S. Nalci said after the concert held on the in various Turkish provinces until June Hamasyan, 27, who started playing historical island. 30 in a project called "Luys i Luso." He piano at the age of three and won the Van Deputy Mayor Cahit Bozbay and will also perform in 100 churches in Montreux Jazz Festival in 2003 and the Geva? District Mayor Sinan Hakan were Armenia, Georgia, Lebanon, France, Thelonious Monk Institute piano contest among the attendees of the concert, along Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, at the age of 18, performs traditional with a number of local residents. England, Germany, Luxembourg, Russia Armenian music in his concerts. Armenian trace being erased in Mush News Agency. fully lived in the city before the According to the source, there were Armenian massacres.” 299 Armenian churches, 94 monasteries, “If we want to live in an atmosphere 53 pilgrimage sites and 135 schools with of peace, love and respect, we have to 5,669 students in Mush before 1915. take care of the Armenian history,” he Hayrettin Aslan, head of an Armenian added. union in Mush, calls attention to the fact He noted that there are other that the Turkish state policy deliberately Armenian monuments in the region, pursues the aim of erasing the Armenian which also face the threat of demolition trace from the region, thus erasing the and added: “Armenians had even built historic memory of the city, as well. infrastructures in the mountainous Noting that the cemetery has a history regions of Mush before 1915. Now the of 1,600 years, Aslan noted that the histo- Armenian churches, monasteries and ry of a whole nation faces the danger of schools are on the verge of disappear- A 1,600-year-old century Armenian obliteration. ance, and the government and the politi- cemetery in Mush has been ruined by He said the treasure hunters also cal-social organizations should be sensi- treasure hunters and state policy, cause great damage to the cemetery. He tive towards the issue. A history of mil- Akunq.net reports, quoting the Dicle noted that “Armenians and Kurds peace- lennia is jeopardized.”

President of the NT Media Holding: E-mail: [email protected], URL: www.nt.am The Noah’s Ark Tigran Harutyunyan Address in 28 Isahakian Str., Yerevan, 0009, RA. Editor-in-Chief of the Media Holding: Tel.: (+374 60) 27-64-62 Gayaneh Arakelyan Armenia: (+374 60) 27-64-61 HIGHLIGHTS Director of the Weekly: Address in Masion De L' Armenie, Paris 17e - 95 Marina Harutyunyan Bld. Gouvion, France. Weekly Newspaper, Since May 4, 1993. France: The publisher: NT Holding LTD. Chief Correspondent:Gourgen Khazhakian Tel.: (+33) 01 43 59 66 72 Circulation: 1500 print copies and Proofreader: Susanna Mkrtchian Address in 1146 E. Lexington Dr., #112, Glendale, CA, USA, 91206. 15.600 copies by e-mail list in PDF format ISSN 1829-0604 USA: Registration certificate and the date: 273.110.00512, 15.12.1995 Tel.: (+1 818) 646 10 72

29 June #26 (1066) Š 2015 Price: 1000 dr.