24 YEARS # 9 (1144) The Noah’s Ark 14 March 2017 The Published Since 1993 Weekly Newspaper H I G H L I G H T S Նոյյան Տապան շաբաթաթերթ (անգլ./ֆրանս.) HIGH-LEVEL ARMENIAN-FRENCH NEGOTIATIONS TOOK PLACE IN PARIS At the Élysée Palace there took place a meeting between the President of , who is in France of offi cial visit, and the President of France François Hol- lande. At the conclusion of the meet- ing, signed were documents aimed at the development and deepening of the Armenian-French relations in a number of areas. In particular, the agreement betweent the Govern- ment of the Republic of Armenia and Government of the French Republic on the French University in Arme- nia, Memorandum of Intentions be- tweent the Ministry of Foreing Af- fairs and International Development of France and the RA Ministry of Economic Development and Invest- ments on the cooperation in the area of tourism, a framework cooperation agreement between the RA National Academy and French University of Armenia, l'Université Fédérale Tou- louse midi-Pyrénées, National Cen- ter for Scientifi c Research, National Toulouse 1 Capitole University, and the University of Toulouse-Jean Jaurès. Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse, Th e Presidents of Armenia and France recapped the re- Toulouse III Paul Sabatier University, sults of the negotiations with the joint statements for the mass media.

In This Issue Noyan Tapan Press-Center Russia will continue to mediate Kara- Noyan Tapan Press Center holds different discussions, press conferences, round tables, teleconferences, seminars each week which are broadcast bakh peace process: MFA live on the Internet. We invite you to take advantage of the Center, as well p.3 as to place your banner in our Press Room. Tel: 060 35 11 22. Address: Isahakyan 28, 3rd floor, , 0009 Expert: The voter will not orient due to promises as much as due to how much Noyan Tapan Printing House was done or missed p.9 is offering coloured and black and white offset and digital printing of books, brochures, booklets, journals, etc with A Diasporan Minister of Diaspora: A high quality and low prices Tel: 060 35 11 22 Proposal p.14 Address: Isahakyan 28, 3rd floor, Yerevan 0009

Š 2 POLITICS President Met With The President Of French Senate Gérard Larcher President Serzh Sargsyan met with the President of French Senate Gérard Larcher. The parties concurred that the Armenian-French in- terparliamentary dialogue will continue to play a special role in the strengthening of the relations between the two friendly states. Serzh Sargsyan noted with satisfaction that the Na- tional Assembly of Armenia has formed a good tradition of maintaining friendly relations with many of the European parliaments, including the Senate of France, and it is neces- sary to preserve and develop that tradition. According to President Sargsyan, true to the spirit of the Armenian-French relations, parliamentary coopera- tion is manifested also in the multilateral platforms such as Parliamentary Assemblies of the Council of Europe, OSCE, and NATO. The President hailed the readiness of the French delegation at the European Parliament to constantly hold in the focus of their attention issues which are important for At the conclusion of the meeting, President Serzh Armenia. Sargsyan made an inscription at the Livre d’Or of the Senate Serzh Sargsyan also praised the effi cient coopera- of the French Republic. tion of Armenia and France in the framework of Francopho- “It is a special pleasure to be hosted here – the Sen- nie. ate of the friendly France, a place full of history. Recapitulat- At the meeting, the parties discussed also issues ing the rich and exclusive French culture, it has truly become pertinent to the Armenia-EU relations, the NK peace process, a venue of the perfect cohabitation of the new and old. I live regional issues and challenges. the feeling of pride and exhilaration fi nding myself in the The spoke also about the in- place where 17 years ago the resolution on the recognition dispensable role of France in the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide was adopted. It reiterated once and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide and expressed again the leading role of France in the protection of universal gratitude to the parliamentarians for their persistent fi ght human rights and, of course, unconditional solidarity with against intolerance and hatred. the Armenian people,” wrote the President of Armenia. Armenia open to normalizing relations with Turkey without preconditions – FM Minister Nalbandian said he hopes Turkey will once adopt a similar stance and will respect the agreements reached. Minister Nalbandian reminded about the Armenian President’s initiative to normalize relations with Turkey with- out preconditions, which the latter turned down. “Although two protocols were signed, Turkey refused to ratify and imple- ment those,” he said. Minister Nalbandian said that “as a nation subjected to the fi rst genocide of the 20th century, Armenia feels obliged to make efforts to prevent new genocides, new crimes against humanity.” “We are taking steps on different international plat- forms, including the UN in that direction,” Minister Nalabd- nian said, adding that a number of resolutions have already been adopted. Armenia is open to normalizing relations with Tur- The Minister reminded that the UN recently accepted key without any preconditions, Armenian Foreign Minister Armenia’s initiative to proclaim December 9 as the Interna- Edward Nalbandian said at a joint press conference with visit- tional Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of ing Foreign Minister of Greece Nikos Kotzias. the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime.

14 March #9 (1144) Š 2017 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights POLITICS 3 Russia will continue to mediate Karabakh peace process: MFA disputable issues on the basis of the principles of non-use of force or the threat of force, territorial integrity and the right of peoples to self-determination. Maria Zakharova said that Russia will continue individ- ual efforts, considering the country’s close relations with Armenia and , which allow for frank exchange of opinion on key issues. She reminded that Russia played a direct role in the sign- ing of the ceasefi re agreement in 1994, which remains in force to date. “An important phase in Russia’s mediating efforts was the adoption of the Moscow Declaration in 2008, which stipulates for the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh confl ict through direct dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This is the fi rst and the only document bearing the signatures of the Presidents of “Russia intends to continue its mediating mission in the the two countries,” the Spokesperson said. Nagorno Karabakh confl ict settlement together with the French At a trilateral meeting mediated by Russia in 2011, the and US Co-Chairs and on the basis of the provisions stipulated for parties agreed to implement an investigation mechanism. Russia in the fi ve joint statements of the Presidents of Russia, the Unit- played a key role in ceasing the large-scale military actions in ed States and France,” Spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of April last year by inviting the Chiefs of General Staffs of Armenia Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova told a press conference today. and Azerbaijan,” Zakharova said. She reminded that the statements stress the unaccept- She stressed that “observance of all above-mentioned ability of the use of force in the settlement of the Karabakh con- agreements is key to the consistent continuation of the peace pro- fl ict and urge the leaderships of Armenia and Azerbaijan to solve cess aimed at reaching a sustainable resolution to the confl ict.” No negotiations because of April aggression against Artsakh – Edward Nalbandian The lack of talks on Nagorno Karabakh is connected with the huge blow to the negotiation process caused by the aggression against Artsakh last April, Armenian Foreign Minister Ed- ward Nalbandian said at a joint press conference with visiting Foreign Min- ister of Greece Nikolaos Kotzias. “This pushed the negotiation process back,” Minister Nalbandian said. He added that Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing coun- tries are making efforts to create con- ditions conducive to the furthering the negotiation process. The comments come after Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov accused Armenia of freezing the Karabakh talks. Edward Nalbandian said. He blamed Co-Chairs maintain efforts to further “It’s well known that the inter- Azerbaijan for the failure to implement the negotiation process. national community, the Minsk Group the agreements reached at Vienna and “The Co-Chairs will arrive Co-Chairs and Armenia are speaking St. Petersburg summits. in Armenia on March 27 and will visit the same language, while Azerbai- Minister Nalbandian stressed , as well,” Edward Nalban- jan is speaking a different language,” that there is no alternative to the nego- dian informed. tiations, and the OSACE Minsk Group

The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 14 March #9 (1144) Š 2017 4 POLITICS

President Serzh Sargsyan Received The Minister Of Foreign Affairs Of Greece ship. Based on that friendship, the two countries in 25 years since Armenia’s independence have formed close friendly relations. President Sargsyan noted that Armenia strives to further and deepen the exciting cooperation with Greece, to invigorate the political dialogue, to the economic relations, bringing them up to the current high level of political relations. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece Nikos Kotzi- as fully agreed with President Sargsyan on this issue. He expressed belief that it is necessary to strengthen deep feelings of friendship, which the Armenian and Greek people have for each other, with the cooperation in all areas. He assured that Greece possesses political will to do it, and there exists a legal fi eld – over three dozen of signed agreements and treaties which allows to achieve that goal. The parties stressed the importance of carrying on with the

consistent work aimed at the enhancement of the cooperation in dif- President Serzh Sargsyan received the Minister of Foreign ferent areas such as education, including military education, culture, Affairs of Greece Nikos Kotzias, who has arrived to Armenia on offi - economy, transportation, tourism, and others. cial visit. Minister Nikos Kotzias underscored that all prerequisites Welcoming the guest to our country, the President of Ar- are in place to establish a strategic partnership and cooperation be- menia underscored that the Armenian-Greek ties date back millennia tween Armenia and Greece. and the history of these relations is full of manifestations of friend- Russia is not interested in Vardan Turkey`s mediating involvement in Toghanyan the Karabakh settlement appointed Ankara has a unilateral position on this is- Armenia’s sue and it provides unconditional support to Bacu. Turkey is constantly trying to imitate Ambassador to its participation in the negotiation process, aiming to enhance its international image, as Russia it seeks to become one of the regional cen- ters of infl uence”, Safrastyan said, and in this context added that Russia is certainly not in- terested in Turkey reaching the desired goal on this issue. According to expert, Erdogan’s statements are empty and there is nothing Russia is not interested in Tur- beyond them and this is just a manifestation key’s mediation in the process of the Na- of Turkish centuries-old diplomacy. gorno-Karabakh settlement. The director To note, Turkish President Recep of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Tayyip Erdogan announced the need to or- National Academy of Sciences (NAS) of ganize comprehensive negotiations on the Armenia Ruben Safrastyan at the press con- settlement of the Karabakh confl ict. Speak- ference in Yerevan expressed such a point of ing with the initiative to organize negotia- view on March 13, referring to the statement tions, Erdogan said that what is happening President Serzh Sargsyan has of Recep Erdogan in Moscow. on the contact line shows how critical the signed a decree, relieving Oleg Yesayan of According to him, Turkey periodi- situation is. The head of the Turkish state the duties of Armenia’s Ambassador Ex- cally makes efforts to intensify its role in the expressed confi dence that Russia, as one of traordinary and plenipotentiary to Russia. settlement of the confl ict, but so far in vain. the countries co-chairing the OSCE Minsk According to another presidential He recalled Turkey’s attempts to become a Group, can play an important role in the set- decree, Vardan Toghanyan has been ap- co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group. “Of tlement of the confl ict. pointed Armenia’s Ambassador to Russia. course, Yerevan will never agree to this, as ArmInfo

14 March #9 (1144) Š 2017 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights POLITICS 5

Amnesty International: Activists in Azerbaijan target- ed by ‘government-sponsored’ cyber attack Azeri human rights activists, journalists and political dissidents have been the targets of a fraudulent and sus- tained ‘spear phishing’ campaign using emails and Facebook chat, apparently aimed at gaining access to their person- al information and private communica- tions, said Amnesty International in a new report launched today. The investigation reveals that the attacks, which can compromise passwords and contacts, have been di- rected at various government critics for the past 13 months. Victims told Am- nesty International they believed the Azerbaijani authorities are behind the attacks. designed with the express intention of using a practice known as ‘spear phish- “Our research reveals that a gathering as much private information ing’, which involves an email with an targeted and coordinated cyber cam- as possible about a target. Given the attachment containing a virus – known paign is being waged against critical profi les of those targeted, it is not hard as malware – being sent to a target voices in Azerbaijan, many of whom to see why victims believe the authori- from a fake address. Amnesty Interna- are long-time victims of government ties are responsible.” tional: Activists in Azerbaijan targeted repression,” said Claudio Guarnieri, The report, ‘False Friends – by ‘government-sponsored’ cyber at- Senior Technologist at Amnesty Inter- how fake accounts and crude malware tack Amnesty International: Activists national. targeted dissidents in Azerbaijan’, de- in Azerbaijan targeted by ‘govern- “The malware used has been tails how victims have been targeted ment-sponsored’ cyber attack UN: Unrest in southeast Turkey ‘has killaed 2,000’ characterised by massive destruction and serious human rights viola- tions, the United Nations said on Friday, Reuters reports. The UN human rights offi ce said in a report on the period July 2015-December 2016 that up to 500,000 people, mostly Kurds, had been displaced, while satellite imagery showed the “enormous scale of destruction of the housing stock by heavy weaponry”. The UN investigators documented numerous killings, disappear- ances and torture, as well as other human rights violations. The most serious abuses took place during periods of curfew imposed for sev- eral days at a time. The investigators were not granted access by Turkey and as of last month the UN had not received any formal response to its concerns, the report said. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein said in a statement on Friday that Turkey had “contested the veracity of the very serious allegations” in the report. He was particularly concerned that Turkey appeared not to have launched any credible investigation into the hundreds of unlawful killings, adding that an independent investigation was both urgent and essential. About 2,000 people were killed and entire neighbourhoods razed in “It appears that not a single suspect was apprehended and not a sin- southeastern Turkey in 18 months of government security operations gle individual was prosecuted,” he said.

The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 14 March #9 (1144) Š 2017 6 ELECTIONS

“Tsarukyan” Bloc will not form pre-electoral coalition with Republican Party ”Tsarukyan” Bloc will not form pre-electoral coalition with Republican Party, stated the Bloc’s member Deputy Naira Zohrabyan to radio station “Svoboda”. According to her, if Tsarukyan and his supporters wished to form a coalition with RPA, which according to Zohrabyan is responsible of the crisis situation in all sectors, they would not refuse from fur- ther cooperation in 2012. She also expressed confi dence that in case of absence of pressure and terror upon voters, falsifi - cations and bribes, the “Tsarukyan” Bloc will have 50% +1 votes and will form the government. At the same time, an- other chairman of the Bloc, “Alliance” Party leader, Deputy Tigran Urikhanyan stated that if “Tsarukyan” Bloc will not have absolute majority in elections, it will form post-elector- al coalition with other political forces except RPA. Earlier, the same time, the sources of ArmInfo in RPA, also informs about the impossibility of cooperation with RPA stated “Elk”, about the creation of after electoral coalition with ARFD as ORO blocs and the Armenian National Congress Party. The according to inner polls and analyses of the Party, it will not “Armenian Revival” Party does not exclude the possibility of manage to have absolute majority by itself. The maximum cooperation with RPA if its voice will be decisive in state de- index RPA hopes for is 46%. cision making. And only ARM “Dashnaktsutyun” did not ex- ArmInfo. clude the possibility of after electoral coalition with RPA. At Armenia’s Communist Party: Armenia People who appreciated Soviet ex-minister: Many people Union turn to us made up fortune The residents of many Armenian towns Armenia and who built it through their labor and villages seemed to be intimidated and turn to us,” Safaryan said. in army through didn’t take proper interest in the programs In his words, it will not be diffi cult to re- corruption but I and ideas of the Communist Party of Arme- turn to Armenia everything good that ex- nia during the fi rst seven days of the election isted during the socialist regime: in case of stopped that campaign. organizing the country’s economy correctly Deputy candidate of the United Commu- it will be possible to fi nd funds also for free nist Party of Armenia, Vazgen Safaryan, said education and free medicine. the aforementioned on Monday within the “Our program is aimed at ensuring 7-8 framework of the extended format session percent annual economic growth. We will be of the party. able to achieve this through the development In his words, during the recent week the of industry and internal cooperation ties,” Sa- representatives of the Communist Party have faryan said. visited a number of Armenian towns and On Monday, the Communist Party repre- Many people made up fortune in villages, where they met with the residents sentatives gathered in Yerevan to discuss the the army through corruption but I put end to and presented them their program. Howev- fi rst week of the election campaign and de- that, former Defense Minister of Armenia, er, there was no interest and inspiration from termined their future plans. , who tops the candidate list the side of the people. According to the par- of Ohanyan-Raffi -Oskanian alliance, said ty representatives, the people seemed to be on Monday at the meeting with the Union of intimidated. However, those who attended Veterans of Armenia held in Yerevan. the meetings with the communists listened In his words, the accountability of attentively to their proposals on how to intro- the army to the society has unprecedentedly duce into the modern world and the world of risen in the recent years, and this experience future all the best that used to be in the past, should be used in governing the state. “It is i.e. free education for everyone, free apart- necessary to establish justice in the country, ments for the young, etc. the need for which our society feels very “Mainly people who appreciated the Soviet sharply,” Ohanyan added.

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ORO Bloc promises to attract investments and grants amounting $1.5-2 billion yearly Former Foreign Minister and same radical changes as the ex- President candidate from the Ohanyan-Raffi -Os- of Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili con- kanian bloc Vardan Oskanian promises ducted to eradicate corruption and other to attract investments and grants of $ 1.5- negative phenomena. “We are behind 2 billion annually if he wins the elec- Georgia for a step, as Armenia needs tions. He stated this on March 10 during radical and tough changes in a number a meeting with voters in Hrazdan. of spheres”, he stressed. At the same In his opinion, the complex time, Ohanyan believes that Saakashvi- social and economic situation in the authorities and keep funds in banks, but li’s anti-Russian policy was unjustifi ed, country has no objective reasons and is if they have confi dence, these fi nances therefore, Armenia should not follow the due to the inaction of the authorities. He can go into circulation, and Diaspora path of the former Georgian leader in believes that only the potential of the Ar- Armenians will again invest in the Ar- the external vector. “Armenia should menian Diaspora is enough to improve menian economy”, he stressed, adding combine its development with strength- the economy. However, the ex-minister that the change of power will affect pos- ening relations with Russia, as well as noted that there are no little resources itively on this process. deepening cooperation with the West”, within the country, which gradually Seyran Ohanyan, the leader he resumed. leave it. “People do not trust the current of the bloc, said that Armenia needs the Armenian Reviv- L. Zurabyan: For : al party stands 18 years The state system of for creation of Republican Party Armenia has not professional has not ruled taken place yet the country, but army robbed and devastated it

If law-enforcement authorities would accomplish their duties proper- ly, then no political force can distrib- ute electoral bribery, Deputy Chairman Armenian Political Party Levon Zurab- The state system of Armenia has yan stated during the meeting with the not taken place yet, said the Prime Minis- voters of Kond district in Yerevan. ter of Armenia Karen Karapetyan during Armenian Revival party stands He called the voters not to ac- the meeting with the voters of Syunik re- for creation of a professional army, a move cept bribes neither from any of po- gion. “We do not have a system that would that will help to solve the problem of em- litical forces, nor from leading Repub- limit the wrong approaches and steps of ployment. lican Party, as well as no other force high-ranking offi cials”, the Prime Minister Dozens of strong men from 30 to positioning itself opposition. Zurabyan said. At the same time, he assured the de- 50 who have long been unemployed would strongly criticized also the Republican termination of the ruling Republican Party, willingly agree to become professional mil- Party of Armenia, stating that the Party in case of victory in elections, to build such itary men, leader of the party Arthur Bagh- led the country to devastation and so- a state that no Armenian will want to leave dasaryan said during a campaign meeting on cioeconomic crisis. the country. “We realize what a heavy bur- Sunday. “For 18 years that Party has den we take on ourselves, but we are ready After retraining, they will be able not ruled the country, but robbed and for this responsibility”, the Premier assured. to join the army and get money for it. Bagh- devastated it,” politician noted, adding According to him, the main capital of Arme- dasaryan believes the Armenia’s budget that the country faced to menace of nia is the man. “We must create such condi- permits to maintain a professional army. In Azerbaijani aggression. “We have no tions so that he can fully realize his potential, addition, as a result of a more active fi ght right to sleep already, we have to take we must create favorable conditions for the against corruption, free budget funds can certain steps to exit the current situa- creative person”, the Prime Minister sum- also be used to maintain a professional army. tion,” Zurabyan resumed. marized.

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Armenia, Greece keen on boosting economic cooperation Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan received today a dele- gation led by Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotsias, Government’s Press Offi ce reports. “This year ushers in the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Greece. Our friendly relations are at a very high level, but we are keen to intensify the cooperation with Greece and take it to a new level,” Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan said addressing the guests. Stressing the need to boost economic exchange, the Prime Minister said there is great untapped potential in this area. Karen Karapetyan welcomed the ongoing bilateral cooperation within in- ternational institutions and the fact that the two countries have similar positions on a number of issues on international agenda.

Pleased with his stay in friendly Armenia, the Greek For- As they discussed issues of bilateral and multilateral economic co- eign Minister conveyed warm greetings on behalf of Prime Minister operation, the parties highlighted the role of the Armenian-Greek joint of Greece Alexis Tsipras. commission on economic, industrial and scientific-technical coopera- “We have always been brotherly peoples. The purpose of tion. In particular, the interlocutors discussed the possibility of holding my visit is to create a strategic partnership,” Nikos Kotsias said. High- an Armenian-Greek business forum. In this context, Prime Minister ly appreciating the Armenian-Greek political dialogue, the Greek Karapetyan suggested clarifying the areas of mutual interest to the two Foreign Minister agreed in that economic relations are on a low level, countries’ business circles and actively working on joint projects. and there is a need for their harmonious development. Armenia eyes sustainable economic Sargsyan invites growth from 2018 French firms to Reuters – Armenia is ready to invest in Armenia take unpopular steps including cutting state spending and eliminating barriers to private Armenian President Serzh investment in order to get the ailing economy Sargsyan met with members of the Move- back on a sustainable footing by next year, its ment of French Enterprises (MEDEF), prime minister said. which acts as an important link between “Regular structural reforms will French fi rms and high-ranking offi cials be implemented in Armenia, even if these and private sector representatives from dif- reforms are unpopular,” Prime Minister ferent countries. Karenb Karapetyantold Reuters in an inter- preparing an economic development pro- This structure responsible for in- view. gramme that will target growth of between ternational cooperation supports and con- Cutting administrative expenses, 4-5 percent from 2018. tributes to the activity of French fi rms and and plans to reduce the budget defi cit to 2.7 Karapetyan said a new centre for creates conditions for them to realize their percent of national output this year from the strategic initiatives would look to draft short- programs. It also enables French compa- 5.9 percent expected for 2016, might impact and long-term projects with the private sec- nies functioning abroad to raise issues of economic growth. But the measures were tor. interest and problems with a view of seek- necessary, he said. He said it was “realistic” to try to attract ing solutions. “It will have a negative impact … $850 million of investment this year, with the Following the meeting the Tashir but we want to compensate it through private bulk coming from the private sector. Group of Companies and the Schneider investment,” Karapetyan said. Armenia attracted $513 million in Electric Company signed a Memorandum “I think we will be able to with- foreign direct investment in the fi rst half of of Understanding. stand (problems) and achieve 3.2 percent 2016, up from $323 million in the same peri- Addressing the meeting, Presi- growth this year.” od a year ago, according to national statistics dent Sargsyan introduced the investment He said that his government would also fo- offi ce data. opportunities in Armenia and invited cus on fi ghting corruption and “eliminating Countries with signifi cant invest- French companies to invest in the country. all barriers that impede business from devel- ments in Armenia include Russia, Germany “I assure we’re ready to demonstrate an in- oping”. and France and the main sectors attracting dividual approach to every investor, taking According to offi cials, the government is funding are agriculture, energy and tourism. into consideration his needs.”

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Expert: The voter will not orient due to promises as much as due to how much was done or missed ocrats” program, in his opinion, will be- come a cornerstone for the future govern- ment, and the position of the “Tsarukyan” Bloc on the release of SMEs from taxa- tion having turnover up to 60 million for 3 years deserves attention and application. In general, as Margaryan noted, despite the long-term program modifi ca- tions, the job is an ungrateful one because of the negative external shocks and high level of turbulence in global economy, the “Free Democrats” and “Elk” Bloc programs include not only short-term and mid-term development. “Elk”, for exam- ple, is highlighted by the proposed long- term institutional changes”, the expert said. The programs of the “Elk” bloc, however, the economist believes are high-tech. “It provides a clear program for the develop- ment of the country’s military-industrial complex and it is no coincidence that its The ruling Republican Party and promising to provide 3.2% growth in key point is to raise the salaries of service- presented a pre-election program, in fact, 2017, 4-5% in 2018, it is quite possible to men”, he noted. devoid of quantitative specifi cs, it is with- achieve growth of 5-6% or more by the end “The Armenian Revival” propos- out numbers and facts. The reason for this of the fi ve-year plan”, he said. es to set a maximum bar for the provision is that the authorities are well aware that According to Margaryan, the of agricultural loans in 10% of which 5% the voter, when making a choice, will future government will be a coalition in- will be compensated by the state budget, be guided not so much by the predicted cluding RPA and ARFD. Currently, the which is also somewhat realistic”, Mar- numbers or promises of growth as on the ARF program is not enlightened by num- garyan said. But, at the same time, in his basis of what was done or missed by the bers. The only thing the expert stressed opinion, having offered to freeze the accu- RPA during its reign. Atom Margaryan, is the bringing the minimum amount of mulative pension system, it is necessary to Associate Professor of the Department of pensions into line with the minimum con- take into account that we are deprived of Economic Theory of ASEU, Candidate of sumption basket. the resource for subsidizing such loans. Economic Sciences, stated this on March In contrast, the programs of What about the Congress-Peo- 13 in Yerevan, commenting on the pre- “Free Democrats” and “Tsarukyan” Bloc ple’s Party of Armenia and ORO, as the sented programs of political forces partic- have specifi cs in the context of numbers expert considers, ORO is viewing the ways ipating in the pre-electoral parliamentary and expectations. “They both promise of economic development in details by in- race. 6.5-7% economy growth in 2017. I con- creasing the level of education. The Con- According to expert, the RPA sider the given bar to be a hard-to-reach”, gress-People’s Party of Armenia program program echoes the previous government’s he stated. According to the expert, a 0.2% of friendly neighboring and of good will program of activities, which is “not entirely growth in 2016 indicates a period of reces- which proposes to 55% of saving the mil- logical”. “The program of activities should sion or stagnation in the Armenian econo- itary expenditures in order to direct them fl ow from the electoral program, and not my during the past year. Under these con- to new jobs. “But the question is how to do vice versa”, he said, but this, he said, is a ditions, when there is no prospect of lifting it. Since at the moment it is diffi cult and subjective factor, it has a completely log- sanctions from Russia in the foreseeable almost impossible”, he said. ical explanation, since the pre- electoral future and a complete lifting of sanctions To note, Sunday, March 5, 2017, emphasis is placed on the personality of from Iran, and lack of expectations in in accordance with national legislation the prime minister as a “charismatic lead- terms of appreciation of oil prices, in an in the Republic of Armenia, a campaign er”. The focus is the same - investment, attempt to ensure a 6-7% growth in try- began. It will last 26 days. April 1, 2017 stimulating the business environment, ing to attract hard-to-reach and expensive in the Republic of Armenia is a day of fi ghting corruption and reducing poverty credit funds for Armenia only inexpedient, silence, and on April 2 the Parliamentary in the country. “The program is quite re- but also dangerous. At the same time, the elections will be held. 9 political forces alistic. Not putting an artifi cially high bar economic component of the “Free Dem- participate in elections.

The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 14 March #9 (1144) Š 2017 10 SOCIETY

Armenia to Open Consulate in Iraqi Kurdistan YEREVAN (RFE/RL)—Presi- dent Serzh Sarkisian on Monday gave the green light to the opening of an Armenian consulate general in Iraqi Kurdistan, un- derscoring Armenia’s growing ties to the region that enjoys considerable autono- my within Iraq. Sarkisian signed a correspond- ing decree more than one week after it was formally approved by Prime Min- ister Karen Karapetian’s cabinet. “The opening of the consulate will help to step up productive bilateral cooperation,” read a government statement released on March 2. As recently as on February 17, Foreign Minister Edward Nalban- grown considerably in recent years. Ar- Iraq’s central government has dian held fresh talks with Iraqi Kurd- menian exports to the Middle Eastern na- also supported efforts to deepen Arme- istan’s President Massoud Barzani on tion account for the bulk of bilateral trade nian-Iraqi commercial ties. It helped to the sidelines of an international security which stood at $138 million last year. launch two years ago commercial fl ights conference in Munich. According to the Armenian cigarettes are by far between Yerevan and Baghdad that are Armenian Foreign Ministry, the planned the most important item in those exports. carried out via Erbil. opening of the Armenian mission in Er- According to Armenian government data, The Armenian government bil, the capital of the northern Iraqi re- the Iraqi market generated over two- announced plans to open a consulate in gion, was high on the agenda. A ministry thirds of the Armenian tobacco industry’s Erbil at around the same time. Barzani statement said Nalbandian thanked the total export revenue in 2014. welcomed those plans when he met with Iraqi Kurdish leadership for its “compre- Speaking at the March 2 cabi- Nalbandian in Munich in February 2015. hensive support” on the issue. net meeting in Yerevan, Nalbandian said Iraqi Kurdistan is thought to be The two men also discussed that Iraqi Kurdistan accounts for most home to several thousand ethnic Arme- regional security and ways of deepening of the Armenian-Iraqi commerce due to nians. Some of them are former residents bilateral commercial ties, added the state- “security and other favorable factors.” of Mosul who were forced to fl ee their ment. The Kurdish autonomy has been the most homes when the city was captured by the Armenia’s trade with the Kurd- stable and peaceful part of Iraq ever since so-called Islamic State in June 2014. ish region and other parts of Iraq has the 2003 overthrow of Saddam Hussein. Hearings on Dink murder case resume in mazer, Ahmet İlhan Güler, continue today. demir, the Governor of Trabzon at the time During the previous round, ar- of murder; former inspector Ayşegül Genç; rested suspect Ali Fuat Yılmazer, former former deputy police chief of Istanbul chief of the Offi ce C of Istanbul Directorate Hakan Aydın Türkeli; former chief of Istan- of Security Intelligence Branch, completed bul counter-terrorism branch Selim Kutkan his defence. In this round, cross examina- and journalist Nedim Şener. tion of Yılmazer will be carried out. After Friends of Hrant: the case is still the cross examination, witnesses will be focused on a single branch heard. Friends of Hrant made a state- The court decided to hear 52 ment in front of the courthouse before the people as witnesses, including Muammer hearing. Speaking on behalf of Friends of Güler, former Minister of Interior and the Hrant, Bülent Aydın said, “We came close

Govenor of Istanbul at the time of murder; to the truth, but the case is still focused on Agos – Trials of public offi cials, including former police chief Hanefi Avcı; former a passive branch. Clarifying the Dink mur- former police chiefs Celalettin Cerrah, En- police chief Recep Güven; former deputy der would pave the way for clarifying other gin Dinç, Ramazan Aküyrek, Ali Fuat Yıl- police chief Emin Arslan; Hüseyin Yavuz- dark murders.”

14 March #9 (1144) Š 2017 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights SOCIETY 11

$95 Million to be Invested in Tatev Gate Project YEREVAN (Arka)—Armenian Prime Minister Kar- en Karapetian during a working visit to the Syunik province on March 11 had a consultative meeting with representatives of the Foundation for Armenia Development, and was presented the Tatev Gate investment project, the government’s press offi ce said. The Tatev Gate complex will be built next to the Ha- lidzor station of Tatev cableway, which will feature information, entertainment and service infrastructures and quality services de- signed to increase the fl ow of visitors. The already fi nalized general development plan calls for establishing a visitor hub, a national kitchen and catering outlets, as well as a center of national traditions, ancient Armenian games and other entertainments. The project requires investment of 95 million USD in six strategic directions, with a prospect of about 1,500 jobs and increased infl ux of tourists–up to 400,000 annual- ly. International fi nancial organizations may be engaged in the project. Welcoming the idea, Karapetian urged those responsi- ble to fi nalize the project and begin substantive discussions in the The cable car travels at a speed of 37 kilometers per hour (23 government. miles per hour) and a one-way journey takes 11 minutes. At its The 5.7-kilometer-long Winds of Tatev ropeway in the highest point over the gorge, the car travels 320 meters (1,056 south of Armenia –built by Austrian-Swiss Dopplemayer/Gara- feet) above ground level. It has two cabins, each capable of car- venta transports visitors from the village of Halidzor across the rying up to 25 passengers. The cable car is part of a $45 mil- Vorotan gorge to the village of Tatev–allows tourists and visitors lion-dollar public-private effort to develop tourism at Tatev and to bypass a 90-minute drive on a road in and out of the Vorotan in the overall region of Syunik. The aerial tramway was offi cially River Gorge to a walking distance of the Tatev monastery. registered by a representative of the Guinness World Records as the world’s longest aerial tramway built to transport visitors.

Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation launches ‘Zarmanazan’ Western Armenian revitalization programs The Armenian Communities an inspiring environment. While totally The teacher development com- Department of the Calouste Gulbenkian immersed in Western Armenian, they ponent of the camp will host 15 teach- Foundation is launching the educa- will create, discover, learn, and have ers (or teachers-in-training). They will tional project “Zarmanazan” as part fun through engaging workshops in follow an intensive program combining of its Western Armenian revitalization music, arts, theater, dance, as well as expert direction with practical training, program. The initiative will incorporate various sports and games. Through interactive lectures, and the latest peda- two components that will mutually these activities, language will become gogic approaches and materials. nourish each other: a natural means of communication and The location of the camp is in A summer camp for children creation. La Bourboule, France between the ages of 10 to 15, in a The Zarmanazan camp, orga- creative and playful world, aimed at nized in partnership with the Mille et encouraging the practice of Western un Mondes organization in Lyon, will Armenian. offer a space for meeting and interac- A training internship designed tion between all participants who will for Western Armenian teachers or teach- have the opportunity to learn from one ers-in-training in the Armenian Dias- another and develop friendships, living pora, leading to university certifi cation an enriching and unique experience. by the Institut National des Langues et The camp is open to all Civilisations Orientales, Paris (INAL- children and teenagers living in the Ar- CO). menian Diaspora. The number of places For 25 days, children and is limited to 40. There is no requirement teenagers will reside together with a for a minimum level of profi ciency in team of 15 experienced facilitators in Armenian.

The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 14 March #9 (1144) Š 2017 12 POLITICS

France Recognized Right of Armenian Army to Punish In Paris Francois Hollande and United States and France. The available in- of both the political and military “settlement” Serzh Sargsyan made a public statement for formation allows assuming that Moscow is of the issue. the media. According to the offi cial website not against the mechanisms but has some After all, if the co-chairs and Ar- of the Armenian president, Hollande par- reservations. Again, proceeding from the menia agree on the mechanism of investiga- ticularly announced: “France is an OSCE scarce publicly available information, on the tion, can Azerbaijan alone resist? If the issue Minsk Group co-chair country together with other hand, these reservations concern the is not resolved, does it mean that Baku has the United States and Russia, and we want strategic relations with Azerbaijan, and on the direct or indirect support of one of the co- to work towards a solution. First, in order for the other hand, to prevent the presence of the chairs? It is possible that this co-chair is not us to avoid repetition of incidents of the past United States. against but does not announce about it. weeks and months, in order to have mech- Azerbaijan is trying to restore the so-called A new situation occurs which anisms of investigation of incidents which “three-partite” Russia-Azerbaijan-Armenia was expressed in the past few weeks in the will prevent such incidents and punish the format, hoping to return the process to the confl ict area. The Armenian armed forces actions that expose peace.” pre-April logic, where it had a lot of freedom changed the tactics and delivered some pre- An agreement on stationing in- to act thanks to Russia. Armenia insists on ventive blows, including with the use of new vestigation mechanisms was reached after two conditions to continue the negotiations – equipment and investigation mechanisms. the April war, during the meeting in Vienna. the agreements in Vienna and the issue of the In other words, the Armenian side Later France, the United States and Armenia status of Artsakh. has taken up the process of “unilateral” in- regularly repeated the necessity to bring into In this context, Hollande’s state- troduction of their own investigation mech- being that agreement, Russia was silent and ment is important because it is something anism. Hence, in the result of Azerbaijan’s Azerbaijan refused. new. Speaking about the need to introduce militaristic policy “the right to punish” has The introduction of this mechanism would the mechanisms of investigation, he speaks been passed to Armenia, and Hollande’s mean the failure of Azerbaijan’s policy on about punishing, not preventing, which is for statement in Paris may indicate the recog- the Karabakh issue. At the same time, it the fi rst time. Punishment can be both polit- nition of that circumstance. Unless the co- would indicate “recognition” of the current ical and military, and it is hard to tell what chairs have reached agreement on the intro- border. Azerbaijan is taking actions to pre- content is placed inside this word, not ruling duction of investigation mechanisms, only vent this, and Russia is obviously the country out the nuances of translation. On the other the Armenian side will maintain peace and it relies on. hand, this is a new circumstance which itself “punish the actions that threaten peace”. Russia’s stance is not as clear as that of the may indicate new tendencies in the process Lragir.am Baku’s Angry About Change in Karabakh By Naira Hayrumyan Is it possible that OSCE has made up its mind to take a unilateral step in Karabakh, receiving the consent for unilateral deployment of On March 10 the OSCE offi ce in Baku addressed a state- observers from the Armenian side? ment to that organization on changes in the disposition of Karabakh. After the sides had agreed to station mechanisms of inves- “Unfortunately, we encounter unacceptable elements, such as the de- tigation of incidents in Vienna and Saint Petersburg, and Azerbaijan ployment of the OSCE observation mission at the line of confronta- objected, experts asked a question whether the OSCE could install tion, which is a change of the modus operandi and is not in line with such equipment on the Armenian side unilaterally. agreements reached at the level of presidents,” the statement holds. It is possible that Baku hints at this in its vociferous statement. This In fact, Baku is blaming OSCE for deploying a mission of question was asked to the American co-chair of the Minsk Group observers in Karabakh without its consent. Richard Hoagland visiting Baku but he did not comment. The mission of the OSCE CiO’s personal representative Andrzej What kind of deployment of OSCE observers in Karabakh is meant? Kasprzyk has been present in Karabakh since 1995, after the end of What equipment do they have and do they have a mandate for any the war. The mandate of the representative’s offi ce had a limited num- actions in case of ceasefi re breaches? ber of staff who periodically monitored the situation and reported to In this regard, the statement of the president of France OSCE. Francois Hollande during the meeting with Serzh Sargsyan in Paris After the war in April 2016 OSCE insisted on increasing is signifi cant. He stated that the breaches should not only be detected the number of observers, as well as enlarging the mandate. The en- but also punished. largement of the mandate might suppose different functions, from Has France offered its services to Armenia for the mecha- detecting ceasefi re breaches to certain actions. nisms of “investigation of incidents and punishment”? Did the French In fact, Baku informs that OSCE has enlarged its mandate without co-chair of the Minsk Group Visconti mean this when he announced Azerbaijan’s consent. And this is a new situation in the Karabakh in Baku that the process has moved from ground zero? settlement where the international mediators kept the parity between If France or OSCE have expanded the mission in Kara- Armenia and Azerbaijan and do not undertake anything with which bakh with a view to strengthening the ceasefi re, this changes all the none of the sides agrees. disposition. And Baku’s indignation is clear in this case.

14 March #9 (1144) Š 2017 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights POLITICS 13

Azerbaijan Blocks OSCE Monitors In Karabakh

BAKU (RFE/RL)—Azerbaijan has made clear that it will not allow the Organization for Security and Coopera- tion in Europe to deploy monitors on the Armenian-Azerbaijani front lines around Nagorno-Karabakh. “In the absence of withdrawal of the Armenian troops from the occupied territories, such a deployment would lead only to further consolidation of the status quo and prolongation of the confl ict,” the Azerbaijani mission to the OSCE head- quarters in Vienna said on Thursday. The presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijani agreed to the expansion of a small OSCE team periodically moni- toring ceasefi re in the Karabakh confl ict briefl y monitor the parties’ compliance events that occurred in April last year,” zone when they met in the Austrian capi- with the ceasefi re regime. The Azerbai- Nalbandian told a joint news conference tal in May last year. The talks, hosted by jani statement suggests that the OSCE with his visiting Greek counterpart, Nikos then-U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry would like to not only expand the largely Kotzias. and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey symbolic mission but also have the moni- Lavrov said on Monday that a Lavrov, came just over a month after the tors stationed in or around Karabakh. “de-escalation of the situation” in the con- outbreak of the worst fi ghting along the Baku has been just as reluctant fl ict zone is essential for the resumption Karabakh “line of contact” in over two to allow international investigations of of “substantive” peace talks. The Russian decades. truce violations there. The Russian For- minister said the two warring sides should In a joint statement issued at the eign Ministry revealed in November that therefore take the confi dence-building time, Lavrov, Kerry and a senior French Aliyev said “there is no need to investigate measures agreed at the Vienna summit. offi cial said Presidents and armed incidents” at a follow-up meeting French President Francois Hol- Serzh Sarkisian also pledged to “fi nalize with Sarkisian held in Saint-Petersburg lande likewise called for the launch of in the shortest possible time” a mecha- in June. Yerevan has since repeatedly “verifi cation mechanisms” in Karabakh nism for OSCE investigations of ceasefi re accused Baku of walking away from the after meeting with Sarkisian in Paris on violations. None of these two measures confi dence-building agreements. Wednesday. Hollande said they are need- backed by Armenia has been put into The Azerbaijani delegation said ed to “prevent and even sanction actions practice to date. the truce safeguards sought by the U.S., that might be contrary to peace.” “Unfortunately, we are faced Russian and French mediators must be Speaking after talks with Azer- with introduction of unacceptable el- “synchronized with settlement of the con- baijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mam- ements such as deployment of OSCE fl ict.” It claimed that the Armenian side madyarov, Lavrov also said that the par- observers to the Line of Confrontation, is insisting on these measures in order ties are still far apart on “two or three” which is a change of modus operandi of to avoid “substantive negotiations” on a elements of a framework peace accord [the Offi ce of the Personal Representative Karabakh peace. that has been advanced by the Russian, of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Offi ce] and “Such negotiations are not hap- U.S. and French mediators for the past not in line with agreements reached at the pening now because they were dealt a decade. He did not specify them. Nalban- level of Presidents,” the Azerbaijani mis- very serious blow by Azerbaijan’s April dian also refused to shed light on these sion said in a statement read out at Thurs- [2016] aggression against Karabakh,” sticking points. day’s meeting of the OSCE’s Permanent Armenian Foreign Minister Edward The proposed deal calls for the Council. Nalbandian countered on Friday. “This liberation of virtually all seven districts “Azerbaijan cannot accept such is why Armenia and the three mediating around Karabakh that were fully or partly a dangerous development in the confl ict countries are continuing efforts to create occupied by Karabakh Armenian forces zone as it contradicts the very purpose of appropriate conditions for advancing the in 1991-1994. In return, Karabakh’s pre- entire [OSCE] Minsk process,” it added. negotiation process.” dominantly Armenian population would The existing OSCE team led by “We should keep trying to be able to determine the territory’s inter- Andzrej Kasprzyk consists of a handful of move this process forward. But fi rst and nationally recognized status in a future offi cials who regularly travel to Karabakh foremost, we have to prevent the kind of referendum. and the Armenian-Azerbaijani border to

The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 14 March #9 (1144) Š 2017 14 SOCIETY

A Diasporan Minister of Diaspora: A Proposal BY RAFFI BEDROSYAN ward Armenian government leaders. When nous body and spread in communities world- From The Armenian Weekly it comes to the issue of investing in Armenia, wide with quite distinct resources, capabilities, there is widespread conclusion that invest- and characteristics, it is suggested to have six When the ments mostly disappear due to bribery and deputy ministers to be responsible for Ar- decided to establish the Ministry of Diaspora corruption. When it comes to the issue of gov- menian Diaspora in Europe, Russia, North in 2008, the objective was to form a partner- erning Armenia, there is heavy criticism of the America, South America, Middle East and ship between the Armenian state and Arme- Armenian government leaders. Growing pro- Far East/Australia. These deputy ministers nians in Diaspora and to help strengthen the tests by a multitude of Diaspora intellectuals, would coordinate all activities related to in- ties between Armenia and Armenians abroad, celebrities, and artists against the Armenian vestment, repatriation, cultural, educational, by preserving the Armenian national identity government leaders is a testament to that. and social exchanges closely with the staff of in the Diaspora and the historic homeland. Armenian government leaders, as Armenian Embassies in the countries where This was to be accomplished by developing well as Armenians living in Armenia may Armenian Diaspora communities exist. Two multiple pan-Armenian initiatives in educa- very well tell the protesting Diaspora intel- examples of already successful implementers tional, professional, entrepreneurial, cultural, ligentsia: “If you want to make a difference, in this regard are the Armenian Ambassadors social, and sports fields, as well as by com- you better move to Armenia, come and live in Canada and Austria. bining the talents, skills, resources and capital and vote in Armenia, instead of just com- As an alternative source of funding of both Diaspora and Armenia Armenians. plaining from abroad.” However, I suggest the Diaspora Ministry activities and to lessen Thanks to the strong personality and leader- the Diaspora Armenians would have a much the burden on the Armenian government bud- ship of the first and only Minister of Diaspora, more defensible argument, if they focus on get, the Diaspora Ministry could be financed , the Armenia-Diaspora improving the relationships between Diaspo- entirely by Diaspora contributions. As an ex- partnership has been founded on a solid base, ra and Armenia. The very reason for the es- ample of the resources required, for a million with many success stories. tablishment of the Ministry of Diaspora is the Diaspora Armenians, even a $10 annual dues But there are also many failures, Diaspora Armenians. could result in an annual budget of $10 million particularly in the areas of Diaspora invest- There is an absolute need to reverse for Ministry staff and activities, much higher ment. When Karen Karapetyan, the Prime the vicious cycle of mistrust, and as a first step, than the present finances of the Ministry. Minister of Armenia, sent an appeal recently I suggest that the Minister of Diaspora be a Di- This alternative proposal would also trigger a to the Diaspora Armenians to strengthen their asporan Armenian. Along with the additional healthy competition among the various politi- ties and commitment to Armenia, the response suggestions given below, there should be con- cal, cultural, and religious Diaspora organiza- from several Diaspora organizations and ac- fidence—building measures taken by the new tions in membership drives. tivists within Armenia was mostly negative, government, in order to encourage Diasporan Appropriate Diasporan Minister (and dep- citing several examples of failed initiatives investment into Armenia again. If the govern- uty ministers) of Diaspora could be selected due to corruption and bribery. Some even ment is successful in creating credibility and a by the President and government of Arme- blamed the Armenian government for think- level playing field for investors from abroad, nia, chosen from candidates nominated by ing of Diaspora just as a “cow to be milked” the source of potential foreign investment Diasporan organizations and public at large. (ktan kov). would not only be limited to Diaspora Ar- The details for nomination and selection of So, where do we go from here? Is menians, but would also attract international the candidates can be adapted from a variety there room for improvement? Are there better investors as well, without the need for appeals of tried and tested processes elsewhere, with alternative ways of growing the Armenia-Di- from the Prime Minister. obvious priority given to non-partisan, trust- aspora partnership? Are there different ways I would like to add the following worthy and capable Diasporan individuals. of solving recurring issues related to mutual points. The Armenian government does not Diaspora relations of Israel and India would trust, confidence or cooperation between the and will not take seriously the Diaspora intel- act as successful role models. partners? With the impending elections in Ar- ligentsia protesting against poor governance. The primary purpose of this article is to open menia next month, I believe it is appropriate to However, it would seriously consider any pro- up the subject for discussion by government re-assess the form of governance for the Min- posal that would improve relationships and leaders in Armenia as well as among Dias- istry of Diaspora. flow of investment from Diaspora to Arme- poran community leaders, political, religious, Despite all the good intentions, nia. cultural organizations, and interested individ- goodwill, and accomplishments of the Min- The Diaspora organizations and, more im- uals. The problems have been discussed and istry of Diaspora, there are serious problems portantly, Diaspora Armenians as individuals argued for many years without any solutions, between Diaspora Armenians and Armenia. and investors, would have more control, trust and it is my hope that by soliciting comments The initial enthusiasm of the first few years is and confidence if the “one window” into and and constructive criticism of this proposal, long gone, when Diaspora Armenians were from Armenia is an effective Diasporan, with we can perhaps strive toward a workable, much more willing to visit, live, work and all the facilitations and dealings handled trans- achievable and fair solution to improve the play, and more significantly, invest in Arme- parently by the Diaspora Ministry, at least until Armenia-Diaspora partnership, for the mutual nia. There is now a general lack of trust and the perception of mistrust has been eliminated. benefit of all Armenians in Armenia, Artsakh discontent by the Diaspora Armenians to- As the Diaspora is not a homoge- (Nagorno-Karabakh), and the Diaspora.

14 March #9 (1144) Š 2017 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights 15

Glendale Mayor Devine, State Sen. Lara Endorse Zareh Sinanyan

GLENDALE– Zareh Sinanyan announced this that Glendale Mayor Paula Devine and State Senator Ricar- do Lara have endorsed his re-election bid for Glendale City Council. “In the four years Zareh has spent on council, and especially while serving as Mayor, he continually demonstrated his con- cern for all of Glendale’s residents by listen- ing to everyone before making decisions and by treating everyone who appeared to speak at council with kindness and respect. He is fair, thoughtful and methodical in his deci- sion making. I know he will continue to be a strong advocate for Glendale on a diverse range of issues,” said Devine, whose en- “Councilmember Sinanyan has a tees. dorsement was announced Tuesday. proven track record that demonstrates how After serving Glendale for the past Paula Devine was elected to the he will approach the many decisions that four years as councilmember and mayor, Glendale City Council in 2014 and current- come before council. He has the experience Councilman Zareh Sinanyan has decided ly serves as the Mayor of the City of Glen- and background that can help Glendale ad- to run for reelection in April. Sinanyan’s dale. Mayor Devine previously the Chair of dress the important issues of today. I know fi rst City Council victory came in 2013 the Glendale Commission on the Status of that Zareh is the right person to lead Glendale in a hotly contested race. While in offi ce, Women, on which she has served for eight into a brighter future,” said the state senator. Sinanyan fought to provide transparency for years. Paula initiated the CPR Program Lara is one of the most infl uential all residents, and sought to nurture a business (Commission Project Rescue) which pro- members of the State Senate, chairing the friendly environment. Although, it is import- vides the Glendale Police Department with powerful Appropriations Committee and ant to attract large businesses to Glendale, funds to pay for temporary emergency hous- serving as a member of the Energy, Utili- Sinanyan believes the City Council must ing for Domestic Violence victims. ties and Communications, Governance and foster an environment which will allow our Senator Lara’s endorsement was Finance, Governmental Organization, and own residents to grow their businesses local- announced Wednesday. Banking and Financial Institutions commit- ly instead of moving them abroad. Contributions of Armenian Women in Turkey Highlighted at Parliament ISTANBUL—Selina Dogan, an not being sincere,” said Dogan who argued Armenian member of the Turkish Parlia- that minority women were being forgotten ment representing the Republican People’s in history of women’s struggle in Turkey/ Party (CHP) used the occasion of Inter- “While Halide Edip is naturally national Women’s Day on Wednesday to remembered with respect, her contem- highlight Armenian women who contrib- porary Zabel Yesayan, with whom she uted to Turkish society, reported the Agos exchanged letters, is ignored. While dear newspaper. Sabiha Sertel has the place she deserved Dogan named Armenian intellec- in the feminism history of this country, no- tuals Elbis Gesaratsyan, Sırpuhi Düsap, Za- body remembers her contemporary Elbis bel Asadur, Zabel Yesayan ande Hayganuşh Gesaratsyan. While Nezihe Muhiddin, who Mark, who are considered as the fi rst femi- struggled for enfranchisement of woman nists of Turkey. and whom I respect deeply, was making The member of parliament feminist history, her counterpart Hayganush stressed that while many statements had women gave her pause. Mark, who published a women’s magazine been on the occasion of International Wom- “This means that either the way for 14 years, is not remembered at all,” said en’s Day, the absence of these prominent we discuss this issue is not right or we are Dogan.

The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 14 March #9 (1144) Š 2017 16 SOCIETY

Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell Releases ‘The Promise’ for New Armenian Genocide Film WATERTOWN, Mass. (A.W.) — On March 10, American musician, singer, and songwriter Chris Cornell released a new original song entitled “The Promise” for the forthcoming feature film The Promise, about the Armenian Genocide. Cornell, who is best known as the lead vocalist, primary songwriter, and rhythm guitarist for U.S.-rock band Soundgarden and as lead vocalist and songwriter for the super- group Audioslave, also unveiled a lyric video for the song, featuring images from the film The Promise. Chris Cornell (Photo: chriscornell. com) According to a statement released by Cornell, his proceeds from the song will be donated to the International Rescue Committee. “The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster,” reads a part of the state- ment. The world premiere of the late Kirk “The Promise” The song is now available at all Kerkorian’s legacy project—the much antici- streaming services and digital retailers includ- pated Armenian Genocide epic The Promise— If I had nothing to my name ing iTunes, Apple Music, and Spotify. (Photo: had its world premiere at the Toronto Interna- But photographs of you chriscornell.com) tional Film Festival (TIFF) on Sept. 11, 2016. Rescued from the flames “There are a couple of really amaz- The film had the honor of being designated as That is all I would ever need ing documentaries about the Armenian Geno- one of the gala presentations of the prestigious As long as I can read cide, and one of them was about the phenom- festival and is slated for wide release in the What’s written on your face enon that people who had literally minutes to United States on April 21. (Read the Armenian The strength that shines grab what they could from their homes would Weekly’s coverage of The Promise‘s world Behind your eyes take photos before anything else – before jewel- premiere here) The hope and light ry even,” Cornell told Rolling Stone magazine, The song is now available at all That will never die when asked about the new song for the film. “I streaming services and digital retailers includ- was really moved by that; the idea of what is ing iTunes, Apple Music, and Spotify. The lyric And one promise you made most important to people in a crucial second.” video and the song’s lyrics are available below. one promise that always remains No matter the price A promise to survive Persevere and thrive As we’ve always done

And you said “The poison in a kiss Is the lie upon the lips” Truer words were never shared When I feel Like lies are all I hear I pull my memories near The one thing they can’t take

And one promise you made one promise that always remains No matter the price A promise to survive Persevere and thrive As you’ve always done

14 March #9 (1144) Š 2017 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights POLITICS 17

Gndevaz Cave: Armenia’s Hidden Ice Wonders Await the Intrepid By Yeranuhi Soghoyan, Hetq someone destroying these natural wonders is minimal. I must doubly pay attention “Groups of hikers come and as I make my way along a narrow path visit the cave. Usually, they’ll tele- descending into the Arpa River gorge phone and I’ll guide them. Otherwise, in Armenia’s Yeghegnadzor Province. they can lose their way. I also check The snow has softened here to see that no one damages the ice for- and there and I can wind up buried mations,” Hrach says. in it if I misstep and slide. My two Vachagan, from Jermouk, friends, Vachagan and Hrach, old also escorts visitors to the cave. “Peo- hands at mountain climbing, help ed with or belonging to). ple have to come prepared with the keep me safe. Stalagnates are formed by the right gear and all. While we’re not “First, fi rmly plant your merger of the two. The tallest stalagmite in the world, measuring 67.2 meters, and the biggest in Latin America, was dis- covered in Martin Infi erno, a cave in Cuba’s province of Cienfuegos. The tallest in Europe, measuring 35.6 me- ters, is found in Buzgov, a cave in Slo- vakia. The cave at Gndevaz has no name, and, as far as I know, no one has measured the stalagmites inside. heel on the snow, get a grip, and then While they won’t break any world re- climbing mountains, it’s a diffi cult de- walk,” Vachagan instructs. We’ll be cords, my friends say they should be scent down the gorge. The cave is also walking for about one kilometer, better well known in Armenia. The beautiful in the summer, when every- down along a winding path, until we formations are best seen from Decem- thing is green.” reach the gorge near the village of Gn- ber until the weather warms the gorge. The boys regret that the ex- devaz. Our destination is a cave fi lled Hrach Babajanyan, a 21-year- pedition was organized for the after- with stalagmites. old native of Gndevaz, says he used to noon. They say the view is best as the Here, a brief description is in sun goes down. It’s at dusk when the order. When discussing mineral for- vanishing rays of the sun, behind the mations in caves, we often talk about mountains, give of majestic hues of stalactites and stalagmites. A stalac- orange, violet and blue. tite is an icicle-shaped formation that Hrach says the cave could re- hangs from the ceiling of a cave, and ally boost local tourism in the winter. is produced by precipitation of min- He remembers taking a group of for- erals from water dripping through the eign tourists to the cave and how they cave ceiling. Most stalactites have were left speechless. pointed tips. Hrach, a student majoring in A stalagmite is an up- tourism at the Yeghegnadzor branch ward-growing mound of mineral de- of the State Economics University, posits that have precipitated from wa- hike down the gorge as a kid with his says that hikers can now spend in the ter dripping onto the fl oor of a cave. brother. “When the water dripped, it night in the village. Upon graduating Most stalagmites have rounded or fl at- formed a glacier of sorts. It was great. this year, he wants to return and devel- tened tips. With the predominant cold weather op local tourism. The term “stalactite” was of these recent years, an ice tower “Today, not many work in coined in the 17th century by the Dan- formed. It’s a miracle when viewed up their fi eld of education. I’ll be one ish Physician Ole Worm who coined close,” Hrach says. of them. It’s a tourist area. The resort the Latin word from the Greek word One good thing about the town of Jermouk is ten kilometers σταλακτός (stalaktos, “dripping”) and road to the cave is that it’s tough go- away. We can organize tours to Gn- the Greek suffi x -ίτης (-ites, connect- ing and you need a guide to get there. devaz for those staying at Jermouk. Thankfully, this means the risk of

The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 14 March #9 (1144) Š 2017 18 SOCIETY

Fly With Me: Armenia to premiere Eurovision 2017 song on March 18 the world submitted their work but only proves that our stories and voices are the 10 songs were shortlisted. After a careful vivid colours of this world. consideration, AMPTV’s creative team, Artsvik said: together with Artsvik, have made their My song tells a story of a girl, choice – Fly With Me, Eurovision’s offi - who is the metaphorical symbol of love. cial website reports. She embodies the colours, the stories and Fly With Me was composed by the voices that make us who we are. Lilith and Levon Navasardyan, who are Fly With Me encourages every- known to Eurovision fans for Aram MP3’s one to come with me on this girl’s journey Not Alone from the 2014 Eurovision Song of championing diverse and beautiful hu- Contest, Mika’s Love (Junior Eurovision man nature. I think nowadays it is espe- 2015) and Iveta Mukuchyan’s LoveWave cially important to embrace our heritage from last year. Lyrics were written by Avet and our traditions. Barseghyan and David Tserunyan. We, the people – our colours, our Armenia has chosen the song for Eurovi- According to AMPTV, both the stories and our voices make up this world. sion 2017. music and lyrics were inspired by this We must never forget that this girl’s light Late last year the Public TV year’s slogan for the Eurovision Song and love is one for all of us. Company of Armenia (AMPTV) an- Contest; Celebrate Diversity. Featuring Artsvik’s song for Eurovision nounced an open competition for sub- folk and traditional rhythms and elements 2017 will be premiered of the offi cial Eu- missions for Artsvik’s entry for the 2017 not only from Armenia, but also from Eu- rovision Song Contest channel on You- Eurovision Song Contest. More than 300 rope, Africa and even Asia, Fly With Me Tube on Saturday 18th March at 18:30 composers and songwriters from all over showcases the beauty of diversity and CET. Yerevan to host Music Drive rock festival Yerevan will host the fi rst Music Drive International Rock Festival from March 24 to 27. The festival will be held at the National Academic Theatre after Ga- briel Sundukyan, but will be accompanied by side events at clubs and the neighboring English Park. The three-day rock festival has been initiated and organized by the Ar- menian Ministry of Culture and the Rock Association. According to Minister of Culture Armen Amiryan, the festival will be funded from state budget and informed that 32 million AMD has been allocated for this purpose. Why a rock festival? “Because rock means youth, freethinking and free- dom we all aspire to. I’m confi dent the festival will become an annual tradition and we’ll welcome every spring with this beautiful event. It will bring new color and States, Sweden, Denmark, etc. The festival aims to ensure Ar- new spirit to the city,” Armen Amiryan General Coordinator of the fes- menia’s presence on international rock says. tival Vardan Grigoryan says some well- arena, establish traditions in the sphere and The festival will bring together known bands and virtuoso musicians have provide for an opportunity for exchange of eight rock bands from England, the United been invited. best experience, Vardan Grigoryan says.

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The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 14 March #9 (1144) Š 2017 20

They shall not perish: Armenian Genocide docu- mentary to premiere in the US in April

This April, public television stations across the United States will pre- miere They shall not perish: The Story of Near East Relief. The documentary is produced by Shant Mardirossian and award-winning writer/director George Billard, the Broadway World reports. They Shall Not Perish details the unprecedented humanitarian efforts of thousands of Americans who saved a gen- eration of orphans and refugees after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire during and after World War I. The one-hour documentary fi lm features the stories of American diplomats, missionaries and relief workers who, as witnesses to the Armenian Genocide, re- sponded to a call to action and mobilized the largest non-governmental internation- al humanitarian movement undertaken by American citizens. Motivated by nothing but a moral sense of duty, these men and of survival. gotten yet important chapter in American women – among them industrialists, am- Executive Producer Shant Mard- history, They Shall Not Perish challenges bassadors, teachers, nurses, advertisers irossian, inspired by his grandparents’ the notion of what values a nation should and Presidents – helped bring care and escape and survival during the genocide, aspire to demonstrate, and raises the ques- comfort to millions of suffering refugees says he produced this fi lm “not just to re- tion of when and if humanitarian concerns in extremely harrowing circumstances. member those we lost in the genocide, but should override strategic national inter- Narrated by six-time Emmy to shed light on an important chapter of ests. “Today, as we confront an explod- award nominated actor Victor Garber, American history when ordinary citizens ing refugee crisis, it’s imperative that we the fi lm is set against a mix of historical stood together against a great injustice consider the humanitarian consequences footage, archival photographs and utiliz- and saved the lives of 132,000 orphans.” when formulating U.S. foreign policy”, es contemporary interviews from leading These historic rescue efforts led to the for- says the fi lm’s director, producer and writ- academic experts such as Taner Akçam, mation of the Near East Relief – known er George Billard. Peter Balakian and Keith David Waten- today as the Near East Foundation – an Distributed nationally by 3 paugh. In addition, the letters of American organization that continues to help im- Roads Communications, They Shall Not offi cials, relief workers and orphans are prove the lives of vulnerable communities Perish premieres on public television sta- brought to life through the voices of lead- and refugees throughout the Middle East tions nationwide beginning April 1, 2017. ing actors – Michael Aronov, Kathleen and Africa by implementing innovative, The offi cial premiere and dis- Chalfant, Dariush Kashani, Andrea Mar- community-led economic development cussion with the fi lmmakers will take tin, Ron Rifkin, Tony Shalhoub and Kara initiatives. place on April 8, 2017 at the Times Center. Vedder – taking the audience on a journey With a focus on an often for- from the depths of cruelty to the triumphs

President of the NT Media Holding: E-mail: [email protected] The Noah’s Ark Tigran Harutyunyan URL: www.nt.am Editor-in-Chief of the Media Holding: Gayaneh Arakelyan Address in 28 Isahakian Str., Yerevan, 0009, RA. Tel.: (+374 60) 35-11-23 Director of the Weekly: Armenia: HIGHLIGHTS Marina Harutyunyan (+374 60) 35-11-22 The publisher: NT Holding LTD Chief Correspondent:Gourgen Khazhakian Address in Masion De L' Armenie, Paris 17e - 95 Circulation: 1500 print copies and Proofreader: Susanna Mkrtchian Bld. Gouvion, France. 15.600 copies by e-mail list in PDF format Layout: Diana Grigoryan France: Tel.: (+33) 01 43 59 66 72 ̳í³ÉÁ` 2.25 Ù³ÙáõÉ, ïå³ù³Ý³ÏÁ` 1500 гٳñÇ ÃáÕ.å³ï.` Ø. гñáõÃÛáõÝÛ³Ý Address in 1146 E. Lexington Dr., #112, Glendale, Weekly Newspaper, Since May 4, 1993. CA, USA, 91206. Èñ³ïí³Ï³Ý ·áñÍáõÝ»áõÃÛáõÝ Çñ³Ï³Ý³óÝáÕ` USA: Üî ÑáɹÇÝ· êäÀ ISSN 1829-0604 Tel.: (+1 818) 646 10 72 ¶ñ³ÝóÙ³Ý íϳ۳ϳÝÇ Ñ³Ù³ñÁ` Registration certificate and the date: Æë³Ñ³ÏÛ³Ý 28, ºñ»õ³Ý, ÐÐ, 0009 03²898368, ïñí³Í 11.01.2013 Ã. 273.110.00512, 15.12.1995 гëó»`

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