You may also choose to read ZARTONK on the net by visiting: www.zartonkdaily.com Reports and Advertisements could be sent to us by contacting: Email: [email protected] P.O.Box: 11-617 & 175-348 Beirut-Lebanon Tel/Fax: +961 1 444225 زارتــونك جريــــــدة سيــــــاســــــية أرمنــــــية ZARTONK JOURNAL POLITIQUE ARMÉNIEN January 11- January 17, 2016 Volume #78 Number 81/ English 39 Issue (21,534) Article Centenary of the Armenian Genocide Arts & Entertainment PG Myra PG 2015: A Year in Review for the PG Hovsepian’s ‘Journey to the Armenian Genocide Centennial Homeland’ to Compete in LA 02 03 04 Independent Film Festival News From Armenia AntiArmenian Aspirations of Turkey PM Hovig Aprahamian: We are Toppled in France Entering The Year 2016 With Firm Resolve to State New Achievements I am confident that owing to our collective strength and unity, under the leadership of President Serge Sarksian, we will move forward in an atmosphere of tolerance and mutual trust, build a prosperous and secure Armenia for the sake of a powerful statehood and everlasting independence. It is no secret that numerous geopolitical and economic challenges emerged in 2015. Like many other countries, neither Armenia managed to be safe from the negative impact of external challenges. In spite Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan of pessimistic projections, by mobilizing has issued a New Year message today, efforts and resources, as well as thanks to according to the press office of the the Government’s self-confidence and well- government. The message says: devised policies, we were able to defy the “Dear compatriots, challenges and ensure economic growth. We are bidding farewell to the year 2015, In 2016, the Government will continue to make which is going to become history in a few consistent efforts to improve each citizen’s hours. The upcoming year of 2016 will usher living standards and the quality of life. I am in a jubilee for the Armenian nation. We will convinced that strong with the Government’s The Constitutional Council of France has denied recognizing the Armenian Genocide. much more detailed activities. The issue of the be celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of firm determination and purposeful actions, the claim to recognize the law Criminalizing To the question if this denial can somehow Armenian Genocide must be put before the Armenia’s independence. Independence is our country will continue to advance towards Holocaust Denial as anti¬constitutional. Hilda pave the way for adopting the bill criminalizing court and be followed by the condemnation by dear to all of us as it symbolizes our people’s a more competitive economy and a more Tchoboian, the regional deputy of Rhon-Alpes the Armenian Genocide denial in France, Hilda that court”. age-old aspiration. powerful and democratic Armenia. of France, confirmed this information in an Tchoboian answered, “No, as the fact that the interview with “Armenpress”. Jewish genocide, in contrast to the Armenian In her opinion, the Armenian side can find “Taking advantage of that law, the Turkish Genocide, has been recognized as genocide the key and succeed in the French courts. Foreign Minister Nalbandian Awarded organizations wished to question the by the international law and the French Court, “Criminalization of the Armenian Genocide has Armenian Genocide in the French law, and is clearly mentioned in the justification of not been rejected as it has not been recognized by that, in fact, failed”, Hilda Tchoboian said. In recognizing the law criminalizing the Jewish the international law. Denial of the Genocide With 1st Degree Medal “For Service to case of satisfying the aforementioned claim, genocide as anti¬constitutional. This is the will be taken into account if any international the Turkish organizations aspired to abolish difference that must be overcome during the or French court qualifies it as genocide”, Hilda Fatherland” the resolution adopted by France in 2001 coming months. In my opinion, this requires Tchoboian added. News from the World The official website of the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Armenia has published the December 28, 2015 decree of the President of Armenia Serge Sarksian. According to it, House Foreign Affairs Committee Questions Warlick Minister Nalbandian is awarded with 1st degree medal “For Service to Fatherland” for his significant contribution to organization of in Wake of Escalation of Azerbaijani Attacks events marking the 100th anniversary of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee violation. Acts of aggression must be clearly Armenian Genocide. Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) urged the Obama condemned. The faster the administration can The President signed the decree guided Administration to speed up implementation of help put these in place, the quicker it can help by the 16th point of the 55th article of the Royce-Engel proposals for Nagorno Karabakh put an end to the killing and avert war.” Armenian Constitution and recognizing as “On State Awards and Honorary Titles of the (Artsakh) peace, during a classified briefing The special briefing comes in the wake of an basis the law of the Republic of Armenia Republic of Armenia”. with Organization for Security and Cooperation October 26th Congressional letter addressed in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group Co-Chairman to Ambassador Warlick, initiated by Chairman James Warlick held earlier today, reported the Royce and Ranking Democrat Eliot Engel (D- Problems in Administering Justice in Armenian National Committee of America. NY) and cosigned by over 80 of their House Over a dozen U.S. House Members attended the colleagues, outlining three concrete steps closed-door briefing, organized by the House to address escalating Karabakh violence: Foreign Affairs Committee. In an official “read- the removal of snipers, an increase in OSCE Armenia. Minister out” from the meeting, Chairman Royce stated: monitors, and the deployment of a gunfire “Violence in the Nagorno-Karabakh region is at locator system. Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh the highest point in decades. Just last month have both expressed support for these life- and high-powered rifle fire, which claimed the we heard reports of heavy weapon attacks saving initiatives; Azerbaijan has not. life of 24-year-old Garik Gurgen Avanesyan and tank artillery fire – a clear violation of the Chairman Royce first announced the Committee’s earlier that day. ceasefire agreement. As Ambassador Warlick intention to host a briefing with Ambassador Chairman Royce concluded his remarks, noting has said, this isn’t a ‘frozen conflict,’ but is a Warlick at the Capitol Hill celebration of Nagorno “I retain hope that one day the people of forgotten conflict – with a real risk of spinning Karabakh’s commitment to peace. Nagorno Karabakh will be able to live in peace, out of control. That is why we need all snipers “Why are the snipers not pulled back? […] enjoying security and a flourishing trade with to be withdrawn, more international monitors Why have we not deployed those special [gun its neighbors in the region, and I give thanks to be deployed and gunfire locator systems to fire] direction finders?” asked Chairman Royce to those of you here who are committed to that be put in place to increase transparency and at the Capitol Hill event, citing reports of peace and who are committed to stay engaged accountability for each and every cross-boundary unprecedented Azerbaijani tank fired shelling to see that that happens.” Georgia Mulls Importing Iranian Gas Through Armenia “Based on our negotiations, we are supposed to government in October announcing its intention to transport gas to the Armenian border for Georgia buy gas from Russia or Iran too. Energy Minister to receive it on its own border with Armenia,” Kakha Kaladze said Georgia could soon import Iran’s IRNA news agency quoted Alireza Kameli as Iranian gas via Armenia or Azerbaijan. saying. Last month, Kaladze held talks in Luxemburg Kameli did not specify whether Tehran, Tbilisi and with Alexei Miller, the head of Russia’s Gazprom Armenia’s Minister of Justice Arpine you, within your rights, that is responsible,” Yerevan have already reached an agreement and, monopoly. Miller said afterwards that Gazprom is Hovanissian held a meeting with she said. if so, when the Iranian gas supplies will start. He ready to supply large volumes of gas to Georgia reporters to sum up the year 2015 and Ms Hovannisian points out different only said that the gas deal must be “economical” through a complex arrangement that would also the first 100 days of her work. perceptions of justice, which creates serious for Georgia to start all the process. involve Armenia and Iran. difficulties in performing her duties. Armenia imports up to 500 million cubic meters Later in December, Kaladze met in Yerevan with his Asked if justice is administered in Armenia at “Frankly speaking, the judicial system has of Iranian gas annually through a pipeline that Armenian and Iranian counterparts as well as the all, Ms Hovannisian said: numerous problems – administration of Georgia has been negotiating with Iran on was launched in 2008. The pipeline’s maximum chief executive of a leading Russian electric utility “There is justice in Armenia, but it faces justice, enforcement of law – which need possible imports of Iranian natural gas through capacity is estimated at 2 billion cubic meters per to explore the possibility of significantly boosting numerous problems, and each of us bears dealing with. We also have much to do in neighboring Armenia, the head of the Islamic annum. power supplies with the countries. Armenia’s responsibility for building it up – both you connection with constitutional reforms,” she Republic’s national gas company said on Monday, Georgia has purchased the bulk of its gas Yervand Zakharyan said after the meeting that gas and I. It is not only the minister, but each of said.