Showing posts with label ARMENIA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ARMENIA. Show all posts

Activists continue protests against re-opening of foreign language schools

Posted by Vartan at 9:52 PM

Activists continue protests against


re-opening of foreign language schools



13:39 • 21.01.11
The public initiative "We are against the Re-opening of Foreign-Language Schools" will continue its protest against the amended laws on education, and language, which recently received Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan's approval.
The activists of the movement conduct their campaign in three directions.
As member of the initiative Aram Manukyan told Tert.am, they are first of all planning to argue the legitimacy of those legal acts and their conformability with Armenian and international laws.
He said the laws conflict with Armenia's Declaration of Independence, as well as the relevant UN Convention.
As a second step, he spoke of activities with foreign states.
"We are planning to call on foreign countries' governments to take relevant measures to enhance the quality of teaching their languages in Armenia," he added.
As for the third direction, the activist said it involved cooperation with the Diaspora. The members of the initiative intend to call on the Diaspora Armenians not to make any investment in projects aimed at re-opening foreign language schools.
The group has no plans to organize public events for the time being, however, it does not rule out such possibility either.
"We organize public events upon necessity. Should we find it necessary, we'll do so," he said


Tert.am

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Armenia may host Junior Eurovision 2011

Posted by Vartan at 5:33 AM

Armenia may host Junior

Eurovision 2011


14:08 • 15.01.11
The Junior Eurovision 2011 will very probably take place in Armenia, according to Alexan Harutyunyan, the chairman of the Armenian Public Television and Radio Board.
The possibility of Armenia's hosting the concert will be clear next week, he told a news conference on Saturday.
Asked about the funds required for organizing the event, Harutyunyan said it is untimely to discuss the issue now.
"It depends on the outcome we expect," he said, adding that the contest, if held in Armenia, will be financially supported by other sources as well.
"We will not be facing the entire financial burden on our own. The European Broadcasting Union in Geneva provides a tangible financial assistance," he added.
Speaking of the last year's achievements, Harutyunyan characterized 2010 as a successful period for the Public Television. He said they had managed to completely overcome the consequences of the crisis, attracting a large audience and shooting several feature and documentary films.


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French Ambassador: Armenia rich in talents

Posted by Vartan at 6:50 AM

French Ambassador:
Armenia rich in talents
January 03, 2011 14:22
NEWS.am posts an e-mail interview with French Ambassador to Armenia Henri Reynaud.
Q.: How would you evaluate the passing year. What event would you single out as most memorable? In your view what role did the year 2010 play in the development of Armenia-France relations?
Further global economic growth was a great achievement of the year 2010 even if much has to be done yet. As regards Armenian-French relations, they received a serious impetus in all respects. President Serzh Sargsyan’s visit to Paris was a significant moment in our political dialogue. The visit followed the Armenian Defense Minister’s visit to France. As to the economic aspect, the Orange-Armenia Company has made serious progress, and I hope it will strengthen its positions. I hope the Armenian-French forum on decentralized management in Yerevan this October contributed to the bilateral intercity, intercommunity and interdistrict ties.
Q.: Would you like to share your plans for the holidays? Are you traveling or staying in Armenia for the holidays?
I want the global economic balanced to be restored for the economic to resume its balanced progress. France will do its best to facilitate this process, particularly after taking over the G20 chairmanship from November 12. The main goals of reforms are stabilized trade in raw materials and improved management of international agencies. With respect to Armenian-French relations, Days of Francophonie in Armenia, Music Festival, as well as a conference of International Association of French-speaking mayors scheduled for next October.
Q.: Your wishes to the Armenian people.
I wish Armenia progress in finding a negotiation-based settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, substantial economic growth, determination in integrating with Europe. Armenia is rich in talents. I am impressed by Armenia’s confidence in itself and in its young people. Young people are Armenia’s future.
News from Armenia - NEWS.am

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Azerbaijan goes on with tale about its military might, Armenian President says

Posted by Vartan at 9:42 PM

Azerbaijan goes on with tale about

its military might,

Armenian President says



December 18, 2010 18:56
“Azerbaijan artificially feeds the tale that the Armenian side is weak, while the Azerbaijani side is very strong,” Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan stated at a convention on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA).
“It may look like such perceptions are not dangerous because they are not true. But we know that in the past the war would resume again with the enhanced severity because the abilities of the Armenian and Artsakhi forces were underestimated,” the Armenian leader said.
“Certainly, that propaganda balloon will blow up immediately, if God forbid, there is another war. However our goal is not to win the war, we have already done it. Our goal is to find a just solution, and we are unanimous on the ways to find it. It has been stated by Armenia, as well as the countries involved in the settlement, and the important international organizations. In the recent months, we have presented from all key international stages and to all involved parties the boundary beyond which we will not negotiate,” President Sargsyan said.

News from Armenia - NEWS.am

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Emmy will represent Armenia in 2011 Eurovision

Posted by Vartan at 9:17 AM

Emmy will represent Armenia in

2011 Eurovision



17:57 • 11.12.10
Armenia's participant to the 2011 Senior Eurovision Song Contest will be Emmy, the head of the National Commission for TV and Radio (NCTR) has said.
"We talked to Emmy and asked her to represent Armenia," Alexan Harutyunyan said at a press conference today, adding that the decision was recently made by the Art Council of the Public TV.
According to Harutyunyan, this time there will not be a contest of singers in Armenia but rather that of songs.
The Council will choose the bests songs, while the song, that Emmy will perform, will be selected by an SMS voting.
"This is not the first time such format has been chosen," said Harutyunyan, adding that it was used previously too when Andre and Sirusho represented Armenia in Eurovision.
"It is a long time since Emmy has been ready to take part in it. I have no doubt she will duly represent Armenia," Harutyunyan added.
Last year Emmy publicly complained about the Public TV having backtracked on its pledge to choose her as Armenia's participant to the Eurovision contest after Eva Rivas was chosen by a disputed SMS voting.
Emmy had said that the SMSs supporting her candidacy were blocked intentionally and therefore were not counted. She had also said that she was offended over what Public TV had done.
Asked what her decision was accounted for given last year's incident, the singer said that she has "already forgotten about it all."
"I must have been offended … But I don't take my words back, I was offended. But if I am here today, it means I have forgotten everything, and am therefore ready," said Emmy.


Tert.am

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National Geographic to air “Legend of the Holy Geghard”

Posted by Vartan at 12:43 AM

National Geographic to air


“Legend of the Holy Geghard”





December 10, 2010 15:09
National Geographic Channel, “Legend of the Holy Spear” program set was sent to Armenia to film the St. Echmiatsin, Khor Virap, Garni and Geghard.The Program is trying to conduct their own investigation to find out which, out of three known Legendary Spears (Geghards), is the biblical Holy Spear.
The movie representing Armenia as the world’s first Christian state and including wonderful scenes of these locations, will air on National Geographic Channel on December 13 at 05:00 (Yerevan time) and December 15 at 06:00 (Yerevan time).

News from Armenia - NEWS.am

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Vladimir Arzumanyan from Nagorno-Karabakh wins Junior Eurovision 2010

Posted by Vartan at 8:14 PM

Vladimir Arzumanyan from
Nagorno-Karabakh wins
Junior Eurovision 2010
November 21, 2010 01:29
Vladimir Arzumanyan, 12, from Armenia, has won the Junior Eurovision 2010 with his song “Mama”. The song contest was held in Minsk on October 20.
Armenia got the highest points from Sweden and Macedonia. Song contest featured participants from 14 European states: Armenia, Belarus, Belgium, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, The Netherlands, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine and Sweden.
Vladimir Arzumanyan, pupil of Yerevan school # 1, was born in Nagorno-Karabakh.

News from Armenia - NEWS.am

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Yerevan: Armenian POWs not to be prosecuted

Posted by Vartan at 8:01 PM

Yerevan: Armenian POWs
not to be prosecuted

November 10, 2010 19:13
Armenian POWs will not be prosecuted after they return to Armenia from Azerbaijan, spokesperson for the Armenian Defense Ministry David Karapetyan told NEWS.am, commenting on reports spread by the Azerbaijani press, saying Armenian prisoners do not want to return to their motherland.
The ICRC representatives and international organizations were informed that Armenian POWs will not be prosecuted. Unlike in Azerbaijan, where prisoners of war are charged after their return, in Armenia such practice is not used, he added. As to prisoners’ aspiration to leave for a third country, Karapetyan noted that under the RA Constitution Armenian citizens have right to free movement.
As NEWS.am reported earlier, Shahin Sailov, secretary of Azerbaijani Commission on POWs, Missing Person and Hostages, said that Armenian POWs do not want to return to their motherland and wish to leave for a third country.
In his turn, Armen Kaprielyan, head of a working group at the Armenian Commission on POWs, Missing Person and Hostages, told NEWS.am that the Armenian authorities have not received any document from the ICRC saying that Armenian POWs refuse to return.

News from Armenia - NEWS.am

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“Uranium case” cracked jointly by Armenian and Georgian special services

Posted by Vartan at 10:19 AM

“Uranium case” cracked jointly
by Armenian and Georgian
special services

November 08, 2010 18:45
The Armenian special service was closely cooperating with its Georgian colleagues to detect smuggling of highly enriched uranium, Artsvin Baghdasaryan, spokesperson for the Armenian National Security Service, told NEWS.am.
He also noted that another suspect on the case Garik Dadayan was arrested in Armenia this April within the framework of joint activities of the Armenian and Georgian special services. A criminal case under 2 part of Article 215 of the Armenian criminal code (smuggling of radioactive materials) was initiated.
As NEWS.am reported earlier, two Armenian citizens tried to sell highly enriched uranium to people who as they thought were terrorists. This information was disclosed today.
It became known that Armenian citizens – businessman Smbat Tonoyan and physicist Hrant Ohanyan were implicated in smuggling case and pleaded guilty. They managed to transport from Yerevan to Tbilisi 18 grams of enriched uranium in a lead-lined cigarette box. Such quantity is enough to make a bomb. Smugglers were confident they were dealing with Islamist extremist organization but in fact the “buyers” were employees of Georgian special services.

News from Armenia - NEWS.am

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Armenian bishop was denied a visa and asked to leave the British Embassy

Posted by Vartan at 7:35 AM

Armenian bishop was denied
a visa and asked to leave
the British Embassy

October 24, 2010 10:14
The British Embassy in Armenia refused to grant a visa to the leader of the Shirak Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Bishop Mikael Ajapahyan. According to information available to NEWS.am, the Armenian bishop not only was refused to be granted a visa, but was inappropriately offered to leave the embassy, “Go and work with your people, and do not go to embassies.”
Note that according to the information at NEWS.am’s disposal, Bishop Michael Ajapahyan was going to visit Britain to attend an international conference. The Bishop received an invitation via e-mail which apparently was the reason for the visa refusal.

NEWS.am

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EU for ceasefire consolidation in Nagorno-Karabakh

Posted by Vartan at 10:00 AM

EU for ceasefire consolidation
in Nagorno-Karabakh
October 18, 2010 14:00
The prolongation of the Russian military base’s presence in Armenia is an issue OF Armenian-Russian relations, Peter Semneby EU special Representative in the South Caucasus, told Komersant.
The EU is concerned with the agreement and multilateral consultations are needed now to convince the neighbors that the agreement does not pose a threat to them, Semneby said. He pointed out the need for considering the Caucasus military potential in a broader context. The EU understands Armenia’s concern over Azerbaijan’s huge military expenses. If the sides go on taking measures and countermeasures, it may lower the line for use of force which would be a tragedy, Semneby said. Any possibility of a military settlement of the conflict must be ruled out, he said.
Semneby stressed that delaying the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict for several decades would be tragic. It is a protracted conflict and poses a threat to the regional countries and their neighbors. He pointed out the need for more efforts to settle the conflict. Semneby also stressed the need for strengthening the ceasefire on the line of contact, where incidents have recently occurred. The ceasefire does not resolve the problem, but facilitates the negotiation, Semneby said.

News from Armenia - NEWS.am

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Armenian FM:Azerbaijan's behavior"contradicts to U.N. principles

Posted by Vartan at 5:33 AM

Armenian FM:
Azerbaijan's behavior"
contradicts to
U.N. principles
"On September 21 Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian’s visit to New York started.
As the Press and Information Department of Foreign Ministry reported, the Armenia Foreign Minister delivered a speech in the United Nations’ headquarters at the Millennium Development Goals Summit on which he touched upon the progress made and the steps undertaken in that direction in Armenia.
In this context Edward Nalbadyane also touched upon issues related to security, especially in the South Caucasus region, this connection he particularly said:
“Recognizing that the security and the development are closely intertwined, by the Millennium Declaration, the governments undertake not to spare efforts to insure people of war disasters both within the countries, and between the countries. In that regard the expansion of weapons continues to present a danger not only for peace and security but also for the economic and social development. Unfortunately, in our region as well there are such dangers.”
The Foreign Minister stressed that Azerbaijan continues rejecting the agreement of not using force or force threat and noted that "this contradicts to the UN principles, the founders of which united keep coming generations away from the war catastrophes."
"Today we witness the bellicose posture of Azerbaijan, its military budget’s growth, war like rhetoric and provocations, which threatens regional security and stability.
While we are speaking of our progress in implementation of the Millennium Development Goals and share our concerns over the goals still unfulfilled, there are people that are remained out of the attention of the international community, "Edward Nalbandian said.
The Armenian FM noted that the Nagorno Karabakh people initiate the utmost to create favorable conditions for life and ensure human rights protection its territory.
"And it is doing that without the support of the international community. The Nagorno-Karabakh continues to expect corresponding support programs. As long as in the result of inaction the damage to innocent people are not eliminated, we cannot state that all the Millennium Development Goals are implemented and the equality and justice is secured in the global level,” the Armenian Foreign Minister noticed.
TODAY, 13:29
Aysor.am

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CSTO leaders left for Sevan

Posted by Vartan at 9:26 PM


CSTO leaders left for Sevan



August 20, 2010 22:29
The CSTO leaders have left for Sevan where they will hold bilateral meetings and continue working discussions in Harsnakar complex.
As NEWS.am reported earlier, Armenia is hosting the CSTO informal summit on August 20-22. The leaders of organization’s member states, Presidents of Kyrgyzstan - Roza Otunbayeva, Tajikistan - Emomalii Rahmon, Kazakhstan – Nursultan Nazarbayev have arrived in Yerevan. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko arrived in Armenia's capital two days before the CSTO informal summit. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his spouse arrived on a state visit to Armenia on August 19.
Uzbekistan’s President Islam Karimov is not participating in the meeting.

News from Armenia - NEWS.am

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Turkey has already gained 80% of what it wanted from normalization

Posted by Vartan at 8:17 PM


Kiro Manoyan :

Turkey has already gained 80% of what it wanted from

normalization


16:07 • 13.08.10
The opening of the Armenia-Turkey border for a day makes no sense in terms of inter-state relations. Head of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau's Hay Dat and Political Affairs Office Kiro Manoyan told a press conference today as he spoke about recently-circulated news that the Turkish troops might come to Armenia via Georgia to participate in a disasters relief exercise organized by NATO.
“I think the opening of the border for a day makes no sense for inter-state relations regardless the reason of the opening.”
Earlier Turkish press reported that Ankara might temporarily open the border with Armenia for that purpose. But later Turkey confirmed at the highest level that it will not do that anyway.
Referring to the ratification of the Armenia-Turkey Protocols Mr Manoyan said that by not ratifying them Turkey has already gained 80 per cent of what it would in case of the ratification.
“And it gained 80 per cent by not giving anything [in return] as it would have to open the border, lift the blockade in case of the ratification,” said he.
Mr Manoyan said he was sure that Armenia’s authorities should change their policy of suspending the ratification process as “our patience cannot be limitless.” In his words Armenia “must put an end [to the process] and withdraw its signatures from the Protocols and proceed with the process only as soon as there are political powers in Turkey willing to normalize relations without pre-conditions.”
Further he went on clarifying that by saying “80 per cent” of what Turkey gained first of all he meant that result of the non-ratification of those documents was that US, Britain and Sweden declined from adopting a resolution that would recognize the Armenian Genocide, saying that the parties have decided to decide on their disputes at a commission to be created after the ratification of the Protocols.
Secondly, the international community started to interpret the border issue as if Armenia didn’t have claims towards Turkey. Thirdly, according o Mr Manoyan, Turkey in that way had a chance to express its opinion over the Karabakh issue at the international level.


Tert.am

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Russia to help Armenia lose NPP

Posted by Vartan at 2:08 AM

Russia to help Armenia lose NPP





August 04, 2010 20:17
The design and construction of a new nuclear reactor will get under way after all the parameters have been determined in conformity with the client’s requirements, and financing issues have been settled, a source at the Atomstroyexport JSC told NEWS.am. The cost of the project has not yet been determined.
The cost of the project will be agreed in developing a financing plan of the project. The cost is calculated in conformity with technical terms, which are to be incorporated in the contract.
As to Russia’s participation in taking the currently operating reactor out of service, the source said that Atomstroyexport is ready to consider Armenia’s request.
The Atomstroyexport JSC has the necessary potential. The company is sole owner of NUKEM Technologies GmbH, which has the necessary experience in taking nuclear reactors out of service and in disposing of nuclear waste. The purchase of NUKEM Technologies GmbH increased Atomstroyexport’s engineering potential, which is necessary for implementing national nuclear sector development programs in any country, applying state-of-the-art technologies.
According to the source, the new nuclear reactor is a high-performance and environmentally friendly one, with a long operating life. It is a water-moderated water-cooled power reactor.
A digital control system is applied in the project, which prevents any critical situations. The construction project will be implemented in conformity with European Utility Requirements for LWR nuclear power plants. It also meets the IAEA recommendations and all the international safety requirements.
The RA Government reported the signing of an Armenian-Russian agreement on cooperation in the construction of nuclear reactors in Armenia. The first point of the agreement provides for the construction of new reactors in Armenia in conformity with European Utility Requirements. The operating life of each reactor is 60 years.

News from Armenia - NEWS.am

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No Nalbandyan-Davutoglu meeting in Almaty is planned: Foreign Ministry of Armenia

Posted by Vartan at 11:50 PM

No Nalbandyan-Davutoglu meeting in Almaty is
planned:
Foreign Ministry of Armenia
11:00 • 15.07.10
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will during the OSCE foreign ministers' up-coming informal meeting in Almaty, Kazakhstan, hold separate meetings with his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts Edward Nalbandyan and Elmar Mammadyarov, reports local Turkish daily Hurriyet.
The foreign minister will during this meeting discuss the Karabakh conflict and the Armenia-Turkey rapprochement process.
According to the newspaper Mammadyarov and Nalbandyan are set to discuss the Lachin corridor and the status of Kelbajar in the framework of the renewed version of Madrid Principles.
Spokesperson of Armenian Foreign Ministry Tigran Balayan told Tert.am that no such meeting is planned in Almaty.
"There is no such agreement at the moment," said Balayan.

Tert.am

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Clinton's visit to Genocide Monument necessary but not sufficient

Posted by Vartan at 3:34 AM

Clinton's visit to Genocide Monument necessary but not sufficient
10:06 • 07.07.10
During her visit to Armenia on July 5, US Secretary State Hillary Clinton placed a wreath at the Armenian Genocide Monument at Tsitsernakaberd in Yerevan. Regrettably, however, the US Embassy in Armenia issued a press release describing the visit as "private." By using such a characterization, US officials were trying to preempt any backlash from the Turkish government.
In my opinion, the State Department mishandled Secretary Clinton’s visit to the Armenian Genocide Monument. Here are the reasons why:
• There was no need to downplay the visit by characterizing it as "private," since such visits are standard procedure for foreign dignitaries visiting Armenia.
• Paying a visit to the Genocide Monument does not necessarily imply recognition of the Armenian Genocide, as all previous and current US Ambassadors have visited this site every April 24.
• Secretary Clinton’s visit to the Genocide Monument could not have been described as "private," since it was a part of her "official" visit to Armenia.
• The characterization of the visit as "private" was contradicted by the fact that the ribbons on the wreath she laid at the Genocide Monument carried the inscription: "From Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton."
• Clinton’s visit the day before to the "Alley of the Martyrs" in Baku was not described as "private," creating the disturbing impression that US interests in Azerbaijan’s oil weigh heavier than its humanitarian concerns for victims of genocide.
• Another double standard was Clinton not allowing any Armenian government officials to accompany her to the Genocide Monument in Yerevan, while she was accompanied to the "Alley of Martyrs" in Baku by a Deputy Minister of Azerbaijan!
• Clinton permitted neither the international press traveling with her nor the local Armenian media, except Armenian Public TV, to report on her visit to the Genocide Monument. Her action undermines her advocacy for media freedom.
• There was no reason for Secretary Clinton to be coy about Genocide recognition, since Pres. Reagan had acknowledged it in 1981, and the US House of Representatives had recognized it in 1975 and 1984.
Even though the State Department downgraded Secretary Clinton’s visit to the Monument, Armenian officials did their best to publicize it as much as possible! This time they acted more decisively than last May, when Mevlut Cavusoglu -- Turkish President of Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly -- refused to visit the Genocide Monument. They insisted that the Secretary add to her itinerary a stop at the Genocide Monument. They then arranged for Armenian Public TV and other TV stations to repeatedly air the video of Clinton’s July 5 visit to the Monument.
In addition, the website of the State-owned Armenian Genocide Museum prominently featured Clinton’s visit by displaying photos of her wreath with ribbons that carried a visible inscription of her name and title, and an authentic medal issued by the American Near East Relief Committee that Museum Director Hayk Demoyan presented her. Pointing across the Turkish border, Demoyan told Secretary Clinton that Mount Ararat is "a symbol of Armenia." In addition to explaining the basic facts of the Armenian Genocide, Demoyan told her that the graves of heroes fallen in Artsakh (Karabagh) were located near the Monument, since Armenians consider that war to be a continuation of the Armenian Genocide. The Secretary was also given a historical photo in which Armenian children in the American orphanage of Alexandropol (Gumri) were standing in formation that spelled out the words: "AMERICA, WE THANK YOU."
Clinton’s visit was both praised and criticized by Armenian-American organizations. The Armenian National Committee of America took Clinton to task for her "secret" visit to the Genocide Monument, while the Armenian Assembly of America commended her for the visit. Former US Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, told The California Courier that "Clinton’s visit was a small, but positive step forward." The last Secretary of State to have visited Armenia was James Baker in 1992, who did not, however, make a stop at the Genocide Monument.
In my view, Secretary Clinton should be commended for making such a positive gesture, but also blamed for going to such lengths to downplay her visit to the Genocide Monument. Why was she so concerned about offending Turks who have brazenly undermined every major US foreign policy initiative in recent months?
Unfortunately, Secretary Clinton, Vice President Biden and Pres. Obama have drifted far away from their campaign promises to recognize the Armenian Genocide! Clinton’s brief stop at the Genocide Monument on July 5 is a welcome first step that fell short of her solemn commitment to support recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
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Hillary Clinton visited Genocide Memorial

Posted by Vartan at 6:27 AM

Hillary Clinton visited Genocide Memorial
July 05, 2010 11:35
On July 5, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Memorial to Armenian Genocide victims, Tsitsernakaberd. Hillary Clinton laid a wreath at the Memorial, paying tribute to the victims’ memory with a minute of silence.
Director of the Genocide Museum Hayk Demoyan presented the history of the Memorial’s construction, spoke of the Genocide perpetrated against Armenians as well as the humanitarian response by the U.S. and American people to the Genocide victims.
The U.S. official also inquired about the graves the Armenian martyrs killed during the Karabakh war but buried in Tsitsernakaberd. The Armenian people views the Karabakh war as a continuation of the Armenian Genocide.
Hayk Demoyan presented the American delegation with a historical medal issued by the American Near East Relief Committee in early 1920s to award the organization’s employees for their work in Armenian and Middle Eastern orphanages. Hillary Clinton was also presented with a photo depicting Armenian orphans in the American orphanage in Alexandropol (present-day Gyumri). The children in the picture stand to form a sentence: “America, we thank you.”

News from Armenia - NEWS.am

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In Armenian-Turkish relations ball in opponent’s side, Hillary Clinton states

Posted by Vartan at 10:56 PM

In Armenian-Turkish relations ball in opponent’s side, Hillary Clinton states
July 04, 2010 21:56
Presently the ball is in the opponent’s side and it is their turn to act, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told a press conference in Yerevan on Sunday, commenting on Armenian-Turkish relations.
She noted that U.S. was delighted with RA President’s policy on normalization of the relations with Turkey and impressed by the Yerevan’s April decision not to withdraw signature from the Armenian-Turkish Protocols despite the obstacles by the opposite side. Clinton also called on Turkey to continue efforts into normalization of the relations with Armenia, as it is in the interests of not only Armenia and Turkey but the entire region. She stressed that opening of the Armenian-Turkish border will give an impetus to normalization of bilateral ties. The Secretary of State pledged to assist the process in every possible way.
Hillary Clinton underscored that she was in Zurich when the Protocols were signed. The leadership of the two countries took a very bold step, initiating the process. Now U.S. hopes that all the obstacles will be overcome and the reconciliation process will be continued, she added.
RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian expressed gratitude to U.S. for assistance to the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation, restating Yerevan’s readiness to continue the process without any preconditions, as soon as Ankara is ready to make the same moves.

News from Armenia - NEWS.am

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مسجد جامع كبود ايروان ، ارمنستان

Posted by Vartan at 2:20 AM

مسجد جامع كبود ايروان ، ارمنستان
رايزني فرهنگي سفارت جمهوري اسلامي ايران در ايروان
در كشور ارمنستان به همت و تلاش سفارت جمهوري اسلامي ايران ، مسجدي بازسازي و احيا شده است ، كه چشم هر بيننده اي را خيره مي كند . اين مسجد كه به مسجد جامع ايروان معروف است ، يكي از برزگترين مساجد منطقه قفقاز مي باشد كه در دوران حكومت كمونيستي به دست فراموشي سپرده شد ، و حدود 70 سال در شهر ايروان همچون نگيني در زير انبوه غبارها مدفون گرديد. استقلال ارمنستان ، وسيله اي براي برقراري روابط جمهوري اسلامي ايران با اين كشور شد . سفارت جمهوري اسلامي ايران طي ملاقاتهاي مكرر با مقامات و مسئولان اين كشور ، زمينه هاي واگذاري ، احيا و بازسازي اين بناي زيباي اسلامي معماري ايراني را فراهم كرد .
پيشينه مسجد
بر اساس مدارك موجود در موزه ها و اسناد ملي ارمنستان ، در شهر ايروان حدود هفت تا هشت مسجد و تعدادي بناهاي ديگر اسلامي و مذهبي به وسيله مسلمانان احداث شده بود ، كه اكثر آنها به دليل شرايط ناشي از تغيير و تحولالت سياسي و نظامهاي دولتي . مورد بي توجهي يا تخريب كامل قرار گرفتند و از بين رفتند . در سفرنامه مادام دلانوا ، تصويري از يك مسجد در شهر ايروان ديده مي شود ،كه هر چند مسجد جامع نيست ، ولي دلالت بر وجود مساجد ديگر در اين شهر مي كند .
در بين اين مساجد و بناها فقط يك مسجد به نام مسجد جامع ايروان يا مسجد كبود كه بعضا به مسجد خاني نيز مشهور مي باشد ، به علت استفاده آن براي مدتي به عنوان موزه تاريخ ايروان و تاريخ طبيعي ارمنستان ، از خطر نابودي كامل در امان ماند . هر چند در طول مدت بهر برداري از مسجد به عنوان موزه ، كمترين اقدامي براي بازسازي آن صورت نگرفت ، اما همين امر باعث شد تا اين مكان مقدس دچار تخريب گردد ، و چارچوب و كالبد اصلي آن حتي به صورت نيمه مخروبه باقي بماند . اما مساجد ديگري همچون : مسجد تپه باش ( ساخت 1678 م ) مسجد جعفر ( ساخت 1898 م ) و مسجد سر تپه ( ساخت قرن 18 م ) وديگر بناهاي اسلاميي ، كاملا ويران شدند . بر ساس شواهد موجود بويژه مطالب قيد شده در كتيبه هاي مسجد جامع ، اين مكان به دستور حسين علي خان ،والي شهر ايروان ، در سال 1170 ه.ق / 1765 م مصادف با اواخر سلسله زنديه تاسيس شد . اين شخص در نيمه دوم قرن دوازدهم . بيگلر بيگي يا امير اميران شهر ايروان بود .
در كتاب گلشن مراد ، تاليف ابوالحسن غفاري كاشاني ، كه به نوعي به اوضاع و احوال روزگار كريم خان پرداخته است ، به نسبت قاجاريه اشاره مي كند ، و بيان مي دارد كه اين طايفه در اوايل دولت صفويه ، در گنجينه و ايروان مي زيستند . در همين كتاب در بيان وقايع سال 1175 ه.ق ، از حسين علي خان به عنوان بيگلر بيگي شهر ايروان نامبرده شده . كه همان باني مسجد جامع است . عكسها و تصاوير گرداوري شده از موزه تاريخ شهر ايروان و اداره آرشيو ارمنستان ، نشان ميم دهد كه مسجد جامع ايروان تا سال 1330 ه.ق ، همچنان فعال بود ، و در انن طلاب به فراگيري علوم ديني و مسلمانان به انجام دادن اكور مذهبي مشغول بودند . اينن مسجد در فاصله سالهاي 1907 تا 1910 م / 1325 تا 1328 ه.ق ، يك بار بازسازي شد ، كه همزمان با آغاز جنگ جهاني اول و متعاقب آن بر روي كار آمدن نظام كمونيستي در روسيه و همچنين سياست دين ستيزي بود ؛ به طوري كه بر اثر بي توجهي و خسارات وارده ، موجبات متروك و مخروبه شدن آن فراهم آمد .
اين عامل در كنار سياستهاي جديد دولت كمونيستي شوروي در خصوص اجراي طرحهاي عمرانيي و شهري ، همچون طرح جامع شهر ايروان و احداث خيابانهاي جديد ، بويژه در كنار ضلع شمال غربي مسجد كه در حال حاضر ورودي اصلي آن مي باشد ، موجب تخريب و از دست رفتن كامل قسمتي گرديد ؛ بهه طوري كه تنها راه ورود از بين رفت ، و تبديل به دهليز تنگ و باريكي شد .
در دو طرف آن نيز مغازه هاي و اماكن تجاري تاسيس شد تا جايي كه در نگاه اول به هيچ عنوان اين سراشيبي و دهليز باريك ، به عنوان ورودي مسجد شناخته نمي شد .
علاوه بر تمام اين مسائل ، بر اثر اجراي طرح جامع شهر ايروان ، كف گذرها و كوچه هاي اطراف نيز بي از دو متر بالا آمد . به اين ترتيب ،مسجد ، موجب فرسايش شديد قسمتهاي داخلي عمارت از جمله : ديوارها ، طاقها و حجره هاي واقع در شرق و غرب آن شد .
شدت رطوبت و بارندگي زياد ، موجب شد تا بر ديوارها و پشت بامهاي مسجد ، انواع گياهان و حتي درختچه هاي كوچك و بزرگ ريشه بدوانند تا جايي كه همه كارشناسان بر اين عقيده بودند كه با وجود چنين رطوبت و ويراني . بايستي ساختمان كاملا تخريب و از نو ساخته شود مكه با خواست و لطف خداوند و ننظر امير مومنان كه جاي جاي اين مسجد نام مقدسشان را بز سينه دارد ، عمارت پا برجا باقي ماند و بازسازي گرديد.
مشخصات مسجد
مسجد جامع ايروان با مساحتي برابر با 7 هزار متر مربع و در ابعاد 100 در 70 متر ، 28 حجره دارد ، كه تعداد آنها در هر طرف حياط مسجد ، 14 حجره است .
ابعاد صحن داخل مسجد ، 70 در 50 متر است ، و تنها مناره آن واقع در ضلع جنوب شرقي ، از كف زمين 24 متر ارتفاع دارد . گنبد مسجد ، رنگيي كبود دارد كه احتمالا علت نامگذاري اين مكان مقدس است .
روند باز پس گيري ، احيا و نگهداري مسجد
پس از فروپاشي اتحاد جماهير شوروي و اعلام استقلال و تاسيس جمهوري در اين كشور در سال 1991 م ، جمهوري اسلامي ايران از اولين كشورهايي بود كه استقلال ارمنستتان را به رسميت شناخت . متعاقب با آغاز ارتباطات سياسي ، اقتصادي و فرهنگي ميان دوكشور ، قراردادي نيز درباره مرمت و باز سازي فرهنگي ميان دوكشور ، قرار دادي نيز درباره مرمت و بازسازي مسجد كبود و واگذاري آن به سفارت ج . ا.ا. ، جهت بهره برداري فرهنگي در تاريخ 13 اكتبر 1995 م / 21 مهر 1374 به امضا رسيد.
مسئوليت اجرايي عمليات بازسازي به بنايد مستضعفان و جانبازان انقلاب اسلامي ، و وظيفه نظارت ، تحقيق و تهيه طرح بازسازي و مرمت آن ، به كارشناسان سازمان ميراث فرهنگي واگذار و عمليات بازسازي عملا از 26 مرداد 1375 آغاز شد .
اين عمليات تا سال 1377 ادامه پيدا كرد . بعد از آن ، عملا جريان كار متوقف گرديد و ضلع شمال غربي مسجد كه بنا بر اصل طرح ، درب اصلي و حسينيه شمالي بايستي در آنجا بازسازي مي شد ، نيمه تمام باقي ماند . همزمان براي فعال بودن اين مكان مقدس ، هيئت امنايي تشكيل گرديد كه به رغم مشكلات موجود ، با كمك ايرانيان متعهد ، به امور مسجد رسيدگي گرديد و كليه مراسم مذهبي در آن اجرا شد.
در تابستان 1378 با شروع كار رايزني فرهنگي جمهوري اسلامي ايران در ايروان ، مسئوليت نظارت و نگهداري مسجد با هماهنگي كه بين روساي سازمان فرهنگ و ارتباطات اسلامي و بنياد مستضعفان و جانبازان انقلاب اسلامي وقت به وجود آمد ، به عهده سارمان فرهنگ و ارتباطات واگذار شد .
از آن پس نيز ايجاد فضاي سبز حياط ، مرمت حوضچه و باغچه دروني مسجد ، تعمير فضاي پشت مسجد و محيط بيروني اطراف مسجد ، ادامه بازسازي درب اصلي و دو مغازه در خيابان ماشتوتس ( در حال بازسازي ) را اين سازمان با همكاري سفارت جمهوري اسلامي ايران و بنياد مستضعفان ادامه داده اند .
مراحل بازسازي و مرمت كلي مسجدد نيز كه از سوي بنياد مستضعفان و جانبازان انجام شد ، به دليل خسارات بسيار زياد وارده در طي صد سال گذشته ، در چندين مرحله و به ترتيب ذيل به پايان رسيد :
1. مرحله تهيه طرح نجات بخشي و بازسازي
2. مرحله اجراي عمليات خاكبرداري و تخليه مسجد از بقاياي موزه ها و مغازه ها
3. مرحله مرمت نقاط آسيب ديده و تعمير آنها
فعاليتهاي فرهنگي انجام شده در مسجد جامع
از جمله فعاليتهاي فرهنگي انجام شده در مسجد ، تاسيس كتابخانه ، برگزاري كلاسهاي فارسي و بر پاييي نمايشگاه دائمي عكس است . كتابخانه مسجد جامع از تاريخ 27/7/77 با كار جمع آوري و كلاسه بندي كتابها با سيستم كتابخانه اي ، كار خود را شروع كرد و در تاريخخ 17 /12 /77 به صورت رسمي افتتاح شد . در حال حاضر ، اين كتابخانه بيش از 7 هزار جلد كتاب را در خود نگهداري مي كند كه از آن جمله مي توان كتابهاي : فرهنگ ، ادبيات ، رمان ، كودكان ، تاريخ ، معارف و علوم سياسي را نام برد . همچنين در كنار امور كتابخانه اي ، اين مسجد آرشيو نوارهاي ويدئويي و ضبط صوت نيز دارد كه در حال حاضر بيش از 500 حلقه فيلم و حدود 400 حلقه نوار صوتي ، در آن موجود است . نوارهاي فيلم آرشيو كتابخانه مسجد جامع ، به فيلمهاي : سينمايي ، سريالهاي ايراني ، كودكان ، ايران شناسي و مراسم مختلف برگزار شده ، تقسيم مي شود . نوارهاي صوتي نيز از نوارهاي موسيقي ، موزيك ،كودكان و مذهبي تشكيل شده است . اين كتابخانه هم اكنون 120 عضو دارد ، كه بيشتر آنان را دانشجويان ارمني رشته زبان فارسي تشكيل مي دهند . بقيه اعضا ، از دانشجويان ايراني ، تجار فارسي و ماموران اعزامي به ايروان مي باشند .
نمايشگاه دائمي عكس مسجد جامع ايروان ، در چهار حجره از حجره هاي مسجد ايجاد شده است ، كه شامل عكسهاي قديم و تاريخي مسجد ، و همچنين عكسهاي مربوط به بازسازي واحياي ان مي باشد . ضمنا ، يك حجره نيز از اين چهار حجره به عكسهايي از كليساهاي ارامنه در ايران اختصاص يافته است ، كه گردشگران ارمني و خارجي از آن بازديد مي كنند .
همچنين ، سسه حجره نيز ويژه كلاسهاي فارسي است ، كه دانش آموزان زبان فارسي در اين كلاسها همه روزه از ساعت 14 تا 20 ، مشغول فراگيري زبان فارسي هستند .
از جمله فعاليتهاي مهم ديگر مسجد ، تشكيل مراسم مذهبي در روزهااي اعياد و عزاداري است ، كه جمع كثيري از ايرانيان در آن شركت دارند .
برگزاري مراسم در مسجد
دهه محرم بادعوت روحانياني از ايران ، مراسن عزاداري و سينه زني برقرار مي شود . همچنين ، مراسم اطعام تقريبا در همه اين ده شب برگزار مي گردد . در ماه مبارك رمضان نيز با استفاده از مبلغان اعزامي ، مراسم رمضان با شكوه هر چه تمامتر برگزار مي شود.
ضمنا ، در اين مسجد هر شب جمعه ، دعاي كميل نيز برگزار مي شود كه با حضور ايرانيان حاضر در ارمنستان ، حالت روحاني خاصي را دارد .
در پايان ، از همه مسئولان و افراد خير خواهي كه در اين گونه امور همواره پيشقدم بوده اند ، دعوت مي كنم تا در پايان رساندن تعميرات ايين مكان مقدس و روشن نگاه داشتن چراغهاي اين مسجد ، ما را ياري كنند.

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