Armenian News... A Topalian... Holy War...
BBC Radio 4
The Ever Widening War
12 January 2016
2/5 Holy War Christopher Clark explores how the Ottoman Empire's entry into
the first World War brought the Middle Easr into the conflict with consequences
that are still being felt today.
Professor Sir Clark does mention the Armenian Genocide:
"....whatever you call it, it was a demographic catastrophe..."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06wc871
RFE/RL Report
Armenian School Closure Again Extended
Nane Sahakian
14.01.2016
The Armenian government on Thursday postponed the resumption of
classes in the country's public schools by one more week, until
January 25, due to a continuing influenza epidemic that has killed 11
people.
All of the victims have died from the H1N1 strain of swine flu. At
least 90 Armenians have been infected with the disease in the past
several weeks.
Hundreds of others have been hospitalized and diagnosed with less
dangerous seasonal flu and pneumonia. According to the Ministry of
Health, 945 people received treatment for acute respiratory viruses in
hospitals across Armenia as of Thursday morning. More than 80 percent
of them were children.
Health Minister Armen Muradian pointed to this fact when he asked the
government to again extend the New Year and Christmas holidays in the
schools as well as kindergartens. The government accepted the
recommendation, with Education Minister Armen Ashotian issuing a
corresponding order immediately after a weekly cabinet meeting in
Yerevan.
"Classes will resume on January 25," Ashotian wrote on his Facebook
page.
The school holidays were originally due end on January 10. The
government extended them by one week on January 8.
Speaking at the cabinet meeting, Muradian said the weeklong extension
has already helped health authorities to contain the epidemic. He said
more time is needed for their "preventive measures" to have a stronger
impact.
Muradian also insisted that none of the swine flu deaths was caused by
inadequate treatment of hospitalized patients. "I believe that the
healthcare system has worked with a great deal of dedication and
professionalism," he said.
mediamax.am
ARMENIAN-BRITISH MILITARY COOPERATION NEW PLAN IS
SIGNED
January 15, 2016 16:54
Nick Gurr and Davit Tonoyan
Yerevan /Mediamax/. Armenian delegation headed by First Deputy
Minister of Defense Davit Tonoyan took part in Armenian-British
military-political consultations in London.
During the discussion Davit Tonoyan and the head of British delegation,
Director of International Security Policy in the UK Nick Gurr signed
2016-2017 professional cooperation plan.
According to Armenian Defense Ministry press service, it includes
cooperation in around 20 directions mainly regarding military education
and training, exchange of experience in various sectors.
Great Britain is expected to provide advisory support on revision
of the Armenian legislation on the protection and security after the
adoption of amendments to the Constitution.
At the meeting with Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia
of the Foreign Office Michael Tatham, Armenian Defense Ministry
delegation discussed bilateral defense cooperation and issues regarding
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
January 15, 2016 16:54
Nick Gurr and Davit Tonoyan
Yerevan /Mediamax/. Armenian delegation headed by First Deputy
Minister of Defense Davit Tonoyan took part in Armenian-British
military-political consultations in London.
During the discussion Davit Tonoyan and the head of British delegation,
Director of International Security Policy in the UK Nick Gurr signed
2016-2017 professional cooperation plan.
According to Armenian Defense Ministry press service, it includes
cooperation in around 20 directions mainly regarding military education
and training, exchange of experience in various sectors.
Great Britain is expected to provide advisory support on revision
of the Armenian legislation on the protection and security after the
adoption of amendments to the Constitution.
At the meeting with Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia
of the Foreign Office Michael Tatham, Armenian Defense Ministry
delegation discussed bilateral defense cooperation and issues regarding
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
armenpress.am
HOLY RESURRECTION CHAPEL OF SWAZILAND TRANSFERRED
TO CATHOLICOSATE OF ETCHMIADZIN
15 January, 2016
YEREVAN, JANUARY 15. On January 13, King Msvati III
of Swaziland officially transferred the Holy Resurrection Armenian
Chapel and the lands pertaining to the Chapel to the Catholicosate of
Etchmiadzin. "Armenpress" reports, citing the source of the Ministry
of Diaspora "Hayern Aysor".
A year ago, representatives of the local Armenian community submitted
to King Msvati III of Swaziland a petition with the request to transfer
the Holy Resurrection Church to the Catholicosate of Etchmiadzin.
A year later, the Armenian chapel of Swaziland truly became an Armenian
chapel and one that will legally pertain to the Catholicosate from
now on.
The Armenian Church in the distant African kingdom was constructed
in 1989, thanks to Grigor Derbelyan.
Grigor Derbelyan, citizen of Swaziland, was born in 1914 in Aintab.
During the Armenian Genocide, with her 20-day-old son in her hands,
Grigor's mother reached her husband in Cairo by foot and died a couple
of months later. Finishing his studies at the Armenian university
in Cairo, for 12 years, Grigor worked in Khartum (Sudan) where there
was quite a large Armenian community. Later, he started working for
the Olivett company in Johannesburg, South African Republic.
When he matured, Grigor Derbelyan decided to settle in Swaziland where,
according to him, he discovered a wonderful place called Pine Valley,
which is not far from Mbaban, the capital of Swaziland. Seeing the
place, Grigor decided that it is here where he wants to spend the
rest of his life and die.
In the center of Pine Valley, the landscape of which reminded him
of Armenia, Grigor purchased an 11-acre land, built a small Armenian
chapel and plants 1,770 pine and fir trees. A small river flows aside
the chapel. Grigor refered to the river as the Arax River and even
placed a panel named "Arax River". Construction of the church was
launched in 1985 and ended in 1989.
About 60 people made contributions for construction of the chapel,
including Olivetti Company, which hired Grigor for 12 years.
The small church has two cupolas.
Local construction materials were used to build the chapel.
Interestingly, the part in the back of the chapel leans on a large
stone that serves as an altar, like the Saint Geghard Church in
Armenia.
Today, there is a small Armenian community of eight members in the
small African Kingdom. The Armenians of the neighboring South African
Republic help the Armenians of Swaziland care for the chapel and the
lands pertaining to the chapel.
15 January, 2016
YEREVAN, JANUARY 15. On January 13, King Msvati III
of Swaziland officially transferred the Holy Resurrection Armenian
Chapel and the lands pertaining to the Chapel to the Catholicosate of
Etchmiadzin. "Armenpress" reports, citing the source of the Ministry
of Diaspora "Hayern Aysor".
A year ago, representatives of the local Armenian community submitted
to King Msvati III of Swaziland a petition with the request to transfer
the Holy Resurrection Church to the Catholicosate of Etchmiadzin.
A year later, the Armenian chapel of Swaziland truly became an Armenian
chapel and one that will legally pertain to the Catholicosate from
now on.
The Armenian Church in the distant African kingdom was constructed
in 1989, thanks to Grigor Derbelyan.
Grigor Derbelyan, citizen of Swaziland, was born in 1914 in Aintab.
During the Armenian Genocide, with her 20-day-old son in her hands,
Grigor's mother reached her husband in Cairo by foot and died a couple
of months later. Finishing his studies at the Armenian university
in Cairo, for 12 years, Grigor worked in Khartum (Sudan) where there
was quite a large Armenian community. Later, he started working for
the Olivett company in Johannesburg, South African Republic.
When he matured, Grigor Derbelyan decided to settle in Swaziland where,
according to him, he discovered a wonderful place called Pine Valley,
which is not far from Mbaban, the capital of Swaziland. Seeing the
place, Grigor decided that it is here where he wants to spend the
rest of his life and die.
In the center of Pine Valley, the landscape of which reminded him
of Armenia, Grigor purchased an 11-acre land, built a small Armenian
chapel and plants 1,770 pine and fir trees. A small river flows aside
the chapel. Grigor refered to the river as the Arax River and even
placed a panel named "Arax River". Construction of the church was
launched in 1985 and ended in 1989.
About 60 people made contributions for construction of the chapel,
including Olivetti Company, which hired Grigor for 12 years.
The small church has two cupolas.
Local construction materials were used to build the chapel.
Interestingly, the part in the back of the chapel leans on a large
stone that serves as an altar, like the Saint Geghard Church in
Armenia.
Today, there is a small Armenian community of eight members in the
small African Kingdom. The Armenians of the neighboring South African
Republic help the Armenians of Swaziland care for the chapel and the
lands pertaining to the chapel.
RFE/RL Report
EBRD Investments In Armenia Hit Record High
Emil Danielyan
15.01.2016
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said on
Friday that its investments in Armenia, mostly channeled into the
private sector, reached a record high of $140 million last year.
The London-based institution supporting economic reforms in former
Communist states said it financed 14 business projects implemented in
various sectors of the Armenian economy.
The EBRD thus accounted for a considerable part of foreign direct
investment (FDI) attracted by the South Caucasus country in 2015. The
Armenian government recorded $263 million in FDI inflows in
January-September.
In a statement circulated by its Yerevan office, the bank described
the record-high figure as a "clear indication of both the investment
opportunities in the country and strong demand for EBRD funding." "The
EBRD's ability to attract increasing financial resources to Armenia is
testament to the bankability of our clients and the overall investment
climate in Armenia," the head of the office, Mark Davis, was quoted as
saying.
"While 2016 is likely to be a challenging year, I see a number of new
opportunities in Armenia to add to our client base, and several deal
prospects are already maturing," added Davis. "Overall I am
optimistic, especially about capital market development and the
emergence of more private equity investment activity."
The EBRD has invested a total of $1.13 billion in about 150 projects
in Armenia ever since it began operating in the country in
1992. Nearly 90 percent of those investments have gone into the
private sector, largely taking the form of minority stake purchases in
local banks and other firms as well as foreign corporations setting up
shop in the country.
As recently as on December 10, the EBRD paid just over $20 million for
a 22.7 percent share in Armenia's Inecobank. The deal was tied to
Inecobank's acquisition of ProCredit Bank Armenia. The two banks have
thousands of small and medium-sized businesses among their
clients. Their merger meant a further consolidation of the Armenian
banking sector strongly supported by the EBRD.
Local commercial banks have absorbed nearly half of the EBRD's total
investments in Armenia. The EBRD has also invested in the country's
energy, agribusiness, mining and transport sections as well as public
infrastructure.
On December 11, the EBRD announced the release of a $9 million loan
for the construction of a solid waste landfill in Yerevan meeting
European Union standards. The project also received about $18 million
in funding from the EU.
armenews.com
REVELATIONS ABOUT "GIFTS" TO ARMENIAN OFFICIALS
Like many other senior state officials and their family members, heads
of major law enforcement agencies of Armenia and their wives say they
have received tens of thousands of dollars in aid from sources not
disclosed by them .
The magnitude of these "gifts" mysterious is revealed by their asset
statements filed with the State Commission on the ethics of high
ranking officials.
The wife of Gorik Hakobian, the all-powerful head of the National
Security Service (NSS) has last year received 19 million drams ($ 40
000) and merchandise bought an apartment for the same amount of money
while she is unemployed. Officially declared its assets increased by
23 million drams (about $ 48,000) in 2013 24.5 million drams (over $
50,000) in 2014. It did not specify the source of the increase.
Hakobian himself has substantial assets, although his annual salary
is less than 10 million drams (about $ 21,000). In 2014, the official
was richer by more than 10 million drams, bringing its financial
strength to 38.5 million drams (over $ 80,000).
Vladimir Gasparian, the flamboyant head of the Armenian police, has
not increased its savings claimed during last year. In addition to his
annual salary of 7 million drams (about $ 14 500), it did not declare
other income and, as in 2013, continued to claim to have received $
2,000 and 2.5 million drams (about 5200 $) in cash.
The sum is pale in comparison with the economies of Women Gasparian
reported to the state commission. With an annual salary of 3 million
drams (about $ 6,250), she managed to save 30 million drams (about $
62 500), $ 18,000 and 24,000 euros.
The wife of the Attorney General Gevorg Kostanian holds $ 200,000
in its bank accounts, while officially earning the equivalent of
less than $ 3,500 per year. She claims to have received half of that
amount, $ 100,000, as a gift from an anonymous source in 2011 - the
year when her husband left his job as president advisor and chairman
of an anti-organization corruption to become military prosecutor of
Armenia leader. Incidentally, the same year Kostanian got a "gift"
of a major $ 35 million drams (about $ 73,000).
Since 2014, Kostanian, which is 38 years old and did not work outside
the public service, said a total of 82 million drams ($ 170,000)
in financial assets. His annual salary is about $ 20,000.
All this does not include cars and apartments that Armenian officials,
according to their own declarations, buy and sell during the year.
The head of the Information Center for Freedom of Armenia, Shushan
Doydoyan, said there are enough reports in the media about corruption
risks that some of the officials are prosecuted. "Unfortunately,
no criminal case has been launched as part of the risk of corruption
and has been a public debate" Has she said. The Centre against corruption Transparency International also
criticized the state commission for its reluctance to address the risks
of corruption and launch investigations by law enforcement bodies.
REVELATIONS ABOUT "GIFTS" TO ARMENIAN OFFICIALS
Like many other senior state officials and their family members, heads
of major law enforcement agencies of Armenia and their wives say they
have received tens of thousands of dollars in aid from sources not
disclosed by them .
The magnitude of these "gifts" mysterious is revealed by their asset
statements filed with the State Commission on the ethics of high
ranking officials.
The wife of Gorik Hakobian, the all-powerful head of the National
Security Service (NSS) has last year received 19 million drams ($ 40
000) and merchandise bought an apartment for the same amount of money
while she is unemployed. Officially declared its assets increased by
23 million drams (about $ 48,000) in 2013 24.5 million drams (over $
50,000) in 2014. It did not specify the source of the increase.
Hakobian himself has substantial assets, although his annual salary
is less than 10 million drams (about $ 21,000). In 2014, the official
was richer by more than 10 million drams, bringing its financial
strength to 38.5 million drams (over $ 80,000).
Vladimir Gasparian, the flamboyant head of the Armenian police, has
not increased its savings claimed during last year. In addition to his
annual salary of 7 million drams (about $ 14 500), it did not declare
other income and, as in 2013, continued to claim to have received $
2,000 and 2.5 million drams (about 5200 $) in cash.
The sum is pale in comparison with the economies of Women Gasparian
reported to the state commission. With an annual salary of 3 million
drams (about $ 6,250), she managed to save 30 million drams (about $
62 500), $ 18,000 and 24,000 euros.
The wife of the Attorney General Gevorg Kostanian holds $ 200,000
in its bank accounts, while officially earning the equivalent of
less than $ 3,500 per year. She claims to have received half of that
amount, $ 100,000, as a gift from an anonymous source in 2011 - the
year when her husband left his job as president advisor and chairman
of an anti-organization corruption to become military prosecutor of
Armenia leader. Incidentally, the same year Kostanian got a "gift"
of a major $ 35 million drams (about $ 73,000).
Since 2014, Kostanian, which is 38 years old and did not work outside
the public service, said a total of 82 million drams ($ 170,000)
in financial assets. His annual salary is about $ 20,000.
All this does not include cars and apartments that Armenian officials,
according to their own declarations, buy and sell during the year.
The head of the Information Center for Freedom of Armenia, Shushan
Doydoyan, said there are enough reports in the media about corruption
risks that some of the officials are prosecuted. "Unfortunately,
no criminal case has been launched as part of the risk of corruption
and has been a public debate" Has she said. The Centre against corruption Transparency International also
criticized the state commission for its reluctance to address the risks
of corruption and launch investigations by law enforcement bodies.
ALIYEV WON'T START WAR NOT TO RISK FAMILY WEALTH:
POLITICAL SCIENTIST
14 January, 2016
YEREVAN, JANUARY 14. Founder of the Modus Vivendi Center,
political scientist Ara Papian is of the opinion that Azerbaijan will
not choose to solve the Nagorno Karabakh conflict by means of war.
Papian emphasized during the meeting with journalists on January 14
that Azerbaijani authorities lose their control on the country as
the economic condition deteriorates day by day; consequently there
can be some tension which, however, will not turn into large-scale
military actions.
"If Aliyev had chances to win the war earlier, now there are no such
chances, and he is not the one to risk the wealth of his family by
taking such steps," "Armenpress" reports, the political scientist said.
According to the political scientist, Azerbaijani authorities will
be busier with solving the internal problems of the country, because
the country's economic situation has aggravated and it will keep
on aggravating.
"Still they will have more money than we do, but at least we have been
accustomed to living without money for decades, they have not. They
spend loads of money abroad, I witnessed, saw much money they were
spending on propaganda," Papian said.
According to Papian, Azerbaijan will continue actions towards changing
the MG format, but it cannot have any significant results.
14 January, 2016
YEREVAN, JANUARY 14. Founder of the Modus Vivendi Center,
political scientist Ara Papian is of the opinion that Azerbaijan will
not choose to solve the Nagorno Karabakh conflict by means of war.
Papian emphasized during the meeting with journalists on January 14
that Azerbaijani authorities lose their control on the country as
the economic condition deteriorates day by day; consequently there
can be some tension which, however, will not turn into large-scale
military actions.
"If Aliyev had chances to win the war earlier, now there are no such
chances, and he is not the one to risk the wealth of his family by
taking such steps," "Armenpress" reports, the political scientist said.
According to the political scientist, Azerbaijani authorities will
be busier with solving the internal problems of the country, because
the country's economic situation has aggravated and it will keep
on aggravating.
"Still they will have more money than we do, but at least we have been
accustomed to living without money for decades, they have not. They
spend loads of money abroad, I witnessed, saw much money they were
spending on propaganda," Papian said.
According to Papian, Azerbaijan will continue actions towards changing
the MG format, but it cannot have any significant results.
No comments:
Post a Comment