Armenian News
ecolur.org
CAUSE OF BOOM IN CANCER DISEASES - NOT WITHIN
INTERESTS OF GOVERNMENT
December 19, 2014
For already several years a real boom of cancer diseased can be
observed in Armenia, while the most awful thing is that it is observed
among the children. According to the statistics, since 1990 the number
of the children with cancer diseases in Armenia has increasd by 4
times!!! In 1990 the indicator of cancer diseases among the children up
to 18 years old made up 17.5 (out of 100,000). In 2007 this indicator
boosted up to 42.8, while in 2013 the indicator made up 66.3.
Our government ignores this fact and doesn't reveal the reasons why
our children get ill and die from cancer, though the world has already
tracked these trends. The least requirements for our government is to
track this background, which promotes these diseases. For example,
the composition of air in environmentally unfavorable areas? What
are sources of emissions? What is the composition of water? Whether
products and water contain admixtures, which are recognized as
carcinogenic?
It's common knowledge that such elements as chromium, cadmium, lead,
arsenic, as well as radioactive radon are carcinogenic and mutagen
promoting to cancer diseases. In different concentrations these
elements exist in the soil, water and agricultural products in the
areas located next to open pit mines and tailing dumps. Nevertheless,
none of the mining projects so far mentions the composition of the
industrial wastes to detect toxic elements of first-class hazard.
We call for repeating the experiment made by activist Anna Shahnazaryan
and to make our government, especially those cabinet members, who are
distinguished with their rejections of the proposals on environmental
measures, drink the water, breathe in the air and eat the agricultural
products from Geghanush, Syunik, Sotq villages, Kapan and Qajaran
towns, Alaverdi and Akhtala.
hetq.am
December 19, 2014
For already several years a real boom of cancer diseased can be
observed in Armenia, while the most awful thing is that it is observed
among the children. According to the statistics, since 1990 the number
of the children with cancer diseases in Armenia has increasd by 4
times!!! In 1990 the indicator of cancer diseases among the children up
to 18 years old made up 17.5 (out of 100,000). In 2007 this indicator
boosted up to 42.8, while in 2013 the indicator made up 66.3.
Our government ignores this fact and doesn't reveal the reasons why
our children get ill and die from cancer, though the world has already
tracked these trends. The least requirements for our government is to
track this background, which promotes these diseases. For example,
the composition of air in environmentally unfavorable areas? What
are sources of emissions? What is the composition of water? Whether
products and water contain admixtures, which are recognized as
carcinogenic?
It's common knowledge that such elements as chromium, cadmium, lead,
arsenic, as well as radioactive radon are carcinogenic and mutagen
promoting to cancer diseases. In different concentrations these
elements exist in the soil, water and agricultural products in the
areas located next to open pit mines and tailing dumps. Nevertheless,
none of the mining projects so far mentions the composition of the
industrial wastes to detect toxic elements of first-class hazard.
We call for repeating the experiment made by activist Anna Shahnazaryan
and to make our government, especially those cabinet members, who are
distinguished with their rejections of the proposals on environmental
measures, drink the water, breathe in the air and eat the agricultural
products from Geghanush, Syunik, Sotq villages, Kapan and Qajaran
towns, Alaverdi and Akhtala.
hetq.am
STUDY CLAIMS 20% DROP IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS IN
ARMENIA
December 22, 2014
The number of women in Armenia diagnosed with breast cancer has
decreased by 20% according to data processed by the Armenia-American
Wellness Center.
In 2014, one out of every sixteen women in Armenia suffered from
some type of breast cancer according to Hranoush Hakobyan, managing
director of the center.
"This year, that number is one out of every twenty women," Hakobyan
said, noting that this shows that Armenian women are paying more
attention to their health.
The study involved the results of 40,000 women who visited the center
in Yerevan.
arka.am
WEAKENING ARMENIAN DRAM CAUSES TANGIBLE DAMAGES
December 22, 2014
The number of women in Armenia diagnosed with breast cancer has
decreased by 20% according to data processed by the Armenia-American
Wellness Center.
In 2014, one out of every sixteen women in Armenia suffered from
some type of breast cancer according to Hranoush Hakobyan, managing
director of the center.
"This year, that number is one out of every twenty women," Hakobyan
said, noting that this shows that Armenian women are paying more
attention to their health.
The study involved the results of 40,000 women who visited the center
in Yerevan.
arka.am
WEAKENING ARMENIAN DRAM CAUSES TANGIBLE DAMAGES
TO SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESSES
YEREVAN, December 20. The strengthening of USD and euro
against Armenian dram triggering a rise in prices of commodities has
caused tangible damages to the small and medium-sized businesses,
according to Ani Hovhanisyan, director of Analitik think-tank.
Speaking at a news conference today she said these are small and
medium companies which are engaged in imports and those that have
dollar-denominated loans. She urged the authorities to pay greater
attention to this segment.
"Today, we have no studies that could show which of companies are
more solvent, which are in a critical condition and so on," she said.
According to Ani Hovhanisyan, to help small businesses to overcome
this crisis the government should cut the current rate of their income
tax which is 24.4%.
"The increase in prices makes employers raise wages of employees to
prevent them from leaving to join bigger companies," said Hovhanisyan.
She argued that 1.5 billion drams released by the government this
year to support small and medium businesses by conducting various
consultations, training, etc gave no tangible result.
"We believe that the amount should have been used to establish a fund
for covering financial losses of small and medium-sized businesses,
in particular, from currency fluctuations," said Hovhanisyan
According to the Union of Armenian Employers, there are now about
70,000 SMEs of which 58,000 are micro and small enterprises, and 10,000
are medium companies. Together they account for 43% of Armenia's GDP.
In mid-October, economy minister Karen Chshmarityan said government
wants to help increase this share to at least 50%. -0-
armradio.am
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CENTENNIAL TO BE COMMEMORATED
YEREVAN, December 20. The strengthening of USD and euro
against Armenian dram triggering a rise in prices of commodities has
caused tangible damages to the small and medium-sized businesses,
according to Ani Hovhanisyan, director of Analitik think-tank.
Speaking at a news conference today she said these are small and
medium companies which are engaged in imports and those that have
dollar-denominated loans. She urged the authorities to pay greater
attention to this segment.
"Today, we have no studies that could show which of companies are
more solvent, which are in a critical condition and so on," she said.
According to Ani Hovhanisyan, to help small businesses to overcome
this crisis the government should cut the current rate of their income
tax which is 24.4%.
"The increase in prices makes employers raise wages of employees to
prevent them from leaving to join bigger companies," said Hovhanisyan.
She argued that 1.5 billion drams released by the government this
year to support small and medium businesses by conducting various
consultations, training, etc gave no tangible result.
"We believe that the amount should have been used to establish a fund
for covering financial losses of small and medium-sized businesses,
in particular, from currency fluctuations," said Hovhanisyan
According to the Union of Armenian Employers, there are now about
70,000 SMEs of which 58,000 are micro and small enterprises, and 10,000
are medium companies. Together they account for 43% of Armenia's GDP.
In mid-October, economy minister Karen Chshmarityan said government
wants to help increase this share to at least 50%. -0-
armradio.am
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CENTENNIAL TO BE COMMEMORATED
IN DIYARBAKIR
22 Dec 2014
The Gomidas Institute, with the support of the Turkish Human Rights
Association, is organizing a series of commemorative events in
Diyarbakir between April 22 and 24, 2015 to mark the centennial of
the Armenian Genocide. The focus on Diyarbakir is for good historical
and political reasons.
The Ottoman province of Diyarbakir was a key theatre of the Armenian
Genocide. Its governor Reshid Bey in 1915 played a prominent role in
the mass murder of Armenians. Some of the victims - such as the local
prelate Mgrdich Chlghadian - were killed in the city, thousands more
were killed outside, and even more further afield.
Today, the people living in Diyarbakir recognize the Armenian
Genocide and wish to make amends. The city's co-mayors and regional
representative's at the Turkish Parliament speak out on the Armenian
issue with a clear voice. Diyarbakir city has already supported the
reconstruction of Sourp Giragos church, one of the largest Armenian
churches in the world. Armenians can live freely in this city. At last
year's commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, the men and women who
stood up for Armenians represented millions of people. They included
prominent politicians, lawyers, human rights activists, and others.
The Gomidas Institute has been active in Turkey since the 1990s. While
opposing the official denials of Turkish state intellectuals, the
Institute has also built bridges with Turkish civil society and sought
just resolution of outstanding issues. The Institute has organized
successful projects in Diyarbakir before, including the commemoration
of the Armenian Genocide - and this coming year's commemoration builds
on earlier successes.
tert.am Overcrowding continues to remain a major problem in Armenia's
penitentiary institutions, an oversight group has revealed.22.12.14
22 Dec 2014
The Gomidas Institute, with the support of the Turkish Human Rights
Association, is organizing a series of commemorative events in
Diyarbakir between April 22 and 24, 2015 to mark the centennial of
the Armenian Genocide. The focus on Diyarbakir is for good historical
and political reasons.
The Ottoman province of Diyarbakir was a key theatre of the Armenian
Genocide. Its governor Reshid Bey in 1915 played a prominent role in
the mass murder of Armenians. Some of the victims - such as the local
prelate Mgrdich Chlghadian - were killed in the city, thousands more
were killed outside, and even more further afield.
Today, the people living in Diyarbakir recognize the Armenian
Genocide and wish to make amends. The city's co-mayors and regional
representative's at the Turkish Parliament speak out on the Armenian
issue with a clear voice. Diyarbakir city has already supported the
reconstruction of Sourp Giragos church, one of the largest Armenian
churches in the world. Armenians can live freely in this city. At last
year's commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, the men and women who
stood up for Armenians represented millions of people. They included
prominent politicians, lawyers, human rights activists, and others.
The Gomidas Institute has been active in Turkey since the 1990s. While
opposing the official denials of Turkish state intellectuals, the
Institute has also built bridges with Turkish civil society and sought
just resolution of outstanding issues. The Institute has organized
successful projects in Diyarbakir before, including the commemoration
of the Armenian Genocide - and this coming year's commemoration builds
on earlier successes.
tert.am Overcrowding continues to remain a major problem in Armenia's
penitentiary institutions, an oversight group has revealed.22.12.14
A public initiative conducting monitoring of correctional facilities
has found that inmates are often subjected to physical violence
in prisons.
In a report, it says that the overcrowding problem has been mitigated
to an extent but not yet been completely overcome.
At a news conference on Monday, Larisa Minasyan, Executive Director of
Open Society Institute-Armenia, stressed the importance of transparency
and awareness as the first step toward reaching a solution to the
existing problems.
An expert of the group, Robert Revazyan, said the available information
reveals that hierarchic relations dominate penitentiaries, with
convicts often remaining silent on the situation.
"Homosexuals, who remain on the lowest level of the hierarchy, can
be considered the most vulnerable group in penitentiary institutions.
They inhabit in isolation from other convicts, having their dish,
belongings and other things held in separation. Nobody communicates
with them. But kingpins' cells, unlike them, differ with their
conditions," the expert said, expressing concerns also of the gambling
games which he said are very widespread in prisons.
armradio.am
MKHITARYAN 85TH IN THE GUARDIAN'S TOP 100 FOOTBALLERS
FOR 2014
22 Dec 2014
Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is ranked 85th in The Guardian's
top 100 footballers for 2014. Mkhitaryan is placed between Isco
of Real Madrid (84th) and Jose Callejon from Napoli (86th). Led
by Hernan Crespo, Gilberto Silva, Slaven Bilic and Dietmar Hamann,
the panel of 73 experts from 28 nations compiled a countdown of the
greatest players on the planet this year.
"An underwhelming year for Dortmund means Mkhitaryan hasn't enjoyed
a particularly sparkling year, but when on form the Armenian number
ten remains extremely exciting. He specializes in finding space
between the lines and arriving late in the box, and he has a very
precise, deliberate style with his passes and shots. However, it
was Mkhitarayan's goalscoring ability from midfield which made him
so valuable, and his efficiency in the final third has completely
dried up. Jurgen Klopp has often deployed him in a deeper position
than usual, but no goals or assists in his last 17 Dortmund matches
summarizes Mkitarayan's struggles," The Guardian writes.
armradio.am
KOMITAS CHOIR PERFORMS FOR BARONESS COX'S HART
22 Dec 2014
Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is ranked 85th in The Guardian's
top 100 footballers for 2014. Mkhitaryan is placed between Isco
of Real Madrid (84th) and Jose Callejon from Napoli (86th). Led
by Hernan Crespo, Gilberto Silva, Slaven Bilic and Dietmar Hamann,
the panel of 73 experts from 28 nations compiled a countdown of the
greatest players on the planet this year.
"An underwhelming year for Dortmund means Mkhitaryan hasn't enjoyed
a particularly sparkling year, but when on form the Armenian number
ten remains extremely exciting. He specializes in finding space
between the lines and arriving late in the box, and he has a very
precise, deliberate style with his passes and shots. However, it
was Mkhitarayan's goalscoring ability from midfield which made him
so valuable, and his efficiency in the final third has completely
dried up. Jurgen Klopp has often deployed him in a deeper position
than usual, but no goals or assists in his last 17 Dortmund matches
summarizes Mkitarayan's struggles," The Guardian writes.
armradio.am
KOMITAS CHOIR PERFORMS FOR BARONESS COX'S HART
CONCERT
22 Dec 2014
A Christmas Carol Concert was organized by the Humanitarian Aid Relief
Trust (HART) in St. Cyprian's Church in London on December 4. Every
year Baroness Caroline Cox, founder of HART, initiates such concerts
for the representatives of ethnic minorities of countries that receive
humanitarian aid from the trust, the Armenian Weekly reports.
This year the Christmas concert featured four choirs, the Armenian
Komitas Choir of the Tekeyan Trust London, the Ugandan Acholi London
Choir, the St. Martin Singers and the University of London Chamber
Choir.
At the concert the choral art, music and languages of different
nationalities were introduced to the British audience.
While inviting the Komitas Choir to perform, Father David of St.
Cyprian's Church recalled vividly the choir's perfect performance
dedicated to the 145th birth anniversary of Komitas (the concert was
held in St. Yeghishe Church, London, on October 18). The priest also
introduced the life and activity of the great Armenian composer and
the founder of Armenian classical music. He particularly mentioned
the horrifying scenes of the 1915 Armenian Genocide because of
which Komitas experienced a nightmare and witnessed the brutal
extermination of the nation's bright minds. Unfortunately, it left
a deep ineradicable impression on his soul and after 20 years of
sufferings his life came to an end in psychiatric hospital in Paris.
At the concert, the Komitas Choir performed songs by Komitas (Today
Is Christmas), Marty Nystrom (As the Deer Pants for Water) and Stepan
Lusikyan (New Armenia). The latter was interpreted and presented to
the audience by Sipan Hakobyan, artistic director and conductor of
the choir.
The Komitas Choir performance was followed by honourable Baroness
Caroline Cox's welcoming speech. Once again she praised the choir,
Conductor Sipan Hakobyan and Chairman Vartan Ouzounian who initiated
such an important project and on the threshold of the Centennial of the
Armenian Genocide founded a longed-for choir, the first Armenian one
in the UK. Baroness Cox also spoke about the Genocide denial policy
of the Turkish government and condemned it. She presented the past
and present situations of Karabagh and mentioned historical injustice
and deprivations of the Armenian nation. Baroness touched upon current
challenges to Armenians, such as atrocities and ceasefire violations
by Azerbaijan, as well as the future of Karabagh and the achievements
of Armenians. Caroline Cox's long speech was a good opportunity to
raise the awareness of the British audience.
At the concert among the audience present were representatives of
a number of British-Armenian organizations, and there was a guest
from Karabagh Vardan Tadevosyan who presented his plan to build a
new hospital in Karabagh.
hetq.am
OFFSHORE LABYRINTH: FORMER ARMENIAN PM AND CHURCH
22 Dec 2014
A Christmas Carol Concert was organized by the Humanitarian Aid Relief
Trust (HART) in St. Cyprian's Church in London on December 4. Every
year Baroness Caroline Cox, founder of HART, initiates such concerts
for the representatives of ethnic minorities of countries that receive
humanitarian aid from the trust, the Armenian Weekly reports.
This year the Christmas concert featured four choirs, the Armenian
Komitas Choir of the Tekeyan Trust London, the Ugandan Acholi London
Choir, the St. Martin Singers and the University of London Chamber
Choir.
At the concert the choral art, music and languages of different
nationalities were introduced to the British audience.
While inviting the Komitas Choir to perform, Father David of St.
Cyprian's Church recalled vividly the choir's perfect performance
dedicated to the 145th birth anniversary of Komitas (the concert was
held in St. Yeghishe Church, London, on October 18). The priest also
introduced the life and activity of the great Armenian composer and
the founder of Armenian classical music. He particularly mentioned
the horrifying scenes of the 1915 Armenian Genocide because of
which Komitas experienced a nightmare and witnessed the brutal
extermination of the nation's bright minds. Unfortunately, it left
a deep ineradicable impression on his soul and after 20 years of
sufferings his life came to an end in psychiatric hospital in Paris.
At the concert, the Komitas Choir performed songs by Komitas (Today
Is Christmas), Marty Nystrom (As the Deer Pants for Water) and Stepan
Lusikyan (New Armenia). The latter was interpreted and presented to
the audience by Sipan Hakobyan, artistic director and conductor of
the choir.
The Komitas Choir performance was followed by honourable Baroness
Caroline Cox's welcoming speech. Once again she praised the choir,
Conductor Sipan Hakobyan and Chairman Vartan Ouzounian who initiated
such an important project and on the threshold of the Centennial of the
Armenian Genocide founded a longed-for choir, the first Armenian one
in the UK. Baroness Cox also spoke about the Genocide denial policy
of the Turkish government and condemned it. She presented the past
and present situations of Karabagh and mentioned historical injustice
and deprivations of the Armenian nation. Baroness touched upon current
challenges to Armenians, such as atrocities and ceasefire violations
by Azerbaijan, as well as the future of Karabagh and the achievements
of Armenians. Caroline Cox's long speech was a good opportunity to
raise the awareness of the British audience.
At the concert among the audience present were representatives of
a number of British-Armenian organizations, and there was a guest
from Karabagh Vardan Tadevosyan who presented his plan to build a
new hospital in Karabagh.
hetq.am
OFFSHORE LABYRINTH: FORMER ARMENIAN PM AND CHURCH
PRIMATE HAVE YET TO BE QUESTIONED
Edik Baghdasaryan
December 22, 2014
Here's a photo taken awhile back of Ararat Diocesan Primate Navasard
(Samvel) Kjoyan proudly standing next to his famous Bentley.
Archbishop Kjoyan always claimed that the car was a gift, but never
revealed from whom. The primate says he's now sold the car.
We know that the Bentley was a gift from businessman Ashot Sukiasyan
who, in turn, purchased it with loans received from Ameria Bank
for which another businessman, Paylak Hayrapetyan put up his assets
as collateral.
The case looking into the offshore labyrinth involving the primate
and the former prime minister of Armenian exposed by Hetq isn't
getting anywhere.
Ashot Sukiasyan, the third player in the multi-million dollar drama,
remains under arrest.
But that's about it. The state investigative body supposedly looking
into the case has yet to question either Primate Kjoyan or former
Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, who has since been appointed
the country's ambassador to the U.S.
If Kjoyan hasn't been interviewed then the Bentley matter isn't a
part of the investigation.
In a letter sent by to Armenia's Prosecutor General and Hetq explaining
how the names of Primate Kjoyan and former PM Sargsyan appeared on
the registration documents of the Cypriot offshore company Wlispera
Holdings Ltd, Ashot Sukiasyan wrote the following:
"I stood as the godfather of the cross at the blessing of the water
ceremony at Saint Sargis Churchlocated in the Ararat Diocese. The
secretary was Tigran Sargsyan and the diocesan primate, Archbishop
Kjoyan. I wish to raise the issue of the offshore company Wlispera
Holdings Limited. First, let me say that I founded this company and I
registered T. Sargsyan and N. Kjoyan as shareholders, without their
knowledge and without their agreement. I took this step to protect
my business from various threats. It never occurred to me that what
I did could have such consequences."
After Hetq broke the story, then Prime Minister Sargsyan declared
that he had no connection to the company. Archbishop Kjoyan denied
any connection as well. The two also stated that they had no idea how
their names appeared on Wilspera's registry document as shareholders.
Kjoyan had merely stated that he visited Cyprus once, accompanied
by Sukiasyan.
Following the pronouncements of Ashot Sukiasyan's lawyer to the
press we can infer that the investigative body is only looking into
Wlispera Holding; just one of the Cypriot off-shore companies involved
in the case.
But this approach neglects two other companies intricately tied to
the matter.
The first, A.B.S. Global Limited, was the prime facilitator of the
shady off-shore transfers.
Readers will remember that $9,370,450 of the loans issued by Ameria
Bank were transferred by Ashot Sukiasyan to the accounts of several
offshore companies held at the Hellenic Bank Publik Company of Cyprus.
The loan monies were transferred to:
A.B.S. GLOBAL LIMITED- $7,020,450 WLISPERA HOLDINGS LIMITED- $350,000
STR EMERALD LIMITED- $2,000,000
A.B.S. Global Limited, the company to which the largest amount was
wired, is 66% by Wlispera Holdings Limited.
It turns out that A.B.S Global Ltd has had commercial transactions
with companies of other countries.
Thus, an end to the investigation isn't only awaited in Armenia.
Edik Baghdasaryan
December 22, 2014
Here's a photo taken awhile back of Ararat Diocesan Primate Navasard
(Samvel) Kjoyan proudly standing next to his famous Bentley.
Archbishop Kjoyan always claimed that the car was a gift, but never
revealed from whom. The primate says he's now sold the car.
We know that the Bentley was a gift from businessman Ashot Sukiasyan
who, in turn, purchased it with loans received from Ameria Bank
for which another businessman, Paylak Hayrapetyan put up his assets
as collateral.
The case looking into the offshore labyrinth involving the primate
and the former prime minister of Armenian exposed by Hetq isn't
getting anywhere.
Ashot Sukiasyan, the third player in the multi-million dollar drama,
remains under arrest.
But that's about it. The state investigative body supposedly looking
into the case has yet to question either Primate Kjoyan or former
Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, who has since been appointed
the country's ambassador to the U.S.
If Kjoyan hasn't been interviewed then the Bentley matter isn't a
part of the investigation.
In a letter sent by to Armenia's Prosecutor General and Hetq explaining
how the names of Primate Kjoyan and former PM Sargsyan appeared on
the registration documents of the Cypriot offshore company Wlispera
Holdings Ltd, Ashot Sukiasyan wrote the following:
"I stood as the godfather of the cross at the blessing of the water
ceremony at Saint Sargis Churchlocated in the Ararat Diocese. The
secretary was Tigran Sargsyan and the diocesan primate, Archbishop
Kjoyan. I wish to raise the issue of the offshore company Wlispera
Holdings Limited. First, let me say that I founded this company and I
registered T. Sargsyan and N. Kjoyan as shareholders, without their
knowledge and without their agreement. I took this step to protect
my business from various threats. It never occurred to me that what
I did could have such consequences."
After Hetq broke the story, then Prime Minister Sargsyan declared
that he had no connection to the company. Archbishop Kjoyan denied
any connection as well. The two also stated that they had no idea how
their names appeared on Wilspera's registry document as shareholders.
Kjoyan had merely stated that he visited Cyprus once, accompanied
by Sukiasyan.
Following the pronouncements of Ashot Sukiasyan's lawyer to the
press we can infer that the investigative body is only looking into
Wlispera Holding; just one of the Cypriot off-shore companies involved
in the case.
But this approach neglects two other companies intricately tied to
the matter.
The first, A.B.S. Global Limited, was the prime facilitator of the
shady off-shore transfers.
Readers will remember that $9,370,450 of the loans issued by Ameria
Bank were transferred by Ashot Sukiasyan to the accounts of several
offshore companies held at the Hellenic Bank Publik Company of Cyprus.
The loan monies were transferred to:
A.B.S. GLOBAL LIMITED- $7,020,450 WLISPERA HOLDINGS LIMITED- $350,000
STR EMERALD LIMITED- $2,000,000
A.B.S. Global Limited, the company to which the largest amount was
wired, is 66% by Wlispera Holdings Limited.
It turns out that A.B.S Global Ltd has had commercial transactions
with companies of other countries.
Thus, an end to the investigation isn't only awaited in Armenia.
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