There are foreign citizens living among us who work in our country and perform their official obligations. Generally, it is their official activities which are the center of attention. But they also have their personal life and live with their personal feelings. What follows is an interview with Marie Yovanovitch, who has been serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia for over a year now. We talked to Ambassador Yovanovitch about her life here in Armenia. »»»»»

HAK representative Levon Zurabyan answered reporters’ questions at a press conference held today. Here’s a sampling of what he said.

If war breaks out, will you call on the people to participate or will you continue to make demands of the government?

We are a responsible force and national interests are of paramount importance. We will participate in the war effort. In such an event, regardless of what criminal is heading the government, all arguments are unacceptable. Naturally, after the war, our issues will be placed back on the table. »»»»»

Below is the first of a two part interview with Richard Giragosian, Director of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies, based in Yerevan.

Mr. Giragosian speaks about Armenia-Diaspora relations, growing up in the AYF, the current political situation in Armenia, his hopes for the future, and, of course, the Protocols. »»»»»

An interview with Mher Harutyunyan, Director of the “Kajar”Analytical Center of Shushi and Assistant Professor of Historical Sciences at Artsakh State University.

The NKR seeks to garner international recognition. This first step could be taken by the RoA. Armenian authorities argue that they will not grant recognition in order to hinder negotiations and lead the settlement process into a dead end. »»»»»

The Saint Gevorg of Mughni Armenian Church in Tbilisi had a height of some 35 meters and an attractive design, especially on the eastern exterior façade where there were depictions of the benefactors and main altar. There were only two churches with a similar footprint in all of Georgia. The other is St. Mesrop Church in the Shahumyan (formerly Metz Shulaver) settlement in the Marneuli region. »»»»»

“Hetq” conducted the following interview with Emil Gabrielyan, Director of the RoA Ministry of Health’s Center for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Technology Testing

Mr. Gabrielyan, how are medicines licensed in Armenia and what is the process involved in their legal usage? »»»»»

Ara Papyan, Armenia’s Ambassador to Canada from 2002-2006 and the Director of the “Modus Vivendi Center” replies to questions of “Hetq”.

If the parliaments of both Turkey and Armenia ratify the protocols, in your opinion, what impact and consequences will it have for Armenia, in terms of the international recognition of the Genocide? »»»»»

“The preservation of Armenian identity divorced from the land is a losing battle”

Dear Mr. Karapetyan, I welcome your thoughts here in the pages of “Hetq”. I would like to know what your opinion is regarding the fact that the government of the RoA, via its foreign policy, has all but given up on defending the rights of western Armenians. »»»»»

“I disagree with decision of Catholicos to build Saint Anna Church in Yerevan”

I was recently in Yerevan and saw the blueprint of a new church called Saint Anna to be erected next to the lovely Saint Katoghike chapel. Do you agree with the decision of the Catholicos to spend many millions of dollars on new church construction in the middle of Yerevan? Wouldn’t it be more prudent for the Hovnanians’ money to be spent on preserving what already exists? »»»»»

This year the RoA Prime Minister visited your office, an individual who is at least cognizant of the issues you have raised regarding the flawed renovation of monuments and the lack of attention paid to their overall plight, etc. Did your meeting have any positive results?  Did you come to any understanding of what needs to be done? Can you call him up when necessary and say that this needs to be done or that certain changes need to be made?

I must confess that the Prime Minister’s visit on January 30 was a very much welcomed and encouraging sign for all of us. But many months have since passed. »»»»»

Dear Readers: Samvel Karapetyan Responds to Your Questions

Many of you have responded to our request to ask questions of Samvel Karapetyan, who heads the Yerevan branch of the Research on Armenian Architecture NGO.

Due to the large number of questions received and the fact that the answers graciously supplied by Mr. Karapetyan are detailed and extensive, we will be publishing them in installments, in the order received.

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Member of  the “Miatsum” National Initiative Responds to Hetq Questions Re: Protocols

My evaluation of recent developments in Armenian-Turkish relations is negative for a few very clear reasons. It has been stressed that in the protocols, that really have the content of a treaty, there exists al the preconditions that Turkey has sought over the years regarding normalization of relations with Armenia or the opening of borders. »»»»»

Dear Readers,

“Hetq” asks that you send your questions/comments to Samvel Karapetyan, who heads the Yerevan branch of the Research on Armenian Architecture NGO. Mr. Karapetyan has kindly accepted to field questions from you, the readers of “Hetq”.

Mr. Karapetyan is a historian and researcher specializing in study of the monuments of Artsakh, the Republic of Armenia, western Armenia and elsewhere. He has surveyed thousands of Armenian sites during the course of more than two decades and has published many books on the subject. »»»»»

Premiering in Armenia as part of the “Golden Apricot Film Festival” is the documentary film “Murder File – Hrant Dink”.

The haunting 80 minute film, the work of directors Osman Okkan and his late wife Simone Sitte, sheds light on the events leading up to the murder of Armenian journalist Hrant Dink in January, 2007. The documentary, produced in 2009 in Germany, also touches on the uneasy relationship between Armenians and Turks and the ongoing trial that has exposed the criminal activities of “Ergenekon”, Turkey’s “deep state”. »»»»»

Michael Zezima, one of the Web’s most noted political commentators, conducted the following interview with David Boyajian.   Zezima is known professionally as “Mickey Z.”  (www.MickeyZ.net).  The interview was also published on several other widely read websites, including ForeignPolicyJournal, CounterCurrents, IndyMedia, OnlineJournal, and OpEdNews. »»»»»