Month: December 2008

SANCTIONS OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IS NOT THE BEST WAY FOR SUPPORTING DEMOCRACY DEVELOPMENT IN ARMENIA – REPUBLICAN PARTY

Trend
Dec 22 2008
Azerbaijan

Sanctions of international organizations is not the best way for
supporting democracy development in Armenia, press-secretary of
Republican Party of Armenia [RPA], deputy of National Assembly Edward
Sharmazanov said at today’s press-conference in Hayeli club when
commenting on the decision of PACE Monitoring Commission regarding
fulfilment of 1609 and 1620 PACE resolutions by Armenia, reported
ArmInfo.

He also added nobody from the present authorities came forward with
threats to European structures, on the contrary, the authorities have
always emphasized their gratitude for support and said their course
is towards European integration. ‘European parliamentarians could
not but see the huge volume of the work implemented by the country
for fulfilment of the requirements of resolutions 1609 and 1620. Of
course, we still have problems regarding human rights protection
and we are going to resolve them. But I think it is unreasonable to
declare amnesty before passing sentence upon the persons accused of
an attempt of the anti-constitutional coup. It may create dangerous
precedent’, – he said.

He also said "it is impossible to avoid dual standards application"
in the politics, and at present it is

taking place in Armenia. But RPA press-secretary thinks that the
prospect of depriving Armenia of the voting right in PACE is still
not so clear.

PROTESTERS DEMAND PROPERTY CERTIFICATES

A1+
[05:26 pm] 22 December, 2008

We demand our property certificates," said the residents of an
Etchmiadzin hostel in front of the Presidential resident today morning.

The protesters state that in 2007 Serzh Sargsyan promised to return
the hostel to its actual owners.

"They keep cheating us since 2007. According to the law hostel
residents have the right to privatise their flats. They promised to
return us our flats after a facelift," said the mother of two children
Mariam Sargsyan.

In 2007 the residents had to leave their flats as the building was
under repairs. But now they are in a plight as they are not given
their property certificates.

"Let them give us a notary’s certificate and we shall vacate the
building. The City Hall wants to force the 70 residents of the house to
the street and sell our flats at a higher price," said the protesters.

The police urged the women to move to the other side of the street
but the protesters were consistent in their demands.

The protesters are going to ask international embassies for asylum
as they have nowhere to live.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKISH-ARMENIAN BORDER TO BE OPENED IN 2009

The Messenger
Dec 22 2008
Georgia

Turkish newspaper Zaman supposes that the Turkish-Armenian border
might be opened as early as 2009. If Armenia produces a viable plan
to withdraw its forces from Azeri territory Turkey will be ready to
take the appropriate steps.

The newspaper hopes that the current confrontation will not prevent
the people of the region from finding a peaceful solution to
misunderstandings. The South Caucasus needs guarantees of permanent
stability and the people need peace and welfare, states the newspaper.

ARMENIA: A TEST CASE FOR POLITICAL FREEDOM IS UNDERWAY IN YEREVAN
Marianna Grigoryan

EurasiaNet
Dec 22 2008
NY

It is known in opposition circles as the "Trial of the Seven." Instead
of bringing a sense of closure in politically divided Armenia, the
case is threatening to reopen old wounds.

The trial, involving seven opposition leaders accused of fomenting
violent confrontations in Yerevan on March 1, is scheduled to resume
on December 23. Even though it was announced in advance that the trial
would be open to adult citizens, authorities closed off access to
the court room on December 19, the first day of arguments, deploying
a strong contingent of police to keep a sizable crowd of opposition
supporters away from the proceedings.

On December 19, hundreds of opposition supporters gathered opposite the
courthouse to register their complaints, waving banners with slogans
such as "I am the Next One," "Free the Magnificent Seven" and "The
Best Guys are in Prison." The case involves former foreign minister
and current leading opposition member Alexander Arzumanian, members
of parliament Hakob Hakobian, Myasnik Malkhasian and Sasun Mikaelian,
and opposition leaders Grigor Voskerchian, Suren Sirunian and Shant
Harutiunian. All of the defendants backed Levon Ter-Petrosian in the
controversial presidential election in February. Acrimony arising out
of opposition allegations of vote-rigging led to a prolonged protest
that culminated in the March events. [For background see the Eurasia
Insight archive].

"The Case of the Seven is a totally absurd case, it is a trumped up
case," Ruzan Khachatrian, a leading member of the opposition People’s
Party of Armenia, told EurasiaNet. "It is not the first time that
such methods are used to put pressure on the opposition. After
March 1, authorities have done everything in order to behead
the opposition. Some of the leaders are in prison, others are in
hiding. And after such a critical evaluation from the PACE it is
difficult to predict what the authorities, which have gone too far,
will do."

The Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe (PACE) in Paris earlier this December recommended
that the Strasbourg-based organization impose sanctions on Armenia,
contending that Armenian leaders have not complied with its April
and June resolutions to release "political prisoners." The committee
specifically called for the suspension of voting rights of Armenia’s
PACE delegation until officials in Yerevan "demonstrated their
political will to resolve this issue." Armenian leaders are set
to meet with PACE representatives in early January. PACE is due to
consider the committee’s recommendation in late January.

Meeting journalists on December 12, Armenia’s Ombudsman Armen
Harutiunian stated that he would pay close attention to the Trial
of the Seven. "Since both sides in the March 1 case have focused
their forces on this case, this becomes a central case, the issue of
organizers arises, that is, everything will become clear with this
case," said Harutiunian.

Independent political analyst Yervand Bozoyan tells EurasiaNet that
quite a difficult situation has been created.

"It is difficult to say at this moment what course the Seven Case will
take, however I do not exclude the variant of a general amnesty,"
Bozoyan said. "It is apparent authorities were not ready for such a
critical attitude from the PACE."

Recently in an interview with RFERL, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of
State Matthew Bryza said he was seriously concerned by the presence of
such detainees in Armenia. "There are still detained, in my opinion,
67 opposition figures. Our view is that no one must be detained on
political grounds," he said.

Senior representative of the governing Republican Party of Armenia
Edward Sharmazanov also said that defendants ought not to be convicted
solely on the basis of their political views.

"Authorities have done a lot towards complying with the PACE
resolutions in this difficult situation," Sharmazanov told
EurasiaNet. "Much depends on the Seven Case. The court process is
open. People should not be convicted for their political views, but
if they are guilty, they should be judged according to their deeds."

"The imposition of sanctions would not be the best means to encourage
democracy in our county," Sharmazanov added.

IS IT DIFFICULT TO BE WEALTHY IN ARMENIA?

A1+
[06:01 pm] 22 December, 2008

On the occasion of Christmas and New Year, Serzh Sargsyan invited
over hundred representatives of the business community of Armenia to
a reception at the President’s Office. Congratulating the guests on
Christmas and New Year, the President said: "We all realise pretty well
that 2009 is going to be a year of hard work. Our task is to resist
the existing challenges through cooperation between the government and
the private sector and pass the exam of time. The success of every
of us in his sphere is the common success of all of us." Recalling
the old words "It’s hard to be wealthy in a poor country," Serzh
Sargsyan said there is only one way in the current situation: to make
the country wealthier and stronger. The President wished success,
high spirit and productive work to the businessmen in 2009.

PIPELINE TO CONNECT IRAN, ARMENIA

Press TV
Dec 22 2008
Iran

Yeraskh is to host the receiving terminal of the pipeline running
between the two neighbors Construction of a multi million-dollar
pipeline connecting neighbors, Iran and Armenia is to begin next year,
an Armenian minister says.

The 300-kilometer pipeline will run from Iran’s northwestern city
of Tabriz to Armenia’s southern city of Yeraskh, the Armenian Energy
Minister, Armen Movsisian told reporters on Monday.

"Armenia will receive petrol and diesel fuel from the oil refinery
located in the Iranian city of Tabriz through the pipeline,
construction of which starts next spring," he said.

Movsisian estimated that the pipeline would be completed in two years
and would cost between $200-240 million with each country covering half
the cost. The project was meant to diversify Yerevan’s energy supplies.

"In order to guarantee the country’s energy security we are moving
toward the diversification of energy supplies," Movsisian continued.

Armenia and Iran enjoy cultural and historical ties dating back
thousands of years. There are no border disputes between the two
countries and the Christian Armenian minority in Iran enjoys official
recognition.

"I MIGHT NOT REACH THE SQUARE"

A1+
[06:43 pm] 22 December, 2008

Today the Court of General Jurisdiction of Kentron and Nork-Marash
districts resumed the trial of ex Deputy Prosecutor General Gagik
Jhangiryan. At the beginning of the trial the presentees congratulated
Gagik Jhangiryan on a new-born grandson.

Today Judge Jora Vardanyan rejected the petitions filed by the
defendant’s advocates. The advocates had petitioned the court to
invite Smbat Ayvazyan, Artak Sisakyan and Vardan Kirakosyan to the
court hearings. Remind that the three had been taken to the Police
6th Department after Jhangiryan’s detention on February 23.

Then the advocates suggested attaching their evidence to the
case. According to Smbat Ayvazyan, Artak Sisakyan and Vardan
Kirakosyan, they had been advised in the sixth department to thank
God for not being treated the same way as was Jhangiryan.

The judge rejected the petitions saying they lack reliable sources.

"If once I said you are not impartial and unbiased today I announce
that you are partial, biased and corrupted. Actually, there is no
difference between you and Prosecutor Piloyan," indignant Jhangirtyan
said to Judge Jora Vardanyan.

Jhangiryan reminded him of international rights, particularly of the
European Convention on Human Rights. "Armenia has always violated the
5th and 6th provisions of the convention. You violate all moral and
legal norms and rights and burden us with your indictments hoping
to end your sufferings in this way. Let me disappoint you as your
sufferings are just beginning."

Finally, the advocates asked the court to invite policemen Samvel
Asatryan, Karen Babakekhyan and Tigran Hovhannisyan to the next court
sitting. This time Jora Vardanyan upheld the petition.

The court is scheduled to question these policemen at 1:00, December 27

At the end of the court sitting Gagik Jhangiryan advised Jora Vardanyan
to resign office. "And why didn’t you resign then?" Koryun Piloyan
remarked from his place.

If I did, I might not reach the square," replied Jhangiryan.

ARMENIA, IRAN TO BUILD FUEL PIPELINE – MINISTER

EasyBourse.com
Dec 22 2008
France

YEREVAN, Armenia (AFP)–Construction will begin next year on a pipeline
to deliver gasoline and diesel fuel from Iran to ex-Soviet Armenia,
Armenian Energy Minister Armen Movsisian said Monday.

The 300-kilometer (186-mile) pipeline will run from the Iranian city
of Tabriz to the Armenian city of Eraskh, where a receiving terminal
is also to be built, Movsisian said at a press conference.

"Armenia will receive petrol and diesel fuel from the oil refinery
located in the Iranian city of Tabriz through the pipeline,
construction of which starts next spring," he said.

Movsisian said the pipeline would take two years to complete, would
cost $200 million-$240 million and would be jointly financed, with
each country covering half the cost.

He said the project was part of efforts by Armenia to diversify its
energy supplies, in particular after the war in neighboring Georgia
in August disrupted Russian supplies to Armenia.

"In order to guarantee the country’s energy security we are moving
toward the diversification of energy supplies," he said.

Armenia and Iran last year inaugurated a 150-kilometer (93-mile)
pipeline that was supposed to deliver 36 billion cubic metres (1.27
trillion cubic feet) of gas from Iran to Armenia over 20 years. But
it has yet to start operations.

Landlocked Armenia has sought closer links with Iran in recent years.

It suffers from an economic blockade imposed by neighbors Azerbaijan
and Turkey over the disputed Nagorny Karabakh region and its efforts to
gain recognition of Ottoman-era mass killings of Armenians as genocide.

HATSPANYAN CONTINUES HUNGER-STRIKE

A1+
[07:40 pm] 22 December, 2008

French citizen and Karabakh war veteran Sargis Hatspanian has been on
a hunger strike for 22 days, Spokesman of the Penitentiary Department
of the RA Ministry of Justice Arsen Babayan informed A1+.

Remind that Hatspanian chose a termless hunger-strike as an extreme
and desperate form of protest. He demands an immediate release of
Armenia’s political prisoners.

Hatspanian is charged with perjury /Article 333 of the RA Criminal
Code/. He is indicted for announcing an alleged attempt upon Serzh
Sargsyan.

Sargis Hatspanyan was taken into custody on November 10

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ONLINE APOLOGY FOR THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

France24
Dec 22 2008
France

After more than 90 years, Turkey is about to breaking a long-held
taboo. An online petition, apologising for the killing of Armenians
in 1915, has been issued by prominent Turkish academics.

Turkey is coming closer to breaking a long-held taboo on the Armenian
question. An online petition, apologizing for the killing of Armenians
in 1915, has been issued by prominent Turkish academics. In just 3
days, the text has been signed by 13,000 people.

On the other side, the petition is perceived as treason by Turkish
nationalists and has opened a public debate in Turkey. The issue may
not be resolved easily, but the dialogue itself is a giant step in
Turkish political history.