Month: February 2012

ARMENIAN FM: OTHER STATES WILL FOLLOW FRANCE’S EXAMPLE

Tert.am
28.02.12

As long as Turkey keeps on denying the Armenian Genocide, other
countries will follow France’s example to outlaw that crime against
humanity, the Armenian Foreign Minister has said.

Edward Nalbandyan made the statement in an interview with the Austrian
publication Der Standard when asked to comment on whether the bill
French parliament’s bill criminalizing the denial of genocides could
serve as a model for other states.

“Whether or not a model, I’m sure that other countries will take such
decisions as long as the denial of the Armenian Genocide remains
Turkey’s state policy. That Genocide is a crime against humanity
and has been recognized as such by many countries and international
organizations. The denial of a crime of genocide entails a relevant
response. The French law reflects the feelings and opinions of
the French people. I have known that since the time I served as an
ambassador to France,” he said.

The minister disagreed to the remark that the critics of the bill link
the French lawmakers’ move with the coming presidential election in
the country.

“That’s not true. The law enjoys full support by the French president,
government and main political forces, both right- and left-wing. It
was put to vote and passed both by the National Assembly and Senate.

Hence the adoption of the law reflects the opinion of the French
people. The same was the case with the 2001 law on recognizing the
Armenian Genocide,” he said.

Commenting on Turkey’s threats to cut ties with France in case the
bill is signed into law, Nalbandyan noted: “The law could be first of
all useful in terms of the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish ties.

If something prevents the Armenia-Turkey reconciliation, it’s Turkey’s
approach. After the signing of the protocols in Zurich, Turkey made
a step backwards, refusing to enforce the agreements reached. The
world community finds that the ball is in Turkey’s half field.”

MP: LAW ON INVOLVEMENT OF ARMY IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS TYPICAL FOR AUTHORITARIAN STATES

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 28, 2012 – 14:10 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Commenting upon the new bill “On legal regime of
the emergency situation” providing for an opportunity to involve army
in such situations, deputy of the opposition Heritage party Anahit
Bakhshyan said such law is typical for authoritarian states.

The new law as if warns the people that if they want to protect
their rights, army will be used against them, she says. Bakhshyan
also deemed unacceptable the decision on declaring an emergency to
be taken by the president only.

On February 9, the National Assembly of Armenia adopted the draft law
“On legal regime of the emergency situation” in the first reading. The
bill stipulates that emergency situation can be declared in Armenia
only provided there are circumstances which directly threaten the
constitutional regime, in particular, coup d’etat attempts.

The document also defines the conditions under which armed forces
can be engaged during emergency situations. In particular, after an
emergency situation is declared, the army can be involved only if the
police troops and the National Security Service forces have failed
in their tasks.

There were attempts to pass the law “On legal regime of emergency
situation” twice in 2007 which have failed due to controversial
discussions.

Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan suggested that the
National Assembly speaker Samvel Nikoyan should return the bill to
the government for amendment.

ACTIVISTS TO PROTEST BOOK PRICE SURGE

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 28, 2012 – 13:16 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – A number of actions will be held protesting the
government decision envisaging addition of VAT to the book price.

As writer Aram Pachyan told a press conference, a group has already
been created in Facebook social network protesting price upsurge
of books.

Tomorrow, Feb 29, initiators will submit an open letter to Armenian
Prime Minister requesting for VAT exemption from the book price.

Numerous actions and open lectures are expected for the purpose.

Pachyan said that they will spare no effort to reach the target.

VICTIMS OF SUMGAIT MASSACRES COMMEMORATED IN STEPANAKERT

armradio.am
28.02.2012 16:43

On 28 February in connection with the 24th anniversary of the Sumgait
massacres President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan
accompanied by top officials of the republic visited Stepanakert
memorial complex and laid flowers at the monument to the innocent
victims of the tragic events.

Thereafter the President got acquainted with the process of
reconstruction of the memorial complex. The Head of the State noted
the importance of completing the construction works in time and
with high quality and gave concrete instructions to the heads of the
appropriate structures.

‘MOUNT ARARAT WILL BECOME YOUR GRAVE’ CHANT TURKISH STUDENTS

Armenian Weekly
February 28, 2012

ISTANBUL, Turkey (A.W.)- More photographs have emerged on Feb. 28
from different cities in Turkey, including one from an event at
the Suleyman Demirel University in Isparta, where students chanted
“Mount Ararat will become your grave” and other racist slogans,
according to the Turkish daily newspaper Radikal.

‘Do not remain silent against the Armenian lie’ (Source: Radikal)
Photographs show dozens of students at the university lying down and
holding ant-Armenian signs like: “Do not remain silent against the
Armenian lie” (see photo).

International news agencies have reported that 20,000 to 50,000 people
participated in the anti-Armenian protests, with professionally printed
signs that read, “You are all Armenians, You are all bastards,” and
“Today Taksim, Tomorrow Yerevan: We will descend upon you suddenly
in the night.” Among the speakers at the demonstration in Turkey’s
famous Taksim Square was Turkish Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin,
among other leaders of Erdogan’s AK Party.

According to statements issued by the protest organizers, similar
demonstrations have been planned in over 50 cities in Turkey.

For updates and extensive photos, visit the Armenian Weekly Facebook
page at

YEREVAN HOSTS ACTION TO SUPPORT TURKISH HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST RAGIP ZARAKOLU

news.am
February 28, 2012 | 16:54

YEREVAN.- Turkish human rights activist and publisher Ragip Zarakolu
was one of the first to apologize to Armenians for the 1915 Genocide
and continues struggle even being under custody, said friend of
Zarakolu, public figure Sargis Hatspanyan (photos).

He considers the Armenian intellectuals should unite to express
their support for Zarakolu who is in custody for already four months
within the framework of KCK (Union of Communities in Kurdistan)
case. At the moment Zarakolu and his son Deniz are in one cell and
are writing books.

“Ragip was editing the book on the Armenian Genocide based on secret
documents from German archives. The book was withdrawn during the
arrest. He planned to publish it by April 24, 2012,” Hatspanyan said.

Several Swedish MPs have applied to the Nobel Peace Committee with
the proposal to give the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize to Zarakolu.

Ragip Zarakolu, who headed the Belge Publishing House, was charged
for publishing Turkish translation of George Jerjian’s “The Truth
Will Set Us Free: Armenians and Turks Reconciled” book.

From: A. Papazian

BAKU TO UNDERSTAND FINAL DECISION AFTER KARABAKH

Panorama.am
28/02/2012

International crisis group has released a report stating that the
parties should launch atmosphere of trust in order OSCE Minsk group
can establish peace. Panorama.am talked to experts and politicians
regarding the subject.

Edgar Hovhannisyan, deputy director of national archive, thinks there
is only one way to reach trust – Azerbaijan must come to terms with
the current situation and be able to demonstrate political will.

“Atmosphere of trust is possible only if Azerbaijan comes to terms
with the current situation, and adopt constructivism in negotiating
process. In this respect, it would be of great importance to withdraw
the snipers from the front line,” he said.

MP Karine Achemyan has mentioned that atmosphere of trust is possible
only if the reached agreements with Azerbaijan are preserved.

“It’s difficult to speak about formation of that kind of atmosphere,
when Azerbaijan refuses talks with Artsakh. Baku must understand
that the final word belongs to Karabakh, and that the involvement of
Artsakh in the negotiating process is a requirement.”

Davit Babayan, head of NKR President’s public relations department
told Panorama.am that measures of mutual trust are pivotal elements
of conflict resolution.

“Official Stepanakert repeatedly reveals its disposition. We’ve
recommended a package of political, economic and military events,
but Azerbaijan prefers to strain the unstable situation.”

ARMENIAN-NORWEGIAN CONSULTATIONS IN YEREVAN

armradio.am
28.02.2012 16:58

Political consultations between the Armenian and Norwegian Ministries
of Foreign Affairs were held in Yerevan today.

Emphasizing the stable dynamics of the political dialogue, the
parties discussed a wide range of issues related to Armenian-Norwegian
relations.

The parties considered the perspectives of promotion of economic
cooperation between the two countries, intensification of educational
and cultural exchange. Reference was made to the programs implemented
in Armenia with the support of Norway.

The Armenian side briefed the guests on Armenia-EU relations and the
positive developments registered in that regard. The possibilities
of cooperation within international organizations were discussed.

The parties exchanged views on the process of settlement of the
Karabakh issue, Armenia’s relations with neighboring countries and
the urgent issues on international agenda.

From: Baghdasarian

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EUROPEAN STUDENTS’ UNION IN THE PARLIAMENT

28.02.2012

On February 28 Artak Davtyan, Chairman of the RA NA Standing Committee
on Science, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport met representatives of
the European Students’ Union, Marek Barinsky, representative of the
Committee on Polish Students’ National Unions Development, Daniela
Alexe, Chairperson of the Romanian Students’ National Union and Yuri
Salene, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Finnish
Students’ Association. Sargis Asatryants, Chairman of the Committee
on Foreign Relations of the Armenian Students’ National Association
was also attending the meeting.

As the guests informed those present, they visited Armenia to study
the educational system of Armenia, clarify the degree of the students’
involvement in the administration process of the higher educational
institutions, their problems, and the degree of correspondence of
the Armenian educational system with the European Students’ Union
standards.

35 countries join the European Students’ Union, which has 45
representatives. Every country in the Union can have 2 members.

Georgia and Azerbaijan are members of the structure.

The guests said that in 2008 the Armenian Students’ National
Association had applied to the European Students’ Union with a request,
which however, had been refused, as, according to the implemented
studies, certain problems had been.

Welcoming the guests’ visit to Armenia Artak Davtyan has noted the
Committee led by him is involved in the issues relating to the youth
and education.

Mr Davtyan has noted that a number of legislative reforms have been
implemented: the Bologna process is in the focus of the changes
made in the sphere of higher education, which supposes students’ and
lecturers’ free move. Besides that, in practice, the credit system
has been invested, and the 25 per cent of the administration councils
are students, who take part in the discussion of important issues.

Mr Davtyan has informed the guests that Youth Parliament enclosed to
the Committee functions.

The Committee Chairman expressed willingness to support at best
the Armenian Students’ National Association on joining the European
Students’ Union.

PLURALITY VOTING SYSTEM MOST DANGEROUS PART OF THE CORRUPTION CIRCLE – ARMENIAN OPPOSITION

news.am
February 28, 2012 | 15:58

YEREVAN.- The plurality voting system is the most dangerous part of
the corruption circle, member of the Armenian National Congress (ANC)
Levon Zurabyan said addressing the participants of demonstration held
near the parliament.

“The plurality voting system is a means used by the oligarchs to
press common people,” he said calling to destroy this dangerous part
of the corruption circle.

Armenia’s parliamentary opposition Heritage and ARF Dashnaktsutyun
parties, and the non-parliamentary ANC bloc held a rally near the
Parliament calling to shift to the completely proportional election
system.