Month: February 2012

SLOVAK POLITICIAN FAVORS KARABAKH’S DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 28, 2012 – 17:24 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – It is surprising to see how the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic, the population of which totals only 140 thousand, follows
the path of democratic development, according to Slovak politician.

“Capital of Nagorno Karabakh, Stepanakert more and more reminds of
Western countries’ metropolises. Thanks to its President Bako Sahakyan,
corruption is not a core problem in the country. People acknowledge
that interior demoralization poses a major threat to their existence,”
an article published by František Mikloško says.

The author further voiced confidence that “Armenians in Artsakh are
ready to defend their ancient culture, religion and civilization at
any cost.”

“Armenians are a special nation that have undergone various
tribulations. But I have an impression that an invisible hand protests
them. That’s inspires optimism,” he writes.

ARMENIAN FM, HONG KONG LEADERSHIP DISCUSS ECONOMIC ISSUES

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 27, 2012 – 20:22 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – As a part of the tour over Asian countries Armenian
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian paid a visit to Hong Kong.

Minister Nalbandian met with President of Hong Kong’s Legislative
Council. Armenian FM focused on economic issues, noting Armenian
authorities’ wish to establish a consulate in Hong Kong.

Minister Nalbandian further met with Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong, Secretary
for Security of Hong Kong and discussed possible visa facilitation
with him.

Meeting with several entrepreneurs and presenting implementation of
agreements reached at the end of 2011 was also on Minister Nalbandian’s
visit agenda.

FM departed for Singapore later, Armenian MFA reported.

ED. NALBANDYAN ABOUT LAW ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DENIAL: “THIS LAW EXPRESSES OPINION OF MAJORITY IN FRANCE”

28.02.12, 16:51

Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandyan had an interview
with Austrian “Der Standard” daily.

“Recently French Senate accepted a bill which intends to punish those
who denies Armenian massacres in Ottoman Empire. Does Armenia consider
this to be a model which should be followed by other countries as well,
for example, Austria”, the correspondent of the daily asked.

“It is a model or not, anyway, I am sure that such decisions will
be accepted by other countries as well as soon as Turkey continues
its denial politics. This genocide is a crime against humanity
and many countries and international organizations have recognized
it. Genocide denial gets its appropriate respond. The law accepted
in France expresses the feelings and the opinion of the whole French
nation. I know about it since I was in France myself.”

Mr. Nalbandyan also was asked that the critics connect Armenian big
community in France and consider that it is connected with French
Presidential elections.

“No, it is not right. The law is welcomed by French President and by
French main political forces both from right and left positions. The
law was discussed and accepted in French National Assembly and Senate.

So this law expresses the will of the whole France. The same took
place on 2001 when France recognized Armenian Genocide.”

“A group of Senators and Deputies applied to the Constitutional Court
and the latter must make a decision about the bill. Warnings by Turkey
to freeze relations with France caused such decision. Don’t you think
that this bill may also be useless in the case when Armenia wants to
normalize relations with Turkey”, the Austrian magazine asked.

“First, this law may only be useful for Armenian-Turkish relations.

Turkish denial attitude is an obstacle for Armenian-Turkish relations.

Turkish side refused to fulfill the agreements which were signed in
Zurich. International society considers that the ball is in Turkish
field”.

“Der Standard” also referred to the fact that a group of deputies
applied to the Constitutional Court so it means that there are
different opinions on the issue.

“I do not think it is right to be involved in the process of the
Constitutional decisions, as Turkey tries to do. They are proud with
the effective lobby with French Senators they thank Azerbaijan for
the assistance. Those Senators who signed the application to apply to
the Constitutional Court further were honored in Baku. I do not think
that this is an acceptable type of action in any European country.

I want to underline once more that the law accepted in France expresses
the opinion of most part of majority and it is respectable”.

WORLD REMEMBERS SUMGAYIT: VICTIMS OF MASSACRES WERE COMMEMORATED IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

28.02.12, 16:11

On February 26 victims of Sumgayit pogroms were commemorated in
Lebanon churches. Catholicos of the Kilikian House Aram the First
served holy mass in Anthilias Mother Cathedral and after it Catholicos
Aram the First and Armenian Ambassador to Lebanon Ashot Qocharyan
delivered speeches. Press and information department of the RA
Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs about this.

The speakers referred to the tragic events which took place in
Azerbaijani town Sugayit. Ambassador Qocharyan noted especially that
1988 was decisive for Artsakh people. They stand up to defend own
rights and freedoms. Armenians were tortured and killed wildly only
because they were Armenians.

Mr. Ambassador also underlined that the events have not been evaluated
politically and legally by the international society till now. At the
same time everything was done to distort the history and to cover the
real facts. But the stories of the witnesses and gathered facts proved
only one thing: the massacres were made by Azerbaijani authorities.

After the independence they set free criminals of the state and
announced them to be national heroes. Ambassador also noted that
Nagorno karabakh got its right of freedom by bloody struggle and now
it is a consisted state. Despite of all difficulties Artsakh is
developed and the peace is protected. The international society will
have to accept that Azerbaijan started the armed aggression against
Artsakh people.

Ambassador Qocharyan concluded his speech saying that the current
challenges can be overcome only by joint efforts.

Bulgarian journalist Zvetana Paskalev also attended the meeting and
Catholicos Aram the First rated highly her efforts. His Holiness
especially underlined the films “Wounds of Karabakh”. Paskaleva was
awarded with medal “Saint Mesrop Mashtots”.

Paskaleva thanked for the high award and underlined that she would
continue her efforts in further as well.

On February 27 Armenian Embassy in Georgia and Armenian Diocese in
Georgia organized an evening named “In front of history: Sumgayit,
Xocali…”. Before the event holy mass was served at Tbilisi St.

Etchmiadzin church to commemorate memory of victims of pogroms in
Sumgayit, Baku and Maragha.

During the evening Armenian Ambassador to Georgia Hovhannes Manoukyan
delivered a speech. The Ambassador spoke about the violations which
Azerbaijanis held against Armenians on the end of 80s, referred to
Azerbaijani destabilizing policy which is led also today.

Primate of the Georgian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church,
Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan also delivered a speech.

Parts of a documental film about Sumgayit were shown during the
evening. Xocali events were also discussed during the event. Armenian
historian Karen Ohanesyan presented the real image of the events and
spoke about the disinformation presented by Azerbaijani side.

The evening was concluded by the speech of Georgian well-known
writer-publicist Givi Shahnazar.

“OUR COUNTRY SHOULD HAVE A SPECIAL ATTITUDE TO THE BOOK”

28.02.12, 17:39

Today at “Heyeli” (“Mirror”) press-club head of the “Antares”
holding Armen Martirosyan, head of the “Bureaucrat” book-store Hayk
Hovhannisyan and writer Aram Pachyan spoke about the attitude towards
book in Armenia and also referred to the law changes which have caused
the book praise to be raised with 20%.

Head of the “Bureaucrat” noted that the expensive praises damages
the state budget more. “This 20 % has already had its influence on
book trade. People started to use e-books more. We are not against
it but the use of the books is a culture and there are such books
which must be certainly held by the hand”, H. Hovhannisyan said.

The speaker also underlined that the book must be free from the value
added tax and the educational books and books for children are free.

Head of the “Antares” publishing house A. Martirosyan said that there
are already such books in “Noyyan Tapan” book-store which is bought
by 3000 AMD from the author and is sold by 6000 AMD. “Today our users
have financial problems and are not able to buy books by such praises”,
he said.

Writer A. Pachyan informed that the writers created a group named
“We are against the books praises to be increased” in Facebook social
network. “We will present a letter to the Armenian Prime Minister and
we will wait for the answer. After it our further steps will be clear.

We have decided some interesting actions and we want our word to reach
its aim. We are promised that discussion in the NA will be held during
the coming week”, A. Pachyan said.

According to the writer the law accepters also do not have a concrete
explanation why it was accepted. “This year intended to be devoted to
the book, as this year Yerevan is announced to be Book World Capital
and this year we celebrate the 500th anniversary of Armenian printing,
but this tax prevents it”, A. Pachyan said.

Head of the “Antares” holding informed that they have met the workers
if the Ministry of Finances who promised to present an explanation
during coming 15 days.

“The book is a spiritual and cultural value and it must have privileges
in the taxes sphere Why must we be equal to Azerbaijan and pay high
taxes? Why we shouldn’t follow the example of the serious countries
and not pay lower taxes? If the country does not treat the book well,
society will also not treat well. Our country should have a special
attitude to the book”, A. Martirosyan underlined.

AZERBAIJAN PLACES EMPHASIS SOLELY ON RETURN OF TERRITORIES – ARMENIA’S FOREIGN MINISTER

news.am
February 28, 2012 | 15:57

US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton stated that all principles and
elements of the proposals introduced on the Nagorno Karabakh issue
are designed as a whole, Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian stated in an
interview with Der Standard daily of Austria.

“In response to the Azerbaijani aggression, Karabakh’s self-defense
forces were forced to form a buffer zone around Karabakh. The return of
territories is an element of the general negotiating package which the
[OSCE] Minsk Group Co-Chairs have introduced. But if Azerbaijan places
emphasis solely on the return of territories and circumvents all other
aspects of the proposals, in response [to this] the US Secretary of
State Hilary Clinton stated, in 2010 in Astana-and on behalf of the
three Co-Chairs-that all principles and elements of the proposals
introduced on the Nagorno Karabakh issue are designed as a whole,
and separating them-or giving preeminence to one over the other-is
unacceptable,” Nalbandian noted.

Armenia’s FM also reflected on the Armenian-Turkish relations and said:
“The Armenian-Turkish relations were in an impasse prior to Armenian
President’s initiative. We attempted to take them out of that impasse,
but the Turkish side is doing everything to bring them back into the
impasse. And with respect to the historians’ commission, the latter
will not examine whether or not the Armenian Genocide occurred, as
the Turkish side portrays. Its sole objective is to restore trust
between the two peoples by way of dialogue. The historicity of the
Genocide, which is recognized by numerous countries and international
organizations, is not subject to discussion.”

From: Baghdasarian

REAL AIMS OF THE LITHUANIAN GROUP ARE KNOWN NOW: THEY WERE DEPORTED FROM “ZVARTNOTS” AIRPORT BEFORE

28.02.12, 12:11

Richardas Lapaytis, member of the Lithuanian group which shot a film
about events in Aghdam on 1992 gave an interview to the Azerbaijani
branch of the “Interfax” news agency. Note that the group tried to
arrive in Armenia last year but Armenian National Security Service
forbade them enter Armenia.

R. Lapaytis told interesting details about the presentation of the film
and also noted interesting facts about the failed journey to Armenia.

“I think you are informed that the guys wanted to enter to Xocali
from Armenian side and shot everything which is taking place there
now. But they were stopped in Yerevan and they were forbidden not
only to shot anything but also they were forbidden to go out of the
airport’s territory. They were just deported”, Lapaytis said.

When the group wanted to enter to Armenia Armenian National Security
Service announced that they were forbidden to do it and the decision
did not need to be explained. The same source also informed that
Andrius Brokas, member of the Lithuanian group, was well-known as a
good counterpart of Azerbaijan.

Moreover he has a well-paid treaty with Azerbaijani Ministry of
Culture and it was discussed in media for many times.

At the same time Armenian media spread rumors then that the group
was forbidden to enter to Armenia as they had an agreement to have an
interview with Armenian ex-president, ANC leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan.

During the interview with Azerbaijani news agency Lapaytis presents
Azerbaijani fakes about the Aghdam events and makes obvious the
“objective” imaginations of the group which has shot the film.

US CONGRESSMEN ABOUT SUMGAYIT POGROMS: “WE REMEMBER THOSE VICTIMS TODAY, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO WERE TARGETED IN OTHER POGROMS IN KIROVABAD AND BAKU”

28.02.12, 10:32

>From February 26 through March 1, 1988, Armenians living in the town
of Sumgait in Soviet Azerbaijan were the targets of systematic violence
that resulted in numerous deaths. U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline
(D-RI) issued the following statement on February 27 in remembrance
of the victims:

“More than two decades ago today, innocent Armenian men, women,
and children living in Sumgait were subjected to heinous, organized
brutality that sought to force them from their homes in Azerbaijan.

We remember those victims today, as well as those who were targeted
in other pogroms in Kirovabad and Baku. As we remember the victims of
these senseless atrocities, let us never forget our responsibility
to one another as members of the human race and the importance of
standing up to abuse or discrimination wherever it occurs.”

Antitrust committee targets medical institutions

15:09 – 21.02.12

The State Committee for Protection of Economic Competition (SCPEC) has
observed violations in 109 medical institutions as a result of recent
inspections.

It has launched administrative proceedings against 15 pharmaceutical
companies and 15 medical institutions found in breach of competition
rules.

`The medical institutions did not announce contests in a manner
prescribed by the law,’ the head of the Committee, Artak Shaboyan,
told reporters on Tuesday, adding that the contests very often bore a
formal character.

He said 109 out of the 134 medical institutions had breached the fair
competition rules.

As for the pharmaceutical companies, he noted that only one of them
won bids permanently, leaving behind other six others that did not
meet certain criteria because of technical problems.

Manuk Mikaelyan, a Committee member also attending the news
conference, said further that violations were observed in the
procedures of providing free or discounted drugs to the socially
disadvantaged.

`Twenty-eight medical institutions were to launch a contest to acquire
dugs that they were later supposed to distribute free of charge or at
discounted prices. But they did not announce a bid and purchased the
medicines from organizations they chose at their discretion,’ he said.

The Committee’s findings have shown that several medical institutions
voluntarily refused to sign contracts with organizations that were
declared winners in contests.

Shaboyan added all the companies engaged in the acquisition and free
distribution of state-donated medicines had come under inspections. As
to the companies facing proceeding, he promised to unveil their names
at the Committee’s next session.

Tert.am

Prices of medicine bought by state budget funds exceeded the market
prices for several times: proceedings were initiated

15:05 . 21/02

State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition initiated
administrative proceedings today against 15 companies dealing with
sale of medicines and 12 health institutions.

The commission has found numerous violations during the state
procurement process when investigating the activity of 134 health
institutions and 314 companies dealing with sale of medicines involved
in the state procurement.

It has found there are violations of not announcing competition in 109
of a total of 134 medical institutions. Particularly, 7 companies
dealing with sale of medicines has participated in 37 competitions
organized by 26 medical institutions, but the same company has won in
all the cases. There are cases, when the medical institutions didn’t
announce a competition and always bought medicine from the same
company.

Moreover, an invoice was presented at the session, according to which,
the medical institution has bought medicines by state funds at a price
6 times higher than the market prices, and the head of the medical
institution is the owner of the company supplying medicine.

Cases were also uncovered, when the health institutions, which had to
provide medicine to disadvantaged families within the frames of state
programmes have guided the beneficiaries to pharmacies linked with
them.

Thus, the commission has concluded that a number of economic entities
dominating in the market have abused their position, the agreements
between medical institutions and supplier companies have been
accompanied by non-efficient use of state funds and limitation of
competition in the field. Proceedings were initiated against the
companies and the institutions.