Month: February 2012

NKR PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS ON FATHERLAND DEFENDER’S DAY

armradio.am
23.02.2012 11:14

On February 23 President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako
Sahakyan issued a congratulatory address in connection with the
Fatherland Defender’s Day, Central Information Department of the
Office of the NKR President reported. The message reads:

“Dear compatriots,
Generals, officers, soldiers,
Respected veterans,

On behalf of the republic’s authorities and on my own behalf I
cordially congratulate you on the Fatherland Defender’s Day.

Today is a holiday not only for our servicemen defending the borders
of their native country but also for the entire population of Artsakh.

This holiday that has been celebrated on February 23 for many
years, acquired new depth and meaning after the proclamation of the
independence of NKR.

The people of Artsakh, man and woman, old and young, stood side by
side in the defense of our motherland during the Artsakh War. As we
celebrate this memorable day I would like to express my heartfelt
congratulations and gratitude to all Armenians all over the world:
to those in Artsakh, in Armenia and the Diaspora, our Armed Forces
and the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their
country and who will be remembered as heroes in our history by
generations to come. Eternal glory and honor to them.

Today our country’s security and independence, national interests and
our unique values are protected by our strong and efficient Army,
which is ready to take on any challenge. To keep our Armed Forces
strong and victorious and the borders of the Republic of Artsakh safe
and impenetrable, our government is committed to supporting our Armed
Forces in their task of defending the Motherland.

I once again congratulate all of us and wish peace, robust health and
further success on the way of continuous strengthening our homeland’s
defense capacity.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WOMEN OF GYUMRI SUBJECTED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION IN TURKEY

20/02/2012

Criminal proceedings were launched into sexual exploitation of several
residents of Gyumri town of Armenia. It was found out that Turkey-based
Yerevan resident S. Martirosyan, nickname Doctor, through Gyumri resident N.

Movsisyan, her debtor, recruited Gyumri resident Gayane and took her to
Turkey.

Arrived in Turkey, S. Martirosyan handed N. Movsisyan and Gayane to a
certain Safa, Turk pimp, who subjected N. Movsisyan and Gayane to sexual
exploitation and gave the money to S. Martirosyan.

Then, N. Movsisyan and Gayane refused prostitution, and pimp Safa handed
them to the Turkish police which expelled the women from Turkey.

S. Martirosyan went on demanding her debt from N. Movsisyan and if she had
no money, she had to recruit women and send to Turkey for sexual
exploitation. N. Movsisyan deceived Gyumri resident Karine and sent her to
Turkey promising a work of babysitter.

S. Martirosyan made her do prostitution reasoning it by the fact that she
owes her 5 thousand U.S. dollars for the ticket, cloths and domicile.

Karine was forced to do prostitution for a couple of months paying most of
the money to Martirosyan. Later, Karine was also expelled from Turkey.

N. Movsisyan and S. Martirosyan are accused of Article 132 Part 2 points 1
and 2. Detention was chosen as measure of prevention.

The names of women subjected to sexual exploitation are changed, informs the
Prosecutor’s office.

ARMENIA HAS A UNIQUE CHANCE
Naira Hayrumyan

20/02/2012

The crisis of the global governance threatens to escalate into a
serious conflict, and the leaders of the great powers are trying to
find a solution.

The informal summit of the foreign ministers of G 20 is underway in
the Mexican town of Los Cabos. The main issue is global governance.

Nothing is known about the results of the discussion but it is evident
that the world is trying to review a number of key issues. One of these
issues is 1% population which owns 30-50% of world goods. The global
politics is based on the needs of this 1%, they have concentrated in
their hands almost all the financial resource, keeping the remaining
99% in captivity. It has been possible to sustain the world population
at a tolerable social level for several decades, but now that the
world population is growing, and the shortage of food and fuel is
becoming an issue, the population demands social justice.

This issue is especially urgent in the U.S. while the election
campaign is underway. Representative Ron Paul who is running in the
primaries made a sensational statement: “We’ve slipped away from a
true Republic. Now we’re slipping into a fascist system where it’s a
combination of government and big business and authoritarian rule and
the suppression of the individual rights of each and every American
citizen.”

Such statements by possible U.S. presidential candidates evidence
that the era of “democratic majority” is coming to end. The world has
so far been artificially divided into two large parties which shared
their stances, and decisions were taken proceeding from the opinion
of the majority even if it was 51%.

This system is exhausted and now the world needs to take into
account the opinion of the 99% of the population. The concept of
public interest is becoming dominant, and people more often wonder
whose interests the government defends, 1% or the major part of
the population.

These issues are highly relevant in Armenia where now civic engagement
is awakening, where the government is asked questions about whether
it should protect the interests of the business or the public.

Armenia is the witness of the crisis of the current economic management
in transitional countries but it is moving by inertia towards the
collapse of the system. We keep borrowing money from international
organizations, becoming the hostage of capital trying, to build the
democratic system of majority which is no longer trusted in the West.

It is noteworthy that Russia is walking against the stream. Putin
stated that strategic control will continue until it enables the world
capital fill Russia. Pro-Putin experts note as his positive feature
that he does not want to be part of the global power of capital,
imperialism. But what does he propose in return? What new system of
values does he propose? Is it only restoration of Soviet socialism
and military state?

Armenia may work out its own approach to reforms of global governance,
insisting on the reduction of financial dependence on the West and
weakening of Russian bondage regarding security issues. And most
importantly, Armenia may form a government, proceeding from the
interests of 100% and not 1% of the population. This may seem utopia
but all the other ways lead to a catastrophe, like in the case of
Greece, which is deciding now to be or not to be part of global
financial management.

TSARUKYAN-PALACH WAR

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 10:36:23 – 23/02/2012

Nothing is heard from state body

The “balloon” dispute between the BHP and the Republicans is escalating
into a bus war. Gagik Tsarukyan, the leader of BHP, has declared a war
on his former brother-in-arms Arthur Harutiunyan, nicknamed Palach,
who has recently defected to the Republican Party, taking along with
him a group of other members of the BHP. Now Gagik Tsarukyan wants
to punish Palach by adding Abovyan-Yerevan free buses for students,
which are also used by other people.

This is actually “dumping” by Gagik Tsarukyan. Palach runs a public
transport company, and Gagik Tsarukyan thereby deprives him of part
of his profit.

While Gagik Tsarukyan and Palach are involved in this dispute,
the question occurs where the government is. After all, this is
a case involving coach service. Do the Ministry of Communication
and Transport, the regulatory services, and generally the public
authorities operate at all? Or does everything depend on how strong
and rich the so-called Palach or Gagik Tsarukyan are?

The bus war continues for a long time, and press reports appear every
day, but the authorities are silent. Perhaps, there are no grounds to
deal with it but the situation is suitable to speak about empowering
the competent authority to deal with such cases as well.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

START OF A NEW REVOLUTION

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 10:54:02 – 22/02/2012

Editor-in-Chief of the online newspaper Free Word Yeran Guyumchyan
is following the movement for the preservation of Mashtots Park,
Yerevan, in Cyprus.

Mrs. Guyumchyan, you actively support the citizens’ fight for the
preservation of the green areas in Facebook. What is your opinion on
the current civil activeness in Armenia?

I’m following this issue from afar and I highly appreciate the civil
consciousness and activeness, the determination of the young and old
activists to stand up for their country.

Are changes possible due to this activeness?

Everything is possible. I remember the days of the spiritual awakening
of 1988, this movement started with environmental issues. I see signs
of civil awakening in this movement.

Will these movements grow into political movements?

They may. What is politics? It is a search for the ways of harmonious
well-being. For this well-being, it is important to preserve the
territories and parks which are the property of the society.

Can we deduce from your words that all this is the start of a new
revolution and new Armenia?

Any movement which involves a large number of citizens who stand up
for their country, their rights forms a new atmosphere, as well as
civil and political awakening, which could become a new start.

Do you think the Armenian authorities can influence the civil society
and repress it?

The authorities will surely try to repress but the situation is
different now, their repression can’t be as violent as it was on
March 1. So, I think the authorities resort to different measures to
influence the society.

What measure can they use this time?

I think, they will give promises or they will call for a dialogue.

Anyway, I believe the Armenian determined youth inspire hope with
their fight for Teghut and Mashtots Park.

I believe the right holder and demanding youth and society will be
able to reform our country and create a new Armenia…

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

“A VERY CRITICAL MOMENT”

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 12:37:26 – 22/02/2012

The number of people protesting against the set up of boutiques in the
Mashtots Park is growing. Public and political figures, intellectuals
have already joined the environmental activists.

The Armenian advisor to the UN Secretary General Gulnara Shahinyan who
is in Yerevan on a working visit also participated in these protests.

“This is a very critical and alarming moment. This is not only a
breach of environmental rules but also human rights. I think not only
the youth but everyone else should join this protest,” the advisor
to the UN Secretary General said to Lragir.am. According to her,
the cause of emigration is not only poverty but also unlawfulness.

“The law is enforced for one person and is not for the other one.

People are not protected by the law and by their government. This
disappointment leads to emigration,” Gulnara Shahinyan underlined,
adding that Armenia is regressing instead of building democracy.

From: Baghdasarian

TURKISH MAYOR DECLARES ARMENIANS AS ENEMIES
By Artur Hakobyan

news.am
February 23, 2012 | 11:01

The mayor of Bayburt (Baberd), Turkey, organized a celebration event
marking 94th anniversary of “liberating” Bayburt from the Armenians,
and he made a statement containing enmity and hatred toward the
Armenians.

The 21st-century mayor of “democratized” Turkey organized a
presentation, at the heart of the city, during which they demonstrated
how the Armenians had killed innocent Turks and the “heroic” Turkish
soldier had “liberated” Bayburt.

What is more, Mayor Haci Ali Polat, who is a member of Turkish PM
Erdogan’s ruling political party, noted in his speech that the enemy
must be recognized and avenging youth must be raised.

But the mayor’s presentation and his statement infuriated leading
Turkish journalist, analyst, and chief editor of CNN Turk and Kanal
D televisions, Mehmet Ali Birand, who harshly criticized, on live
broadcast, the mayor who was spreading hatred.

“No, Mayor, you are wrong! And furthermore, very wrong! You are growing
seeds of hatred. This presentation was a presentation of hatred,”
Birand said on live air, not concealing his anger.

From: Baghdasarian

FORMER ARMENIAN PM DOES NOT CARE WHETHER HE IS NOMINATED MP CANDIDATE – NEWSPAPER

news.am
February 23, 2012 | 09:31

Aravot daily asked: The opposition bloc Armenian National Congress
(ANC) is discussing the nominations for the proportional election
list and the majority election system. Do you have any aspirations
to be nominated in any electoral system? And opposition Liberty Party
Chairman and former PM Hrant Bagratyan responded: “It is all the same
[for me].”

He added that he would want to get involved in something active,
but he had not taken part in any discussions to that effect, and when
ANC had asked him, he had said “it is all the same.”

Is there a concern that the hopes placed on these [parliamentary]
elections, the existing expectations, would not materialize yet again?

Of course there are concerns. And who does not have [them]?

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GERMANY SHOULD BE THE FIRST TO RECOGNIZE THE BELATED CORRECTION OF HISTORICAL INJUSTICES:RAFFI K. HOVANNISIAN

2012-02-22
22 February 2012

Mr. Volker Kauder

Parliamentary Leader

CDU/CSU

The Bundestag, Berlin

FederalRepublic of Germany

Dear Colleague:

It has come to my attention that your parliamentary group-a partner
of ours in the European People’s Party-might shortly be releasing,
or at least considering, a draft resolution about Mountainous Karabagh.

The freedom of your political expression is of utmost importance,
but the truth is paramount.

The Republic of Mountainous Karabagh (Artsakh in Armenian)
was constituted lawfully in 1991 in full compliance with Soviet
legislation, controlling at the time, and the fundamental precepts of
international law as codified by the Montevideo Convention relating
to the formation and recognition of sovereign states.

None of us, neither your country nor ours, has any basis to curtail
the basic right to liberty and self-determination of any other, old or
new. This holds especially true for Mountainous Karabagh whose people,
in parallel with the demolition of the Great Wall which divided your
capital for too long, reversed the Stalinist legacy of “divide and
rule,” waged a constitutional and ultimately successful quest for
freedom and independence, and defended their patrimony against the
failed aggression of Soviet and then Azerbaijani forces.

In view of its own unique track record in facing, atoning for, and
surmounting the crimes against humanity committed by a predecessor
regime-and with the resultant credentials of global leadership in terms
of restoration of rights, democracy, and peace and security-postwar
Germany should be the first to recognize the legitimate creation
and territorial integrity of emerging state actors and the belated
correction of historical injustices. Both domestically and in
international relations, the rule of law-or rather the supremacy of
rights-militates against artificial and partisan applications of the
archaic assertion of sui generis.

What is more, Germany’s previous complicity in the Genocide of
the Armenian Nation and the Dispossession of its Homeland, as duly
evidenced in your own diplomatic and military archives, might and
military archives, shoulds,s should best comprehend this imperative
of mind, conscience, and public policy.ose, to restogive you further
cause officially to acknowledge that unprecedented precursor to the
Holocaust and to undertake meaningful measures, in conjunction with the
Republic of Turkey, to bring this shameful era of denialism to a close,
to address the occupation of the western half of the Armenian Plateau,
and to restitute the rightful connection between the Armenian people
and their homeland.

Real, not window-dressing normalization of relations with Turkey
and Azerbaijan is crucial for Armenia, but never at the expense of
historical memory, contemporary rights, and human dignity. Il faut
assumer l’histoire.

Of all states and all parties, yours should best comprehend this
imperative of values, conscience, and public policy.

Respectfully yours,

Raffi K. Hovannisian

Chairman and ..

VATICAN ASKS TURKEY TO ALLOW IT TO EXAMINE1500-YEAR-OLD BIBLE

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 23, 2012 – 14:20 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Vatican has requested that Turkey allow it to
examine a 1500-year-old Bible that was discovered by Turkish police
during an anti-smuggling operation in 2000 and handed over to the
Ankara Ethnography Museum.

As Today’s Zaman reported, citing Turkish Bugun daily, the Bible is
reportedly written in Aramaic, the language of Jesus, and is said to
be worth TL 40 million. According to the publication, the Bible was
seized from a gang smuggling artifacts during a police operation in
southern Turkey in 2010 and reportedly preserves its originality and
many traces of the period it’s from.

The gang was reportedly convicted of smuggling various items seized
during the operation, including the Bible, and all the artifacts
were kept in a safe in the Ankara Courthouse. The Bible, which was
reportedly kept in the courthouse for years, was only recently handed
over to the care of Ankara Ethnography Museum.

The leather-bound Bible is written on leather sheets and is now under
protection as it is regarded as a valuable cultural asset. Even a
Xerox copy of pages from the book is reported to be worth as much as
TL 3-4 million.