Month: September 2013

IF I WERE VAHAN HOVHANNISYAN, I WOULD REFUSE – OPPOSITION LEADER

September 17, 2013 | 13:37

YEREVAN. – Raffi Hovannisian refused to comment on ARF member Vahan
Hovhannisyan’s possible appointment to the post of ambassador, until
the official announcement is made.

Nevertheless, if Hovannisian was offered this post, he would refuse,
the opposition leader told reporters on Tuesday.

“Consent would suppose legitimization of illegal authorities. However,
Vahan Hovhannisyan is an experienced politician and will make the
right decision,” he said.

The reports on appointment of ARF members to the posts of ambassadors
have recently appeared in the Armenian media. Members of the party
are not commenting on rumors. Vahan Hovhannisyan admitted he had
received an offer to represent Armenia abroad and said he considers
the offer acceptable.

From: Baghdasarian

PROSPECTS OF ARMENIAN-CZECH PARLIAMENTARY RELATIONS DISCUSSED IN ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT.

17:48, 17 September, 2013

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS: Vice President of National Assembly
of the Republic of Armenia, head of Armenia-Czech Republic friendship
group Eduard Sharmazanov on September 17 hosted the delegation of
Senate of Czech Republic headed by Milushe Horska. “Armenpress”
was from Public relations and information department of National
Assembly that during the meeting issues relating to development to
Armenian-Czech parliamentary relations, activation of mutual visits
between friendship groups and parliamentary delegations and etc.

Eduard Sharmazanov reverberated to issue of incompatibility of
intolerance and racism with democracy as an example introducing
policy of Turkish state in the issue of Armenian genocide and racism
rhetoric of Azerbaijan. He assured that Armenia has been and remains
for peaceful and political settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Head of delegation from Czech Republic assured that her country
is ready to support Armenia both in peaceful settlement of
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and continuation of internal reforms.

© 2009 ARMENPRESS.am

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

INJUGHULIAN’S ISSUE IS WITHIN REGULATORY FRAMEWORK OF EUROPEAN CONVENTION

The moment has arrived when we can apply to the European Court of
Human Rights and ask it to take measures so that Azerbaijan could
ensure contact of Armenia POW Hakob Injighulian with his family,
international law expert Ara Ghazarian said in an interview with
PastInfo news agency.

We would remind you on the night of August 8 Private Hakob
Injighulian, 22, an Armenian serviceman, lost bearings, crossed
the Karabakh-Azerbaijani border and entered Azerbaijani-controlled
territory.

The issue of that Armenian prisoner of war is within the regulatory
framework of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR):
Injighulian has been so far out of contact with his parents, and
little information is given through the mass media, with hints being
dropped that he will be transferred to a third side, whereas the ECHR
guarantees the right to reunite with one’s family. According to Ara
Ghazarian, in Injighulian’s case, Article 8 of the ECHR, under which
everyone has to right to respect for his private and family life,
has been violated: he was shown on television and, secondly, he was
not allowed to get into touch with his parents.

“We understand that he is a POW and the two countries are in a state of
semi-war, but both countries signed the Convention and must fulfill
its obligations, ” Ara Ghazarian noted. In his words, Article 15
(derogation in time of emergency) of the ECHR says that a state may
derogate from some rights in case of a war or real danger to the
nation. There is no such situation in Azerbaijan so the Azerbaijani
authorities can ensure that right for Hakob Injighulian.

In the expert’s opinion, the Injighulian incident resembles in many
ways the case of Armenian citizen Manvel Saribekian who was captured
and later killed by the Azerbaijani side (his interview aired by an
Azerbaijani TV channel, changed clothes, etc.)

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

YEREVAN CIRCUS GOES ON TOUR TO SYUNIK PROVINCE

The Yerevan Circus is on tour to Syunik province of Armenia. Starting
from September 17, the circus will give performances in cities of
Kajaran, Kapan, Meghri, Sisian, and Goris.

The program consists of breathtaking performances of tightrope walkers,
jugglers, clowns, and magicians, as well as four new acts prepared
by students of Yerevan Circus School after Leonid Yengibarov.

By the way, the Yerevan Circus School continues to accept admissions
applications. Interesting performances given by students during exams
may be included in the program of Yerevan Circus.

The new building of Yerevan Circus is still under construction so
the company of the circus organizes performances in other cities of
the republic. This year the circus has toured Lori, Shirak, Tavush,
and Ararat provinces of Armenia and also visited the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic for the first time.

RUBEN VARDANYAN: I AM HAPPY THAT OUR DREAM CAME TRUE

20:09 17/09/2013 ” Society

“Our plan and project came true. It was implemented on a high level. I
am satisfied,” told architect Artak Ghulyan Panorama.am adding that
regardless all the difficulties they had come across with during the
implementation of the project the church was constructed.

According to the architect though the construction lasted for years
changes have been made in design and decoration even yesterday.

“I tell everyone that there are two main issues that I have put on
the table; I wanted to introduce the Armenian architecture out of
the borders of Armenia and to make it so that it corresponds the
architecture of the city it is built in. I think the church will
be considered within these two aspects,” the architect notes. The
construction of the church was implemented due to Armenian
philanthropists, Ruben Vardanyan, the CIB co-chair among them.

“I am happy that our dream came true at last,” Ruben Vardanyan said
at the briefing with the journalists.

According to Ruben Vardabyan the fact that the church is big is
really good, but the best thing here is that the people will have the
opportunity to come together and to communicate to each other inside
the church.

“I also like the fact that our children will have the opportunity
to get acquainted to the Armenian traditions and values here,” the
speaker added.

President Serzh Sargsyan and Mrs. Rita Sargsyan, together with the
president of Nagorno-Karabakh Bako Sahakyan attended the ceremony of
consecration of the Armenian Cathedral in Moscow and opening of the
Church compound. The ceremony of consecration of the Cathedral was
conducted by His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II.

LATEST ACT OF HANDING OVER STATE STAGED IN MOSCOW

Hakob Badalyan
Comments – Tuesday, 17 September 2013, 22:10

The Customs Union of Government and Church In Moscow the biggest
cathedral outside Armenia was opened. It has an administrative
building, a hotel, a dining hall. Whether the largeness or the Customs
Union was the reason, Serzh Sargsyan also attended the opening of the
church. The Armenian cathedral in Moscow was built with the donations
of “church-loving Armenians”. The Russia-based Armenian rich people
are meant. It is not clear what “church-loving” means. Do they love
the church as a building or as a religious institution? If the answer
is religious institution, I wonder how these “church-loving Armenians”
imagine their role in the life of the nation where the state has de
jure been the key institution over two decades. However, in the second
decade of the state opening churches continues to be treated as a
national event, and huge churches continue to be built. In other
words, in the second decade of the state the Armenian people or
their political and business elite come together around cathedrals,
not secular institutions of the state. The same thing took place in
Armenia when Gagik Tsarukyan built a huge church in Abovyan where the
government and opposition prayed side by side. This is touching indeed
but the Armenian people, the citizens of Armenia and the Diaspora, as
a potential subject of global competition, need secular institutions
providing premises for development rather than touching scenes. They
need institutions where unity is not a physical act involving
people coming together at a place and smiling to each other or at
least not swearing at each other but a process involving discussion,
criticism and opposition that leads to generation of ideas and contains
mechanisms of recognition of its result, capable of legitimacy. The
state is the most viable and competitive model of national unity,
whereas Armenians continue to subject the state, sometimes subtly,
sometimes roughly, to the church. This causes mutation of both
the state and church. As a result, neither of them develops and is
modernized to suit the time. Meanwhile, the consequences of the problem
are acknowledged. The problem has nothing to do with the modernization
of the state or the church. Or it is related to the extent when
modernization itself supposes new requirements and criteria for the
“church-loving Armenians” in Armenia and the worldwide Armenians and
the society. The “church-loving Armenians” have not reached the mental
and moral level needed for those criteria, therefore modernization
exposes them to danger because it may raise essentially the level
of society’s requirements and disturb the atmosphere of tolerance,
leading to new requirements for the elites.

The goal is to maintain the current level at the cost of stagnation of
the church and using the church as a private or group lifebelt. The
problem is clear – the society must not hinder the “church-loving
Armenians” to determine their own destinies. When the state is
attending this issue, questions occur which require answers.

Meanwhile, over the past decades or centuries the Armenian Apostolic
Church has become a mechanism of avoidance of concrete answers, which
is lying at the heart of the lucrative deal between the government
and the church. Logically, the role and importance of the belt is
growing in Moscow where the destinies of “church-loving elites” are
determined. Since the church replaces the state de facto as a leading
institution, it means adjusting itself to the de facto structure of
the state where Moscow has reiterated its role of destiny shaper. The
church is one of the key symbols of this reality, and Moscow’s role
would be psychologically weak unless it is enriched with one of the
key symbols of the reality.

“WE AND OUR MOUNTAINS” EXHIBITION WILL BE DEDICATED TO ARMENIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY

20:24, 17 September, 2013

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS: In folk art center after Hovhannes
Sharambeyan on September 18 will be opened “We and our mountains”
exhibition dedicated to Independence Day of Armenia. “Armenpress”
was informed from ministry of culture of the Republic of Armenia
that in the exhibition will be introduced creations of painter Samvel
Khachatryan’s, photographer Levon Manukyan’s and other people.

The folk art center after Hovhannes Sharambeyan was founded on the
base of folk art state museum made by painter Hovhannes Sharambeyan.

© 2009 ARMENPRESS.am

RVVZ FOUNDATION CONDOLES WITH THE FAMILY OF GERARD CAFESJIAN

12:50 17/09/2013 ” Society

Ruben Vardanyan and Veronika Zonabend on behalf of RVVZ Foundation
Board express condolence with the family of Mr. Gerard Cafesjian who
passed away at the age of 88.

“I met with Gerard Cafesjian about 4 years ago and regret that I
didn’t have the chance to meet this great man earlier to support his
endeavors. Gerard Cafesjian was sincerely and unselfishly aspired to
be useful for his motherland and will remain in the history as one
of the most remarkable Armenian philanthropists. Gafesjian Center of
Arts at Cascade set up by Gerard Cafesjian became one of the symbols
of new Armenia and we all should make the efforts to continue the
cause of the great benefactor”, Ruben Vardanyan said.

EMBOLDENED BAKU RAISES VOICE UPON INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY?

September 17, 2013 – 19:00 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Baku’s incessant bellicose statements prove a fact
that hasn’t been a secret to anyone – Azerbaijan hasn’t the least
intention to contribute to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement.

Recent statement by Azerbaijani Defense Ministry spokesman proves
the above-mentioned.

Commenting on the demand of the international organizations to withdraw
snipers from the line of contact, Eldar Sabiroglu said, “Azerbaijan
refuses to do it. We won’t be pulling snipers till the end of the war.”

International organizations, advocating the Nagornao Karabakh
settlement have been demanding to withdraw snipers from 2011. The
demand came from OSCE Minsk Group, among others, with co-chairs,
as well as the Presidents of the co-chairing countries -Russia,
France and U.S. – urging to pull snipers.

Continuing Azeri provocations came as one of the reasons for the
demand, with the formers leading to the death of Artsakh and Armenian
servicemen, and peaceful population as well. Seems like Azerbaijan
is blatantly ignoring the demand of superpowers, with the latters
expecting to silently digest this affront as they did before.

For many years, Azerbaijan has managed to go unpunished for hindering
Karabakh conflict settlement efforts, ignoring urges to observe
ceasefire, develop mechanisms of investigation of incidents at contact
line, undermining peace talks, threatening a new war, purchasing
inordinate amounts of weaponry in violation of international norms.

Clearly, total impunity affects the ability to recognize limits,
so this time, Baku chose not to wiggle as usual, when pretending to
be ready to solve the conflict. This time, Azerbaijan raised its voice.

What’s the reason behind Azeri leadership’s impudence? Might be,
the oncoming presidential polls in the country, or slight cooling
of Europe-Armenia relations following Yerevan’s decision to join the
Customs Union. So Baku used of the situation to push its agenda.

Let’s wait and see, whether Azeri impudence will be tolerated again or
if the superpowers, ignored by Baku, will choose to put the insolent
country in its place.

Marina Ananikyan/PanARMENIAN.Net

KARABAKH AND COUP

Naira Hayrumyan
Comments – Tuesday, 17 September 2013, 20:55

Armenia is trying to figure out the economic and political benefits
that its membership to the Customs Union may bring about, understanding
that benefits are ruled out initially. People wonder what pushes us
into that union. Zbigniew Brzezinski described it precisely. He said
that Russia is merely trying to subject the post-Soviet states which
are still independent. The next, according to Brzezinski, will be
Ukraine which depends on Russia more than Armenia.

However, it is not ruled out that Azerbaijan will be the next which
helped Russia to bend Armenia towards the Customs Union. The Russian
analytical press hints that Azerbaijan may suffer considerably in
case it wants to join the Customs Union. Russia does not need Armenia
without Azerbaijan, these two countries always go together for Moscow.

And now, having achieved Armenia’s consent, Russia will move on to
Baku with similar arguments as for Yerevan – a coup in Karabakh –
in the same order. Russia continues to sell arms to Azerbaijan even
after Serzh Sargsyan’s agreement. Moscow did not turn its back
to Baku, on the contrary, activated its efforts. In addition, a
presidential election will be held in Azerbaijan in October, and the
Azerbaijani mass media are predicting a coup. The threat of coup is,
most probably, Putin’s key argument vis-a-vis Serzh Sargsyan. All
through the summer the political forces yelled about the failure of
the economic policy and that the Association with the EU would give
away Karabakh. Moreover, the parties declared rallies and vote of no
confidence for this fall. All through the summer Armenia was shaking
with protests, scandals, leakages. The skeleton of civic activists were
able to stay “clean” though even they said that someone is provoking
clashes and unrest. Notably, after the statement to join the Customs
Union activism declined considerably. In this regard, it took a hint
that those processes were coordinated to convey to Serzh Sargsyan
that change of government was quite realistic, as well as equally
realistic for Ilham Aliyev. A similar situation characterizes the
Karabakh issue. Not having announced about its intentions, Russia
retains its levers of influence on Armenia and Azerbaijan. A single
step by Aliyev may be followed by the recognition of NKR by Russia,
while Serzh Sargsyan’s ruses may lead to a “small war” in Karabakh.

The European Parliament has adopted a special resolution on pressure
exerted by Russia on the post-Soviet states and committed to coming
forth with measures to support these countries. What measures can
Europe come forth with?