Month: September 2013

HONTE POUR LA JUSTICE ARMENIENNE ?

ARMENIE

Les quotidiens commentent la remise en liberte du fils et du garde du
corps de l’ex gouverneur du Siounik, Souren Khatchatrian, accuses de
meurtre. Si l’avocat des victimes (deux frères, dont l’un a ete tue
et l’autre, un commandant de l’armee, gravement blesse) a qualifie
cette liberation de ” honte pour la justice armenienne “, la famille
des deux frères la considère comme ” un defi a la societe ” et ”
une preuve du cynisme absolu des autorites “.

Rappelons que l’organe menant l’enquete a estime que les deux
suspects ont agi en situation d’auto-defense. Les quotidiens se
montrent perplexes quant a cette liberation sans procès. ” L’organe
charge de l’enquete s’est donc reserve les fonctions de tribunal,
de procureur et de juge “, relève Hraparak. Le pro-gouvernemental
Hayots Achkhar relève que, du point de vue moral, la liberation des
deux suspects est inadmissible : ” Que l’on ne s’etonne plus si les
proches de l’ex-gouverneur battent ou tuent encore des gens pour
raison d’auto-defense. L’impunite genère toujours de nouveaux crimes “.

Le directeur du bureau de Vanadzor de l’Association Helsinki, Arthur
Sakounst, relève dans Haykakan Jamanak que la remise en liberte des
proches de l’ex-Gouverneur est un camouflet pour les forces armees,
l’une des victimes etant un colonel. ” Ainsi, en Armenie, meme les
officiers ne sont pas proteges des oligarques. La decision de soutenir
la famille de l’ex-gouverneur a ete prise au plus haut niveau. Cela
traduit le caractère mafieux de nos autorites. Souren Khatchatrian
est un instrument important permettant a Serge Sarkissian de maintenir
son influence “, a-t-il declare.

Extrait de la revue de presse de l’Ambassade de France en Armenie en
date du 10 septembre 2013

mardi 17 septembre 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

LE GOUVERNEMENT AMERICAIN ET HRW CONDAMNENT LES ATTAQUES EN ARMENIE

ARMENIE

Le gouvernement americain et une ONG internationale des droits humains
ont ajoute leur voix a de fortes condamnations d’une recente serie
d’attaques violentes contre des militants des droits civils armeniens
et ont exhorte les autorites a Erevan a punir leurs auteurs.

L’ambassade americaine en Armenie a condamne les coups portes contre
Haykak Arshamian et Suren Saghatelian le 5 septembre qui ont suivi
leur participation a une manifestation contre les plans du gouvernement
pour rejoindre une union douanière dirigee par la Russie.

Elle a egalement note les agressions similaires sur plusieurs autres
jeunes activistes le 22 Août. Ces derniers avaient participe a un
sit-in exigeant la demission de deux hauts fonctionnaires municipaux
en charge des transports en commun a Erevan.

” Avec les attaques il y a eu plusieurs rapports de militants
etant suivis, intimides et harceles ” a declare l’ambassade dans
un communique.

” Nous exhortons le gouvernement d’Armenie a prendre des mesures
rapides pour condamner les attentats et pour instruire et poursuivre
les auteurs. Le gouvernement devrait s’assurer que ses citoyens
puissent exercer leurs droits fondamentaux comme la liberte de
reunion, d’expression et de parole sans crainte de represailles ”
dit le communique.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) a condamne les attaques dans des lettres
adressees aux chefs de la police armenienne et au Service Special
d’Investigation, un organe de repression subordonne aux procureurs
de l’Etat.

” Les responsables devraient rapidement mettre les assaillants devant
la justice et faire savoir clairement que toute violence contre des
personnes qui exercent leur droit de manifester pacifiquement sera
pas toleree ” a declare l’ONG basee a New York a declare dans un
communique separe.

Personne n’a ete arrete ou inculpe dans le cadre de ces incidents
jusqu’a present. Arshamian, Saghatelian et d’autres victimes decrivent
ce fait comme une preuve supplementaire que les attentats visaient
a forcer les autres militants a cesser de contester le gouvernement.

mardi 17 septembre 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

VERSACE MADE IN KARABAGH ?

KARABAGH

Les chefs d’entreprise italiens ont rencontre le Premier ministre de
l’Artsakh Ara Haurtunian mercredi dans la Republique du Haut-Karabagh
pour discuter de la possibilite de lancer des unites de fabrication
pour des societes de haute couture comme Versace, Armani, Prada
et Moschino.

Le gouvernement de la Republique du Haut-Karabakh souhaite developper
l’industrie legère dans le pays avec un projet de ressusciter la
fabrication de la soie datant de l’ère sovietique qui avait lieu dans
l’usine Gharmetakskombinat.

Les entretiens avec les chefs d’entreprise italiens visaient a creer
un climat possible pour de tels investissements.

La production de textile, la fabrication de tapis, le traitement de
la laine et des usines de production de fils fonctionnent deja. Le
programme contribuera non seulement au developpement economique de
l’Artsakh, mais aussi creera des emplois locaux.

” C’est notre première cooperation avec des marques celèbres. C’est
le projet le plus important de l’Artsakh independant dans le domaine
de l’industrie legère ” a declare le Premier Ministre Harutunian.

Selon le vice-Premier ministre Arthur Aghabekyan, conformement a
un accord preliminaire, la societe italienne couvrira les frais
d’importation des equipements et l’exportation de la production.

” Nous sommes ici pour nous familiariser avec les conditions. Je
pense que nous allons reussir a lancer la production dans le pays,
en cooperation avec les autorites. Nous developperons les marques
Versace, Armani, Prada et Moschino en Artsakh. Nous produisons
principalement des vetements de sport ” a dit un homme d’affaires
italien. Comme on pouvait s’y attendre, cette initiative a provoque
la colère de Bakou. Le ministère des Affaires etrangères d’Azerbaïdjan
a lance une enquete et des ” instructions appropriees ” ont ete donne
a l’ambassade d’Azerbaïdjan en Italie. Certains Azeris ont appele au
boycott des marques italiennes.

Le portail de nouvelles virtualaz.org a demande au representant de
Versace a Bakou Ramin Movsumov des commentaires, dans l’espoir que
l’information ci-dessus serait refutee. Les journalistes, cependant,
ont ete decus par les propos de Movsumov.

Il a dit que Versace est une societe italienne qui peut choisir
d’ouvrir des representations dans tous les pays du monde.

” Je ne vois rien qui irait a l’encontre des interets azerbaïdjanais.

Pour autant que je sache, la societe ouvre une boutique, plutôt qu’une
usine a Stepanakert. Le president de la compagnie Luigi Antonini m’a
recemment parle au sujet de leur intention d’ouvrir une representation
a Erevan “, a declare Movsumov.

Il a conclu en disant aux journalistes de ne pas melanger la mode avec
la politique, notant qu’aucune mesure n’a ete prise portant atteinte
aux interets azeris.

La representation de Versace en Azerbaïdjan est une partie de la
Holding Qarant detenue par le fils du ministre des Transports Anar
Mammadov.

mardi 17 septembre 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

SERZH SARGSYANS’ WILY SILENCE

Interview with Hovhannes Igityan, ex-chairman of NA Foreign Relations
Committee

Mr. Igityan, after the statement to join the Customs Union the
European leaders announced that Armenia cannot sign the Association
Agreement. In the meantime, opinions are expressed that not everything
is finished. Do you think there is a way back now?

Let’s ignore statements that politicians attached to Serzh Sargsyan
make who are saying that the chance has not been lost, integration
continues, and they don’t even care for what Fule says. If we
consider it more seriously, the free and comprehensive free trade
area was a big chance which Armenia missed. Everyone is speaking
about security but security is not only neutralization of missiles
flying towards Armenia but social, demographic, emigration issues,
and finally economic development. In the 21st century it is a shame
to have GDP per capita at 2000-3000 dollars. We need to take into
account two things: first, we were left behind the process; second,
Russia already set the deadline to join the Customs Union – May 2014,
and after membership to the Customs Union it will be impossible to
be in DCFTA.

Hence, the Association Agreement becomes something declarative, it is
what Armenia had even without legislative amendments: we respect our
people, we will protect our people’s rights, democracy, justice etc.

Armenia was moving in that direction voluntarily, nobody forced
Armenia to face the EU, the EU is not Russia to talk to Armenia in
the language of blackmail and ultimatums. The EU gave a chance, and
the chance was in line with our interests. Now, every Republican is
speaking about the national interest of Armenia. But even if we take
the most optimistic numbers, annually 50,000 people leave, 50,000 by
ten years is half a million, by twenty years is one million. What is
the minimum population that our country needs to survive? Who will
answer this question? Meanwhile, the Customs Union will not open a
single job. The RPA oligarchs say it will be easier to trade but they
are already doing quite well, buying at 500 drams and selling at 1000.

Now they will buy at 400 drams but will not reduce the margin.

Over these years of negotiations nobody explained to the public the
meaning of DCFTA.

You are rights, over these three years nobody explained what DCFTA is,
everyone said we will have free trade with Europe. However, it is not
only free trade but it would enable whatever is produced in Europe to
be produced here. Siemens which opens factories in Hungary or Romania
could open a factory in Armenia which would be more lucrative, in
other words, Armenia would be part of the European economic family.

Investments would be made, jobs would be created. After all, we need
to take into account that producing in China is more costly than
in Armenia. What will the Customs Union bring to us without border
sharing? And with border sharing, all we would have would be one or
two percent growth of the budget and not a single new job.

Is membership to the Customs Union something formal then?

In our case yes, it is. Each of the three countries of the Customs
Union, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia, pursues their political and
economic interests, they removed customs and set up a transnational
economic commission which establishes customs duties for each border
and each product. In other words, when a Chinese product crosses the
border of Kazakhstan to head for Russia, the duty goes to the budget
of Kazakhstan. We have inquired from economists on which product is
imported to Armenia from non-CU member states and exported to the CU.

There are not such products. Iranian products fall out because Iran
shares a border with Russia and it does not need to transport its
products to Armenia to further transport them to Kazakhstan. The same
goes for the Georgian goods, it also shares a border, so our budget
will not increase.

What made Serzh Sargsyan take such a step when we were preparing for
the Association Agreement? Was there a lack of security guarantees
that they agreed to take that step?

Now all we can do is guess because Serzh Sargsyan is silent, everyone
is speaking about Russian pressure, whereas I don’t know whether there
was pressure from Russia or not. Now Europe does not blame Armenia
for denying its commitments and wasting money for four years but
blames Russia for pressure. Serzh Sargsyan keeps wily silence, and
his entourage speaks with if clauses, they say if he had not signed,
NKR security would be such.

Let’s assume that Russia put forth a serious security-related problem
before Armenia to stipulate signing. For example, considering that
Russia has sold Smerch missiles to Azerbaijan which will be hard to
handle, it tells Armenia it will leave Armenia alone face to face with
Azerbaijan. Now I am asking Serzh Sargsyan whether he is sure that his
move eliminated the risk. Flattery or weakness cannot eliminate risks.

Danger is neutralized by being a factor. Don’t think that a small
country cannot be a factor for a big country. Today Russia puts
pressure on Moldova, hence Moldova is a factor for Russia, and if it
puts pressure on Armenia, it means Armenia is a factor, and one can
face big states with a principled state policy. If Russia put pressure,
the risk of pressure is not eliminated.

Mr. Igityan, do you think Europe will start working with Armenia in
a different format?

Some serious politicians give a primitive presentation of the
situation. There must be a complex, diversified policy. We have deep
military monopolistic relations with Russia. Armenia votes for every
initiative of Russia at the UN or other international organizations,
in economy energy, communications, factories, train tracks are managed
by Russia. I see no risk. One can be in different systems, economic
or military. If this primitive statement is true, NATO member states
should sell only in NATO member states. This is nonsense. The world is
open, open borders are the first advantage since globalization. Every
country can sell their products in any other country. We are a CSTO
member, when Russia is attacked, we will do and defend it. Unlike
DCFTA, where we must determine the customs duties, standardization,
in the Customs Union the Eurasian Economic Commission headed by Victor
Khristenko will determine the customs policy.

As to further steps of cooperation with the EU, the EU says I am open.

They are even going to sign free trade agreements with China, Malaysia,
Indonesia and other Asian non-democratic states but within the Eastern
Partnership Armenia was one step ahead, Azerbaijan did not use this
chance, neither did Belarus. Armenia took a step which cannot be
reverted, and it has already had consequences in both the West and
Russia, and now it is very difficult to turn back because I can’t
see the premises.

12:07 17/09/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MFA: WE DO NOT THINK THAT A RESPONSIBLE PERSON FROM ANY COUNTRY COULD MAKE AN IRRESPONSIBLE STATEMENT IN ORDER TO PLEASE

11:24 17/09/2013 ” POLITICS

We do not think that in order to please an Azeri lobbying organization
a responsible person from any country could make an irresponsible
statement which could only harm the negotiation process.

MFA speaker Tigran Balayan expressed his opinion commenting on
Armenpress’ question on the fact that according to Azerbaijani
media, in an answer to an Azeri lobbying group’s question, the
Foreign Minister of Romania has reportedly made an odd statement,
which distorts the essence of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and its
settlement process.

“It is hard to believe that high ranking official of any OSCE and EU
member state could make a statement which contradicts the approaches
of both the OSCE and the EU, which evidently contradicts also the
five statements made during the last five years by the heads of the
OSCE Co-Chair countries, the Presidents of Russia, the USA, France
on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” the MFA Speaker added.

Source: Panorama.am

PRESSE ARMENIENNE : REVUE DU 13 SEPTEMBRE 2013

Publie le : 17-09-2013

Info Collectif VAN – – Le Collectif VAN vous
presente cette Revue de Presse parue sur le site de l’Ambassade de
France en Armenie le 13 septembre 2013.

Ambassade de France en Armenie

Revue de la presse armenienne du 13 septembre 2013

I. Union douanière eurasiatique

1. Edouard Nalbandian et le Commissaire Fule ont poursuivi leurs
entretiens/ Les deux hommes ont poursuivi a Erevan leurs negociations
entamees il y a une semaine a Bruxelles suite a l’annonce par
l’Armenie de son choix en faveur de l’Union douanière. Tout en
s’abstenant de details, le communique du MAE armenien relève que le
chef de la diplomatie armenienne a reaffirme le souhait de l’Armenie
de poursuivre le partenariat avec l’UE dans toutes les directions
possibles. Rappelons que le Commissaire europeen est en Armenie pour
prendre part a la reunion informelle des Ministres des AE des pays
du Partenariat oriental.

Par ailleurs, lors d’un point de presse, le President de l’AN,
Hovik Abrahamian, a ecarte toute pression de la part de la Russie
a l’encontre de l’Armenie : le choix avait ete fait par l’Armenie
en fonction de ses interets nationaux. Il a toutefois indique que ”
l’Armenie n’est pas prisonnière ” et que ” si le document definitif qui
sera soumis a la signature ne repond pas aux interets de l’Armenie,
celle-ci ne l’acceptera pas “. M. Abrahamian s’est etonne de la
question de savoir si le HK allait egalement faire partie de l’Union
douanière : ” C’est l’Armenie qui adhère a l’Union douanière !

Quel rapport avec le Karabagh ? Le HK est un Etat independant “…

Le Parlement europeen a appele jeudi la Russie a mettre fin aux
pressions ” inacceptables ” sur les pays du Partenariat oriental. Dans
une resolution, les deputes europeens ont invite Moscou a s’abstenir
d’exercer des pressions accrues sur lesdits Etats. ” La Russie doit
respecter entièrement leur droit sou verain a faire leurs propres
choix politiques “, lit-on dans cette resolution.

II. Politique interieure

1. L’Armenie aura bientôt un nouveau Procureur general/ Le mandat
du Procureur actuel, Aghvan Hovsepian, s’achevant le 12 septembre,
le chef de l’Etat doit presenter a l’AN une nouvelle candidature. En
vertu de la legislation, le Procureur general est elu au vote secret
de l’AN sur proposition du President de la Republique pour un delai
de 6 ans. / Azg

2. Appels a elucider les recentes attaques contre les manifestants
pacifiques/ La delegation de l’UE en Armenie, l’Ambassade americaine,
ainsi que ” Human Rigth Watch ” ont exprime leur preoccupation
quant aux attaques contre les manifestants depuis le 22 août et en
particulier l’agression de deux militants, le 5 septembre. Ils ont
appele les autorites armeniennes a condamner ces attaques, a mener
des enquetes independantes et a sanctionner les coupables. / Azg,
Haykakan Jamanak

III. Questions regionales

1. Serge Sarkissian a nouveau en visite a Moscou ? / Selon les
informations de Joghovourd, le President Sarkissian se rendrait a
nouveau a Moscou, le 16 septembre, afin de participer a l’inauguration
d’une cathedrale armenienne. Le Catholicos Karekine II et le ”
President ” du HK, Bako Sahakian, devaient l’accompagner lors de
cette visite. Le quotidien ignore cependant si des entretiens avec
les autorites russes sont prevus a cette occasion. Haykakan Jamanak
relève que, depuis a l’accession a la tete de l’Etat en 2008, Serge
Sarkissian a effectue au total 32 visites dans la capitale russe, soit
deux fois plus que l’ensemble de ses visites dans les pays europeens,
aux Etats-Unis, en Chine, en Georgie et en Iran. Le quotidien ecrit
avec ironie, que meme les gouverneurs de regions russes ne se rendent
pas aussi frequemment a Moscou…

2. Le nouveau copresident americain du Groupe de Minsk favorable a la
” diplomatie populaire “/ Lors d’une conference de presse a Erevan,
le copresident americain, James Warlick, s’est prononce en faveur du
rapprochement des deux peuples armenien et azerbaïdjanais et de la
mise en place de mesures visant a creer une atmosphère de confiance.

D’après lui, le règlement du conflit du HK ne sera pas possible sans
la volonte politique des deux dirigeants, sans des concessions de
toutes les parties impliquees et sans la perception que le règlement
repond aux interets des deux peuples. A la question de savoir comment
un règlement du conflit etait possible si l’Azerbaïdjan poursuivait sa
rhetorique militariste, ne privilegiant que le principe de l’integrite
territoriale, le diplomate americain a insiste sur le fait que toutes
les parties devaient faire des concessions, sans quoi le conflit ne
serait pas regle. / Hayots Achkhar, Azg, Hayastani Hanrapetoutioun

3. Versace, Armani, Prada et Moschino bientôt ” made in Karabagh ” ? /
Arminfo relève que des hommes d’affaires italiens se sont rendus au HK
et ont rencontre le ” PM ” Ara Haroutiounian, le 11 septembre, afin
d’evoquer l’eventualite d’implanter au HK des unites de production
de certaines lignes des marques italiennes prestigieuses Versace,
Armani, Prada et Moschino. Le PM du HK aurait salue ce projet, le
qualifiant d’extremement important pour le developpement economique
du HK. Le ” Gouvernement ” du HK devrait mettre a disposition de la
partie italienne un espace de 3 500 m2 où se trouve une usine de
soie actuellement a l’arret. L’ouverture des unites de production
permettrait de creer des centaines d’emplois au HK.

Redaction : Meri Hakobian

Retour a la rubrique

Source/Lien : Ambassade de France en Armenie

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

QUAKE IN GEORGIA FELT IN NORTHERN ARMENIAN PROVINCES

NEWS | 17.09.13 | 11:45

An earthquake registered in Georgia today was felt on a minor scale in
some northern provinces of Armenia, reports the Ministry of Emergency
Situations of Armenia.

The Seismic Protection Service of Armenia received information on
a magnitude 5 earthquake registered in the territory of Georgia at
8:09 am. The epicenter of the earthquake was 102 kilometers to the
west of capital Tbilisi (measuring 6-7 in the epicenter).

In Armenia’s territory the earthquake was felt in the towns of
Noyemberyan and Ijevan (as 3 points).

No victims or destruction has been reported.

WELL-KNOWN PHILANTHROPIST GERARD L. CAFESJIAN DIES AT THE AGE OF 88

Today – 11:42

Armenian-American well-known philanthropist Gerard Leon Cafesjian
dies at the age of 88.

Mr. Cafesjian was born April 26, 1925 in the Bensonhurst neighborhood
of Brooklyn, New York. His parents had come to the United States
preceding the Armenian Genocide by the Turks.

After amphibious training, he served as a sailor in WWII aboard J.P.

Morgan’s yacht, the Corsair III, built in 1895 and renamed the
USS Oceanographer. The ship did extensive survey work in and around
Guadalcanal and other Solomon Islands in 1943 and 1944. He also served
aboard the USS Andres (DE45), a destroyer escort for convoys from the
United States to North Africa in late 1944 and 1945. When he returned
after the war he married Cleo Thomas, a nurse he met during the war.

Mr. Cafesjian earned a degree in economics from Hunter College , and
a doctorate of jurisprudence from St. John’s University Law School ,
both in five and a half years. He is a member of the New York Bar
Association.

Mr. Cafesjian retired from West Publishing when it was sold to
Thompson Publishing in 1996. As he said publicly, he felt his destiny
was to help the country of Armenia, which had gained its independence
after hundreds of years of subjugation under various rulers. The time
and circumstances and confluence of resources would help him make a
difference for the country. After attending to his family needs, Mr.

Cafesjian established the Cafesjian Family Foundation. Through that
Foundation he devoted more than $128 million to various Armenian
projects. His investments included the private Armenia and ArmNews
television stations, the Cascade financial services group, real
estate and a renewable energy company, all eventually sold. Any
profits generated were re-invested in Armenia for further development.

Mr. Cafesjian completely renovated the Cascade site in downtown
Yerevan, Armenia. As of early 2000s, it was an unfinished and crumbling
Soviet structure of epic proportions on a hillside.

Following a major reconstruction, the Cascade became the site of the
Cafesjian Center for the Arts that opened in 2009. The Museum enjoys
a world-class sculpture garden with works by Fernando Botero, Lynn
Chadwick, Barry Flannigan, Francois-Xavier Lalanne and Jaume Plensa,
among others. Admission is free and it is now the most prominent
meeting place in Armenia. Over one million people have visited the
Center since its opening.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA AND RUSSIA TO COOPERATE IN SPACE EXPLORATION

11:15, 17 September, 2013

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS: The Government of the Republic
of Armenia will discuss the issue related to the approving of the
proposal of the agreement signing between the governments of Armenia
and the Russian Federation in the field of exploration and use of
the space for peaceful purposes. As reported by Armenpress, the issue
is included in the agenda of the Armenian Government’s session to be
held on September 19.

The proposal of the agreement signing between the governments of
Armenia and the Russian Federation in the field of exploration and
use of the space for peaceful purposes has been submitted to the
Government of Armenia to be approved. The reporter is the Minister of
Transport and Communication of the Republic of Armenia Gagik Beglaryan.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA HAILS CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONTROL PROPOSAL

News | 17.09.13 | 09:58

Photolure

Armenia welcomes the proposals made as a result of the U.S.-Russian
talks regarding putting the Syrian chemical weapons under international
control, Foreign Ministry spokesman Tigran Balayan said in reply to
a question from RFE/RL’s Armenian Service.

“Armenia welcomes the proposals based on the agreement reached in
Geneva between the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and the US
Secretary of State John Kerry, which could lead to the elimination
of chemical weapons and exclusion of its use in Syria,” said Balayan,
reports the Ministry’s website.

The spokesman added that this agreement could also “open the way to
find a political solution to the Syrian crisis through peaceful means,
putting an end to the sufferings of the Syrian people, including its
integral part – tens of thousands of Syrian-Armenians.”

From: A. Papazian