Month: September 2013

ARMENIA’S FIRST PRESIDENT TER-PETROSYAN WARNS AGAIN ANTI-RUSSIAN RHETORIC

YEREVAN, September 10. /ARKA/. The first president of Armenia and
leader of the oppositional Armenian National Congress (ANC) Levon
Ter-Petrosyan called upon his supporters to avoid anti-Russian rhetoric
in connection with the situation around official Yerevan’s decision
to join the Russia-initiated Customs Union.

“Today I see there is a danger for us. Recently Serzh Sargsyan was
being presented as a broadminded pro-Western politician, whereas we
were portrayed as obscure pro-Russian forces. Now, after Sargsyan
turned around 180 degrees, the same forces are trying to label us as
Russophobes”, Ter-Petrosyan said at an ANC board meeting.

The first president reminded he warned against both an-Russian and
anti-Western moods many times.

No ANC leader should make any outrageous statement against Russia,
its people or Putin, Ter-Petrosyan said.

“We should realize we are not a marginal and irresponsible element,
but an alternate serious institutional political force having a full
understanding of state responsibility”, the first president said.

According to Ter-Petrosyan, after having received an offer from Europe
to sign an association agreement, Sargsyan should have met with Putin
and told him “Europe offers this, what could you offer in response”.

“It is a natural partnership diplomatic obligation, and if the
outcome anyway should be the membership in the customs union, it
would be a more worthy and more advantageous partnership and Armenia
would gain much more than in the current humiliating situation”,
Ter-Petrosyan said.

Yet, according to Ter-Petrosyan, Brussels would not burn bridges with
Armenia, will not give up “flirting” with it and will keep hoping
for a success in future.

The ex-president also said he cannot make assessments
of the customs union before professional economists
study its limitations and advantages.-0- – See more at:

From: Baghdasarian

NO ARMENIANS SUFFERED IN BIG CAR CRASH IN IRAN: PRELIMINARY REPORT

YEREVAN, September 10. /ARKA/. No Armenians suffered in a major car
accident occurred in Iran, the press secretary of Armenian foreign
ministry Tigran Balayan said referring to a preliminary report by
the Armenian embassy in Tehran.

The crash killed at least 44 people, more than 40 were injured.

The accident occurred Monday night on Tehran-Kum highway when two
interurban buses collided, RIA Novosti reported.

According to the preliminary information, one of the buses had a flat
tyre, which made the driver lose control and drive into the oncoming
traffic lane. Both vehicles caught fire.

The circumstances of the incident are still under investigation.-0-

– See more at:

From: A. Papazian

TRAFFIC TO BE STOPPED IN SOME STREETS FOR ARMENIA V DENMARK

YEREVAN, September 10. /ARKA/. The traffic will be ceased in a
number of streets in Yerevan Tuesday from 5:30pm till 10pm due to
Armenia-Denmark qualifying football match to take place at Hrazdan
Stadium of the capital, the press office of the Traffic Police
reported.

In particular, sections from Isakov Avenue – Atenk street crossroad
toward Hrazdan Gorge and toward Leningradyan-Atenk crossroad, as well
as the section from Kilikia district to Atenk street will be blocked.

The Traffic Police apologizes for the inconvenience, according to
the report.

Armenia v Denmark kicks off at 8:00 pm in Hrazdan Stadium in Yerevan
tonight.-0–

– See more at:

HAYKAK ARSHAMYAN. “THIS IS A WAY TO DIVERT THE INVESTIGATION, I HAVE NO RESEMBLANCE TO KARO YEGHNUKYAN TO GET CONFUSED”

September 9 2013

Recently, the Pre-Parliament published “Pre-Parliament” and “Let’s
Liberate the Monument from an Oligarch” civil initiative member Karo
Yeghnukyan’s letter is addressed to the RA Attorney General. In the
letter, Karo Yeghnukyan addressed the Attorney General, saying that
they have the so-called confused Haykak Arshamyan with him, this is
why they beat him. As explained by Karo Yeghnukyan, attack on Suren
Saghatelyan and Haykak Arshamyan was actually directed against him.

“Armenian Arshamyan lives in Zakyan street, building 3, apartment 37.

My apartment number is 37, in the same Zakyan street, building 8,
which proves that the attackers just confused the building number.

They turned to him with the expression “Are you a Diaspora man”, I
think they meant the fact of my being immigrant.” Haykak Arshamyan,
in the interview with Aravot.am assured that his apartment has nothing
to do with Zakyan Street. “It is in the neighborhood, but there is
quite a distance. Secondly, I have no resemblance to Karo Yeghnukyan
by appearance to get confused. I think that this is a way to divert
the investigation.” We clarified that it is not that they beat you
accidentally, he replied, “No, of course, no. They were following
my car, they knew the plate number of my car. As far as I know, Karo
Yeghnukyan’s car is ‘jeep’, my car is a small “Toyota”, and there is
nothing to confuse. Those beating came, did their job and left. I guess
that our beating depends on Armenia and Russia latest developments,
with the Association Agreement, with my active participation in
the last 2 rallies and my activeness in social networks.” To our
question as to what the benefit of Karo Yeghnukyan is to divert the
investigation in this way, Haykak Arshamyan answered, -“I can not
explain his motivation. I do not want to tell the reasons because I
do not know him, I do not know who he is, and I do not want to make
any interpretations on his personality. But, it is a simple issue,
Abovyan street is located in one place, Koghbatsi street is located
in another place. I live in Koghbatsi street. Especially his said
address is located in completely different place.”

Read more at:

From: A. Papazian

ABOUT DOMESTIC PARTNERS

September 10 2013

You can not hurt and pour ridicule on Putin, Russia and the Russian
people. You can not do the same in the case of any other country
or nation. Even on Erdogan or Aliyev, because even though we have
problems with their countries, but these people are the leaders of
these countries and the possible partners, with which problems should
be solved. The state approach should be as such, which should be
displayed by any political force, even the opposition, and thus this
approach differs from dissident displays when you may say everything.

If we love this or that country or its culture, it does not mean
that the rest should be hated. The antonym of love is not hatred
but not love. With this exhortations the first president, ANC leader
Levon Ter-Petrosyan referred to his party members on Saturday. These
judgments are 100% correct. I’m also sure that not only the parties but
also all our citizens, especially those who have the opportunity to
make a public speech, should have restrained and respectful attitude
toward all countries and all nations. Otherwise, it sometimes happens
when the publicists or politicians “peck”, let’s say, at Erdogan, as
if he is their personal enemy. It is clear that the policy of Turkey
and its Prime Minister, in many cases, is directed against Armenia
and Armenians. But it must be talked about purely politically, and
not by the vocabulary of “Iskra” or “Pravda”. It is sad, however,
that the first President did not extend his exhortation to the
domestic life. The logic here may be as follows: if it is true that
the leaders of other countries are potential partners of our state
(the authorities and responsible opposition), with which we have to
solve the problems of foreign relations, it is equally true that all
political parties and all citizens of Armenia are partners for solving
domestic problems. In our country, I think, there is no party that
believes that these problems should be solved by war, and violence,
on the contrary, all are supporters of a dialogue format. Even if it
is said a “revolution”, it means the peaceful transfer of the power as
it were, for example, in Poland. Jaruzelski and Polish Communists were
again partners in this respect. Perhaps, the situation of potential
partnership must also be taken into account in the domestic life.

Following the words of some parties and what was written, we can
state that so far it is not so. ARAM ABRAHAMYAN

Read more at:

Zaur Nasirli: Hazing rules Azerbaijani army; morale and training
condition of soldiers is on the rocks

13:50 07/09/2013 » SOCIETY

“At first, I’d like to dispel the myth that having a military budget
of $3.7 billion, we will surely crush Armenia, the military budget of
which is only $ 412 million,” writes journalist Zaur Nasirli in the
article titled “Myths and Realities of the Azerbaijani Army,”
published in Azerbaijani portal “Factheber.”

The author notes that the military expenditures of Azerbaijan are 7
times larger than the military budget of Armenia, “but, unfortunately,
it means nothing.” As an example, the author brings Turkey the
military budget of which is about 11.2 billion dollars, and Saudi
Arabia, the military expenditures of which is $ 60 billion.
“Nevertheless, the armies of these countries are not comparable.
Turkey several times excels Saudi army in all respects – in
professionalism, weapons, military trainings, etc.” Nasirli says.

The article also says that the U.S. military budget is 633 billion
dollars, which is more than the entire state budget of Russia and is 7
times greater than its military budget. However, the Russian army is
not inferior to the U.S. Army. At the same time Russia is one of the
world’s leading weapon exporters.

“Thus how reasonable it is to speak with such certainty about the
inevitable victory over Armenia? The pledge of strong army is not
money, but the professionalism, fighting efficiency, high quality
trainings of the soldiers and their fighting spirit. One would not say
the same about our army, where still hazing reigns, and the morale of
soldiers and their level of military training is almost on the rocks.
Everyone tries to avoid passing military service by all means because
of the horrific conditions existing in the army,” says the article.

The author notes that the Azerbaijani soldiers swear after giving
their service that the concept of “fight for their country,” is not
worth a damn for them.

“With such a spirit of soldiers, it is very difficult to talk about
any specific victories. Unfortunately, the government does not give
much importance to the army. It practically does not fight tyranny and
commanding voluntarism. The government is just trying to present
everything in pink colors, showing off its 3-billion-dollar budget,
most of which is spent for other purposes. To solve such a big problem
the authorities need to fully replace the commanding staff of the
army, because solving the problems with the current army commanders is
the same as gathering alcoholics and fighting the alcoholism by their
help,” Nasirli sums up.

Source: Panorama.am

Amnesty International urges Armenian authorities to investigate
thoroughly attack on two Armenian activists

September 07, 2013 | 14:14

The Armenian authorities must investigate thoroughly and without delay
the brutal attack on two Armenian activists and to ensure that the
perpetrators are brought to justice, Amnesty International said in a
statement.

`The Armenian authorities have committed to ensure that activists can
carry out their work without interference, obstacles, discrimination
or fear of retaliation. To honour this commitment means only one thing
in this particular case – that the attack on the two activists is
investigated impartially and effectively and the perpetrators are
found and brought to justice,’ said Denis Krivosheev, Europe and
Central Asia Deputy Programme director.

Suren Saghatelian and Haykak Arshamian were set upon by half a dozen
men, in the courtyard of Haykak’s apartment building at around 10 pm
on the night of 5 September.

Haykak Arshamian told Amnesty International he was convinced that they
had been targeted in connection with their civil society activism. He
described the attack as an `assault against civil society and
independent media in Armenia’.

Neither Haykak or Suren are affiliated with any political party or
organisation, but they had been actively involved in protests against
the government’s recent decision to join the Eurasian Union.

`Civil society activists must be able to carry out their activities
without interference, obstacles, discrimination or fear of
retaliation. The authorities are obliged to promote the rights to
freedom of expression, assembly and association. Only an effective
investigation will demonstrate that they take their human rights
obligations seriously,’ said Denis Krivosheev.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: A. Papazian

`Band case’ convict Dallakian sustained injury during arrest

Saturday, September 07

Arman Dallakian, a convict in the `band case’, died at 8:42 pm
yesterday, on September 6, in Convicts’ Hospital penal institution.
During a talk with PastInfo news agency, Gor Glechian, spokesman for
the Criminal Executive Department of Armenian Justice Ministry, found
it difficult to specify the cause of death.

`A post-mortem will be carried out to establish the cause of his
death,’ Glechian noted. In is words, on August 30 the convict
underwent eye surgery. Dallakian didn’t attend the September 2 court
sitting because of ill health, and the sitting was postponed.

Earlier, on November 19 of last year Arman Dallakian underwent an
operation in Convicts’ Hospital. During the arrest, Dallakian stabbed
himself in the abdomen, resulting in a hernia.

At that time Dallakian’s lawyer Vachagan Kosian told PastInfo that his
client’s health problems were not solved because of the low level of
medical care. On the day of his arrest, Dallakian was transported from
the Department for Fight against Organized Crime to Erebuni Medical
Center. The following day, immediately after the surgical operation,
the patient was discharged from the intensive care unit. Asked by the
lawyer why the patient was immediately discharged, doctors said that
he was discharged on the demand of law enforcers and was taken to the
police hospital under escort.

TODAY, 14:27
Aysor.am

Father of Gurgen Margaryan gets worse after surgery

by David Stepanyan
Saturday, September 7, 13:56

Artush Margaryan, the father of Gurgen Margaryan, an Armenian officer
murdered by Azeri Ramil Safarov in Budapest in 2004, got worse after a
surgery.
Margaryan’s doctor told 168 Zham newspaper that the crisis is due to
problems with blood flow in the man’s brain.

Artush Margaryan attempted suicide on Sept 5 by stabbing himself in
the stomach. The police found a kitchen knife on the scene. Margaryan
was sent to the Malatia Medical Center and underwent surgery.

Eight years after being sentenced by a Hungarian court to life in jail
for killing Margaryan, Azeri officer Ramil Safarov was extradited to
Azerbaijan. The same day Azeri President Ilham Aliyev decreed to
pardon the criminal.

Artur Baghdasaryan surprises authorities of Abkhazia

by Alexandr Avanesov

ARMINFO
Saturday, September 7, 13:53

The authorities of Abkhazia are surprised at Secretary of the Armenian
National Security Council Artur Baghdasaryan’s statement that Abkhazia
has allegedly given its consent to opening of the former Transcaucasus
railway service, Kristian Bzhania, Spokesman of the President of
Abkhazia, said on September 6.

Earlier Secretary of the Armenian National Security Council Artur
Baghdasaryan said that Russia, Georgia and Abkhazia had given their
consent to the opening of the Abkhazian railway section. According to
RIA Novosti, the authorities of Abkhazia have announced that
Baghdasaryan’s statement has nothing to do with the reality.
Kristian Bzhania said that the issue had been raised neither within
the frames of the Abkhazian-Russian dialogue nor in any other format.
He stressed also that it was not an “Abkhazian railway section”, but
an “Abkhazian railway”.

The Administration of the President of Abkhazia has specified that the
President of Abkhazia and Russia discussed the railway issue neither
in Sochi nor in Pitsunda.

To note, the opening of the railway is of strategic importance to
Armenia, because it is the shortest and the cheapest way to Russia.
The railway service via Abkhazia was closed following the conflict of
1992-1993.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress