Month: September 2013

MOODY’S ASSIGNS BA2 RATING TO ARMENIA’S BONDS

September 27, 2013 | 16:52

Moody’s has today assigned a rating of Ba2 to the Armenian government’s
700 million US$-denominated notes due 2020. The notes will bear
interest at a rate of 6% per annum. The rating is derived from
Armenia’s Ba2 government bond rating with stable outlook, says the
statement issued by the agency.

Moody’s notes that Armenia’s rating is supported by its prudent fiscal
policy, which is reflected in recent deficit reduction from 7.5%
in 2009 to 1.5% in 2012, in part achieved by under-realised capital
expenditure and gradual revenue-mobilization.

The latter is underpinned by tax reform to broaden the tax base and
the introduction of a funded multi-pillar pension system from 2014
onwards. Other credit positive factors include the favourable cost
of funding due to borrowings from official lenders.

At the same time, Armenia’s Ba2 rating is constrained by the economy’s
small size and its reliance on commodity exports and on remittances,
mainly from Russia. In this regard, Armenia’s already high economic and
financial exposure to Russia is set to intensify within the Customs
Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan as opposed to the previously
considered EU Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). Moreover,
the country’s limited tax take and relatively high corruption rank
also represent credit challenges.

In August Moody’s revised its sovereign credit outlook for Armenia
changing it to stable from negative, but later changed Armenia’s
foreign-currency bond ceiling to Ba1 from Baa3.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

VETERANS V. COURT: SUPPORTERS CALL FOR RELEASE OF RETIRED COLONEL

SOCIETY | 27.09.13 | 15:47

Photolure

By SIRANUYSH GEVORGYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter

Comrades-in-arms and friends of retired army colonel Volodya Avetisyan,
in custody for “cheating and money misappropriation”, have circulated
a petition to appeal the general jurisdiction court decision at the
Court of Appeals, by which the war veteran was denied a bail-out. More
than 350 people have signed the petition.

The war veteran council state that they are not defeated by
Avetisyan’s arrest – he initiated and led a series of sitting strikes
and civil protests demanding improvement of their social conditions
and legislative changes to consolidate the reform.

“We want to inform the authorities that we will not be taking the
path they choose for us. Parallel to supporting Volodya Avetisyan we
will continue our fight for decent social conditions for our fellow
veterans, their families and the families of the deceased freedom
fighters,” members of the Freedom Fighters’ council, rallied at
Republic Square, told the press Friday.

Avetisyan together with a group of fellow veterans declared a sit-in
in Yerevan’s Liberty Square in May, which later grew into a more
structured and united stand-off demanding improvement of their social
conditions and legislative changes to consolidate the reform, has been
charged with fraud. On September 20, the Defense Ministry reported that
“by cheating and abuse of trust Avetisyan has misappropriated $2,000
under the pretence of support to citizen H. Zakaryan in releasing
his grandson from compulsory army conscription.”

“Khachakir” NGO leader Gagik Sarukhanyan raised the issue of those who
gave and took a bribe, after he had declared that Avetisyan’s case was
“fake”.

“Even if the charge is accurate, which we do not believe, there is till
someone who gave a bribe and there is a mediator – they are trying to
turn Avetisyan into one – and there is the person who took the bribe
to free that young man from army service. Now, how come those who
bribed and got bribed are free, and Avetisyan is under arrest?” he
said, adding: “The case is clearly connected with the issues raised
by Avetisyan, who with his standoff demonstrated the true face of the
authorities unable to resolve even tiny issues. He hit a weak point,
hence it made sense to neutralize him.”

It is worth mentioning that retired lieutenant colonel Samvel
Lazarian and “Pre-Parliament” secretariat member, Shushi special
division commander Zhirayr Sefilyan both claim that during the four
months of the veterans’ standoff Avetisyan was repeatedly offered a
bribe by various people to stop his civil activities. Sefilyan says
“if Avetisyan’s persecution continues” he will name those who offered
bribes.

Avetisyan has refused to tell anything to the investigative body and,
his attorney says, will soon make a public statement.

ARMENIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY MARKED IN ROMANIA

10:07, September 27, 2013

Celebrations marking the 22nd anniversary of Armenian independence
continue in the Romanian capital of Bucharest and other towns with
a sizeable Armenian presence.

Commemorating Armenian Independence Day has become a tradition in
the towns of Roman, Botosani, IaÈ~Yi and ConstanÈ~[a.

Last year, Armenia’s Dilijan and Romania’s town of Roman were
officially declared sister cities.

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN’S STATEMENT AT THE OPENING OF THE BISHOPS’ SYNOD OF THE HOLY ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH

24.09.2013

“Your Holiness Garegin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, Your Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia, Your Eminences,

I am glad to be here, at the Armenian spiritual center, at the Holy See
of Mother Etchmiadzin which is precious to us all. I cordially welcome
you all, all Bishops of the Armenian Church and particularly spiritual
leaders who have arrived to the blessed soil of our Motherland from
the remote Armenian communities spread all over the world. Taking
this opportunity, I would like to say that I am well aware of your
patriotic undertakings aimed at the preservation of the national
identity and I thank you for them.

I am thankful to the Catholicos of All Armenian for extending
invitation to me and for the opportunity to address you with welcoming
remarks. As any son of our nation, being present here I deem it
necessary to once again express my filial affection, devotion and
support to the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church.

People who are familiar with the ups and downs of our history can
duly appreciate the vital mission which the Armenian Church has been
performing and continues to perform today. This spiritual institution,
which had been established through the efforts of the Apostles, for
the stateless and world-spread Armenian nation never lost its ties
with the uppermost values which bond together the Armenian identity.

The lamp ignited by Saint Gregory the Illuminator today too continues
to spread light among us, while the servants of the Armenian Church
continue their devoted services, faithful to the behests of Saint
Sahak Partev, Mesrop Mashtots, Nerses Shorhali, Grigor Tatevatsi and
brilliant Patriarchs Nerses Ashtaraktsi, Khrimian Hayrik, Vazgen I
and our other spiritual fathers.

It’s been twenty-two years since we have restored our independent
Armenian statehood; however in the Armenian national life the national
preservation role of our Church continues to be important just as
much. Today, more than ever we have to strengthen spiritual values
which link us together and make us one united Armenian nation.

Through the power enshrined in our Constitution, the Republic of
Armenia recognizes the exceptional mission of the Holy Armenian
Apostolic Church in the spiritual life of the Armenian nation,
development of our national culture and preservation of the national
identity. It is with great pleasure that I state close cooperation
between the State and the Church and our ability to complement each
other in the resolution of our national issues.

Eminent Spiritual Fathers,

Motherland Armenia is home to all Armenians while the Mother Church
is the cornerstone and pillar for Armenia and Armenian nation. For
centuries, the glance of the devout Armenian nation has been directed
to Holy Etchmiadzin. Right here the heart of our Mother Church is
throbbing, nourished with the love and prayers of the millions of
our faithful brothers and sisters.

Now, we are witnessing the epoch-making event indeed. For centuries,
due to different circumstances, and particularly in the last six
centuries, it was not possible to invite a bishops’ synod of the
Armenian Church. I am glad to state that currently it has become
possible to overcome that problem and to convene the Bishops’ Synod
at the Holy See of Saint Etchmidzin, on our native land.

This event is a major signal to our devotees and is called upon to
prove the Mother Church’s dedication to the mission of uniting the
world-spread Armenian nation. I am confident that this conclave will
manifest new process in the Armenian spiritual life and will allow the
entire Armenian nation to take upon the realization of all-Armenian
issues with new vigor and energy.

With the convocation of this meeting, the Holy Armenian Apostolic
Church is ushering a new era of its history. It gets the opportunity
to find answers to multiple questions of our spiritual and moral life,
to streamline its reforms and modernize its work according to the
current challenges.

I know that the agenda of your works is rather exhaustive. I believe
one of the issues under discussion deserves special attention: it
pertains to the important initiative of canonization of the victims
of the Armenian Genocide.

On the eve of the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, our entire
nations continues to say “No” to the crimes against humanity. It is
our duty to our forefathers, to our innocent victims and to the entire
human kind so that new genocides may be prevented in the future. With
this regard, the anticipation of our entire nation from the Armenian
Church and its Bishops is great.

Devastating civil war in Syria is going on; it has become a grave
challenge for the Armenian-Syrian community. Situation in Syria is our
greatest pain and our number one concern every day. At the direst for
our nation times, the people of Syria received with open arms those who
narrowly escaped the Genocide and shared with us whatever they had. We
wish that the situation is resolved through the political means as
soon as possible and the bloodshed is stopped in this friendly state.

The responsibility to preserve the Christian faith, love and morals,
our devotion as the apple of our eyes is a blessing for us all. I
am deeply convinced that all this for centuries has been embodied
and fulfilled in the life of our nation by the Armenian Church with
all its dioceses, parishes, communities and structures. This is an
institution which is to be loved, cherished and preserved by every
Armenian as the guarantor of our nation’s unending journey to eternity.

Asserting once again my joy on the Bishops’ Synod of the Holy Armenian
Apostolic Church, I remain hopeful that it will be convened regularly
in the same spirit of unity for the glory of our faithful believers. I
wish you all success and fruitful work.

God bless and preserve the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church and our
Armenian world.

Thank you.

PRESIDENT ATTENDED THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR A NEW CHECK-POINT IN BAGRATASHEN

27.09.2013

President Serzh Sargsyan conducted today a working visit to Tavush
marz. The President attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the a
check-point in Bagratashen. The check-point is being constructed in
the framework of the RA State Border Bagratashen, Bavra and Gogavan
Modernization Program. In Bagratashen, the President was familiarized
with the process of implementation of this 60.6 million Euro worth
program and forthcoming works. Reports were made by the Head of the RA
Government State Revenue Committee Gagik Khatchatrian, Head of the EU
Head of Delegation in Armenia Traian Hristea, UN Resident Coordinator
in Armenia Bradley Busetto, Head of the National Security Strategy
Implementation Department of the RA National Security Council Aram
Tananian. The event was attended also by the representatives of the
state border control bodies, international and international financial
organizations, diplomatic corps, and mass media.

Bagratashen, Bavra and Gogavan check-point modernization program is
carried out by the Development Program of the United Nations (UNDP),
construction works are conducted by the French SADE Consortium and
the State Revenue Service is coordinating the entire process. The
program is financed by the EU grant and other credits.

The program will allow to solve the problem of the installment and
development of a comprehensive system of management of the RA state
borders, enhancement of security at the state borders, facilitation of
border crossing processes for the citizens and business entities and
will enhance international trade. It is expected that the modernization
of the cross-points will also considerably improve the living standards
for the local population since it will create temporary jobs for the
period of construction and permanent jobs when the construction is
completed. It will allow to ensure smooth flow of economic activities
through the check-point. In addition, the population will see
improvements in the communication and information related issues.

The modernization process of the RA border check-points commenced
back in 2010 with the Presidential decree on the adoption of the
RA state border security and comprehensive management strategy,
which was followed by the adoption of a program in 2011 aimed at the
realization of relevant measures for the implementation of the strategy
in the period of 2011-2015. The program mentions as a priority the
modernization of three check-points – Bagratashen, Bavra and Gogavan.

On July 22, 2013, President signed another decree which implies
introduction at the RA state border check-point crossing procedures
of the One Stop, One Window approach.

From: Baghdasarian

MELIK-SHAHNAZARIAN: NEW THEORIES OF CONFLICT SETTLEMENT ADVANCED

Friday,
September
27

‘The negotiating process on the Karabakh conflict settlement has
recently been at a deadlock, while international mediators don’t show
activity due to the upcoming presidential elections in Azerbaijan. Yet
various international research centers have advanced new theories
of the conflict settlement. For example, the last report of the
International Crisis Group contains some approaches ,which are
dangerous for the Armenian side’s position,” political scientist
Hrant Melik-Shahnazarian said at a meeting with reporters today.

In his words, expert circles of the West try to equate the actions
of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The political scientist noted that the
extradition of Ramil Safarov and his glorification by Azerbaijan
have always been perceived as the main reason of the collapse of the
Karabakh conflict negotiating process, but in parallel with it, an
attempt is now being made to present the plans to operate Stenakert
airport as a factor.

“This thesis was already advanced in the report released by the
International Crisis Group yesterday. The studies, which were conducted
by the United Royal Services Institute for Defense and Security Studies
(RUSI) and financed by Azerbaijani side, contain the same thesis. They
are trying to develop that thesis and move it to the political arena,’
the expert noted.

According to H. Melik-Shahnazarian, the second thesis is one about
inefficient activities of the OSCE Minsk Group, that is to say,
the Minsk Group has for years failed to contribute to the conflict
settlement and the format of negotiations should therefore be changed.

“Azerbaijan is really interested in expanding the format of the OSCE
Minsk Group because its main ally and elder brother – Turkey is not a
Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group and has no opportunity to be engaged
in active politics in the South Caucasus. The Azerbaijani side tries
to stir up activity at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border by taking
subversive actions so that those theses would not be unfounded. It
aims to show to the international community that the conflict was
not frozen,” Melik-Shahnazarian said.

As regards the third thesis, the political scientist stressed
that Azerbaijan tries to show that although Armenia won the war,
nevertheless it has lost in the wide sense as it lags behind by
its economic indices. According to the political scientist, in this
context, data about economic progress, Azerbaijan’s defense budget,
etc. are constantly announced.

“These theses are now being advanced at an expert level. They will
become an information factor, but I am convinced that with the lapse
of time they will become a political factor as well so we should
struggle against this,” he stated.

TODAY, 18:18

Aysor.am

POLITICIAN: AZERBAIJAN TRIES TO CHANGE THE NEGOTIATING FORMAT OF THE NK ISSUE SETTLEMENT

Today – 20:43

“Negotiations over the Nagorno-Karabakh issue are in deadlock recently
and the international mediators don’t show activity connected with the
coming presidential elections in Azerbaijan. But some ways of solution
are worked out in some international organizations. For example,
some approaches in the recent report by the International Crisis
Group were dangerous for Armenia”. Politician Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan
said about this during the meeting with the journalists. Panorama.am
informs about this.

According to him, Western experts try to present Armenian and
Azerbaijani actions as equal. He presented an example according which
the experts try to present as equal actions the extradition of Ramil
Safarov and the wish to open the Stepanakert airport.

“This already exists in the report presented by the International
Crisis Group. The thesis exists also in the research made by the
London “Rusi” royal research institute. The latter research was made
by Azerbaijani financing and it wasn’t hidden. This thesis is tried to
be developed and brought to the political field”, the politician said.

According to him the second thesis is about the uselessness of OSCE
Minsk Group. According to it OSCE MG hasn’t assisted to the conflict
solution for years so the negotiating format must be changed.

“Azerbaijan is really interested in demolishing the OSCE MG, as its
elder brother and main ally Turkey is out of the MG and is unable to
have active influence on the policy of the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan
tries to make some activity around the conflict in order to give
opportunity those approaches to come to life. That is why it organizes
diversions on the border in order to show that the conflict isn’t
frozen”, H. Melik-Shahnazaryan noticed.

Referring to the third thesis, the speaker underlined that Azerbaijan
tries to show that despite of Armenia’s victory in the war, our
country has been defeated in general, as it has lower economical
index. And numbers of Azerbaijani economic growth are shown actively
in this context.

“Now these thesis will become information factor, but I am sure that
they will become also political factor in future. And we must struggle
against it”, the politician underlined.

SPEAKER PEREZ RESPONDS TO AZERI THREATS

Friday, September 27th, 2013

by Ara Khachatourian

Speaker Perez (left-center) discusses issues with Artsakh President
Bako Sahakian during their meeting in Yerevan last week

Asks to be included in Baku’s notorious “black list”

BY ARA KHACHATOURIAN

LOS ANGELES-In a rebuke to Azeri efforts to discredit elected
officials, California State Assembly Speaker John Perez, who just
returned from a visit to Armenia, responded to a threat from Azeri
Consul General in Los Angeles of being included in a so-called “black
list” of people visiting the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

Ahead of the California state and local officials visit to Armenia
and Artsakh, the Azeri Consul General Nasimi Aghayev sent a letter
to the non-Armenian officials in the delegation threatening that if
they travel to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, official Baku would
deem them personae non gratae and include them in a “black list”
that so far boasts more than 300 foreign officials.

Perez was never scheduled to travel to Artsakh due to prior commitments
in California. Yet his absence from the Artsakh leg of the trip was
characterized by Azeri officials and media as him having caved into
Azeri pressures.

In a letter addressed to Aghayev by Perez and obtained by Asbarez, the
speaker clarifies his travel itinerary and urges the Consul General
to add his name on the “black list” if Baku opts to characterize any
member of his delegation as a persona non-grata.

“Please be advised that if the Republic of Azerbaijan does, in fact,
add any California official to the list of persona non grata you
should immediately add my name as well,” wrote Perez to Aghayev.

“Had you inquired before sending your letter, you would have learned
that at no time did my itinerary include visiting Nagorno-Karabakh,”
explained Perez.

“That said, I must not let go unanswered any attempt to dictate
the travel plans of duly elected representatives of the State of
California. Further, raising the threat of making California elected
officials persona non grata in your country hardly seems conducive
to building a strong and mutually beneficial relationship,” added
Perez in direct response to the threats made by Aghayev and Baku.

Nagorno-Karabakh Republic President Bako Sahakian met with Perez and
delegation in Yerevan before the speaker’s departure.

“My colleagues and I are fully aware of the circumstances in
Nagorno-Karabakh as well as the important relationships that the
United States has with both the Republic of Armenia and the Republic
of Azerbaijan. I unequivocally support our government’s efforts to
bring about a peaceful resolution to this situation, and I share
the sentiments of President Obama when he joined with the Presidents
of France and the Russian Federation to declare their commitment to
helping the parties reach a lasting and peaceful settlement. It is
in that spirit that I respond to your letter,” explained Perez.

The Perez-led delegation included Assemblymembers Katcho Achajian,
Cheryl R. Brown, Adrin Nazarian and Scott Wilk. A Los Angeles City
Council delegation also visiting Armenia includes Bob Blumenfield and
Paul Krekorian and staff. They arrived in Armenia on September 17 at
the invitation of the Armenian government. After Perez left Armenia,
the remainder of the delegation visited Artsakh, where they met with
government officials and toured the country.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region played
a key role in organizing the delegation visit to Armenia and was
represented by its board chairwoman Nora Hovsepian and Executive
Director Elen Asatryan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A FASCINATING JOURNEY OF SELF DISCOVERY: CLIMBING MOUNT ARARAT

Friday, September 27th, 2013

The group of climbers with Mt. Ararat in the background

BY ANNETTE MOSKOFIAN

Ararat is the place named in the Book of Genesis where Noah’s Ark
came to rest after the great flood (Genesis 8:4). Many explorers
for centuries came in search of the Ark, and I came in search
of rediscovering the realization of my dreams, my ideals and my
principles. It was a pilgrimage made to the most prominent symbol of
a nation held in captivity. Ararat is synonymous with the Armenian
national identity, and although it is under Turkish occupation and
a region inhabited mainly by Kurds its symbolism for Armenians,
standing 5137 meters high, is of utmost importance.

Our small group of four started this unbelievable journey on a hot
day in July from Kars, to the ancient ruins of Ani to Ararat, Van and
finally to Moush. Incidentally, my grandmother was a survivor of the
Genocide whose whole family of 100 were all massacred in Moush. I was
brought up with harrowing stories about her journey of survival and
about my courageous grandfather who was a Fedayi (freedom fighter) and
how never to trust the Turks or the Bolesheviks or any foreign power
for that matter. The ideals of “Free, Independent and United Armenia”
were the basis of my national education from childhood. Majority
of Armenians from the Diaspora are survivors or are grandchildren or
great-grandchildren of genocide survivors. We have all heard first-hand
about what happened to our families, but witnessing the devastation
in person is quite moving. I truly understood in this journey what
annihilation of a race means as the Turks systematically killed more
than 1.5 million Armenians and the subsequent Turkish rulers wiped
out any trace of a race, destroying historical churches, monuments,
towns and villages; my heritage, the land of my ancestors wiped out.

At the second camp: we proudly displayed the Armenian flag and,
for the first time ever, the ARF flag

Yet here was our group, used to the comfort of their homes in search
of their history and with a quest to conquer this harsh terrain. We
had a Hungarian friend also in our group who came to understand that
our taken path was nothing to do with a physical challenge. What
we learned on our ascent was indescribable; the mountain tested our
physical and mental strength, our character, dedication and conviction
to climb even higher. It was a journey full of contradictory feelings;
funny, sometimes hilarious, sad, painful, peaceful, exhausting, an
awe inspiring experience, each of us with our strengths and weaknesses
complementing the group’s collective efforts.

I began the journey at a stage in my life when I had started to
question my political convictions, the direction we were heading and
wondering where we had gone wrong, in search of answers and hoping that
the answer laid in the journey of this glorious mountain. I undertook
this challenge in the memory of my grandmother and grandfather who
were never able to return and be buried in their homeland. I found out
that our demands were just and took an oath to redirect my life. It
was a tough, rocky journey full of hardship; and so is the journey
ahead of us for the realization of our dreams and reaching the summit.

ARMENIAN LEADER OF ISTANBUL’S BESIKTAS SUPPORTERS’ GROUP IS ARRESTED

September 27, 2013 | 13:53

ISTANBUL. – Numerous members–including leaders–of Istanbul’s Beþiktaþ
J.K., Galatasaray S.K., and Fenerbahce S.K. supporters were arrested
Friday morning.

Eighty supporters of the three well-known clubs were taken into
custody, reports Milliyet daily of Turkey.

Among them is Istanbul-Armenian Alen Markaryan, the supporters’
leader of Beþiktaþ’s Carþý Group.

Turkey’s Minister of Interior Muammer Guler noted that the arrestees
are suspected of committing organized crimes among the supporters.

To note, Beþiktaþ’s Carþý Group is known for its active participation
in anti-government demonstrations.

Alen Markaryan, who is born in 1966 in Istanbul, directs the Carþý
Group–which was founded in 1982–during the football and basketball
matches of Beþiktaþ J.K. Carþý Group is known for its unique shows
during the matches.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress