Month: September 2013

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN ATTENDS OPENING OF BISHOPS ASSEMBLY

11:18, September 24, 2013

President Serzh Sargsyan attended today’s opening in Etchmiadzin of
the Armenian Apostolic Church’s Assembly of Bishops presided over
by Catholicos Garegin II and Catholicos Aram I of the Great House
of Cilicia.

Sargsyan welcomed the bishops of the Church, many who arrived from
around the globe, and wished them success and unity in their endeavors.

From: A. Papazian

PANARMENIAN.NET PROJECT: HISTORY OF ARMENIAN COINS FROM 3RD CENTURY BC

September 24, 2013 – 10:58 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – PanARMENIAN.Net ‘s new project titled ‘History of
Armenian Coins from 3rd Century BC’ is dated to the 20th anniversary
of the Armenian national currency, theDram, which is celebrated on
November 22, 2013.

20 years ago, the replacement of Soviet rubles by a new national
currency started in Armenia.

Introduction of the Dram played a key role in the establishment of an
independent state. Despite the hardships Armenia experienced in the
1990s, these were the years when the foundation for Armenian statehood
and financial structures, including the banking system, was laid.

Armenian dram was put into circulation at AMD 14,5 to USD 1. With a
shift to a floating rate policy, the exchange rate soared by 5 times
to comprise AMD 75 to USD 1 by the yearend. Presently, Armenia retains
the floating rate policy, with the exchange rate of AMD 406.17 to
USD 1 as of September 23, 2013.

By the decree of the government, November 22, along with the birthday
of Armenian Dram, also marks the Day of Banking System Employee.

PanARMENIAN.Net jointly with the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA)
implemented the unique project to present the rich history of money
circulation, as well as the collection of coins and bank notes in
possession of the CBA to its readers.

The project was carried out in collaboration with HSBC Bank Armenia
thanks to its experience in national currency backing in different
countries of the world.

HSBC Global Archives is home to a diverse collection of the bank’s
history spanning two centuries, including all of the historic bank
notes issued by The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, The
Mercantile Bank of India, and The British Bank of the Middle East.

Also held at the archives are examples of coinage and earlier types
of currency such as silver sycee, as well as ornate albums of notes,
hand painted design plates, and correspondence with banknote engravers
that reveal the story behind the bank’s long history of issuing money.

HSBC’s collection of banknotes issued by The Hongkong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation runs from 1866 into the 1990s. Afterwards,
the responsibility for note issuing was gradually transferred to
governments in the Straits, Japan and Thailand, with the Corporation
retaining its role in Hong Kong.

HSBC was born from one small idea – a local bank serving international
needs. The bank opened for business in Hong Kong on March 3, 1865.

Entering Armenia in the mid-90s, HSBC was the first international bank
and the largest international investor in the country. HSBC played
an increasingly important role in the establishment and development
of the banking system in Armenia by integrating international banking
and customer service standards and technology and by working side by
side with the government and regulators.

BLUNDERS ALL AROUND

Editorial, 22 September 2013

September 3, 2013 will go in history books as a day when Armenia was
publicly humiliated by Russia. Why did the protagonists of Yerevan’s
attempt to get close to the west-Armenia’s Serge Sarkissian and senior
European Union (EU) officials–not foresee the train wreck speeding
their way?

Seeing no future in aligning with a “backward”,
dictatorial,domineering, dead-end and business-as-usual
Russia, Sarkissian wanted to align-politically, commercially and
culturally-with the west. He incredibly believed that he could do so
while retaining Armenia’s military alliance (meaning protection)
with the east. Meanwhile, the EU bureaucrats nonchalantly and
incomprehensibly assumed the Russia bear would play dead as Armenia
tried to drift from Moscow’s sphere of influence.

It’s no secret that since the end of the Second World War the west has
been encircling the USSR/Russia. With the demise of the Soviet Union,
the western borders of Russia was shut tight and an opening in the
Caucasus and the Central Asian “stans” became even more important
to Russia’s geopolitical interests. Russia “loss” of Georgia further
increased Armenia’s importance to Russia, especially since Azerbaijan
(“one people two nations” with NATO-member Turkey) is eager to send
the Russians packing.

There was no way Russia would have allowed Armenia to slip into
Europe’s embrace. To make Armenia even more vulnerable to Russia’s
suffocating hug, several realities about the Armenian condition should
be considered: blockaded by two hostile Turkic republics-one of them
incessantly threatening Armenia-Yerevan needs Moscow. It would take
Turkey’s huge army a mere few hours to swallow Armenia lock, stock
and Medzamor. Meanwhile, petrostate Azerbaijan is flexing its muscles,
thanks to nonstop weapons imports from at least 18 countries.

Armenia is also vulnerable to Russian economic pressure. Russia is,
by far, Armenia’s biggest export market. Russia owns most of Armenia’s
economic assets…and hundreds of thousand Armenians, who work in
Russia, send billions of dollars in remittances to their homeland.

Still with economics: While Armenia was sending love notes to EU and
Russia was putting on the economic screws on Yerevan, Brussels didn’t
hint at any economic aid to alleviate Armenia’s economic crisis.

Despite the above unpromising scenario, Panglossian Sarkissian
continued his courtship of the EU. (He also wouldn’t make public the
text of Armenia’s agreement with the EU. Critics said he didn’t want
to reveal EU’s negative stance toward liberated Artsakh).

After sending messages-through Russian think tanks and Russophile
Armenian journalists-Putin pulled out the big stick. Sarkissian had
to be brought to his senses before Armenia signed the EU Eastern
Partnership Agreement in mid-November in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Despite serving as a secret agent (1974 to 1991), Putin is not a subtle
man. He promptly sold $4 billion worth of weapons to Baku-his “ally’s”
belligerent foe. Then his foreign minister–Sergey Lavrov–dropped
hints which could be interpreted as Moscow’s support for Azerbaijan
sovereignty over Nagorno-Karapagh. And for good measure, Putin
increased the price of fuel he sells to Armenia.

Perhaps the Siberian Tiger-Whisperer was hoping the resulting price
rises would create political turmoil which would topple Sarkissian.

Pollyanna Sarkissian got the message. In early September he ate humble
pie and announced Armenia would join Putin’s Eurasia club. Goodbye
to Eurofication.

Sarkissian was the creative “brain” of this farce or Greek
tragedy-depending on one’s view. He ignored facts which are known even
high school students in Armenia. Armenia’s geopolitical situation
is such that it can’t survive without Russia. Armenia’s northern
neighbor-Georgia-is unreliable. Its southern neighbor-Iran-is
considered a pariah by the west and is under western economic and
political lockdown.

But Sarkissian is not the only party who miscalculated grievously.

What were the EU officials thinking when they began their courtship
of Armenia? Did they think Armenia would be allowed to slip out of
Russia’s shadow? And as the signing of the Partnership Agreement
got closer, why didn’t the EU make confidence-building political and
economic gestures to Armenia? While there were reports that Armenian
products were not up to scratch for the EU markets, there was no
encouraging word from Brussels.

After Armenia’s house of cards collapsed, to save face Sarkissian
kept mumbling that Armenia’s European Dream was not over. Meanwhile,
a senior EU official promised: “We definitely have not given up on
Armenia and the Armenian people.” The EU would not abandon Armenia.

When—and how many times–have Armenians heard similar empty and
hypocritical words, from the west?

In what must be the understatement of the year, the secretary general
of the European Friends of Armenia said that he believed Armenia’s
decision to join the Customs Union “was not a free choice.” Ahem.

Finally, there’s Putin. While his country depends dangerously on
the export of a single product, Putin has unrealistic ambitions
of reviving the truncated remains of the Soviet Union into a super
political-economic-military bloc. To realize his feeble dream, he
has dragged in two states (Kazakhstan where 24% of the population is
Russian) and Belarus to his bloc: the latter through blackmail.

Russia is in disarray. Corruption, rampant alcoholism, declining
birthrate, and a sharp drop in longevity have sent Russia to the sick
bay. To fend off further decline in population, Putin has offered
enticements to the citizens of some former Soviet republics to settle
in Russia.

The lumbering bear wants Armenia. And whether Armenia likes it or not,
sickly Russia is the only game in town.

Putin might have opened a Stolichnaya Elit to celebrate Sarkissian’s
U-turn, but the former KGB agent should know that a forced marriage
doesn’t bode well for the future of the relationship. Perhaps
he doesn’t realize that his loveless wedding not only humiliated
Sarkissian, but it also humiliated Armenians everywhere. His brutal
tactics will leave a permanent scar on Armenian-Russian relations. One
can’t force love. Unfortunately, Vlad the Impaler is no debonair
Casanova.

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN PARTICIPATED AT THE SESSION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE COLLECTIVE SECURITY TREATY ORGANIZATION IN SOCHI

23.09.2013

President Serzh Sargsyan, who is in the Russian Federation on a working
visit, today in Sochi participated at the session of the Council of
the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)

Before that there took place a closed meeting of the leaders of the
CSTO member states where President Serzh Sargsyan made a statement.

***

Statement of President Serzh Sargsyan at the closed meeting of the
leaders of CSTO Council

Distinguished Colleagues,

I would like to start from the words of gratitude addressed to Vladimir
Vladimirovich Putin for the hospitality and excellent conditions
created for our work.

Armenia is approaching the issue of the further development of the
Collective Security Treaty Organization – the guarantor of security
for its members – from the standpoint of sovereignty and independence,
enhanced defense capabilities of our states and creation of adequate
mechanisms for countering existing challenges and threats.

We noted on many occasions that a further increase of the efficiency
of our work and prestige of our Organizations is linked directly to
the level of coordination of our foreign policy activities.

Armenia has always and completely fulfills obligations assumed in
that context; we proceed from the priority of our allied relations
and the principle of no damage to the system of collective security.

Overall, on this direction we have been able to reach positive
results. Coordination of joint statements and declarations
in multilateral fora, collective directives to the permanent
representatives of the CSTO member states at the international
organizations have become an established practice.

Nevertheless we believe there is still a need for a series of
coordinated efforts aimed at the enhancement of interaction and
for the eliminations of the failures which, unfortunately, still
take place. I will give you just one example: in our documents,
including the Moscow Declaration adopted last December, stressed
was the importance of the exclusively peaceful resolution of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict through the mediation of the OSCE Minsk
Group based on the UN Charter, principles and norms of international
law, particularly those pertinent to the non-use of force or threat
to use force, equality and right of people for self-determination and
territorial integrity of the states. A similar position is registered
in the collective instructions. However contrary to the spirit of the
decisions adopted by us, some of the member-states in other settings
and in other organizations on the same issue adopt declarations which
disagree with the decisions adopted in the framework of the CSTO. In
recent years, adopted were documents, including at a presidential
level, which at the instigation of the Azerbaijani side selectively,
with prejudice to the other principles singles out the principle of
territorial integrity. Understandably, many countries have their own
interests related to Azerbaijan. However the adoption of the documents
which are based on the interest-inspired relations is unacceptable
for us when they run against the interests of the CSTO member states
and the image of the Organization.

This topic is particularly pressing against the background of the
Armenophobic rhetoric of the President of Azerbaijan and constant
threats to use force against the peaceful population of Nagorno
Karabakh.

Distinguished Colleagues,

Our Organization continues to work towards the enhancement of
its relations with the UN, its specialized departments and other
international organizations dealing with security issues. It is
critical that the CSTO carries on with the course of establishing
partnership relations for regional and global cooperation. At the same
time, it would be reasonable if interaction in that area is based
proportionately to the attitude manifested by these organizations
towards the CSTO.

In the light of new global challenges and threats, the enhanced role
of the UN for the resolution of international crises is becoming even
more pressing. It’s been vividly demonstrated related to the recent
developments in the Middle East region, particularly, in Syria.

Armenia, as the CSTO member state which is in the closest geographic
proximity to Syria, is feeling more acutely all the risks and threats
to the Caucasus region under the responsibility of the CSTO.

>From day one of the crisis in Syria, we have been for its most
speedy resolution, based on the pan-national dialogue. With this
regard, the role of the international community, especially countries
neighboring Syria, should appear in supporting that dialogue, taking
into consideration interests of all parties engaged in the conflict.

In this context, we definitely welcome the American-Russian
understanding on the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Syria.

Distinguished Colleagues,

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate Armenia’s interest in
receiving an observer status at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,
which plays an important role in maintaining peace, security and
stability in the region. I count on your support in this issue.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to thank the President of
Kyrgyzstan Almasbek Sharshenovich for the great job conducted by him
personally and our Kyrgyz partners during its Presidency. Now the
Russian Federation picks up the baton.

Vladimir Vladimirovich, we wish you and our Russian friends success
and are ready for close cooperation.

Thank you.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SENDS CONDOLENCES TO KENYANS, CONGRATULATES MERKEL ON ELECTION SUCCESS IN GERMANY

NEWS | 24.09.13 | 11:37

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has sent a telegram of condolence
to his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta over the terrorist attack
on a Nairobi shopping mall that left nearly 70 people dead.

According to the presidential press service, in his telegram Sargsyan,
in particular, said: “Strongly condemning this terrorist act, I hope
that as a result of the measures being taken, those guilty will be
brought to justice. I express my deep condolences to you and the
families and relatives of the victims, wishing fortitude and courage
to them and a speedy recovery to the injured.”

In a separate message, disseminated by his press office, Sargsyan
congratulated German Chancellor Angela Merkel on her political bloc’s
election success. He expressed a hope for continued Armenian-German
cooperation based on “mutual trust and respect”.

WAR VET WHO LAUNCHED PROTESTS REMANDED IN PRISON ON ‘FRAUD’ CHARGES, COLLEAGUES CLAIM ‘POLITICAL MOTIVES’

HUMAN RIGHTS | 23.09.13 | 21:54

Photolure

By SIRANUYSH GEVORGYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter

The Karabakh war veteran who initiated and led a series of sitting
strikes and civil protests together with his comrades-in-arms over
the past few months, was taken into a two-month custody by the court
decision on Sunday.

Retired army colonel Volodya 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.

The Defense Ministry’s investigation department’s press service reports
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.”

Many of Avetisyan’s comrades-of-arms condemn the arrest and believe
it has been done to silence their friend. Retired lieutenant colonel
Samvel Lazarian has termed this development as “absurd and nonsense”,
and says he does not rule out that the purpose might be to hamper
certain achievements they have made during the four months of their
protest.

“Yesterday I talked to the investigator, and he told me he has
sufficient proofs that in August Volodya was involved in such a deal.

He told me his telephone was wiretapped and that the military police
was in charge of that case… I countered that for four months we
have been in this movement together and Volodya was well aware that
he might be in the focus of attention of respective bodies, that his
every step was being watched closely, that his telephone might be
wiretapped, how could he have resorted to something like that knowing
all the above? Secondly, I have known Volodya for a very long time,
he has led an unblemished life, we have gone through a war together,
and I know him as man of great integrity, he would never have done
such a thing, no way we can believe it,” says Lazarian.

Human rights activist Artur Sakunts believes the criminal prosecution
against Avetisyan “is clearly political persecution”.

“In any event, it has to do with his civil (to some, political)
activities, but in the highlight of the suspended criminal prosecution
against Liska’s (Syunik’s former governor Suren Khachatryan) son
and bodyguard, filing a criminal case against Avetisyan is immoral,”
says Sakunts.

The charges against Avetisyan suggest a fine by 500-1,000-fold of
minimal salary, or 2-5 years of imprisonment. It is noteworthy,
that the court refused to release Avetisyan, who has allegedly
‘misappropriated’ $2,000, under the offered bail of around $7,400,
five real estate units, and 20 war veterans’ guarantees. Attorney Ara
Zakaryan cites the court as saying that “being in freedom Avetisyan
might hinder the preliminary investigation and commit a new crime”.

The attorney says Avetisyan has refused to tell anything to the
investigative body and will “say in public when he believes is
appropriate”.

SARGSYAN BLASTS MILITARY ALLIES OVER PRO-AZERI STATEMENTS ON KARABAKH

NEWS | 24.09.13 | 11:43

Photo:

By Gohar Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow reporter

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan made some tough statements at a
session of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Council
in Sochi on Monday, criticizing some members for their statements on
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Sargsyan, who was on a working visit to Russia accompanied by Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandian, said that “contrary to the decisions
adopted by ourselves some Member States at other platforms and in
other organizations make statements on the same matter that are not
consonant with the decisions made within the framework of the CSTO.”

“Let me give you just one example: in our documents, including in
the Moscow statement issued in December last year, we underlined
the importance of settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict peacefully
through the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs on the
basis of the UN Charter, principles and norms of international law
that specifically relate to the nonuse of force or threat of force,
equality of peoples and self-determination, and territorial integrity,”
said Sargsyan, according to the official website of the President. He
added that in recent years documents have been adopted that, including
at the presidential level, selectively, based on suggestions of the
Azerbaijani side, single out the principle of territorial integrity.

President Sargsyan made the statement perhaps taking into account
the fact that three of the CSTO member states, namely Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, are also members of the Islamic Conference
organization, which has a distinctly pro-Azerbaijani position in
the Karabakh issue. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are also members of
the union embracing Turkic states and their officials have stated in
Baku that the Karabakh problem must be settled within the framework
of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.

Russia and Belarus, the other two members of the CSTO apart from
Armenia, also have friendly relations with Azerbaijan. These two
states have regularly sold weapons to Azerbaijan.

“Naturally, many countries have their own interests with Azerbaijan,
but we cannot in any way agree that this relationship leads to the
adoption of documents that affect the security interests of CSTO member
states and, in general, are against the organization’s reputation,”
said Sargsyan, adding that the subject is particularly topical in
view of the Azeri president’s anti-Armenian rhetoric and against the
backdrop of constant threats from the Azeri leadership to use force
against civilians in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Referring to the Syrian crisis, the president of Armenia confirmed
that he welcomes the Russian- American agreements aimed at the peaceful
resolution of the conflict.

In his speech Sargsyan also sought support from CSTO member states for
Armenia’s acquiring the observer status at the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO). Sargsyan confirmed Armenia’s interest in that
organization, which, according to him, has a great contribution in
promoting peace, security and stability.

The SCO was founded in 2001 and its members are Russia, Kyrgyzstan,
Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, China and Uzbekistan; among those having
observer status at the organization are Afghanistan, India, Iran,
Mongolia and Pakistan. Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
expressed Armenia’s desire to have an observer status at this
organization during his recent visit to China.

ARMENIAN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER’S OFFICE GOT “A” CLASS HIGHEST INTERNATIONAL STATUS

Today – 12:10

Armenian Human Rights Defender Karen Andreasyan has been informed on
the other day that the Ombudsmen International Committee presented
“A” class status to the Armenian Human Rights Defender’s Office. Press
service of the Office informs about this.

Such status is often given to those ombudsmen who are able to be free,
independent and are able to discuss and solve problems objectively.

Ombudsmen International Committee has studied the activities of
Armenian Human Rights Defender’s Office during the last two years and
it was confirmed as a result that Armenian Human Rights Defender’s
Office works according to the Parisian principles and has all standards
to get the highest status.

“A” class status is important not only for the Ombudsman but also
for the country’s authority.

ARAVOT: EUROPE WOULD GIVE US NOTHING IN COMING 10 YEARS

12:53 24/09/2013 ” DAILY PRESS

“We did not expect great results with Europe. Europe exports high
technological goods, while Armenia only exports raw materials, which
are cheap and do not provide big income. Besides, Europe is our second
partner with which we have commodity circulation, mostly made up of
raw goods. Europe would give us nothing new. This could be possible
in the future, but we would have no benefit in the coming 10 years,”
member of Armenian National Congress (ANC) party’s political council
Zoya Tadevosyan told Aravot.

Source: Panorama.am

VAHAN HOVHANNISYAN IS NOT GOING TO RENOUNCE HIS MP SEAT YET

September 24, 2013 | 11:31

YEREVAN. – It is too early to seek successor of Vahan Hovhannisyan,
the MP himself told Armenian News-NEWS.am commenting on allegation
about his possible appointment to the ambassadorial post.

“They dropped a hint to divert media’s attention from other serious
problems. The media rises to the fly. Let them write about me without
clarifying information. I have nothing to add. I am not going to
renounce my MP seat,” Hovhannisyan emphasized.

Asked how he will combine his work in the parliament with a diplomatic
career, Hovhannisyan said: “Did I say that I would be appointed as
an ambassador? These reports are untrue. An offer and an appointment
are two different things. Let’s not run ahead.”

The rumors about possible appointment have been spread for several
weeks. ARF Dashnaktsutyn members are not commenting on the reports.

Earlier Hovhannisyan said he had received a proposal to represent
Armenia abroad and considers it acceptable.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: A. Papazian