Month: February 2015

NOT ALL BRIDGES BETWEEN RPA-PAP BURNT, BUT ALMOST ALL DAMAGED – ANALYST

14:00 / 17.02.2015

Interesting developments are taking place in the domestic life of
Armenia, political analyst Sergey Minasyan said, referring to the
conflict between the ruling Republican party and PAP.

According to him, after the events in Gyumri, Berdzor, the public
response to them and the February 5 conference of the PAP the
authorities became rather concerned and tried to come up with own
initiative and neutralize the PAP. It is how the unprecedented
aggression of the Republican party is agreed with.

“As a political analyst I cannot say why the PAP activated now. If
they wanted to fight for power it would have been more logical to do
it on the eve of parliamentary elections as it would have given an
important privilege to the party,” he said.

“It is clear that in the situation when two strong political forces
are in open fight the role and significance of the third political
parties be it the ANC or the ARF-D grows. In case of the latter
it is questionable whether it can work with the PAP if more active
cooperation is registered between the PAP and ANC as it is difficult
to see Levon Ter-Petrosyan and ARF-D together just in the way that
it is impossible to imagine Ter-Petrosyan and Robert Kocharyan in the
same side of the barricade,” he said, adding that if in the coming few
days no agreement is reached between the Republican party and the PAP,
we will witness quite interesting political developments.

“I think in the coming days an attempt will be made to settle the
situation through negotiations. I would not say that all the bridges
are burnt but they almost all are damaged” he said.

Nyut.am

ASHOT MELKONYAN. “OUR POLICY WITH TURKEY BECOMES MUCH MORE PRINCIPLED AND DIGNIFIED.”

February 17 2015

President Serzh Sargsyan sent a letter dated February 16 to the
Speaker of the National Assembly Galust Sahakyan notifying about his
decision to recall the Armenia-Turkey protocols. In this regard,
Aravot.am talked to Director of the Institute of History of the
National Academy of Sciences Ashot Melkonyan. “Exactly 5 years
ago, during the general meeting of the Academy, I announced that
these statements are harmful and they should no way be ratified. I
made efforts to prove that these protocols are very harmful to us,
and we need to give them up, but the circumstances turned another
course and 5 years later, fortunately, we had the chance to recall
these protocols at the state level, because the public approach was
emphasized negative,” he said. Mr. Melkonyan is very happy that the
President recalled these Protocols from the National Assembly on the
threshold of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. “One of the
most vulnerable elements of this Protocol was that we, as a subject
of international law, are inadvertently ratifying the sinister Treaty
of Kars signed on October 11, 1921, and subsequent agreement signed
in Moscow on March 16, with which we, in fact, give up our right to
demanding. While one of the elements in these Protocols indicated that
the parties recognize the factual border existing between each other,
which means that we give up the demand forever, the historical right
towards our country and recognize Akhuryan-Arax as a Turkish border,
which is not a border from the viewpoint of the international law,
but simply a barbed wire. I think that from this prospective, our
policy with Turkey becomes much more principled and most importantly,
dignified”.

Ami CHICHAKYAN

Read more at:

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RUBEN SAFRASTYAN ABOUT RECALL OF ZURICH PROTOCOLS. “THE MOMENT HAD COME.”

February 17 2015

“I had predicted that by April 24, the President will recall the
Zurich protocols, and generally what I predicted happened,” said
Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies Ruben Safrastyan,
in conversation with Aravot.am, referring to the Armenia-Turkey
Protocols. In his opinion, the moment had come and Serzh Sargsyan’s
decision to recall the Armenia-Turkey protocols was appropriate. “This
shows that Armenia has a very negative attitude towards the impudent
conduct of Turkish authorities, which increasingly appears on the
threshold of the centennial of the Armenian Genocide. Marking the
events dedicated to 100th anniversary of the battle of Gallipoli
on April 24 is a negative action when they sent invitations around
the world, the continuation of the policy of denial is associated
with it.” Recall that President Serzh Sargsyan sent a letter dated
February 16 to the Speaker of the National Assembly Galust Sahakyan
notifying about his decision to recall the Armenia- Turkey protocols.

Ami CHICHAKYAN

Read more at:

GIRO MANOYAN. “RECALLING ARMENIA-TURKEY PROTOCOLS IS A RIGHT STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT NOT ENOUGH”

February 17 2015

“Firstly, these protocols must not be signed, after signing they
neutralized by recalling the signatures by Armenia, this did not happen
too”, said ARF Bureau member Giro Manoyan, in the conversation with
Aravot.am, referring to recalling of the Armenia-Turkey protocols. He
thinks that recalling of the Armenia-Turkey Protocols is a right
step in the right direction, but not enough. “Some substantiations
are required showing that the President is going for this move, about
which he wrote in his letter, he can also recall his signature and thus
neutralize these protocols completely. Keeping in this way, in other
words, as signed, even though withdrawn from the National Assembly
agenda, we still leave it as a lever in the hands of Turkey.” Giro
Manoyan noted that Serzh Sargsyan had talked about it during the
Armenia-Diaspora Conference held in September 2014, when he was
called to recall the signatures, as well as during his speech at the
UN General Assembly. “Naturally, the Pan Armenian Declaration had its
impact on Serzh Sargsyan’s decision, but this move will be complete
when Serzh Sargyan will recall the signature.” Recall that President
Serzh Sargsyan sent a letter dated February 16 to the Speaker of the
National Assembly Galust Sahakyan notifying about his decision to
recall the Armenia-Turkey protocols.

Ami CHICHAKYAN

Read more at:

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK: TSARUKYAN TO BE STRIPPED OF PARLIAMENTARY MANDATE TO BE ARRESTED?

11:38 17/02/2015 >> DAILY PRESS

Security has been tightened at the detached house of Prosperous Armenia
Party chairman Gagik Tsarukyan and he has been warned against going
out in order to avoid provocations, Haykakan Zhamanak writes.

“Meanwhile, there are behind-the-scene talks in the parliament
saying that materials are being prepared for stripping Tsarukyan of
his parliamentary mandate. A question arises: if the authorities
have no aim to arrest Tsarukyan, then why do they hurry so?” says
the newspaper.

From: Baghdasarian

IRELAND MAN URGES LONDON TO RECOGNIZE GRANDFATHER AS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VICTIM

09:33, 17.02.2015

Northern Ireland man Paul Manook, 64, who believes his grandfather
was killed and buried in an Armenian mass grave, has called on the
British and Irish governments to recognize the deaths as genocide,
Coleraine Times reported.

Manook said his grandfather, Manook Dishchekenian, was lined up
alongside other men in a village in modern-day eastern Turkey by
Ottoman Turkish soldiers a century ago. He was never seen again.

He said the fate for men left behind was grim.

“I have a strong feeling that they must have killed them and buried
them in mass graves,” he said.

He noted that his father was then aged six.

“My grandmother realized immediately, she just took my dad and four
aunts and they escaped the village. My father was a survivor of the
genocide,” he added.

Edward Horgan, a former UN soldier from Ireland and peace activist,
said a group of politicians from the Dail in Dublin was being created
to lobby on the issue.

And Paul Manook said: “Because of the geopolitics of the region the
UK does not want to touch this. Ireland is a small country, probably
they will follow the UK because they are a small country and there
are quite a lot of links together.”

From: Baghdasarian

KARABAKH: LET AZERBAIJANIS TELL NULAND ABOUT FATE OF ARMENIAN CAPTIVES

15:22, 17.02.2015

STEPANAKERT. – U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland can
travel to Stepanakert and make sure that the conditions of detention of
Askerov and Guliyev are in accordance with the international norms,
spokesperson for Karabakh president Davit Babayan toldArmenian
News-NEWS.am.

According to Azerbaijani media, during her trip to Baku Victoria
Nuland allegedly said that “Azerbaijani hostages kept by Armenia must
be returned”.

Babayan emphasized that Azerbaijani media outlets have developed
a special system of misinformation, tying aspects that are really
important for them with really significant events.

“Even if Victoria Nuland made such a statement, it must be emphasized
that first of all the mention of Armenia in this regard is wrong and
incorrect. We are talking about the citizens of Azerbaijan who were
charged with committing a capital crime by the Nagorno-Karabakh
authorities. They were named guilty as a result of an open,
transparent, impartial trial that was widely reported in the media.

Moreover, the citizens who were found guilty had an opportunity to
appeal the decision. They took advantage of this opportunity, which is
another testimony to the commitment of the NKR to democratic values,”
Babayan emphasized.

Azerbaijan has no moral right to accuse others, Babayan said, reminding
about heroization of murderer Ramil Safarov.

“Let Azerbaijani leadership explain Victoria Nuland why Ramil Safarov
had been called a hero or what usually happens with Armenian captives
in Azerbaijani jail,” he added.

As regards returning the accused Azerbaijani citizens, Babayan said
“we are ready to exchange one of them for Ramil Safarov”.

THE STATE IS TRYING TO LIMIT THE WORK OF NGOS: DISCUSSION IN YEREVAN

02.17.2015 15:58 epress.am

A group of NGO leaders are concerned about a Government proposed
draft law related to NGOs. Today, during a press conference at the
Media Center, Eurasia Partnership Foundation project manager Mikayel
Hovhannisyan said that fears are that the state wishes to create
measures to limit the work of NGOs and currently the government is
conducting discussions with NGOs about the draft.

According to the draft, NGOs need to present a detailed financial
and contextual account of their work to state bodies.

Mikayel Hovhannisyan stressed that NGO representatives have fears
that the law would be used selectively, as done before in Armenia,
after it passes.

“We had initially suggested that strict reporting be fixed by the
law, but only for NGOs financed by the state. Those finances are
foundationally different than the rest from a financial perspective,”
said Open Society Foundation – Armenia Deputy Director of programs
Davit Amiryan.

With the new law, NGOs can be involved in for-profit (entrepreneurial
activities). In the past, it was necessary to register as LLC and be
its 100% shareholder, however that will no longer be necessary.

Transparency International anti-corruption center legal advisor
Heriknaz Tigranyan said that there may be limitations in that regard
as well. The for-profit activities , according to the draft, have to
fall in line with the NGO’s charter goals, while Tigranyan proposes
another definition in the law, stating that an NGO’s profits from
their for-profit activities must be used for implementing the NGO’s
charter goals.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA ‘S POLICE DETAIN PROSPEROUS ARMENIA PARTY REPS

by Ashot Safaryan

ARMINFO
Tuesday, February 17, 10:26

Police of Armenia Prosperous Armenia opposition party reported late
on Monday that several of its members had been detained amid what
it described as a continuing crackdown ordered by President Serzh
Sarkisian last week, RFE/RL’s Armenian Service (Azatutyun) reports.

Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) lawmaker Elinar Vartanian told RFE/RL’s
Armenian Service (Azatutyun) that Artur Mamoyan, the leader of the
party’s chapter in Yerevan’s Nor-Nork district, had been taken to
a police station on unspecified grounds earlier yesterday. She said
they also had information about detentions of PAP activists elsewhere
in the city.

Later the police reported that Mamoyan was detained on suspicion
of illegally keeping weapons and said that his detention was not
politically motivated.

Vartanian, however, said that after the government labeled PAP leader
Gagik Tsarukian as “evil” and launched a campaign to essentially
exclude him from the political process it has been easy for the police
to detain opposition activists on fabricated grounds.

“I have the impression that we are back in 1937,” said Vartanian,
drawing parallels with the peak of Stalin’s purges in the Soviet Union.

“The methods of repression that were used at that time have become
very relevant [for the Armenian government] today,” she added.

Vartanian unequivocally linked the crackdown against the PAP with the
recent speech delivered by President Serzh Sarkisian. Addressing senior
members of his ruling Republican Party of Armenia on February 12, the
head of state effectively ordered tax audits of the businesses owned by
Tsarukian’s extended family and recommended that the opposition figure,
who hinted at his presidential ambitions last year, be dismissed from
his state posts and be stripped of his parliamentary seat.

Tsarukyan made a response speech explaining the president’s anger and
“the persecutions” against him with his refusal to assist the country’s
leadership to retain power through constitutional reform.

As for the tax evasion allegations, he called them groundless, saying
taxation agencies regularly inspect his enterprises. “Meanwhile,
the people are well aware who robs the country at the government
level and who enjoys “kick-backs.”

Reports on Monday said that about 200 police officers hired to provide
security for Tsarukian and his property had been dismissed from work.

Authorities said that the firings were not politically motivated and
were part of “ongoing reforms in the police.”

The Parliament is currently discussing the possibility of depriving
Gagik Tsarukyan of his deputy mandate. Meanwhile, a local newspaper
“Zhamanak” (“Time”) reports that another 4 parliamentarians
representing PAP, including Karapet Guloyan – Tsarukyan’s relative –
will be deprived of their mandates.

On February 20, the PAP and its key allies, the Armenian National
Congress and Heritage, plan to hold a joint rally in Yerevan to
protest the pressure on Tsarukian.

SOURCES OF TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY: WITHDRAWAL OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS IS A WRONG AND UNSUCCESSFUL STEP

by Tatevik Shahunyan

ARMINFO
Tuesday, February 17, 12:07

Armenia has never demonstrated sincerity in normalization of
Armenian-Turkish relations, Hurriyet has been told by a source in
the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

The source also condemns the Armenian President’s withdrawal of the
Armenian-Turkish protocols on normalization of relations. “This is
a wrong and unsuccessful step”, it said.

To note, on Feb 16 President Serzh Sargsyan addressed a letter to the
President of the RA National Assembly Galust Sahakyan, informing him
about his decision to recall the Armenian-Turkish Protocols from the RA
NA. The Armenian President’s press service quotes Sargsyan as saying,
“It is already six years since the Armenia-Turkey Protocols were
signed. During the entire period, Armenia has always demonstrated
a consistent approach in bringing the protocols to life. However,
we have to state the lack of Turkish authorities’ political will, the
distortion of the letter and spirit of the protocols and the continuous
stimulation of preconditions. Simultaneously, as the 100th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide approaches, the policy of negationism and
historical revisionism is gaining new momentum. I have spoken many
times about the non-inexhaustibility of time, including from the
podium of the UN General Assembly in September 2014. I repent that
the Turkish leadership failed to listen to Armenia’s exhortation.

Hence, I have made a decision to recall from the National Assembly
of the Republic of Armenia, the Protocol on the Establishment of
Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic
of Turkey and the Protocol on Development of Relations between the
Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey which were signed on
the 10th of October of 2009 in Zurich.”