Month: February 2015

CONSUMER COMMODITIES RISE 2.5% IN ARMENIA OVER JANUARY

YEREVAN, February 17. /ARKA/. Prices for consumer commodities rose 2.5%
in Armenia in January 2015, compared with December 2014, and 4.3%,
compared with January 2014, Gurgen Martirosyan, chief of the National
Statistical Service’s price statistics and international comparison
division, said at a news conference on Tuesday.

he said. In his words, prices for
foods leapt 4.5% in January 2015, compared with December 2014, and
prices for nonfoods and services went 0.5%.

Martirosyan said.

He said fruits leapt 8.4%, coffee, tea and cocoa 5.9%, eggs 4% and
bread 4.3%. Soft beverages rose just 0.6%, spirits and cigarettes 0.3%
and meat 2% over one month.

Prices for consumer commodities climbed 4.5% in January 2015, compared
with January 2014. Foods went 5.4%, nonfoods 2.4% and services 3.2% up.

Martirosyan said that the 2.5% average rise in consumer prices
recorded in Armenia over one decade brought it the third rank among
the CIS countries.

Russia accounted for a 3.9% month-on-month price rise in January 2015
(the highest indicator), Ukraine for 3.1% and Belarus for 2.4%.

Georgia recorded the lowest price rise – 0.2%, Moldova 0.8% and
Kazakhstan 0.6%.

Martirosyan also said that comparison with January 2014 shows that
prices in Ukraine mounted 28.8%, in Belarus they grew 17.1% and in
Russia 15% over one year with the lowest indicator in Georgia – 1.4%.

Amid the growing commodity prices, petrol and diesel in Armenia shed
2.5% and 0.9% respectively over one year. Martirosyan said. —0—-

PAN-ARMENIAN ENVIRONMENTAL FRONT ESTABLISHING GROUP OF EXPERTS DEALING WITH ECOLOGY ISSUES

15:13 February 16, 2015

EcoLur

The Pan-Armenian Environmental Front is establishing a group of
experts dealing with ecology problems, which will give specialized
evaluations and assessment to environmental projects.

“We can see that state evaluation and control are in this regard
at either low level or are missing at all. That’s why we want to
create an alternative specialize group, which will be able to provide
independent evaluations, independent monitoring, analyses and studies,”
said PEF member Levon Galstyan in his interview with EcoLur.

“Very frequently environmentalists’ words are considered as
not grounded and non-substantiated, and people think that the
environmental just voice these problems without having any grounded
serious opinion. Today our task is to gather all those specialists,
who will support voluntarily and will provide grounded specialized
opinion, which will aid the youth to build their fight,” PEF member
Anna Aghlamazyan said.

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE: SIX YEAR-OLD HASMIK GOES IN FOR TONSIL REMOVAL, DISCHARGED WITH BRAIN DAMAGE

Ani Hovhannisyan

00:06, February 17, 2015

Three months ago six year-old Hasmik could be seen playing with her
friends in Bayandour, the Shirak village in which she lives.

Today, she isn’t allowed to leave the house due to a simple tonsil
operation that went terribly wrong. The young girl is too weak and
frail to play with her friends.

Last November 28, Hasmik was taken to the Mother and Child Austrian
Hospital in Gyumri to have her tonsils removed. The little girl
remained in the operating theater for several hours and the doctors
didn’t tell Hasmik’s relatives what had happened.

At 2p, nearly four hours after Hasmik was admitted to surgery, a doctor
came out, showed the relatives on of Hasmik’s removed tonsils and, in a
serious tone, told them there was an issue that needed to be discussed.

Mrs. Hasmik Martirosyan, the girl’s grandmother, told Hetq that the
surgeon in charge Yeranouhie Varagyan, explained that some of the
anesthetic had gotten into the girl’s face and had caused swelling.

“She said that everything would be back to normal within the hour and
that they were monitoring the child,” Mrs. Martirosyan said, adding
that the doctors nevertheless seemed panicky and that additional
medical equipment was being taken to the surgery unit.

Upon seeing the commotion, the relatives demanded to see Hasmik. It was
only after raising a ruckus that the relatives were told that Hasmik
was in very critical condition and that the hospital had called for
experts from Yerevan.

Hasmik’s mother, Lianna Rafayelyan, describes what happened next.

“I entered the surgery and saw that the child’s head had expanded to
three times its normal size. I approached, removed the smock, and saw
that her entire body from the neck down was covered in bruises and
swelling. It turned out that they had given her too much anesthetic.

To undo the swelling, the doctors had stuck pins into the child’s
body.”

The doctors told the family that the anesthetic overload had caused
the girl’s brain cells to die.

Hasmik was then transferred to the Sourb Astvatzamayr Medical Center in
Yerevan where she sunk into a coma for six days. The diagnosis on the
medical chart accompanying Hasmik to Yerevan read that the patient had
brain ischemia (is a restriction in blood supply to tissues, causing
a shortage of oxygen and glucose needed for cellular metabolism)

For that entire week, doctors at the resuscitation until could only
tell the girl’s relatives to pray.

When Hasmik awoke from her coma, she couldn’t move the left side of
her body. Due to the swelling of the blood vessels, the capillaries
in the child’s brain had burst and a blood clot formed.

When relatives confronted the surgeon, otolaryngologist Yeranouhie
Varagyan, she shifted all responsibility to the anesthesiologist.

Varagyan also told Hetq the same story.

“The examination committee from Yerevan found that my surgery to
remove the tonsils went without problem. You should direct your
questions to the anesthesiologist because the equipment had broken
down. I am amazed you even telephoned me because I operated without
a drop of blood being spilled.”

Hetq also contacted the anesthesiologist, Asik Dalibaldyan, for his
side of the story. At first, he said he would get back to us in a few
hours because he would be attending a wedding. Hours later, he never
answered our telephone calls.

The next day, Dalibaldyan answered our call. “I won’t comment over
the phone. You’ll have to come to the hospital. How is it that three
months after the surgery, when we took the girl home all fine and well,
that a problem has now appeared?”

Dalibaldyan added that the director of the Mother and Child Austrian
Hospital has allegedly invited all the doctors involved in Hasmik’s
operation to a conference to ascertain what actually happened.

Suffice it to say that 6 year-old Hasmik Martirosyan entered the
hospital for a 15 minute routine procedure to have her tonsils removed
and wound up with brain ischemia.

Today, little Hasmik is taking an array of drugs and treatments to
reverse the effects of the anesthetic overload that causes lapses
in memory, mood swings, and less than full mobility of her left
side. The girl’s leg has started to curve as a result and she now
hears orthopedic shoes.

Hasmik’s mother notes that while Dalibaldyan, the anesthesiologist,
called to say that he would pay for all the medicines, when she goes
to pick them up she gets a rude welcome.

“The doctor’s wife tells me that they aren’t obliged to look after
my girl till the end of time. But I don’t want that either. What I
do want is that they return my girl to me, with a normal brain and
memory. I want Hasmik back just like she was when I placed her in
their hands. Who is going to answer for what happened to my child.”

ARMENIA’S OFFICIAL POSITION ON 1915 GENODCIDE: TER-PETROSYAN CALLS FOR FACE TO FACE MEETING WITH SARGSYAN

15:00, February 17, 2015

Levon Ter-Petrosyan has called for a one on one meeting with Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan to personally convey his concerns regarding
the recently issued Pan-Armenian Proclamation on the occasion of the
100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

The proclamation was drafted by a state commemorative organizing
committee and Ter-Petrosyan argues that the body has overstepped
its authority by claiming that it speaks for the “united will” of
all Armenians.

Armenia’s first president also argues that given that the proclamation
was addressed to the international community it would have been imbued
with greater gravitas and legal-political significance had it been
signed by the presidents of Armenia and Artsakh and church ;eaders
rather than some faceless committee.

Ter-Petrosyan also faults the proclamation as a little more than an
ultimatum to Turkey, calling on Ankara to recognize and condemn the
Armenian Genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire, but that it fails to
specify what Armenian plans to do if, and when, Turkey fails to do so.

In his open letter to Sargsyan, Ter-Petrosyan also broaches the idea
of organizing an consultative committee to finally delineate the
position of the Republic of Armenia vis-a-vis the Genocide issue.

Ter-Petrosyan says that such a committee would use the proclamation
as a basis to draft a new memorandum, signed by the president of
Armenia, to be forwarded to the United Nations Secretary General,
the presidents of the OSCE and the EU, and to all heads of state.

In conclusion, Ter-Petrosyan says that such a memorandum must not
damage the solution of the most important problems now facing Armenia,
namely a resolution of Armenia-Turkey relations and the Karabakh
conflict.

Ter-Petrosyan then suggests people to sit on the consultative
committee; individuals who have already proven capable of rising
above traditional perceptions and who can view the matter from
the perspective of Armenian state interests and in the context of
contemporary adopted global principles.

The individuals suggested are:

>From Armenia: Babken Ararktsyan, Vazgen Manukyan, Gagik Harutyunyan,
Vano Siradeghyan, Vardan Oskanyan, Stepan Demirchyan, Arman Grigoryan,
Ruben Shugaryan, Alexander Arzumanyan, Ashot Voskanyan, Ara Sahakyan,
Ruben Vardanyan, Ashot Sargsyan, Hrant Ter-Abrahayan, Ktrich Sardaryan.

>From the U.S. – Jirair Libaridian, Khachig Tololyan, Ruben Atalian,
Ara Sanjian, Hampig Sarafian and Raffi Urfalian.

>From France – Arman Sarian, Jirayr Malkhasian, Michel Marian,
Raffi Kalfayian.

>From Turkey – Levon Zekiyan

>From Argentina – Rupen Mozian.

Ter-Petrosyan says that he would be willing to participate in the
activities of the committee and that he doesn’t care how his “hostile
friends” perceive his initiative.

Ter-Petrosyan ends by saying that the imperative of his initiative,
regardless of the uproar it will cause, is made all the more urgent
given the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Genocide.

GEORGIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER VISITS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MEMORIAL

16:27 17/02/2015 >> SOCIETY

On February 17, the delegation led by visiting Speaker of the Georgian
Parliament David Usupashvili visited Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide
Memorial Complex, accompanied by the Armenian National Assembly Deputy
Speaker Hermine Naghdalyan and member of the Inter-Parliamentary
Committee on Cooperation between the Armenian National Assembly and
the Georgian Parliament Vladimir Badalyan, the parliament’s press
service reported.

The guests laid a wreath and flowers at the monument eternalizing the
memory of the genocide victims and observed one minute’s silence for
the innocent victims.

On behalf of the Georgian people, David Usupashvili once again
expressed his condolences to the Armenian people in connection with
the tragedy that occurred to the Armenian people 100 years ago.

“We should do our utmost so that not only such tragedies do not
recur, but also there are no wars, and peace reigns in the world,”
said Usupashvili.

He noted that the Georgian people stand by the Armenian people both
in the moments of sadness and joy.

SEYRAN OHANYAN HOSTS CO-CHAIRS OF ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION

15:10 17/02/2015 ” POLITICS

Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan on Tuesday received the
co-chairs of the Armenian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission
on Military-Technical Cooperation, Konstantin Biryulin and Alik
Mirzabekyan, the press service of the Armenian Defense Ministry
reported.

The meeting focused on the activities of the Commission, as well as
on issues related to military-technical cooperation.

Source: Panorama.am

From: A. Papazian

THERE IS NO NEED TO GIVE UP ON ANYTHING

Naira Hayrumyan, Political Commentator
Politics – 17 February 2015, 16:23

Serzh Sargsyan has decided to recall the Armenian-Turkish protocols.

The decision is related to the centenary of the genocide, refusal of
Armenia to negotiate with Turkey and adopting new methods for claims.

Interesting things are happening in Azerbaijan. Today the OSCE Minsk
Group co-chairs are visiting Baku, on the same day the Iranian foreign
minister Javad Zarif and Assistant Secretary Victoria Nuland are
leaving for Baku.

Certainly, Karabakh is the key topic of the negotiations. One can
judge by the Turkish Prime Minister Ahmed Davutoghlu’s statements in
what context it is being discussed. He has announced recently that
if the Armenian troops are withdrawn from at least one territory,
Turkey will open the border with Armenia.

Turkey is getting prepared for April 24. Ankara is not hiding its
interest in the failure of the centenary in Yerevan and domestic
upheavals in Armenia. Turkey is getting ready for some step. It could
be the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border which may bring the
process of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and
international support to Armenia’s righteous claims to a halt.

On the other hand, would Turkey wish to get something in return for
this and could this something be one territory of Karabakh?

Apparently, Armenia refuses this and Yerevan is supported by some
countries which insist on opening the Armenian-Turkish border without
preconditions.

Baku has confessed that it has discussed the possibility of laying
out ways between Armenia and Russia via Azerbaijan on the condition
that Russia “persuades” Armenia to hand some territories.

Turkey and Azerbaijan will be forced to open the ways, both between
Armenia and Russia and Armenia and Turkey. There is no need to hand
or give up on something. Armenia needs ways as much as external forces
do, especially that if agreement is reached between the United States
and Iran.

Apparently, Victoria Nuland will try to explain this to Aliyev. So
will do the foreign minister of Iran who has recently visited Yerevan.

From: A. Papazian

US REVISING APPROACHES TO REGION – ARMENIAN ANALYST ON ASSISTANT SECRETARY’S VISIT PLAN

17:28 * 17.02.15

The United States is essentially changing its policies in the
South Caucasus region, an Armenian analyst has said, commenting on
Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland’s scheduled trip to
Yerevan and Baku.

“Nuland’s visit coincides with a period that essentially changes the
situation in both the region and international politics. This first
of all has to do with the Russia-West relations, with the United
States revising its policies in Europe and the Eurasia region,”
Ruben Mehrabyan told Tert.am.

Asked whether the US official, who last year visited Ukraine amid
the heated turmoil in Euromaidan to offer support and aid to the
protesting activists, may be interested in the domestic political
developments in Armenia (given that the opposition is conducting a
rally in Yerevan on February 20, the day of her visits, the expert
ruled out such a possibility.

“Not in the least,” Mehrabyan said. “I have no doubt that there
will be rumors on the internal political development, but I wouldn’t
absolutely connect the rally with that,” he replied.

With respect to Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s decision to
recall the Armenia-Turkey protocols, the president noted that the
international community has seen during the past six years which of
the state is really responsible for the last closed border in Europe.

“I think so. At least experts and the press have repeatedly commented
on the issue. This opinion was shaped against the cooling of US-Turkey
relations. I think that at least the United States understands Armenia
well. But we should not feel satisfied because Europe’s only closed
border remains closed. Moreover, Turkey’s policy is helping Russia
to pursue its strategy.”

Since Armenian-Turkish rapprochement in different periods and at
different levels was a response to signals by the United States and
international community, have not they given up the idea?

“Yes, during the post-Soviet period the United States has exerted
serious efforts at Armenia-Turkey rapprochement. However, it does not
concern the Armenian-Turkish protocols. Let us remember that it was
Moscow that announced Abdulla Gul’s invitation. And although I myself
am supportive of Armenian-Turkish rapprochement, I have from the very
beginning been against the protocols for the simple reason that they
would not be effective. I have on several occasions cited a number
of reasons. I think it was a trap set by Russia, and, regrettably,
the West fell into it.

“And, in fact, this is a stage that has reached its logical completion
and failed. And now Armenian-Turkish relations are worse than they
were before the protocols were signed. I think that recalling the
protocols affords an opportunity for a new process in the context
of new reality and reformulating a number of all-informant issues on
the agenda. I do not think they are impossible to settle.”

LEBANESE ARMENIAN MUSICIAN TO DEDICATE CONCERT TO GENOCIDE

14:21 * 17.02.15

Lebanese-Armenian violinist Ara Malikyan is going to dedicate one of
his upcoming concerts to the Armenian Genocide.

El periodico reports that the musician will appear before public on
March 25 on the sidelines of Suite Barcelona 2015.

“It will feature the most different works I have performed and authored
in the past 30 years of my career. The oriental trend prevails in my
compositions. And whatever is oriental, normally sounds tranquil. And
there is a difference in what I present,” he added.

Twelve musicians will join Malikyan as specialist of the Armenian
music during the concert.

“The centenary of the Armenian Genocide is drawing near. It is a
way of recognizing the historical truth and paying respect to the
1.5 million victims. We, the Armenians, do not need anything. There
are countries which haven’t recognized the Genocide. So the 100th
anniversary is a good occasion for doing that,” he added.

AMULSAR: EVEN “RESPONSIBLE” MINING IS DESTRUCTIVE: PAEF

17:18 | February 17,2015 | Economy

Lydian International Limited company, registered in an offshore zone,
presented a document entitled “Amulsar Project, November 2014â~@³ to
Armenians in the Diaspora. This document is superficial, misleading
and incomplete. This is what thinks Anahit Shirinian-Orlando, an
environmental scientist-engineer living in Los Angeles, who says No
to mining at Amulsar.

There is a complete absence of any hydrological study. For example,
there is no assessment of how the mining operation will affect the
quantity and quality of the water of Vorotan River, of Arpa River, all
the small streams on the slopes, as well as the Spandarian Reservoir.

In particular, I found the claim on page 9, “zero discharge into
environment” to be completely misleading. For one thing, the explosions
at the mine will cause earthquake tremors in the surrounding villages,
such that the houses will shake, and immense clouds of dust from these
explosions, as well as from rock crushing operations, (containing
toxic heavy metals, such as Arsenic, Cadmium, radioactive Uranium,
and many other heavy metals), will fill the air and the lungs of
the inhabitants, as well as settle on pastures, on streams, on all
surfaces, poisoning and killing slowly every living organism. (Just
look a little further, at Kajaran mine, and see how these explosions
are affecting the health and lives (shortening the life spans) of
the locals.

Heap-leach pad technology is nothing new (look here). The pad’s
integrity fails in time (cracks, etc.) and the cyanide leachate
contaminates the ground below and around the pad, thus, the
groundwater and/or nearby streams become contaminated with cyanides
and heavy metals (no one can guarantee that the 3mm geomembrane
layer placed at the bottom of the platform will not erase after a
few decades). Besides, the heap itself is subject to landslides.

Amulsar mountain formation has a water tunnel running along on one
side and a gas pipeline on the other, both will be compromised by
earthquake tremors from mine explosions.

Reading the document, it is not clear how much tax Lydian will pay
to the local government, as well as to the central government. For
example, Lydian should pay royalties to the government of Armenia,
as well as taxes and waste dumping fees. Furthermore, it is not clear
how much money will be allocated to reclamation after the mining ends.

Since reclamation is a capital-intensive operation, there should be
guarantees to the government that it will be performed at the end. One
such guarantee will be to deposit the capital allocated for reclamation
in a separate account to be used only for land reclamation after the
mining is over.

I can write more comments on the documernt. I just wish to remind
Lydian, that many members of the village communities of Gendevaz and
Jermuk are strongly opposed to mining. Also, there are profitable
alternatives to digging for gold and silver, such as constructing
a cheese producing factory and exporting delicious cheeses from the
pastures and grasslands of Amulsar.

It is the hope of people living in Armenia, as well as all Armenians,
that instead of mining, investors will shift their interest to
non-destructive enterprises, because even “responsible” mining is
destructive (even though it’s less destructive compared to previous
methods).

Pan -Armenian Environmental Front (PAEF)

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress