Month: February 2015

TIGRAN KARAPETYAN: HHK WILL NOT BENEFIT FROM CONFLICT WITH BHK (VIDEO)

12:42 | February 16,2015 | Politics

The Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) will not benefit from the
conflict with Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) leader Gagik Tsarukyan,
says Chairman of the People’s Party (ZhK) Tigran Karapetyan.

On Sunday, Mr Karapetyan watched an interview of Education Minister
Armen Ashotyan and was greatly disappointed. “Ashotyan was criticizing
Tsarukyan’s way of speaking but does he speak correctly himself? Both
Ashotyan and [Eduard] Sharmazanov were once guests at the ALM studio
and I saw how they sought for words to express their thoughts,”
he said.

Instead of speaking about Tsarukyan’s level of speech, they had better
care about our children serving in Karabakh, speed camera and the
businesses owned by the Republicans, advises Tigran Karapetyan.

Speaking about Serzh Sargsyan’s speech in which he said Tsarukyan must
be ousted from politics and ordered tax inspections of his numerous
businesses, the ZhK leader says the speech was not characteristic of
a country’s leader. “They say Tsarukyan does not pay taxes. Was it
something new for them? Do Republicans pay taxes?”

Mr Karapetyan accounts the Republicans’ actions for the fact that
they felt a threat from the BHK: people like Gagik Tsarukyan and his
Prosperous Armenia Party.

“Tsarukyan has been engaged in philanthropy. But what have the
authorities done for our people?” he says.

Speaking about [second President] Robert Kocharyan’s return to
politics, Tigran Karapetyan said he did not think people will let
Kocharyan’s comeback.

In conclusion, the ZhK leader said he was going to attend the
nationwide rally to be held by the BHK, Armenian National Congress
and Heritage in Liberty Square this Friday. He also said if the BHK
came to power and offered him office he would refuse to accept it. “I
do not want any office. I shall turn 70 this year and I have seen
everything in my life. I do not need anything,” he said.

IOSIF KOBZON APPEARS ON EU ‘BLACKLIST’

13:03 | February 16,2015 | Politics

The European Union has expanded its blacklist for the Russian
Federation, including 19 physical and nine legal entities, BBC reports.

The EU believes these people are responsible for destabilizing the
situation in the east of Ukraine.

The newly sanctioned individuals include three top military officials:
Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov, Russia’s First Defense
Minister, Army General Arkady Bakhin, and the head of the main
Operation Directorate of General Staff, Lieutenant General Andrey
Kartapolov.

Two members of the Russian lower house of parliament, the State Duma,
singer Iosif Kobzon and Valery Rashkin, who heads the Russian Communist
Party branch in Moscow, are also on the list. The remaining 14 people
are officials of the self-proclaimed republics in eastern Ukraine.

ORCHESTRATED?: OUTSIDE INFLUENCE SEEN IN ARMENIAN POLITICS AMID RPA-PAP STANDOFF

ANALYSIS | 16.02.15 | 10:37

By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
ArmeniaNow correspondent

Armenia’s opposition trio is going to hold an “urgent all-national
rally” on February 20 to discuss further steps of its struggle with the
people. The need for such steps emerged after President Serzh Sargsyan
called Gagik Tsarukyan, the leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party,
a key member of the trio, a ‘pseudo-political phenomenon”.

Before that Tsarukyan practically put forward an ultimatum to
the authorities. And then to the statement of Sargsyan, Tsarukyan
responded with a call for a “nationwide mobilization” to oust the
current administration.

In connection with this situation there are assumptions being made
in Armenia that the current political crisis and the possible shocks
may be ‘inspired’ from outside. In particular, some think that the
current leadership of Armenia has decided to return to more active
relations with the West “to the detriment” of its relations with
Russia. And Moscow has opted for a change of government.

As an argument to substantiate this version some cite the fact
that President Sargsyan made a loud statement on the day the new US
ambassador Richard Mills arrived in Armenia. During their meeting
Sargsyan reportedly discussed the preparation of a framework trade and
investment agreement between the United States and Armenia. Armenia
cannot conclude such an agreement without the consent of the members
of the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union. At the same time, in the
economic situation like today’s only such an agreement can become a
salvation for Armenia.

Interestingly, commenting on the political situation and the tough
speech by Sargsyan Ambassador Mills noted that he himself was from
the state of Louisiana, where it is normal for politicians to use such
language. He also said that if President Sargsyan ordered a probe into
allegations of Tsarukyan’s tax evasion and possible involvement in
other crimes, then this probe must be conducted strictly in accordance
with the law.

As for ‘Moscow’s hand’, analyst Modest Kolerov, the chief editor of
the Regnum news agency who stands close to the Kremlin, answering
the question of the 168 Zham newspaper on whether Tsarukyan can get
support of the Kremlin, said: “No, he cannot. If the matter concerns
a respected politician, philanthropist, businessman, there can be no
problems. But if a person is forming an opposition, he must clearly
and specifically say what alternative he offers with his personality.

We do not have a clear answer to this question.”

A few days before Sargsyan’s speech a PAP delegation headed by
Tsarukyan was in Moscow. During the meeting with the leadership
of the State Duma committee for the Eurasian Union Tsarukyan said
that by joining the Russian-led trade bloc Armenia has made its
“civilizational choice”, and that he personally is for the development
and strengthening of relations with Russia.

If Sargsyan is really going to ask the West for help, then the
pro-Russian orientation of Tsarukyan could become an “alternative” for
Russia. And then Moscow will have some reasons to back the PAP leader.

However, media and social networks are also considering another
version of intensification of opposition groups in early 2015.

On April 24, Armenia is going to mark the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide, which promises to be an important geopolitical
event. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has openly declared
that his country is doing everything to ‘neutralize’ the impact
of events in Yerevan. And some in Armenia and Karabakh considering
what is happening in Armenia in the context of the Turkish plans. In
particular, it concerns the activation of a hardline opposition group
known as Founding Parliament, which has announced protests and, in
fact, the beginning of a revolution on April 24. It is difficult to
say whether Founding Parliament is connected with the Tsarukyan party.

IT’S HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN’S TURN

Haikazn Ghahriyan, Editor-in-Chief
Comments – 16 February 2015, 14:09

Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan has dismissed Gagik Tsarukyan from the
post of president of the board of the Institute of Physical Training
and ordered the Ministry of Finance to check Tsarukyan’s companies
to check allegations on tax liabilities. He went for this step after
Serzh Sargsyan’s speech at the RPA board meeting where there was
such an instruction. Hovik Abrahamyan stated in that meeting that
they will clamp down on Gagik Tsarukyan if need be.

Hovik Abrahamyan has appeared in a highly difficult situation. And
the problem is not that he and Tsarukyan are relatives. The problem
is much deeper, and is related to the fundamental problems of the work
of the system. Hovik Abrahamyan, as well as the other representatives
of the criminal and oligarchic system, understands what is happening
and Serzh Sargsyan’s speech is addressed to the system, not Tsarukyan.

Tsarukyan was just an opportunity which will be used to resolve the
short-term and long-term problems of the system, especially that
Tsarukyan was declared to be someone who does not understand what he
is doing and what is happening.

In fact, he is not the ultimate target, he is just a tool through
which the public and shadow forces are trying to implement their
plans. If Tsarukyan is removed, these forces will have to walk out
onto the stage where the rules of the game will change.

Hovik Abrahamyan received the post of prime minister through a “coup”
inside the system with the help of the PAP and the three forces
servicing it. As a prime minister he has failed in all the social
and economic spheres, and it was expected. However, his failure
has caused problems in the system, relating to certain internal and
external commitments.

Russia has made it clear that it will not give any money. In addition,
Russia has made it clear openly and objectively, “advising” to find
money inside Armenia, calling those relying on Russia clowns. For
its part, the Western financial organizations, saving the Armenian
system from a collapse, have set forth some requirements to the
government relating to good governance, fight on corruption and tax
administration, in other words, again “money must be found in Armenia”.

There is a lot of money in Armenia, and everybody knows about it. And
they know where the money is. For the time being, the system has been
able to ensure its super profits through external injections and shed
losses onto people. However, this time is over. Now it is time to
“award damages” and it is very difficult to do it fairly.

Hovik Abrahamyan is apparently facing an objective of starting with
“friends”. The system is checking how loyal Hovik Abrahamyan has been.

Especially that by removing Gagik Tsarukyan Hovik Abrahamyan also
appears on the “front line” because his internal role of a “bridge
inside the system” becomes redundant.

What will Hovik Abrahamyan who has survived several “coups” do? He
must either agree to departure together with Gagik Tsarukyan or he
must stand up against Serzh Sargsyan. The choice is not big.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA IN THE FOCUS OF NEW DIVISION OF THE WORLD

Naira Hayrumyan, Political Commentator
Comments – 16 February 2015, 12:15

The presidents of the United States, Poland and Israel have already
announced that they will not attend the celebration of the 70th
anniversary of victory in World War II. The president of France has
announced that he will arrive in Yerevan on April 24 to attend the
events to mark the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

These two events are closely linked, first of all by the fact of
an ongoing strange war of wars. Russia is trying to prove that the
current world was established after World War II and Russia which has
defeated fascism has an immense role in it. The Georgievskaya Lenta
(Saint George Ribbon) symbolizes the role of Russia in building the
new world order.

It is not accidental that recently a monument to Churchill, Roosevelt
and Stalin was set up in Yalta to symbolize Russia’s participation
in the division of the world.

The Western states, however, insist that the world order established
after World War I in which Russia did not participate is still valid.

In 1917 Russia left the war and did not participate in the peace
conference in Versailles. The peace conference of Paris mostly
concerned the division of the Ottoman Empire.

In the process of division of the world, after World War I Soviet
Russia was able to sign the treaties of Kars and Moscow with Turkey
which divided Armenia.

In 2014 the West marked the start of World War I and the European
politicians were wearing red poppies all through the year.

The forget-me-not of the Armenian genocide reminds the European
Remembrance Poppy rather than the Russian Georgievskaya Lenta.

Perhaps, a full stop to the issue of the Armenian Genocide will be
put only in case of revision of the outcome of World War I, not World
War II.

It is increasingly obvious that the world is moving towards revision
of the current world order. Last year Kurdistan announced likely
to hold a referendum of independence, and apparently the West will
not resist to that process. However, it would mean revision of the
outcome of World War I and division of the Ottoman Empire.

The Russian government is trying to participate in the change of the
world order. However, if World War I is concerned, Russia will have
no place around the table of the talks. Putin is actively promoting
the idea of the world order established after World War II but judging
by the rejection of the presidents of the United, Poland and Israel,
these countries do not recognize the role of Russia as a participant of
“division of the world”.

If the world order established after World War I is revised, one of
the key issues will be revokation of the Russian-Turkish treaties on
the division of Armenia.

Will Serzh Sargsyan go to Moscow on May 9? Will the Russian president
visit Yerevan on April 24? On which side will Armenia and the Diaspora
be? Judging by the Pan-Armenian Resolution which has been adopted
in Yerevan recently, the leadership of Armenia and the Diaspora
are prone to restoration of the Treaty of Sevres and revocation of
the Treaties of Moscow and Kars. The Armenian parliamentary forces,
however, dislike the resolution.

Hence, April 24 may be lustration for the Armenian political forces.

OTTOMAN GENOCIDE STATEMENT EXCLUDES YEZIDI GENOCIDE; YEZIDI COMMUNITY IN ARMENIA CONSIDERS IT “DISCRIMINATION”

02.16.2015 12:47 epress.am

“Sinjar” Yezidi National Union NGO considers the law authored by
National Assembly deputy Spokesperson Eduard Sharmazanov related
to the genocide of religious minorities in the Ottoman Empire to
be unacceptable.

The NGO’s statement states that last year Heritage faction MP Zaruhi
Postanjyan presented a draft statement to the National Assembly which
would condemn the genocide of Yezidis, Greeks, Assyrians, and other
national-religious minorities in the Ottoman Empire.

“The draft was rejected with the efforts of the Republican Party
faction. The rejection was justified by Republican Party MP Samvel
Farmanyan, who believed that the statement was not in the interest
of Armenia’s foreign policy.

And behold, after some time, NA deputy Spokesperson Eduard Sharmazanov
authored a nearly identical draft statement, where the main
difference between his and MP Zaruhi Postanjyan’s statement is that
it does not mention the Genocide of Yezidis. Such behavior is simply
incomprehensible and shocking to the Yezidi community in Armenia. Why
is the National Assembly neglecting the genocide of Yezidis on the
same empire’s territory? It is known, that of the 200,000 Yezidi
families who lived on the territory of the Ottoman Empire until 1914,
only 14,000 survived and later continued to be persecuted for keeping
Armenian refugees in their homes. Why is Armenia’s legislature
forgetting these facts and was is the Yezidi Genocide factor that
was not beneficial from a RA foreign policy perspective?

“Sinjar” Yezidi National Union NGO condemns the behavior of coauthors
of the draft toward the Yezidi people and calls for a necessary
amendment to the draft statement; otherwise we would consider it a
discrimination against the Yezidi people,” states the Sinjar NGO’s
statement.

From: Baghdasarian

BHK, HAK, AND HERITAGE PARTIES TO ORGANIZE MASS RALLY AT LIBERTY SQUARE

02.16.2015 11:11 epress.am

The trio of the non-ruling political parties, Prosperous Armenia
(BHK), Armenian National Congress (HAK), and Heritage, is organizing
a rally on February 20th at 4pm at Liberty Square in Yerevan. The
leaders of the three parties, Gagik Tsarukyan, Levon Ter-Petrosyan,
and Raffi Hovhannisyan decided during a meeting yesterday, February 15.

As noted in the parties’ joint press release, the urgent national
rally is being convened to “make a decision together with the Armenian
citizens to resolve the current situation.”

Recall, last week during a Republican Party Council meeting President
Serzh Sargsyan heavily criticized Gagik Tsarukyan, stating that the
latter was fired from the National Security Council, in addition to
proposing audits for Tsarukyan’s many businesses.

Tsarukyan responded to the President’s speech stating the necessity of
urgent presidential elections in order for changing the current regime.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN DEPUTY PROSECUTOR GETS $66K APT FOR FREE AT TAXPAYER EXPENSE

Grisha Balasanyan

12:39, February 16, 2015

On October 2, 2014, in a reversal of its former decision, the Armenian
government allocated 754.8 million AMD (US$1.58 million) to upgrade
the housing of various government employees.

52.4 million dram was earmarked for those working for the country’s
Prosecutor General.

A day later, a 118.55 square meter apartment, worth 31.6 million AMD
($66,000) in a new Yerevan building was purchased for Emil Babayan,
a deputy prosecutor general.

The purchase was on the basis of a decision taken by Prosecutor
General Gevorg Kostanyan.

A 20.8 million AMD ($43,400) apartment in the same building was
purchased for Souren Khachatryan, a senior prosecutor at the Prosecutor
General’s Office.

These apartments were allocated as private property to the employees.

They were purchased from a company called Mikmetal Ltd., 75% of the
shares of which were owned in 2012 by an offshore concern called
Margo Holdings Ltd.

According to a financial disclosure statement filed by Emil Babayan,
when he assumed his post at the prosecutor general’s office he already
had an apartment

So why did Babayan get another apartment for free, at taxpayers’
expense, in a brand new building?

Hetq has sent two separate inquiries to the prosecutor general in the
past two months seeking an answer. We have yet to hear back from them.

Chief of staff of the Armenian government Davit Harutyunyan, in a
reply to our inquiry, explained that the government will continue
its policy of investing in social programs designed to make civil
service jobs that much more appealing and that resources from the
reserve fund are being used towards this end.

$66k-apt-for-free-at-taxpayer-expense.html

KHOSROV HARUTYUNYAN: WE ARE IN THE SAME BOAT (VIDEO)

14:40 | February 16,2015 | Politics

Republican lawmaker Khosrov Harutyunyan says national security threats
are emerging in Armenia in the face of the Prosperous Armenia Party
(BHK).

“What are we supposed to do now? Shall we start flattering each
other?” Harutyunyan told a press conference on Monday.

Speaking about the recent conflict between the Republican Party of
Armenia (HHK) and BHK, the MP said his party is ‘taking preventive
measures’ so that Armenia would not turn into a Maidan.

“Do you compare Armenia with Belgium and Luxembourg which do not have
problems? A regime change is possible only in cases of deep shocks,”
said Mr Harutyunyan.

He does not exclude interpersonal conflicts inside the BHK. “But we
are in the same boat now,” he said.

Asked whether he asked the president to ‘have mercy on’ the BHK
leader after his speech on Feb. 12, Mr Harutyunyan did not refute
the information though, he says, he used other words.

NAIRIT PLANT EMPLOYEES TO GATHER OUTSIDE GOVERNMENT EVERY DAY

14:57 | February 16,2015 | Social

The government will consider the demand of Nairit plant employees
and answer them within a week, a senior government official said today.

Approaching the employees of the plant gathered outside the plant,
Alexander Ghazaryan, Head of the Government Department that deals
with the acceptance and discussion of citizen requests, said the
government will respond to their demand to fix a payment schedule
for their due salaries in a week.

After the demonstrators began chanting, “Now,” Alexander Ghazaryan
promised to answer them this Friday.

In reply to A1+’s question who will be charged with the task, Mr
Ghazaryan refrained from answering.

The employees decided to come to the government building every day
to remind the executive body of its promise.