Author: Andres-Papazian

‘ONLY A MATTER OF TIME TILL HAK LOSES ITS RELEVANCE’: US EMBASSY

epress.am
09.06.2011 13:17

Since its creation in May 2008, the 17-party opposition Armenian
National Congress (ANC, or HAK in Armenian) has been unable to
accomplish its stated goal of dislodging the ruling authorities from
power, wrote then US Charge d’Affaires in Yerevan Joseph Pennington
to the US State Department on Jan. 4, 2010, according to a recently
released cable on WikiLeaks.

The US diplomat notes that according to the embassy’s contacts inside
ANC, four main factors “have combined to create mounting discouragement
and disagreement within the ANC”:

“These include [ANC leader and former president Levon Ter-Petrossian]
LTP’s conciliatory stance on President Sargsyan’s foreign policy; a
lack of internal democracy in the Congress; a lack of strategy to move
towards declared goals; and a shortage of financial resources. These
factors, contacts tell us, have brought many of the 17 member parties
to apathy and discouragement, and prompted them to explore ways
to break away from the ANC without burning their bridges with the
prominent but self-centered and vindictive LTP.”

Pennington writes that some of the “more nationalistic”
members of the opposition bloc have “vehemently disagreed” with
Ter-Petrossian’s stance on foreign policy issues, in particular
his views on Armenia-Turkey rapprochement and the resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. “These members are disgruntled by LTP’s
apparent support of President Sargsyan on these issues.”

The US embassy’s contacts also note that lack of internal democracy is
another factor undermining the bloc’s integrity as decisions are made
solely by Ter-Petrossian and “formalized in the so-called ‘political
council,’ which has essentially no leverage in the decision-making
process.”

Another challenge that the bloc reportedly faces is a shortage of
financial resources: “Those businessmen who were providing financial
support to the ANC in hopes that the bloc might come to power have
reportedly stopped doing so – including the former MP and embattled
business tycoon Khachatur Sukiasyan.”

The cable concludes with Pennington summing up his comments on
Ter-Petrossian and the Armenian National Congress:

“Repudiation of the ruling authorities has always been the main reason
for the ANC’s existence. In this respect, its

supporters initially viewed LTP and his stature as a former president
as assets for effecting change in an authoritarian political
environment. These supporters, however, have lost hope in LTP,
recognizing that the downsides of his leadership style (vanity,
authoritarianism, personalized politics) are insurmountable. While
many in the ANC are still reluctant to cut the cord due to their own
political insignificance, it seems that it is only a matter of time –
perhaps after the upcoming Jan. by-election – before the ANC completely
loses its relevance. Should the ANC avoid an irretrievable break-up,
it will only be because of its disparate parts’ desire to keep the
bloc on life support until the next round of parliamentary elections
in 2012, where they would have a better chance competing together
than going it alone.”

From: A. Papazian

HAYASTAN ALL-ARMENIAN FUND BUILDS ORPHANAGE IN SHUSHI

Noyan Tapan
06.09.2011 | 13:33

Social

(Noyan Tapan – 06.09.2011) The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund has begun
construction of a much-needed orphanage in Shushi, with a substantial
donation from Armenian-American benefactor Hirair Hovnanian, one of
the fund’s longtime and leading supporters. The project is co-financed
by the government of Artsakh.

Currently there are close to 100 parentless children between the ages
of 1 and 15 living in the republic. While 50 of them are housed at the
Stepanakert Children’s Home, the rest live with relatives. The planned
orphanage in Shushi is designed to accommodate up to 80 children.

The future institution will provide a full range of living, leisure,
and educational amenities for children of preschool and school age,
including bedrooms, playrooms, a canteen, a library with computers,
and an events hall. To be equipped with central heating and
air-conditioning, the facility will also feature a large playground
and tree-lined landscaping. A second construction phase will add a
gymnasium, playgrounds for football, basketball, handball and tennis
to the complex.

Currently crews are clearing the site, in preparation for building
the structure.

“The goal of the project is to help ease the plight of young orphans,
their pain of being deprived of parental care and tenderness, by
providing them with a wonderful living and educational environment,”
said Ara Vardanyan, executive director of the Hayastan All-Armenian
Fund. “Mr. Hovnanian, the initiative’s main sponsor, is among those
truly exemplary Armenians who have steadfastly supported their homeland
throughout their lives.”

“In addition to the vitally important project of building an orphanage
in Shushi, there are already numerous initiatives with which Mr.

Hovnanian’s name is connected,” Vardanyan continued. “On behalf of my
colleagues here in the homeland and throughout the world, I convey
our profound gratitude to our great benefactor for continuing to
place his trust in the work of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund.”

A regular supporter of the fund’s projects since its very inception
in 1992, Hovnanian has to date contributed more than U.S. million to
the pan-national organization and is righteously an Honorary member
of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN CENTRAL BANK DOWNS BENCHMARK REFINANCING RATE TO 8%

ARKA
Sep 6, 2011

YEREVAN, September 6. /ARKA/. The board of the Central Bank of Armenia
decided Tuesday to down benchmark refinancing rate by 0.5 percentage
points to 8%, the central bank’s press office reports.

According to the press release, 0.6% deflation was recorded in Armenia
in August, compared with July.

As a result, year-on-year inflation subsided by 1.5 percentage points
in August, compared with the previous month, to 4.8%, the indicator
that is within the projected 4±1.5% range.

The board found the impetuses coming from the outside sector of
the economy and impacting inflation environment neutral with some
probability of deflation risks.

Nevertheless, it was stressed at the board meeting that the world
economy’s prospects remain uncertain due to misbalances of developed
countries.

The regulator’s board thinks that the current impact of domestic
demand on inflation environment is subsiding now – impacts of private
expenses are considered as neutral, and those of tax and budgetary
policy are viewed as curbing.

Things at labor market, with its ratio of productivity to nominal
salary, have neutral effect on inflation environment as well.

The regulator also says that inflationary developments in the recent
months were in tune with the 2011 monetary and budgetary policy.

“Softening of monetary and credit terms are believed to keep inflation
within the projected range of fluctuations creating additional
impetuses for growth of economic activity,” the press release says.

The previous change in benchmark refinancing rate was on April 13,
when it was driven 0.25 percentage points up to 8.5%.

In the 2011 government budget, inflation in Armenia is projected at 4%
(±1.5%).

From: A. Papazian

THE INDEPENDENCE OF ARTSAKH IS AN ALL-ARMENIAN EVENT

Monday, 05 September 2011 09:15

In connection with the 20th anniversary of the NKR declaration,
the victories of Artsakh are again noted by those who participated
in their achievement and consolidation.

Hrant Margarian (ARFD Bureau member)

– Celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Artsakh independence
is an event in itself. It is an All-Armenian event. It should cause
pride and good feelings at all of us. The independence should be
also internationally endorsed. Our people should be able to live
deservingly in our country. In this case, we’ll have a comprehensive
victory and the cost of the deceased heroes’ lives, which we paid
for this independence, will be justified.

Now I dream to see Karabakh in the structure of common Armenia.

United Armenia is our real dream and real view. We should be united
to be powerful. It is independence, the first step that we are taking
towards common Armenia, as it is the future of our nation. In this
we should see our people’s final liberation and achievement of the
most possibilities for development.

I admit that we have enjoyed our victory for the recent period and
weakened the activities conducted on the international level. And,
consequently, we have come to a reality, which doesn’t favor us. This
fact obliges us to enforce our activities for demonstrating the
fairness of the Karabakh issue to the world.

Vazgen Manukian (Chairman of the Public Council under the RA
President’s Office)

– Really, the declaration of the independence was a miracle. We dreamed
for the independence of Armenia and Artsakh for centuries. It was
found out that all the processes were interlinked. We are enjoying
the 20-year independence and making the 20 years eternal depends on
us. In 1988, we, surely, dreamed of seeing Karabakh within Armenia. It
will finally be so. There cannot be another way.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJAN’S PREMIER HITS OUT AGAINST ARMENIAN PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT

State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
September 4, 2011 Sunday

I would not like to cast gloom at the jubilee meeting but speech by
President of Armenia with respect to the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh
compels me to do that, Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Artur Rasizade said
at the summit of Council of CIS Heads of State. Prime Minister took
the floor two times since his remarks were followed by a statement of
Armenian leader Sargsyan who underlined that Nagorno-Karabakh declared
its independence 20 years ago. President of Armenian added people of
Nagorno-Karabakh with good reason used its right for self-determination
and earned his right for independent existence by shedding blood

Prime Minister Rasizade thanked the OSCE Minsk Group and President
of Russia Dmitry Medvedev for his efforts to solve the conflict.

I suppose many those present here are aware of the Nagorno-Karabakh
problem to a greater or lesser extent, and I am hopeful this statement
referred to those who know nothing about the dispute, or it was done
mainly for the domestic audience, he said.

Listening carefully to the remarks, I thought, probably, it would
be better to vote for independence of Nagorno-Karabakh right at the
jubilee meeting of heads of state. Then do we need Minsk Group and
other initiatives? he said.

According to the Premier, the core of the problem is that one of
CIS member countries committed aggression against the other one and
occupied 20 percent of its territory and forced a million of refugees
and IDPs from their homes.

I think Armenia was once more unconstructive in resolution of the
protracted and difficult conflict, Prime Minister underlined, saying
Azerbaijan will continue to participate in the OSCE Minsk group and
support other initiatives in the hope of peaceful and fair resolution
of the conflict based on international law, Rasizade added.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJANI MP SLAMS UN OVER GAZA FLOTILLA

news.az
Sept 5 2011
Azerbaijan

An MP from the ruling New Azerbaijan Party has accused the UN of
seeking ‘to conceal the crime’ of Israel’s attack on a Gaza-bound
aid convoy.

The international community was waiting impatiently for the UN response
to the Israeli commando attack on Turkey’s Mavi Marmara ship and the
killing of nine Turks in May 2010, Malahat Ibrahimgizi said.

“At the same time, as a citizen of a country 20% of whose lands have
been occupied, I know that the UN is committed to double standards
and is an instrument in the hands of a group of super powers and
mouthpiece of unfair powers,” she continued.

Ibrahimgizi referred to four UN resolutions calling for the withdrawal
of Armenian armed forces from Azerbaijani territory.

“It is impossible to expect anything from an organization that has
turned a blind eye towards the implementation of the four resolutions
it adopted on Armenian aggression against our country and shows
disrespect to its own decisions,” the MP said.

“The UN proved its hypocritical nature by its new decision. The UN
sought to conceal this ridiculous crime related to the attack on the
Mavi Marmara and murder of nine Turks. In fact, a lawsuit should be
filed against NATO itself for this unjust decision.

“I believe that the international community will respond to UN policy
to conceal crime, attack, piracy and occupation. What is ridiculous
is that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan that he had no idea how the report had been
leaked to the press. I think the principled decision by the Turkish
authorities is right.”

From: A. Papazian

IRAN AND ARMENIA INK MOU ON COOPERATION IN AGRICULTURE

Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Sept 4 2011

[Presenter] Iran and Armenia signed a memorandum of understanding to
cooperate on agriculture. Mr [Sadeq] Khalilian, Iran’s minister of
agricultural Jihad:

[Khalilian] Fortunately, given the expanding relations between
the two neighbouring and brotherly countries of Iran and Armenia,
we must expand the same relations in the sector of agriculture. The
agreement we signed is on various sections of research, development
of greenhouse planting, the conservation of plants as well as issues
related to livestock, poultry, fisheries and marine life; moreover we
agreed on joint investments and the presence of Iranian investors and
private sector in Armenia’s agriculture. We also made agreements on the
exporting of Iranian machinery and tractors to Armenia these products
have been welcomed there This is a general agreement, and a minor
implementation plan will be provided for every one of its articles. If
our private sector succeeds to have a positive presence in Armenia,
we intend to raise the level of trade exchange in agriculture up to
200m dollars within the framework of this agreement.

[Reporter] What is the deadline?

[Khalilian] There is no specific deadline; however, I assume if we
reach this level of trade exchange in agriculture within the next
three years, there will be more ground for taking further steps.

From: A. Papazian

IRAN’S FIRST NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PROVIDES ELECTRICITY

AZG DAILY
06-09-2011

Iran’s first nuclear power plant has finally begun to provide
electricity to the national grid, official media reported on Sunday,
a long-delayed milestone in the nuclear ambitions of a country the
West fears is covertly try to develop atomic bombs.

“The Atomic Energy Agency announced that atomic electricity from
Bushehr power plant joined the national grid with a power of around
60 megawatts on Saturday at 2329 (1859 GMT),” the official news agency
IRNA reported.

The start-up will come as a relief to Tehran after many years of
delays and false starts at the plant it hopes will show the world it
has joined the nuclear club despite sanctions imposed in an attempt
to curb its disputed nuclear progress.

The $1-billion, 1,000-megawatt Bushehr plant will be formally
inaugurated on September 12, by which time it will be operating at
40 percent capacity, Hamid-Khadem Qaemi, spokesman for the Atomic
Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), told the state-controlled Arabic
language TV station al-Alam.

The AEOI was not immediately available to comment.

The plant on the Gulf coast is the first of what Iran says will become
a network of nuclear facilities that will reduce its reliance on its
abundant fossil fuels and is a showpiece of what it says is a purely
peaceful atomic programme.

Bushehr’s start-up comes with Russia pushing to revive talks between
global powers and Iran about its separate uranium enrichment work,
seen abroad as a potential proliferation threat since highly refined
uranium fuels atomic bombs.

Iran says it is enriching uranium only to lower levels suitable for
power plant fuel or medical and agricultural uses.

But it has also started shifting its most sensitive enrichment
operations to a mountain bunker that would be better protected against
a possible pre-emptive U.S. or Israeli military strike, Reuter reports.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN MILITARY EXPERT DEFENDS MINISTER, CRITICIZES OPPOSITIONIST

Tert.am
23:23 05.09.11

An Armenian military expert has defended Armenia’s Defense Minister
Seyran Ohanyan against criticism voiced by a representative of the
opposition alliance Armenian National Congress (HAK).

Speaking to Tert.am Artsrun Hovhannisyan said that the minister is
making efforts to improve conditions in the army.

“Our minister of defense is a man who walked down a victorious way,
who wants to introduce radical reforms today. And it would be blindness
not to notice it, an obvious political order,” said he.

It comes after Gurgen Yeghiazaryan of the HAK said that Armenia does
not need the army it has today, adding that the defense minister is
to be held responsible for all the incidents in the army.

“I consider such statements irresponsible, offensive, a statement
by someone who has nothing to do with the army, people that create
problems in the army building process” said Artsrun Hovhannisyan.

“It’s a pity when a soldier dies in the army,” said he, adding that
in such cases those in the military uniform are being ashamed of
walking in the street.

“But does it mean that such statements should be addressed to the
defense minister?” asked Hovhannisyan.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA TO REGULATE ISSUES RELATED TO ITS LABOR MIGRANTS IN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

ARKA
Sep 5, 2011

YEREVAN, September 5. /ARKA/. On Thursday, Armenian government approved
the agreement to be signed with the United Arab Emirates on usage of
Armenian human resources in this country’s territory.

Armen Gevorgyan, vice premier and territorial administration minister,
said that a similar agreement had been signed with Qatar, since
representatives of this country invited Armenian companies, mainly
constructor companies, to take part in programs being implemented in
their country.

Speaking about the agreement approved by the government on Thursday,
Gevorgyan said that this is one of those documents regulating
migration-related issues.

He said these countries attract human resources for implementing
their programs regardless of any agreement.

“Armenia’s citizens work either in the United Arab Emirates or in
Qatar,” he said. “Our colleagues proposed Armenia not to remain on
the sidelines, but to be along with its citizens to settle problems,
if any.”

Gagik Yeganyan, chief of the Armenian territorial administration
ministry’s migration agency, answering the questions journalists
put to him, found it difficult to say how many labor migrants from
Armenia were at the moment in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

From: A. Papazian