Author: Andres-Papazian

MARCH 2008 EVENTS WERE TO ADVANTAGE OF THOSE WHO NOW EXPLOIT THEM-EX-PRESIDENT

Tert.am
10.05.11

The March 2008 events in Armenia were to the advantage of those
who now exploit them-Armenia’s second president has has said in an
interview with Mediamax news agency.

“The March 1 developments – both in terms of the opposition’s conduct
and the authorities’ response – were obvious to the whole country. The
defeated candidate declared he was the elected president and said he
was going to invade the presidential palace. That’s all,” Kocharyan
said. “The situation became especially tense when the opposition
resorted to illegal measures. A state of emergency was declared in
Yerevan when everything was beyond control, and there were threats
to the constitutional order and people’s security and property. It’s
just impossible to deny that.”

The ex-president noted that the emergnecy was imposed in accordance
with the Constitutional norms and procedures (after obtaining the
prime minister’s agreement and the National Assembly’s approval).

“I think such measures should have been adopted earlier to avoid
deaths,” he said.

Kocahryan added that the president does not exercise direct
responsibility for the maintainance of the law and order in streets.

He said executive bodiese regulate such procedures in accordance with
the existing laws.

“I can say definately that no one gave them instructions for launching
armed operations against people. At least I do not possess specific
facts on that score. With the exception of the [police] captian, all
the other people who died were considerably far from the demonsration
site. The situation there was beyond the control of either the police
or the opposition leader.”

“All the eight civilians were ordinary people who had never been
politically active. Four of them died of firearm wounds. Why should
anyone open fire on them on purpose. It was either a tragic coincidence
or an intentional act aimed at discrediting the authorities,”
Kocharyan said.

From: A. Papazian

NAGORNO KARABAKH TOWNS HOST VICTORY DAY CELEBRATIONS

Tert.am
10.05.11

The presidents of Armenia and the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR,
Artsakh ), Serzh Sargsyan and Bako Sahakyan, have taken part in May
victory celebrations in the NKR towns of Stepanakert and Shushi.

According to a press release by the NKR presidential administration,
the leaders of the two Armenian republics Tuesday visited the Memorial
Complex in capital Stepanakert to pay tribute to the heroes of World
War II and the Artsakh liberation war.

They then visited the town of Shoushi to commemorate the victims of the
Shoushi liberation struggle. The two presidents laid a wreath on the
tank monument to Vazgen Sargsyan, a former Armenian Defense Minister
and a hero of Artsakh war, who died in a 1999 terrorist attack at the
Armenian National Assembly. Presidents Sahakyan and Sargsyan attended
a holy mass in the St Ghazanchetsots church of Shushi.

They also visited a modern weapons exhibition in Stepanakert. Later
in the day, the presidents attended a festive concert on the town’s
central square.

The events dedicated to the May 9 Victory Day and the anniversaries
of Shushi liberation and the NKR Defense Army were also attended by
Armenia’s second president, Robert Kocharyan, a former president of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Arkady Ghoukasyan, as well as officials
from Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh and guests from the Diaspora.

From: A. Papazian

Tourism and Agriculture prior spheres in Gegharkunik

17:02, 2 May, 2011

GAVAR, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS:

Armenpress news agency spoke with the governor of the Armenian
province of Gegharkunik Nver Poghosyan about the programs directed
toward reducing the poverty and immigration in the province,
improvement of the quality of life of its population.

– Mr Poghosyan, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan points out the
necessity of development of agriculture and the importance of events
directed toward its improvement. What steps are being carried out to
facilitate the burden of farmers in the province?

– During my tenure I always keep under the spotlight the village and
farmers. The investments during the recent years were directed toward
the sphere of agriculture as well. The fact that the irrigation lands
increased by 2000 hectares, separate communities received agricultural
engineering, rural roads have been reconstructed show that we have
tried to assist the farmers as much as we could. Another issue is that
the means were limited and they were not enough.

Two years ago the government’s agricultural subsidies to the economies
of the province exceeded 1 billion AMD as a result the corn fields
noticeably increased. Today the demand still exists but our means are
limited.

During different years the rural economies applied to banks but failed
to pay back both because of natural disasters and failure to sell
their products. On the other hand the interest rates were high. With
the assignment of the Armenian president the mentioned interest rates
decreased from 24% to 14 of which 4% is subsidized by the government.
And today the farmer can make use of these credits paying 10% interest
rate annually. Besides, now the loans are being provided not for one
but for two years and in drams. The last circumstance is very
important as till now the farmers were getting loans in the USD and
the exchange fluctuations caused losses to them.

– In certain rural communities people complain that they did not get
seeds and that the prices for fertilizers and fuel have raised. What
is the reason?

– Today we managed to first of all assist the poorer, needy groups. In
this respect we have distributed the first 300 tons of barley seeds to
23 more insecure people living in remote areas and included in the
list of the Territorial Administration Ministry and the rest 165 tons
of elite seeds was distributed to seed-growing farms for the
organization of reproduction of seeds. As to the increase of prices
for fertilizers, diesel, it is connected with the international
market. If in case of fertilizers the state can oversight or restrict
the inflation in case of oil products the main dictator is the
international market.

– One of the prior directions in the province is tourism. What is
being done for the development of the sphere?

– The tourism in the province is noticeably developing during the
recent years. But I think that today we are using very small part of
it. The problem is that the summer tourism is developing in the
province but it lasts for 2-3 months. While the existence of Lake
Sevan and the long lasting winter are very favorable for the
development of the winter tourism. Not only people from the capital
and other provinces but also from Iran, Russia and number of European
countries are coming here.

We have big expectations from Izer province, we are already
cooperating with its leadership. But for developing tourism we need
big investments, efforts and time. In parallel to building of hotel
complexes it is necessary to build streets, improve the roads taking
to monuments, create and develop institutions of tourism significance.
But the most important thing today is ensuring the cleanness of the
water of Lake Sevan.

– A number of rural roads are in desperate situation. Their
reconstruction may solve a number of issues both connected with
agriculture and tourism. I particularly speak about
Karmirgyugh-Gavar-Noratus, Hrazdan-Zovaber-Ddmashen and a number of
others.

– The enumerated roads are included in the “Millennium Challenge”
program. For bringing these programs to an end the Armenian government
continues searching new ways. Currently large volume construction
works are underway in the territory of Tchambarak. The road
construction here needs bigger investments and more time.

– The outgoing work continues to be the major source of income in the
province. What is being done to help people find jobs in the homeland?

– The outgoing work in the province was widely spread during the
soviet years and people were mainly interested in big incomes. The
formed tradition take our working men abroad. It is better to have
outgoing work than to deal with emigration. But our goal is to keep
people here and the government must carry out programs and invest
money here. In this case I am sure we will need both jobs and labor
force. I tie big hopes with the construction of Iran-Armenia railway,
road construction investment programs, development of small and
medium-sized business as a result of which the province will change
its face saying farewell to poverty and social tension.

From: A. Papazian

Printing – priority of Culture Ministry for 2012

13:01, 3 May, 2011

YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS:

The cultural life in Armenia is gradually activating and today
programs are being brought to life. Armenpress news agency spoke about
the cultural life in the country and the existing issues with the
Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan.

– Mr Poghosyan, which are the priorities of the RA Ministry of Culture
in the running year and what steps are being undertaken for
implementing them?

– The ensuring of the grounds of preservation of cultural heritage,
presentation of the cultural heritage as well as the improvement of
service in the sphere are the prior issues for 2011. For reaching the
above mentioned goals the ministry is working out complex steps thanks
to which they are being brought to life. The printing is also a
priority for the ministry.

– One of the prior directions set up by the government for the
ministry is the equal development of culture in provinces. What steps
does the ministry undertake in that direction?

– Still from 2007 it is being spoken about equal development of
culture in the provinces. The program consists of 10 different
elements and it is natural that the content part is being changed
during the time but the fact remains that today this program annually
expands both with its content and financing. Each year the investments
of the government with the equality principle increases.

First of all we put an issue to make the library and museum networks
available for wider layers of the public. That is why we highly assess
“Library on Wheels” program implemented by the Armenian National
Library which goes to remote villages and takes not only library
collections but newly printed books.

“Family Librarian Program” is being implemented which provides books
to people who cannot move. We are also implementing social programs
for individuals with poor eyesight, “Museum on Wheels” program within
the framework of which valuable paintings are being shown in different
museums and territories.

– Study centers are intended to be created for the restoration of
cultural heritage. What functions will they implement?

– The program is multi-sided. Within the framework of
study-educational sector it is expected to open master’s course at the
Yerevan State Architectural University where Italian specialists will
teach monument restoration skills. The second sector relates to the
training of heads of organizations restoring historic-cultural
monuments. It is very important that organizations restoring monuments
display literate and qualified approach toward the monuments. Besides
creation of study centers of restoration of cultural heritage, works
will be undertaken for compiling the material-technical database,
creation of corresponding laboratories, etc.

– How many monuments are registered? How many museum funds need restoration?

– The majority of the 24 000 registered monuments and 1 million 738
678 museum samples need to be restored. The creation of cultural
heritage restoration centers will ensure high-quality restoration of
cultural values and protection through local potential. After the
creation of the center it is expected to become a regional one.

From: A. Papazian

Expert: Azerbaijan must be subjected to responsibility for murder of
Armenian soldiers

15:05, 4 May, 2011

YEREVAN, MAY 4, ARMENPRESS:

Azerbaijan must be subjected to responsibility for the murder of the
Armenian soldiers, political analysts Sergey Shakaryants said at a
news conference today, adding that Azerbaijan displays terrorist
behavior.

“Al-Qaeda’s nest in Caucasus is Azerbaijan. We must voice the issue on
how to suspend the Azerbaijani state terrorism which launched in
1988”, Shakaryants said, adding that the death of the three soldiers
is one of the manifestations of state terrorism. According to him, the
time has come for the OSCE Minsk Group to deal with the terrorist
state – Azerbaijan and explain Mr Aliyev that in case he continues in
this way, Armenians will lose their patience.

Viewed 27 times

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
May 4 2011

Catholicos of All Armenians receives CEO of Millennium Challenge Corporation

May 04, 2011 | 16:02

YEREVAN. – The Millennium Challenge Corporation plays an important
role in the development of Armenian economy, Catholicos of All
Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II stated at the meeting with Chief
Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation Daniel
Yohannes on Wednesday. U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie L. Yovanovitch
also attended the meeting.

Karekin II expressed confidence that Armenia will overcome problems
and difficulties. In this regard, His Holiness Karekin II attached
significance to restoration of spiritual values, the press service of
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Daniel Yohannes presented the results of monitoring on implementation
of the program of Millennium Challenge Corporation.

From: A. Papazian

Dalia GrybauskaitÄ – : `A New Stage in Armenian-Lithuanian Relations Starts’

20:55, 4 May, 2011

YEREVAN, MAY 4, ARMENPRESS:

RA President Serzh Sargsyan met today President of Lithuania Dalia
GrybauskaitÄ – , who arrived in Yerevan on a two-day visit.

An official from the presidential press service reported Armenpress
that the president said since the independence and establishment of
relations with Lithuania, the bilateral relations have been developing
dynamically: Lithuania was the first country, which recognized
Armenia’s independence and Armenia signed its first international
agreement with Lithuania. Serzh Sargsyan said the two countries have
good opportunities to discuss the issues on the development of the
relations.

According to Dalia GrybauskaitÄ – , a new stage in the
Armenian-Lithuanian relations started. After the meeting the
presidents gave a joint news conference and concluded the results of
the meeting.

“Our economic relations are expected to have a bright future. We are
ready to make investments and will willingly wait for your activity in
our country. The routes our states passed during 20 years are
different, but there are many resemblances. We are as open to
cooperate and support as possible,” RA President Serzh Sargsyan said.

From: A. Papazian

National Assembly, Armenia

May 4 2011

Regular Phase of the Recitation Festival Held in Artashat

1 / 2
The third Children-Youth Republican Recitation Contest-Festival
becoming already a tradition, which is held within the Open Door
programme under the patronage of RA National Assembly Hovik Abrahamyan
on May 3 in the building of Artashat Amo Kharazian State Drama Theatre
of Ararat Marz. This was the regular provincial second phase of the
contest-festival. 1000 students of 112 schools of the marz took part
in the preliminary phase.

The Contest-Festival was dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the
Armenian acclaimed poet Hovhannes Shiraz, thus the participants were
reciting with inspiration and excitement the works of the poet’s
multi-genre works.

The candidate of philological sciences Karo Vardanyan presented
Hovhannes Shiraz’s access to the literary arena, his life and creative
path full of all-national love.

As a result of contest in two age groups, 11-14 and 15-17, six
students of different communities of the marz, who in the near future
will take part in the regular concluding phase being held in Yerevan.

The Deputy Head of Ararat Marz Samvel Minasyan warmly congratulated
the winners and handed encouraging awards.

From: A. Papazian

Serzh Sargsyan: `Azerbaijan Goes on Deepening the Barrier It Put up’

18:49, 4 May, 2011

YEREVAN, MAY 4, ARMENPRESS:

Armenia welcomes the efforts by the OSCE Minsk group co-chairs and RA
President Dmitry Medvedev towards the settlement of the NK issue. “We
are ready to work, we are ready to negotiate and we think it is
necessary to seek compromises. But to achieve a settlement it is
necessary that Azerbaijan has the same desire,” RA President Serzh
Sargsyan said today at the joint news conference with President of
Lithuania Dalia GrybauskaitÄ – .

President Serzh Sargsyan assessed Vilnius’s willingness to support the
process of settlement of the NK issue as positive and emphasized the
Armenian party’s commitment to achieve a settlement through peace.
“Unfortunately Azerbaijan goes on straining the situation with
repeated and not corresponding to any standard of civilized dialogue
statements, which seriously affect the negotiation process,” the RA
president said.

During the meeting he mentioned about the cooperation between the
Baltic States as a successful model and said he regrets about the fact
that the same model cannot be applied in the region of South Caucasus.
President Serzh Sargsyan says Azerbaijan goes on deepening the barrier
it put up.

According to Dalia GrybauskaitÄ – , the main goal of the international
community is the peaceful settlement of any conflict: no any country,
no any international organization will support a military settlement.
This was the Lithuanian president’s address to the states she visited
on the recent days.

“Despite your historical past, painful points, pain you inherited,
your nation is able to settle an issue though peace,” President Dalia
GrybauskaitÄ – said.

From: A. Papazian

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
May 4 2011

Prime minister approved probe into MÄ°T agents over Dink murder

04 May 2011, Wednesday / TODAY’S ZAMAN WITH WIRES, Ä°STANBUL

Two members of the National Intelligence Organization (MÄ°T) who
reportedly `warned’ Turkish Armenian journalist Hrant Dink to be
careful in his articles prior to his assassination in 2007 have been
under investigation since Jan. 21, 2011, when Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip ErdoÄ?an issued permission to start a probe into the agents,
news reports said on Wednesday.

According to Dink’s account published in Agos, where he was
editor-in-chief, on Jan. 12, 2007, MÄ°T Marmara Regional Deputy
Director Ã-zel Yılmaz and another agent summoned Dink to the Ä°stanbul
Governor’s Office and issued a warning, telling him to `be careful’
about what he writes. The meeting took place on Feb. 4, 2004, shortly
after Dink wrote an article asserting that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s
daughter Sabiha Gökçen was of Armenian descent. After Dink’s
assassination, one of the MÄ°T agents who talked to him at the
governor’s office that day was revealed to be Yılmaz, who is currently
a suspect in the investigation into Ergenekon — a clandestine gang
charged with plotting to overthrow the government — which prosecutors
say might also be responsible for Dink’s murder.

In response to a query about the meeting from the Ä°stanbul 14th High
Criminal Court, MÄ°T said the organization was aware of the `meeting’
with Dink and its agents at the time.

The Ankara Prosecutor’s Office requested the Prime Ministry’s
permission to investigate the two agents in 2010, but the request was
turned down. On Jan. 21, 2011, the prosecution filed another request
and it was approved the second time.

In a related development, also previously unknown to the public,
inspectors from the State Audit Institution (DDK), an investigative
body under the president’s office, had a meeting with members of the
Dink family on April 25. Earlier this year, President Abdullah Gül
said the DDK could also launch a separate investigation into the Dink
murder. Sources say the family complained about the lack of progress
in exposing the alleged roles played by officers from the Trabzon
Gendarmerie Command, the Ä°stanbul Police Department and MÄ°T, who
appear to be implicated in the plot.

Dink was killed in broad daylight outside his newspaper’s offices on
Jan. 19, 2007 by Ogün Samast, who was a minor at the time of the
murder. The ensuing investigation and trial exposed the hitman’s
questionable links to various individuals tied to the Ä°stanbul Police
and Trabzon Gendarmerie Command. Despite significant evidence pointing
to the involvement of various officers in organizing the plot to kill
Dink, the identity of the masterminds of his assassination remains
elusive.

From: A. Papazian