Author: Andres-Papazian

GERAGOS SUES YEGHIAYAN ALLEGING FRAUD IN GENOCIDE SURVIVOR SETTLEMENTS

asbarez
Monday, March 14th, 2011

Geragos (left) is pictured here with Phil Angelides, Brian Kabateck
and Vartkes Yeghiayan (far right)

LOS ANGELES-Attorneys Mark Geragos and Brian Kabateck filed a law suit
in Los Angeles County Superior Court Friday, alleging their one-time
partners in the Genocide survivor insurance settlement case, Vartkes
Yeghiayan and Rita Mahdessian defrauded the community by diverting
settlement funds to fictitious charities, reported the Daily Journal
Monday.

The suit alleges that the funds were to be donated to existing
community organizations, as mandated by the ruling on two class action
law suits in Los Angles federal court that sought life insurance
money for family and descendants of the Armenian Genocide survivors
and victims.

In the lawsuit, Geragos and Kabateck are alleging that Yeghiayan
and Mahdessian misappropriated some $1 million slated for Armenian
community organization in what is known as a cy pres settlement-funds
that are to be distributed to charity instead of individuals.

One such organization cited in the lawsuit goes by the name of
Coservatoire de la Memoire Armenienne, which the suit alleges is
listed at a non-existent address on Avenue des Champs Elysee. The
Daily Journal reported that the charity received $300,000 out of the
$3 million settlement money earmarked for community organizations in
the original lawsuit. This sum was earmarked to be distributed to
France-based Armenian organizations to be allocated to educational
programs to assist the needy.

“It’s extremely disturbing,” Geragos told the Daily Journal, while
Kabateck said he was “personally disgusted.”

Yeghiayan denied the allegations made in the lawsuit in an interview
with the Daily Journal, adding that Geragos and Kabatech were “pissed
off” because they were left “out of” other Genocide settlement cases.

In discussing the case with the Daily Journal, Yeghiayan accused
Geragos and Kabateck of “hoarding more than $17 million,” reported
the Daily Journal.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. The cases in question were
against New York Life and other insurance companies and were settled
in 2004 and 2005.

Follow Asbarez for late-breaking information on this story.

From: A. Papazian

PARLIAMENTARIAN SAYS ALIYEV TRIES TO DETRACT THE ATTENTION OF THE OWN PEOPLE FROM SOCIAL ISSUES THROUGH NK ISSUE

ARMENPRESS
MARCH 14, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS: The Azerbaijani leadership speculates
the issue of the Nagorno Karabakh for keeping the own leadership,
tries to deceive the people and detract their attention from the
own social issues, member of the ARF faction Mkrtich Minasyan told
today Armenpress, adding that new developments are taking place in
Azerbaijan, particularly, the social issues raise to political level.

“I think that the Azerbaijani suffered people will understand that
they are robbed,” Mr. Minasyan said.

According to him, if there was not the oil given by the nature, the
world would look at the region differently and it is very doubtable
whether Azerbaijan would not exist as a state.

“The Azerbaijani authorities, the ruling rings work with the principles
of their ancestors,” the parliamentarian stressed, detailing that they
show the international community that they stand up for peace, but
use their most ugly arsenal for convincing the own auditorium. “We
must know that such is our neighbor, especially the Aliyev clan,
which robs the own people,” Mr. Minasyan said.

From: A. Papazian

NA SPEAKER: “ARMENIA IS ABLE TO DEFEND ITS INDEPENDENCE AND IS A RELIABLE PARTNER ON THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA”

ARMENPRESS
MARCH 14, 2011
YEREVAN

Armenian National Assembly Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan started his working
visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on
March 13. Delegation headed by the chairman of the National Assembly
consists of members of parliament Arman Sahakyan, Karine Atchemyan,
Arayik Grigoryan, Karen Avagyan, head of the NA’s staff Gegham
Gharibjanyan.

In London, H. Abrahamyan first met with representatives of the Armenian
community during which presented the domestic situation in Armenia
and Armenia’s foreign policy priorities.

The parliament speaker noted that the Republic of Armenia is loyal to
its commitments towards the international instances, and Armenia’s
political team led by President Serzh Sargsyan shows political will
in fulfillment of all commitments of our country.

“Armenia is able to defend its independence and is a reliable partner
on the international arena,” Abrahamyan stressed.

Speaking about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict the parliament speaker
said: “Today Nagorno Karabakh is a fully established state with all
state institutions. It is a reality, and no one, especially Azerbaijan,
can ignore this fact. The Armenian side seeks to peacefully resolve
the problem within the format of OSCE Minsk Group, on the basis of
the principles of self-determination of nations, territorial integrity
and non-use of force. However, Azerbaijan’s high-level war rhetoric,
unprecedented increase of Azerbaijan’s military expenditure are
alarming. It is a rough violation of all commitments towards the
international community by Azerbaijan. Armenia has a battle worthy
army which is able to defend its borders and land, security of its
country and people.”

Hovik Abrahamyan noted that the parliament is actively using its
sources to form an objective opinion abroad over the issue. The
Armenian delegations in European establishments are elaborating
active work, ensuring necessary information to help the foreign
parliamentarians form right idea about Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.

Speaking about the Armenian-Turkish relations the NA speaker said
that the brave initiative of the Armenian President to improve the
relations with neighboring Turkey collapsed because of Turkey.

Immediately after the signing of Zurich protocols Turkey forwarded
pre-conditions which did not exist in talks before signing.

Afterward, Hovik Abrahamyan answered to the questions of the present
that particularly referred to the Euro-integration process, inner
political developments, economy, parliamentary diplomacy, etc.

Today the delegation headed by the NA chairman will meet with President
of the House of Commons of Great Britain and Northern Ireland John
Bercow, President of the House of Lords, Baroness Helene Hayman,
members of foreign relations committee of the House are expected. The
NA delegation will participate in the plenary session of the House
of Lords.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS THE FIRST AMBASSADOR OF PARAGUAY

PanARMENIAN.Net
March 14, 2011 – 16:14 AMT 12:14 GMT

On March 14, the first Ambassador of Paraguay to Armenia, Marcial
Bobadilla Guillen (residence in Moscow) submitted copies of his
credentials to Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.

Further, the parties exchanged views on possible steps aimed at
strengthening of bilateral relations.

The Foreign Minister welcomed the suggestion of Paraguayan side to
hold consulting between the two countries~R foreign ministries. The
parties agreed to sign a relevant memorandum in near future, Armenian
Foreign Ministry press service reported.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN SEISMOLOGISTS SAY THERE ARE NOT REASONS FOR PANIC

PanARMENIAN.Net
March 14, 2011 – 19:09 AMT 15:09 GMT

Head of the Armenian National Service for Seismic Protection Hrachya
Petrosyan said that the March 14 earthquakes in Azerbaijan and
Georgia are not anyhow related to the disastrous earthquake and
tsunami in Japan.

According to him, earth shocks permanently take place in South
Caucasus. “Earth shocks are partially recorded in the region and
our equipment fixes them. There is a concept of general background
of seismic activity, as a result of which the accumulated energy is
released in the form of earth shocks of various magnitude,” Petrosyan
told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. He added that currently there are
not reasons for panic.

A 3.5 magnitude earthquake hit Azerbaijan on March 14. The earthquake
epicenter is located 35km north of Shirvan town.

A 3.0 magnitude earthquake stroke Georgia.

On March 11, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit Japan and caused
devastating tsunami. Besides, several earth shocks with magnitude
above 6.0 were recorded in the same region later.

From: A. Papazian

GEOPROMINING GOLD DISAGREES WITH ECOLUR NGO REGARDING RISK OF PLACEMENT OF CRUSHING AND SCREENING COMPLEX AT SOTK MINE

arminfo
Monday, March 14, 16:00

“GeoProMining Gold” LLC plans to build crushing and screening system,
and all the requirements for its design and construction will be met
on a timely basis.

The crushing and screening system will be installed at the distance
of 37 kilometers from Lake Sevan. Crushing and screening system
is a common jaw-crusher and vibrating grid, coupled with a small
conveyor-belt. The system is used to reduce the sizes of stone pieces,
the so- called “oversize” ore, which are unsuitable for transportation
by the railway, because they cause serious damage to the carriage
fleet of the South-Caucasian Railway. To present day, “oversize”
ore was crushed at Sotk mine with the help of rock-breaker of low
productivity, or with the help of blasting operations, and currently
it is planned to automate this process. Crushing and screening system
will be located within the permitted and leased by the “GPM Gold” land
(Lease Agreement No.1, dated 11.06.2010), allotted to Sotk mine, and
currently preparation of working documents is underway. No chemical
components are used for crushing of “oversize” ore. Currently, no any
complaints have been reported at GPM Gold from the residents of Sotk
and other neighbouring villages on the possible impact of the crushing
and screening system. There are hundreds of crushing and screening
systems in Armenia, many of which are operated in close proximity
(not more than 1.5 km) of Lake Sevan.

Earlier EcoLur NGO informed ArmInfo that “GeoProMining Gold” Company
proceeded to the construction of a crusher in the administrative
territory of Sotq Village for crushing gold-bearing ore from Sotq Mine,
which aroused villagers’ concern. EcoLur reported that ore crushing
is an initial cycle for ore processing operation which is banned in
Lake Sevan basin according to Article 10 of RA Law “On Lake Sevan.”

From: A. Papazian

TOWN OF HRAZDAN IS ON VERGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER

arminfo
Monday, March 14, 16:52

Town of Hrazdan has found itself on the verge of environmental
disaster.

The deposit to be developed by the Chinese company Fortune Oil is at
800 meters from the town of Hrazdan and at 1.5 kilometers from the
River Hrazdan.

Experts think that the deposit development may pollute the town
with heavy density metals and cause dangerous diseases among the
local population.

Children will be especially endangered, as at less than 2 kilometers
from the deposit there are three schools. According to assessments
of experts, the development of the deposit will result in pollution
of not only irrigation water, but also drinking water, as there are
several springs near the hill of the deposit, and hundreds of people
use these springs.

“If blasting operations are launched when developing the deposit,
Hrazdan that is considered to be one of the most polluted towns because
of the impact of a cement plant will find itself in the focus of an
environmental disaster”, Head of EcoLur NGO Inga Zarafyan said to
ArmInfo correspondent.

She recalled that 2 years ago the local residents collected signatures
against the implementation of the project. Over 1500 people signed
under the relevant document.

“We do not fight against a specific company, we fight for receiving
benefit from our subsurface management and improve our laws, which do
not work. We want our government to realize at last that one should
not simply hand out our wealth without a conception, tough strategy or
independent estimation of the damage. This policy should be changed”,
said Zarafyan.

Ore mining at the Hrazdan deposit will start in 2014 and the
mining output will total 1.5-2 mln tons per year. The quantity of
the produced iron ore concentrate will amount to 800,000-1,000,000
tons per year. The reserves of Hrazdan that make up 77 mln tons
(the confirmed and probable reserves make up 37 and 40 mln tons
respectively), will be developed within 15 years.

The product will be exported by railway to a large port either in
Georgia or Turkey or Iran, and the final sales market will be China.

It is noteworthy that all the three mines to be developed by Fortune
Oil (in Hrazdan, Abovyan and Svarants village) belong to Souren
Ayvazyan, the son of the former minister of nature protection of
Armenia Vardan Ayvazyan, and to Armenian MP Tigran Arzakantsyan.

From: A. Papazian

WHAT WORRIED SERGE SARGSYAN
HAKOB BADALYAN

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 10:38:25 – 14/03/2011

It is difficult to remember when Serge Sargsyan dwelt on the home
political situation last. On March 12, he broke his home political
“silence” in Tsakhkadzor. One day earlier, he had called a conference
at the office of the president on economic issues, which, though,
had an evident home political context since Serge Sargsyan had dwelt
on social issues which engrave the home political situation.

What forces Serge Sargsyan dwell on the home political situation? Was
it the pre-election logic, when it is necessary to pass to concrete
propaganda actions to expect concrete effect? Or it was the expectation
of the opposition’s March 17 rally. After all, Serge Sargsyan’s
two-day dwelling on home policy can be also considered dealing with
the 15 demands of the opposition. Perhaps, Serge Sargsyan tried to
weaken the oppositional expectations present in the country.

Sure, Serge Sargsyan did not directly dwell on those demands, but
given the topics he touched upon in these two days, we can see that
they were the same of the opposition’s 15 demands, sure with some
exceptions, since there was no word on the political prisoners and
the March 1 issue.

Instead, Serge Sargsyan hinted that there will be no resignation of
the premier in the nearest future, at least until May-June period.

Instead, he promised changes in the police, judicial system and the tax
and customs departments, without going into details. For example, will
the police refrain from provocations at the upcoming March 17 rally,
or will it not close roads etc? Or maybe Serge Sargsyan’s promised
changes are due to be held after March 17, so, the police will act in
accord with its traditional methods, with which it arrested yesterday
HAK member Samson Khachatryan.

Will the Chief of Police, who, several days ago, threatened to
MPs and protesters not to deal with the Police, be replaced? Will
any high ranking official from the Prosecutor’s office, someone,
who is unable to “reveal” those, who ordered to shoot on March 1,
be replaced? Will the Chairman of the State Revenue Committee, who
is considered one of the major businessmen of Armenia, be changed?

What form Serge Sargsyan’s promised changes will have? By now, he made
other replacements at the Mayor’s office, the Ministry of Justice,
Fund of Social Investments, ministries of the social block, but none
of these hanges brought to anything essential or tangible. Sure,
the time passed after these changes is little, but the people’s
patience too. Serge Sargsyan realizes this very well, otherwise he
would hardly have made such a large-scale and unprecedented step for
the last months dwelling on the home political situation.

It was him to ask the Premier not to accept any justification if
instructions are not fulfilled. At a March 11 conference, Serge
Sargsyan was saying, “We do not need justifications”. While, “time
is necessary” phrase is a justification, and if the power speaks this
way for staff or quality changes, as if time is necessary to achieve
a result, so, the power is just justifying itself.

From: A. Papazian

THE ARF-DASHNAKTSUTYUN DECLINES TO ATTEND…

yerkir.am
17:26 – 14.03.2011

On March 10, Mr Vahan Hovhannesyan, ARF-Dashnaktsutyun Bureau member
and leader of the ARF-D parliamentary faction, received an invitation
to participate in the Wilton Park Conference on “Turkey’s policies for
engagement in the contemporary world.” The March 24-27 conference,
Wilton Park’s third in Turkey, will take place in Istanbul, in
cooperation with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is
scheduled to be opened by Foreign Minister Ahmed Davutoglu. In his
response on March 11, Vahan Hovhannesyan writes: “Regretfully, I have
to decline this invitation because we do not attend any meetings
organized by or in cooperation with the government of Turkey or
attended by Turkish officials, because Turkey denies the fact of the
Armenian Genocide and refuses to accept responsibility for it. I am
certain Turkey’s Foreign Minister would appreciate this principled
position.” [1] The ARF-D Bureau member goes on to say: “We are in
favor of dialogue and for Armenian-Turkish rapprochement. However,
we have witnessed how Turkey has abused the sincere goodwill gesture
by Armenia; it refuses to lift the unilateral and illegal blockade of
Armenia, and continues its biased attitude towards the Mountainous
Karabakh issue. Hence, we do not wish to provide Turkey with any
further levers for its machinations and deceitful conduct.”

Hovhannesyan concludes his letter by once again thanking the Wilton
Park for the invitation and expressing his anticipation “to participate
in other Wilton Park conferences or initiatives with genuine civil
society participants.” On this occasion, responding to an ARF-D Press
Office reporter’s question, Vahan Hovhannesyan said: “This invitation
is part of Turkey’s recently publicized policy, which aims on the
one hand to show to the West that it is supposedly in a dialogue
with Armenia and Armenians, and on the other hand to try and divide
the Armenian side, by attempting to have bogus dialogue with separate
circles of society in Armenia and in the Diaspora. The Dashnaktsutyun
is well aware of this Turkish conduct and refuses to succumb to its
provocations, especially when Turkey continues its hostile policy
towards Armenia and prosecutes those who are genuinely in favour of
Armenian-Turkish rapprochement. We all need to be vigilant and to
ensure Turkey’s policy fails through a united stance.”

[1] Recently, Davutoglu is refusing to attaned any meetings attended
by Israeli officials because of Israel’s refusal to apologize for
the attack on a Turkish ship last May 31.

From: A. Papazian

STATE DEPOSITORY OF ARMENIA DEFINED PRICES FOR PRECIOUS STONES FOR THE PERIOD OF MARCH 15 – 21, 2010

/ARKA/
March 14, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, March 14. /ARKA/. Agency “State depository of precious
stones and metals” of Armenian Ministry of Finance defined prices
for precious metals for the period of March 14-20, 2011.

The following prices are defined for state purchase and selling
prices of one gram of chemically pure metal (for standard bar): gold –
buying price – 12978.29 drams (+21.2), selling price – 14106.84 drams
(+23.05); silver – buying price – 388.43 drams (+15.47), selling price
– 422.21 drams (+16.82); platinum – buying price – 19638.43 drams
(-229.95), selling price – 21346.12 drams(-249.94); palladium – buying
price – 8537.42 (-260.66), selling price 9279.80 drams (-283.33).

From: A. Papazian