Author: Andres-Papazian

National Assembly of RA, Armenia
parliament.am
March 4 2011

National Assembly Ends the Work of the Four-Day Sittings

On March 3 the parliament continued the work of the four-day sittings.
The NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan said that this time within the
framework of NA Open Doors programme the teachers and senior classes
of different schools of Malatia-Sebastia administrative district
visited the National Assembly and followed the work in the parliament.

Before turning to the agenda issues the MPs passed by voting 6 bills
and legislative packages, which were debated on the previous day.

Afterwards the parliament debated in the first reading the legislative
package on Making Addendum and Amendments to RA Law on Taxes, on
Making Addendum and Amendments to RA Law in RA Code on Administrative
Infringements and on Amending the RA Law on Compulsory Social Security
Payments.

The NA deputies Ara Nranyan, Davit Harutyunyan, Artak Davtyan and
Rafik Petrosyan gave speeches on the issue. In the concluding speech
Armen Alaverdyan referred to the sounded concerns and expressed
willingness to work jointly and elaborate the legislative package.

The agreement on Cooperation and Partnership in the Customs between
the RA Government and the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic,
signed in Damascus on November 8, 2007 was debated.

The NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations made an endorsement.

RA Deputy Minister of Finance Suren Karayan presented in the first
reading procedure the draft law on Making Amendments and Addendum to
RA Law on Fixed Payments. The debate of the issue will continue at the
next sitting of the National Assembly.

The Parliament ended the work of the four-day sittings.

From: A. Papazian

National Assembly of RA, Armenia
parliament.am
March 4 2011

Exhibition in the Parliament

On March 3 in the Green Foyer the exhibition of the works of the
well-known painters Arevik Arevshatyan, Teni Vardanyan and Marine
Dilanyan, dedicated to the women’s spring holidays opened.

In the painters’ seventeen canvases, which strictly differed by their
work style and expressiveness, the woman’s feelings, the perceptions
and understandings of world and happiness, evil and good were
presented.

Opening the exhibition the NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan said:

`Dear ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues,
on the occasion of the women’s holidays, our mothers, sisters and
daughters enjoy special attention and tribute. We address them words
of assessment and congratulation, and I would like to wish you that
this tribute will continue the whole year. Our people permanently
bowed before the Armenian woman’s humble and at the same time strong
character. In the hardest moments of the history the woman has been
support inspired hope and faith. The Armenian woman has been a chapel
of firm hope for the house. I would like to congratulate and thank all
the women, who bring up and educate new and new generations of
Armenian citizens, who are engaged in science and culture. Today we
pay tribute to those women, servants of the art temple. Three women’s
insight is in this foyer. We are bowing before the strength of your
art. I would like to give a small present and I wish that love, warmth
and happiness be always with you.’

The NA Speaker gave the painters canvas and oil paints as presents.

The painters thanked the NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan for supporting to
organize the exhibition, warm attitude and the interest shown towards
their works.

The NA Speaker Hovik Abarahamyan ensured that the National Assembly
would promote the increase of the women’s role in political and
economic life of the republic.

From: A. Papazian

news.az, Azerbaijan
March 4 2011

Armenia is a real village against the developing Azerbaijan
Fri 04 March 2011 08:16 GMT | 10:16 Local Time

News.Az interviews Fikrat Sadikhov, political scientist.

Is the Russian side sincere in its intentions in the issue of
settlement of Karabakh conflict considering the fact that it
frequently organized the meeting of the presidents of Azerbaijan and
Armenia and proposed the initiative to hold the next meeting on 5
March?

First of all, I would like to note that politics and sincerity are
opposite concepts. In fact, there is no sincerity in policy, policy is
fully based on the real correlation of powers, national interests and
Russia is no exception in this situation and this country remains the
strategic ally of Armenia. But all the same Russia already has
pragmatic forces, by the way, in the Kremlin too, which wanted to
settle this issue, since they are sick and tired of the rigidness of
Armenian politicians, official Yerevan.

Russia benefits from building mutually profitable partner relations
with developing Azerbaijan, maintaining multilateral, partner
relations in many ties. Russia benefits from dealing with Azerbaijan
which has done all for its development rather than supporting Armenia,
which does not make any compromises. This has caused the Russian
initiatives on holding the meetings of the presidents of Azerbaijan
and Armenia.

Which position does Baku expect from Moscow in settling the Karabakh
conflict and what can be the results of the new meeting of the
presidents of Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia?

The economic potential, military strength of Azerbaijan allow this
country to use the forced way to restore its territorial integrity
without any assistance. However, despite this Azerbaijan continues to
bring Armenia to reason though the latter ignores the norms of
international law.

Azerbaijan wants superpowers, primarily Russia, which geographically
and historically understands the essence of the problem, to put the
due pressure on Armenia to complete solve the Karabakh conflict.

Can the parties give any proposals to settle the Karabakh conflict and
do the parties have such a potential?

There can not be any initiatives from the Azerbaijani side, whose
lands are occupied. Azerbaijan should not be expected to make any
initiatives also in the sense that this country continues peace talks
though the occupation of its lands continues despite a number of
resolutions were passed by international organizations in its favor.

As for Armenia, this country has exhausted its limit of trust to the
world community. In addition, it should be noted that the world
community offers different variants of solving the Karabakh conflict,
in particular, the renewed variant of Madrid principles and one of the
sides, Armenia, does not even respond to them. Which additional
initiatives are being spoken of?

Azerbaijan’s ambassador in Ukraine Eynulla Madatli said Baku may quit
the format of the Prague process if Armenia protracts or gives a
negative response to the proposals of the Minsk Group co-chairs based
on the renewed Madrid principles. What has caused the stiffening of
official Baku’s position which, according to Madatli, is considering
`different variants’ to restore the territorial integrity of the
country?

By the way the same position was expressed by Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev. He repeatedly said that if negotiation process is
deadlocked, Azerbaijan will think of different variants to settle the
Karabakh conflict. All the same, the head of the state has never
excluded the forced way to solve the Karabakh conflict. All the same,
Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister Safar Abiyev also made similar
statements. In addition, Azerbaijan has never concealed that it will
never allow the eternal continuation of the negotiation process and
there is nothing extraordinary in that Azerbaijan took this stance.

Azerbaijan is able to settle the Karabakh conflict, since all events
in the region, the geopolitical configuration currently established in
the region, in particular, Turkey and Armenia’s attempts to reconcile,
Iran’s attempts to play an active mediating role in Karabakh conflict,
give no positive effect in the resolution of the Azerbaijani-Armenian
conflict.

The only way to settle the problem is to liberate the occupied lands
of Azerbaijan and further restore the previous status of Karabakh
especially because the Azerbaijani side has repeatedly stated that the
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is not the subject of discussion
and this reality must be taken into account in Yerevan.

Do you think a new war is the only alternative to the Prague process
that is the peace settlement of the Karabakh conflict?

The failure to settle the Karabakh conflict is caused by the fact that
superpowers continue putting the aggressor country on the same level
with the country that suffered aggression. In the result of this
attempt to create a balance between countries Armenia does not fulfill
the basic norms and principles of international law reflected in
numerous resolutions and decisions of international organizations, as
well as the statements of superpowers. This makes a new war
inevitable.

All the same, there is one more alternative variant of the conflict
settlement which is the repetition of the events in Arab world in
Armenia. Sooner or later these events will occur in Armenia, the
people will overthrow powers in Yerevan, since the current
famine-stricken Armenia will not stand these tensions for long.
Armenia is a real village on the background of developing Azerbaijan
and the events inside it cause its complete impoverishment.

If in this case the events in Armenia develop by the Egyptian script,
the country may lose everything, even more than it occupied.

Lala B.
News.Az

From: A. Papazian

Modersto Bee, CA
March 4 2011

Immigration officials order Armenian woman to return home

U.S. immigration officials have told Silva Mamigonian that she must
return to her native Armenia by March 17.

The Rancho Cordova woman faces deportation because she entered this
country illegally nine years ago with someone else’s passport and
claimed to be a U.S. citizen, officials contend.

“The courts dismissed that claim as false but ICE (Immigration and
Customs Enforcement) continues to state it as fact,” said family
friend Russ Reece. “Now the family is falling apart.”

Mamigonian and her Armenian-born husband, Nishan Simonyan, a U.S.
citizen, have two young sons, who also are U.S. citizens.

Reece said friends and family have helped with the couple’s $100,000
legal fees, including a recent $7,000 retainer to Mamigonian’s
attorney.

A hearing about her deportation is pending before the 9th U.S. Circuit
Court of Appeals.

– Dixie Reid

From: A. Papazian

news.az, Azerbaijan
March 4 2011

US has not been willing to challenge Russian dominance – expert
Fri 04 March 2011 08:56 GMT | 10:56 Local Time

News.Az interviews Dr.Stephen J.Blank, Research Professor of National
Security Affairs.
Can you tell us briefly about your speech delivered at the recent CSIS
conference in Washington on the South Caucasus and the Caspian region?
What was the main line of your speech?

My speech was critical of US policy in the Caucasus for not defending
Georgia sufficiently and for neglecting the Nagorno-Karabakh crisis

What are the main security threats in the South Caucasus to your opinion?

The continuing Russian occupation of Georgia, Russian rearmament of
these regions, Georgia’s refusal to deal seriously with the problems
of Abkhaz and S. Ossetian nationalism and the danger of an unresolved
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the danger as well lies in Armenia’s
obduracy, Western neglect, and the misplaced notion of some Azeri
officials that they can provoke a military conflict to get attention
for their claims and not pay a horrible cost

The role of U.S. in the South Caucasus has become more passive. Does
it mean that Obama’s administration don’t accept this region as a
national interest’s zone?

I would not go that far but I do say that it sees the region as not
that important and its role as passive because it will not challenge
Russia too directly

Were there any changes in US foreign policy after the Russian-Georgian
war, which has clearly shown Russian plans not give up in this region
to the West and try to dominate here?

Essentially the US accepted the results of that war and seeks to
prevent further crises but has not been willing to challenge Russian
dominance

Georgia accepts an idea of NATO membership as an only way to assure
its security. Could the same be said about Azerbaijan? Or in other
words, what should Azerbaijan do to strengthen its security?

Make peace with Armenia and refrain from military adventures which it
cannot win, reform the country and continue to do so over the long
term

In its latest report the International Crisis Group considers the
threat of a new war for Karabakh realistic. Do you agree with ICG
conclusions and what should be done to prevent a new war?

Yes I agree with them about the threat. The answer lies in ceasing
provocative behavior, stronger commitment to negotiation and a
stronger international pressure on both sides to do so.

Dr.Stephen J.Blank, Research Professor of National Security Affairs at
Strategic Studies Institute of US Army War College in Pennsylvania.

Leyla Tagiyeva
News.Az

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
March 4 2011

U.S. official says Karabakh conflict may turn from frozen into a hot one

March 04, 2011 | 11:03

U.S. is cooperating with Russia within the format of the OSCE Minsk
Group, said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State.

Speaking at the Globsec 2011 forum held in Bratislava, Philip Gordon
noted there is an opinion that initiating meetings with Armenian and
Azerbaijani Presidents, Russia gradually takes control of the Karabakh
peace process. The U.S. official stressed Russia is geographically
closer to the conflicting parties, therefore it is easier to organize
a meeting, for instance in Sochi, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, rather
than Washington.

U.S. considers Russia’s actions are transparent and other Minsk Group
Co-Chairs are informed of the details. Gordon noted the Co-Chairs
trust each other as they protect common interests. These interests are
determined by an imperative of ensuring comprehensive security in
Europe, he added.

Commenting on a remark of Azerbaijani participant who expressed his
dissatisfaction with the work of OSCE Minsk Group, Gordon stressed the
mediators are working very well and certain progress is observed.

The conflict is considered frozen but fatal incidents in the line of
contact still occur, he stressed. As a result of some wrong
calculations, the conflict may turn into a hot one and everything
should be done to prevent this scenario.

From: A. Papazian

news.az, Azerbaijan
March 4 2011

Red Cross representatives visit Azerbaijani soldiers in Armenian captivity
Fri 04 March 2011 09:59 GMT | 11:59 Local Time

Representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
met with the ensign of Azerbaijani Army Anar Hajiyev in captivity in
Armenia.

Mother of the prisoner of war Naila Mammadova said the ICRC
representatives told her that her son is all right. The ICRC
representatives delivered Mammadova’s letter, she wrote two days ago,
to her son.

Ensign Anar Hajiyev was captured by the Armenian armed forces on May
10, 2009. The ICRC representatives visited him last time on December
6, 2010.

APA

From: A. Papazian

UEFA.com
March 4 2011

Pyunik once more the team to watch in Armenia

Published: Friday 4 March 2011, 10.37CET

After ten straight Armenian titles, FC Pyunik will bid for another in
2011 with coach Vardan Minasyan explaining that his home-grown team
“always aspire to the highest goals”.

by Khachik Chakhoyanfrom Yerevan

Looking at recent statistics can be a dispiriting experience for FC
Pyunik’s Armenian Premier League rivals. The Yerevan side have won the
last ten domestic titles ` and 13 of the 19 crowns since independence.

The 20th post-Soviet Armenian season begins at the weekend, with
Pyunik once more favourites to prevail. The club’s plethora of
home-grown players had been expected to be picked off by other teams
during the winter, but in the event they suffered only two departures:
defender Vahagn Minasyan, now at FC Mika, and goalkeeper Artur Lesko.

Belarusian keeper Lesko has returned to his home country with FC
Minsk, with Pyunik still to find a recognised No1 to replace him. To
compound matters, midfielder Karlen Lazarian sustained a serious knee
injury on trial with Russian team FC Kuban Krasnodar, yet boss Vardan
Minasyan is adamant the club have talent to spare.

“Whatever the squad, Pyunik always have the highest goals,” said the
Pyunik and Armenia coach. “Our strategy will not change, we remain
committed to young players. Several more have joined us to increase
our bench options. Maybe some will earn a starting place, it depends
on them. Only the best will play, regardless of experience.”

Last season a mere point separated Pyunik from second-placed FC
Banants, though there were significant differences in terms of
philosophy. At the time, Banants had drafted in a raft of foreign
players, but many have now moved on, with a renewed commitment to
academy graduates bringing them more in line with Pyunik’s thinking.

Armenian Under-21 international defender Artashes Arakelyan has
bolstered the squad, although new Serbian signing Dragan DragutinoviÄ?
has already been sidelined for five months by injury. “We fought for
the title until the very end of last season,” said Banants president
Sargis Israyelan. “Our team remains the same but for a few changes and
we have the same goals ` to compete for every domestic trophy.”

Mika, FC Impuls and FC Gandzasar Kapan look the most likely to compete
with Pyunik and Banants for the top positions in the eight-team table.
Mika boast new acquisition Vahagn Minasyan and fellow international
Hrayr Mkoyan at the heart of their defence, yet have lost Ivorian
striker Boti Demel to Rosenborg BK.

Impuls’s winter recruits include Armenia forward Hovannes Goaryan,
late of FC BATE Borisov, while Gandzasar have former FC Kilikia coach
Avraam Hashmanyan in charge. FC Shirak, meanwhile, are led by former
Pyunik boss Samvel Petrosyan who wants his side to push for a European
place.

From: A. Papazian

news.az, Azerbaijan
March 4 2011

Armenia to be forced to sign peace agreement with Azerbaijan – Elnur Aslanov
Fri 04 March 2011 10:44 GMT | 12:44 Local Time

‘Development of Azerbaijan and Armenia’s dilapidation shows that the
time will come when the Armenians will be forced to sign peace
agreement’.

The statement came from chief of the Political Analysis and
Information Department of the Presidential Administration of
Azerbaijan Elnur Aslanov. He said it at the presentation ceremony of
website of the Public Union of Nagorno Karabakh’s
Azerbaijani Community.

Aslanov noted that Azerbaijan developed day-by-day: `But Armenia
continues aggressive policy. After a period of time Armenians will
withdraw from the Azerbaijani occupied territories and sign peace
agreement. Everyday, Armenia loses citizens as a result of this
unlucky policy’.

Aslanov noted that Azerbaijan preceded Armenia in information war and
strong projects were realized for maintaining this precedence: `Media
in Armenian language are already functioning in Azerbaijan. But
Armenia falls behind Azerbaijan in this issue as well. We demonstrate
our tolerance in this direction by showing our activity in Armenian
language’.

Aslanov said that each Azerbaijani had to show activeness in
information war: `Unreal information on Azerbaijan is always posted in
the internet. Each Azerbaijani using internet must pay attention to
this issue since foreigners interested in Azerbaijan get information
about our country mostly from internet’.

Elnur Aslanov underlined that Armenia must step back from
nonconstructive position so that the Sochi meeting is decisive.

‘We expect from the Sochi meeting of the presidents that Armenia will
step back from its nonconstructive, irrational position and release
Azerbaijan’s territories,’ Elnur Aslanov said.

He said the position of Azerbaijani President is that the peace talks
must be continued, but every peace talk has its limit.

‘When this limit ends, of course it is our right, our duty to think of
the alternative ways. We expect Armenia to think of the future of its
citizens and step back from its nonconstructive position. It is high
time for the Armenian authorities to think of the development of the
country. I hope Armenia will give up nonconstrutive position, release
Azerbaijani lands and become a state doing something to establish
stability in the region,’ he said.

Elnur Aslanov said the international organizations’ statements and
views on Karabakh conflict are not sufficient for Azerbaijan.

‘We want the international organizations to demonstrate political
will, make Armenia release Azerbaijani territories by pressure or
other means,’ he said.

APA

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
March 4 2011

Unique project to be presented at Armenian-Russian innovation center

March 04, 2011 | 03:28

The project “Establishing a center of material tests in extreme
conditions, including simulated space” is to be presented at the
Russian-Armenian innovation cooperation center March 4.

The author of the project is Hrant Yeritsyan, Doctor of Physics and
Mathematics, Senior Researcher of the National Research Laboratory.
Dr. Yeritsyan is the author of three monographs and 150 papers and
founder of the field of radiation physics of solid bodies at the
Yerevan Institute of Physics.

The project envisages the creation of an enhanced device using the
facilities of the currently operating vacuum chamber for space
simulation and testing of materials designed for extreme conditions.

The press service of the Rossotrudnichestvo representative office in
Armenia informed Armenian News-NEWS.am that the Armenian National
Institute of Metrology, Nor Amberd research center and Institute of
Welding are involved in the project.

The project is of high importance for testing materials and electronic
space modules, which has great commercial potential.

From: A. Papazian