Author: Andres-Papazian

DAVID HARUTYUNYAN: RESUMPTION OF THE WORK OF SUB-COMMITTEE ON KARABAKH IN PACE WILL CREATE EXTRA TENSION

ArmInfo
2011-01-27 08:12:00

Arminfo. The stance of the Armenian party regarding the problem
of resumption of the special committee on Karabakh in PACE has not
changed, the head of the Armenian delegation to PACE David Harutyunyan
told ArmInfo correspondent.

He also added that at present it is inexpedient to resume the work of
the subcommittee. ‘Moreover, the way how the subcomittee is presented
to PACE chairman Mevlet Cavusoglu, will create not onlyextra tension
and a new arena for mutual accusations, but will also directly hamper
the Minsk process’, – Harutyunyan said.

He also added that in such organizations like the Council of
Europe representation of separate groups in different bodies of the
structure plays a great part, and their number may sometimes affect
the decision. ‘We shall express our stance, protect it despite the
decision finally adopted’, – Harutynyan said.

From: A. Papazian

DAVID HARUTYUNYAN: IN DAVUTOGLU’S MOUTH THE WORD EXPRESSION ‘POTENTIAL FRIEND OF ARMENIA’ – THE FIRST WORD LEVELS THE SECOND ONE

ArmIinfo
2011-01-27 08:15:00

Arminfo. In Davutoglu’s mouth the word expression “potential friend
of Armenia” – the first word levels the second one, the head of
the Armenian delegation to PACE David Harutyunyan told Arminfo
correspondent.

To recall, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said at PACE
session: ‘Turkish politicians see no threat and enemy. Turkey has two
categories of countries – friends and potential friends, and Armenia
is a potential friend of Turkey’.

Speaking about the mood of the Armenian delegation, Harutyunyuan said:
‘Certainly, when chairman of Ministers’ Committee of the Council
of Europe and PACE president are the deputies from Turkey, we have
a temptation not only to keep the position of the organization but
also certain positions of our country’, he concluded.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN POLITICAL EXPERT FORECASTS AGGRAVATION OF COMPETITION BETWEEN GLOBAL PLAYERS IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS

ArmInfo
2011-01-27 08:17:00

ArmInfo. In 2011 the competition between the leading powers,
particularly, Russia and the United States, will grow in the South
Caucasus, political expert Sergey Shakaryants said at today’s press
conference.

According to him, at present the actions of these countries are aimed
at earning certain dividends here and creating favorable conditions
for political influence in the future. Shakaryants added that the
fight between Moscow and Washington for the influence in the given
region may affect the Armenian-Azerbaijani and Armenian-Turkish
relations. Shakaryants said that today Ankara is obviously threatening
Armenia, though these threats are disguised by endless assurances of
willingness and desire to establish good-neighborly relations.

From: A. Papazian

DAVID HAROUTYUNYAN: TURKEY TRIES TO STRENGTHEN ITS ROLE IN THE REGION

ArmInfo
2011-01-27 08:19:00

ArmInfo. Turkey is trying to strengthen its role in the region when
saying that “the prospect of development of relations with Armenia
depends on the necessity to work out a multidimensional security system
of the whole South Caucasus region”, Head of the Armenian Delegation
to PACE David Haroutyunyan said in his interview with ArmInfo.

According to him, the multidimensional security system mentioned by
Turkish President Abdullah Gul during his visit to Strasbourg can
be interpreted as follows: “Turkey is trying to strengthen its role
in the region and puts forward initiatives, which will allow it to
become a leader in the region and a rampart of the international
community and international institutions in this region”.

He added that these statements should be considered in this context.

At the same time, Haroutyunyan doubts whether the region shares these
goals of Turkey. “Nevertheless, they have such aspirations”, he said.

From: A. Papazian

DAVID HARUTYUNYAN: IT IS NOT EXPEDIENT TO CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY IN TODAY’S POLITICAL SITUATION IN PACE

ArmInfo
2011-01-27 08:20:00

ArmInfo. It is inexpedient to celebrate the anniversary in political
situation formed in PACE today, the head of the Armenian delegation to
PACE David Harutyunyan told ArmInfo correspondent when commenting on
no event in connection with the 10th anniversary of Armenia’s joining
the Council of Europe.

To note, saying ‘the political situation’, he means chairmanship of
Turkey in PACE, CE Ministers’ Committee, as well as the visit by high
rank guests from Turkey to Strasbourg.

‘It is not obligatory to celebrate the 10th anniversary. We may
celebrate the 11th one, for instance. At present Azerbaijan is
celebrating the 10th anniversary. And it is clear that against
the background of the Turkish PACE president, Turkish chairman for
Ministers’ Committee it is a true holiday, I think’, – Harutyunyan
said.

From: A. Papazian

PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA: XENOPHOBIA IS NOT ONLY RUSSIAN PROBLEM

ArmInfo
2011-01-27 12:47:00

ArmInfo. Armenia is of course concerned over the problem of
xenophobia. However, I must say that xenophobia is not only a Russian
problem, it is a very painful issue, President of Armenia Serzh
Sargsyan said in an interview with “Ekho Moskvy” radio station.

“It is very easy to find a reason to blame the people who bear no
resemblance to you, to some extent, in all their problems. Of course,
there are people who provoke, and there are very many people who see
the solution of their own problems in it. Perhaps I do not know the
Russian history well enough and it is not typical to the Russian state,
to the Russian people. However, we are concerned over the cases which
became more frequent. Nevertheless, I am sure that the problem may be
solved even within the frames of the Criminal Code, and, of course,
punishment should follow each time”, the president said.

“There are specific guilty persons in each specific case. If the
people are sure that justice will prevail in each specific case,
there will be discontent, but it will not be ascribed to the Russian
state.Regardless of whether we want it or not, the actions by our
law machinery, be it in Russia or in Armenia, are estimated by the
common people as actions by the authorities. When a judge pronounces
a verdict of three or four years of imprisonment to a man who killed
another man, questions surely arise. Of course, I would not like to
create the impression that it is easy to solve this problem only by
a Criminal Code or by the behaviour of judges. However, the justice
may have a very positive influence in many cases. Moreover, everyone
will understand that he will carry a tough sentence, whoever is”,
the Armenian president resumed.

From: A. Papazian

PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA: WE HAVE BEEN ALWAYS TRYING TO CONDUCT A DIALOGUE WITH GEORGIA

ArmInfo
2011-01-27 13:01:00

Arminfo. We try to ease our life for Georgians not to feel any
obstacles in Armenia and for Armenians – in Georgia, so that one can
leave for Georgia for a short period of time without any obstacle. I
would like a Georgian businessman to have business in Armenia and
an Armenian – in Georgia, so that the relations we have today be
beneficial to our peoples, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said
in an interview with ‘Ekho Moskvy’ radio station.

‘Georgia is a very important link in the chain not only of our
transit but also the communication with the world community and other
countries, More than 70% of our commodity circulation is via Georgia,
all our trips are mainly via Georgia. For this reason, we have been
always trying to conduct a political dialogue, to integrate, which is
possible in the economy, to create more or less favorable conditions.

Of course, we still have some problems, for instance, the problem
of the property of the Armenian Apostolic Church and its status in
Georgia. This is a complicated problem with its own history, as when we
refused atheism and made steps for returning of what the owner had, not
everywhere the process is developing smoothly>, – the president said.

He also added that this process is different in Georgia as the only
believing community is the Georgian Orthodox Church registered at
the territory of Georgia. Nevertheless, the president is sure that
the problem will be resolved in the near future.

‘First, we have been always talking about it with Georgia’s president.

Secondly, Georgia has international obligations. It joined the
Council of Europe just with these obligations. For this reason,
I am optimistic’,- he said.

As for the rumors that Georgia is going to sell a part of its pipelines
and this may compound the problem of gas transit to Armenia, the
president said that on the official Armenia has been always assured
that Georgia is not going to sell the pipeline and its infrastructures.

‘Secondly, even in case of sale, anyway, Georgia will have
international obligations, in which it is strictly fixed that we have
a right for transit and this transit is paid. Georgians do not make
good for us and allow gas transit via their territory for nothing. We
pay 10% for it. For instance, of we buy 1000 sq/m of gas for $180, it
means we pay $18 to Georgians for transit, this is a big price. But
if we act by other norms, we should make a contract and pay but
less than $18. Although I would not like the case to reach such a
situation. I think the leadership of Georgia understands importance
of these problems for Armenia’, – the president concluded.

From: A. Papazian

HERO OF KARABAKH WAR: IF ARMENIA FACES A THREAT ALL OF ITS CITIZENS WILL HAVE TO UNITE

ArmInfo
2011-01-27 13:10:00

ArmInfo. If Armenia faces a threat all of its citizens – irrespective
of their political views – will have to unite, Hero of Karabakh War
Manvel Yegiazaryan said during a press-conference today.

“When your Fatherland needs you, you must forget all other things,”
Yegizaryan said.

When asked if those who have contributed to the victory in Karabakh
War are satisfied with the Government’s attitude, Yegiazaryan said
that he would prefer not to discuss this subject.

“All I want to say is that we are glad that we have won,” he said.

From: A. Papazian

OPPOSITION NEWSPAPER: PROSPEROUS ARMENIA PARTY MAY COME FORWARD WITH A DEMAND TO DISCHARGE POLITICAL PRISONERS

ArmInfo
2011-01-27 13:13:00

Arminfo. Prosperous Armenia Party headed by the known businessman
Gagik Tsarukyan may come forward with a demand to discharge political
prisoners, the opposition Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper says referring
to its own sources.

It also says that members of the party discussed possible consequences
of such a step. It is not clear why the PAP is going to “risk”.

Representative of PAP Vardan Bostanjan told Arminfo correspondent he
is not aware of such information.

‘In general, I think it is inexpedient to try to give political color
to the court processes regarding the opposition supporters. It is
necessary to give an opportunity to the law-enforcement agencies to
make correct verdicts within the frames of the legislation’, – he said.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES DISAPPOINT COE COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

ArmInfo
2011-01-27 13:16:00

ArmInfo. “I am not impressed with the Armenian authorities’ efforts
to disclose the truth about the killed in post-election unrest in
Yerevan in 2008,” CoE Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg
told ArmInfo.

He said that the current assessments of the situation in Armenia were
more critical at some points than before, but did not differ much.

Time has passed but no decision was adopted on the case on the 10
killed during the unrest in March 2008. It is very serious issue, he
said, and if everything is left unchanged that may create a feeling
of impunity. Thomas Hammarberg urged the authorities of Armenia to
set all the prisoners free immediately.

“Apparently, the trial were not just and the judges were not
impartial. I was disappointed to see that nothing has changed since
I was in Armenia last time,” the Commissioner said.

Hammarberg said that he will submit a report to the Government of
Armenia in mid-March and expects the answers and explanations in two
weeks. It cannot continue any longer, the decision must be found,
he said.

From: A. Papazian