Author: Andres-Papazian

ARMENIA IS 23 YEARS OLD: RESULTS OF INDEPENDENT LIFE

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Sept 22 2014

22 September 2014 – 8:07pm

Independence is an important historical achievement both for the
Armenian state and for the Armenian people, but in the 23 years since
the date of the declaration of the sovereignty of Armenia the country
still hasn’t coped with the challenges that it faced at the beginning
of the 90s. Such an opinion was expressed by political scientists
Richard Kirakosyan and Alexander Eskandaryan in conversation with
correspondents of “Vestnik Kavkaza”.

The director of the Center for Regional Research, Richard Kirakosyan,
pointed out that independent life is still hard for Armenia. “The
problems of the country are not in civil society, and not even just
in the external threat from the frozen Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
and the closed borders, but in the internal problems caused by the
revelry of corruption and the “facade of democracy”.

>From the point of view of Richard Kirakosyan, this “root of all
evil” is not hidden in the behavior of certain politicians, but in
the political system created in Armenia during these years.

Kirakosyan called for the emphasis of the work of the power structures
to shift from the political to the economic, as the key to achieving
the real independence of Armenia is lies in this.

The director of the Institute of the Caucasus, Alexander Eskandarian,
in turn, noted that preservation of sovereign status in these years
was the main achievement of Armenia.

He drew attention to that fact that the economic problems which have
engulfed Armenia in recent years are a reality not only for the state,
but also for ordinary citizens.

Independence is an important historical achievement both for the
Armenian state and for the Armenian people, but in the 23 years since
the date of the declaration of the sovereignty of Armenia the country
still hasn’t coped with the challenges that it faced at the beginning
of the 90s. Such an opinion was expressed by political scientists
Richard Kirakosyan and Alexander Eskandaryan in conversation with
correspondents of “Vestnik Kavkaza”.

The director of the Center for Regional Research, Richard Kirakosyan,
pointed out that independent life is still hard for Armenia. “The
problems of the country are not in civil society, and not even just
in the external threat from the frozen Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
and the closed borders, but in the internal problems caused by the
revelry of corruption and the “facade of democracy”.

>From the point of view of Richard Kirakosyan, this “root of all
evil” is not hidden in the behavior of certain politicians, but in
the political system created in Armenia during these years.

Kirakosyan called for the emphasis of the work of the power structures
to shift from the political to the economic, as the key to achieving
the real independence of Armenia is lies in this.

The director of the Institute of the Caucasus, Alexander Eskandarian,
in turn, noted that preservation of sovereign status in these years
was the main achievement of Armenia.

He drew attention to that fact that the economic problems which have
engulfed Armenia in recent years are a reality not only for the state,
but also for ordinary citizens.

From: A. Papazian

OROGEN GOLD EXTENDS GOLD DISCOVERY AT MUTSK PROJECT IN ARMENIA

London South East, UK
Sept 22 2014

Mon, 22nd Sep 2014 09:52

LONDON (Alliance News) – Orogen Gold PLC Monday said further drill
assay results from the Mutsk gold project in Armenia has extended
the gold discovery area at the site.

The company said assaying of the latest drill results at the site
show a continuation of the wide gold zone 300 metres to the north of
the project.

It said the mineralised zone at Mutsk remains open along the strike
and down dip, and said drilling will continue to extend and infill
along the mineralised trend.

“We are pleased to report that assaying has confirmed the extension
of the Mutsk gold zone to the north, with widths and gold values
similar to those discovered in drilling about 300m further south,”
said Orogen Chief Executive Ed Slowey.

“Mineralisation remains open along strike to the north and south from
this hole as well as down dip to the west. We will continue drilling
over the coming weeks to both infill between the existing holes and
with a view to extending the mineralised zone further,” Slowey added.

Orogen shares were down 2.5% to 0.117 pence on Monday.

By Sam Unsted

From: A. Papazian

WATCH THE FUNNIEST GOALKEEPER HOWLER OF THE WEEKEND

SB Nation
Sept 22 2014

By Ryan Rosenblatt

This has been a great start to the season for amazing goals, but not
so much goalkeeper howlers. And then we got this gem from the Armenian
Premier League and everything was right with the world again because
it’s worth at least 15 awesome howlers.

Gevorg Kasparov just needed to clear the ball. A poke out of bounds
will do, as would a big boot upfield. He chose the big boot, which
seemed fine until he completely missed, the ball rolled into the net,
he was humiliated and the Internet, being the wonderful place that
it is, captured it all for us to laugh at for eternity.

Thank you, Armenian Premier League. Thank you, Kasparov. Thank you,
Internet. Thank you, howlers.

Watch the video at

From: A. Papazian

Armenia in the list of successful countries

17:47 20.09.2014

What has Armenia gained during the 23 years of its independence?
According to some international standards in the condition of
geopolitical situations existing in 177 countries, our country, is in
some respect, at an advantageous position in the in the post-Soviet
territory, says sociologist Aharon Adibekyan.

In particular, we take the 104th place in the list worlds’ successful
countries, the 101th place in terms of functionality. Although our
country is in 95th place regarding the well-being, still with this
index Armenia trials behind the former Soviet countries in terms of
socio-economic problems and blockade.

According to psychologist Anna Badalyan, our country stands out for
its strong characteristics and national features. 23-year-old Republic
of Armenia is considerably successful young state.

The basic complications are due to the incomplete state of the
economy, which affects the social situation, as well as the
development or business conditions. However, the psychologist is
optimistic about the future.

From: A. Papazian

Independence only guarantee of Armenia’s progress – opinions

12:21 * 21.09.14

A referendum on independence took place in Armenia on September 21,
1991, with 94.39% of voters supporting Armenia’s independence.

On September 23, Armenia’s Supreme Council declared the country’s independence.

Tert.am interviewed musician Vahan Artsruni, Art Director of the
Puppet Theater Ruben Babayan and Art Director of the Karin folk dance
and group Gagik Ginosyan about independent Armenia’s failures and
achievements.

“Each reasonable person must realize that independence is the basis
for our existence and the only guarantee of our progress,” Mr Artsruni
told Tert.am.

“Ideals remain, but the reality seems to reject the ideals because
life is getting more and more difficult,” he said. This ideal has to
do with Armenia’s incumbent authorities and political situation.

Different people show different attitudes to independence. Without
ignoring existing problems, Mr Artsruni considers independence the
highest value for himself.

“I am surrounded by people who are bearers of independence values,
they shed their blood for this value and even in the Soviet era they
suffered for this value. But if you turn your eyes toward the trader,
newly rich, you can see an entirely different picture.

They have no idea of the significance of independence nor do they
realize the cost of independence because their only priority is
money,” he said.

Artistic Director of the Puppet Theater Ruben Babayan believes that
independence would be much more valuable now if it had been a
centuries-old dream.

“They are just beautiful words. Regrettably, it had not been a
centuries-old dream. Very few people dreamt of independence and were
ready to sacrifice their life for it. I think the reason is that we
have not for the past years come to realize the essence of
independence – what it brings and what responsibility it imposes on
you. Independence has remained a mere declarative thing.

But life is impossible to stop, and a new generation has been born in
this independent country. This generation may have a better
subconscious perception than our generation. So I place my hopes on
the young generation,” Mr Babayan said.

“After all, independence and freedom should be granted to a person
that would be able to be master of it. I think the concept of
independence is something that can never be seized from you. I think
this is an important part of each person’s approach, and each person
has his or her share of responsibility.”

Art Director of the Karin dance group, Gagik Ginosyan said that the
major failure is a national ideology.

“We need a national basis for any process. Economic progress must be
based on national thinking. Even technical and scientific development
must facilitate national development,” he said.

According to Mr Ginosyan, civil education is a serious failure in Armenia.

“Everything must serve one aim, namely, educating an Armenian citizen
rather than a citizen of Armenia.”

The economic situation is one more reason for the lack of proper
assessments of independence and for emigration.

Among the achievements is the Armenian army. On the other hand, he
sees failures in terms of national ideology.

“If our national ideology proves fully-fledged, we will be more
efficient and reliable,” Mr Ginosyan said.

His wish is that no Armenian should think that the Republic of Armenia
is already Armenia.

“Armenia is much larger than that with its present-day boundaries.
Armenia is what is inside our hearts, and I am sure that one day we
will have independence, free and unified Armenia. And Western Armenian
will belong to us, and we will celebrate Day of Unified Armenia.”

From: A. Papazian

POPE RECEIVES PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA

Zenit, Italy
Sept 19 2014

Discuss Crisis and Conflict in the Middle East, Persecuted Christians

Vatican City, September 19, 2014 (Zenit.org) Staff Reporter | 259 hits

Pope Francis today met the President of the Republic of Armenia during
which the two men discussed the situation facing Christians and other
religious minorities in the region and the humanitarian crisis there.

In “cordial discussions” with Serzh Sargsyan, “satisfaction was
expressed for the development and strengthening of bilateral relations,
highlighting the special role of Christianity in the history and life
of Armenian society,” a Vatican statement sad.

“With regard to the regional political situation,” it continued,
“it is hoped that complex and hitherto unresolved issues may be
overcome through dialogue between all the interested parties.”

The Vatican said mention was also made of conflict in the Middle
East, and “trust was expressed in the common efforts of interested
nations and religious communities to achieve a peaceful co-existence
of peoples throughout the entire region.”

The statement said: “Special attention was paid to the situation faced
by Christian communities and other religious minorities in the area,
and to the humanitarian crisis regarding refugees from the affected
zones.”

After meeting the Pope, President Sargsyan met with Cardinal Pietro
Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, accompanied by Archbishop
Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA HOPES TO BECOME GLITTERING GATEWAY FOR RUSSIAN DIAMONDS

EurasiaNet.org
Sept 19 2014

September 19, 2014 – 12:00pm, by Nazik Armanakyan and Gayane Abrahamyan

A diamond deal that gives Armenia duty-free access to rough diamonds
from Russia could offer Alrosa, the semi-government-owned Russian
diamond company that provides roughly 27 percent of the world’s
rough-diamond supplies, a dodge from potential European-Union
sanctions, Armenian diamond-industry professionals believe.

About half of Alrosa’s yearly sales occur through the international
diamond market in Antwerp, Belgium, a member of the EU. Although the
company, which accounts for the bulk of Russia’s diamond mining,
does not yet feature on a sanctions list for Russian actions in
Ukraine, it has stated that it has begun to work “out some options
for reducing this risk;” namely, by increasing sales to clients
“in other jurisdictions.”

Enter Armenia. Once the center of the Soviet Union’s diamond-refining
operations, the South-Caucasus country today counts on exports of
refined diamonds for about 10 percent of its total annual volume
of approximately $1 billion in exports. That share has slumped
dramatically over the past decade from a peak of 40 percent in the
early 2000’s (diamond exports peaked at $327 million in 2003), but
Armenian refiners see the diamond agreement with Russia as a way for
the sector to regain its financial sparkle.

“This is a great opportunity,” Edgar Hovhannisian, the general director
of Dimotech, an Armenian refining factory owned by Antwerp -based Rosy
Blue, one of the world’s top diamond manufacturers. “We are expanding,
[and] have ordered a half a million dollars’ worth of machines in
anticipation of a higher volume of production.”

Under the terms of the agreement, ratified in late June, Armenian
importers would be able to purchase an unlimited amount of rough
diamonds from Russia without paying the usual 6.5-percent duty.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin
signed the deal last December, before the Ukrainian crisis erupted. It
is not contingent upon Armenia finally joining Putin’s trade club,
the Eurasian Union.

To encourage things along, the Armenian government has dropped its
20-percent Value Added Tax on imported diamonds.

But the agreement with Moscow is not all glitter, critics warn. It
effectively strengthens Armenia’s economic dependence on Russia;
if Armenia joins the Union — the most recent projected date is this
October – its refiners will have to pay an 18-percent duty on rough
diamonds imported from outside countries, which may sell diamonds
for lower prices.

Diamond refiners in the village of Nor Hatchn, the hub of Armenia’s
diamond operations, about 60 kilometers north of the capital, Yerevan,
see no problems with the deal, however. Only 20 of the 200-some diamond
workshops that existed in Nor Hatchn during the early post-Soviet
period still function today.

With access to duty-free Russian roughs to refine, though, “[t]he
situation will shift significantly,” predicted Chaminda Nugara,
Dimotech’s administration manager.

Dimotech, which employs 150 diamond workers, has opened a second
factory in Armenia, and brought back ten artisans who left Armenia
after the 2008 global financial crisis, when demand for refined
diamonds slumped.

“Presently, a lot of the workshops [in Nor Hatchn] are non-functional,
but I think many foreign investors would be attracted by the Russian
rough diamonds; especially now that access to Russian raw materials
will be getting harder for European manufacturers,” predicted Nugara.

A similar diamond deal with Russia coincided with the peak in Armenia’s
diamond sector in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, when Antwerp-based
Tache and Israeli diamond magnate Lev Levaev came to invest, and the
country churned out annually between 200,000 to 370,000 carats of
refined diamonds, according to official data.

Alrosa, though, has termed the discussion of possible EU sanctions
“purely speculative.” Nonetheless, as the Weekly Rapaport Report,
a diamond-industry publication, has noted, it has begun to seek
“alternative methods and markets for selling its diamonds;” most
recently, by expanding exports to India, the company’s second largest
market after Antwerp.

But not all experts share the optimism that Armenia will enjoy
a diamond comeback as a result of its access to duty-free Alrosa
diamonds.

For one, there’s the competition. Armenia does not rank among the top
markets for Alrosa roughs. Drawing on Armenia’s traditional expertise
in working with jewelry, the country’s hand-cut, refined diamonds
have received industry certifications of excellence, but Dimotech’s
Hovhannisian concedes that “Indians and the Chinese are…

technologically more advanced.”

Concerns also exist about the fact that Russia does not allow Armenia
to re-export the small, rough diamonds which can be included in a
purchased batch and which are not considered cost-effective to refine.

Armen Yeganian, head of the Ministry of Economy’s industrial-policy
department, told EurasiaNet.org, however, that the government is now
negotiating with Moscow “to have the ban lifted.”

Kamo Dallakian, the director of Agates Company, a 10-person,
Armenian-owned operation, reported no restrictions on a recent shopping
trip to Moscow, however. “We were granted the opportunity of a large
selection,” Dallakian told EurasiaNet.org. The company already has
exported its first batch of polished stones from the purchased rough
Russian diamonds.

Like other interviewed companies, Agates is planning to expand in
anticipation of outside demand for refined Russian diamonds.

Yerevan State University of Economics’ economist Ashot Yeghiazarian
cautions, however, that “it cannot be ruled out that cooperation with
[Alrosa] poses a serious risk.”

For now, though, it appears to be a risk that Armenia is willing
to take.

Editor’s Note: Gayane Abrahamyan is a freelance reporter and editor
in Yerevan. Nazik Armanakyan is a freelance photojournalist based
in Yerevan.

From: A. Papazian

NSA shared Americans’ private communications with Israel: Snowden
Thu Sep 18, 2014 3:41AM GMT

Related Interviews:

‘NSA arena of tremendous deception’
‘US bill to curb NSA, disingenuous’

Related Viewpoints:

US Army declares war on free media

Former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden has accused
the United States of routinely passing private and unedited
communications of American citizens to Israel.

Snowden told James Bamford from the New York Times that the intercepts
included communications of Arabs, and Palestinian-Americans, whose
relatives in Israel and the Palestinian territories could become
targets based on the information.

The material included “unevaluated and unminimized transcripts, gists,
facsimiles, telex, voice and Digital Network Intelligence metadata and
content,” according to documents leaked by Snowden.

The whistleblower said the data was routinely transferred to the
Israeli intelligence organization known as the Unit 8200.

The Israeli intelligence used the info to force the Palestinians into
becoming collaborators.

The snooping has been carried out based on a deal between the US spy
agency and the Israeli intelligence since 2009.

Snowden began leaking classified intelligence documents in June 2013,
revealing the extent of the NSA’s spying activities.

He revealed that the spy agency has been collecting the phone records
of millions of Americans and foreign nationals as well as political
leaders around the world.

Following the revelations, Snowden fled the United States to avoid
espionage charges.

In August 2013, Russia granted him asylum for one year and last month
it granted him permission to stay in the country until August 2017.

A US Department of Defense report said the extent of damage to the US
national security from the leak of secret NSA documents by Snowden is
staggering.

AGB/AGB

From: A. Papazian

Aravot: Police employees turned bus stop into car park

Saturday, September 20, 2014

A bus stop near the administrative building of the Yerevan city police
has been turned into a parking lot by police employees. Citizens have
to stand on the roadway when waiting for a bus, ‘Aravot’ paper says.

The paper’s editorial staff received numerous complaints from citizens
saying that drivers of minibuses frequently refuse to stop at that bus
stop because of many cars parked there.

TODAY, 11:30
Aysor.am

From: A. Papazian

HIDDEN PHOBIA OF AZERBAIJAN

Friday, 19 September 2014 17:41

As reported by the mass media, NKR Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan
paid a working visit to the Basque Country, where he met with the
President of Gipuzkoa province, the Parliament Speaker of the Basque
Country, representatives of the Government departments and the
business circles.

During the visit, a cooperation agreement was signed between the
cities of Stepanakert and Donostia (San Sebastian), in the frameworks
of which the parties will exchange experiences and cooperate in
various spheres. And, perhaps, the most important thing is that on
September 12, the Basque Country Parliament adopted a Motion in
support of the right of Nagorno-Karabakh to self-determination.

As we can see, the visit turned out to be quite informative and
fruitful. But, as we could expect, of all the above-mentioned events,
it was the act of the Basque Country Parliament that alerted mostly
the Aliyev regime. One doesn’t need to be a professional seer to
predict the reaction of Azerbaijan to this step of the Basque MPs. It
is for the simple reason that official Baku was enviably consistent in
perceiving quite maliciously similar resolutions on Nagorno Karabakh
adopted at different times by the Parliaments of several states of the
USA and by the largest Australian state of New South Wales. The
resolution of the Basque Country Parliament wasn’t either a pleasant
exception. According to the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Spain, Baku will
send a protest note to the country. And this isn’t all. The Embassy
plans to send a letter to the President of the Basque Country,
requiring corresponding explanations. Perhaps, the Ambassador’s words
will have come true by the time when our newspaper is published,

But, what hampered the Azerbaijani authorities, who are accustomed to
“play the notes” in the rapid pace of scherzo, to send immediately a
note of protest to Spain? It turned out that the pause – not music at
all – was required … to clarify the situation. Moreover, according
to the Ambassador, the information spread by the mass media in
connection with the adoption of the resolution on Nagorno Karabakh by
the Basque Country Parliament is not quite accurate; the document was
allegedly adopted not by the Parliament, but by the local provincial
government. “The Embassy continues to clarify the essence of the
issue, as it isn’t clear yet what wordings were used and whether the
right to self-determination or independence of the so-called
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is recognized”, said the diplomat.

At first glance, it is a standard set of words that the Ambassador of
the unfriendly-to- Artsakh country must say in a similar situation. In
fact, it is in this phrase that the phobia of Azerbaijan related to
the process of international recognition of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic is hidden. The matter is that this process is slowly, but
firmly gaining momentum, becoming progressive and irreversible.
Expanding is also, so to speak, the geography of the recognition. The
Basque Country is the first country on the European continent, which
has factually recognized the NKR. By the way, this is a highly
industrialized country, which occupies a leading position in the world
in terms of income per capita. And another important fact is that the
Parliament plays an important role in the political life of the
country, which, in addition, is seeking international recognition,
which is quite real. I think the coward hope of the Azerbaijani
Ambassador that perhaps “the document is adopted not by the
Parliament, but by the local provincial government” is clear now.
Official Baku, apparently, fears some wordings in the resolution, like
the devil fears holy water – it is the recognition of the NKR right to
self-determination and independence.

It can be stated that the resolution of the Basque Country Parliament
was another proof of recognition of the democratic achievements of the
NKR in the world and support for the Artsakh people’s efforts to build
and develop an independent state. What explanations are demanded then
by Azerbaijan? There can be a single explanation – the Basque Country
Parliament appreciated the commitment of the NKR people and
authorities to a democratic way of development and to the system of
values of the civilized world, which was made sure by members of the
delegation of this country, who have paid a visit to Artsakh this
year. At the same time, they could compare the level of democracy in
the NKR and Azerbaijan. Based on the above mentioned, the comparison
was not in favor of the latter.

Leonid MARTIROSSIAN
Editor-in-Chief of Azat Artsakh newspaper

From: A. Papazian