Author: Andres-Papazian

NAIRA ZOHHRABYAN: WHAT TOOK PLACE IN AZERBAIJAN CAN BE CALLED ELECTION ONLY WITH RESERVATIONS

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 8, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS: Democracy in Azerbaijan is reduced
to zero, Naira Zohrabyan, chairperson of the NA Standing Committee
on European Integration Affairs, member of the Armenian delegation
in the PACE said in an interview with Armenpress, referring to the
parliamentary elections held November 7 in Azerbaijan. According to
her, any election hold in Azerbaijan, be it all-state or of local
self-governing bodies, can be called election only with reservations.

This country’s European integration process is of imitational nature,
like the event they call elections,” Naira Zohrabyan said, adding that
the event the outcome of which is already known cannot be called an
election. According to her, everybody knows that there is no opposition
in Azerbaijan.

“I hope that the international community will give its rough assessment
to this phenomenon, though we often see that the propagators of
democratic merits are very often led by twofold standards,” the
member of the National Assembly said, adding that Azerbaijan is
a country, which is quite far from civilization, about which the
constitutional changes held in that country two years ago prove,
which enable Ilham Aliyev to be a president for life “Of course,
this is not Armenia’s problem, but we will voice about this issues
in international structures,” Naira Zohrabyan said.

From: A. Papazian

GAGIK HARUTYUNYAN SAYS AZERBAIJAN HAS SERIOUS ISSUES WITH NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES

ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 8, 2010
YEREVAN

Besides Armenia, today Azerbaijan has serious issues with
neighbor countries: there are already serious issues with Iran,
and the improvement of relations with Georgia does not go beyond
information sphere, Gagik Harutyunyan, director of “Noravank”
scientific-educational Foundation, said today at a news conference,
adding that in this respect Azerbaijan has a lot to think of.

Speaking about the results of the recent meeting of Armenian, Russian
and Azerbaijani presidents in Astrakhan, Gagik Harutyunyan said that
the process of the “humanitarian” agreement – exchange of war prisoners
and bodies – is proceeding according to the arrangement. And what will
be registered in Astana he found it difficult to say. He said there
are tendencies that this humanitarian direction must dominate during
the other meetings, “particularly if they pass with the mediation
of Russia.”

From: A. Papazian

BOSTON CELEBRATES ARF 120TH ANNIVERSARY

Armenian Weekly
Mon, Nov 8 2010

WATERTOWN, Mass. (A.W.)-On Nov. 7, the greater Boston area
Armenian community celebrated the 120th anniversary of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation with a three-hour long political and cultural
event, featuring a keynote speech by Antranig Kasbarian, revolutionary
songs performed by Christopher Arabian, and dance performances by
the Sayat Nova Dance Company.

The event, organized by the Boston “Sardarabad” Gomideh in
collaboration with the local Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) chapter,
began with the Homenetmen scouts marching into the hall and the
playing of the national anthems and “Mshag Panvor.”

Addressing the crowd of several hundred community members, chairperson
of the ARF Eastern Region Central Committee Dr. Antranig Kasbarian
highlighted the importance of making the ARF’s 120th anniversary
an opportunity not just to celebrate and recount the party’s
accomplishments, but to critically evaluate its record. He said
that the ARF has, in its long history, taken up many-sometimes too
many-roles and responsibilities, and continues to do so. Knowing to
prioritize, however, has been key. At different stages of its history,
he noted, the ARF has been a revolutionary organization, state-builder,
movement organizer, community builder in the diaspora, etc.

Kasbarian stressed that the ARF has been at its best when it has been
a party “by the people, for the people.” He noted that in Armenia,
the party became part of the governing coalition hoping that it could
generate change from within, but after the Armeno-Turkish protocols it
withdrew from the government and is now in opposition, partly because
it has realized that for reform to take root, change from within the
existing structures is not possible.

The celebration concluded with performances by DJ Rams, Christopher
Arabian, and the Sayat Nova Dance Company.

From: A. Papazian

PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION IN AZERBAIJAN: OPPOSITION WIPED FROM PARLIAMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
November 8, 2010 – 14:39 AMT 10:39 GMT

Yeni Azerbaijan, the party of President Ilham Aliyev claimed victory
in the parliamentary election on Sunday, November 7, moving ahead in 74
out of 125 constituencies to gain 70 seats in the 125-seat legislature.

The official turnout is reported over 50 percent, after a campaign
with few public rallies that received a limited media coverage.

Neither the leaders of major opposition parties – Ali Kerimli (National
Front) and Isa Gambar (Musavat), nor other candidates from the parties
were elected.

The only opposition force to have a seat in the parliament is Umid
party.

From: A. Papazian

OSCE OBSERVERS: AZERBAIJAN NEEDS TO DO MUCH MORE TO MAKE PROGRESS IN DEVELOPING A TRULY PLURALIST DEMOCRACY

PanARMENIAN.Net
November 8, 2010 – 19:28 AMT 15:28 GMT

Loyalists of President Ilham Aliyev swept the board in the November
7 parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan, amid allegations of serious
violations.

The Central Election Commission said that with 90 percent of the vote
counted, Aliyev’s Yeni Azerbaycan (New Azerbaijan) Party increased
its share in the 125-seat parliament to more than 70 seats.

Loyal candidates appeared to have taken all the rest of the seats.

The Central Election Commission, the ruling party, and election
monitors from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) declared
the vote free and fair.

But Western observers said that the elections, though “peaceful” and
with opposition participation, were marred by “serious violations. The
monitors, led by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE), said that “despite all the efforts made, the country
needs to do much more to make progress in developing a truly pluralist
democracy”, FRL/RE reported.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA-UKRAINE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY TIES ON HIGH LEVEL – SPEAKER

Panorama
Nov 4 2010
Armenia

Armenian National Assembly Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan received today
newly appointed Ukrainian ambassador to Armenia Ivan Kukhta.

The Speaker of the National Assembly congratulated the ambassador on
assuming the diplomatic mission in our country and wished success,
expressing confidence that the activity of Kukhta will contribute to
utmost development of Armenian-Ukrainian friendly relations.

Hovik Abrahamyan highly assessed the high level of the
inter-parliamentary ties, the cooperation in international structures
and the mutual cooperation in different spheres, press service of
the Armenian National Assembly informed.

The newly appointed ambassador of Ukraine who is in Armenia for the
first time expressed readiness to contribute to historically developed
ties in all directions.

Other issues of bilateral interest were discussed as well.

From: A. Papazian

BOOK OF CONDOLENCES FOR VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN OPENED IN RF EMBASSY IN ARMENIA

news.am
Nov 4 2010
Armenia

Book of condolences has been opened for Russian former Prime Minister
Viktor Chernomyrdin in RF Embassy in Armenia.

On November 4-5, the condolence book will be open from 11:00 a.m. to
3:00 p.m., the press service of RF Embassy informed NEWS.am.

Former Russian Ambassador to Ukraine, Special presidential
representative on economic cooperation with CIS member countries Viktor
Chernomyrdin died on the morning of November 3 after a long illness,
at the age of 73. He will be buried beside his wife in Novodevichy
Cemetery on November 5, 2010.

RF President Dmitry Medvedev will also attend Viktor Chernomyrdin’s
funeral on November 5.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA LIBERATES AZERBAIJANI CITIZEN FROM CAPTIVITY, BAKU HANDS OVER ARMENIAN SOLDIER’S BODY

Trend News Agency
Nov 4 2010
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan transferred to Armenia the body of Manvel Saribekyan,
who earlier committed suicide, while Armenia liberated Azerbaijani
citizen Eldar Tagiyev from captivity, the Azerbaijani State Commission
for POWs, Hostages and Missing Citizens told Trend.

Tagiyev was handed over to Azerbaijan on Nov. 4 at 12:00 a.m. on the
frontline between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Ijevan-Gazakh region
with the assistance of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

He was released in accordance with an agreement signed between the
Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian presidents in Astrakhan on Oct. 27.

In early October, Saribekyan was detained by the Azerbaijani armed
forces and then hung himself in a detention center using his shirt
and a sheet as a rope.

The Armenian military attempted a sabotage on Sept. 11 at about 5:00
p.m. on the northwestern front. One saboteur — Manvel Saribekyan —
was detained. Three managed to escape.

During the interrogation, Saribekyan admitted to his involvement
in an attempt to sabotage Azerbaijan upon the order of the Armenian
secret services.

Tagiyev was shot near the frontline in the Alibayli village in the
Tovuz region. He was taken hostage on Dec. 28 last year.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the United
States – are currently holding negotiations to resolve the dispute.

Armenia has failed to implement U.N. Security Council resolutions
stipulating the liberation of Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding
regions.

From: A. Papazian

AZG: : FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIAN TO BE HONORED AGAIN

news.am
Nov 4 2010
Armenia

According to the information at Azg newspaper’s disposal, former
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans will be named 2010
Professional of the Year by Armenian Professional Society (APS) of
Los Angeles, for his steadfast adherence to addressing the Armenian
Genocide in a forthright manner.

He will accept the honor at this year’s annual APS banquet November
19. Evans will attend the ceremony with his wife Donna Evans, a former
President of the World Affairs Council of Washington, D.C.

As to whether he regretted uttering the word “Genocide”, Evans said:
“No, what I said was based on historical facts and Convention on
Genocide in 1948. I knew it would have negative consequences. However,
I regret this word has overshadowed many of my other words within
recent years.”

From: A. Papazian

PREVIEW-ALIYEV PARTY TO EXTEND RULE IN AZERBAIJAN ELECTION
By Lada Yevgrashina

Reuters

Nov 4 2010
UK

BAKU, Nov 4 (Reuters) – Azerbaijan’s ruling party is poised to sweep
the board in a parliamentary election on Sunday, cushioned against
calls for democratic reform by the oil producer’s strategic importance
to the West.

Riding an oil-fuelled economic boom, President Ilham Aliyev continues
to consolidate his grip on power since succeeding his father Heydar
in 2003, while downtown Baku is blossoming with construction and the
opulence of an emerging jetset [ID:nLDE6A0074].

Rights groups accuse the government of curbing freedoms and silencing
dissent, but the West is balancing criticism with strategic interest.

The mainly Muslim country of 8.3 million people, sandwiched between
Iran, Russia and Turkey at the threshold of Central Asia, is rich
in oil and gas and key to Europe’s hopes of reducing its energy
dependence on Russia. It is also a transit route for U.S. military
operations in Afghanistan.

Western diplomats are unnerved by a 90 percent hike in military
spending announced for 2011. Azerbaijan — host to oil majors including
BP (BP.L), ExxonMobil (XOM.N) and Chevron (CVX.N) — has been locked
for two decades in an unresolved conflict with Armenia over the rebel
region of Nagorno-Karabakh, and frequently threatens to take it back
by force.

“The (democratic) situation won’t change until Azerbaijan runs out
of oil money,” said independent analyst Zardusht Alizade. “The West
is dependent on oil and gas and that’s why it turns a blind eye.”

ECONOMIC GROWTH

The opposition is already crying foul, while monitors from the
Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) say they
have received “credible” reports of intimidation and expressed concern
over the disqualification of candidates.

The rulers deny curbing freedoms and silencing dissent, saying voters
will reward Aliyev and his Yeni Azerbaijan Party (YAP) for presiding
over rapid economic growth that they say has brought better living
standards for all.

Gross domestic product (GDP) in Azerbaijan grew by an average of 21
percent per year between 2003 and 2007.

Significant foreign assets, strong international reserves and limited
exposure of its banking system to flows on global financial markets
shielded Azerbaijan from the worst of the global economic crisis.

But GDP growth is projected to slow to 3.8 percent in 2011, and the
International Monetary Fund is urging Azerbaijan to diversify its
economy away from heavy dependence on oil exports.

Development of the non-oil sector is limited and critics complain
the decadence and high prices of Baku mask poverty in much of the
rest of the country.

As for democracy, the government says it is a work in progress.

“We admit that there have been some violations, but we know that
violations take place even in developed democratic countries,” YAP
spokesman Husein Pashayev said in response to the OSCE preliminary
report on the elections.

“Yeni Azerbaijan did not create any obstacles for opposition candidates
and we do not see any worthy competitors.” (Additional reporting and
writing by Matt Robinson; Editing by Janet Lawrence)

From: A. Papazian