Author: Andres-Papazian

UAE TRADE MINISTER OFFERS ARMENIAN COLLEAGUES COOPERATION IN NUCLEAR ENERGY

Tert.am
12:04 03.11.10

Foreign Trade Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Lubna
al Qasimi offers Armenian businessmen to cooperate in the field of
nuclear energy.

“We are trying our best to boost growth bilateral trade between the
two countries. This year the parties have an agreement on cooperation
in the spheres of science and technology. As an emerging economy,
Armenia has big potential in developing the sectors of jewelry-making,
IT and electric equipments,” Mr Qashimi said at an Armenia-UAE
business forum that kicked up in Yerevan on Wednesday.

Opening the forum Armenia’s Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan in turn
said that the forum aims at discovering the existing potential in
the field of economic relations between Armenia and UAE.

“It is not a secret that we have good friendly relations with UAE …

and this business forum is aimed at discovering the existing potential
in the field of economic relations between Armenia and UAE that must
be realized for sure,” said Mr Sargsyan.

“I think that our program of establishing a free trade zone in
Zvartnots Airport will interest UAE businessmen,” said Mr Sargsyan,
adding that such meetings will from now on be held frequently.

The next such meeting will take place in UAE.

Armenia’s Ministry of Economy and UAE’s Foreign Trade Ministry
signed a Memorandum of understanding.

Armenian and UAE businessmen will in the coming two days present each
other their business plans.

Trade turnover between Armenia and UAE has been a total of $130
million USD in 2006-2010.

From: A. Papazian

RUSSIAN CITIZEN STABBED AN ARMENIAN

Tert.am
12:01 03.11.10

At 1:20 a.m. on November 1, the police station of Ashtarak town
received a report which said that Ararat G., 52, has been hospitalized
with a grave abdominal stab.

According to the doctor, the patient was unable to make any report.

Thanks to investigative operations, Vazgen K., 48, a citizen Russian
Federation, was caught by the police.

The latter confessed having stabbed Ararat G. during a dispute around
1 a.m. on November 1, 2010.

Vazgen K’s wife – Arusik A. – handed to the police the knife which
had been used as a tool for inflicting the injury upon the aggrieved.

Vazgen K. is arrested.

From: A. Papazian

LYUDMILA SARGSYAN DECLARED AS LEADER OF HUNCHAKYAN PARTY

Tert.am
10:58 03.11.10

The Central Administration of the Social-Democrat Hunchakyan Party
has released a statement on appointing a leader. The statement reads
as follows:

“Taking into consideration the decision of Kentron (Centre) and Nork
Marash administrative districts’ general jurisdiction court and the
appeal court

1. The Central Adinistration of the Social-Democrat Hnchakyan Party
declares Lyudmila Sargsyan as the leader of the party’s Armenian
branch.

2. The party has no other central administration allowing other
individuals to act on its behalf.

3. We notify that in accordance with Protocol No 14 issued on December
16, 2009 the following members were removed from the party on the
grounds of instigating internal party splittings:

1) Vahan Shirkhanyan 2) Gevorg Perkupekyan 3) Narek Galstyan 4)
Gagik Melikyan 5) Arsen Kupelyan

Vardan Khachatryan’s illegal membership was suspended based on the
Central Administration’s decision No 11 dated October 31, 2009.”

The above-mentioned individuals earlier disputed the legitimacy of
Lyudmila Sargsyan’s election as the party’s leader, demanding from
her the party seal.

From: A. Papazian

VP BIDEN’S SENSATIONAL REVELATION OF PHONE CALLS WITH PRES. SARGSYAN
By Harut Sassounian

Tert.am
10:49 03.11.10

Armenians worldwide were scandalized last week by Vice President Joe
Biden’s revelation that Pres. Sargsyan had told him: “look, do not
force this issue [Armenian Genocide recognition] now, while we are
in negotiations [with Turkey].”

Biden’s statement posted later that day on YouTube —
— was so shocking that most
Armenians refused to believe that Pres. Sargsyan would have discouraged
the American President from recognizing the Armenian Genocide! Some
went as far as to question if the speaker shown on video was really
Biden, and if his words had been altered. Others wondered about the
identity of the young man conversing with Biden, suspecting him to
be an impostor or a foreign agent.

Given the far-reaching consequences of the words attributed to Pres.

Sargsyan, his press secretary immediately issued a categorical
denial. Two days later, the US Embassy in Armenia issued a
clarification/retraction. Taking into account these confusing and
contradictory statements, I will try to shed some light on the lesser
known aspects of this episode:

1) The young man speaking with VP Biden on YouTube is not an impostor.

He is an Armenian-American activist.

2) It is not widely known that right after Pres. Obama issued his
April 24, 2009 commemorative statement, Biden phoned three prominent
Armenian-Americans. He informed them that Pres. Obama had omitted
the Genocide word from his statement after Pres. Sargsyan gave his
consent during a phone call with the Vice President. Clearly, Biden
was using his conversation with Sargsyan to excuse Pres. Obama’s
failure to keep his campaign promise to Armenian-Americans.

3) Biden repeated the same statement last week, this time on video. He
was trying to win over Armenian-Americans to support Democratic
candidates in the tightly contested November 2nd elections. When
the young man asked Biden what message did he have for the Armenian
community which was “burned” or deceived by Pres. Obama, the Vice
President reassured him that the administration was “not backing off”
from its promise on the Genocide. He added: “The Turks have to come
to the realization of what the reality is.” Biden then conveniently
blamed Sargsyan for Pres. Obama’s lack of acknowledgment of the
Armenian Genocide. The Vice President concluded his comments by
cynically stating with a chuckle: “Reality has a way of intruding.”

4) Armen Arzumanian, Pres. Sargsyan’s press secretary, issued a prompt
rebuttal, stating that the President “did not use the expression
ascribed to him in the video, directly or indirectly.” Arzumanian
boldly called upon the White House to release the transcripts of
the two phone conversations between Pres. Sargsyan and VP Biden in
April 2009.

5) On October 29, the US Embassy in Armenia reacted by announcing that
during his two phone conversations with Biden in April 2009, “Pres.

Sargsyan did not raise the issue of the content of Pres. Obama’s
statement for Armenian Remembrance Day or seek a delay in consideration
of House Resolution 252.” This carefully worded statement was meant
to soothe the Armenian government’s severe irritation at Biden’s
surprising disclosures.

It would have been far more informative, however, had the U.S.

government released the transcripts of the two phone conversations
between Pres. Sargsyan and VP Biden. The Armenian side could have also
clarified matters by releasing its transcripts of the phone calls,
if they were taped, or a summary record. Furthermore, since the two
leaders were using an interpreter, it would be interesting to compare
Pres. Sargsyan’s Armenian words with those translated into English –
which was what Biden actually heard!

In the absence of a transcript, outsiders have no knowledge of what
was actually said during these phone calls. Yet it is clear that
starting in early 2009, Obama administration officials were pressuring
the Armenian government to sign an agreement with Turkey, so they
could use it as an excuse for not recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

And that is exactly what happened, when Armenia and Turkey signed
a preliminary agreement, “a roadmap,” on the eve of April 24, 2009.

Pres. Obama quickly capitalized on it. In his “Armenian Remembrance
Day” statement, he avoided the word genocide by claiming that Armenia
and Turkey “have agreed on a framework and roadmap for normalization.”

The controversy regarding what Pres. Sargsyan may have told Vice
President Biden is one more unwelcome outcome of the Armenia-Turkey
Protocols. However, the video had the unintended side effect of
raising the Armenian Genocide issue to the highest echelons of the
U.S. government and received coverage by worldwide media. A week
before the Armenian activist’s conversation with Vice President
Biden, Armine Babayan of Los Angeles also had an important personal
encounter. She had the rare opportunity to speak directly with Pres.

Obama about the Armenian Genocide during his campaign stop in Las
Vegas. Turkish denialists must not be too pleased that within one week
the President and Vice President of the United States were reminded
of their unfinished agenda on the Armenian Genocide.

From: A. Papazian

NALBANDIAN COMPETES IN THE SECOND ROUND

Tert.am
10:19 03.11.10

In the second round of ATP competition, Argentinean tennis player
of Armenian decent David Nalbandian beat Czech sportsman Jan Hajek
at 6-3, 6-4 score.

The meeting lasted 1 hour and 15 minutes.

During the second round, Nalbandian will compete against Croatia’s
Marin Cilic who held a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Switzerland’s Marco
Chiudinelli.

According to local Armenian sports news website Armsport.am, the
tennis tournament taking place in Basel is to finish on November 7.

The prize fund comprises $2.345 USD.

From: A. Papazian

WHAT HAPPENS IN ARMENIA IS JUST WONDERFUL: LEVON TER-PETROSYAN

Tert.am
09:57 03.11.10

If the current situation in Armenia goes on, the authorities will have
to concede Karabakh, Armenia~Rs first President Levon Ter-Petrosyan
is convinced.

~SBoth our nation and state, as well as Karabakh are heading towards
defeat. We have now to prevent that from happening,~T he said in
an interview to Azatutyun (Liberty) radio station, adding that HAK
(Armenian National Congress) is doing its best towards resolving
the problem.

Armenia~Rs ex-President wasn~Rt concerned over the decreasing number
of people participating in rallies.

~SAll over the world, massive participation in political processes
is observed only at election time. What happens in Armenia is just
wonderful,~T he said.

HAK leader also expressed confidence that his supporters~R army may
still increase, if necessary.

In another interview given to Azatutyun radio station earlier, Mr.

Ter-Petrosyan had expressed belief that the arrested opposition
activists will be released in the nearest future, under the Council
of Europe~Rs increasing pressures on Armenia.

Sometime later Head of Pan-Armenian National Movement~Rs (HHSh)
Lori branch Ashot Manukyan was released from prison.

Congratulating the opposition activist on this occasion, Levon
Ter-Petrosyan announced that the process will continue.

From: A. Papazian

COGNAC PRODUCTION MOVES UP 18% IN 9 MTHS

Interfax
Nov 1 2010
Russia

Cognac production in Armenia went up by 17.5% year-on-year to 7.994
million liters in January-September 2010, the National Statistics
Service said in a report.

The main markets for Armenian cognac are Russia and Ukraine.

Cognac output in Armenia went down by 38.4% to 9.869 million liters
in 2009 owing to the world economic crisis. Production has increased
only since the start of this year.

Production of distilled beverages in the nine months went down by 13.2%
to 7.214 million liters. Armenia’s production of wine went up by 30.4%
to 3.131 million liters, champagne – up 56.2% to 226,200 liters and
beer – up 49.7% to 13.079 million liters.

From: A. Papazian

DEFENSE MINISTER MET WITH RELATIVES OF DEAD SOLDIERS

Tert.am
09:39 03.11.10

Armenia’s Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan met on November 2 with
the relatives of Artak Nazaryan and Samvel Khachatryan.

According to the official version Lieutenant Artak Nazaryan, who
served in Tavush marz (province), accidentally wounded himself with
a gun that led to his death on July 27 this year.

Samvel Khachatryan a temporary military serviceman was found hanged
on October 3, 2010.

According to a release issued by the Defense Ministry, Mr Ohanyan
assured their relatives that the entire investigation process of
the criminal cases filed in relation with their deaths is under his
personal control.

He also said that the relevant bodies are taking necessary steps
to reveal all the details of what happened to hold all those guilty
accountable and punished with all the severity of the law.

Seyran Ohanyan also met with the relatives of Manvel Saribekyan – an
Armenian shepherd caught by Azerbaijani military forces who reportedly
committed suicide in his prison cell.

Baku says Saribekyan had been specially trained and crossed the border
into Azerbaijan to conduct terror acts there.

Mr Ohanyan met also with 47 other citizens, among them also parents
of soldiers, freedom fighters, relatives of killed freedom fighters,
and discussed social and legal issues with them.

From: A. Papazian

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT MEMBERS CONCLUDE KARABAKH MISSION

Tert.am
08:53 03.11.10

The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy announced
that a delegation of Members of the European Parliament visited Armenia
and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic from October 27 to 31, in order to
assess the Karabakh conflict resolution process, reports Asbarez.com.

During their stay, Michele Rivasi, a member of Euronest Delegation,
from Greens/European Free Alliance Group and Damien Abad, a member
of Euronest and the EU-South Caucasus Parliamentary delegation, from
the European Popular Party, were accompanied by European Parliament
staff for a detailed mission to assess the current socio-political
situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

“It is unacceptable that hundreds of thousands of Armenian victims of
the pogroms and deportations organized by Azerbaijan, are deprived of
the international statute of refugee,” declared Rivasi. She proposed
the implementation of an international investigation on the atrocities
against the Armenians which led to the conflict.

“I think that the OSCE Minsk Group remains the best format to
find a peaceful and sustainable solution to the conflict,” added
Abad. He stressed the importance for France to fully play its role
in the co-presidency of the Minsk group, along with Russia and the
United States.

The European Parliament members pledged to look into the possibility
of assistance to the population of Nagorno-Karabakh in the fields of
environment, energy and education.

“This European aid exists in the South Caucasus region for Abkhazia
and South Ossetia, but it is refused in Nagorno-Karabakh,” commented
Hilda Tchoboian, the Chairperson of the European Armenian Federation.

She emphasized the fact that Nagorno-Karabakh declared independence
in accordance with the laws of the Soviet Union and with the full
respect of the principles of the international law.

“All around the world, the European Union undertakes huge efforts
in order to help states improve their democratic institutions and
good governance record. It is inconceivable that the EU continues to
ignore the efforts of the Nagorno-Karabakh authorities to create a
rule of law,” added Tchoboian.

“We expect the members of the European Parliament to return to the
spirit of the European Parliament’s last resolution, in favor of
Nagorno-Karabakh’s right to self-determination, and take steps to end
the political blockade of the Nagorno-Karabakh,” concluded Tchoboian.

The European Armenian Federation was pleased with the outcome of the
visit, which it said gave European Parliamentarians a unique insight
into all the judicial, political and humanitarian dimensions of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

While in the region, the delegation met with Nargorno-Karabakh
Republic President Bako Sahakian, Speaker of Karabakh’s parliament,
Ashot Ghoulian, the leaders of parliamentary blocs represented in
the legislature, as well as leaders of refugee assistance groups
for displaced persons from Sumgait, Baku, Kirovabad, Minkechaour
and Shahumian.

In Yerevan, the delegation visited the Tsitsernakabert Memorial
Monument and the Armenian Genocide Institute, and met with Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandyan, the Head of the Delegation of the
European Commission to the Republic of Armenia, Raul de Luzenberger,
France’s Ambassador to Armenia, Henri Reynaud, Parliament Speaker
Hovig Abrahamyan, chairman of parliament’s Standing Committee of
Foreign Relations, Armen Rustamyan and the President of the Euronest
Delegation, Vahan Hovannesyan, among others.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAÏDJAN : LA LIBERTE D’EXPRESSION EN DANGER
par Stephane

armenews
mercredi3 novembre 2010
AZERBAIDJAN

A l’approche des elections parlementaires en Azerbaïdjan, neuf
organisations de defense de la liberte d’expression, qui ont mene une
mission d’enquete commune dans le pays en septembre 2010, rendent
public un rapport intitule : “La liberte d’expression en danger en
Azerbaïdjan : la situation des medias se deteriore”. Les conclusions
du rapport soulignent le fait que le gouvernement azerbaïdjanais ne
respecte pas ses engagements internationaux en matière de promotion
et de protection de la liberte d’expression.

“En Azerbaïdjan, ceux qui s’attaquent ou harcèlent les journalistes le
font en connaissance de cause. Ils savent qu’ils ne seront pas punis
pour leurs crimes. Les autorites ne mènent pas de veritables enquetes
sur ces violations, ce qui contribue de manière significative au
climat actuel de peur et de vulnerabilite,” a declare Agnès Callamard
d’Article 19.

La degradation de la situation de la liberte d’expression dans le
pays s’explique par plusieurs tendances inquietantes, notamment par
le recours a l’emprisonnement de journalistes et de blogueurs qui
ont exprime des vues critiques, les violences contre les journalistes
et l’impunite dont beneficient ceux qui les commettent ainsi que le
maintien de dispositions legales qui considèrent la diffamation comme
une infraction penale. Ces tendances sont particulièrement inquietantes
dans le contexte des elections parlementaires qui auront lieu le 7
novembre 2010.

“Alors qu’elle est au c~ur de toute societe democratique, la presse
libre en Azerbaïdjan peine a s’etablir durablement,” a declare Rodrigo
Bonilla, coordinateur de projet a l’Association mondiale des journaux
et des editeurs des medias d’information (WAN-IFRA). “À sa place,
il existe une poignee de medias independants qui tentent de survivre
dans un contexte d’intimidation et de peur, de detresse financière
et d’audiences marginales. Il est urgent d’initier des reformes
drastiques pour remedier a cette situation,” a poursuivi Bonilla.

Un journaliste a confie aux representants des organisations
internationales qu’il avait cesse de compter le nombre d’agressions
subies et de menaces recues. Selon l’un de ses confrères : “La vie
de chaque citoyen ou journaliste qui aspire a plus de liberte est
constamment menacee.” Dans les regions, la situation des journalistes
est encore plus dramatique. Ils sont regulièrement confrontes a
la violence et aux menaces, mais la plupart de ces cas ne sont pas
signales.

“Les journalistes et blogueurs azerbaïdjanais qui tentent d’informer
au mieux leurs concitoyens, sans ceder a l’autocensure, sont en
première ligne du combat pour la liberte d’expression. La communaute
internationale doit leur apporter son soutien. Les enjeux sont cruciaux
: ils concernent le futur du pays, la viabilite de son developpement
politique et economique”, a declare Lucie Morillon, responsable du
bureau Nouveaux Medias de Reporters sans frontières

Le rapport presente egalement les recommandations faites par la
mission aux autorites azerbaïdjanaises. Elles les incitent a prendre
des mesures concrètes pour ameliorer la situation de la liberte
d’expression dans le pays, en menant des enquetes sur tous les actes
de violence contre les journalistes, en deferant les responsables
devant la justice, en relâchant immediatement et sans condition
les journalistes et les blogueurs actuellement emprisonnes, et en
depenalisant le delit de diffamation.

” Les efforts pour etablir un environnement journalistique/mediatique
professionnel et credible sont systematiquement mines par les
interferences politiques, le contrôle des medias, des conditions
de travail choquantes et un manque fondamental de respect pour
le rôle du journalisme independant dans une democratie ” souligne
Oliver Money-Kyrle, Assistant du Secretaire General de la Federation
Internationale des Journalistes.

Le rapport est le resultat d’une mission d’enquete commune sur
la liberte d’expression, entreprise par les membres du groupe
de collaboration sur l’Azerbaïdjan, du 7 au 9 septembre 2010. Les
representants de la mission ont rencontre des journalistes et autres
collaborateurs des medias, ont recueilli des temoignages de survivants
d’attaques violentes et de membres de familles de journalistes
emprisonnes, et tenu des reunions avec les militants de la societe
civile et des representants du gouvernement.

Les neuf organisations qui ont participe a la mission conjointe sont
membres du Groupe international du partenariat sur l’Azerbaïdjan, et
oeuvrent activement a la promotion et a la protection des droits de
l’homme. Les organisations participantes sont : ARTICLE 19, Freedom
House, Index on Censorship, International Federation of Journalists,
Media Diversity Institute, Open Society Foundations, Press Now,
Reporters sans frontières et World Association of Newspapers and
News Publishers.

From: A. Papazian