Author: Andres-Papazian

ARMENIA’S FUTURE IN CONCEPT OF DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT CONCESSIONS – ARTSVIK MINASYAN

20:52 * 15.07.14

Armenian Revolutionary Federation -Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D) parliamentary
group member Artsvik Minasyan believes that Armenia needs to build
up its resistance in foreign policy.

“We should realize that Armenia’s future is in the concept of
development without concessions. No country in the world has a formula
for success through concessions. Even if concessions are made, they
should only be made for the sake of tolerance,” Minasyan told Tert.am
as he answered a question as to whether Armenian President Serzh
Sagsyan’s statement suggests a link between the delay in Armenia’s
accession to the Eurasian Economic Union (EaEU) and Nagorno-Karabakh
and a response to Russia that Armenia is not ready for any concessions
on Nagorno-Karabakh.

“It must initially be clear to anyone, including Russia, Belarus
and Kazakhstan – all the more so to Azerbaijan – that no Armenian
authorities will ever state their readiness for concession for the
sake of integration,” Minasyan said.

He does not rule out that Azerbaijan has its role in the delay in
Armenia’s accession to the EaEU. However, this is not the only factor.

“I do not think that Russia, Kazakhstan or Belarus have an identical
idea of Armenia’s integration or economy. And if we add the Azerbaijani
lobby’s activities, numerous issues will be raised, without being
settled soon,” Minasyan said.

Asked if Armenia could be an economic burden for the three states,
which is a reason for their not welcoming Armenia’s accession to the
EaEU, he said:

“I do not say it is a burden, but each state is aware of its
interests. And the Azerbaijani lobby is provoking an approach to
Armenia with certain reservations. Quite another matter is that we
must advance our interests. If Armenian products get certain benefits
in this region and any country considers it an economic burden, it
is their problem. In political terms, it is their problem as well,
and we do not have to make any concessions to get anything.”

As to the reasons for the Armenian president’s statement that Armenia
is concerned over Russian sales of weapons to Azerbaijan, Minasyan
does not think it has anything in common with possible impediments
to Armenia’s accession to the Customs Union or the EaEU.

“Rather, it is Azerbaijan’s aggressive behavior that accounts for it
purchasing weapons from Russia. Individual Russian officials state the
sale of weapons is business. But business has now turned into a threat
it would be wrong not to speak of that or draw attention to this fact.”

Asked of the Armenian president’s statement was not too late,
Minasyan said:

“We should draw the Russia’s and international community’s attention
to the fact that Azerbaijan’s purchase of arms is the cause of its
militant rhetoric. We must do our utmost to resist aggression.”

From: A. Papazian

US AMBASSADOR: UNCLEAR WHEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENTS WILL MEET – NEWSPAPER

July 15, 2014 | 08:10

YEREVAN. – We still fail to reach agreement on French President
Francois Hollande’s proposal to set up a talk between the Armenian
and Azerbaijani Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev, Haykakan
Zhamanak (H Zh.) daily reported.

“US Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern told this to H. Zh.

“The OSCE MG [Minsk Group] co-chairs underscore this Sargsyan-Aliyev
meeting especially against the backdrop of the intensive ceasefire
violation and the escalating border tension in recent times.

“For a long time, however, Ilham Aliyev rejects the proposal for a
meeting. Instead, Azerbaijan opens intense fire in the direction
of Armenia’s border villages and sends saboteurs to NKR [the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic],” Haykakan Zhamanak wrote.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: A. Papazian

RUSSIA, BELARUS, KAZAKHSTAN TO SIGN COOPERATION DEAL WITH MERCOSUR IN EARLY 2015 — PUTIN

Economy
July 14, 21:34 UTC+4
“Russia is interested in establishing contacts with the Union of South
American Nations with Brazil’s support,” the Russian leader stressed
(c) EPA/Ivan Franco

Brazilian leader hails Russia’s position on Syria, Middle East
settlement BRASILIA, July 14. /ITAR-TASS/. The Eurasian Economic
Union [of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan] plans to sign a cooperation
agreement of Mercosur, or Latin America’s common market, in early 2015,
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday.

“We are interested in cooperation with the Latin American common
market. I hope a corresponding document will be signed in early 2015,
after our agreement with Kazakhstan and Belarus on the establishment of
the Eurasian Economic Union comes into force,” Putin told journalists
after his talks with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

Putin said he had discussed with the Brazilian leader cooperation in
the BRICS format and “prospects for expanding ties between Russia and
the Eurasian Economic Union it is creating with Belarus and Kazakhstan
with the Latin American region as a whole.”

“Russia is interested in establishing contacts with the Union of South
American Nations with Brazil’s support,” the Russian leader stressed.

From: A. Papazian

YERKIR.AM: NEUTRALIZED AZERBAIJANI SABOTEURS MADE VIDEO IN KARVACHAR

July 14, 2014 | 17:42

YEREVAN. – Azerbaijani saboteurs neutralized by the Karabakh Defense
Army made a video about their stay in Karvachar.

The video shows three Azerbaijanis who are showing their weapons,
Yerkir.am reported. The video has been provided by NKR Defense Army.

Three Azerbaijani saboteurs have entered Karvachar Region. One of them
was captivated by Armenians on the same day, the second was killed
on July 11. An Armenian officer was killed and a woman was wounded
during the crossfire. The third was seized by Armenian side on Monday.

From: A. Papazian

BODY OF 17-YEAR-OLD KARVACHAR YOUTH FOUND

Tuesday, July 15th, 2014

The body of 17-year-old Smbat Tsakanian was found Tuesday

STEPANAKERT-The remains of the a 17-year-old Karvachar resident,
Smbat Tsakanian, believed to have been abducted from his home by
Azerbaijani commandos earlier this month was found in Nor Erkedj,
reported Armlur.am.

Tsakanian’s body was found in what is known as the “Turkish Cemetery”
with multiple stab wounds on his body and deep lacerations on his neck.

On July 7, Nor Erkedj village resident Mekhak Tsakanian reported his
son missing to local authorities in the Shahumian district saying that
his son left their house on July 4 at 9 p.m. and had not returned. The
family searched the village for days before reporting the young man
missing to authorities.

Nagorno-Karabakh Republic law enforcement authorities had linked
Tsakanian’s disappearance with the capture of a group of Azerbaijani
commandos, referred to as “saboteurs,” who allegedly infiltrated the
Karabakh border and, according to Karabakh officials, were sent to
there to commit a slew of crimes.

The Artsakh Defense Ministry last week released photographs of the
weapons cache seized from the group, as well as the picture of one of
the alleged assailants, 46-year-old Shahbaz Guliyev, who infiltrated
the Karabakh border last week. On Tuesday, the Artsakh authorities also
released a video of Guliyev’s apprehension by Karabakh special forces.

On Monday, the Artsakh Defense Ministry elaborated that the Azerbaijani
commandos ambushed a vehicle in Karvachar killing 42-year-old army
major Sarkis Abrahamyan and injuring the wife of another military
officer, 37-year-old Karine Davtyan. The attackers, according to the
Karabakh Defense Ministry, were killed on Friday.

Nor Erkedj mayor, Ara Hovhannesian, confirmed the discovery of
Tsakanian’s remains, but did not release further details.

Karabakh Authorities Open Criminal Case On Tuesady, the authorities
of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic said they have opened criminal
proceeding against the Azerbaijani Sabotage group and released the
name of a second arrested commando, after confirming Monday that all
threats had been “neutralized.”

The Prosecutor’s Office in Stepanakert pn Tuesday identified the
second arrested person as 54-year-old citizen of Azerbaijan Dilham
Askerov. It said both arrested persons had been armed, reported RFE/RL.

On Monday, the Armenian Defense Ministry said that the members of the
sabotage group would be prosecuted as criminals, because they cannot
be deemed as prisoners of war, based on international conventions.

“The saboteurs will answer for their actions in accordance with
our laws and international norms,” Armenian Defense Minister Seyran
Ohanian stressed on Tuesday, informing the media about the start of
criminal proceedings in connection with the matter, reported RFE/RL.

Ohanian did not mention the charges that may be brought against the
Azerbaijani captives, but earlier the Armenian Defense Ministry
listed a series of crimes that they are suspected of committing
while in Armenian-controlled territory. Among them illegal crossing
of the border, murder, attempted murder, attempts to photograph
‘specially protected areas’, and others. It said Article 4 of the
Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War
could not be applied to the arrested Azerbaijani citizens as there is
‘irrefutable evidence’ that they were members of a ‘criminal group’
recruited by Azerbaijani authorities for the purpose of carrying out
sabotage activities.

“The leadership of the enemy army also uses criminal elements that are
familiar to the territory in reconnaissance-sabotage activities. They
committed crimes according to our legislation,” Minister Ohanian said,
stressing that the Armenian side does not want a second war, but also
reminding that Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh defeated Azerbaijan in
the first war that had been “foisted upon them.”

Armenia’s former ombudsperson Larisa Alaverdian also said that the
arrested citizens of Azerbaijan could not be given the status of POWs
and, therefore, were not subject to repatriation. “They are persons
who have committed heavy crimes in the territory of another country,”
she said in an interview with RFE/RL’s Armenian Service (Azatutyun.am).

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA ACTS IN NATIONAL INTERESTS IN VOTING AT UN SECURITY COUNCIL – TEVAN POGHOSYAN

15:53 * 15.07.14

Head of the Armenian-British parliamentary friendship group,
Heritage parliamentary group member Tevan Poghosyan told reporters
on Tuesday that Armenia considers its national interests in voting
on each document.

He thus answered a journalist’s question as to why Great Britain should
help Armenia to oppose Turkey’s Armenian Genocide denial policy of
while Armenia always votes for decisions in Russia’s favor at the UN
Security Council.

“The European Parliament delegation raised a similar question at a
round table discussion. The answer was that Armenia cannot vote for
a document indicating the territorial integrity principle alone as
international right,” Poghosyan said.

Asked about to Great Britain’s oil interests in Azerbaijan and what
Armenia could offer to Great Britain, Poghosyan said:

“At one time, Great Britain was much interested, but they are now
going to develop relations based on agreements.”

Armenia has its own resources – gold, precious stones, human resources
– which can be of interest to British educational centers.

“We must never underestimate our resources. On some occasions Great
Britain asked Armenia to vote on some issues. And if you do that,
you can ask for their help in other areas.”

Armenian News – Tert.am

From: A. Papazian

UN NOUVEAU LABORATOIRE TOXICOLOGIQUE OUVERT A EREVAN EN OCTOBRE

ARMENIE

Un nouveau laboratoire toxicologique modernise a des fins
phytosanitaires est actuellement en construction a Erevan a annonce
le chef du service de la securite alimentaire d’Armenie Abram
Bahkchagulyan.

Le laboratoire sera situe au centre national veterinaire et
phytosanitaire a-t-il dit. Les travaux de construction seront
probablement finis en septembre de cette annee.

Le laboratoire est construit grâce au soutien de la FAO des Nations
Unies et sera pleinement conformes aux normes internationales.

Le Chef de l’inspection phytosanitaire du service de la securite
alimentaire Artur Nikoyan a precise que l’ancien laboratoire etait
situe dans le village de Merdzavan de la region d’Armavir et n’est
pas a jour

mardi 15 juillet 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

LES PRESIDENTS DE L’ARMENIE ET DE L’URUGUAY APPELLENT A UNE RECONNAISSANCE INTERNATIONALE DU GENOCIDE

ARMENIE

Les presidents de l’Armenie et de l’Uruguay Serge Sarkissian et Jose
Mujica ont adopte une declaration conjointe, exhortant les pays dans
le monde et les organisations internationales a reconnaître et a
condamner le genocide commis contre la population armenienne dans
l’Empire ottoman en 1915.

La partie armenienne a felicite l’Uruguay pour etre le premier
pays au monde a reconnaître le genocide armenien. Les deux parties
ont egalement convenu de continuer a developper le dialogue et les
consultations entre l’Armenie et de l’Uruguay sur differents niveaux
politique de haut niveau, a cooperer plus activement dans le cadre
des organisations et assemblees internationales.

Les parties ont souligne l’importance de resoudre la question du
Haut-Karabagh de manière pacifique avec la mediation du Groupe de Minsk
de l’OSCE sur la base des principes et normes du droit international.

La partie armenienne a salue la position equilibree et impartiale
de l’Uruguay sur la question du Karabagh et apprecie les visites des
legislateurs de l’Uruguay en Artsakh.

Les parties ont exprime leur preoccupation sur la poursuite des
violences en Syrie et ont promis leur soutien a tous les efforts
visant a retablir la paix et la stabilite dans le pays.

Dans le cadre de sa visite d’Etat en Uruguay, le president armenien
Serge Sarkissian le 9 Juillet s’est rendu au Square Armenien a
Montevideo. Devant le Khatchkar mis en place près de la place,
il a honore la memoire des victimes du genocide armenien de 1915,
selon le service de presse presidentiel.

Au cours de sa visite d’Etat en Uruguay, le president armenien
Serge Sarkissian a rencontre le president uruguayen Jose Mujica,
le 9 Juillet. Les deux presidents ont discute d’un large eventail
de questions concernant les liaisons inter-Etats et la cooperation
selon le service de presse du president armenien.

Serge Sarkissian a declare que l’Armenie est interessee a developper
un programme complet avec l’Uruguay dans les secteurs de la politique,
du commerce, de l’economie et de la culture. Les côtes ont souligne
l’importance de l’expansion de la cadre juridique et contractuel.

mardi 15 juillet 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA’S SARGSYAN ENDS SOUTH AMERICAN TOUR (PHOTOS)

July 12, 2014 | 10:43

Within the framework of his official visit to Chile, Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan on Friday met with Mayor Carolina Toha of the Chilean
capital city Santiago.

Following the Armenian President’s official welcoming ceremony at the
Santiago City Hall, the mayor handed to the President the city’s key
and certificate of honorable visitor.

In her remarks, Toha reflected on the importance of strengthening
Armenian-Chilean friendly relations, and she considered the Armenian
President’s visit to Chile to be a great impetus on this road.

President Sargsyan, for his part, noted that he is happy to be
in Santiago and meet with the skilled leader of this constantly
flourishing city.

On the same day, the Armenia President also toured the Precolombino
art and history museum of Chile.

Subsequently, Sargsyan paid a visit to the Hay Doon (Armenian House)
of the Chilean-Armenian community, laid a wreath to the Armenian
Genocide monument at the courtyard, planted a tree, and met with
representatives of the community.

The President thanked for the warm welcome, spoke on numerous
matters concerning Armenians, stressed that he is proud to have such
compatriots in Chile, and expressed confidence that unity is the key
to success of the Armenian nation.

At the end of the meeting, Serzh Sargsyan awarded the Mkhitar Gosh
Medal to Eduardo Rodríguez Guarachi, the Honorary Consul of Armenia
to Chile, and the Movses Khorenatsi Medal to Rear Admiral Hernan
Kuyumjian.

Ending its regional visit to South America, the Armenian delegation,
led by President Serzh Sargsyan, is en route back to Armenia.

From: A. Papazian

12-YEAR-OLD FRENCH-ARMENIAN MUSICIAN ASTONISHES QUEEN OF ROCKABILLY (PHOTOS)

JULY 12, 11:03

By Paruir Siniavsky

Twelve-year-old French-Armenian musical prodigy Raffi Arto is heading
towards global recognition.

Raffi recently participated in the American Tours rock music festival
in Paris.

He also accompanied the 76-year-old Queen of Rockabilly, Wanda Jackson
who, just like world-renowned American rhythm and blues saxophonist
Big Jay McNeely, was astonished at the talent of this very young
Armenian musician.

Below is an abridged version of NEWS.am STYLE’s exclusive interview
with Raffi Arto.

Raffi, you are involved in several projects, correct?

Yes; they are several. But I can inform about the details a little
later. I give concerts during this time. The best thing is that I am
holding talks with the Disney Channel for a new project.

Are you preparing for a major performance?

There are several ideas about which I will keep silent for now. [But]
there is an opportunity to perform with Charles Aznavour.

Anything new on releasing an album?

My new album is due out in September. I am also preparing to make a
video clip.

From: A. Papazian