Author: Andres-Papazian

Villagers ask Armenia PM to have their community recognized frontier village

July 05, 2014 | 16:39

In order to have peace, the Armenian side should to respond to the
adversary’s fire by firing twice as many shots.

Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan on Saturday stated the aforesaid
during his talk with the residents of Verin Karmiraghbyur village, and
within the framework of his visit to the border zone in the Tavush
Region.

Village prefect Kamo Chobanyan, for his part, stated that their
greatest desire is peace, the Armenian News-NEWS.am reporter informed
from location.

In addition, Chobanyan complained that although their rural community
is not formally considered a frontier village, their lands and
pastures are under Azerbaijani fire. For that reason, he asked the PM
to also include their village in the list of Armenia’s frontier
villages, so that they likewise can be exempt from some taxes.

Abrahamyan advised to petition to the government in order to have this
village included in the aforementioned list.

Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan’s visit to the border areas of the
Tavush Region wrapped up in Verin Karmiraghbyur village.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: A. Papazian

Armenian Nuclear Power Plant to suspend operations for 45 days

July 5, 2014 – 18:07 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – In early September, the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant
(ANPP) will be shut down for 45 days for planned repairs, Minister of
Energy and Natural Resources said, according to Aysor.am.

At the July 4 annual meeting of shareholders, Yervand Zakharyan
informed of the planned signing of a deal between Armenia and Russia,
with the latter to provide a $300 million loan to extend the NPP’s
service life.

The negotiations are in the final stage, the matter concerns a
long-term loan at a low interest rate, the minister said.

According to him, the construction of a new nuclear plant will cost
$4.5 billion. The project is expected to start in 2018-2019.

From: A. Papazian

MONNAIES ARMENIENNES
La Banque Centrale d’Arménie honore la Coupe du Monde 2014 par
l’émission d’une monnaie

La Banque Centrale d’Arménie a honoré par l’émission d’une médaille,
la Coupe du Monde 2014 qui se déroule au Brésil. D’une valeur faciale
de 100 drams la monnaie frappée en 5 000 exemplaires est en argent.
Les drapeaux ainsi que les noms des 32 pays qui disputent la phase
finale de la Coupe du Monde 2014 sont gravés sur la monnaie avec au
centre l’inscription >.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 5 juillet 2014,
Krikor Amirzayan (c)armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAÏDJAN
Un grand séisme venu de la Caspienne pourrait ravager Bakou selon le
sismologue azéri

Selon Tayir Mamedli, le responsable du Centre de sismologie
d’Azerbaïdjan, les risques d’un séisme à Bakou demeurent très forts.
Dans une interview accordée à l’agence Ans-Press, le sismologue azéri
informe que plusieurs zones en Azerbaïdjan présentent des risques de
fortes intensités sismiques. >
dit T. Mamedli qui redoute ainsi qu’un grand séisme atteigne Bakou.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 5 juillet 2014,
Krikor Amirzayan (c)armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

Armenia has constitution without constitutionality – opinions

10:15 * 05.07.14

Since 1995, Armenia has been celebrating July 5 as the day of national
constitution.

Nineteen years ago today, the country adopted its basic law in a
nationwide referendum. Subsequent amendments were passed in 2005. A
concept of new constitutional reforms is now under preparation.

Larisa Alaverdyan, a former ombudsman of Armenia who now heads the NGO
Against Illegal Arbitrariness, says she believes that both the 1995
constitutions and the 2005 amendments were passed in somewhat
suspicious circumstances.

“The society remained with the belief that the constitution’s adoption
was rigged as were the 1995 [parliamentary] elections. It is a very
regrettable fact that leaves its imprint on what we call
constitutionality,” she told Tert.am, adding that she considers the
concept as demanded and actual now as it was in 1995.

Alaverdyan noted that despite all the shortcomings, the Armenian
society has developed a positive understanding of the constitution.
“The declarative – if not non-functioning – constitution has enabled
the the society’s most active groups to gain experience, especially
after the 2005 [amendments] that broadened the mechanisms of
administering justice through the Constitutional Court,” she added.

Gagik Jhangiryan, an opposition MP (Armenian National Congress) and a
former military prosecutor who was involved in the drawing up of the
1995 Constitution, said he doesn’t think the constitutional norms are
being ignored in Armenia.

“The Constitution defines the guarantees of human rights protection,
but what can the people do if they are not enforced?”he said, when
asked to comment on the civic campaigns that often see the different
groups of the society standing up for the protection of what is widely
believed to be constitutional rights.

Chairman of the Helsinki Committee Avetik Ishkhanhyan said absolutely
all constitutions have two basic parts despite the different
philosophies.

“The first part is a declarative one which sets out prospects,
provisions regarding human rights etc. If we approach the question
from that angle, [the constitution] of more autocratic countries may
have a better wording,” he said. “Hence the less declarative part,
which stipulates the mechanisms of government formation is much more
essential. So [the important thing] is to really be a democratic,
legal and social state rather than to be declared as such.”

Ishkhanyan noted that some constitutions do not stipulate for the
separation of powers to ensure guarantees for an independent judiciary
and local self-government, whereas many others propose the medieval
monarchic government model (semi-presidential system).

“From that point of view, our constitution reflects the monarchic
philosophy despite the 2005 amendments. It proposes an authoritarian
dependence of the entire government system upon the president. And
that is why our society often makes references to the declarative
parts of the constitution,” he said.

Asked whether he thinks constitutional reforms are now necessary for
Armenia, Iskhkahnyan he finds a change of philosophy more important.
“It has to be a public demand to make the authorities to adopt such
changes based on a consensus. What has been initiated today, in the
current atmosphere of distrust, gives me the confidence that the
authorities do not wish to make a separation of powers,” he added.

Artak Zeynalyan, a co-founder of the local NGO, Rule of Law, said
reforms he finds reforms very important despite the absence of a
public demand. But he was unsure whether the proposed amendments are
in any way linked to Armenia’s plans to join the Eurasian Customs
Union.

Armenian News – Tert.am

From: A. Papazian

TURKEY DENIES CLAIMS IT WILL OPEN ARMENIA BORDER GATE

Trend, Azerbaijan
July 4 2014

Turkey has denied claims that the border gate between Armenia and
Turkey will be opened, Anadolu Agency reported.

The denial came after a Turkish newspaper published a claim that
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had issued an order that
the Alican Border Gate, which has been closed since 1993 after Armenia
invaded Azerbaijani soil, be opened.

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgic said in a written
statement on Friday: “The claims that the Alican Border Gate located
between Turkey and Armenia will be opened do not reflect the truth.”

Bilgic said the opening of the gate would be considered by Turkey only
if the relations in Southern Caucasus started a normalization process.

“Armenia needs to show its will to begin normalizing its relations
with Azerbaijan and take the necessary steps accordingly,” said Bilgic.

Azerbaijan and Armenia, two former Soviet republics, fought a war
over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh between 1988 and 1994.

Efforts to resolve to the dispute have so far failed and there have
been several border clashes since a ceasefire was signed.

The two countries have no diplomatic relations.

From: A. Papazian

WHAT DOES SPY-SATELLITE GIVE AZERBAIJAN?

Turan Information Agency, Azerbaijan
July 3, 2014 Thursday

Launching by Azerbaijan its reconnaissance satellite is an important
milestone in strengthening the potential and the technical intelligence
system of the country. This is the general opinion of military
experts. One of the former officers in the field of technical
intelligence, on condition of anonymity, said that Azerbaijan now
has become virtually independent in the matters of cosmic intelligence.

Until now such data could come from the USA, Russia, Turkey or another
country having spy satellites. Now there is not such a need, and if to
believe the post of the French company which has launched a satellite,
Baku can follow what is happening on the ground in real time. “It
is clear that we are talking about the situation on the front line
in the war zone in Karabakh, and on the border with Armenia. Even
the territory of Armenia itself now is not a secret for Azerbaijan,”
said the expert.

This system with a well- developed interaction with the ground forces
(artillery, air force, special forces, etc.) can significantly enhance
a military capability and effectiveness of the use of conventional
military capabilities.

Earlier data on the deployment and movement of enemy forces and
facilities can be noted by using the radio intercept infiltration
intelligence groups or through agents, but now it will all be seen
from space.

“From now on, an important task will be the correct and timely use
of the information obtained. This raises a significant maneuver to
deceive the enemy,” said the expert.

However, this allows the satellite to control not only the situation
in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia, but also in the Caspian Sea, in the
territory of neighboring countries.

Note that this winter Turan correspondent was able to visit the company
Arianspace in the city of Toulouse, where a group of journalists
from Azerbaijan were demonstrated capabilities of spy-satellites. For
example, they were shown photographs and video footage taken from an
altitude of several hundred kilometers, enabling the monitoring of
the football match as on TV.

But the most impressive fact is that from the satellite could be seen
underground facilities and that was under the roofs of buildings. The
representative of the company said that the capabilities of the
reconnaissance satellite are not limited. -02Â-

From: A. Papazian

Federation of Armenian Organisations in The Netherlands FAON
Address: Weesperstraat 91
2574 VS The Hague, The Netherlands
Telephone: +31704490209
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: M. Hakhverdian

Press Release

States Provincial of Overijssel (The Netherlands) recognises the Armenian
Genocide

The Hague, 3 July 2014 ­ The States Provicial of Dutch province of
Overijssel (The Provincial Parliament of Overijssel) adopted at the meeting
of 2 July 2014 a motion which calls against the way in which Turkish
organisations on 1 June 2014, have protested against the presence of an
Armenian Genocide memorial on private property of the Armenian church in
Almelo. During the rally insulting, threatening and hurtful statements were
made against Armenians, whereby the Genocide has been grossly denied. The
motion submitted by Christian Union (CU), the Reformed Political Party
(SGP), Party for Freedom (PVV) and Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) refers
to the period of 1915-1918 when about 1.5 million people (Armenians,
Assyrians and Pontic Greeks) were brutally slaughtered in the former Ottoman
Empire.

The motion dissociates itself from the protest rally of genocide deniers and
expresses the recognition of the Armenian Genocide with reference to the
motion of the Dutch Parliament in 2004. The States Provincial (the
Provincial Parliament) makes also a signal to the Armenian community that it
has the right to a dignified memorial place.
 
In connection with the statements during the Turkish demonstration on 1 June
2014, the Joint Armenian Organisations (FAON and Hay Tad) have filed a
complaint last week.

From: A. Papazian

REPORT: TURKEY PREPARING TO OPEN ITS ARMENIA BORDER

Cihan News Agency (CNA), Turkey
July 4, 2014 Friday

ISTANBUL (CIHAN)- The Turkish government is preparing to open the
Alican border gate with Armenia, possibly in September of this year,
as part of its efforts to normalize ties with the neighboring country,
the Taraf daily reported on Friday.

Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 in solidarity with
Azerbaijan after Armenian-backed armed forces occupied 20 percent of
Azerbaijan in 1992, including the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

According to Taraf, opening the border with Armenia will be the second
step on the way to normalizing Turkish-Armenian relations, following
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s April 23 statement extending
condolences to the grandchildren of Armenians who were killed in 1915.

Erdogan’s surprising statement came just one day before April 24,
when Armenians commemorate the events they describe as genocide.

Ankara’s policy is that the 1915 events do not amount to genocide, and
Turkey argues that both Turks and Armenians were killed when Armenians
revolted against the Ottoman Empire during World War l in collaboration
with the Russian army, which was then invading eastern Anatolia.

Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has been looking
ways to improve relations with Armenia before the year 2015 — the
100th anniversary of the “Armenian Genocide.” According to Taraf,
the Erdogan government is preparing to open the border gate as part
of a move to try to anticipate the expected campaign for recognition
of the “genocide” by Armenians.

The daily also reported that the Highways General Directorate has
asphalted seven kilometers of road leading to the Alican border. The
official opening timing has not yet been determined, but Taraf reports
that the gate may well be open in September of this year.

Ankara is aiming to improve problematic areas in its foreign policy
this year in the hope of reducing Western criticism — particularly
from the US — regarding issues of democracy and freedom in Turkey.

Improving ties with Armenia is one of these steps, along with resuming
the negotiations in Cyprus and normalizing ties with Israel.

A Turkish Foreign Ministry official who spoke to Today’s Zaman on
Friday on condition of anonymity said the report is baseless, but
chose not to elaborate further.

Attending a reception on April 23 after he issued his condolences,
Erdogan said that without a solution to some issues, such as the
Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, Turkey will not consider opening the border.

The status of Nagorno-Karabakh — a disputed enclave overwhelmingly
populated by ethnic Armenians — and seven adjacent provinces is
a seemingly intractable problem in the South Caucasus. Diplomatic
efforts to find a lasting solution to the conflict have failed for
the past 20 years, after Armenia occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijani
territory in the early 1990s, including Nagorno-Karabakh, Turkey
closed its border with Armenia in 1993 in solidarity with Azerbaijan.

The issue of Armenia’s withdrawal from the area surrounding
Nagorno-Karabakh is of importance to Ankara, which has frequently
signaled that this step would ease the way for the reopening of the
border with Armenia.

Speaking to journalists at the same reception, Foreign Minister
Ahmet Davutoglu said the prime minister’s statement was not issued
under pressure from anyone and that it should be seen as a “call” to
Armenians. Stressing that Turkey is attempting to share the pain of
Armenians, Davutoglu expressed his hope that Armenians would respond
positively to the prime minister’s call so that Turks and Armenians
can build a future and make history together.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN DISTRICT FACES FRESH MISSILE RAID IN SYRIA’S ALEPPO

11:27 * 04.07.14

Syria’s Armenian-populated neighborhood of Nor Kyugh has come under
fresh rocket attacks while the tensions between militant rebels and
government forces continue in the country.

The local Armenian weekly Gandzasar says in a Facebook post that two
Armenians, Harut Chorbajyan and David Meyhanachyan, were wounded in
the explosion of a makeshift missile on Thursday night.

Deaths are reported among the servicemen conducting the defense of
the district. The attack has also caused material losses, leaving
several buildings and apartments damaged.

Tert.am’s sources in Aleppo say that the clashes and tensions in
the vicinities of Nor Kyugh continued throughout the night, with the
missile raids and skirmishes disturbing the population.

The shortage of water continues to remain a pressing problem in
Aleppo. The water supply network, that went out of order last month,
is said to be very difficult to repair amid the continuing clashes.

Over 1 million residents of the city do not have access to clean water.

The water dug out from the wells of school-, mosque- and church-yards
is unfit for drinking.

Armenian News – Tert.am

From: A. Papazian