Author: Andres-Papazian

NEW GOVERNOR OF ARARAT PROVINCE APPOINTED

Thursday,
October
10

Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration Vatche Terterian
presented today Aramais Grigorian as candidate for Ararat province
governor for approval by the Armenian government.

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said that the Armenian president has
already signed the former Ararat governor Edik Barseghian’s resignation
application and the government can appoint a new governor.

The government approved A. Grigorian as governor of Ararat province.

TODAY, 13:19

Aysor.am

From: A. Papazian

ENVIRON 60% DES TRAVAUX DE CONSTRUCTION DU CORRIDOR DE TRANSPORT NORD-SUD SERA ACHEVEE AVANT LA FIN DE CETTE ANNEE

ARMENIE

Environ 60% des travaux pour la construction du corridor de transport
Nord-Sud a travers l’Armenie sera achevee avant la fin de cette annee
a declare le ministre des Transports et communications Gagik Beglaryan
lors d’une reunion du gouvernement. Selon lui, environ 500 mètres de
la route est en cours de betonnage par jour dans les deux directions.

” Actuellement, des travaux sont en cours sur les sections
Erevan-Ararat et Erevan-Ashtarak. Ce projet est mis en ~uvre par la
societe espagnole Corsan Corvian Construccion.

Le gouvernement armenien a approuve ce programme ainsi que d’une
convention de financement de 500 millions de dollars avec la Banque
asiatique de developpement le 14 Janvier 2010. L’objectif du projet
est d’ameliorer la route du corridor principal de l’Armenie dans
le cadre d’une poussee plus large pour ameliorer la connectivite et
accroître les possibilites commerciales, la croissance et les moyens
de subsistance dans les sous-regions du Caucase et d’Asie centrale.

Le projet de corridor de transport Nord-Sud a ete lancee par la Russie
et l’Iran. L’Armenie et l’Iran ont egalement convenu au plus haut
niveau d’examiner la possibilite d’etablir une liaison ferroviaire
entre les deux pays qui feront partie du corridor de transport.

jeudi 10 octobre 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

LES VIOLENCES DOMESTIQUES SOUS-EVALUEES EN ARMENIE

ARMENIE

Le gouvernement armenien a rejete un projet de loi qui definirait la
nature de la violence domestique et mettre au point des mecanismes
pour punir les auteurs et aider les victimes.

La decision a decu les militants qui ont passe des annees a preparer
le projet de loi, et qui insistent sur le fait qu’une legislation
specifique est necessaire pour aborder les questions où les lois
actuelles sont defaillantes. Plus de 760 cas de violence domestique
ont ete enregistres en Armenie l’annee dernière, dont cinq où les
femmes ont ete tuees par leur mari. Les activistes disent que les
statistiques ne representent qu’une fraction des vrais chiffres.

Le Centre des droits de la femme en Armenie a commence le processus de
redaction en 2007, et a presente un projet de loi pour le ministère du
travail et des affaires sociales deux ans plus tard. Après deux cas
très mediatises où les femmes ont ete assassinees par leurs maris,
le gouvernement a porte son attention sur la loi et mis en place un
groupe de travail special en 2011.

Maintenant, le vice-ministre du Travail d’Armenie, Filaret Berikyan,
a dit que le ministère de la justice, la police, les procureurs et
les juges ont decrit la loi comme inapplicable.

” Toutes les institutions impliquees dans la justice disent que
le système judiciaire n’est pas adapte a cette nouvelle loi. Nous
n’avons pas le genre de système de justice qui peut mettre en ~uvre
la loi sous cette forme “, a-t-il dit, ajoutant qu’un expert juridique
avait averti qu’une telle loi ” creerait plus de problèmes qu’elle
n’en resout “. Filaret Berikyan a suggere que la revision en cours
des lois penales actuelles pourrait bien repondre aux memes besoins
auxquels le projet de loi sur la violence familiale voulait s’attaquer.

” Le Premier ministre a deja propose des amendements a quatre codes
[sur les crimes et les sanctions] afin d’instaurer des mecanismes
permettant de reagir et de prevenir la violence domestique “,
a-t-il dit.

Indiquant que les responsables gouvernementaux pourraient
encore relancer le projet de loi si les revisions se sont averees
insuffisantes, Filaret Berikyan a dit : ” Avant que nous puissions
adopter une loi distincte, nous devons travailler sur la societe
et la preparer progressivement de sorte qu’il deviendra possible de
faire passer la loi a l’avenir “.

Les partisans du projet de loi disent que pour le moment, il n’existe
aucun mecanisme juridique qui permette a la police d’identifier
les victimes de violence domestique. Le projet de loi viserait a
proteger les victimes en interdisant aux assaillants de les approcher
ou d’entrer dans leurs maisons, meme lorsque la propriete appartient
a l’auteur.

Les fonctionnaires declarent que les lois actuelles regissant la
police, il serait illegal pour les agents de la force publique
d’empecher les proprietaires d’acceder a leur propriete.

Oliver McCoy, directeur du programme de democratisation au bureau de
l’OSCE a Erevan, a declare qu’il avait ete impressionne par les efforts
deployes pour presenter le projet de loi, et surpris par son rejet.

” Toutefois, l’OSCE, que je represente, respecte la decision du
gouvernement et comprend la situation ” a-t-il ajoute. ‘Le pays met en
~uvre des reformes juridiques graves et, si le projet etait adopte,
cela imposerait la necessite de mettre en ~uvre d’autres changements
dans d’autres lois “.

Pour les partisans d’une loi distincte, l’argument selon lequel elle
est incompatible avec d’autres lois ne tient pas la route.

Lara Aharonyan, chef du Centre de ressources des femmes, a declare
que les memes institutions qui ont maintenant critiquer le projet de
loi avait des representants assis dans le groupe de travail qui l’a
redige, et n’avait pas informe de conflits possibles, ou de changements
de formulation qui permettrait d’eviter les conflits.

David Amiryan, directeur adjoint de la fondation Open Society –
Armenie, a convenu qu’il etait trop tard pour soulever des objections
fondamentales.

” Cette loi a ete elabore sur plusieurs annees, finalisee et soumise
a un examen juste pour que les fonctionnaires de l’Etat se rendent
compte que cela ne correspond pas a la legislation en vigueur et doit
etre fait differemment ? ” a-t-il demande. ” Les ressources de l’Etat
ont ete depensees pour rien tout ce temps ? “.

Un groupe d’organisations de la societe civile a envoye au president
Serge Sarkissian une lettre avec plus de 1300 signatures apposees,
l’avertissant que l’abandon du projet de loi envoie exactement un
mauvais message.

” Le gouvernement affirme clairement au public armenien et au reste du
monde que la prevention de la violence domestique n’est pas consideree
comme un problème important “, indique le communique. ” Nous croyons
maintenant que le gouvernement n’a pas la volonte politique d’adopter
cette loi, mais il a constamment flirte avec elle afin de gagner du
temps, car il ne voulait pas aller a l’encontre des obligations qu’il
a contractees dans les conventions internationales “.

La decision a relance un vieux debat de savoir si l’Armenie a besoin
de legiferer sur la violence conjugale. Margaret Yesayan, un depute
du Parti republicain au pouvoir, a nie que la violence domestique
etait assez repandue pour justifier ce genre d’action.

” Nous avons beaucoup de lois qui traitent de la violence domestique,
d’une manière ou d’une autre. Il est evidemment possible de trouver
une solution dans le cadre de la legislation existante ” a-t-elle dit.

Naira Zohrabyan du parti Armenie Prospère a rejete cet argument,
insistant sur le fait que non seulement la loi est essentielle,
mais que beaucoup de travail serait alors necessaire pour changer
les attitudes du public.

” Le problème de la violence domestique est profondement enracinee
dans nos traditions nationales. Une femme abusee et souffrante ne
veut pas aller a la police, car elle croit qu’elle sera condamnee
par ses propres parents “, dit-elle. ” La legislation apporterait le
problème dans le domaine juridique, mais aucune loi ne resoudra les
choses a moins que nos propres changements de mentalite “.

Mary Alexanian est redacteur en chef du site des droits de l’homme
en Armenie.

Institute for War & Peace Reporting

jeudi 10 octobre 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

AZERI ANALYST SAYS WASHINGTON HEARINGS MESSAGE TO BAKU

Yeni Musavat, Azerbaijan
Oct 7 2013

Azerbaijani analyst Elxan Sahinoglu has said that the 9 October
hearings in the US Senate will serve as a message to Baku to make a
choice between the West and Russia.

In an interview with the opposition newspaper Yeni Musavat on 7
October, the analyst who leads the Atlas research centre, said that
Baku is expected to choose between integration with Russia and the West
after the presidential election on 9 October. According to Sahinoglu,
Azerbaijan is so far the only post-Soviet country that has yet to
make a choice between deeper integration with the West through the
European Union’s Eastern Partnership programme and that with Russia
through Moscow-backed Customs Union.

The analyst said that neither Moscow, nor Washington with Brussels
will accept Baku’s neutral position. “Both poles wish to see Azerbaijan
side with them. Azerbaijan is in all aspects the region’s key state,”
Sahinoglu said.

The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee in its hearings on “A
Pivotal Moment for the Eastern Partnership: Outlook for Ukraine,
Moldova, Georgia, Belarus, Armenia and Azerbaijan” is likely to focus
on Azerbaijan and Armenia, the analyst said. “In speeches concerning
Armenia, the Kremlin’s pressure on Yerevan will be emphasized and this
policy of Moscow will be criticized… The easy financial allocations
of the USA and EU for Armenia will be left behind. If Armenia chose
Russia, it must turn to Russia for help.”

He described Baku’s decision to join the Non-Alignment Movement
as a “wrong move” that only increased the pressure on Azerbaijan
and predicted a more intense struggle for Baku after the 9 October
presidential election. “Both poles regarded Azerbaijan’s membership
in the Non-Alignment Movement as Baku’s hesitation to make a choice.

Therefore, pressure on Azerbaijan further increased.”

According to Sahinoglu, there is no doubt that Azerbaijan will opt for
the European Union. “Simply, if this choice was sped up, increased
pressure from Russia could be neutralized earlier. As long as it
stays neutral, Moscow’s pressure on Azerbaijan will increase. If
Azerbaijan’s main allies, partners within GUAM – Georgia, Ukraine
and Moldova – will stand by the EU, then we should be there too.”

Not signing the Customs Union with Russia will hurt Azerbaijan’s
exports to Russia, the analyst said. “It is obvious that some problems
may emerge in import and export operations with Russia if Azerbaijan
does not become a member of the Customs Union. If this is so, then the
best place for our goods is the 500m-strong European market. For this
we must first sign the associative membership agreement with the EU.

This is also in line with Azerbaijan’s national and security
interests.”

[Translated from Azeri]

From: A. Papazian

DAY OF MOUNTAINS AND MOUNTAINEERING MARKED IN ARMENIA ON OCTOBER 9

Armenian Mountaineering and Hiking Federation together with Armenian
mountaineers of the United States, Lebanon and other countries decided
to mark Day of Mountains and Mountaineering on October 9 each year.

This choice is due to the fact that on October 9, 1929, Armenian writer
and public figure Khachatur Abovian and Prof. Friedrich Parrot of
the University of Dorpat (now the University Tartu, Estonia) made
the ascent of Mount Ararat for the first time.

A number of events will be held each year to mark Mountaineering Day.

From: A. Papazian

GAGIK MELIKIAN: BAKU WILL SUFFER IRRETRIEVABLE LOSSES IN CASE OF NEW WAR

“Our country constantly faces the danger of war. In the past 20 years,
the threats voiced by Azerbaijan have not declined. On the contrary,
they are increasing. For this reason we should display vigilance and
act jointly,” the member of the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) Board
Gagik Melikian told the correspondent of Aysor.am when commenting on
the large-scale command and staff exercises held in Armenia.

In accordance with the development plan of the Armenian Armed Forces,
‘Response 2013’ command and staff exercises took place on October 7-9.

In the words of Melikian, in order to deter the threats, one should
be prepared to counter them and from this point of view, consistency
of actions of state bodies and society is essential.

“If Azerbaijan makes an attempt to unleash a war again, this time
its losses will be irretrievable,” Gagik Melikian said.

From: A. Papazian

ZHOGHOVURD: KOTAYK REGION GOVERNOR TO RESIGN

by Marianna Lazarian
Wednesday, October 9, 12:50

Governor of Kotayk Region Kovalenko Shahgeldyan will send in his
resignation shortly, a local Zhoghorvurd newspaper writes.

The paper writes that President Serzh Sargsyan openly hinted at that
at the latest meeting in Jermuk. At the same time, the source reports,
Sargsyan is going to dismiss the governors who are at the pension age.

Nevertheless, Zhoghovurd writes, the reasons of Shahgeldyan’s
resignation is not only the age but also his involvement in the case
on embezzlement of large volumes of diesel fuel that were provided
to the regions by the Government.

Quite recently, Governor of Ararat Region Edik Barseghyan has also sent
in his resignation. By unofficial data, the reason of his resignation
is the case on embezzlement of diesel fuel. The probable candidates
for the post of Ararat Governor are ex-head of the Police Alik Sargsyan
and the owner of Avshar Company Araik Grigoryan.

From: A. Papazian

HRAPARAK: PROSECUTORS ANXIOUS

All the prosecutors of Armenia are currently in suspense over
resignation proposals as rumors persists that ‘if Gevorg Kostanian
has an opportunity, he will change 80% of employees of the prosecutor
office,” according to ‘Hraparak’ daily.

The paper notes that especially anxious are those who were recently
mentioned as candidates for prosecutor general.

“Yerevan Prosecutor Hrach Badalian is said to have declared everywhere
that he had no intention of becoming prosecutor general, moreover,
he does not even know who mentioned his name, and so forth – in the
hope that his words will reach Kostanian’s ears,” the paper writes.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJANI AUTHORITIES EMPLOYING ALL ARSENAL AHEAD OF VOTE – AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

October 09, 2013 | 13:49

Harassment, intimidation, ill-treatment, arbitrary arrests, fabricated
charges and unfair trials are all part of the arsenal the Azerbaijani
authorities are employing in a downward spiral of oppression in the
run up to the 9 October 2013 presidential elections, said Amnesty
International.

“With new arrests of civil society activists reported almost daily,
it’s hard to keep up with the sheer number and the speed at which
dissenters are being persecuted at the moment,” said John Dalhuisen,
Amnesty International’s Europe and Central Asia Director.

“The persecution is so widespread and frequent it’s difficult to
assess just how bad the current situation really is.”

“We have already adopted no fewer than 14 people as prisoners
of conscience. These people are currently behind bars solely for
expressing their views or taking peaceful action.”

In its new report published today, Downward spiral: Continuing
crackdown on freedoms in Azerbaijan, the organization documents
and analyses how the government has been intimidating and silencing
critics ever since the widespread protests in March and April 2011.

The report documents how the activities of non-governmental
organizations (NGOs), the media, critical and pro-democracy groups
and opposition parties have come under attack.

Azerbaijan is a party to all key human rights treaties which protect
the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association, amongst
other fundamental human rights. It is also a member of the Council
of Europe, and an important trading partner for many of its members.

However, its international partners appear to have little traction.

Concerns voiced by Azerbaijan’s international partners over the
“continued pressure” on activists, civil society and independent
media have been rejected by the Azerbaijani authorities.

“Azerbaijan should put an end to the harassment and suppression of
civil society and independent media. The international community must
do everything in its power to ensure that the government of Azerbaijan
fully respects and adheres to its obligations under international law,”
said John Dalhuisen.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: A. Papazian

BUSINESSMAN URGES NEW GENERAL PROSECUTOR TO INVESTIGATE OFFSHORE CASE, NO MATTER WHO IS IMPLICATED

Ararat Davtyan

10:30, October 9, 2013

Businessman Paylak Hayrapetyan has called on Armenia’s newly appointed
Prosecutor General Gevorg Kostanyan to immediately look into the
offshore fraud case, no matter who might be implicated.

Hayrapetyan’s assets are being sold off by AmeriaBank after being
put up as collateral for loans totaling $10.7 million by one Ashot
Sukisayan. Also implicated in the case are RA Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan and Locum Tenens of the Ararat Diocese of the Armenian
Apostolic Church, Archbishop Navasard Kjoyan.

“We’re not talking about $10 or $100 here. They pocketed $11 million.

It’s disappeared. Answers have to be given as to who the money
was given to and how. They have to call in the prime minister for
questioning. Let them subpoena the prime minister and Kjoyan,”
declared Paylak Hayrapetyan, noting that he is ready to meet with
them face to face.

“When I used to go to Ashot Sukiasyan’s house, the prime minister
and Kjoyan were there. The church choir was there with Kjoyan. So
were the theater and the cinema. Kjoyan never used to go to the
monastery. He was there with from morning till night, like he was
an employee of Sukiasyan. Kjoyan’s photo was affixed to the wall,
like a cross. Call them in and question them,” Hayrapetyan said.

Last month, an Armenian investigative team was sent to Cyprus.

Hayrapetyan says that according to the head examiner, that the team
has compiled its findings.

“But the head examiner says the findings aren’t yet ready and must
be translated. I don’t understand this delay,” adds Hayrapetyan.

One month ago, Hayrapetyan told Hetq that when he asked Sukiasyan
what he did with the money the latter started to list – “…I gave
the bank 5% of the loan as a kickback.” According to Hayrapetyan,
just two days ago the examiner told him that he would be called for
questioning by the police about this point in the next few days.

“The jails are full of thieves who have lifted 10,000 Drams from this
or that pocket. Here, we are talking about a $600,000 kickback. And
they aren’t doing anything. All the fraud and deceit started with the
business plan drafted by AmeriaBank,” says Hayrapetyan, voicing hope
that the General Prosecutor will take neasures to also question top
managers of the bank – Gagik Sahakyan (Corporate Banking Director),
Artak Hanesyan (Chairman of the Management Board) and Andrei Lazarian
(Chief Executive Officer of Ameria Group of Companies).

“How long will they continue like this? There’s no one left in the
country. It’s gotten to a point where even the relatively wealthy
are disillusioned and are leaving. In the end, only the swindlers
will be left. Justice is needed to solve the emigration problem,”
Hayrapetyan said.

(Photo, from left: Ashot Sukiasyan, PM Sargsyan, Archbishop Kjoyan)

From: A. Papazian