Author: Andres-Papazian

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION PARTY RENEWS CALLS FOR GOVERNMENT’S RESIGNATION IN WAKE OF RECENT SCANDALS

POLITICS | 09.07.13 | 09:30

A major opposition party in Armenia remains unconvinced by the
explanations of the government regarding the recent corruption and
other scandals and wants the authorities to step down.

In a statement released following its Board’s meeting last weekend,
the Armenian National Congress (ANC) said that the recent revelations
of state budget misappropriations and corruption cases involving
senior members of the government were more than enough not only for
the resignation of the government and senior members of the country’s
leadership, but also for an ‘entire change of power’ in the country.

In its statement the ANC addressed the report by the Control Chamber
claiming that a considerable amount of public spending in the spheres
of construction and state purchases was misappropriated by officials
or was at risk of being misappropriated. It also referred to the
so-called ‘offshore scandal’ around Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
as well as the allegedly unpublicized agreement with Russia on the
increase in natural gas prices that was not made public until after
the election cycle in Armenia.

“The government has not provided any founded explanations regarding
these three scandalous facts. Moreover, it could not do so since we
deal with indisputable, real facts,” the ANC said.

The opposition party represented by a small faction in the National
Assembly pledged “to continue to reveal the criminal essence and
manner of action of the regime and create a public and political
atmosphere that will lead to [President] Serzh Sargsyan’s resignation.”

Last week senior ANC member Levon Zurabyan said that they saw
sufficient grounds for impeaching the president over what the
opposition regards as an instance of overt pressure on Control Chamber
Chairman Ishkhan Zakharyan. Zurabyan said since the Control Chamber is
an independent body by the Constitution, scolding its head and trying
to interfere in its work is a violation of the country’s basic laws.

Meanwhile, representatives of the ruling Republican Party last week
did not exclude that changes would be made in the law on the Control
Chamber in order to make the scope of its powers more definite.

Earlier, the president and the prime minister accused the Control
Chamber’s chairman of overstepping his powers by making political
statements instead of just presenting facts in his annual report.

From: A. Papazian

HAK: AUTHORITIES DID NOT PROVIDE WEIGHTY EXPLANATIONS ON RECENT EVENTS

Tuesday,July 09

The Armenian National Congress (HAK) issued a statement on the recent
events in Armenia at the sitting HAK Board on Saturday, July 6.

In particular, the HAK statement addresses the RA Control Chamber’s
report on violations revealed in 2012, the increase in the natural
gas tariff, the ‘offshore scandal’ linked with the name of Armenian
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan and Primate of Ararat Diocese of the
Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Navasard Kchoyan.

“The authorities did not provide weighty explanations regarding
these three scandalous facts, nor could they provide as we deal with
irrefutable, real facts,” the statement notes.

“By their political weight, these facts give sufficient grounds for
the resignation of the government and top leaders of the country,
and for a complete change of power in Armenia,” the HAK statement said.

From: A. Papazian

10-20 PERCENT PRICE RISE INEVITABLE IN ARMENIA

15:40 ~U 09.07.13

A price rise of 10 to 20 percent is expected in Armenia soon because
of the incompetent economic policy, to be followed by a further price
rise, Chairman of the Union of Consumers NGO Armen Poghosyan told
journalists on Tuesday.

“The fares will inevitably rise,” he added.

“If the government or the municipal authorities ask how they should
act to prevent a price rise or, if prices do rise, how they should
act to avert people’s curses,” he said.

“I cannot say exact figures nor can anyone else, but our monitoring
shows that a 10 to 20 percent price rise will take place,” he said.

Poghosyan said that at its meeting on Tuesday Armenia’s government
will discuss the country’s economic program until 2020, and he will
participate in the discussion.

“But I do not see a prospect of a competent analysis by the
government,” Poghosyan said.

Armenian News – Tert.am

From: A. Papazian

ANDREY SOROKIN: FUNDAMENTAL POSITIVE CHANGES HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN ARMENIA OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, BUT THERE IS STILL MUCH TO BE DONE

ArmInfo’s interview with Ambassador Andrey Sorokin, the Head of the
OSCE Office in Yerevan

by Marianna Lazarian

Tuesday, July 9, 16:32

Mr. Ambassador, what is your assessment of the OSCE’s activities in
Armenia? What projects have been recently implemented? How effective
are the ongoing reforms?

Our Office has a rather wide mandate. We work in all three dimensions
of the OSCE: politico-military, economic and environmental and human.

In these three dimensions we are implementing a range of projects to
assist the country in various fields. I’ll try to detail the most
essential ones.

Since 2012 our Office with the financial support of the European
Union has been implementing a large-scale project on strengthening
electoral processes in Armenia. The project budget is 1.7 mln Euro and
it included a large number of activities. Thus, the Office assisted
the Central Electoral Commission in re-equipping its electronic
network for the transfer of voting results from polling stations, as
well as organized training for election commission members (nearly
14,000 people) and journalists. The project helped to increase the
civic oversight over election processes. NGOs presented their
assessment of the election procedures and the results of the media
monitoring. In general, I think the project has fulfilled its main
objective – assisting Armenia in improving the election
administration, which was noted by both international and local
observers.

In the politico-military dimension, we closely co-operate with the
Armenian Police in improving police activities. The reform includes
several components: building trust and co-operation between the Police
and the population, introduction of the so-called ‘community-based
policing’. This new Community Policing Model was introduced throughout
Yerevan last year. Another important aspect of the police reform is
the reform in the field of police education and here I can see
positive developments. Thus, with our support a new three-tier
Educational Complex was established, which includes the Police
Academy, the Police College and the Police Training Centre. A new
examination system has been developed for the applicants to the police
educational establishments, new composition of independent admission
commissions was introduced. We will see the results of these changes
only in few years when we will have the first graduates, but currently
we are “laying the foundation”.

I’d like to mention also our project on economic reform that we
launched in partnership with the Government of Armenia last year. The
aim of the project, also known as a “Regulatory Guillotine”, is a
significant reduction and simplification of regulatory burden for
businesses. How does it work in practice? A special government
institution has been formed and operating from last year to examine
the regulatory framework of specific sectors, gives a detailed account
of the corresponding business processes, makes comparative analysis of
the current procedures with the best international practice and
prepares a package of proposals for further approval by the
Government. Armenia is currently highly regulated with nearly 26,000
regulatory acts. This figure will be reduced at least by 30% as a
result of this project. It is hard to speak about the project’s
efficiency at this stage, however, the experience of other countries
shows positive changes in business environment and investments
climate. I am sure the result will be positive in Armenia as well.

In conclusion, I’d like to add that it is hard to list all the
projects implemented by our Office (there were nearly 25 projects in
2012 and in the current year). Their aim is to assist Armenia in
implementing legislative, legal and judicial reforms in various
fields, such as gender equality, media freedom, migration, respect for
human rights, and active involvement of civil society in all spheres
of public life.

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Leonid
Kozhara, is expected to visit Armenia and Azerbaijan shortly. What
kind of agreements are to be reached in Baku and Yerevan in the course
of the upcoming visit? Does the visit pursue a goal of reanimating the
actually frozen negotiations?

Indeed, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Foreign Minister of the
Ukraine, Leonid Kozhara, will visit Armenia shortly (expected to take
place in the first half of July). As you may know, the OSCE
Chairmanship rotates every year.The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office usually
visits all OSCE field missions to, first of all, better familiarize
himself with the activities of the missions and the situation in the
country, and, secondly, to meet with the leadership of the country to
discuss current problems and raise issues that fall within the scope
of the OSCE activities.

The OSCE Office in Yerevan actively cooperates with the Armenian
Ombudsman Office and provides significant financial assistance to the
latter. However, the Human Rights Defender’s Office often complains
about insufficient financing. Do you consider any possibility of
additional financing for the Human Rights Defender’s Office and what
it could be spent on?

As you know, the OSCE Office has been implementing a project aimed at
promoting protection of human rights in Armenia during elections
through strengthening the capacity of the Human Rights Defender’s
Office. Under this EU-funded project, the Human Rights Defender’s
Office received assistance in monitoring and ensuring rapid reaction
of alleged electoral violations throughout the country. Six regional
offices of the institution in Yeghegnadzor, Kapan, Gavar, Idjevan,
Gyumri and Vanadzor have been successfully operating for already 1.5
year. There is a hotline that receives and registers complaints on
alleged violations of human rights and provides rapid legal
assistance. In addition, during elections Rapid Reaction Groups were
set up in Yerevan and the regions in order to ensure direct and prompt
response on the received calls about violations. Regional offices and
Rapid Reaction Groups operated successfully at all levels during the
last parliamentary and presidential elections and the results of their
work are promising. I really hope that the positive result of our
activities will prompt further financial support for the Ombudsman’s
regional offices from the state budget. This will allow sustainable
development of the Human Rights Defender’s Institution and its
regional offices. We, in turn, will further support and provide expert
assistance to the Ombudsman’s Office of Armenia within the framework
of our projects, including support in implementation of the national
preventive mechanism.

In 2012-2013 nation-wide elections were held in Armenia that were
observed by the OSCE. What is your assessment of the democratization
and reform process in Armenia?

First of all, I would like to remind that international election
observation is a prerogative of the OSCE/ODIHR and our Office is not
directly engaged in election observation. I think ODIHR’s assessment
is known to everyone: a significant progress was observed in
administration of election processes and respect for fundamental
rights in the election context. Comparatively, the latest elections
were assessed more positively than the previous ones. In some key
issues, however, observers stressed the need for further reforms,
outlining misuse of administrative resources, cases of pressure on
voters and undue interventions by unauthorized persons.

Not being directly engaged in election observation, our Office however
follows the democratic developments and trends in the country within
its long-term activities on strengthening the electoral systems, as
elections are one of the indicators of democratic development. One can
state for sure, and it is also evident from the evolving profile of
activities of international structures, that fundamental positive
changes have taken place in Armenia over the last several years. The
public has had a big role in fostering this change, as it is better
informed, more active, and follows the activities of various state
structures more consistently and persistently. Undoubtedly, this is
also a result of increased openness of public institutions. At the
same time one should admit that these positive changes are seen only
within the context of comparative assessment. More should be done to
achieve the required standards in many fields, such as judicial,
law-enforcement, penitentiary system, fight against corruption at all
levels, and the freedom of mass media.

From: A. Papazian

L’Orient-Le Jour, Liban
7 juillet 2013

Atterrissage réussi pour le premier vol MEA Beyrouth-Erevan

Liban – Échanges Le premier avion de la MEA qui joint Beyrouth à la
capitale arménienne Erevan a atterri vendredi avec à bord le ministre
de l’Industrie, Vrej Sabounjian, et le PDG de la MEA, Mohammad
el-Hout. Cette initiative s’inscrit dans le cadre de la dynamisation
des relations industrielles et commerciales entre le Liban et
l’Arménie, mais également avec les pays de l’ex-Union soviétique.

Le premier vol direct à bord de la Middle East Airlines (MEA)
Beyrouth-Erevan a atterri vendredi dans la capitale arménienne avec à
bord, outre plusieurs députés, le ministre sortant de l’Industrie Vrej
Sabounjian, le président du conseil d’administration de la MEA
Mohammad el-Hout, le président de l’Union des banques arabes, Joseph
Torbey, et le président de la Lebanese Franchise Association (LFA),
Charles Arbid. Selon le communiqué publié par le ministère de
l’Industrie, le vol, qui dure 1 heure 40 minutes, est une initiative
qui s’inscrit dans la volonté de la MEA de trouver de nouveaux marchés
ainsi que de réduire les coûts et les distances entre les membres de
la diaspora arménienne.
À l’issue de l’atterrissage, M. Hout a rendu hommage au ministre
Sabounjian, qui « a `uvré un an durant afin que ce projet voie le jour
», et au gouverneur de la Banque du Liban pour son soutien à cette
initiative. Le PDG de la MEA a mis l’accent sur la portée économique
de cette nouvelle ligne directe qui va dynamiser les relations entre
les hommes d’affaires des deux pays.

De son côté, le ministre Sabounjian a loué les efforts continuels de
M. Hout « qui cherche continuellement à trouver de nouveaux marchés
aux industriels et commerçants libanais ». M. Sabounjian a en outre
souligné le fait que Erevan sera une plateforme pour les autres pays
de l’ex-Union soviétique comme la Géorgie ou l’Azerbaïdjan. « Le vol
direct Beyrouth-Erevan consolidera les relations bilatérales entre les
investisseurs libanais et arméniens, d’une part, et ceux des pays de
l’Europe de l’Est, d’autre part », a-t-il indiqué. M. Sabounjian a
enfin lancé un appel aux hommes d’affaires libanais pour qu’ils
encouragent les vols de la MEA qui « a fait preuve de résilience
malgré la conjoncture économique et politique du pays ».

From: A. Papazian

La Voix du Nord, France
6 juillet 2013

Un peintre arménien expose à l’agence Voix du Nord de Fourmies

Publié le 06/07/2013
Par R.D.R.

Vachagan Abrahamyan est Arménien. Il est arrivéen France il y a deux
ans et demi et domicilié à Fourmies depuis un an tout juste.

« J’ai commencé à peindre en France », nous explique celui qui a
laissé une demi-douzaine de toiles à notre agence Voix du Nord de
Fourmies. Des paysages et quelques natures mortes qui valent le coup
d’`il. Vachagan a proposé une première exposition de ses peintures,
des huiles et de l’acrylique, « l’année dernière à Trélon ». Il
aimerait progresser, mais « ici il n’y a pas d’école de peinture ».

Demandeur d’asile, Vachagan Abrahamyan, après avoir été domicilié en
Italie puis ailleurs en France, est aujourd’hui accueilli au monastère
des Clarisses de Fourmies. Il fait « beaucoup de volontariat : «
jardinage, réparer des ordinateurs, aider les enfants… »
explique-t-il. Il continue à apprendre la langue française – qu’il
maîtrise déjà suffisamment pour tenir une conversation, avec un joli
accent arménien !

Le peintre expose ses `uvres à l`agence fourmisienne tout au long du
mois de juillet. Et si vous avez un coup de c`ur en les voyant dans la
vitrine ou à l’intérieur, sachez qu’elles sont à vendre.

From: A. Papazian

Expert Club, Georgia
July 7 2013

Dominance of Armenians threatens Abkhazians

25/02/2010 14:43

Information about persecution of Armenians in Abkhazia was not
confirmed by Karekin Kazarian, assistant on Armenian affairs of the
leader of the puppet regime of Abkhazia Sergei Bagapsh. But his speech
confirmed our fears that more and more Armenians are coming to
Abkhazia and this in the near future time will dramatically change the
demographic pattern in the occupied region.

“Armenians do not interfere with politics of Abkhazia, and simply live
as ordinary citizens of this country. Thank God, everything is fine
with us. Armenians live and thrive. The number of Armenians has not
been decreasing, but rather increasing. You don’t need to worry about
us, “- noted Karekin Kazarian, recalling that the inauguration
ceremony was also attended by the leader of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
Bako Saakyan who” met with Armenian community and was very pleased”.

Kazarian also requested instead of spreading false information, to
help Abkhazian Armenians in preserving their national identity.

From: A. Papazian

Robert Makarian: Apricot exports from Armenia double this year

Sunday,
July 07

12,700 tons of apricots have been exported from Armenia this year, as
compared with 6,500 tons in the same period of last year, Deputy
Minister of Agriculture Robert Makarian told RFE/RL Armenian Service
today.

He said 4,500 tons of apricots were purchased by Armenia’s large as
well as small and medium processing companies this year, compared with
2,200 tons in the same period of 2012.

According to Makarian, there are 15 processing companies, including 5
large ones, in Armenia. The apricot price is still 50 AMD.

The deputy minister found it difficult to forecast an increase in the
purchase price of apricots because a rich harvest of apricots was
reaped this year and the harvest is continuing.

05.07.2013, 18:24

Aysor.am

From: A. Papazian

The Courant, CT
July 6 2013

Armenians In Connecticut Oral History Project Seeks Participants

University of ConnecticutHartford
7:10 p.m. EDT, July 6, 2013

Scholars at the University of Connecticut are seeking state residents
of Armenian heritage to participate in an oral history project
sponsored by Norian Armenian Programs Committee, a part of the
Armenian Studies Program in UConn’s School of Social Work.

Those interested in sharing stories about their life and group
culture of Armenians in Connecticut should contact Bruce M. Stave,
distinguished professor emeritus of History, who will be conducting
the interviews. He can be reached by e-mail at [email protected] or
by phone at 860-742-0200.

The interviews planned for the project will serve as the basis of the
Norian Armenians in Connecticut Oral History Collection to be archived
at UConn.

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From: A. Papazian

The Phnom Penh Post, Cambodia
July 5, 2013 Friday 1:39 PM EST

Armenian kebab man bobs up

Jul 05, 2013 The Phnom Penh Post:

One man and his kebab stall have created a buzz among carnivorous
expats, after opening on Sivutha Boulevard near the night market
entrance last month.

Armenian-born Narek Grigoryan left his adopted home of the south of
France five months ago, bringing with him skills learnt from ‘the best
kebab chef in Nice.’
‘I’m a mechanical engineer and cooking is my hobby,’ says Grigoryan.
‘The kebab has a long, long history, and every man in traditional
Armenian families is good at barbecuing and making kebabs. It’s in our
genes.

‘I took a master-class with one of the best kebab chefs in Nice, an
Armenian-Lebanese. He taught me how to cook, how to prepare meat, how
to take care and how to make it the best kebab in the city.’

Having visited Siem Reap on holiday and found there were no kebab
purveyors here, Grigoryan decided to make the move in February,
setting up shop four months later. He met with almost instantaneous
success, with people flooding Facebook with high praise.

Grigoryan says the secret of his success is his inherent love of
cooking, and using the best quality ingredients – he spent two months
tracking down the right pita bread supplier.
Grigoryan uses chicken rather than lamb or pork because he feels it is
healthier and lighter on the stomach in a hot climate. He buys fresh
chicken every morning and marinades it in a special sauce, which sadly
must remain top secret.

‘I researched different meats and I chose chicken because it’s the
healthiest meat – it has a lot of protein, a lot of vitamin D and is
low in cholesterol,’ he says. ‘It’s not dangerous to eat in hot
weather.. You can eat chicken any time.’

Grigoryan’s kebabs come in two sizes with French salad – cabbage,
tomato and onion – and a variety of sauces including homemade garlic
mayonnaise and chili sauces with varying degrees of heat.
While he caters to a wide variety of consumers, he was surprised to
discover that the Khmer also like his kebabs.

‘What really surprised me was that so many Khmers buy it. They like it
so much, and they say, ‘this is very chhnganh’.’

Grigoryan says he has had many requests to stay open all night, in
keeping with the age-old tradition of people stumbling home inebriated
and picking up a kebab en-route after a big night out.

His opening hours are 7pm-midnight, Monday to Saturday.

From: A. Papazian