Author: Andres-Papazian

ARMENIAN EMBASSY ATTENDED BY 1000 VISITORS IN FRAMEWORK OF DOORS OPEN OTTAWA

09:49, 6 June, 2013

YEREVAN, JUNE 6, ARMENPRESS: The Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to
Canada participated in the Doors Open Ottawa Program on June 1-2. As
Armenpress was reported by the Department for Press, Information and
Public Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic
of Armenia, in the framework of the two-day open doors event about
a thousand people visited the Embassy of Armenia, who got acquainted
with the architecture and history of the 100-year-old building. The
unprecedented number of visitors also was provided with the information
about the Armenian culture and history.

The Doors Open Ottawa Program is intended for the buildings being the
part of the heritage of the capital of Canada, in the list of which
the building of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to Canada was
included in 2007.

From: A. Papazian

SYUNIK GOVERNOR’S ADMINISTRATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED TO SPREAD INFORMATION ABOUT CRIMINAL CASE

Thu, 06/06/2013 – 11:56
Trending topic

“Dissemination of information by an unauthorized official body about
the content of the video being under examination is unacceptable,”
said the attorney general’s adviser Sona Truzyan, reflecting on the
statement of Syunik Government Administration on June 1 incident next
to Syunik Governor Surik Khachatryan’s house.

S.Truzyan explained to the reporter of “Factinfo” that the judgment
of the integrity of the video can only be done after receiving
the findings of the investigations. Moreover, she indicated that
based on the existing criminal code, the investigative body and
prosecutor implementing the case are vested with the authority to
provide information.

Author: Factinfo

From: A. Papazian

JOHN KERRY CALLS ON TURKEY, RUSSIA AND IRAN TO HELP BREAK THE IMPASSE ON KARABAKH

ARMINFO
Wednesday, June 5, 22:57

We all really want to try to see resolved one day the frozen conflict
of Nagorno-Karabakh. It is critical that all the parties – when I say
all the parties, I mean, obviously, the Azerbaijanis, but also Turkey,
Russia, Iran, others – try to find a way to help break the impasse
that has kept this struggle alive and always potentially dangerous,
US Secretary of State John Kerry said during his Tuesday meeting with
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.

Referring to state.gov, commonspace.eu reports that on his part
Nalbandian said: “It is important to continue efforts to find
exclusively peaceful solution to the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict based
on the principles and norms of international law, particularly non-use
of force, excessive force, self-determination, territorial integrity
who are sharing the vision that the relations between Armenia and
Turkey should be normalized without preconditions, who are sharing the
same values of democracy, fundamental freedoms, liberty, human rights,
market economy, who are very thankful that during the last two decades
since our independence, United States extended very important support
for Armenia, and we are thankful for that.”

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT STILL DOES NOT HAVE AMOUNT TO SUBSIDIZE NATURAL GAS PRICE HIKE – NEWSPAPER

June 06, 2013 | 08:23

YEREVAN. – The Public Services Regulatory Commission of Armenia will
convene a session Friday and, in all likelihood, adopt a decision on
raising the prices of natural gas and electricity being supplied to
the country’s consumers, Haykakan Zhamanak reports.

“To note, these [fixed new] prices will be set solely in the case of
the subsidy which the government will allocate. But as of yesterday
[i.e., Wednesday], it is not yet known as to from where the government
will get $150 million for the subsidy.

If that money is not paid, the prices will be much higher,” Haykakan
Zhamanak writes

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA IS FIRST AMONG SOUTH CAUCASUS COUNTRIES IN DIRECT INVESTMENTS TO LATVIA – PARLIAMENT HEAD

June 06, 2013 | 12:11

YEREVAN. – Armenian National Assembly (NA) Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan,
who is in Latvia on an official visit, on Wednesday met with Latvian
PM Valdis Dombrovskis.

They discussed the development of economic ties between both countries,
the NA press service informs. Abrahamyan underscored the activities
of the Armenian-Latvian Intergovernmental Commission, and highly
appreciated the two governments’ willingness to develop economic
cooperation. He noted that Armenia is in first place, from among the
South Caucasus countries, in terms of the volume of direct investments
to Latvia.

The Armenian NA leader and the Latvian PM stressed that the EU Eastern
Partnership Project provides new opportunities, and highlighted the
need to promote economic cooperation in this format, too.

The interlocutors also reflected on regional matters, and stressed
that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict shall be resolved through peace
talks. Abrahamyan expressed a hope that, in the run-up to the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Latvia would express its
position on the recognition and condemnation of the first genocide
of the 20th century.

On the same day, the Armenian delegation, led by NA Speaker Hovik
Abrahamyan, visited the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian
Apostolic Church of Riga, where the head of the Armenian Parliament
presented to the Latvian-Armenian community representatives the
domestic political situation in Armenia, the country’s foreign policy
priorities, and the Karabakh peace process.

The Armenian delegation also toured the port of Riga.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: A. Papazian

BIRTH RATE AND LOVE FOR ONE’S HOMELAND

03:26 pm | Today | Social

Birth rate has dropped to the lowest level in Armenia, says Hakob
Hakobyan, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on
Social Affairs. Over 54 percent (800000) of families do not have
children under 16.

The lowest birth rate in the country was in 2002 when there were a
total of 32 000 children.

Among the reasons for unprecedented low fertility levels Mr Hakobyan
pointed out the absence of love between citizens and the state.

Another reason is the fear for one’s future, the absence of love for
one’s homeland, etc.

“Love cannot be one-sides, it is always mutual,” said Mr Hakobyan.

From: A. Papazian

QUO VADIS… ?

10:51, June 6, 2013

The latest fashionable trend , in the odd Armenian world – Village
of Asterixian, fragmented and spread around the entire planet -,
is to open wide your mouth and your terrified eyes, and to hit your
knees with your palms, crying that Armenia is being emptied from its
population, because of massive emigration.

The paradox, in this industry of lamentations, is that it is riding
on some Grand Ideas and Big Principles which could easily compete
with Sassountsi Tavit’s Kourkig Tchalali, but at the same time,
it pretends to be situated on the most realistic, clear-headed,
close-to-the-people level. The contradiction is that, for those
pathological weepers or professional cry-babies, said Ideas and
Principles should especially exclude any notion of patriotism, thus
considering that the latter is not only obsolete, old-fashioned and
laughable, but downright irrelevant.

In this false debate, this abstract – and intellectually fratricide
– extreme fighting, for which the Armenians hold the secret recipe
(just like the one for the magic potion), what is missing is a serene
analysis, based on modern and contemporary, historic realities,
on irrefutable facts.

Lebanon, 1975 to 1986. An endless, infernal civil war. In the absence
of an independent Armenia at that time, the Armenian community of that
country – which had actually ceased to be one – decided, resolutely,
to stay.

Can anyone really pretend that the conditions in which the majority
(in fact, the quasi-totality ) of the Armenians of Lebanon were
living during that period, were better than those of the Armenians
of Armenia, today… ? No work, no school, shortage of everything –
often including even bread -, lack of water, gas and electricity,
continuous shooting and bombings, kidnapping, torture, rape,
confiscation of belongings, invasion of properties, looting, a totally
dark and clogged future… They stayed. The largest majority put up
with it, endured, and knowingly decided that they shall not leave,
they shall not run away, they shall not abandon.

Why? Because they assessed that the survival and the future of the
nation dictated it. Considering the particular specificity of that
community during that era, this was actually true, on several levels.

Even today, the same phenomenon is happening with Syria. The logic
is less true, since there is Armenia now. But it is the same idea,
the same principle, the same profound conviction. Somewhere between
stoicism and patriotism. When the sense of collective interest
supersedes obtuse individualism. Despite horrifying conditions,
ultimate and daily risks and dangers, many are hanging on, and are
determined to stay. Even if that means losing their lives.

By studying the subject of emigration from Armenia from this point
of view, in the name of all those who, in every sense of the word,
sacrificed their lives in the Diaspora, for the love of the nation, and
also on behalf of all those who have chosen to renounce a substantial
portion of their tranquility, their comfort, their pleasures, their
personal affairs, their business, their career, their leisure and their
financial success, in foreign countries where they can very well relax,
enjoy their lives and prosper, without worrying about anything else,
and instead, have dedicated and devoted themselves to the painful and
laborious emergence of the Motherland, we are entitled to say to some
of our compatriots of Armenia: enough with the whining already. Love
her, or leave her.

Haytoug Chamlian, Montreal

June 06, 2013

From: A. Papazian

LA COMPAGNIE AERIENNE ARMAVIA DOIT ENVIRON 5,5 MILLIONS DE DOLLARS A L’AEROPORT INTERNATIONAL DE ZVARTNOTS

La compagnie aerienne Armavia doit environ 5,5 millions de dollars
a l’aeroport Zvartnots.

Andranik Shkheyan, vice-directeur en chef de la societe Armenia –
aeroport international, qui gère l’etablissement, a declare aux
journalistes que le gouvernement a depose plainte devant la justice
demandant 17 milliards de drams. ” En tant que partie prenante,
nous appuyons l’action “, a-t-il dit.

jeudi 6 juin 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

UNE ENQUÊTE SUR L’ASSASSINAT D’AVETIK BUDAGHIAN A ETE OUVERTE

Un haut fonctionnaire armenien a declare mercredi qu’un gouverneur
de la region -repute pour son comportement violent- n’etait pas
personnellement implique dans la fusillade qui a eu lieu devant
sa maison.

Gevorg Kostanian, procureur general militaire, a affirme que Suren
Khachatrian, gouverneur de la province du sud-est Syunik, n’etait plus
” sur le site du crime ” le 1er juin quand les faits se sont deroules.

” C’est un fait, il a ete capture sur la video”, a declare Kostanian,
se referant a des images de cameras de surveillance dans la maison
de luxe Khachatrian a Goris.

Ces remarques constituent une indication supplementaire que Khachatrian
ne sera pas poursuivi dans le cadre de la mort de Avetik Budaghian,
un homme d’affaires local qui avait des relations tendues avec le
gouverneur controverse.

Budaghian a ete tue dans une fusillade qui a egalement implique
son frère Artak. Ce dernier ainsi que l’un des gardes du corps de
Khachatrian ont ete grièvement blesses dans la fusillade. Tigran 19
ans, fils de Khachatrian, et un garde du corps ont ete arretes le
lendemain et mis en examen pour cet assassinat.

Suren Khachatrian affirme qu’il dormait lorsque s’est produit
l’evenement en fin de soiree.

Kostanian, qui supervise l’enquete penale sur la fusillade, a declare
qu’elle resultait d’une ” attaque a main armee ” sur la villa du
gouverneur. Il a indique que les enqueteurs tentent maintenant
d’etablir ce qui l’a provoquee. “L’enquete determinera si cette
attaque a ete premeditee ou spontanee , ” a-t-il declare lors d’une
conference de nouvelles.

Les tirs ont eu lieu quelques heures après un dîner en plein air
organise par Khachatrian près de Goris. Les frères Budaghian y avaient
ete invites ainsi que d’autres dignitaires provinciaux. Selon certaines
sources, Avetik Budaghian et le gouverneur se sont disputes au cours
de la soiree.

Interroge pour savoir si Khachatrian pourrait avoir lui-meme fait
venir les frères dans sa villa en fin de journee, Kostanian a dit :
” Peut-etre. L’enquete permettra de clarifier. ”

La police a decouvert et confisque de larges quantites d’armes dans
la maison de Khachatrian peu après les meurtres. Les deux suspects
arretes ont egalement ete accuses de possession illegale d’armes.

On a demande a Kostanian pourquoi, a l’instar de ces derniers, le
gouverneur n’avait pas fait lui aussi l’objet d’une mise en examen
pour ces memes faits. ” Rien n’indique que les armes et les munitions
ne sont pas la propriete d’un autre individu “, a-t-il explique.

Le procureur a egalement rejete les insinuations de l’opposition et
des medias selon lesquelles les autorites judiciaires pourraient,
sous la pression du gouvernement, se montrer complaisantes a l’egard
de Khachatrian. ” Les politiques ne peuvent affecter l’objectivite
et l’integrite de l’enquete”, selon lui.

Membre eminent du Parti republicain du president Serge Sarkissian
(HHK), Khachatrian a souvent ete liee a des evenements violents dans
le passe. De nombreuses critiques soulignent qu’il a reussi a non
seulement a eviter toute poursuite, mais a pu egalement s’accrocher a
son poste en raison des très bons resultats de Sarkissian et du HHK
lors des differentes elections. Il a egalement recu une importante
medaille militaire des mains du president le mois dernier.

Khachatrian a annonce lundi qu’il demissionnerait de son poste de
gouverneur du Syunik “jusqu’a la fin de l’enquete.” Il a indique, sans
donner plus de precisions, que sa decision a ete approuvee par une ”
instance superieure ” a Erevan. Une information que le gouvernement
armenien, qui nomme les gouverneurs regionaux, n’a cependant pas
confirmee.

Les experts juridiques soulignent que la legislation armenienne ne
permet pas une demission temporaire des fonctionnaires de l’Etat. Le
gouvernement n’a pas encore precise si Khachatrian continue
techniquement a exercer ses fonctions.

Dans une lettre envoyee au bureau du Premier ministre Tigran Sarkissian
mercredi, Zaruhi Postanjian, une deputee de l’opposition, a exige une
explication officielle sur la situation actuelle de Khachatrian. “Il
pourrait y avoir un fondement juridique pour le suspendre”, a-t-elle
declare de Azatutyun.am. “Mais nous ne savons pas quels sont les
motifs de ses superieurs et pourquoi ils lui ont permis de demissionner
que temporairement.”

Le bureau de Sarkissian dispose de 10 jouers pour repondre a la
lettre de Postanjian. Les sources ont indique que le premier ministre
s’exprimerait probablement sur l’affaire jeudi.

jeudi 6 juin 2013, Laetitia ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

AZERI MINISTER PRAISES CLOSE TIES WITH ISRAEL DURING HIS USA VISIT

Turan news agency, Azerbaijan
June 3 2013

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, who is now visiting
the USA, took part in the annual global forum of the American Jewish
Committee on 2 June.

In an address to [the participants in] the opening session of the
forum, Mammadyarov noted the expanding bilateral relations between
Azerbaijan and the USA and Azerbaijan and Israel. He praised the
contribution of Jewish organizations of the USA in developing
Azerbaijan’s relations with the USA and Israel.

Mammadyarov described the Azerbaijani-Israeli relations as close
friendship, saying that they are based on historically good relations,
mutual understanding between the peoples and the fruitful trade and
economic cooperation of recent years.

Mammadyarov said that Azerbaijan’s Jewish community has lived in
the country for over 2,500 years in an atmosphere of peace and calm,
without experiencing any restrictions.

In addition, the Azerbaijani minister pointed out that the unresolved
Karabakh conflict and Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan create
obstacles on the way of developing full-scale cooperation.

Nevertheless, as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council
Azerbaijan spares no effort to facilitate peace in the region.

Mammadyarov also recalled his recent visit to Israel.

The American Jewish Committee was founded in 1906 and currently has
branches in 26 US states and many countries of the world.

[Translated from Russian]

From: A. Papazian