Author: Andres-Papazian

Iran to appoint new commercial attaches in Russia, Pakistan, Armenia
Economic Desk

On Line: 06 April 2013 17:24
In Print: Sunday 07 April 2013

TEHRAN – Iran will appoint new commercial attaches in Russia,
Pakistan, and Armenia, Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization head Hamid
Safdel said on Saturday.

The new officials will be installed by the end of the current Iranian
calendar year (March 19, 2014), ISNA quoted Safdel as saying.

Currently, Iran has commercial attaches in 20 countries, including
China, India, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iraq, the UAE, South Africa, and
Venezuela, he noted.

Iran conducted $86.07 billion in non-oil trade with other countries
during the first eleven months of the past Iranian calendar year,
which ended on March 20.

The country exported $37.69 billion worth of non-oil goods and
imported $48.38 billion of non-oil goods during the 11-month period.

Iraq, China, and the United Arab Emirates were the three top importers
of Iranian goods during the period, while the United Arab Emirates,
China, and South Korea were the leading exporters of goods to Iran.

In July 2012, Iranian Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Shamseddin
Hosseini said Iran conducted economic transactions with 150 countries
in the Iranian calendar year 1390 (March 2011-March 2012). And about
80 countries transited their products through Iran, he added.

From: A. Papazian

Top Forensic DNA Expert Dr. Greg Hampikian to Speak at Armenian
Medical World Congress

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013

Dr. Greg Hampikian

LOS ANGELES – DNA, also known as Deoxyribonucleic Acid, contains
specific genetic information that distinguishes one human being from
another. Since the late 1980’s, scientists have analyzed samples of
bodily fluids or tissue to create DNA profiles that have ultimately
led to criminal convictions, as well as exonerating the innocent.

In the recent high profile Italian court case, college students Amanda
Knox and Raffaele Sollecito were convicted of murder based on two
pieces of DNA evidence. Upon appeal, Greg Hampikian, Ph.D., Professor
of Biology and Criminal Justice at Boise State University (BSU) and
forensic DNA expert, reanalyzed the DNA evidence and concluded it was
likely contaminated and unreliable. Amanda and Raffaele are now free
in part because of Dr. Hampikian’s work.

Dr. Hampikian will be speaking on `Amanda Knox: From DNA Error to DNA
Exoneration,’ at the 11th Armenian Medical World Congress in July in
Los Angeles. `As our instruments get more and more sensitive, we need
to be ever more careful about contamination,’ states Dr. Hampikian.
`In Amanda’s case we were able to show that the DNA evidence against
her was unreliable, but it leaves you wondering how many other cases
of DNA false-convictions there are.’

As founder and Director of the Idaho Innocence Project at BSU, Dr.
Hampikian works with police agencies and defense lawyers in court
cases involving DNA evidence. He has also helped establish the
Georgia Innocence Project, the Irish Innocence Project, and the
Innocence Project France. The Idaho Innocence Project is part of an
international legal network that investigates wrongful conviction
claims, helping to free those who are falsely imprisoned, and often
indentifying the true perpetrators. His work has led to 13
exonerations, and he has been involved in hundreds of cases.

Dr. Hampikian’s research work has been published in leading scientific
journals, major newspapers and magazines, as well as covered by major
television networks from CNN to the BBC. Most recently, he published
a review of 194 DNA exonerations in the prestigious Annual Review of
Genetics and Genomics, and is publishing the account of how he and the
French Police solved a high-profile decade-old murder by using
familial DNA for the first time in Europe. Additionally, he
co-authored the book `Exit to Freedom’ with Calvin Johnson, Jr., a man
who after 17 years in prison gained his freedom from a life sentence
after DNA evidence proved his innocence. Dr. Hampikian is also an
award-winning playwright, and is currently working on a musical about
the Armenian Diaspora.

In 2013, Dr. Hampikian was inducted as a Charter Fellow of the
National Academy of Inventors, and his DNA research covers a wide
range of topics including pioneering work on the smallest sequences
absent from nature that he has termed `Nullomers.’ Using these
Nullomers, Dr. Hampikian has invented a method of tagging DNA samples
to prevent contamination of forensic evidence. His other inventions
include 198 drugs made from Nullomer peptides that are effective
against cancer and other diseases.

`Understanding and unlocking the powerful information contained in our
genes is transforming science and medicine today,’ says Vicken
Sepilian, MD, FACOG, President of the Armenian American Medical
Society and Chairman of the 11th Armenian Medical World Congress. `We
are honored to have world renowned genetic scientist and pioneer, Dr.
Greg Hampikian joining us at the 11th Armenian Medical World Congress
where he will discuss cutting edge technologies that have allowed
wrongfully convicted human beings gain back their freedom.’

For more information and to register for the 11th Armenian Medical
World Congress, please visit our website at

From: A. Papazian

Russian Troops In Karabakh?

The balance of forces in the area of the Karabakh conflict has changed
sharply which may lead to breach of the military equilibrium. The
handover of Gabala Radar station between Azerbaijan and Russia is
complete. Recently Azerbaijan has been said to have stopped buying
weapons from Russia.

Balance in the area of the Karabakh conflict was kept as Russia sold
weapons to both Armenia and Azerbaijan. Moreover, neither one, nor the
other side received technologies of how to use these weapons, and they
were operated exceptionally by Russian militaries.

Now that Azerbaijan has decided to buy weapons from other countries,
probably from Israel, the Russian component of the military-political
balance disappeared. Now Russia should either strengthen its presence
in Armenia and become the official guarantor of security of Armenia
and Karabakh or join the U.S. and France force Azerbaijan to sign a
non-aggression pact.

Russia will prefer the first version, and everything will be done to
have Russian military forces within the CSTO in Karabakh. It is
unknown what their excuse will be. The first, apparently, is operation
of the airport of Stepanakert and provision of its defense by CSTO
forces. But it is possible that the option of border incidents is also
considered. Rumors on mobilization of Azerbaijani troops on the border
with Armenia fit in this context.

Perhaps, this is the reason of the unprecedented long visit of the
Iranian special representative to Armenia. The main message of his
visit was the appeal to find a peace solution to the Karabakh
conflict. In other words, Iran does not want to see foreign forces,
Russian, NATO or Turkish, in Karabakh, with which it has more than
100km of common border.

Western analysts predict resumption of the armed conflict in Karabakh
in 2014 after the presidential elections in Azerbaijan due this fall.
Russian experts predict war earlier. A representative of the Russian
parliament Mitrofanov says war is approaching. Perhaps, he knows
Russia’s intentions to appear in Karabakh soon.

There was information that Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan has been
invited to Moscow on April 25-26. Perhaps, the issue of the presence
of Russian troops in Karabakh will also be discussed. It is not ruled
out that Moscow will try to convince Armenia that if Russian troops
are there, Azerbaijan and Turkey won’t dare launch a war.

The Washington Times published a symptomatic article. It states that
Secretary Kerry needs to address immediately the smoldering conflict
of Nagorno-Karabakh. Kerry is going to visit Turkey this weekend. Who
knows, perhaps he may call in on Armenia too?

Naira Hayrumyan
11:03 06/04/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

From: A. Papazian

Raffi Hovannisian’s March And Serzh Sargsyan Second Term

Yesterday, the last rally of the opposition ahead of April 9 was held.
A big march was announced. Today, central streets of Yerevan are
closed, the cars used for official ceremonies are parked in front of
the president’s office, most probably, for the rehearsal of Serzh
Sargsyan’s inauguration.

On April 9, thousands of people will come to Yerevan from regions.
Raffi Hovannisian spoke about the parade, smiles and cheers, but for
the first time yesterday, an appeal for general strike was issued.
April 9 will be a holiday, students and those who work should not go
to university or to work but should take part in the holiday, Raffi
Hovannisian said.

Others were more decisive. Andrias Ghukasyan said that on April 9
Serzh Sargsyan will bring together in one place all those people who
rigged the elections and people should besiege the venue of their
gathering and not let them out until they recognize the people’s
victory.

Other participants of the rally also proposed specific steps. Nikol
Pashinyan and Armen Martirosyan said they will attend the march with
their children and proposed the others to do the same. It is
symptomatic that yesterday the first signs of `orange’ appeared during
the rally. There were children with orange balloons on the stage, and
Raffi Hovannisian’s wife was wearing an orange dress.

It is evident that on April 9, the march will be orange, both in
essence and colors. It will make a contrast to dark formal suits of
those who will come to Serzh Sargsyan’s `second coming’. The
participants of the orange march hope that the march of one million
people will convince the authorities of the need for change, and the
international community that not everything is as it seems in Armenia.

There are great expectations from April 9. There are many questions as
well. Will Serzh Sargsyan hold an open inauguration or will an
intimate setting be chosen? Will Serzh Sargsyan’s former allies Robert
Kocharyan, Gagik Tsarukyan and the ARF attend his swearing-in
ceremony? Which of the two inaugurations will the foreign ambassadors
attend? Will people go to the streets? But the most important question
is whether it will be possible to avoid violence.

Orange and dark formal suits will be the trends of the day and
everyone will make their choice of what color to wear.

Naira Hayrumyan
13:18 06/04/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

From: A. Papazian

FOOTBALL
Robert Arzoumanian parmi les meilleurs joueurs étrangers du championnat kazakh

Le défenseur de la sélection nationale d’Arménie, Robert Arzoumanian
figure parmi les 5 meilleurs joueurs étrangers du championnat du
Kazakhstan dans un classement établi par le site sports.kz. Le site
écrit « dans le championnat du Kazakhstan, lors des deux premières
journées, « Aktopé » n’a encaissé que deux buts. Le rôle du défaiseur
arménien Robert Arzoumanian y était très important. Maintenant nous
savons que l’invitation de Robert Arzoumanian est justifiée ». Du «
Zénith » Khabarovsk, Robert Arzoumanian fut transféré il y a quelques
semaines en direction du club d’« Aktopé ». R. Arzoumanian compte à ce
jour 54 sélections en équipe nationale d’Arménie.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 6 avril 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

GENOCIDE ARMENIEN
Des panneaux publicitaires aux Etats-Unis rappelant le génocide arménien

Des panneaux publicitaires géants rappelant le génocide arménien de
1915 seront placés en ce mois d’avril dans les villes de Foxboro,
Cambridge et Watertown (Massachussetts) aux Etats-Unis. Ces passages
publicitaires sont offerts par la société Peace of Art Inc
() propriété de Daniel Varoujan Hédjinian. Trois
panneaux lumineux rappelleront aux automobilistes et citoyens de ces
villes, le génocide arménien. Le panneau de Watertown est place en
plein quartier arménien de la ville près de la Bibliothèque
arménienne. Daniel Varoujan Hédjinian a affirmé que son geste était
envers « un appel à la reconnaissance du génocide arménien exécuté il
y 98 ans (…) qui a entaché l’histoire de l’Humanité avec 1,5
millions d’Arméniens qui perdirent leur vie ».

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 6 avril 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

ECHECS
La presse azérie critique Rajabov humilié par sa double défaite devant
Lévon Aronian

La double défaite du meilleur joueur d’échec Azéri Teymour Rajabov
face à l’Arménien Lévon Aronian, numéro deux mondial, lors du Tournoi
des Prétendants à Londres a crée la colère des médias azéris. Deux
défaites « humiliantes » du joueur Azéri dans un tournoi où la société
pétrolière nationale azérie Socar avait dépensé 2 millions de dollars.
Le journal azéri « Bizim yol » écrit « la prestation médiocre de
Teymour Rajabov qui prit l’avant-dernière place du tournoi de Londres
n’est pas étonnante car après son mariage avec la fille d’Elshat
Nassirov, le vice-président de Socar, Rajabov ne prend pas les
tournois au sérieux. Il a même refusé de participer à quelques
compétitions. Il a depuis longtemps perdu sa combativité ». Un autre
site « avrofutbol.Com3 écrit « Rajabov a la grosse tête depuis les
années de pouvoir de Heydar Aliev. En 1996-1997 Heydar Aliev lui a
offert un ordinateur portable d’une valeur de 30 000 dollars. Après
son mariage et sa vie fastueuse, Rajabov a perdu sa combativité ». La
presse azérie à l’image d’un pays blessé par la double défaite de leur
champion face au représentant de l’Arménie, critique Rajabov. Mais
Ilham Aliev n’a pas dit son dernier mot sur cette affaire qui met à
mal le protégé de son père Heydar Aliev.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 6 avril 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

MP: CINEMATOGRAPHER IBRAHIMBEYOV PUTS AZERBAIJAN’S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY UNDER QUESTION

Trend, Azerbaijan
April 5 2013

Azerbaijani MP Bakhtiyar Sadigov condemned cinematographer Rustam
Ibrahimbeyov’s interview with Rosbalt news agency, in which he
questioned Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.

“In his interviews, the Azerbaijani President has repeatedly stated
that Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity can not be and will never be a
topic of negotiation,” Sadigov told Trend. “This is the position of the
Azerbaijani people. Azerbaijan will never allow the establishment of
the second Armenian state on its territory. Ibrahimbeyov’s ridiculous
statement astonished me. If a person lives in Azerbaijan and belongs
to the Azerbaijani intelligentsia, he should know better than anyone
else about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.”

Rosbalt news agency published Rustam Ibrahimbeyov’s interview, in
which he said he regretted the collapse of the Soviet Union and that
the Armenians are the victims of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

From: A. Papazian

OSCE MONITORS ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJANI CONTACT LINE

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
April 5 2013

The OSCE has monitored the Azerbaijani-Armenian contact line at Agdam
Barda under supervision of personal representative of OSCE chairman
Andrzej Kasprzyk.

The Azerbaijani side was monitored by field assistant of personal
representative of OSCE chairman Yevgeny Sharov, head of the financial
administration of the OSCE office Jonathan Farrabi.

The Armenian side was monitored by field assistants of OSCE chairman
Christo Christov and Irzhi Aberle.

Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group Jacques Faure (France), Igor Popov
(Russia) and Yan Kelly (US) crossed the contact line. Monitoring was
held along the Terter-Agder road of the Tertersky District.

From: A. Papazian

FAGE PRODUCTS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIA

Greek Reporter
April 5 2013

By Christina Flora

Greek dairy company Fage, which has moved its headquarters out of
the country, now has its products for sale in the Armenian market,
in cooperation with the SAS Group supermarket chain.

Fage is the first company to introduce the Greek yogurt in the market
of Armenia, a country with long tradition in the dairy products,
especially yogurt, producing a type of yogurt called matzun.

According to an assessment made by the Office for Economic and
Commercial Affairs at the Greek Embassy in Yerevan, Armenia, which was
published on April 5, the yogurt product imports more than doubled in
the period 2006 to 2011, something which shows the increased demand
for specific products, but also the existing potential for growth.

“FAGE’s effort is important as it is a product with a distinct
identity that enhances the presence of Greek products in Armenia,
and of course because the SAS chain, that distributes the products
of Greek dairy industry, has been recognized for the quality of its
services,” the report said.

According to the assessment, in 2006, some 80 tons of yogurt (mostly
fruits) of Dutch and Italian dairies entered the market of Armenia,
while in 2011 the total amount of imports stood at 180 tons.

From: A. Papazian