Author: Andres-Papazian

RALLY PARTICIPANTS OBSERVE MINUTE OF SILENCE FOR SUMGAIT VICTIMS

Thursday,
February 28

“25 years ago our people suffered losses in Sumgait; people were
killed because they were Armenians. A quarter of a century later we
remember them. Nothing is forgotten,” the Heritage Party leader Raffi
Hovannisian stated today during the rally in Liberty Square of Yerevan.

He appealed to the rally participants to observe a minute of silence
in memory of the victims of the Sumgait pogroms.

TODAY, 19:02

Aysor.am

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA TO PRODUCE 60,000 TONS OF BEEF ANNUALLY OVER 17 YEARS

YEREVAN, February 28. /ARKA/. Armenia will be producing up to
60,000 tons of beef annually by 2020, Sergo Karapetyan, Minister
of Agriculture of Armenia, said Thursday at the briefing in the
government.

“Within the framework of the animal husbandry advancement program in
Armenia, we expect to increase beef production by several thousands
tons annually. It will allow us to reduce beef import by 2020 and
completely meet the domestic market demands,” Karapetyan said.

Armenia has all the necessary resources to completely satisfy beef
demand, he added.

Karapetyan didn’t say however how many tons of beef Armenia produces
at present.

According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia,
meat production in Armenia stood at 63,000 tons in
2012 versus 60,900 tons in 2011. -0- – See more at:

From: A. Papazian

POLITICAL EXPERT: A NEW LEADER HAS APPEARED AT THE POLITICAL FIELD OF ARMENIA IN THE PERSON OF THE LEADER OF THE HERITAGE PARTY

ARMINFO
Thursday, February 28, 16:45

A new leader has appeared at the political field of Armenia in
the person of the leader of the Heritage party, Raffi Hovannisian,
political expert, Levon Shirinyan, said at today’s press-conference.

He said that the presidential election on 18 February have become a
step forward on the way of democracy development in the country. He
thinks that in his policy Raffi Hovannisian adheres neither to
pro-American nor pro-Russian orientation. He follows just our
national interests. He also added that former politicians have
already exhausted themselves and the appearance of a new leader,
which has been trying to lead the people to the true freedom, is a
natural phenomenon. The expert thinks that a bridge for negotiations
should be preserved between the power and opposition. However, this
does not at all mean that the leader of the Heritage party may appear
in the governmental circles, he said. “The best decision for Raffi
Hovannisian is to follow peaceful settlement of problems, as any
conflict will result in ending of the revolution. For this reason,
he should avoid any conflicts”, – the expert said.

From: A. Papazian

STUDENTS’ RIGHT TO STRIKE AND TO ATTEND CLASSES

February 27 2013

I am asked what I think of the intention of a group of students to
go on a strike; I will try to formulate my approach again. If 10,
100 or 1000 students wish to participate in a political or civic
process, it is normal; it is even praiseworthy. They protest against
the officially announced results of the election, the quality of
education, the corruption and low intellectual level of professors,
their backwardness, ignorance; it is their right to protest against
that, organize peaceful demonstrations in any place provided for
by the law. If they want to do that during classes, there shouldn’t
be any problem either; we have a credit system – or at least should
have – and it is not necessary for you to attend classes, if you pass
the exam, you will get your grade, if not, farewell. The rectors and
deans who, opposing the law and rationality, try to prevent the youth
from taking that action, lock the students inside universities etc.,
explaining that political activities are forbidden in universities,
should be concerned about those issues when they are ordered from above
to ensure “heads” at the government’s events, which they do through
the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) “Komsomols” in formalwear,
the so-called student councils. However, if one cannot force a man to
go to the government’s events, then one cannot burden students with
the opposition activities either. Guess, X group of students wants
to organize a rally or a marsh. It is very good, a green light to
them. However, that group doesn’t have the right to blackmail Y group
of students who want to attend classes that those who stay are sold out
to the government, don’t want to struggle for just Armenia and are for
rigging elections. Besides, such blackmail smells like Bolshevism; it
can cause an opposite reaction and stir up tension between students. No
one has proved that the student who goes to a rally after classes is a
worse citizen than those who go to it at the expense of classes. Or
the one who shouts loudly at a rally struggles for justice more
ardently than the one who stands in silence. In a nutshell, people
should be given a right to freely choose without putting them under
moral pressure. That pressure is usually explained by the fact that
“we should struggle jointly,” “my fellow Armenians…” etc. All that
certainly sounds nice, but “jointly” in the everyday language means
“as I wish,” as a rule. Only the Constitution and the Law are the
same for everyone. The rest can differ.

ARAM ABRAHAMYAN

Read more at:

From: A. Papazian

Armenia selects `Lonely Planet’ for Eurovision 2013

23:05 02.03.2013

Lonely Planet will be the title of the Armenian entry in the 2013
Eurovision Song Contest. It will be sung by Gor Sujyan and his band
Dorians.

In an exciting show tonight, the Armenian TV public was asked to cast
their votes on four proposed songs. Their verdict was combined with
the votes of a jury. The televoting was open after all four songs were
performed.

Gor Sujyan performed the following songs tonight:

The Truth
No Time
Toy Planet
Lonely Planet
In the interval act of the show, Gianluca Bezzina, the Maltese
representative in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest performed his entry
Tomorrow. The representatives from neighbouring Georgia, Nodi
Tatishvili and Sophie Gelovani, also paid a visit to the Armenian
final and introduced their Eurovision song Waterfall to the TV public.
Nodi and Sophie greeted the public viewers and wished Gor Sujyan good
luck with his entry for Malmö.

The Armenian representatives in the 2012 Junior Eurovision Song
Contest also made an appearance on stage. Compass Band entertained the
public with their entry Sweetie Baby. The show was presented by Gohar
Gasparyan and Avet Barseghyan.

From: A. Papazian

Due to our diplomats’ intensive work strong grounds are set for future
achievements of Armenia: Edward Nalbandyan

14:16, 2 March, 2013

YEREVAN, MARCH 2, ARMENPRESS. Armenia marks the diplomats’ day on
March 2. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Edward Nalbandyan published an article on the diplomats’ day. As
“Armenpress” reports, in the article published in “Hayastani
Hanrapetutyun” daily the Minister of Foreign Affairs mentions: “There
are events and dates in the life of each state and nation, which are
distinguished for their meaning and significance. To my opinion March
2 of 1992 is among the turning points in our nation’s modern history.
It was exactly 21 years ago when on this day our flag was raised in
front of the UN headquarters; Armenia became a member of the UN. This
gave an international verification to the birth of Armenian newly
independent state. The decision made by the Government of the Republic
of Armenia due to which March 2 is declared as the diplomats’ day of
the Republic of Armenia is comprehensive, but at the same time
natural.

The newly created Armenian diplomacy started its first steps in
complicated circumstances. For historical conditions, Armenia did not
have deep diplomatic traditions and experience, very often we had to
learn at spot, form our diplomatic handwriting and style.
Notwithstanding all the hardships, it was possible to do these all in
a short while. Today the Republic of Armenia has established
diplomatic relations with 157 states, is member of 87 international
organizations. 61 diplomatic representations of Armenia operate
abroad, and diplomatic representations of 58 countries and
international organizations operate in our country. 1744 contracts and
agreements are signed between Armenia and various states and
international organizations.”

– See more at:

From: A. Papazian

March 2, 2013 – 09:12 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday, March
1, criticized a comment by Turkey’s Prime Minister likening Zionism to
crimes against humanity in a disagreement that cast a shadow over
talks between the NATO allies, Reuters reported.
Kerry, on his first trip to a Muslim nation since taking office, met
Turkish leaders for talks meant to focus on the civil war in
neighboring Syria and bilateral interests from energy security and
Iran’s nuclear program to counter-terrorism.
But the comment by Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan at a UN
meeting in Vienna this week, condemned by his Israeli counterpart, the
White House and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, has clouded his
visit.
“We not only disagree with it, we found it objectionable,” Kerry told
a news conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu,
saying he raised the issue “very directly” with Davutoglu and would do
so with Erdogan.
Erdogan told the UN Alliance of Civilizations meeting in Vienna on
Wednesday: “Just as with Zionism, anti-Semitism and fascism, it has
become necessary to view Islamophobia as a crime against humanity.”
The Turkish prime minister’s caustic rhetoric on Israel has in the
past won applause from conservative supporters at home but raised
increasing concern among Western allies.
Kerry said Turkey and Israel were both key U.S. allies and urged them
to restore closer ties.
“Given the many challenges that the neighborhood faces, it is
essential that both Turkey and Israel find a way to take steps … to
rekindle their historic cooperation,” Kerry said. “I think that’s
possible but obviously we have to get beyond the kind of rhetoric that
we’ve just seen recently.”
After Kerry and Erdogan met, a senior U.S. State Department official
said that the secretary of state “had a respectful but frank
discussion of the (prime minister’s) speech in Vienna, and how to move
forward. The Secretary made U.S. concerns very clear.”
The official said the two sides also discussed Middle East peace,
Iran, Iraq, Syria, Gulf security and how to deepen their economic
relations.

– See more at:

From: A. Papazian

Who Is Next Prime Minister?

Haik Aramyan
12:27 02/03/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

Tigran Sargsyan was to visit Moscow end of February or beginning of
March. ôhe spokesman for the prime minister Harutiun Kbeyan informed,
however, that the visit has been postponed because Serzh Sargsyan will
meet with the Russian president Vladimir Putin on March 12.

Perhaps the nomination of the next prime minister will be discussed
with Putin. It’s not accidental that Putin rushed to congratulate
Serzh Sargsyan. Everything in the Armenian-Russian relations has a
price, from gas to nomination of prime minister.

The nomination of the prime minister is a key issue for the first time
due to domestic developments and the plans of partners on Armenia.
Armenia is currently located at the line of geopolitical fracture and
is facing a choice. In domestic affairs it is the criminal-oligarchic
system, in foreign affairs it is the choice of civilization and a new
role.

Serzh Sargsyan is a leaving president. He may leave earlier than the
end of his second term due to domestic or foreign circumstances.
Currently the introduction of parliamentary governance is considered,
so the Constitution may be amended, and the prime minister may become
a key position.

An uncovered interest of foreign partners in the post of prime
minister is felt. The West is believed to support Tigran Sargsyan. Our
relations with the United States and the EU advanced, important
agreements were signed and commitments were made. The process of
signing of the Association Agreement and DCFTA with the EU was
accelerated. The United States organized Tigran Sargsyan’s visit,
offered profitable economic programs, particularly in IT. Besides, the
possibility of resumption of MCC assistance was hinted.

It is hard to tell whether the West supports Tigran Sargsyan whose
economic policy has failed. In this case, the West does not have an
“alternative” candidate for prime minister. Generally, the West has a
shortage of partners in Armenia which is an obstacle.

On the other hand, the West has focused on “systemic work” in Armenia.
Immense assistance and loans were provided thanks to which Armenia has
partly improved public administration, infrastructures, paid pensions
and benefits. Thus the West became the partner of the state.

Russia is different. Unlike the West, Moscow is not a partner. It
preferred work with individuals to keep the political and economic
systems of Armenia under control. This style was more strongly felt
during Kocharyan’s office when the criminal-oligarchic system was
established which controlled all the spheres of life, and Kocharyan
was at the top of this system with a direct link to the Kremlin.

In the new situation nomination of prime minister is highly important
to Moscow. During Kocharyan’s office Moscow did not care for the prime
minister because it controlled Armenia through him.

A lot has changed since then because during Serzh Sargsyan’s office
Yerevan diversified its foreign policy as Russia went too far and
ignored its “strategic partner’s” interests impudently by supplying
weapon to Azerbaijan and making efforts to return Karabakh to
Azerbaijan.

Russia has to support the current regime because its policy on Armenia
has taken an unexpected turn for Russia. Traditional methods are not
effective, and Kremlin has not thought of anything new. Moscow has no
economic proposals. Two pro-Russian parties, the PAP and the Armenian
National Congress, failed. The current developments in the opposition
worry Moscow.

ïne can feel how Moscow tried to keep its presence in Armenia. It is
the story of the gas price and the arrangement enabling CSTO forces to
interfere with the domestic affairs of its member states. Moscow’s
policy on Armenia is not that of the carrot and stick but stick and
stick. With the traditional attitude of humiliation, Moscow cannot
cross the psychological border and set up partnership with Armenia.

The nomination of the next prime minister is evidence to this. The
Armenian press reported rumors on Russia’s likelihood to offer a
better price of gas in return for the appointment of Karen Karapetyan,
the ex-CEO of ARG. It recalls the Property for Debt arrangement.
Moscow’s attitude and style is the same, isn’t it? Apparently, the
circumstances of Robert Kocharyan, Hovik Abrahamyan and the other
Karen Karapetyan were not effective.

Armenia is highly important to Russia. “Losing” Armenia, Russia will
lose its foothold in the Caucasus and Central Asia. Moscow knows it
very well. Armenia also understood this, so it is time to go for a
dignified partnership over forming government and other issues.
However, the governments of Russia and Armenia are not capable of such
partnership.

From: A. Papazian

Price of Armenian PM’s position to be paid for by natural gas? – newspaper

March 02, 2013 | 06:46

YEREVAN. – The name of Armenian capital city Yerevan’s former Mayor,
Russian Gazprom Company’s present-day Deputy Director, Karen
Karapetyan – who is in Armenia these days and is holding political
meetings – likewise is circulated among the candidates for the PM’s post
of the country, Hraparak daily reports.

`We learned from a Moscow source close to [Russia’s] Gazprombank that
the matter of Karen Karapetyan being appointed PM is linked to the
Armenian-Russian talks with respect to the price of [natural] gas. The
authorized circles of the negotiations have imposed a condition that
Karapetyan would return to Armenia and be appointed to the PM’s
position only if he contributes to a reduction in the price of the
Russian gas.

To note, [Armenia’s] Energy and Natural Resources Minister Armen
Movsisyan had pledged that, `we will have the best gas price in the
CIS; ours will be the lowest [price].’

The price of Russian gas currently being delivered to Armenia
constitutes $180/1,000 cubic meters, whereas Belarus pays the lowest
price for the Russian [natural] gas,’ Hraparak writes.

– See more at:

From: A. Papazian

FRANCE
Madenian, Légitimus en Têtes d’Affiche
Le Journal du Centre, France Mercredi 6 Fevrier 2013

Mathieu Madenian et Pascal Legitimus sont les deux tetes d’affiche de
la 5e edition du festival La Machine a rire, qui aura lieu vendredi 28
et samedi 29 juin.

Alors que la soiree cabaret reunissant quatre jeunes humoristes,
samedi 2 mars, affiche deja complet depuis quinze jours, Bain douche
jeunes (BDJ) vient de finaliser le programme du festival La Machine a
rire, prevu vendredi 28, samedi 29 et dimanche 30 juin. Les
reservations seront lancees dès lundi (voir encadre).

L’humoriste Mathieu Madenian, connu du grand public pour ses
interventions piquantes dans les emissions de Michel Drucker, sur
Europe 1 (Faites entrer l’invite) et sur France 2 (Vivement dimanche)
ouvrira le bal, vendredi 28.

Dans son one-man-show, actuellement en tournee dans toute la France,
Mathieu Madenian, a l’humour decapant, voire cinglant, propose sa
vision et son interpretation du monde. L’equipe de BDJ table sur cet
artiste, ` a la bonne visibilite `, pour remplir, comme chaque annee,
la salle des fetes, d’une capacite de 300 personnes.

Samedi 29, l’humoriste, acteur et realisateur Pascal Legitimus, connu
comme membre des Inconnus, viendra presenter son Alone man show. Un
spectacle qui n’a rien a voir avec l’univers du celèbre trio, dans
lequel il evoque ses origines a la fois antillaises et armeniennes.

C’est la boîte de production de ce dernier qui a contacte BDJ, preuve
que le festival de La Machine s’est fait connaître du milieu
artistique : ` Eric Antoine, par exemple [venu en 2012], a parle de
nous a ses copains humoristes. Certains nous sollicitent `, confie
Alexandre Tillier, directeur artistique du festival. ` Des boîtes de
prod’nous envoient des propositions. Le challenge, pour nous, c’est de
trouver des artistes qui rentrent dans notre budget de 30.000 ? `.

Deux artistes, parmi les quatre qui se produiront le 2 mars (*) seront
choisis par le public et par un jury compose notamment de Nicole
Avezard (Lucienne des Vamps) et de son acolyte, Isabelle Chenu. Ils
assureront les deux premières parties de Mathieu Madenian et Pascal
Legitimus.

Dimanche 30 juin, toute la journee, le public retrouvera, comme l’an
dernier, place de la Mairie de La Machine, des spectacles de rue,
structures gonflables, scènes ouvertes et un vide-greniers.

BDJ organisera aussi, en mai, une soiree, a l’Hôtel des Mineurs, avec
un jeune humoriste, qui reste a determiner. ` Notre objectif, c’est de
proposer un festival de mars a juin, avec des spectacles tout au long
du printemps `, annonce Alexandre Tillier. ` Comme tous les spectacles
font le plein, on aimerait proposer plus de dates, donc aussi en avril
et en mai. La soiree cabaret creee en 2012 marche fort. Cette annee,
nous avons rajoute des places pour accueillir 228 personnes. Pour
nous, selectionner des jeunes humoristes, c’est beaucoup de travail.

On va les voir a Paris, sachant qu’il y a la-bas en permanence 300
one-man-show. Mais on a une vraie volonte d’aider ces jeunes talents a
se faire connaître `.

D’ailleurs, les benevoles suivent le devenir des anciens invites : La
Bajon, venue en mars 2012, joue en ce moment au Point Virgule ; Jeremy
Charbonnel joue au thetre et s’est mis a la mise en scène. Peut-etre
ces jeunes artistes reviendront-ils, un jour, a La Machine, mais cette
fois comme tetes d’affiche ?

(*) Fabien Olicard, Celine Holynski, Antoine Demor et Marine Baousson.

samedi 2 mars 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian