Author: Andres-Papazian

SERZH SARGSYAN’S “SUICIDE BOMBERS”
JAMES HAKOBYAN

10:48 27/02/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

Young and old Republicans are trying to defend the official result of
the 2013 presidential elections. The February 26 meeting of parliament
was a clear farce. Republicans claim that the situation in Armenia
is calm and their “defendant” had a sweeping victory.

Meanwhile, the post-electoral protests give birth to a new movement.

Republicans are trying to defend the official result to appear to
Serzh Sargsyan as faithful warriors ready for everything for him.

However, it is clear to everyone that these people, if they are ready
for something, then only for their own interest.

If they want to help Serzh Sargsyan when a new wave of pan-national
protest is running across the country and a new civil-political
movement is being formed, they could just resign.

One cannot defend Serzh Sargsyan by defending the official results of
the election. Moreover, their defense makes him more vulnerable. By
and large, not only ineffective management, unfulfilled promises and
cosmetic reforms by Serzh Sargsyan but also the defense of the ruling
party has made him face the fact at the presidential election.

If the ruling team is still led by the same defensive methodology,
then no doubt new unpleasant surprises are expected for Serzh
Sargsyan both in home and foreign political terms. Consequently, if
the Republican Party is not aimed at making Serzh Sargsyan face the
fact and if their only desire is to help him, then instead of making
statements defending the official election results, Hovik Abrahamyan,
Galust Sahakyan, Eduard Sharmazanov, Hovhannes Sahakyan and all the
rest should follow the example of the Shirak region head, Armavir
and Vanadzor Mayors to announce resignation.

This will be the best and the only step they can do to defend Serzh
Sargsyan. Even if Serzh Sargsyan disagrees with their step, he will
later thank them for their assistance to him and to the state.

From: A. Papazian

LES TRANSFERTS DE FONDS EN PROVENANCE DE RUSSIE REPRESENTENT 64,5% DU BUDGET DE L’ARMENIE EN 2012

Les Armeniens ont transfere 1,69 milliard de dollars vers l’Armenie
en 2012 ce qui signifie une baisse des transferts de l’ordre de 140,3
millions de dollars (9,1%), comparativement a 2011.

85,6% de la somme a ete transferee de la Russie, comparativement a
83,7% en 2011 (soit une croissance de 150 millions de dollars).

Les 1,447 milliards de dollars transferes de la Russie en 2012 sont
equivalentes a 64,5% du budget armenien.

Les transferts en provenance de Chine ont augmente de 2,4 millions $
et de 1,9 millions de $ en provenance du Kazakhstan. Les transferts
provenant d’autres pays ont chute pour un total de 9,5 millions de
millions d’euros. Les transferts en provenance des Etats-Unis ont
baisse de 7,8 millions de dollars et de l’Ukraine de 6 millions
de dollars.

mercredi 27 fevrier 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

UNE PROVOCATION QUI EN DIT LONG

L’incident qui s’est produit mardi au cours de la reunion organisee par
la FRA Dachnagstoutioun en memoire des victimes du pogrom de Soumgaït
montre que la tension generee par le conflit du Haut Karabagh est
helas en train de deborder le cadre des frontières regionales.On ne
peut que regretter qu’un meeting de commemoration tenu dans l’enceinte
meme de l’Assemblee nationale ait pu degenerer ainsi, du fait d’une
provocation azerbaïdjanaise procedant d’une rare arrogance.

La venue d’agents perturbateurs dans cette manifestation commemorative
n’a cependant helas rien d’etonnant. Elle s’inscrit dans la logique de
haine savamment entretenue par le regime Aliev. Celle-ci se s’exprime
notamment par des menaces permanentes de guerre contre le Haut Karabagh
et meme l’Armenie, une propagande raciste et la promotion des criminels
qui se sont rendus coupable d’actes de barbarie anti-armenienne
(affaire Safarov). A ces facteurs s’ajoute le negationnisme d’Etat
du genocide des Armeniens.

Cette politique vise a exacerber dans le peuple azerbaïdjanais un
sentiment d’armenophobie qui est aujourd’hui en train de s’exporter
jusqu’en France, creant un trouble a l’ordre public grave au sein
meme de l’Assemblee nationale, au coeur de la democratie. Il est
particulièrement deplorable qu’elle ait eu pour consequence d’empecher
cette commemoration de se tenir jusqu’au bout dans la serenite et la
compassion envers les victimes du dernier grand pogrom du XXe siècle,
qui a ete perpetre le 26 fevrier 1988, en milieux urbains et en temps
de paix, a des centaines de kilomètres du Haut Karabagh. L’evenement
qui s’est deroule hier est grave.

Le temps est venu que le gouvernement de M.Ayrault prenne ses
responsabilites et rappelle aux Etats turcs et Azerbaïdjanais,
les limites a ne pas depasser en matière de propagande raciste et
negationniste sur le sol national. Il est temps que les esprits se
calment et que les moeurs politiques republicaines, qui commencent
par le respect dû aux morts, reprennent leur droit.

Ara Toranian

mercredi 27 fevrier 2013, Ara ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

WHITE HOUSE RESPONSED TO THE PETITIONS ON THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT AND KHOJALY TRAGEDY

Trend
Feb 26 2013
Azerbaijan

The White House on Tuesday issued an official response to the
petitions on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Khojaly tragedy,
posted on its website.

According to it, the U.S. committed to lasting and peaceful settlement
of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

“While we will not be issuing a Presidential Proclamation, United
States deeply regrets the tragic losses of life in the war between
Azerbaijan and Armenia. It reminds us that there cannot be a
military solution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, and that only
a lasting and peaceful settlement can bring stability, prosperity,
and reconciliation to the region. As a Co-Chair of the Minsk Group,
the United States remains firmly committed to working with all sides
to achieve peace”,- the document says.

Earlier, two petitions on recognition of Khojaly genocide
and occupation of the Azerbaijani territories were posted at a
special section of the official website of the White House. Both
of them received the required number of signatures (100, 000), for
consideration by the U.S. President Barack Obama.

On Feb. 25-26 February, 1992, Armenian occupation forces together with
the 366th infantry regiment of Soviet troops stationed in Khankendi
(previously Stepanakert) committed an act of genocide towards the
population of the Azerbaijani Khojaly town.

Some 613 people were killed including 63 children, 106 women and 70
old men. A total of 1000 civilians were disabled during the genocide.

Eight families were killed, 130 children lost one parent and 25
lost both. Additionally, 1275 innocent residents were taken hostage,
while the fate of 150 remains unknown.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France and the U.S. –
are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented four U.N. Security Council resolutions
on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.

From: A. Papazian

VESTI.AZ: FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE REIGNS IN BAKU METRO STATION ON COMMEMORATION DAY OF VICTIMS OF KHOJALU

22:48 26/02/2013 ” SOCIETY

“Genocide is genocide, but Baku also has a state structure, which puts
a crunch of banknotes higher than national mourning. Even the domestic
TV channels mourn on this day,” the Azerbaijani site Vesti.az says.

Today is the 21st anniversary of the events taken place in Aghdam,
in 1992 during which the part of Khojalu residents was killed. “On
this day people of Azerbaijan honor the memory of the innocent victims
of this tragedy with grief. In Azerbaijan as well as in many countries
around the world rallies and commemorative events are held dedicated to
the anniversary of Khojalu tragedy. Even the national television, most
of the programming grid of which is aimed at promoting the spiritual
decay through cheap shows, mourn on this day,” the article says.

“However, we do have a state structure, which apparently is not aware
of the fact that today Azerbaijan commemorates one of the tragic
days in the history of our country. We are speaking about the Baku
Metro station, where the presence of the tragic day was not felt. The
colorful commercials accompanied by rhythmic music created a festive
air,” the article says.

The author stresses that the most creative subway passengers in Baku
metro station who were fond of “high art” were even swaying under
the music. “And how to resist it if the monitor shows two girls
in mini-skirts boldly nibbling sunflower seeds, and the group “Tin
uÅ~_aqları” performing unpretentious guitar chords?” the article says.

The author notes that the Azerbaijani advertisers, even on
commemoration day of the tragedy, have managed to announce on TV
channels about campaigns to be held on March 8, the International
Women’s Day. “Vesti.az” summarizing says that simple respect is needed
to be performed towards the innocent victims, reminding about the
tragedy by the same advertising screens.

On February 26, 1992, during the war in Karabakh, around 200 to
300 people (according to Human Right Watch, and 600 according to the
version propagated by Azerbaijan) were killed in unknown circumstances
near the city of Aghdam. They have been deliberately withheld by the
Azerbaijani authorities in the midst of the military actions.

Population of the village of Khojalu, which was one of the firing
points shooting at the blockaded Stepanakert (among five others)
was kept in the village for months by force and was not evacuated by
the authorities of Azerbaijan deliberately, in order to use them as
human shields later.

Residents of Khojalu coming out through the humanitarian corridor,
that the self-defense forces of NKR had left open, freely passed more
than 10 km and reached the Aghdam city controlled by the Azerbaijani
troops. Later, not far from the positions of Azerbaijani troops dead
bodies of the villagers were found. The exact death toll remains
unknown as the official Baku publishes data contradicting each other.

Parliamentary Commission investigating the tragic death of the
civilians at Aghdam city was dissolved by the order of Heydar Aliyev,
the investigative materials are kept secret.

Documentary: “Between hunger and fire. Power at the cost of lives”

From: A. Papazian

25TH ANNIV. OF SUMGAIT POGROMS COMMEMORATED IN HAGUE

February 25, 2013 – 20:50 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Abovian Armenian Cultural Centre of The Hague
commemorated the 25th anniversary of the pogroms against Armenians
in Sumgait.

Armenian Ambassador to Netherlands Dzyunik Aghajanyan opened the event,
briefing those present on the achievements since the start of Artsakh
liberation movement.

A Caucasus expert at the University of Amsterdam, Dr. Charlotte Hille
delivered a lecture on 25th anniversary of liberation struggle of
Nagorno Karabakh.

From: A. Papazian

ANDRIAS GHUKASIAN: CEC DECISION DOES NOT REFLECT POPULAR WILL

Monday,
February 25

Today’s decision of the Central Election Commission recognizing
Serzh Sargsyan as the winner of the presidential election does not
reflect popular will and is unacceptable to most citizens, says
a statement issued by Andrias Ghukasian, the head of Radio Hay,
a former presidential candidate.

“I share the opinion of protesters outside the CEC who say that the
commission decision was null and void from the moment of its adoption.

I urge those presidential candidates who do not acknowledge Serzh
Sargsyan’s victory in the fake election to join their efforts to
confirm the invalidity of the CEC decision,” Ghukasian stated.

TODAY, 19:21

Aysor.am

From: A. Papazian

THIS MOVEMENT REFLECTS LOVE FOR ARMENIA – ARF-D REP.

TERT.AM
25.02.13

The Popular Movement staged by the Heritage party’s leader reflects a
love for and commitment to Armenia, says Lilit Galstyan, a member of
the opposition Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaksutyun (ARF-D).

“All the messages by Raffi Hovhannisian are targeted at the state
and national policies, the accomplishment of a secure, fair, free,
developing and respected Armenia. In almost every fourth sentence,
he calls upon the citizens to be peaceful, tolerant and loving,”
she told Tert.am on Monday.

Galstyan said that she highly appreciates balanced sensibility
demonstrated by the Heritage leader.

Asked what she thinks of Hovhannisian’s regional tours and rallies,
Gasltyan said that though she isn’t aware of the politician’s plans,
she feels very enthusiastic about the overcrowded squares in the
regions. The ARF-D member thinks such activeness demonstrates the
Armenian nation’s awakening spirit for the protection their own rights
and dignity.

“I feel enthusiastic when seeing the positive energy on the square,”
said Galstyan, who has several times attended the Heritage leader’s
rallies.

Hovhannisian began his protest rallies on February 19 to dispute the
outcomes of the presidential election in which he considers himself
the de-facto winner. The second-placed candidate after the re-elected
president, the Heritage leader strongly believes the voting was
tainted by massive frauds to secure Serzh Sargsyan’s victory.

Galstyan further shared her views of the effectiveness of the
continuing protests.

“All depends on the extent of the people’s willingness to move
towards the end, and the belief in their role towards changing the
unbearable reality,” she said, adding that the sensibility, agenda
and the political conduct of the Movement’s leaders also matter a lot.

From: A. Papazian

LARGE BUSES TO REPLACE PASSENGER MINIVANS IN ARMENIAN CAPITAL

YEREVAN, February 25. / ARKA /. Number 100 and 144 minibuses running
in Yerevan will be replaced before the end of this week by 36 large
buses, the Yerevan municipality said.

It said the buses that will replace number 144 minibuses will retain
the same number, while the buses replacing number 100 minibuses will
be transporting passengers under number 47.

As of early February, about 2,100 minibuses and about 580 buses were
running in Yerevan. The main supplier of buses to Armenia is China.

Buses are also imported from Ukraine. Yerevan authorities are
negotiating also imports of Belarus-made buses.-0-

From: A. Papazian

KARVACHAR-SOTK HIGHWAY BECAME ALMOST IMPASSABLE

15:54, 25 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. All the Armenian highways and
mountain passes of interstate and republican significance are mainly
passable. The Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of
Armenia informed “Armenpress” that rime covered certain parts of the
highways of the Republic of Armenia by 15:00, February 25.

Karvachar-Sotk highway has become almost impassable.

In accordance with the information of the Department of Emergency
Situations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, the
Stepantsminda-Lars highway is closed for all the types of vehicles.

In order to secure the traffic the highways are being worked out by
salt and sand. The cleaning of the roads is in progress.

From: A. Papazian