Author: Andres-Papazian

GHARAMIAN, DANIELIAN LEAD CAPPELLE LA GRANDE CHESS OPEN

February 25, 2013 – 16:00 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian grandmasters Tigran Gharamian and Elina
Danielian have scored 2 points each to lead 29th Cappelle la Grande
Open with other chess players.

GMs Samvel Ter-Sahakyan, Hovhannes Gabuzyan, David Arutinian,
WGMs Evgeniya Doluhanova, Nelly Aginian, Karina Ambartsumova, IM
Karen Grigoryan, FM Robert Aghasaryan also represent Armenia at the
chess open.

The tournament will run through March 2, armchess.am reported.

From: A. Papazian

READING IS POPULAR IN ARMENIA, SAYS PUBLISHING HOUSE CHIEF

TERT.AM
13:49 ~U 25.02.13

The Antares Publishing House’s Facebook initiative offering free
books to the Armenian young readers has attracted an increasing number
of subscribers.

Summing up the results of the online function, Antares Director
Armen Martirosyan said Monday that 847 Armenian users of the social
networking had joined their initiative, of whom 23 received books as
a present thanks to their ‘likes’.

“Our initiative would not be so popular if not the Facebook pages. The
users demonstrated a great activeness with their ‘likes’, and those
who started joining but didn’t manage to win were awarded discounts,”
he told reporters.

Martirosyan said the project, despite the damage caused, was useful
in terms of helping so many people to communicate with books. “This
function proved that many would like reading a book, but because books
are expensive, we still have work to do to make them accessible. Books
have to be in the library first, and besides, it is necessary to
launch online books,” he said, noting that an electronic book attracts
a reader to obtaining its print copy.

The most desired book, according to Martirosyan, was a recent Armenian
translation by George Orwell, which used to be on the list of forbidden
literature. Hovhannes Tumanyan’s fairytale collection came in second.

Hovhannisyan had earlier said, in comments to Tert.am, that readers
in Armenia prefer to obtain books for free rather than at a 50%
discounted price.

Commenting on a similar initiative by the publishing house Zangak,
the Antares director said that they had offered cheaper and more
accessible books. “We do not aspire to be the biggest publishing house;
we seek to publish quality books,” he said.

More than 1,000 users joined Zangak’s initiative on February 19,
the International Book Giving Day.

From: A. Papazian

“5* DELUXE” HOTEL CLASSIFICATION IS NOW IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, February 26. /ARKA/. Armenia’s legislative body, the National
Assembly, approved Tuesday amendments to the law on ” tourism and
tourism activity” in its second and final reading.

The amendments enact in Armenia the new hotel classification “Five
Star Deluxe.”

“Today, a voluntary hotel classification system from 1 to 5 star
is applied in Armenia. However, in line with high tech development,
creation of new architectural solutions, higher “Five Deluxe” class
appeared,” Deputy Economy Minister of Armenia Ara Petrosyan.

According to him, the new hotel classification in Armenia will foster
hotel business investments and tourism.

In compliance with the amendments, “Five star deluxe” hotels will be
annually charged 1.5 million drams in duties.

Petrosyan added the hotels are also obliged to post on their buildings
and ads their “classification.”

At present, there are nearly 300 hotel facilities, of them 70 are
hotels. Most of them are located in Yerevan, Tsakhkadzor, Sevan,
Jermuk, Dilijan, Gyumri and Goris. ($1-408.16 drams). -0-

From: A. Papazian

SERJ TO SERZH: ARMENIAN AMERICAN ROCK STAR CASTS DOUBTS OVER SARGSYAN’S ELECTION VICTORY, URGES CHANGE

VOTE 2013 | 26.02.13 | 10:56

Photo: Photolure/Archive Photo

American-Armenian musician, lead vocalist of the System of a Down
rock band Serj Tankian has sent a letter to Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan in connection with the February 18 presidential election,
in which he congratulates the incumbent on his formal reelection,
but also casts doubts about the fairness of the vote.

In the letter Tankian, in fact, supports the claims by opposition
leader Raffi Hovannisian, who was the main challenger of Sargsyan in
the ballot, and now is disputing his election victory. The musician
known as a staunch civil rights activist also effectively backs
Hovannisian’s demands for punishment of vote riggers, dissolution
of the National Assembly and holding of new genuinely free and fair
elections as a compromise to end the post-election crisis in Armenia –
something that has reportedly been rejected by Sargsyan.

“Victory means getting the most votes, of course, in a democracy.

Based on the overwhelming reported fraud from many NGOs, irrespective
of the OSCE report, it seems like it would be scientifically impossible
for even you, Mr. President, to know whether you actually won the
majority of votes. That’s quite funny isn’t it? That you, the President
of Armenia are not really sure, deep inside, whether you are the true
chosen leader of your people or not,” wrote Tankian in an open letter.

“That would really bother me personally. If I wanted to lead my
people, I would really want them to make that decision for themselves,
because I respect my people and that is their decision to make.

Otherwise, I would take over Armenia and call myself the Governor
General of Armenia or Dictator du jour or whatever moniker I felt
like sporting that day. Maybe your party is out of control and the
oligarchs are running out of caviar or something and they want to
make sure that the flow of the good times doesn’t stop.”

The prominent musician continues:

“Whatever the case, it is time for change.

Whether you’ve won fairly or not, somehow you are now President,
again. What does that mean to you?

Yes, Artsakh is important to us all and we have to struggle together
for our brothers there.

But what I mean is how are you going to progress the cause of
Armenians, in Armenia and around the world?

How are you going to help pull the country out of its economic,
social, and political dysfunction and turmoil?

Obama at least offers hope, even when he lets us down.

Years ago, I started a campaign asking President Obama to do the right
thing and stick by his promise to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

You too took an oath, to the constitution of Armenia, to protect the
country from enemies foreign and domestic. Those who steal elections
from my people are domestic enemies that need to be punished.

It should be your duty to enforce that, even if some think it
hypocritical. You should also consider dissolving Parliament and
being the first Armenian reformist President who goes out of his way
to make sure that future elections are fair and representational.

Serzh, everyone who knows me knows that I can’t stand injustice. And
like most diasporan Armenians, I have always been reluctant to
criticize your government directly and publicly. But the avalanche
of people suffering under your rule due to corruption and injustice
is tipping the scale for us all.

You need to know that.

Armenia is desperate for the rule of law more than anything else. And
no one can be above the law. You can make that happen, now, by example
and presidential decree.

Unite us Serzh. Inspire us.

Please take this challenge.

Thank you for your time”.

From: A. Papazian

“STUDENT REVOLUTION” REACHES PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

ARMINFO
Tuesday, February 26, 13:25

Students discontented at the presidential election outcome continue
their protest actions. Today, they have gathered in front of the
Yerevan State University central building and than marched towards
the Pedagogical University calling for boycotting the lessons and
joining them.

However, many students openly refuse to join them and prefer visiting
lessons. In response to teachers’ demands to keep silence during
lessons, some of the protesters have their mouths taped shut.

A similar action of protest was held yesterday in front of the Medical,
Agrarian, Economic, Architectural and Engineering universities of
Armenia. Students demanded cancellation of the February 18 presidential
election result. Hovannisian, who got the second place at the Feb
18 presidential election, has been rallying in Yerevan and in the
regions against the election outcome since February 20.

To recall, Raffi Hovannisian received 36.75% of votes and lost the Feb
18 presidential election to the incumbent president Serzh Sargsyan,
who received 58.64% of votes.

Raffi Hovannisian addressed the students protesting in front of the
Agrarian University. He welcomed them and expressed confidence that
the Police will protect their constitutional right to freedom of
speech. Yeterday’s ‘student revolution’ ended in a short-term picket
in front of the Central Electoral Commission.

From: A. Papazian

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN MEETS RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR

15:25, February 26, 2013

Raffi K. Hovannisian today met with Russian Ambassador Vyacheslav
Kovalenko. Hovannisian and the ambassador exchanged viewpoints on
Armenia-Russia relations.

Hovannisian praised Russia’s role in ensuring stability in the region,
including its mission as a Minsk Group co-chair aimed at a resolution
of the Karabagh conflict. He also highlighted the new prospects for
bilateral cooperation between Armenia and Russia as two strategically
allied sovereign states.

Hovannisian and Kovalenko also discussed the possibilities of
overcoming the current political crisis in Armenia in the post-election
period.

Raffi Hovannisian Headquarters reports that Hovannisian, who was joined
by Heritage parliamentary group leader Ruben Hakobyan, stressed that
Russia, as a key strategic partner of Armenia, should be interested
in the development of democratic processes in the Republic.

From: A. Papazian

FIVE YEARS AGO TODAY
HAKOB BADALYAN

12:10 26/02/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

February 26 is a symbolic day in the history of independent Armenia.

On this day in 2008, when Ter-Petrosyan was holding round the clock
rallies on Freedom Square, the Republican Party held a rally on
Republic Square to celebrate Sargsyan’s victory. Lots of people were
forced to attend Sargsyan’s rally but shortly after it had started
people left and joined demonstration on Freedom Square. On that day,
Freedom Square accommodated more people than in the previous ten days.

People were forced to attend Serzh Sargsyan’s rally with the help
of traditional methods based on the administrative resource, while
police surrounded the square not to allow people to leave. After
Serzh Sargsyan’s speech when the concert was about to start the square
emptied in one second. People rushed to Freedom Square leaving behind
them posters they had received during Serzh Sargsyan’s rally.

February 26 is symbolic now not because the scenario of rigged
elections and post-electoral developments repeats. It is symbolic
against the background of statements issued by Republican functionaries
in answer to criticism about the official results of the elections.

For example, at the February 25 meeting of parliament Speaker
Abrahamyan, Vice-Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov and other Republicans
stated that they understand and respect those 500,000 citizens who
voted Raffi Hovannisian but Hovannisian himself and those who support
him should understand and respect 800,000 other citizens who voted
Serzh Sargsyan.

February 26 is symbolic especially against the background of such
kind of statements. Five years ago today it became clear what the
expression “Serzh Sargsyan’s voters” means. These voters escaped
Serzh Sargsyan’s rally in a few minutes after it started.

Consequently, before mentioning 800,000 voters the Republican
functionaries had better recall what happened on February 26, 2008.

Little has changed since then, only the poverty level and emigration
rates increased, as well as the votes of the candidate who officially
lost. The velocity of Serzh Sargsyan’s “voters” leaving him will
increase.

From: A. Papazian

WHAT ARMENIAN OPPOSITION LEADER SPOKE ABOUT WITH RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR?

NEWS.AM
February 26, 2013 | 12:20

METSAMOR. – Harboring great respect toward foreign partners,
an Armenian leader should put the interests of his people above
everything. Opposition Heritage Party Chairman Raffi Hovannisian-who is
declared runner-up to the winner, incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan,
as a result of the presidential election on February 18, but who claims
to be the real winner in the vote-stated this during his meeting with
the voters in Metsamor city, Armenian News-NEWS.am reporter informs.

He congratulated the Metsamor residents on their triumph. As per
Hovannisian, even though, and in line with official data, he and
Sargsyan each received 48 percent of the votes in the city, everyone
understands that the power of the people is returning to Metsamor.

As per the ex-presidential candidate, many of the world’s most powerful
countries are attempting to comprehend how the residents of Armenia
were able to achieve the triumph of the people.

“Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom I respect very much, [and] US
Secretary of State John Kerry sent their congratulations to Yerevan
in haste. But I said this also during the talk with the Russian
ambassador. Neither Putin nor Kerry nor [European Commission President
Jose Manuel] Barroso should act in such way that the rights of the
residents of Metsamor, Armavir [Region], [and] Armenia are violated.

Let no one give me lessons on American, Western, Russian democracy! I
serve my people,” Raffi Hovannisian added.

From: A. Papazian

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN TOURS REGIONS, DEMANDS DISMISSALS OF LOCAL OFFICIALS

NEWS.AM
February 26, 2013 | 12:42

YEREVAN.- Former candidate Raffi Hovannisian demanded dismissals of
the Aramavir city top officials.

During the meeting with Armavir residents, Hovannisian said from now
on changing situation in the country is the meaning of his life.

“No migration and poverty any more, we must change the situation,”
he said, adding that he is a servant of the Armenian people.

Raffi Hovannisian called on the Armenian citizens not to be afraid as
“it is our country, not someone else’s.”

He demanded that not only mayor of Armavir, but head of alderman
council and head of administration must resign.

“Tomorrow we will demand dismissal of Syunik administration head. It
is a long struggle, I call you to be ready,” he noted.

On Tuesday Hovannisian will continue his tour of Armenia’s regions.

From: A. Papazian

LT. GENERAL: SO FAR NATO HAS NO RELEVANT CONDITIONS TO USE TROOPS AGAINST IRAN

ARMINFO
Tuesday, February 26, 12:18

At the current stage of situation response, NATO has no relevant
conditions to use troops against Iran,” Leader of National Revival
Party, former defense minister of Armenia, Lt. General Vagharshak
Haroutiunyan told ArmInfo commenting possible long-term deployment
of part of ISAF’s contingent in Azerbaijan.

Earlier, speaking at the winter session of the NATO International
School in Azerbaijan dedicated to Challenges to Security in the Caspian
Region, Officer-Coordinator for the South Caucasus William Lahu said
that NATO is discussing with Azerbaijan use of Azeri territory during
troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

“Certainly, the territory of Azerbaijan is used for transit of military
cargoes to Afghansitan. It will be undoubtedly used also during troop
withdrawal from Afghanistan. It figures that NATO leadership needs
to cut the spending on withdrawal of so big quantity of military
hardware and manpower from Afghanistan. In this light, the use of
the given territory seems logically,” he said.

Haroutiunyan supposes that US troops may temporarily remain in
Azerbaijan, but their deployment on a contractual basis is unlikely,
as it would arouse severe response by Tehran and Moscow. He thinks
that presence of US troops in the territory of Azerbaijan is not
necessary so far. USA has indirect radiolocation intelligence and gets
the necessary data also through the stations exploited by Azerbaijan.

“So, Azerbaijan’s involvement in the planning of NATO operations
against Iran is quite possible and is studied, indeed. However, such
scenario is not probable at the given stage due to complicate situation
and lack of the conditions necessary for military interference of
NATO. Military force can be used now just to exert pressure on Iran
alongside with the information and diplomatic war.

Application of troops against Iran is less probable at present,”
he said.

The ISAF mandate is set by the UN Security Council Resolution No. 1386
in 2001, which authorized ISAF forces to help Afghan government in
security issues.

From: A. Papazian