Author: Andres-Papazian

SRNA IS THE SPIRIT AND HENRIKH MKHITARYAN THE MOTOR OF “SHAKTAR”. ALEKSANDR SOPKO

20:26, 4 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 4, ARMENPRESS: Former “Shaktar” defender, football
expert Aleksandr Sopko declared that “Shaktar” had nothing to worry
about as it had Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Fernandinho and Darijo Srna.

Armenpress reports this was noted by the expert in interview with
Ukrainian journalists, when referring to the transfer of leading
midfielder Willian. He noted it was not a tragedy for “Shaktar”.

“Willian has never been the face of the club. That are Henrikh
Mkhitaryan, Fernandinho and Darijo Srna which form it,” he said. He
highlighted that Srna is the spirit and esthetics of the team, and
what about Mkhitaryan he is the motor. “While they are in the team,
“Shaktar” has nothing to be afraid of,” he said.

Mkhitaryan played in 2-0 2012 Super Cup victory over Metalurh Donetsk.

In his first match of the 2012-2013 Premier League season, he netted
twice and provided two assists in a 6-0 season opening victory against
Arsenal Kyiv. He managed a hat trick against Chornomorets Odesa in
a 5-1 win to reach 10 goals for the season after just six games,
equaling his tally for the previous season.

From: A. Papazian

STARTING FROM ZERO THROUGH CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

Naira Hayrumyan
Country – Monday, 04 February 2013, 12:20

The peaceful pace of the electoral campaign in Armenia has been
interrupted, and now we should expect new turns. At the same time,
turns should be expected both at the foreign and home political
fronts. The attempt on Paruir Hayrikyan~Rs life put forth several
important questions. 1. Hayrikyan blamed ~SRussian imperialism~T for the
attempt, actually showing that the shooter was not Russia but those
who advocate the new Russian or Eurasian empire. Actually, Hayrikyan
confirmed that Armenia is heavily drawn into the Eurasian structures,
and imperialism will not stop at anything on its way and tomorrow
there may be other victims. Of course, Hayrikyan~Rs statement may be
just an agreed attempt to redirect the arrows to the foreign factors
in order not to allow ~Sinternal enemies~T to raise their head,
especially that the attempt followed his meeting with Serzh Sargsyan.

Most probably, however, the foreign political factor exists, and
Armenia is really standing at dangerous crossroads. Although, even
Hayrikyan~Rs statement caused no discussion among the presidential
candidates about the foreign political bias of Armenia. 2. Hayrikyan~Rs
statement about the possibility of postponing the voting day by two
weeks caused a vibrant reaction of the society. Moreover, the
candidate Andrias Ghukasyan called on Hayrikyan to turn to the
Constitutional Court demanding to appoint new elections after 40 days.

He called on him to use the chance and begin from zero not allowing
the ruling party close to the elections. The Constitutional Court may
dismiss Hayrikyan~Rs claim. Hayrikyan, thanks God, is getting better.

But the fact that this issue which seemed fantastic became actual
means that it may become also real. ~SStarting from zero~T, of course,
is the only condition for formatting the political system in Armenia.

Under the current circumstances, even with Serzh Sargsyan~Rs best
wishes, real elections in Armenia are not possible. However, starting
from zero can be done through a variety of ways. The boycott is still
proposed as a way to cancel the elections and start from zero. If the
candidates and the forces which do not run in the elections wanted to
start from zero, they would have called to boycott the elections. But
no one did this. Now, the proposed way is to turn to the
Constitutional Court with the demand to appoint new elections. Isn~Rt
it clear that the court will not find arguments to appoint new
elections? Political forces and candidates must either admit that
Armenia is really in danger, disagreements are not welcome now, and it
is necessary to unite against the common enemy or to say that there is
no danger, and to encourage people not to go to the polls. It is
hardly necessary to hope that Hayrikyan will abandon charges against
Russian imperialism and will accuse Serzh Sargsyan, and the
Constitutional Court will be so ~Sconstitutional~T that it will appoint
a new election. We must look for another way out although it has long
been on the surface.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN PEOPLE WAKING UP FROM COMA – PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL

February 4, 2013 – 21:30 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – A candidate in Armenia’s presidential elections,
Heritage party leader Raffi Hovannisian met with the heads of
diplomatic missions accredited to Armenia and Armenian representations
of international organizations.

At the meeting, Hovannisian briefed those present on his approach to
peculiarities of the electoral campaign and his stance on Armenia’s
foreign policy. The parties further stressed the importance of holding
polls in accordance with international standards.

The meeting was followed by the candidate’s visit to the city of
Ashtarak and adjacent villages. “We’ve entered the second stage
of the electoral campaign. A meeting with voters in Yerevan and
Armenian provinces made me see change in people’s mood. People are
waking up from coma and, for the first time in 20 years, seem ready
to assume responsibility for changing the situation in the country,”
Hovannisian said.

From: A. Papazian

Armenia-based boxing tournament renamed after Vladimir Yengibaryan

YEREVAN.- A memorial ceremony for the best boxer of all time Vladimir
Yengibaryan took place in Armenia in St. Sarkis church in Yerevan on
Sunday.

The ceremony was attended by President of Armenia~Rs National Olympic
Committee (NOC) Gagik Tsarukyan, Sport Minister Hrachya Rostomyan and
heads of sport federations and veterans.

Immediately after the ceremony, NOC Vice-President, member of the
executive committee of the European Boxing Association Derenik
Gabrielyan said that from now on the annual Boxing Tournament after
Gagik Tsarukyan will be renamed the tournament after Vladimir
Yengibaryan, official website of Armenian NOC reported.

Olympic champion, famous Soviet Armenian boxer Vladimir Yengibaryan
passed away at the age of 81 in Los Angeles on Friday.

From: A. Papazian

HEAD OF ARMENIA’S NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL RECEIVES REPRESENTATIVE OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE SEC. GEN.

February 04, 2013 | 17:38

YEREVAN.- Secretary of Armenia’s National Security Council (NSC)
Arthur Baghdasaryan received on Monday newly appointed representative
of the Council of Europe Secretary General Oleksandr Pavlyuk.

Welcoming the official, Baghdasaryan congratulated him on the
appointment, expressing confidence that Armenia-EU cooperation will
continue successfully and implementation of joint programs will be
reached during his mission.

NSC Secretary underscored importance of close cooperation with
Oleksandr Pavlyuk in the context of upcoming Armenia’s chairmanship in
the Council of Europe.

In his turn, Pavlyuk that Armenia’s chairmanship will help to develop
cooperation between Yerevan and Strasburg.

Representative of the CoE Secretary General assured he would spare no
effort to realize provisions of the Armenia-Council of Europe action
plan for 2012-2014.

The officials exchanged views on cooperation prospects and priorities.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT DRAFTS NEW CHANGES TO LAW ON LICENSING PAYMENTS REGARDING DENTISTRY

YEREVAN, February 4. / ARKA /. In response to a series of protests
of Armenian dentists the National Assembly has developed a package
of amendments to the law on licensing payments, envisaging a number
of changes regarding licensing of dental clinics.

According to previous changes to the law, which entered into force
on January 1, dentist clinics will have to pay 80,000 drams per each
chair a quarter, up from previous 12,000 drams.

At a January 26 extraordinary congress some 1,300 Armenian dentists
signed a petition to the president, prime minister and parliament
speaker demanding that the payment be downed to 30,000 drams. They also
demanded not to tax diagnostic X-ray services and dental laboratories
operating in clinics.

“The parliament committees have already discussed this issue
having drafted new amendments, which will soon be submitted to the
government,” parliament speaker Hovik Abrahamyan said today.

According to various estimates, there are 12,000 dentists in Armenia.

Experts believe that the changes to law would lead to a significant
increase in the prices of dental services and increasing shadow. ($
1 – 406.57 drams). -0-

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY DISMISSES STATEMENT OF AZERBAIJANI DEPUTY FM

NEWS.AM
February 04, 2013 | 15:48

YEREVAN.- During the last meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia
and Azerbaijan and the three Co-Chairs in Paris the Azerbaijani side
made no proposals, Spokesperson for Armenian MFA Tigran Balayan told
Armenian News-NEWS.am.

He was asked to comment on Azerbaijani Deputy FM’s claims that during
the meeting last week in Paris the Armenian side had supposedly
rejected some proposals made by Azerbaijan.

“Moreover, the five-party press release about that meeting agreed by
the Foreign Ministers and three co-chairs has not been posted on the
Azerbaijani MFA website. Meanwhile, the Azerbaijani MFA Spokesman
is attempting to present their invented interpretation about that
meeting. The same had happened with the agreed press release of the
previous Paris meeting. This is nothing than so typical for Azerbaijani
side intention to mislead its public opinion.

The Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan is right only in one thing:
in Paris the approaches of the Armenian Foreign Minister did not
differ from the approaches expressed previously. That is natural,
Armenia’s position has been and is in line with the approaches of
the international community expressed by the three Co-Chairs.

Yet, the Azerbaijani side is obstinately continuing to reject or is
attempting to revise all the proposals made by the Co-Chairs, which
repeated also during the last meeting in Paris,” Balayan said.

From: A. Papazian

RUSSIAN SPECIAL SERVICES HAVE NO RELATION TO HAYRIKYAN’S ATTACK – ANALYST

NEWS.AM
February 04, 2013 | 16:12

YEREVAN.- The attack on Paruyr Hayrikyan proves there is certain
tension in domestic policy, political analyst Ara Papyan said.

Former Ambassador to Canada says there are some “dark areas” regarding
assassination attempt, for instance the gun that was chosen by
a criminal.

Analyst said he respects Hayrikyan’s opinion but he, personally,
doubts that the attack was a Russian plot.

Besides, Russian side did not respond to Hayrikyan’s accusations
against Russian imperialism which proves they do not take it seriously.

“You must look for those standing behind the crime in Armenia,”
he added.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, an assassination
attempt was made against presidential candidate, opposition National
Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan, on January 31 at
around 11:20pm in downtown Yerevan, in front of his home. Hayrikyan was
shot and hospitalized with a gunshot wound. He underwent a successful
surgery on the morning of February 1, and a bullet-which was located
in the soft tissues of his right elbow shoulder-was removed.

A criminal case is opened in connection with the assassination attempt
against Paruyr Hayrikyan. It is launched on charges of carrying out an
assassination attempt against a statesman, political or public figure,
which-that is, the attempt-is carried out to end this person’s noted
activities. This crime is punishable by imprisonment for 12-20 years,
or life in prison.

The National Security Service is conducting the investigation.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA CAN NOT REGARD ITS DIASPORA AS A DONOR ONLY: PM SAYS

YEREVAN, February 4. / ARKA /. The Armenians of the world are a
single interconnected organism that lives by a single logic, and this
is why Armenia can not look at its vast Diaspora as a donor only,
prime minister Tigran Sargsyan said in an interview with The Moscow
News newspaper.

“We look at our Diaspora as part of the Armenian world. The Armenian
world has its economic and political interests, lobbying organizations
and charitable foundations. Two-thirds of our people live outside
Armenia, and the impact of the 6 millionth Diaspora is very strong
and palpable. Armenia itself often helps the Armenian communities,”
Sargsyan said.

He said Armenians have their global organizations like pan-Armenian
organizations of architects, lawyers, dentists, surgeons and so on,
who meet for various workshops and conferences worldwide. “This
ensures that the nation is more united, and the living organism gets
more opportunities for self-realization “, he added.

Sargsyan spoke also about his family and the Armenian Genocide of 1915,
saying in particular that his ancestors came from Erzurum which is
in present-day Turkey.

“My grandfather escaped death by miracle. Having lost the entire family
– his parents, brothers, sisters – he emigrated first to Russia and
then to Eastern Armenia. And at the age of 17 he started life from
scratch. Our whole life is saturated with memories of our historical
homeland, genocide and its victims. This fate befell many Armenian
families,” he said.

The 1915 Armenian Genocide was the first genocide of the twentieth
century. Turkey denies that mass annihilation of the Armenian
population -1.5 million- during World War I amounted to genocide.

The Armenian Genocide is recognized by many countries, including
Uruguay, Russia, France, Lithuania, Italy, the majority of U.S.

states, Greece, Cyprus, Argentina, Belgium and Wales, Switzerland,
Canada, Poland and many other countries. -0-

From: A. Papazian

NO POLITICAL FORCE IN AZERBAIJAN DIFFERENT FROM ALIYEV REGIME – ARMENIAN EXPERT

TERT.AM
14:51 ~U 04.02.13

At a meeting with journalists on Monday, military expert David
Jamalyan said that all the political forces likely seeking power in
Azerbaijan are not in any way different from Ilham Aliyev’s regime,
and their policy toward Armenia will not in any way be different.

“Azerbaijan has no prospects of having authorities that would admit
that present-day Azerbaijan’s territory is 15,000 sq kilometers less
than Soviet Azerbaijan’s territory,” Mr Jamalyan said.

With respect to the recent social unrest in Azerbaijan, the expert
said it is evidence of an emerging crisis, with a social aspect to be
necessarily considered as poverty is actually a problem in Azerbaijan.

“One more problem is that Azerbaijani society is inclined to turn any
authorities into a despotic regime. The third problem is
permissiveness, and we are going to see an explosion during the
pre-election period,” Mr Jamalyan said.

As to whether the social unrest in Azerbaijan may develop into a war,
the expert said that such a scenario is possible only if Azerbaijan is
sure of its victory. Since Azerbaijan has not such prospects, resuming
hostilities would be a gamble for that country.

“A war scenario will speed up the Aliyev clan’s collapse. So the clan
may attempt destabilization, which, however, would not lead to a new
war,” the expert said.

Earlier, Mr Jamalyan said that if Azerbaijan decides to resume
hostilities against Nagorno-Karabakh in an attempt to resolve the
problem of domestic tension and enable the Aliyev regime to retain
power, that very step will cause the regime’s collapse.

From: A. Papazian