Author: Andres-Papazian

PRESIDENT ASSAD ORDERS COMMANDERS TO TARGET ISRAEL, US INTERESTS “IF ASSASSINATED”

FNA
19:17 | 2013-01-14

TEHRAN (FNA)- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has ordered his army
commanders to target Israel and the US interests in the Middle East
region in case he is assassinated by the terrorists, informed sources
said on Monday.

President Assad’s remarks came after he attended several meetings
with his senior commanders, and discussed the country’s security
situation with them, the Algerian Al-Shorouq Oline newspaper quoted
informed sources close to the Syrian government as saying on Monday.

In the meetings presided by President Assad, Syria’s top army
commanders told him that “the foreign hostile states will strive to
assassinate him instead of launching a military attack on Syria”.

According to the report, a Persian translation of which was released
by the Iranian students news agency, the Syrian army commanders have
told the President that the spy agencies of certain western states
and Syria’s neighboring countries have smuggled hi-tech missiles into
Syria to provide armed rebels and terrorist groups with a chance to
target President Assad’s likely residence.

In response, President Assad has ordered his military commanders to
target Israel and the US positions in the region, specially in the
Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, if the western states succeed in
assassinating him.

Earlier this month, President Assad voiced his readiness for dialogue
with the opposition and political parties in Syria. The Syrian leader
also proposed general elections, adoption of a new constitution as
well as a national reconciliation conference.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011 with organized
attacks by well-armed gangs against Syrian police forces and border
guards being reported across the country.

Hundreds of people, including members of the security forces, have
been killed, when some protest rallies turned into armed clashes.

The government blames outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorist groups
for the deaths, stressing that the unrest is being orchestrated
from abroad.

In October 2011, calm was eventually restored in the Arab state
after President Assad started a reform initiative in the country,
but Israel, the US and its Arab allies are seeking hard to bring the
country into chaos through any possible means. Tel Aviv, Washington
and some Arab capitals have been staging various plots in the hope
of increasing unrests in Syria.

The US daily, Washington Post, reported in May that the Syrian
rebels and terrorist groups battling the President Bashar al-Assad’s
government have received significantly more and better weapons in
recent weeks, a crime paid for by the Persian Gulf Arab states and
coordinated by the United States.

The newspaper, quoting opposition activists and US and foreign
officials, reported that Obama administration officials emphasized
the administration has expanded contacts with opposition military
forces to provide the Persian Gulf nations with assessments of rebel
credibility and command-and-control infrastructure.

According to the report, material is being stockpiled in Damascus, in
Idlib near the Turkish border and in Zabadani on the Lebanese border.

Opposition activists who several months ago said the rebels were
running out of ammunition said in May that the flow of weapons – most
bought on the black market in neighboring countries or from elements
of the Syrian military in the past – has significantly increased after
a decision by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Persian Gulf states to
provide millions of dollars in funding each month.

From: A. Papazian

ISTANBUL ARMENIANS KICK OFF AID CAMPAIGN FOR SYRIA VICTIMS

Hurriyet Daily News

Vercihan Ziflioð[email protected] The Armenian
community in Istanbul has initiated two aid campaigns aiming to help
the Armenian victims of the conflicts in Syria.

The first campaign, “Biz Titriyoruz bize yardým ediniz,” organized
by Þinorhik Altun, the wife of Tower Travel Aviation owner Dikran
Altun, has drawn a great deal of interest, as has the second campaign,
initiated by Turkey’s Armenian Patriarchate. The Turkish Red Crescent
will distribute the aid collected by the Patriarchate.

Speaking to the Hurriyet Daily News on the campaign, Arsen Arþýk,
an academic at Boðazici University and one of the organizers of the
movement, said many Armenians in Istanbul have shown great support
to the campaign.

“Monetary aid was not accepted since the campaign is a civil
initiative. Only clothes have been collected so far. The Patriarchate
was also informed about this. The aim was to help the thousands of
Syrian Armenians who sought asylum in Armenia. However, since we had
difficulties in finding new storage [for the aid], we had to end the
campaign,” Arþýk said.

Arþýk said Armenian airline company Armavia transferred a total of
60 parcels of aid to Yerevan over a very short course of time. “This
campaign could be regarded as a historic civil move by Istanbul
Armenians. Thanks to this campaign, Istanbul’s Armenian community
experienced the joy of helping their brothers in the Diaspora,”
Arþýk said, adding that the Patriarchate also opened a bank account
for the aid program.

January/14/2013

From: A. Papazian

MIDDLE CLASS PROTESTS
Naira Hayrumyan

17:37 15/01/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

The essence of the new tax reforms is to cork up the remaining holes
through which the Armenian economy could brief. After boosting taxes
on dentists and small shops and introducing the plan to tax farmers
those who still were able to earn a living will choke.

The Armenian economy is a huge bank which circulates borrowed money,
interest earned is spent on salaries and pensions which are just
enough to prevent people from starving. There is no real economy.

Money is not invested in development, it goes to the pockets of the
ruling elite.

There is a limit beyond which the government will not be able to
tighten the rope around people’s neck. A few years ago inflation was a
two-digit number. The limit seemed to have been reached, triggering a
social uprising. However, the government seems to have understood that
there will be no uprising so it has decided not to move farther.

The protest of dentists at the president’s office may be a good
precedent. In fact, it is a protest of the middle class which is
deprived of its means of earning independently from the banks. A
hungry uprising is believed impossible in Armenia but middle class
protests might be an important factor in reviewing the economic
policy.

The middle class needs to understand that only protests will stop the
government from destroying the real economy and blowing the financial
balloon bigger. Otherwise, the government will continue to pull the
rope tighter until the economy is suffocated, and those still alive
leave Armenia.

It is pointless to rely on the elections, change of government and
economic policy by means of elections. On the contrary, the ruling
regime feels so confident as not to beware unpopular steps ahead of
the election. People are silent, which means there is room for pulling
the rope tighter.

From: A. Papazian

PAPER: KOCHARIAN BANNED FROM HUNTING IN LIBERATED TERRITORY

January 15, 2013 – 15:45 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenia’s second president, hunting aficionado
Robert Kocharian continues to live a healthy life of a young pensioner,
Hraparak daily reported.

Ex-president is rumored to have departed for Nagorno Karabakh
Republic’s Horadiz reserve recently. However, his helicopter was sent
back, with an argument suggesting hunting was strictly banned in that
area. No information has been provided as to the areas he was offered
as an alternative, the paper reported.

From: A. Papazian

RUBEN SAFRASTYAN: AZERBAIJAN WILL START A NEW WAR AGAINST ARTSAKH IN CASE OF MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST IRAN

17:08 15/01/2013 ” REGION

In 2013, the Azerbaijani authorities will continue their efforts
towards deliberate increase of tensions in border areas, Director
of the Oriental Studies Institute of the Armenian National Academy
of Sciences Ruben Safrastyan told a news conference, commenting on
possible developments in Karabakh settlement.

By doing so, Baku will try to consolidate the Azerbaijani society
ahead of the 2013 presidential elections, he added.

Azerbaijan will try to take advantage of regional tension and start a
new war against Artsakh in case of military operations against Iran,
the expert said.

“Under the circumstances, we should be active, especially in the
process of peaceful settlement of the conflict: we should make new
proposals as well as be active in our relations with our allies. We
should intensify cooperation with CSTO, which is a strong support
for us,” said Safrastyan.

As for the negotiation process, according to him, it became less
intensive during the last year.

Source: Panorama.am

From: A. Papazian

“IVANISHVILI’S VISIT TO YEREVAN IS IMPORTANT FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS”

Tuesday,
January 15

“The visit of Bidzina Ivanishvili to Yerevan will have an important
effect not only on Armenian-Georgian relations, but also on regional
developments,” political scientist Sergei Minasian said at a press
conference today, when speaking about the upcoming visit of Georgian
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili to Yerevan.

In his words, the new authorities of Georgia seek to improve
Russian-Georgian relations, which will positively affect
Armenian-Georgian relations as well.

Commenting on the amnesty recently declared in Georgia, as a result of
which three Armenian Georgian figures have been released from prison,
Minasian noted: “I hope that after Ivanishvili’s visit, positive
changes related to Vahagn Chakhalian’s case will also take place”.

TODAY, 15:08

Aysor.am

From: A. Papazian

ST. MARY’S OF CHENNAI MARKS 300 YEARS

Published: Tuesday January 15, 2013

CHENNAI, INDIA – On December 18, members of Armenian community in
India marked its St Mary Armenian Church, Chennai’s 300th anniversary.

The occasion was celebrated by having Divine Liturgy at the Church
followed by a requiem service at the grounds of the Church. Rev. Fr.

Geghart Ghabaghyan conducted the Church service.

The St. Mary Armenian Church of Chennai is one oldest Armenian Churches
in India, that was first erected in 1712 and re-erected again in
1772. Armenians of Chennai were known to be famous merchants who
dealt with precious stones, silk, spices and others, records show
Armenian settlement began to flourish in 17th century in Chennai,
many believe that the first Armenian to arrive in Chennai was a man
called Thomas Cana in 780 AD . The Armenians of Madras were credited
for their charitable works in Chennai and elsewhere.

The Armenians of Chennai were famous for their Printing Press and
charitable works. It was in Madras that Azdarar, the first ever
Armenian periodical was printed and distributed by Rev. Harutiun
Shmavonian (Arathoon Shmavon) in the year 1794. Incidentally, his
year also marks 500th Year of the first Armenian Book being printed
in Venice by Hakob Meghapart (Jacob the sinner) in 1512.

From: A. Papazian

ARF-D MP COMMENTS OF ARMENIAN EX-PRESIDENT’S INTERVIEW

TERT.AM
15.01.13

Armenia’s second president Robert Kocharyan’s interview with the
Mediamax news agency clearly shows that he has no intention to
resume vigorous political activities in the foreseeable future,
Aghvan Vardanyan, Secretary of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D) parliamentary group, told Tert.am.

“This is evident from the end of his interview. Speaking of the current
situation in the country, he expresses hope that the authorities
will cope with the challenges. Political forces should take this
reality into account in making their political calculations,” Mr
Vardanyan said.

In his interview, Armenia’s ex-president Robert Kocharyan indicated
three main reasons for his unwillingness to resume vigorous political
activities.

First, the fight for power between two natives of Karabakh, longtime
companions, was unacceptable for him. It would make it difficult
for many people to make a choice and would become a topic for various
speculations. Besides, Robert Kocharyan himself preferred the incumbent
President, Serzh Sargsyan, as his successor, and his desire to run
for the second term is understandable.

Secondly, he wouldn’t like to be involved in creating a format of
“three presidents” fighting for power, which is extremely unpleasant,
and, according to Mr Kocharyan, harmful to the country.

Thirdly, the search for a political compromise in Armenia has turned
into political horse trading. This is not what he would like to spend
his time, knowledge and experience on.

Mr Vardanyan believes that Armenia’s ex-president does not “open the
brackets” by not naming any individuals.

As regards economic assessments, they are realistic and “indeed,
we need much more now.”

As to whether Mr Kocharyan calling President Serzh Sargsyan his
“successor” implies his (Mr Kocharyan’s) intention to resume political
activities in 2018, Mr Vardanyan noted that the interview deals with
the foreseeable future.

From: A. Papazian

SYRIAN-ARMENIAN REFUGEES TO LEARN RUSSIAN “TO GET BY” IN ARMENIA

14:09, January 15, 2013

According to today’s The Voice of Russia website, Russian language
courses for Syrian-Armenians now residing in Armenia were opened at
“Rossotrudnichestvo” offices in Yerevan.

This Russian Federal Agency was set up by Presidential decree, signed
by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on 6 September 2008, with the aim
of maintaining Russia’s influence in the Commonwealth of Independent
States, and to foster friendly ties for the advancement of Russia’s
political and economic interests in foreign states.

The Voice of Russia writes that the lessons were at the request of a
group of refugees who discovered upon their arrival in Armenia that
“Russian was the second official language” and that knowledge of it
was necessary for living a full life within the Armenian community.

Funny, but Article 12 of the RA Constitution simply states: “The
state language of the Republic of Armenia is Armenian”. It makes no
mention of western or eastern Armenia, let alone Russian.

True, some private companies and state agencies may require knowledge
of Russian for employment purposes, but that’s an entirely different
matter.

Nine refugees have enrolled in the courses so far and more groups of
Armenians wanting to learn Russian will be formed in the near future,
the site says.

From: A. Papazian

WORRISOME INFORMATION COMES FROM ARMENIA’S BANKING SYSTEM – NEWSPAPER

news.am
January 15, 2013 | 07:44

YEREVAN. – Troublesome news is flowing in recent times from Armenia’s
banking system, Haykakan Zhamanak daily reports.

“According to this information, such problems have risen in our
banking system that may result in a serious crisis.

First and foremost, the problems refer to the returnability of loans.

That is, people receive a loan from a bank to pay off a loan they
had earlier received from another bank.

Pursuant to the working legislation in Armenia, this is not encouraged,
to say the least, but the respective agencies turn a blind eye to
this. Otherwise, the entire financial system could collapse.

The banks hope that the Central Bank would find sources of large
amounts to inject money into the banking system. But it seems
these hopes are not materializing. According to some information,
substantial difficulties have already risen among four banks that
operate in Armenia,” Haykakan Zhamanak writes.

From: A. Papazian