Author: Andres-Papazian

POLICE ARREST MP’S SON FOR CARJACKING
Grisha Balasanyan

hetq
12:33, July 18, 2012

Artak Gevorgyan, the son of Republican Party MP Nahapet Gevorgyan,
was arrested by police early this morning on charges of hijacking a
car at gunpoint after forcing the driver and a passenger to get out.

The incident is said to have occurred at a gas station owned by MP
Gevorgyan in the Sardarapat village of Armavir Marz.

It appears that Artak Gevorgyan drove up in his own car to fill the
gas tank and got irritated at the prospect of waiting in line.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN POLITICAL SCIENTISTS UNION CHAIRMAN EXPLAINS REASONS FOR REFUSING SEAT IN PARLIAMENT

tert.am
18.07.12

Hmayak Hovhannisyan, Chairman of the Political Scientists Union
of Armenia, is glad that Chairman of the Prosperous Armenia Party
(PAP) Gagik Tsarukyan did him good by forcing him into withdrawing
his candidacy.

According to him, he has an opportunity to run for parliament as an
independent candidate now.

“I have come to realize now that it was the right step to refuse a
seat in Parliament. The Union Board, with all of its unaffiliated
members, objected to my decision to run for parliament on the PAP
list. They were not at all happy about my running for parliament,
even as an unaffiliated candidate,” Hovhannisyan said.

As to the reasons for his giving up the idea, Hovhannisyan said:
“Practically speaking, they deceived me. But they respected by status.

Do you want me to share Vahe Avetyan’s lot? Do not you know that
there is no arguing with oligarchs?”

Hovhannisyan agreed to run for parliament in company with the PAP
chairman as the latter supported his intention to run for parliament
as an independent candidate. “Competition means development prospects,”
he said.

Hovhannisyan was against elections in single-member constituencies,
where now he believes the election system must be in force provided
unaffiliated candidates run for parliament there.

From: A. Papazian

MASS POISONING DURING WEDDING PARTY IN AZERBAIJAN

News.Az
Wed 11 July 2012 06:37 GMT | 7:37 Local Time

Mass food poisoning occurred in the wedding party in Bargov village
of Guba region on July 10.

25 people addressed Guba Central Regional Hospital on the fact, APA
reports. The state of 3 persons is reported serious. Two of them are
children, one – aged resident of Bargov village.

Department chief of Guba Central Regional Hospital Nizami Gulaliyev
said that 5 people were rendered a medical aid and allowed to go home
for outpatient treatment. The other 17 people were sent home as their
health normalized after medical intervention.

Employees of Guba region Hygiene and Epidemiology Department left
for Bargov village to research the reasons of the poisoning.

The groom is also among the poisoned.

From: A. Papazian

WHAT LARISA ALAVERDYAN EXPECTED FROM THE PROSPEROUS ARMENIA PARTY (PAP) REGARDING THE SIGNATURE COLLECTING HAS HAPPENED

July 17, 2012 15:32

“I was convinced that it would fail. The initiators of the Vahe
Avetyan social movement were also sure of that, because there was a
conviction among many of us that the Prosperous Armenia Party would
not join it. Only a few people might join and the necessary number
would not be collected. This was my conviction. And so it happened,”
Larisa Alaverdyan, a former Heritage Party MP and the former Human
Rights Defender, said, in response to a question of why
the initiative to convene a National Assembly extraordinary session
on the Harsnakar incident had failed.

In response to our observation that there had been a consultation
with the PAP, they had discussed together and then initiated, Ms.
Alaverdyan said that since she wasn’t aware of those discussions,
what had been promised to the PAP, she just made her assessment,
“What I expected from that force has happened. I was convinced that
the necessary number of signatures would not be collected from the
PAP MPs.”

Opposition groups intend to make the same proposal in September again.

Ms. Alaverdyan welcomed that, “I welcome the consistency in that
issue. I expect that perhaps, the signatures will be collected,
because the situation will have changed by September and we will talk
about it. I think that the PAP parliamentary group leaders discuss the
situation, they make certain decisions based on those circumstances.”

Anahit Bakhshyan, another MP of the fourth convocation of the National
Assembly, thinks that it wasn’t in the PAP interests, therefore,
that initiative failed, “Political forces – i.e. the majority – is not
interested in that. That signature collecting didn’t correspond to the
goals of the majority, its interests.” In response to our observation
that they mainly blamed the PAP that they were many, hadn’t joined, if
they had, the issue would have been solved, Ms. Bakhshyan said, “They
said in advance that they would collect, there were some negotiations
in advance, they had conviction, they believed them, but it didn’t
happen. And there will be no success unless the Armenian National
Congress (ANC) stops considering the PAP its political support.”

From: A. Papazian

GREEN ACTIVISTS: HYDROPOWER PLANTS ON ARPA RIVER’S TRIBUTARY DAMAGE NATURE

arminfo
Wednesday, July 18, 02:31

The green activists have raised a new alarm. This time the matter
concerns Yerer, the tributary of the river Arpa.

The statement of the initiative “Trchkan” says that due to the two
small hydropower plants on Yerer, one of the waterfalls has dried
completely and one more waterfall included in the list of the natural
monuments of Armenia, has almost been exhausted. In this connection,
the activists have addressed a letter to the Armenian minister of
nature protection, asking him to study the problem and find out
whether the owner of the HPP has violated the environmental standards.

The environmentalists are seriously concerned over the growth of
construction of the small HPPs in Armenia. They have repeatedly
stressed that the activities of the HPPs on some rivers may seriously
endanger the ichthyofauna and the adjoining forests. The most actively
discussed issues are the HPP on the Paghjur tributary of the river
Aghstev, which may endanger the Lastiver waterfall, as well as the
construction of two small HPPs on the river Meghri. For the latter’s
purpose the category of the land adjacent to “Arevik” national park
has been changed.

From: A. Papazian

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN NKR ARE ANOTHER MANIFESTATION OF FREE EXPRESSION: RUSSIAN DEPUTY

ARMENPRESS
18 July, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JULY 18, ARMENPRESS: Vice President of Armenian National
Assembly Eduard Sharmazanov on July 17 hosted the delegation of
Russian Parliament which will leave for NKR in order to conduct an
observer mission in presidential elections. Armenpress was informed
from information and public relations department of National Assembly
that greeting the guests in National Assembly Vice President mentioned
that it is pleasure that Russian colleagues visited Armenia and their
participation in NKR presidential elections. He assured that the
members of the delegation being in Karabakh will see in place that
people of Artsakh creating an independent state base on democratic
values.

In Eduard Sharmazanov’s words for centuries Armenian-Russian relations
have been friendly and today the two countries are not only strategic
but also federal partners. Bilateral relations develop dynamically in
all directions – economic, political, humanitarian, cultural and etc.

Sharmazanov stressed the importance of inter-parliamentary relations
for strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries.

Deputy of Russian Parliament Alexander Balberov who represents the
liberal-democratic party of Russia said that he had also been an
observer during the parliamentary elections in May and was impressed
by their high level. “People themselves must decide in which country
they want to live and in which way develop” said Balberov reverberating
to Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

Deputy Ivan Sukharev also highlighted Armenian-Russian warm, friendly
relations and as a representative of young generation mentioned that
existing relations must be strengthened by new initiatives.

Head of standing committee of External relations Artak Zakaryan
said that the decision to hold an observer mission in presidential
elections of Artsakh is a brave step as Azerbaijan gives not adequate
estimations to such position. He described such behavior as a wrong
position because as a result new and new people get interested in
Artsakh. According to Artak Zakaryan the coming presidential elections
in Artsakh are new evidence that Artsakh has chosen the democratic
way of development.

Member of Russian delegation Denis Dvornikov mentioned that for him the
settlement of Karabakh conflict has an evident solution: every nation
has a right of self-determination. “Here can not be second opinion”
he highlighted. In his words joint efforts must be implemented in
order this approach is transferred to civil society.

The participants of the meeting discussed also other issues of mutual
interest.

From: A. Papazian

COOPERATION BETWEEN ARMENIA AND VATICAN ON A HIGH LEVEL

armradio.am
18.07.2012 10:53

President Serzh Sargsyan received the Prefect for the Oriental Churches
and Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Oriental Institute Cardinal
Leonardo Sandri.

The President welcomed the guest and noted with satisfaction that
cooperation between Armenia and Vatican as well as between Holy See
of Etchmiadzin and Holy See of Vatican is on a high level and is being
sustained by the reciprocal visits and the active political dialogue.

Serzh Sargsyan asked Cardinal Leonardo Sandri to convey his best wishes
to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. According to the President, a warm
meeting with His Holiness held in the end of last year, provided a
good opportunity to discuss the agenda and prospects of cooperation
development between Armenia and Vatican.

In the President’s view, historical bilateral ties, the rich cultural
and spiritual heritage are the best prerequisites for the continuous
deepening of bilateral cooperation. President Sargsyan noted that
Armenia and the Armenian people, who have more than millennia-long
Christian traditions, are highly appreciative of Vatican’s role in
spreading and enrooting Christianity in the world, as well as of its
activities aimed at the preservation of peace, mutual understanding,
human rights and basic freedoms.

The participants of the meeting concurred that the course of the
bilateral relations is not limited to the 20th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Vatican,
which is being marked this year; moreover, it is developing
successfully and is deepening by year.

Cardinal Leonardo Sandri conveyed to President Serzh Sargsyan,
to Armenia and the Armenian people the best wishes of His Holiness
Pope Benedict XVI. The Prefect for the Oriental Churches and Grand
Chancellor of the Pontifical Oriental Institute noted that Armenia is
the country which is striving for peace and mutual understanding with
all countries of the world and through this visit he also wishes to
pay respect to Armenia which manifests such desire. He underscored that
Holy See is fascinated with the history of the first Christian state –
Armenia, and its centuries-long devotion to its Christian roots.

From: A. Papazian

JULY 17 OBSERVED AS WORLD DAY FOR INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE

armradio.am
17.07.2012 17:06

World Day for International Justice, also referred to as Day of
International Criminal Justice or International Justice Day is
celebrated throughout the world on July 17 as part of an effort to
recognize the emerging system of international criminal justice.

July 17 was chosen because it is the anniversary of the adoption of
the Rome Statute, the treaty that created the International Criminal
Court. On 1 June 2010, at the Review Conference of the Rome Statute
held in Kampala (Uganda), the Assembly of State Parties decided to
celebrate 17 July as the Day of International Criminal Justice.

Each year, people around the world use this day to host events to
promote international criminal justice, especially support for the
International Criminal Court.

From: A. Papazian

ANCA INTERNS DISCUSS COMMUNITY CONCERNS WITH CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS

armradio.am
19.07.2012 11:35

Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and
Armenian Genocide Resolution longtime champion Adam Schiff (D-CA)
were among the Congressional leaders the Armenian National Committee
of America (ANCA) Leo Sarkisian Interns reached out to last week to
learn more about efforts to address key Armenian American concerns
on Capitol Hill.

“Meeting with legislators on Capitol Hill and learning first-hand
about the opportunities and challenges we face in advancing community
concerns is a key part of the LSI summer program,” explained
ANCA Legislative Director Raffi Karakashian. “We appreciate that
Representatives Pallone and Schiff took the time to discuss initiatives
to strengthen the U.S.-Armenia relationship, ensure the right to
self-determination for the people of Karabakh, and secure justice for
the Armenian Genocide – and, in particular, for their insights into
the special role that student leaders play in advancing these efforts.”

The interns started the week with a meeting with Rep. Adam Schiff,
during which they discussed his leadership role in reaffirming the
U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide, and the key role he plays
on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations in
support of maintaining high levels of U.S. assistance to Armenia and
Nagorno Karabakh.

“It was a pleasure to meet with a great group of students who are
interning for the Armenian National Committee of America this summer,
including two of my constituents from Hollywood and Glendale,” said
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA). “I commend ANCA for its important role in
helping to train the next generation of leaders within the Armenian
community.”

Rep. Schiff tweeted and posted a photo on his Facebook page after
the meeting.

They later held a meeting with Rep. Pallone, during which the focus
of discussion was Azerbaijan’s increased war rhetoric, recent attacks
against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, and the practical steps that
are being taken to challenge the Aliyev regime’s threat to regional
stability.

“It was uplifting seeing Rep. Pallone speak so clearly regarding
Azerbaijan’s threat to peace and stability in the South Caucasus, and
having the opportunity to exchange views on the current geopolitical
issues in the region,” commented Armen Sahakyan, a constituent from
Morganville, New Jersey. “President Aliyev should be clearly condemned
for his attacks against Armenia and Artsakh, as Rep. Pallone has done
on repeated occasions.”

The LSI interns also had the chance to meet briefly with leading
Senate Foreign Relations Committee member, Senator Barbara Boxer
(D-CA), and her staffer Ariana Reks. In addition, they had a formal
meeting with Sen. Robert Menendez’s (D-NJ) aide, Ryan Sellinger,
where they discussed the ANCA Capital Gateway Program and potential
job and internship opportunities on Capitol Hill.

From: A. Papazian

LE GOUVERNEMENT ARMENIEN DE NOUVEAU CONDAMNE PAR LA COUR EUROPEENNE
Ara

armenews.com
jeudi 19 juillet 2012

La Cour europeenne des droits de l’homme a ordonne au gouvernement
armenien de verser 2.500 euros (3.000 $) de dommages et interets a
un eminent avocat, six ans après qu’il ait ete arrete sur la base
d’accusations très controversees.

Vahe Grigorian, avocat specialise dans la defense des droits de
l’homme a decrit mardi la decision comme une ” gifle a l’Armenie pour
son non-respect des lois ” et indique qu’il va desormais intensifier
ses efforts pour poursuivre les actes reprehensibles.

Grigorian avait ete arrete en octobre 2005, pour fraude et de
falsifications. Il a purge 5 mois de detention preventive après avoir
aide plusieurs familles d’ Erevan a engager des poursuites devant la
Cour europeenne. Les clients de son cabinet d’avocats figurent parmi
les centaines de familles expulsees de leurs maisons dans le cadre
de l’operation immobilière massive qui a touche le centre-ville.

Beaucoup d’entre eux avaient organise des manifestations pour denoncer
la faiblesse des compensations financières qui leur etaient alors
offertes par le gouvernement, lesquelles se situaient a un niveau bien
en dessous du marche. Les autorites avaient nie les accusations,
pretendant au contraire que les personnes expropriees etaient
satisfaites des indemnites versees par l’Etat. Le reamenagement
supervise par le president Robert Kocharian, a ete ensuite declare
illegal par la Cour constitutionnelle d’Armenie en 2006.

Grigorian est formelle sur le fait que son arrestation n’a ete rien
d’autre qu’une action de represailles gouvernementales motivee par sa
cooperation avec certaines des personnes expulsees. Le service de la
securite nationale de l’Armenie (SSN) qui a porte les accusations de
fraude dement cette version. Selon lui le dossier penal de l’avocat
libere en fevrier 2006, n’est toujours pas clos et il affirme etre
sur la piste de deux personnes qui avaient temoigne contre lui et
qui ont depuis fui le pays.

Dans son verdict annonce en fin de semaine dernière, la Cour de
Strasbourg a juge que ce vide juridique constituait une violation du
droit et que Grigorian a droit a un procès equitable garanti par la
Convention europeenne des droits de l’homme. Il estime que l’avocat
doit recevoir une compensation au motif de la lenteur de la procedure.

“C’est un bon moyen de garder les gens indesirables sous pression
constante,” a declare Grigorian a RFE / RL, se referant a la position
du SSN. L’avocat, qui a egalement defendu des dizaines de membres
de l’opposition armenienne poursuivis depuis 2008, a indique qu’il
allait maintenant demander le renvoi de l’affaire devant le tribunal
ou un non-lieu pur et simple.

Selon Grigorian au moins 20 familles d’Erevan ont engage des poursuites
contre le gouvernement devant la Cour europeenne après avoir epuise
toutes les possibilites d’action juridique en Armenie. Le tribunal
a condamne le gouvernement dans au moins trois de ces dossiers.

From: A. Papazian