Author: Andres-Papazian

Azerbaijan Filled with Panic

Haikazn Ghahriyan, Editor-in-Chief
Comments – 27 January 2015, 13:00

The American co-chair of the Minsk Group James Warlick informed that
he is going to meet with the Azerbaijani foreign minister Mammedyarov.
Earlier Warlick had urged the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan on
Twitter to end violence and meet.

Since the end of last year tension has increased on the borders of
Artsakh and Armenia. Armenian and NKR officials announced that a new
situation has occurred at the border, and “new weapons” are used.

The command of the Armenian armed forces announced that they adopt the
tactics of pre-emptive strikes and gave commanders the freedom to make
operative decisions.

Yesterday Serzh Sargsyan announced that the Armenian side will no
longer tolerate subversive attacks and moves on to asymmetrical and
pre and pre-emptive strikes. The spokesman for the Ministry of Defense
Artsrun Hovhannisyan said the Armenian side is not hiding that
pre-emptive operations were undertaken.

The Armenian armed forces are said to have advanced to new positions
and reinforced the borders, especially in those spots from where the
Armenian settlements are regularly shelled, inflicting big damage to
the peaceful population. Pre-emptive strikes are regular and are the
only way to curb Azerbaijan’s aggression.

Last October the actions of the Armenian forces caused panic in
Azerbaijan, and the population of Azerbaijani border territories
started leaving their houses. It was possible to keep them only
through use of force; the Azerbaijani government sent tanks to stop
the population from running away.

Judging by the Azerbaijani press publications, the recent military
operations have again caused panic in Azerbaijan. Although the
Azerbaijani press has been told not to report on victims, nevertheless
they had to report on the victims after the recent incidents.

In this context, the meeting of the U.S. co-chair with the Azerbaijani
foreign minister is interesting. Apparently, the Americans have
something to tell Azerbaijan, perhaps to pass some message.

A few days ago the president of that country Aliyev met with the
German chancellor Merkel. During the meeting Aliyev was first faced
with the state of human rights and violence in Azerbaijan, then Merkel
hinted cautiously on Russia’s and Armenia’s actions separately and
together which may cause tension.

What is going to be “clarified” during the Mammedyarov-Warlick
meeting? Azerbaijan is in international isolation and is trying to
maneuver between the West and Russia but it obviously fails. Both the
West and Russia are unwilling to “compete” for Azerbaijan by way of
compromise. Amid new global developments Azerbaijan is altogether
losing its role and importance as a source of carbohydrates and a
transit country.

Azerbaijan has appeared in a complicated situation, and apparently is
trying to find out its destiny from the West.

From: A. Papazian

Big News Network
Jan 27 2015

Armenian President Warns Of ‘Preventive’ Strikes On Azerbaijan

Tuesday 27th January, 2015

Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian said his country is prepared for
any eventuality in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and warned Azerbaijan
he would use “asymmetrical” responses to any military threats.

Sarkisian spoke on January 26 at a ceremony marking the 23rd
anniversary of Armenia’s armed forces and mentioned the recent spike
in violence in the decades-old conflict over the disputed region of
Nagorno-Karabakh.

He said his country was open to negotiations and building “bridges of
trust” but added if the current tensions along the border continue to
increase “hotheads [in Azerbaijan] can expect some surprises.”

Sarkisian warned if Armenia sees threats gathering along its borders
“we reserve the right to carry out preventative strikes.”

Sarkisian’s comments come as the two countries have been exchanging
accusations about violations of the 1994 cease-fire that left
pro-Armenian forces occupying Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry said on January 26 that Armenian troops
had violated the cease-fire 124 times in the last 24 hours.

From: A. Papazian

Yervand Zakharyan doesn’t give a clear answer to Nairit employees

18:02 | January 27,2015 | Politics

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Yervand Zakharyan received
the delegation of “Nairit” factory but didn’t give clear answer to any
question.

“It isn’t even clear whether one month’s salary will be paid by the
end of February,”- say the employees.

The only concrete answer is that previously dismissed employees and
the families of the dead will also get salaries.

On February 2 the Minister will visit the factory and will say the day
the employees will get their salaries.

From: A. Papazian

Armenia’s Energy Ministry plans to sell part of Nairit Plant’s assets

by Arthur Yernjakyan
Tuesday, January 27, 21:53

Armenia’s Energy and Natural Resources Ministry is planning to sell
part of Nairit Plant’s assets, Armenia’s Energy and Natural Resources
Minister Yervand Zakharyan told journalists on Tuesday.

He believes that this can help the company to repay unpaid wages to
its personnel.

Zakharyan is planning to visit the plant on Feb 2.

As it was reporter earlier, as many as 1,700 employees of the Nairit
Plant will be dismissed starting February 6 2015. The employees have
already received relevant notifications.

On 16 January, the staff of the Nairirt Plant disseminated an open
letter addressed to President Serzh Sargsyan, wherein they demand
their salaries for 18 months.

Armenia’s biggest rubber producer, Nairit has been standing idle for
quite a while already, with its employees haven’t been paid wages for
as long as 15 months. The plant’s debts total 50bln AMD or $130mln
(including 5bln AMD in unpaid wages). In the 1980s Nairit had almost
10-12% of the global rubber market. In 2006 90% of Nairit Plant was
sold to Rhinoville Property Limited for $40mln. The remaining 10% is
owned by the Armenian Government. Since Apr 2010 the plant has been
idle, with its shares given as security against the CIS InterState
Bank’s loan.

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From: A. Papazian

Any assault by Azerbaijan will get a worthy response: Armenian Defense Minister

14:18, 27 Jan 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

The Armenian Armed Forces guarantee the security of Armenia and
Artsakh under the conditions of complex international and regional
developments, Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan told a press
conference today.

According to the Minister, “thanks to correct assessment of the
situation and adoption of new approaches the Armenian forces have not
only managed to protect the borders of the country, but also grow into
an army corresponding to the standards of the 21st century.

“Azerbaijan continues its over-militarized policy, spreading hatred
towards Armenians among its society. The rival has attempted a number
of subversive acts over the past year and has launched a war of
snipers, with an aim of testing the strength of the Armenian forces
and escalating the situation. However in case of a slightest success,
Azerbaijan would take more serious steps. They have not had serious
achievements, the Armenian soldier has prevented this,” Minister
Ohanyan said.

According to him, last year we won in all fronts, defeated the rival,
but, unfortunately, suffered losses.

Minister Ohanyan said “the situation at the Armenian-Azerbaijani
border is unacceptable to the military-political leadership and the
people of Armenia.” Therefore, he said, decisive actions are
necessary. “We must either maintain the ceasefire regime, or take
corresponding measures to impose peace on Azerbaijan. If, from the
political point of view, Azerbaijan does not understand that it should
maintain peace and respect the ceasefire agreement, then every of its
assault will get a worthy response. The escalation at the border
continues. Therefore, we have to take preventive measures, and we have
that opportunity.”

Seyran Ohanyan assured he sees the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group, and the
non-constructive policy of Azerbaijan is doomed to fail.

Referring to the issue of killing of a family in Gymri by Russian
soldier Valery Permyakov, the Defense Minister said it can in no way
affect the allied relations between Armenia and Russia.

From: A. Papazian

NKR Foreign Minister hails Uruguay’s resolute stance on the future of Artsakh

16:21, 27 Jan 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

On January 26, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic Karen Mirzoyan sent a letter to Minister of Foreign Affairs
of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay Luis Leonardo Almagro Lemes.

In his letter Karen Mirzoyan thanked Luis Leonardo Almagro Lemes for
his resolute stance on the future of the people of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic.

“Your efforts towards bringing peace and stability in our region based
on the recognition of Artsakh people’s right to self-determination are
highly appreciated, encouraging us to move forward on our chosen path
to live in peace and security, in a free and democratic state,” the
letter reads.

The NKR Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed confidence that the
visit of NKR President Bako Sahakyan to Uruguay in 2011 and that of
the parliamentary delegation led by President of the House of
Representatives Jorge Omar Orrico Miraldi to the NKR in 2012 have
significantly contributed to the enhancement of the friendship between
two countries. Karen Mirzoyan also invited his colleague to visit
Artsakh.

From: A. Papazian

LIBAN
Sa Sainteté Aram I reçoit les représentants du Patriarche maronite Rai

Vendredi 9 janvier les archevêques Paul Sayah et Samir Mazloum,
vicaire généraux de l’Eglise maronite, ont rencontré Sa Sainteté Aram
I. Après avoir transmis les salutations du Patriarche Rai pour le
Nouvel An, ils ont transmis ses préoccupations concernant la situation
dans la région au Catholicos. Les discussions les ont conduit à un
aperçu de la situation au Liban et au statut de l’élection
présidentielle. Les deux membres du clergé ont informé Sa Sainteté
d’une réunion qui se tiendra au Vatican en Février pour discuter des
chrétiens au Moyen-Orient et ont demandé au Catholicos son point de
vue.

mardi 27 janvier 2015,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIE
Le chef de la Police derrière l’agression du militant d’opposition ?

Les quotidiens d’opposition rendent compte de l’agression du militant
d’opposition, Vilen Gabrielian, blogueur connu pour son franc-parler,
qui a été agressé par quatre inconnus masqués le week-end dernier à
Erevan tard dans la soirée . Celui-ci avait été hospitalisé avec
plusieurs blessures. Il a accusé le chef de la Police Vladimir
Gasparian et son adjoint, Lyova Yeranossian, d’avoir donné l’ordre. La
police, bien qu’elle l’ait interrogé, semble ne pas être pressée pour
ouvrir une enquête selon Haykakan Jamanak. Hraparak reproduit les
commentaires >, voire les > de ce blogueur sur
les réseaux sociaux à la suite de la tragédie de Gumri à l’encontre du
chef de l’Etat et du chef de la Police. Hraparak remarque que les cas
d’agressions de militants d’opposition, de plus en plus fréquents ces
derniers temps, ne sont généralement pas élucidés.

Extrait de la revue de presse de l’Ambassade de France en Arménie en
date du 20 janvier 2015

mardi 27 janvier 2015,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

Relationship between Armenia and Iran best example of peaceful
coexistence of Christians and Muslims

YEREVAN, January 27. /ARKA/. Relationship between Armenia and Iran is
the best example of peaceful coexistence of Christians and Muslims,
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Tuesday in Yerevan.

“There is Armenian community in Iran today, and this is a fact, and
bilateral relations between Armenia and Iran serve as a good example
of coexistence of Christianity and Islam,” he said at a joint news
conference with his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandyan.

The Iranian defense minister stressed that his country has always
condemned radicalism.

He expressed hope for development of cooperation between the two
countries in communication, electronics, environment and usage of
water resources, Novosti-Armenia reports.

he said. –0—–

From: A. Papazian

The Azerbaijan State Telegraph Agency
Jan 27 2015

‘Iran wants that Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is solved based on norms
of international law’

27.01.2015 [16:42]
Tehran, January 27, AzerTAc

“The Islamic Republic of Iran supports the peaceful settlement of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Official Tehran wants
all neighbouring countries live in peace, and wants that the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is solved on the basis of norms and
principles of international law,” said Iranian Foreign Minister
Mohammad Javad Zarif who is in Yerevan.”Iran backs the peaceful
settlement of all ongoing disputes in the South Caucasus. Official
Tehran is ready to help resolve conflicts in the region through
negotiations,” the FM noted.The current state of negotiations to
settle the conflict, and the situation on the frontline were discussed
at a meeting between the Iranian and Armenian foreign ministers.

Rabil KatanovSpecial Correspondent

From: A. Papazian