Author: Andres-Papazian

PRO-TURKISH BULGARIAN PARTY NOT TO DETERIORATE ARMENIAN-BULGARIAN RELATIONS

news.am
May 23, 2012 | 22:54

YEREVAN. – Movement for Rights and Freedoms party of Bulgarian
Parliament will not influence on Armenian and Bulgarian relations,
head of the Bulgarian delegation at the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC) Dimitar Atanasov told Armenian
News-NEWS.am. The delegation is in Yerevan in the frameworks of 39th
plenary session of the PABSEC.

To note, majority in the movement for Rights and Freedoms are ethnic
Turks and they are against the initiative on the Armenian Genocide
recognition in the Bulgarian parliament. However, the party will not
influence negatively on the Armenian-Bulgarian relations.

The PABSEC is an economic organization and if economy is ahead of
politics, it is possible to achieve mutually acceptable decisions.

Besides, bilateral relations are strengthened by personal contacts
as well, Atanasov added.

From: A. Papazian

PROSPEROUS ARMENIA ISN’T AFRAID OF NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 24, 2012 – 13:30 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Prosperous Armenia’s spokesman commented on the
party’s refusal to join the ruling coalition.

Asked whether the decision stipulates becoming opposition, Khachik
Galstyan said, “The decision was taken, considering the inexpediency
of joining the new coalition.”

Asked if they aren’t afraid the decision may yield negative
consequences for both the whole party and its leader Gagik Tsarukyan,
he gave a negative answer.

“We are ready for everything,” Prosperous Armenia’s head told a
PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

From: A. Papazian

PAPER: PARLIAMENT EX-SPEAKER HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN TO LEAVE RPA?

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 25, 2012 – 14:02 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – According to Yerkir daily, Prosperous Armenia
leader Gagik Tsarukyan’s refusal to join coalition came as a blow to
the party.

“The move came as surprise to RPA elite, not to every one on
them, though. As our sources say, serious reshuffle is expected
at the Republican Party of Armenia after Tsarukyan’s refusal to
join coalition. In the days to come, a number of RPA members will
renounce their deputy mandates and leave the party. The chief of RPA
electoral headquarters Hovik Abrahamyan may also follow their suit,”
the daily said.

From: A. Papazian

AZERI PRESIDENT WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE TO DECIDE ON KARABAKH ISSUE – EXPERT

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 25, 2012 – 16:31 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – According to political observer of Zerkalo daily,
Azeri President Ilham Aliyev will eventually have to come up with a
decision on Karabakh issue.

As Rauf Mirkadyrov stated at Caucasus 2011 Yerevan-hosted conference,
the official Baku spends immense sums on armament, while making
statements on a possibility of a peaceful settlement of Nagorno
Karabakh conflict.

“The actions above are a way to justify Azeri authorities’
misappropriation of state budget. Sooner or later, the status quo
will lead to a war, with the renewal of hostilities being the only
means for Aliyev to retain power,” the expert stressed.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJAN BLACKLISTS FRENCH SENATORS, WHO VISITED NAGORNO KARABAKH

armradio.am
25.05.2012 16:07

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry has included three French MPs, who have
recently visited Nagorno-Karabakh without permission of the country’s
relevant structures, to the “black list”, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry
Spokesman Elman Abdullayev told journalists.

“In this regard, Azerbaijani Embassy in France sent a note to the
country’s Foreign Ministry,” Abdullayev said.

He said such visits do not contribute to the conflict resolution,
on the contrary, complicate this process.

“Azerbaijani Embassy in France also sent a letter of protest to the
French Foreign Ministry, which indicates inexpediency of such visits,”
Abdullayev said.

He said France is co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, and therefore,
such steps are unacceptable.

“The French MPs again became victims of the Armenian lobby,” he added.

The Chairman of the French Senate said in response to the note of
protest that the visit of the Senators was private.

From: A. Papazian

US STATE DEPARTMENT STATES ABOUT KILLINGS IN RA ARMY

12:00 . 25/05

The US State Department has published its annual human rights report.

According to the 2011 Human Rights Report, most human rights violations
were recorded in Turkmenistan, Belarus and Iran.

The report also covers the Arab Spring revolutions.

Like every year, the report has also presented data on the human
rights violations in Armenia.

The most significant human rights problems in Armenia were limitations
on citizens’ right to change their government, freedom of speech and
press, and the independence of the judiciary, State Department said
in its annual report.

“The government released the remaining six opposition members detained
in connection with the 2008 clashes between security forces and
protesters disputing the outcome of the 2008 presidential election.

Since April 28 the government began permitting demonstrations and
opposition rallies in previously restricted areas of the capital
city, and all were held without incident, although demonstrators from
outside of Yerevan at times were impeded in their attempts to travel
to rallies. The government decriminalized libel and defamation but
established high new civil fines that encouraged journalists and
media outlets to practice self-censorship.”

The report also states that the switch from analog to digital
television reduced media pluralism.

“Courts remained subject to political pressure from the executive
branch,” the report says. It also covers death cases in the army.

“There were no reports that the government or its agents committed
arbitrary or unlawful killings, but noncombat deaths in the army
continued to be a problem. The government reported that during
the year 15 military servicemen died under noncombat conditions,
a decrease from 2010,” the report says.

From: A. Papazian

2 KILLED, 19 INJURED IN TURKEY SUICIDE BOMB ATTACK

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 25, 2012 – 12:50 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – A suspected suicide bomber detonated explosives
inside a car outside a police station in the central Turkish province
of Kayseri on Friday, May 25 killing himself and a police officer
and wounding some 20 others, Reuters reported citing Turkish media.

Kurdish separatists, Islamist militants, including al Qaeda, as well
as groups on the far left and right have all carried out bomb attacks
in Turkey, but there was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Broadcaster NTV said the bomber had tried to drive his car into
the police station moments before the blast took place. At least
19 people were wounded in the attack, six of them seriously, other
media reported.

NTV said a second assailant was also involved. Reuters could not
immediately confirm any of the details surrounding the attack which
took place in the town of Pinarbasi east of Kayseri city. Kayseri
province is located some 325 km (200 miles) southeast of the Turkish
capital Ankara.

Television footage showed frantic scenes around the police station
in Pinarbasi with fire engines and ambulances rushing to the site of
the blast.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN OLIGARCH DOLLS OUT MONEY IN RESTAURANT – NEWSPAPER

news.am
May 25, 2012 | 07:14

YEREVAN. – Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) MP and businessman Samvel
Aleksanyan distributed money during a capital city Yerevan restaurant
banquet organized Monday in honor of the RPA, Zhoghovurd daily writes,
referring to its well-informed sources.

“Those in attendance told that the MP gave out the money in small
bags and stated that it is intended for the workers at the polling
stations of the Malatia-Sebastia Administrative Region [from where
he was elected MP during the May 6 parliamentary elections], as an
encouragement for good work.

[But] We were unable to receive clarifications from Samvel Aleksanyan
yesterday [Thursday]. His phone was inaccessible,” Zhoghovurd writes.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA 59TH IN GLOBAL ENABLING TRADE REPORT 2012

armradio.am
23.05.2012 18:15

Armenia ranks 59th among 132 countries in the Global Enabling Trade
Report 2012 published by the World Economic Forum. Armenia is ahead
of most CIS countries – Moldova (76th), Azerbaijan (88th), Ukraine
(86th), Kazakhstan (105th), Tajikistan (110th), Kyrgyzstan (111th)
and Russia (112th).

The World Economic Forum’s Global Enabling Trade Report series focuses
on measuring whether economies have in place the necessary attributes
for enabling trade and where improvements are most needed.

A widely used reference, the report helps countries in their efforts
to integrate global value chains and companies with their investment
decisions. It is intended to be used as a motivator for change and
a foundation for dialogue.

Under the theme “Reducing Supply Chain Barriers”, The Global Enabling
Trade Report 2012 explores how the globalization of value chains
impacts measurement of trade and overall trade policies, as well as
addresses logistics investments, customs administration and state of
the merchant fleet.

Through the methodological framework of the Enabling Trade Index,
this year’s report measures the extent to which 132 economies have
in place the institutions, policies and services to facilitate the
free flow of goods over borders and to destination.

Singapore topped the index, followed by Hong Kong SAR. Denmark and
Sweden, placing third and fourth, respectively, showed excellent
performance based on their strong business environments, efficient
border administrations and highly developed infrastructures.

From: A. Papazian

VIOLINIST: ARAM KHACHATURYAN DESERVES MORE FAME

Panorama.am
24/05/2012

Renowned Armenian composer Aram Khachaturyan has worldwide eminence,
however, he is famous with his “Spartak” ballet and violin concerto.

The composer has lots of other interesting pieces that need to be
performed and well presented.

“Aram Khachaturyan trio” plans to perform other, not so famous pieces
of the composer during the concerts dedicated to the 110th anniversary
of Aram Khachaturyan, pianist Armine Grigoryan said.

Violinist Karen Shahgaldyan said Aram Khachaturyan deserves much more
fame than he has both in Armenia and abroad. “But we are also guilty
because we fail to present our art in a proper way. State support is
needed,” said the musician.

From: A. Papazian