Author: Andres-Papazian

CANDIDATE ARSHAK BANOUCHYAN: “FEAR IS MY GREATEST OPPONENT”

hetq.am
13:25, May 3, 2012

Arshak Banouchyan, a member of the central office of the opposition
Armenian National Congress, is running for parliament in Election
District 11.

He told reporters today that citizens are gradually comprehending
the importance of their vote and that each election has served as a
unique test for the electorate in Armenia.

“Even with election fraud, I believe we will garner sufficient votes
to win seats in the parliament,” noted Banouchyan who claims to be
an independent.

He says that the biggest opponent that he faces in his district is
the atmosphere of fear that the authorities are trying to sow in the
minds of voters.

Banouchyan noted that the situation on the ground is changing and that
those who in the past offered their services in doling out bribes to
voters can no longer be bought so easily.

From: A. Papazian

MEDIA FREEDOM DECLINES IN TURKEY, PRESS GROUPS WARN

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 3, 2012 – 13:03 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – International Press Institute (IPI) and Turkish
Journalist Association warn against the worsening situation of media
freedom.

The decline of media freedom in Turkey is continuing, the Turkish
Journalists Association (TGC) Executive Board points out in a statement
on World Press Freedom Day, May 3.

“There are serious problems obstructing freedom of the press in
Turkey. The major ones among them are problems related to legal
obstacles, labor regulations and the structure of the media,” the
statement reads, according to Hurriyet Daily News.

International Press Institute (IPI) states that in the first quarter
of the current year, 29 journalists were killed around the globe
because of their work.

Last year was the second-worst on record, with 102 journalists killed.

And 2009 was the grimmest ever, with 110 deaths ~V 32 of them in a
single election convoy massacre in the Philippines in which another
26 civilians were slain.

From: A. Papazian

SERJ TANKIAN UNDERSTOOD ‘HYPOCRISY AND DENIAL OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN THE UNITED STATES’ BEING YOUNG

news.am
May 03, 2012 | 00:37

The System of a Down band members are currently busy with their solo
albums and have no plans of rejoining, SOAD frontman Serj Tankian
said in an interview with KROQ Radio.

“At this present time, we are not working on new music,” Tankian said.

“We are enjoying each other’s company touring and one day we’ll make
another record. I just don’t know when or how.”

As for his solo album Harakiri, scheduled for release on July 10,
Tankian said that rock is easy and it comes to him naturally and
pretty quickly.

Renowned for his activism as well as his art, Tankian said that his
political awakening came at a “pretty young age” when he understood
“the hypocrisy and denial of the Armenian genocide in the United
States” and pondered the many truths being “held back for geo-political
gain or political capital.”

From: A. Papazian

LE COLLEGE ANATOLE FRANCE DE MONTBELIARD APPELLE LES PARENTS TURCS A NE ” PAS EXAGERER ” SUR LA CARICATURE SUR LE GENOCIDE ARMENIEN
Stephane

armenews.com
jeudi 3 mai 2012

Les responsables du Collège Anatole France de Montbeliard a demande
aux parents turcs de ne ” pas exagerer ” sur la caricature sur le
genocide armenien affirme l’agence de presse Anatolie.

Pendant une reunion avec les parents des enfants et les membres de
l’association turque COJEP Internationale, les fonctionnaires ont
avise que les parents ” a ne pas chercher une mauvaise intention
” et ont suggere que la crise a ete causee par l’inexperience de
l’enseignant qui a choisi la caricature pour la classe.

L’ecole a affirme que l’enseignant a simplement pris une image sur
internet et l’a distribue parmi les elèves avec l’instruction qu’ils
interprètent le dessin et deduisent pourquoi la Turquie ne peut pas
rejoindre l’UE.

From: A. Papazian

PARLEZ-MOI D’AILLEURS : UNE INCONNUE NOMMEE TURQUIE
Jean Eckian

armenews.com

jeudi 3 mai 2012

Dans son magazine de geopolitique, Franz-Olivier Giesbert pose
la question : La Turquie est-elle une democratie ? Il y est bien
evidemment question du genocide des armeniens avec l’intervention
negationniste du porte-parole de l’ambassade de Turquie.

Avec Nedim Gursel (ecrivain) Anna Zeitindjioglou (co-scenariste
du film Le Marchand d’Olives), Eugin Solakoglu (premier conseiller
d’ambassade a l’ambassade de Turquie), Dorothee Schmid (directrice
de recherche a l’Ifri), Murat Belge (Universitaire)…

From: A. Papazian

L’OPPOSITION EXPLICITE SA COOPERATION AVEC LE PARTI DE LA COALITION
Laetitia

armenews.com
jeudi 3 mai 2012

Un membre eminent de l’alliance de l’opposition a declare mercredi
2 mai 2012 que le Congrès national armenien (HAK) collabore avec un
membre cle de la coalition au pouvoir dans l’espoir de contrecarrer
les plans du president Serge Sarkissian.

” Nous n’avons jamais considere le parti Armenie prospère (BHK) comme
un parti de l’opposition parce que la veritable opposition est celle
qui manifeste dans la rue et celle qui remet en cause le gouvernement
des cinq dernières annees “, a affirme Lyudmila Sargsian lors d’une
conference. ” Mais dans ce cas, nos interets convergent et nous sommes
heureux de pouvoir cooperer et d’eviter que le HHK ait une majorite
[parlementaire] “, a-t-elle dit.

Sarkissian a evoque la creation d’une structure commune entre le HAK,
le BHK et le parti Dashnaktsutyun pour lutter contre d’eventuelles
tentatives de fraude aux elections legislatives de dimanche. Des
representants des trois partis politiques ont souligne que leur
cooperation porte principalement sur le bon deroulement du vote.

Le vice-president du HHK, Sahakian, a egalement nie les allegations
de l’opposition au sujet des enseignants et autres employes du secteur
public qui seraient obliges d’assister a des rassemblements de campagne
du HHK a travers le pays. Les observateurs de l’Organisation pour
la securite et la cooperation en Europe ont donne du poids a ces
revendications dans un rapport publie la semaine dernière.

From: A. Papazian

TRAIAN HRISTEA EXPECTS CONDUCTION OF FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
2 May, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS: Armenia’s voters should ensure conduction
of successful elections. In a briefing with journalists Head of EU
Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Traian Hristea attached importance to
provision of relevant conditions for having free, fair and transparent
elections, Armenpress reports.

“It is of great significance that the dream of free and fair elections
becomes reality,” said the ambassador, expressing hope that the
polling stations will do their best to avoid complaints related to
the voting after the elections held in appropriate environment. He
noted that the voters themselves must realize their electoral vote.

Traian Hristea called on everyone to go to May 6 elections and to
vote according to the own conscience, belief. “We want to see that
in Armenia,” said the ambassador. He also attached importance to the
classes organized for the members of polling stations. He said for
competent people it is easier to overcome the challenges they face,
and the presence of the competent members will ensure appropriate
fulfillment of the legislation and legal acts.

From: A. Papazian

ISRAELI ANALYST YURIY BOCHAROV: “THE WAR WITH IRAN HAS NOT STARTED YET BECAUSE THE INTERESTED PARTIES HADN’T COORDINATED ALL ISSUES” – INTERVIEW

APA
May 3 2012
Azerbaijan

“There is no serious partner of Israel in the region, but Azerbaijan”

“All countries are at war, which has no rule and honesty”

Tel Aviv. Farid Akbarov – APA. Interview with Israeli political
analyst Yuriy Bocharov

– How do you value the current phase of Israel-Azerbaijan relations?

– I think we are on the summit of cooperation. Of course, I would like
to see better and wider relations. We would like the relations to pass
from the level of leadership into wider level – the level of ordinary
people and to cover business, tourism, culture and education. I think
our foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman’s last visit to Baku aimed to
widen relations in many spheres. The signed agreements and memorandums
could be examples.

– Could Azerbaijan be considered as the main partner of Israel in
the South Caucasus?

– There is no serious partner of Israel in the region, but Azerbaijan,
because Azerbaijan is the strongest and leading republic in the
South Caucasus. We would like to be friend of everyone, including
Armenia and Georgia, but our relations with those countries can not
be compared with our relations with Azerbaijan.

However I am concerned about some ideas expressed in the Azerbaijani
mass media. They say while Iran-Armenia relations are extending,
Azerbaijan-Israel relations become wider. That is to say they keep
relations with us only to irritate Iran. If tomorrow Iran cuts
relations with Armenia, will we do same thing?

– What is Israel’s position on Nagorno Karabakh conflict? Does Israel
recognize Armenia as an aggressor country?

– I can only recall ideas of some politicians. All countries recognize
the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, but it is unlikely that
someone recognizes the independence of Nagorno Karabakh. Avigdor
Lieberman said during his visit to Baku: “We support the territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan and peaceful solution to the conflict. We are
hopeful that there will be fair solution”. I have no other words to
add it.

I have a return question. How will the recognition of the Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity by the world union assist Azerbaijan to liberate
its lands. I don’t think that the level of relations of all countries,
which have any position on Karabakh issue, will make the UN Security
Council to recognize Armenia as an aggressor country. If it doesn’t
succeed, why one should need to spend money and forces to show Armenia
to the world as an aggressor?

I think that the world knows who is who, but the world leaders prefer
economical and political dividends in these cases not conscious
and common sense. When several “interested sides” lose interest in
empire ambitious of Armenia then the formula of fair settlement of
the Nagorno Karabkah will be found.

– US-based “Foreign Policy” newspaper published that Azerbaijan
allowed Israel to use its military airdromes. How it can be true?

-I will answer the question with question. Is it good for anyone? Who
can be interested in releasing “secret information” on joint
preparations of Azerbaijan and Israel against Iran? Azerbaijan and
Israel have enough economical and political enemies. It is not secret
that welfare and wealth of Azerbaijan keep some forces on the run.

Many people want to break economical and political stability in the
republic for the sake of own political and economical interests.

All of us are at war, at information war. This war has no rule and
honesty. The main weapon in this war is provocation and abasement.

First they slander you and then force you justify yourself. I liked
the statements by some Azerbaijani officials that can be expressed
by a phrase: “Don’t interfere in our affairs, mind you own business”.

We will know how real it is after that these events finish. Of course,
if they happen. May be it will never happen.

– Does Israel need Azerbaijan’s help when the war starts with Iran?

Azerbaijan said that it has friendly relations with Iran.

– In my opinion, all “interested” parties will coordinate everything
before the war starts. May be the war has not started yet because
the parties hadn’t reached an agreement. In my opinion, Israel is
interested to use Azerbaijan’s energy potential during a peace period,
because it will be difficult to use this potential during the war
because of possible sanctions by political and economic groups of
the Middle East.

I think that you must be interested in the question “Will Israel side
Azerbaijan if Azerbaijan starts war with Armenia?” In my opinion it
is easier to say “yes” to that question than “no”.

– The start of war in the region will make Israel face-to-face with
Turkey. The relations between the two countries are not so good in
recent years.

– If you mean the war with Iran, I think that this issue is the same
with Azerbaijan. Israel can attack Iran, but the war will be continued
within a coalition led only by the US. Most probably we will be in
coalition with Turkey.

If we talk about the developments in Syria, which are beyond the
control of the world community and country’s leadership, strange as it
may seem, we have the same interests with Turkey in the possible war.

If Bashar al-Assad’s government provokes Israel, I don’t think that
the Turkish government will help him.

– Is the Israeli Knesset going to recognize the Khojaly genocide? Did
the MPs make such proposal?

– I am not sure that our Knesset is ready to recognize any genocide.

In my opinion the Knesset will be engaged most of all in early
elections next 4-5 months. After the elections it will be possible to
discuss this issue as soon as the coalition government establishes. In
principle, there are people in the Knesset who can undertake the
settlement of this issue. The question is in the initiative. Except
the appeals made under the auspices of Azerbaijan-Israel International
Association, nobody had ever addressed them. Azerbaijani diaspora
representatives have a chance to press the issue, but we mustn’t be
the initiators.

From: A. Papazian

YELLOW-TAGGED SCHOOL SUES CITY, SEEKS $6 MILLION IN DAMAGES

Glendale News-Press
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News
May 2, 2012 Wednesday
California

by: Brittany Levine, Glendale News-Press, Calif.

May 02–A private Armenian school that has been fighting to operate for
nearly two years is seeking up to $6 million in damages from the city
that it claims it suffered as a result of being temporarily shut down.

Scholars Academic Foundation claims in its lawsuit filed in Los
Angeles County Superior Court that the city violated its rights to due
process and caused economic harm when officials closed the school by
“yellow-tagging” the building in February 2010.

The school is seeking $2.75 million to $6 million in damages, according
to court documents.

But City Atty. Mike Garcia argued in court documents that the school’s
claims lack merit, and even if they didn’t, the most Scholars Academic
Foundation could recover is three to five weeks’ worth of rent.

“The economic impact of the ‘yellow-tagging’ is minimal,” Garcia
contended.

A judge took the case for review last week, but Garcia said in an
email that a decision isn’t expected for some time.

The city maintains it had the right to shut down the school after a
fire inspection found an inadequate fire alarm and locked or blocked
exits. The school’s attorneys have said the issues were quickly fixed
and the shutdown was excessive.

Due to the legal tussle, Scholars has moved to another city. The
school’s attorney wouldn’t say where, but it operated at Throop
Universalist Unitarian Church in Pasadena for some time last school
year. It has since moved, a church receptionist said.

“Its losses due to the city’s misconduct are staggering. It may never
recover fully,” Scholars attorney Richard Foster said in an email.

“Whether Scholars would be able to move back to the city of Glendale
is difficult to say at this point given the city’s attitude and
abusive conduct.”

Moses Boyadjian, director of operations at Foster’s law firm, said
the school has 30 students enrolled at its new location. It once had
300 students, but that dropped steeply after the “yellow-tagging,”
according to court documents.

The debacle began when Scholars Academic Foundation moved from its
location at 1021 Grandview Ave. to a former Glendale Unified School
District building at 3800 Foothill Blvd. in January 2010. But the
school did not have proper city permits.

The school’s principal, Anahit Grigoryan, said during court proceedings
that the city’s former zoning administrator, Edith Fuentes, said the
school could operate in its new building if it quickly applied for
permits. But that turned out to be an incorrect assessment.

The city sent the kindergarten-to-12th-grade school violation notices
but never received a response. In a surprise February visit, a fire
inspector found it unsafe to occupy.

After the safety issues were fixed, the city still wouldn’t let the
school open, according to court documents. Several students were
enrolled elsewhere, including at Burbank Unified schools.

The school sued the city in state and federal court. The latter was
dismissed, but the former — the case now under review — chugged
through the system. After filing the state lawsuit, the school applied
for city permits, and a judge allowed it to reopen for 15 days,
but it continued to operate after that window expired.

At the city’s request, a judge ordered the school to close in
September.

“There is no statutory right to operate the business of one’s choosing
in the location of one’s choice,” Garcia said in court documents.

TIMELINE

Jan. 29, 2010: City sends Scholars Academic Foundation a notice of
violation for missing permits. City does not receive response.

Feb. 24, 2010: Fire inspector “yellow-tags,” or shuts down, the school.

April 1, 2010: Scholars Academic Foundation files lawsuit against
the city in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Around the same time,
it files a case in U.S. District Court, Central District of California.

April 5, 2010: Temporary court order allows school to occupy building
for 15 days.

April 8, 2010: School applies for city permits.

April 19, 2010: City officials discover application checks bounced.

April 20, 2010: Temporary order to occupy building expires.

July 8, 2010: Federal court dismisses case.

July 27, 2010: City rejects incomplete permit application.

Sept 4, 2010: Temporary court order issued for school closure.

April 24, 2012: Judge takes case under review and says decision will
take some time.

Source: Federal and county superior court records

From: A. Papazian

HERITAGE: WE WILL RETURN ARMENIA’S POWER TO ITS PEOPLE

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 3, 2012 – 20:41 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On May 3, Aznavour square in Yerevan hosted Heritage
opposition party’s last rally before the parliamentary elections.

“We will return Armenia’s power to its people,” the party leader
Raffi Hovhannisyan said.

Free Democrats representative Alexander Arzumanyan, in turn, noted,
“together we will become owners of our country and will eradicate
injustice.”

It is noteworthy that Prosperous Armenia’s rally was also held on the
same day, with a lot of people said to have brought from Armenia’s
provinces to participate in it.

Heritage parliamentary candidate Arman Musheghyan, stressed ensuring
equal rights as the key goal for running for parliament.

Zaruhi Postanjyan, Anahit Bashkhyan, ruben Hakobyana and other Heritage
candidates further addressed the rally.

Parliamentary elections, due in Armenia on May 6, feature 8 political
parties, Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), Prosperous Armenia, ARF
Dashnaktsutyun (ARFD), Orinats Yerkir, Heritage, Democratic Party of
Armenia (DPA), Communist Party of Armenia and United Armenian party,
as well as one election bloc represented by opposition Armenian
National Congress (ANC).

From: A. Papazian