Author: Babajanian Karo

MILITARY PROSECUTOR OFFENDED PARENTS

The parents of soldiers who died in peace demand honor from Military
Prosecutor Gevorg Kostanyan.

The parents were offended by the military prosecutor’s statement
according to which all the new cases have been revealed, and the
parents demanding revelation of the old ones are pursuing different
goals. The offended parents today gathered near the government
building today.

They aren’t satisfied with the Defense Minister’s statement that only
law-enforcement bodies should be involved in revealing the murders
of their sons and demand another meeting with the Minister of Defense.

The parents gathered near the government building today were informed
that Minister Seyran Ohanyan was out of the country after their
protest.

NKR STATUS STALL: DON’T EXPECT ANYTHING NEW FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS
By Aris Ghazinyan

ArmeniaNow
17.11.11 | 15:13

UN Photo/Evan Schneider

One of the most discussed issues today is that Azerbaijan might use
its new status as the UN Security Council’s non-permanent member as
a lever of pressure against Armenia in the Karabakh issue.

On November 15, MP Gagik Melikyan, member of the ruling Republican
Party of Armenia, stated that Azerbaijan’s status in the UN would
not lead to any serious changes in the Karabakh conflict settlement
and Azerbaijan can hardly ever have that issue put on the UN Security
Council’s agenda.

He grounded his optimism by the fact that “three of five permanent
members of the council are OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and see the
settlement of that issue within that very structure [OSCE MG]”.

As a reminder it should be noted that on October 24 the five
non-permanent members of the UN SC were elected, and Azerbaijan will
hold that position in 2012-2013.

In Azerbaijan this event is presented as the most important diplomatic
achievement. Azeri president Ilham Aliyev stated during a government
session: “The Azeri society might not know this, but during the
preliminary stage Armenia, too, filed its candidacy along with us.

However, several months ago they, most probably, considered carefully
and realized that they could not compete against Azerbaijan in the
diplomatic arena, so very quietly and silently they withdrew.”

Political analysts are speculating on a different version of what
happened, which is that Armenia withdrew its candidacy following an
agreement with OSCE MG co-chairing countries.

Where does this version come from?

Based on the fact that 2012-2013 will see elections (both parliamentary
and presidential) not only in OSCE MG member countries but also in
Armenia and Azerbaijan, apparently none of the sides is ready for any
radical change. In that view Azerbaijan’s status as a non-permanent
member is acceptable and, many analysts share this opinion, agreed
with Russia and the USA.

To prove this point – Armenia’s strategic partner Russia voted for
Azerbaijan’s membership. Russian Foreign Ministry representative
Alexander Lukashevich stated that “Russia welcomes Azerbaijan’s
becoming UN Security Council member” and stressed that this membership
“shows also Russia’s efforts in that direction”.

The Russian diplomat’s statement generated a great number of
comments, which mainly come down to an assumption that Russia and the
United States had indeed made a deal with Azerbaijan to support its
candidacy but only if Baku gave up its widely-publicized intention of
transferring the Karabakh conflict settlement to a different variant
than the OSCE MG format.

If true, then it explains why Armenia withdrew its candidacy.

On the other hand, such relaxation of the tension might be favorable
not only for OSCE MG co-chairing countries and Armenia, but also
Azerbaijan, especially during the election year.

Hence, if Azerbaijan’s status as UN SC non-permanent member for
2012-2013 was reconciled with the chief players of OSCE MG, no radical
changes should be expected in the Karabakh conflict settlement during
the next two years.

ARMENIA’S 2012 DRAFT BUDGET: PAP FOR, HERITAGE AGAINST

Tert.am
17.11.11

The Heritage parliamentary group intends to vote against the 2012
draft budget.

Talking to Tert.am, Armen Martirosyan, a Heritage parliamentary group
member, said that Armenia actually has conditions for distribution of
large incomes. “By means of this budget the current authorities are
not resolving the two major problems ~V ensuring adequate revenues
and expenditures. As a result, the population’s living standards will
not at al improve. I do not even speak of any essential improvement. I
speak of our existence,” he said.

In his turn, Vardan Bostanjyan, a member of the Prosperous Armenia
Party (PAP) parliamentary group, said that the group will vote for
the draft budget. “By voting for the draft budget we will first of
all do good to our people,” he said.

ARMENIA’S 2012 BUDGET EMIGRATION BUDGET – EX-PREMIER

Tert.am
17.11.11

Armenia’s ex-premier considers the country’s 2012 budget an “emigration
budget.”

“This time Azerbaijan will leave us behind again. This clownery must
be put an end to. Even if this budget contains anything concerning
tax reforms, it is on the basis of our proposals. But they are trying
to implement them partially,” Bagratyan said.

BRITISH PETROLEUM PLAYS KEY ROLE IN ARMENIA-UK POLITICAL DIALOGUE – SENIOR MP

Tert.am
17.11.11

The British Petroleum appears to be a key factor in the Armenia-UK
political dialogue, according to Naira Zohrabyan, the head of the
National Assembly’s Standing Committee on European Integration.

At a meeting with Josephine Gold, a person in charge for the South
Caucasus affairs at the UK Foreign Office, Zohrabyan noted with regret
that 50% of Azerbaijan’s foreign investments go to Great Britain. She
expressed hope, however, the fact would not affect the country’s
policies in the region.

She further referred to the inter-parliamentary ties within
international organizations, considering the collaboration
non-effective.

Zohrabyan referred to The Guardian’s recent article unveiling a deal
between Conservative MP Mark Field and a pro-Azerbaijani lobby group.

Zohrabyan said she had no doubt that the British lawmaker gets direct
funding from Azerbaijan to conduct a pro-Azerbaijani propaganda in the
European Union. She expressed hope that the political forces in the
British Parliament would work more consistently in future to reveal
such cases and prevent their repetition.

The parties further discussed regional issues.

EUROPEAN UNION TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONS WITH EASTERN PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM MEMBERS: CATHERINE ASHTON

/ARKA/
November 17, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, November 17. /ARKA/. The European Union intends to strengthen
its relations with Eastern Partnership program’s member countries,
despite the worsening economic situation, EU High Representative
for Foreign and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, said today in
Yerevan at a joint press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister
Edward Nalbandian.

“It is often said in EU capitals that we they want to strengthen,
not weaken relationships with these countries, despite the fact that
governments around the world are facing serious economic problems.

There is a very strong desire in Europe to fulfil its promises and
to maintain close relations “, she said.

According to Ashton, the relationship is not confined to financial
matters, relating also to specific ways of cooperation and interaction.

“For example, a free trade agreement will create more opportunities
for cooperation between our entrepreneurs and will help develop small
business and exports, ‘ she said.

She quoted President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan as saying at a yesterday
late evening with her that Armenia has 350 hi-tech companies, employing
5000 people.

“The more opportunities we create for them, as well as for agriculture,
the bigger economic growth we shall have that would allow the state
to develop,” Ashton said.

‘I TREAT DRINKING AS NORMAL’: PM COMES CLEAN ON WHETHER HE WAS DRUNK WHILE MAKING SPEECH

epress.am
11.17.2011

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan’s grandfather advised never to make
friends with people who don’t drink. The prime minister conveyed these
words to reporters after the question and answer period in parliament
on Wednesday.

Recall, a video (see below) of the PM making a speech Friday at a
public event celebrating youth while seemingly drunk went viral in
the Armenian blogosphere and social networking sites. Many questioned
whether he was indeed drunk.

“That’s why I approach drinking as normal; second, real technical
issues arose during that event. Our team, which had prepared the event,
hadn’t taken into consideration that such a technical issue could
arise, because the stage was directly in front of our seating area
and all the equipment and speakers were far. So when I began to talk,
the feedback was so strong and was echoing back to me that I simply
couldn’t hear what sentences I was saying and that, of course, was
a drawback our team didn’t anticipate. They hadn’t considered that
there could be such a problem,” he explained.

Tigran Sargsyan said that never has such a thing happened in all his
22 years of making public political speeches – and this was one lesson
he’s going to learn.

“To be honest, the commotion that resulted was incomprehensible to me.

Thousands of people participated in that event, and I hadn’t gone
alone to the event; there were hundreds present; if I was inebriated,
all would see and there was nothing to hide. But now everyone’s
saying so what, he was drinking, let him say he was drinking; but
now those people who were with me and who saw that I wasn’t drunk –
wouldn’t they say that the prime minister is lying? Reporters went
and asked everyone in the world if I was or wasn’t drunk – [including]
those people who were seated next to me. Regretfully, I wasn’t drunk,”
he said.

Asked whether he was going to sue anyone for the technical problems,
the PM said there’s no point in fishing for a conspiracy. He expressed
a conviction that there’s no such plot and again assured that they
will take into account the experience.

HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK: NEW RESIGNATIONS ON AGENDA IN ARMENIA

Tert.am
17.11.11

The Executive Body of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) is to
hold a meeting this evening.

Resignation of Tavush Governor Armen Gularyan is on the agenda.

Gularyan was summoned to the presidential residence yesterday.

According to the newspaper, President Serzh Sargsyan was angry
with the Tavush governor because of the victory Vardan Galumyan,
a candidate from the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP), gained in the
recent election of Ijevan mayor.

“Granting” such an important post to the “coalition enemy” was
considered “betrayal” by the RPA in this “hard time.”

Other “resignations” may be announced today as well.

TREASURES OF ANCIENT ARMENIAN CAPITAL ON DISPLAY IN ROME

Tert.am
17.11.11

As part of the International Biennale an exhibition of culture, an
exhibition on the city of Dvin, the capital of Armenia between the
fifth and ninth centuries, opened in Rome.

The event, dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence,
showcased archaeological discoveries found in and near the ancient
capital of Armenia.

According to Asbarez.com, more than 40 pieces, excavated from the
archaeological ruins in the province of Ararat, are on display “Dvin
used to be the capital linking West and East, and it was the capital
of the Silk Road. Armenian historian Anania Shirakatsi said that there
were six commercial roads going out from the city linking to the Silk
Road and to different parts of the world,” Armenia’s Ambassador to
Italy Rouben Karapetian was quoted as telling Romereports.com.

Dvin had 150,000 inhabitants and was an important trade center during
medieval times. But in the year 893 an earthquake destroyed the city.

The only things to survive were different works of art and a memory
of the city.

Glass plates and ceramics, crucifixes and pots made of silver and
bronze, as well as old coins from the time period and tapestries on
display in the exhibit detail the life of Christ.

One in particular shows two chapters of the crucifixion and a model of
a church sculpted in stone. A Bible from the fifth century, which was
the first book written using the Armenian alphabet, is also on display.

“We wanted to present a small part of the heritage and the high level
of culture that existed as expressed in traditional ceremonies, in
a manuscript, in the frescoes and in carpets of the 8th century of
the Armenian Apostolic Church. Armenia is the first Christian nation
in the world, we adopted Christianity in 301. We are also proud to
have a small part of some artifacts of the Armenian Church,” added
Ambassador Karapetian.

During the opening ceremonies traditional Armenian music was performed
on the duduk. The exhibition is open to the public until January 29,
2012 and is expected to host the President Serzh Sarkisian when he
travels to Italy in coming weeks.

CONGRES DE L’UNION DES INDUSTRIELS ET DES ENTREPRENEURS- DISCOURS DU PRESIDENT
Stephane

armenews.com
jeudi 17 novembre 2011

L’allocution du President Sarkissian au Congrès de l’Union des
industriels et des entrepreneurs constitue le principal sujet
d’actualite. Le chef de l’Etat a reconnu que la croissance
economique etait aujourd’hui une question de securite nationale
et a annonce qu’il etait primordial de separer les affaires du
système de l’Etat et du pouvoir. ” En echange, l’Etat doit continuer
d’apprendre a respecter pleinement les interets de chaque citoyen
et des entrepreneurs. L’Etat et l’entrepreneur doivent devenir des
partenaires. Cette transformation radicale garantit a long terme le
developpement de notre croissance economique “. Le chef de l’Etat a
annonce ” le debut de grands changements “, tout en notant que ” c’est
en changeant qu’on apprend a etre competitif, a produire, exporter
et mettre en place des projets sociaux et culturels “. Le President
a en outre indique qu’une equipe travaillait actuellement sur un ”
grand projet ” susceptible non seulement de creer des emplois mais
aussi d’apporter de la stabilite au pays, auquel les entrepreneurs
seront invites a s’associer. Le President Sarkissian a conclu que
les affaires necessitaient la stabilite politique et economique et
que le gouvernement en avait parfaitement conscience.

168 Jam considère le discours du chef de l’Etat comme le premier
discours pre-electoral dans lequel il est clairement indique le
rôle qui serait reserve aux gros entrepreneurs. Selon Haykakan
Jamanak, les entrepreneurs s’interrogeraient sur le ” grand projet
” mentionne par le President. Ce quotidien estime en outre que le
message du President sur la separation des affaires et du pouvoir
serait destine, au premier chef, a l’homme d’affaires Gaguik Tsaroukian
et au President du Comite des recettes d’Etat, Gaguik Khatchatrian,
très implique dans les affaires.

L’editorial d’Aravot considère que le processus de separation
des affaires du système etatique et du pouvoir doit commencer par
l’eradication des clauses legislatives sur lesquelles s’appuient
les hommes d’affaires lies au pouvoir. Il requiert que les sources
financières des partis politiques soient transparentes, notamment en
periodes pre-electorales. L’editorialiste reconnaît que dans tous
les pays les affaires et le pouvoir sont entremeles, mais que dans
les pays democratiques ce niveau d’imbrication ne musèle pas les
initiatives privees.

” Le President de la Republique a evoque un ” grand projet ” proposant
aux entrepreneurs d’y adherer ” -Azg

” La stabilite politique et economique du pays sera assuree “-
Hayots Achkhar

Ambassade de France en Armenie

Service de presse