Author: Babajanian Karo

WHAT WILL BEIJING DO AFTER WHAT YEREVAN DID TO BRUSSELS?

China has pledged a 16 million dollar loan to Armenia for different
programs. This was stated during the meeting of the prime ministers
of Armenia and China. At the same time, the Chinese prime minister
announced about his country’s willingness to make investments in
Armenia, develop tourism to Armenia, as well as place Armenian brandy,
jewelry and other goods on the Chinese market.

The statement is impressive indeed but perhaps things will not go
beyond 16 million dollars. In other words, it will remain as the only
output, like the Chinese tractors and buses which were presented to
Armenia. Armenia is still waiting for the Chinese investments but
they are not coming. Some 500 million dollars were considered when
Fortune Oil, an offshore company, bought the iron mine of Hrazdan
but the project caused serious environmental concerns, and Armenia
does not need obscure offshore investments but real initiatives which
will not only change the social balance but also bring a new culture
of relations.

In this regard, China is a valuable partner but partnership does not
go beyond compliments. Armenia has been facing China for many years.

In the beginning, the focus was on defense. Serzh Sargsyan as minister
of defense had frequent visits to China. Then the visits rose to
the level of the prime minister and president. Robert Kocharyan and
Andranik Margaryan visited Beijing.

By the way, Serzh Sargsyan was informed about the sudden death of
Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan on his way to Beijing and cancelled
the visit and returned home.

Then Serzh Sargsyan visited China as a president. The Armenian
government hailed the participation of Armenia in the international
expo in Shanghai with the assistance of the Chinese side. Armenia
presented a global city model which, according to the Armenian side,
was highly appreciated and noted.

Nevertheless, the key output of mutual visits was donations, not
investments. The Chinese donate tractors and buses to Armenia. They
still do. Instead, the largest investment program was implemented
in China, not in Armenia, where a rubber manufacturing facility was
established jointly with Armenia. Meanwhile, the Chinese were not
interested in the Armenian chemical company Nairit. Either it was
not lucrative or they understood that Nairit has a dark history and
one may lose its way there.

A few years ago official Yerevan came up with a specific proposal to
Chine – the Armenian-Iranian railway. The speaker of the National
Assembly Hovik Abrahamyan conveyed the proposal to China and China
gently turned it down.

After the announcement to join the Customs Union the Chinese priority
is acquiring a new stage for Armenia. It is interesting whether
Armenia equally acquired a new shade for China.

Tigran Sargsyan who said against the Customs Union a few months ago
has announced that Armenia is aspiring for the observer status to
Shanghai Cooperation Organization and seeks China’s support.

The organization has six members: Russia, China, Kazakhstan,
Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kirgizstan. Observer members are India,
Afghanistan, Mongolia, Pakistan. Belarus, Turkey and Sri Lanka are
partners to the SCO.

The prime minister of China has announced to consider the issue of
granting an observer status to Armenia.

Apparently, Yerevan is thus trying to handle the consequences of
the decision on joining the Customs Union, showing that Armenia
has a broader perspective of the situation, and the Customs Union
is merely one of the milestones of this perspective rather than a
compulsory decision.

The key question is what economic benefits Armenia will have. China
takes interest in the South Caucasus, which is natural, considering
the growing influence of this country in the world. However, China
is mostly interested in Georgia. Recently the role of Armenia in
the Caucasus had risen essentially over the past few years but the
Armenian government successfully stopped the growth by the decision
of September 3, displaying another example of inadequacy.

With the fresh example, is it possible to attract China and expect
serious intentions and initiatives when Beijing saw what happened to
the Western intentions and initiatives relating to Armenia.

Hakob Badalyan 11:34 11/09/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

ARMENIAN COMMUNISTS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT CUSTOMS UNION DEAL

13:02 11.09.13

Top figures of the Communist Party of Armenia have hailed President
Serzh Sargsyan’s statement expressing Armenia’s support the Russian-led
Customs Union.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the first and second secretaries
of the party, Ruben Tovmasyan and Tachat Sargsyan, described the move
as revolutionary and talented.

“Armenia has always pursued pro-Russian trends. Economically, Russia,
Kazakhstan and Belarus offer a very big market to Armenia,” Tovmasyan
noted.

According to him, membership in Eurasian Customs Union will also
boost the development of Armenia’s military industries. “This is a
delicate process, so it is necessary to be very flexible,” he added.

Tovmasyan further warned against any attempts of overshadowing the
Armenian-Russian relations, noting that Russia itself has never voiced
threats against Armenia.

As for the opinions that the president might have made the decision
under pressure, the politician denied such allegations. He considered
such statements pro-Western remarks aimed to “detach” Armenia from
Russia.

He said a membership in the Customs Union will help create more jobs
in Armenia, developing the economy and industries.

Speaking further, the party’s second secretary criticized the
opposition for the statements that Armenia may lose its independence
in case of joining the Customs Union. He considered such remarks
baseless opinions.

Armenian News – Tert.am

NAGORNO KARABAKH TO EXECUTE ORDERS FROM VERSACE, ARMANI, PRADA AND MOSCHINO

19:15 11.09.2013

Lusine Avanesyan
Public Radio of Armenia
Stepanakert

Italian businessmen are in Artsakh to explore the perspectives
of launching production of outfits for Versace, Armani, Prada and
Moschino Companies. Today the Italians met with the Prime Minister
of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Ara Harutyunyan.

The Italian Company is expected to become part of a textile industry
complex in Artsakh. The building of the former Gharmetakskombinat is
being reconstructed for this purpose. The new industrial sites will
be provided to companies, which propose programs of development of
the light industry sector.

The textile production, carpet manufacturing, wool processing and
thread production plants are already working. The program will not
only contribute to Artsakh’s economic development, but will also
create a number of jobs.

“This is our first cooperation with famous brands. This is the
most important project of independent Artsakh in the field of light
industry,” PM Ara Harutyunyan said.

According to NKR Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Aghabekyan, in line with
a preliminary agreement, the Italian side will cover the expenses of
import of equipment and export of production.

“We’re here to familiarize with the conditions. I think we’ll
succeed to launch production in the country in cooperation with your
authorities. We indent to develop the brands of Versace, Armani,
Prada and Moschino in Artsakh. We’ll mostly produce sportswear,”
an Italian businessman said.

As it could be expected, this initiative has angered Baku. The Foreign
Ministry of Azerbaijan is investigating the reports about the plans
of the Italian Company to launch production in Artsakh. Relevant
instructions have been given to the Azerbaijani Embassy to Italy. The
nationalists in Azerbaijan are even urging to boycott the production
of Italian companies.

LES INFORMATIONS SUR LA SPOLIATION DES BIENS DES CHRETIENS EN SYRIE SONT EN PARTIE VRAI SELON JIRAIR REISIAN

SYRIE

Les rapports disant que les groupes armes de l’opposition en Syrie
ont decide de prendre les biens appartenant a des chretiens sont
en partie vrai a declare Jirair Reisian de la Primaute de l’Eglise
Apostolique Armenienne.

Jirair Reisian a note que l’opposition syrienne est composee de
differents groupes representant des organisations radicales, très
radicales et moderees.

Les groupes radicaux peuvent prendre les proprietes en raison de motifs
religieux ou sur la base des idees des chefs spirituels radicaux.

“Cependant, on ne peut pas generaliser et dire que tous les groupes de
l’opposition saisissent les biens des chretiens. Certaines personnes
essaient simplement de profiter de la situation ” a-t-il dit.

Selon les rumeurs, les rebelles syriens ont decide de ceder les
proprietes appartenant aux chretiens y compris les Armeniens residant
en Syrie. A Alep les groupes armes ont saisi 200 usines appartenant
a des chretiens.

Ils vendent principalement les biens en Turquie pour acheter des armes.

mercredi 11 septembre 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

DES CAMPS D’ENTRAINEMENT POUR LES REBELLES EN SYRIE SONT DIRIGES PAR DES GARDES DU CORPS PERSONNELS DU PRESIDENT AZERBAIDJANAIS ILHAM ALIEV

SYRIE

” Les camps d’entraînement pour les rebelles des republiques
ex-sovietiques en Syrie sont diriges par des gardes du corps du
president azerbaïdjanais Ilham Aliyev ” a declare dans une interview
accordee a ” Neyromir TV ” l’expert Marat Musin qui est de retour
de Syrie.

Il y a peu de temps les medias ont rapporte un certain nombre de
decès de terroristes azeris en Syrie.

Debut Avril, les sites turcs ont rapporte qu’environ 30 terroristes
de l’Azerbaïdjan ont deja ete tues en Syrie.

Selon le specialiste azeri Arif Yunus plus de 300 islamistes venus
d’Azerbaïdjan se battent en Syrie, en Afghanistan et au Pakistan.

Toutefois, selon Arif Yunus plus de 100 terroristes azerbaïdjanais
se battent en Syrie.

Rappelons que les relations entre les groupes terroristes
internationaux et ceux d’Azerbaïdjan remontent au debut des annees
1990. En ce temps la l’armee de l’Azerbaïdjan ayant echoue dans son
agression contre le Haut-Karabagh se retira avec des pertes. Pour
essayer de sauver la situation, les dirigeants azerbaïdjanais,
dirigee par Heydar Aliyev ont attire des terroristes internationaux
et des membres de groupes radicaux en Afghanistan (regroupements de
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar), de Turquie (“Loups gris”, etc), dea Tchetchenie
(groupements Bassaïev et Raduyev etc) et quelques autres regions.

Malgre l’implication de milliers de mercenaires etrangers et
de terroristes dans l’armee azerbaïdjanaise pendant la guerre,
l’agression des azerbaïdjanais contre la Republique du Haut-Karabagh
a echoue et les autorites ont ete contraintes de signer un armistice
avec le Haut-Karabagh et l’Armenie.

Toutefois, les terroristes internationaux ont trouve des liens en
Azerbaïdjan, et les ont utilise dans le futur.

Au cours des dernières annees, des citoyens azeris sont activement
impliques dans des activites terroristes et extremistes en Russie,
en Afghanistan et en Syrie.

mercredi 11 septembre 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

ERATIC MANAGEMENT STYLE INCITES TENSIONS AT AKHTALA MINING COMPANY

Larisa Paremuzyan

10:40, September 11, 2013

The debts at the Akhtala Mountain Enrichment Combinat, a mining
company in Armenia’s northern Lori Province, continue to grow.

It has racked up $1 million in debt owed to Aparazh Ltd., the company
that does the drilling in the Shamlough copper mine.

Wholly owned by Metal Prince Ltd., Akhtala MEC processes copper ore
from the Shamlough mine.

But debts are the only issue facing the company.

Processing equipment at Akhtala MEC is said to be in a state of
disrepair and it seems that management has no plans to make the needed
investment in new technology.

Rumor has it that Chief Engineer Gagik Shahnazaryan filed a petition
to resign on September 5. In a telephone conversation with Hetq,
Shahnazaryan said he was still on official vacation, noting that he
had grown displeased with the way the company was being managed.

He and other officials point to the incompetent human resources
policies of Executive Director Madeline Tashjian as the cause of the
trouble. She took over the reins of Metal Prince, after her husband
Serob Der-Boghosian was found guilty in November 2011 of “having sex
with minors against their will”.

At the end of June, Tashjian fired Deputy Director Orbeli Tarminyan
without giving any reason. She then replaced him with Armen Naghdalyan,
who was running the Shamlough mine. But the company’s fortunes didn’t
improved.

In August, Tashjian dismissed Tarminyan and appointed a Serb, Nedelko
Goulich, as Deputy Director at Akhtala MEC.

Goulich was known to be a specialist on the production side of things
and workers hoped he could turn things around at the company.

He never got the chance to prove his worth.

On September 5, Madeline Tashjian showed up at a management meeting
in the company of two young men. She introduced one of them, Artyom
Abgaryan, as her new assistant.

She then dropped another bombshell by introducing the other man,
Levon Sargsyan, as the company’s new Deputy Director.

It was at this meeting that Chief Engineer Gagik Shahnazaryan got up
and declared that he would be leaving Akhtala MEC.

Photo: Madeline Tashjian, Serob Der-Boghossian

MAKARIAN: NOT ONLY ARMENIA WILL BENEFIT FROM ENTRY INTO CUSTOMS UNION

Armenia’s decision to join the Customs Union has been recently
discussed actively both in Armenia and outside it.

During a talk with Aysor.am, Chairman of the Republican Union of
Employers of Armenia Gagik Makarian said in this connection that
the EU will act correctly if it signs the Association Agreement with
Armenia. In his words, it will be a response to Russia’s wishes. “The
more Europe states that it will not sign the Association Agreement,
the more justified Russia’s wishes become, “Makarian said.

He discussed yesterday’s discussion with the participation of Armenian
and Russian experts who expressed their opinions about Armenia’s
entry into the Customs Union. He noted that the Armenian and Russian
sides spoke about the benefits to be derived by Armenia in case of
its joining the Customs Union. Makarian reminded our correspondent
about Armenian migrants working in Russia and remittances they send
to Armenia. He noted that it is not only Armenia that will benefit
from joining the Customs Union because Armenians working in Russia
not only transfer about $1.5 billion to Armenia annually, but also
spend approximately the same amount in Russia. Besides, migrants work,
increasing Russia’s revenues tenfold.

“Russia has some problems such as shortage of workers, drug addiction
and laziness, and some of its regions are under-populated – so it is
not only Armenia that will benefit from joining the Customs Union,”
Makarian said.

“It would be a nice move if Europe reviewed its position and signed
the Association Agreement with Armenia, its full package, ” Gagik
Makarian said.

ARMENIA WILL CONTINUE COOPERATION WITH THE EU AS MUCH AS IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE EU

14:58 10.09.2013
Armenia, Customs Union, Edward Nalbandian, EU

Lusine Vasilyan
Public Radio of Armenia

Armenia is willing to continue to develop close and deep relations
with the European Union in all formats and directions, Armenian
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian told reporters after a closed-door
meeting with representatives of parliamentary factions. The Minister
reminded that the issue was discussed with Lithuanian Foreign Minister
in Vilnius and the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European
Neighborhood Policy in Brussels.

“It was noted in the statement issued after the meeting with
Commissioner Fule that Armenia is willing to continue the broad
cooperation with the European Union on the basis of all positive
achievements reached in the recent years as much as it is appropriate
for the EU and unless it contradicts Armenia’s decision to join the
Customs Union,” Minister Nalbandian said.

Representatives of parliamentary forces expressed diverse opinions
after the meeting with the Foreign Minister. The ruling majority said
they received answers to all their questions.

Nikol Pashinyan from the Armenian National Congress said he heard no
comprehensive answer. Naira Zohrabyan from Prosperous Armenia Party
said she didn’t get what Armenia will gain from the membership in
the Customs Union.

Ex-Foreign Minister Alexander Arzumanyan said the meeting was organized
to say discussions on the issue were held.

Armen Rustamyan representing the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
noted that “Russia is shaping a geopolitical pole and this will not
be restricted to economic cooperation.” “Armenia changed its political
vector on September 3,” Rustamyan said.

SEVENTH YEREVAN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL WILL RUN FROM SEPTEMBER 11 TO OCTOBER 25

YEREVAN, September 10. / ARKA /. The 7th Yerevan International Music
Festival will run from September 11 to October 25, Eduard Topchyan,
the artistic director and conductor of the State Philharmonic Orchestra
of Armenia, said to a news conference today. He said the estival will
open by a joint concert of the Orchestra and famous German violinist
Isabelle Faust. They will perform two concerts by Mozart.

The conductor said that the festival will feature eight symphonies,
two chamber music concerts and solo concerts by famous Italian cellist
Mario Brunello and Russian pianist Konstantin Lifschitz.

Topchyan said the festival will also feature cellists Narek Akhnazaryan
(Russia) and Alexander Chaushyan (UK), violinists Boris Brovtsin
(UK), Daishin Kashimoto (Japan) and Kohl Blacher (Germany), pianist
Kirill Gerstein (USA, Germany ) and Alexander Melnikov ( Russia ),
conductor Israel Yinon (Germany ) and other outstanding musicians.

The 7th Yerevan International Music Festival is held under the
high patronage of the First Lady of Armenia Rita Sargsyan with the
assistance of the Ministry of Culture and will be dedicated to the
110th anniversary of famous Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian. -0-

AZERI COMEDY: DANISH DELEGATION AS BLACK LIST CANDIDATES

September 10, 2013 – 20:19 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Azeri Foreign Ministry found new victims to
blacklist: this time, it’s a group of Danish MPs and journalists
headed by Eva Kjer Hansen, Chairwoman of the Committee on European
Affairs of the Danish Parliament.

As Azeri Ministry spokesman Elman Abdullayev stated, the Ministry
is investigating the information on Danish journalists’ visit to
“occupied territories.” “Azeri embassy in London was given relevant
instructions, with a decision to be taken based on investigation
results,” he said. And quite seriously, at that.

Actually, there’s nothing to investigate: official information on the
visit was released by Artsakh Foreign Ministry press service, along
with details of Karabakh Foreign Minister’s meeting with the guests.

Although the visit of the Danish delegation is a fact, Azerbaijan
is still eager to “investigate.” The black list – peak of Azeri
diplomatic stupidity – has been mentioned so often, that the fact will
soon be ridiculed overtly. In any case, Baku is far from reaching its
goal of preventing visits to the Nagrono Karabakh Republic, with the
fact proved by Russian and Danish delegations travelling to Arstakh,
to say nothing about the tourists.

Back in early August, when the black list was released, no one included
in it expressed regret over having visited Artsakh. On the contrary –
whoever traveled to NKR said they’ll visit the Republic again. Those
who failed to find their names in the list, urged Baku to fix its
mistake by announcing them personae non-grata. Even those expressing
intention to travel to Artsakh were blacklisted.

Any other sensible country would try to hush up such a disgraceful
step, by rushing to “forget” about it – but not Azerbaijan.

Azeris would do well to save themselves from further ridicule, what
with half the world laughing at them already. Even the best joke
repeated one too many times becomes annoying.

Marina Ananikyan