Author: Babajanian Karo

RUSSIAN BASE IN ARMENIA TO TEST MODERN NAVIGATION SYSTEM

Mediamax, Armenia
June 5 2013

Artillery subdivisions of the Russian military base in Armenia will
test modern navigation system, Global Navigation Satellite System
(GLONASS), for the first time during the military exercise in summer
period.

Rosbalt agency reports, quoting the press service of the South Military
District, that the equipment was received in spring 2013.

As of the data of the South Military District, “Breeze” small-size
navigation system meant for artillery subdivisions allows solving a
whole number of issues of shooting and fire control.

“The navigation equipment will allow military servicemen to determine
topographic data before the target, proofread during trial shooting,
calculate the corrections during deviations of shooting conditions
from tabular ones etc.”, the statement reads.

Over the winter period of study with artillerists of Russian military
base deployed in Armenia, 50 shooting and fire control classes were
held. During the military study at high-altitude training complexes
of Alagyaz and Kamhud with self-propelled howitzers, reactive, mortar
and anti-tank subdivisions of the military base, over 10 tactical
exercises and tactical-drill exercise were held.

As of now, about 100 fire tasks were fulfilled with use of “Gvozdika”
self-propelled howitzers, “Grad” multiple rocket launcher, “Konkurs”
anti-tank missile and “Podnos” mortars.

ARMENIAN PEACEKEEPERS TO LEAVE FOR LEBANON

Mediamax, Armenia
June 4 2013

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Italy which is a commander country of a
peacekeeping mission held under the UN patronage in Lebanon filed
an official request to Armenia to involve Armenian peacekeepers in
the mission.

The troop will fulfill the function of ensuring security of the
central union of the mission.

Talks on involving the Armenian troop in the peacekeeping mission in
Lebanon are being held with the UN and Italian Defense Ministry around
the issues of structure of the troop, location, rear and technical
support and others.

The task force of the Armenian Defense Ministry will leave for Rome
to hold the talks next week which will be followed by the visit of
the Chief of Armenian Armed Forces General Headquarters to Italy.

2 Armenian peacekeeping detachments are scheduled to be sent to
Lebanon within this year.

Since 2012, one officer of Armenian Armed Forces has been involved
in the UN observer mission in Lebanon.

As of now, Armenian peacekeepers serve in Afghanistan and Kosovo.

Mediamax recalls that the issue of sending Armenian peacekeepers to
Lebanin was discussed back in 2006 but the official Yerevan decided
to abstain.

“First of all, the mandate of peacekeepers is not eventually
specified. Secondly, we should take into account the interests of the
Armenian community of Lebanon: possible involvement of our peacekeepers
in any clash may have negative impacts for our compatriots living in
Lebanon”, spokesman for Armenian President Victor Soghomonyan told
Mediamax in 2006.

PRESENTATION OF BOOK AND MOVIE BY GREGORY HARUTYUNYAN HELD IN GEORGIA

14:32, 7 June, 2013

YEREVAN, JUNE 7, ARMENPRESS. On the 4th of June, on the initiative of
the Union of Armenian Musicians of Georgia, in Calouste Gulbenkian
Hall of the “Hayartun” Cultural Centre of the Diocese of the
Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia, the presentation of the book
entitled “Artists: Fates, Muses” and the movie “Strastnaya Ikona”
by residing in Yerevan Gregory Harutyunyan, a native of Tbilisi,
a member of the RA Union of Writers and the RA Union of Artists, was
held. The Press Service of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia informed
“Armenpress” that the CEO of Sports Radio “Jako”, a sports commentator
Jamlet Khukhashvili, his wife – the president of the Association of
Georgian-Jewish Women, Eva Babalashvili, art critic David Andriadze,
the author of the film Gregory Harutyunyan and many others attended
the event.

Writer and musician Artem Kirakozov (Grigorents) opened the event, he
presented Gregory Harutyunyan, who was born in Tbilisi and graduated
the local Russian school No. 66, he continued his career in Russia,
and then – in Yerevan.

Gregory Harutyunyan, choosing medical career field, also dedicated
himself to literature and art. He is already an author of many books,
the majority of works in which are dedicated to Georgia and hometown
Tbilisi. In this book entitled “Artists: Fates, Muses” the destinies of
Armenian and Georgian artists, theepisodes of their lives in Tbilisi
and Yerevan are also included.

Greeting the movie presentation, where the talented writer appears
in the role of an artist and sculptor, Jamlet Khukhashvili highly
appreciated the author’s oeuvre in the sphere of art. He recalled the
graduates of the school No. 66, including the author of the book and
the film Gregory Harutyunyan, who will celebrate this years the 60th
anniversary of their admission to school,

Art critic David Andriadze congratulated on the presentation of the
movie and the book, he told about the impressions he had received
while working in Yerevan, in connection with the shooting of the film
dedicated to Minas Avetisyan. He spoke about, how during working
process he had discovered many unfamiliar people and interesting
episodes, adding that very soon his book entitled “My soliloquy”
would be published. The book is about Tbilisi painting – from Hakob
Hovnatanyan to Gayane Khachaturian.

After that the movie “Strastnaya Ikona” was shown, after which
Gregory Harutyunyan told the audience about the interesting process
and motivation of the film shooting.

Everyone, who delivered a speech, expressed their opinion and highly
praised the movie. Gregory Harutynyan distributed to the audience
the copies of his book entitled “Artists: Fates, Muses”.

ZHOGHOVURD: SCANDAL IN BREWING IN HAK

Friday,
June 07

A scandal is brewing in Armenian National Congress (HAK) parliamentary
faction. While continuing to be a member of HAK faction formally,
deputy Nikol Pashinian in fact broke up relations with the faction.

Moreover, recently he launched a series of critical articles, in
particular against the faction head Levon Zurabian, “Zhoghovurd”
writes.

The paper’s correspondent yesterday attempted to clarify if HAK may
soon take a decision about “sanctions” against Pashinian, taking
into account the fact that the rules of procedure of the National
Assembly envisage such mechanisms. For example, the HAK faction may
decide to replace Pashinian with other deputies, not including him
in international delegations.

Deputy of HAK faction Ms. Lyudmila Sargsyan found it difficult to
answer the question of Zhoghovurd. She did not know if they would
take such a step.

TODAY, 13:22

Aysor.am

FREEDOM FIGHTERS OFFER ARMENIA’S PM TO ESTABLISH DAY OF FREEDOM FIGHTERS

13:50 ~U 07.06.13

Armenia’s Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received today the freedom
fighters who were protesting in front of the government’s building
on June 6.

Government’s press office reports that Armenia’s Labor and Social
Affairs Minister Artem Asatryan was also present at the meeting.

The head of the government listened to the problems the freedom
fighters are facing and discussed the possibilities of their
settlement, got familiarized with the package of proposals they
presented.

To make the state assistance targeted, the PM assigned the Defense
Ministry to study the lists of freedom fighters engaged in different
social projects.

The freedom fighters said that besides the social issues they are
also concerned with the inappropriate attitude of the society toward
them which creates an atmosphere of demoralization. They pointed out
the wrong response of press toward their issues, saying that they do
not complain they draw the attention of the government toward them.

As a first demonstration of attention, the freedom fighters offered
to establish a Day of Freedom Fighter in Armenia that will be fixed
by the law. The interlocutors also discussed issues of patriotic
upbringing, establishment of Museum of Freedom Fighter.

At the end of the meeting Tigran Sargsyan promised to raise the voiced
issues in the government and try to find necessary solutions which
they will discuss with the freedom fighters at the next meeting.

Armenian News – Tert.am

IS MINISTER OF ECONOMY HELPLESS BEFORE MONOPOLIES?

Newly-appointed minister of economy Vahram Avanesyan admitted decline
of investments and the necessity to diversify them. He also said that
it is something usual if Armenian businessmen use “legal” methods to
hinder the entry of Carrefour to Armenia.

The minister of economy admitted that he does not know how to fight
monopolies. Is he recognizing his weakness or agreement that monopolies
are normal?

When Vahram Avanesyan was appointed minister of economy, he was
hailed for his global and advanced views, and “decisive” steps towards
liberalization of the Armenian economy were expected from him.

However, judging by the facts, such steps are not taken up yet.

As of now, the only step of the kind can be the government’s decision
to shift to the open sky policy in Armenia. Actually, the monopoly
has been eliminated in the aviation, and this sphere could be the
example to see the advantages and disadvantages of the competition.

The checking of the construction of the North-South highway by the
Control Chamber is notable. The project is implemented by European
companies. The Asian Development Bank which funds the project has
stipulated that the Armenian government announce several tenders and
ensure that the contracts are awarded to European companies.

Actually, the Armenian oligarchs missed a big project which would have
“fed” a lot of people. Now, apparently, they are doing their best
to prove the work is done with shortcomings. Moreover, the European
organizations have serious claims to the government of Armenia.

The advantages of diversification and abolition of monopolies is also
observed in the sphere of telecommunications where the competition
of Syrian and French companies resulted in lower tariffs and better
service. The lack of foreign companies in other spheres does not
stand for the government’s wish to protect domestic production but
their desire to keep monopolies intact.

It’s too bad that the minister of economy does not know how to fight
monopolies.

Naira Hayrumyan 13:15 07/06/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

PROTESTS IN TURKEY MAY MOVE TO AZERBAIJAN – RUSSIAN ANALYST

June 07, 2013 | 00:52

The wave of anti-government protests in Turkey quite logically may
move to Azerbaijan, Russian political scientist Mikhail Aleksandrov
told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

In his conviction, the situation in Azerbaijan is worse than in it
is Turkey.

“There is something like a democracy in Turkey, [and] fairly
competitive elections are conducted. In Azerbaijan, however, there
is [Azerbaijani president Ilham] Aliyev’s authoritarian regime,
which is worse than [former President Hosni] Mubarak’s regime was
in Egypt. The Aliyev regime has no support from anywhere because it
managed to spoil relations with all,” Aleksandrov recorded.

In his words, Aliyev spoiled relations with Russia, too.

“That is why Russia will not support the Aliyev regime, the
Americans will rather remain neutral, and Iran may even assist the
anti-government protests. So, [the Aliyev regime] cannot pin hopes
on anyone but Israel,” the political analyst concluded.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

SURIK KHACHATRYAN, KOVALENKO SHAHGELDYAN MEET IN YEREVAN – VIDEO

05:54 PM | JUNE 06, 2013 | POLITICS

Former governor of Syunik province, Surik Khachatryan, is frequently
spotted at the Armenia Marriott Hotel in Yerevan after the June
1 shout-out outside his house in Goris city. A correspondent of
Yerkir.am today noticed the ex-governor leaving the hotel with
Kovalenko Shahgeldyan, Governor of Kotayk province.

The Armenian government decided today to releive Surik Khachatryan
from the post of Syunik Governor in accordance with his resignation
paper submitted earlier this week.

The move comes following public clamour over a June 1 shootout near
Khachatryan’s house in Goris that left a former mayoral candidate
dead and his brother wounded.

KARABAKH WAR VETS SEEK LAW ON SOCIAL GUARANTEES, DETERMINED TO CONTINUE PROTESTS

SOCIETY | 05.06.13 | 15:24

Photolure

By SIRANUYSH GEVORGYAN ArmeniaNow reporter

Karabakh war veterans continue their protests determined not to give
up until the government gives concrete solutions to the issues they
have put forward.

Ishkhan Sargsyan, who heads the Shushi-92 Union of Freedom Fighters
and War Veterans, says they have submitted a multi-step social package
to the government and are waiting for a reply. On Thursday, June 6,
freedom fighters will again rally in front of the government building
to voice their demands.

The freedom-fighters’ standoff started around a month ago, when on
May 11 army reserve colonel Volodya Avetisyan, together with a group
of fellow veterans, declared a sit-in in Yerevan’s Liberty Square,
complaining of the order of provision of pensions to servicemen.

Avetisyan, 49, says veteran pensions range between 40,000 and 80,000
drams (around $96-$192) per month; they are demanding reconsideration
of the order of provision of pensions to freedom fighters and families
of deceased freedom fighters so that they be raised to 100,000 –
200,000 drams (around $240-$481) per month.

A day after the sit-in more war veterans joined him and started a more
structured standoff. Tuesday, June 4, Avetisyan and several others,
held another sit-in at Liberty Square, stating that the government
is not giving an unambiguous response to their demands.

Karabakh war veterans say for two decades they have been silent, but
will no longer tolerate this attitude, when the state does not show
the care they deserve (there are a total of around 15,000 veterans
of the Karabakh war (1990-92 guerilla war, 1992-1994 official active
hostilities) registered in Armenia.)

“If it weren’t for this impudent attitude to us, these protest actions
wouldn’t have begun,” says Hakob Hakobyan, who fought as part of the
legendary Arabo brigade.

Last week the defense minister received the war veterans. The Shushi-92
union leader says Minister Seyran Ohanyan, as someone who has fought in
the war, fully understands their demands and shows support, however
they want a bill to be drafted on freedom fighters and passed by
the parliament.

The submitted social package suggests their following demands be met
through certain laws and/or decrees: raise the freedom fighters’
pensions, make public transport free of charge for them, utility
bills be cut by 50 percent, those in need of housing be provided with
apartments, grant low-interest bank loans, offer discounts on tuition
fees for their children, celebrate Freedom Fighters’ Day as a state
holiday, etc.

“The great respect once shown to freedom fighters is gradually
disappearing, we do not need fake toasts to our wellbeing, let them
pass laws, decrees, to make us feel that we are living a decent life.

By laying flowers here and there they show as if they care for us,
but we do not need flowers, we need laws,” says Sargsyan.

Presently, certain privileges are available only to families of
deceased or wounded freedom fighters. “It is not our fault that we
survived,” says Hakobyan.

“I wish I got killed, then I wouldn’t have witnessed this,” adds
Jivan Poghosyan, who, too, fought within the Arabo brigade.

ARMENIA TO IMPORT ABOUT 1BLN CUBIC METERS OF GAS FROM IRAN ANNUALLY BY MID-2014

YEREVAN, June 5./ARKA/. Armenia will be able to import nearly 1
billion cubic meters of natural gas from Iran annually by mid-2014,
replied Wednesday Armenian minister of energy and natural resources
Armen Movsisyan.

During the 2012 budget implementation talks today, the minister was
asked by Dashnaktsutyun deputy Artsvik Minasyan why Armenia imports
three times less gas from Iran than it is indicated in the bilateral
agreement which foresees 1.1-billion-cubic meter annual import.

Movsisyan said Armenia should provide Iran with electric energy in
exchange for the gas.

“However, our electricity powers don’t allow us to export the energy
in big volumes without harming the system,” the minister clarified.

“Also, the new high-voltage power transmission line Armenia-Iran is
not ready for commissioning yet, it is to have started functioning by
mid-2014, and at that time we will be able to import about 1 billion
cubic meters of gas from Iran exporting 3-3.5 billion kW electric
energy in exchange,” the minister pointed out.

In 2004, Armenian government initiated construction of Iran-Armenia
gas pipeline to extend the gas supplies and create a second gateway
to the country. The pipeline was launched in 2007.

Iranian gas is to be converted to energy for exporting back to
Iran, 3 kilowatt hours per cubic meter of natural gas. Under
the agreement, Iran is to supply 36 billion cubic meters of
gas to Armenia over 20 years. The agreement has a provision for
possible extension for another five years, with the volume of
gas supplies to be increased to 47 billion cubic meters. -0-