Author: Babajanian Karo

Caucasus Travel Show 2013: Region in Miniature

13:46, March 1, 2013

The twelfth international Caucasus Travel Show 2013 launched today at
the Armenia Marriott Hotel in Yerevan. Armenian Deputy Minister of
Economy Ara Petrosyan, USAID Armenia Mission Director Karen Hilliard,
Ambassador of Argentina to Armenia Diego Ernesto Alvarez Rivera,
Vice-President of the Armenian Association of Travel Agents Yeghishe
Tanashyan, the Head of the Tourism Unit of the Yerevan Municipality
Maria Baraghamyan, and the President of the World Federation of
Tourist Guide Associations Felicitas Wressnig delivered remarks at the
opening ceremony, which was attended by representatives of the
Armenian government, the international community, the local tourism
industry and other stakeholders.

The Caucasus Travel Show (CTS) is a two-day international tradeshow
that promotes tourism opportunities for Armenia and traditionally
brings together about 18,000 visitors from the capital Yerevan and
other provinces. Since 1999, the CTS has served as a meeting place for
local tour operators and other representatives of the sector to
establish new partnerships. Besides tour operators, exhibitors include
travel agencies, hotels and resorts, airlines, tourism educational
institutions, NGOs, tourism-related magazines and information
agencies.

This year’s event features 75 exhibitors, of which 58 are from the 11
provinces. Organizers expect international visitors from Turkey,
Georgia, Greece, Egypt, Argentina, the United Arab Emirates and other
countries interested in Armenian tourism. On March 1 and 2, the
exhibitors will have the chance to establish new business contacts
with local and international tourism providers, obtain updated
information about the field and available tour products, represent
their businesses, and sell their tour packages and services.

This year the CTS also features a job fair for students and alumni of
Armenian educational institutions specialized in tourism and a
familiarization trip for international visitors.

The event is organized by the Armenian Association of Travel Agents
(AATA) and the Armenian chapter of the American Society of Travel
Agents (ASTA). The USAID-funded Enterprise Development and Market
Competitiveness (EDMC) Project is the main partner of the event this
year. Through EDMC, USAID is supporting the participation of tourism
providers from the provinces, as well as assisting with the job fair
and enhancing tradeshow marketing efforts.

The CTS 2013 is also supported by the Yerevan municipality, Armenia
Marriott Hotel, Ani Plaza Hotel, Elite Bus Transportation Company,
Five Stars Travel, Events Solutions and Incentives, Kilikia
restaurant, The Club restaurant, Ardzagank FM radio, TourInfo
magazine, and Spyur information system.

Entrance to the event is free of charge.

WORLD’S PRESS URGES KERRY TO RAISE PRESS FREEDOM ISSUES WITH TURKEY

14:28, February 28, 2013

The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA)
and the World Editors Forum have called on the newly appointed US
Secretary of State, John Kerry, to raise press freedom concerns with
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during Mr Kerry’s visit
to Turkey on Friday.

In a letter to Secretary Kerry, WAN-IFRA, the global organisation of
the world’s newspapers and news publishers, highlighted the plight of
jailed journalists in Turkey and called for greater press freedoms
and the end to the use of criminal charges to punish journalists
simply for doing their jobs.

Turkey has more journalists in its jails than any other country in
the world.

“Turkey’s position as the world’s largest jailer of journalists is
simply unacceptable,” said the WAN-IFRA letter. “A country so often
hailed as the democratic example for the aspirations of an entire
region, one with such a history-rich and high caliber press, cannot
condone the imprisonment of journalists.”

Turkey denies jailing journalists and often instead claims they are
‘terrorists’. The international community has firmly rejected this
contention.

Evidence published in an October 2012 report by the New York-based
Committee to Protect Journalists suggests authorities “have conflated
the expression of political views the government finds offensive with
outright terrorism.” There are at least 49 journalists in Turkish
jails, according to the CPJ report.

Turkey’s restrictive legal environment, and its sweeping national
security measures and anti-terrorism legislation, are frequently
deployed against journalists to silence critical voices.

Having written to Turkish authorities over a range of issues in recent
years, WAN-IFRA is urging Secretary Kerry to raise the issue of press
freedom and “to seek the freedom of all journalists imprisoned for
their writing as a matter of urgency.”

Read the full letter

More on WAN-IFRA and WEF press freedom initiatives can be found at

WAN-IFRA, based in Paris, France, and Darmstadt, Germany, with
subsidiaries in Singapore, India, Spain, France and Sweden, is the
global organisation of the world’s newspapers and news publishers. It
represents more than 18,000 publications, 15,000 online sites and
over 3,000 companies in more than 120 countries. Its core mission is
to defend and promote press freedom, quality journalism and editorial
integrity and the development of prosperous businesses.

The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA)
and the World Editors Forum have called on the newly appointed US
Secretary of State, John Kerry, to raise press freedom concerns with
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during Mr Kerry’s visit
to Turkey on Friday.

In a letter to Secretary Kerry, WAN-IFRA, the global organisation of
the world’s newspapers and news publishers, highlighted the plight of
jailed journalists in Turkey and called for greater press freedoms
and the end to the use of criminal charges to punish journalists
simply for doing their jobs.

Turkey has more journalists in its jails than any other country in
the world.

“Turkey’s position as the world’s largest jailer of journalists is
simply unacceptable,” said the WAN-IFRA letter. “A country so often
hailed as the democratic example for the aspirations of an entire
region, one with such a history-rich and high caliber press, cannot
condone the imprisonment of journalists.”

Turkey denies jailing journalists and often instead claims they are
‘terrorists’. The international community has firmly rejected this
contention.

Evidence published in an October 2012 report by the New York-based
Committee to Protect Journalists suggests authorities “have conflated
the expression of political views the government finds offensive with
outright terrorism.” There are at least 49 journalists in Turkish
jails, according to the CPJ report.

Turkey’s restrictive legal environment, and its sweeping national
security measures and anti-terrorism legislation, are frequently
deployed against journalists to silence critical voices.

Having written to Turkish authorities over a range of issues in recent
years, WAN-IFRA is urging Secretary Kerry to raise the issue of press
freedom and “to seek the freedom of all journalists imprisoned for
their writing as a matter of urgency.”

Read the full letter

More on WAN-IFRA and WEF press freedom initiatives can be found at

WAN-IFRA, based in Paris, France, and Darmstadt, Germany, with
subsidiaries in Singapore, India, Spain, France and Sweden, is the
global organisation of the world’s newspapers and news publishers. It
represents more than 18,000 publications, 15,000 online sites and
over 3,000 companies in more than 120 countries. Its core mission is
to defend and promote press freedom, quality journalism and editorial
integrity and the development of prosperous businesses.

VIVACELL-MTS UNVEILS THE SECRETS OF INNOVATIVE THINKING

28-02-2013 13:58:31 | Armenia | Science and Technology

Upon the invitation of the American University of Armenia, VivaCell-MTS
General Manager Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture on business
innovations.

Ralph Yirikian’s lecture was interactive and based on real-world
examples. VivaCell- MTS General Manager presented successful business
projects implemented by the Company’s marketing specialists.

In his lecture Ralph Yirikian focused on broader factors accountable
for creativity, such as productivity culture, the role of social
institutions, and the prevailing types of personality within the
society. He shared on his observations made at VivaCell-MTS, major
factors that helped the Company become a market leader and remain
as such.

VivaCell-MTS leads in innovative management culture, rolling out
its culture across the business community through targeted sharing
with academic institutions, with future professionals. The adopted
approach to management is important from the perspective of both the
long-term development and the successful implementation of projects
in any given sphere.

Ralph Yirikian reflected upon the key steps necessary for
business-making stemming from the business management ethics, shared
the Company’s system of values, and touched upon the dynamics in the
sphere of innovations, as well as talked about the requirements of
responsible approach to work and many more issues.

“Healthy working environment based on inclusive thinking, willingness
to be guided by moral values, consistency in reaching the set goals
are necessary yet not sufficient factors for innovation. Believe in
own abilities, self-confidence and believe in the vision are the keys
factors leading to innovation”, Ralph Yirikian told. “Innovation
starts in the mind. So what is the stumbling block on the way to
innovative thinking? Conventionality, ‘cave’ thinking that should
be overcome. Technology, solutions are much easier as they are just
the products of innovative way of thinking. So, what an open-minded
business leader employing inclusive managerial approach should do is
to institutionalize the supportive conditions for innovative thinking,”
said VivaCell-MTS Ralph Yirikian addressing the audience.

VivaCell-MTS had two options at its start-up phase. Either to invite
international experts or to rely on its own specialists, yesterday’s
university graduates, young, inexperienced yet creative, dedicated
staff ready to take a risk and committed to success and making
a difference in the market. The second option was to invite field
experts from high-reputation consulting firms. The first option was
chosen – and the success became obvious in the short run.

– Science and Technology News from Armenia and Diaspora – Noyan Tapan

– See more at:

NORDSTAR AIRLINES LAUNCHES KRASNOYARSK-YEREVAN- KRASNOYARSK FLIGHTS

February 28, 2013 | 11:34

NordStar Airlines starts operating regular
Krasnoyarsk-Yerevan-Krasnoyarsk flights starting from May 1.

The air company will operate Boeing-737-800 weekly flights on
Wednesdays, RIA Novosti quotes the company.

NordStar Airlines is a Russian airline based in Norilsk and is founded
by Norilsk Nickel. The company’s task is to provide flights for
residents of Krasnoyarsk Krai to major Russian cities. The air company
has a fleet of 14 planes: five ATR 42-500 and nine Boeing 737-800.

– See more at:

PERSIAN TUNES IN AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN POLICY

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Feb 27 2013

Mikhail Belyaev, exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza

Less than ten months are left before the presidential elections in
Azerbaijan. Considering that the South Caucasus is characterized by
many geopolitical contradictions between regional and global powers and
unsolved international and inter-ethnic conflicts, this political event
will have an important consequence: the country steps into a phase of
internal and foreign political risks; despite the fact that Azerbaijan
is the most economically and politically stable state in the region.

On the one hand, it is connected with intensification of internal
processes ahead of the presidential elections on October 16th, 2013.

Despite the absence of the united opposition as an alternative
to the current authorities headed by Ilham Aliyev, activeness of
the opposition entities and pro-governmental groups will increase
inevitably.

Foreign players can play a significant role in these processes,
especially Russia, the USA, Turkey, and Iran. These states won’t
officially interfere with Azerbaijani internal policy, but they
will try to find levers of pressure on Azerbaijan, considering the
pre-election process a good opportunity for influencing its foreign
and internal policy.

Due to Azerbaijani multivector policy, it managed to maintain the
fragile system of checks and balances between the West, Russia,
and Iran, trying to solve the problem of Armenian occupation of
Nagorno-Karabakh and seven other regions.

A pause in Russian-Azerbaijani contacts at the top level appeared
for several reasons. On the one hand, after Vladimir Putin became
President for the third time, Moscow is stepping away from the active
mediation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and intensification
of Russian-Armenian military cooperation within the CSTO. We saw
withdrawal of the Russian troops from the radio-location station in
Qabala and Azerbaijani-Turkish decision on building the gas pipeline
TANAP which is aimed at improvement of Europe’s energy independence
from Russia. It confirms that Baku didn’t get the expected support
from the Kremlin and turned its head to the West in the sphere of
the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement.

However, distancing from Russia can lead to an undesirable situation,
considering Azerbaijani tense relations with the other regional power –
Iran. Baku might appear to be “unfavorable” for both important players
in the region. Thus, this situation increases chances for interior
destabilization ahead of the presidential elections.

At the same time, Russian-Iranian relations are multisided and often
contradictory. There is objective coincidence of interests between
Moscow and Tehran in the sphere of the Syrian conflict. As for the
Iranian nuclear program, Russia is much more moderate and this is
explainable. Firstly, Russia is a global power and is responsible
for peace in the world. It cannot be interested in proliferation of
nuclear armament. Secondly, nuclear Iran would definitely expand its
influence in Central Asia and the South Caucasus. Thirdly, Iran which
has huge energy resources, but experiences tough sanctions cannot be
a competitor for Russia in the energy market.

The situation in the South Caucasus, including Azerbaijan, should be
considered in the context of regional interests of Moscow and Tehran.

No secret that Russia and Iran are historic rivals in this region. Two
Russian-Iranian wars which ended in 1828 determined influence
spheres between Russia and Iran before the USSR’s collapse. After
three independent republics appeared in the South Caucasus, a long
rivalry between Russia and Iran became acute.

Iran uses the Shiah theme for spreading its influence in Azerbaijan
– the majority of Azerbaijanis are followers of Shiah Islam. The
positions of Shiah Islamists are very strong on the Absheron peninsula
– the Iranian spiritual authorities are playing the leading role
in their support. It is unacceptable for Azerbaijan. Relations
between official Baku and official Tehran have been close to
direct confrontation in recent years: Iran is jealous about close
Azerbaijani-Israeli defense cooperation, while Azerbaijan is annoyed
with Armenian-Iranian strategic partnership. Big scandals, arrests
of radical Islamists terrorist groups which seem to be controlled by
Iranian forces in Azerbaijan, the murder of the Azerbaijani writer
after the Iranian’s ayatollah’s fatwa, the arrest of two Azerbaijani
poets in Iran, and so on – all these events fueled the situation.

However, in recent weeks scandals seem to stop. Azerbaijan set free
some accused Islamists, Ayatollah pardoned Azerbaijani poets, the
number of negative articles in the mass media reduced, and certain thaw
is visible between Azerbaijan and Iran. In late February Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev personally welcomed the secretary of the
Supreme Council of National Security of the IRI, Seid Jalili.

FarsNews reported that Azerbaijani President confirmed that Azerbaijan
would support the Iranian peaceful nuclear program. Jalili stressed
that Iran stood for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
only within territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

Probably this maneuver of Baku toward Iran is tactical and is connected
with Azerbaijan’s desire to see neutral attitude of the south neighbor,
if not support, during the pre-election campaign.

However, long-prospect approaching to Tehran would enable Azerbaijan
to make further political maneuver in relations with Russia and Turkey.

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKER CALLS UPON HOVHANNISYAN TO SURRENDER

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Feb 27 2013

Armenian parliamentary speaker Ovik Obramyan has called upon
presidential candidate Raffi Hovhannisyan, who claims he won the
elections despite official results declaring incumbent President Serzh
Sarsgyan the winner, to surrender and recognize Sargsyan’s victory.

“I believe that no one is interested in continuing rallies. Neither
the state, nor the people,” the speaker said.

He said calls for a re-election are fruitless.

ARMENIA UPS NATURAL GAS IMPORTS FROM IRAN 6% IN 2012

Interfax, Russia
Feb 26 2013

Armenia boosted natural gas imports from Iran by 6% to 488.3 million
cubic meters in 2012, the Public Services Regulatory Commission of
Armenia reported on its website.

Armenia imported 460 million cu m of Iranian gas in 2011 and 400
million cu m in 2010.

Iran delivers natural gas to Armenia for CJSC Yerevan Thermal Power
Plant in exchange for electricity at a ratio of 1 cu m of gas per
3 kilowatt hours (kWh) of power. As per the agreement between the
two countries, Iran can deliver up to 1.1 billion cubic meters (bcm)
of gas to Armenia a year (around 3 million cu m a day). Starting in
2014, it can send Armenia up to 2.3 bcm of gas a year.

As a whole, Armenia imported 2.456 bcm of natural gas last year,
including 1.967 bcm from Russia. It imported 2.069 bcm of gas in 2011
(1.609 bcm from Russia).

The monopoly gas supplier to Armenia is ArmRosGazprom, 80% of which
belongs to Russian gas giant Gazprom (RTS: GAZPEnhanced Coverage
LinkingRTS: GAZP -Search using:Company ProfileNews, Most Recent
60 DaysCompany Dossier), and 20% of which belongs to the Armenian
government.

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Guns or Roses: When Comes Real Shift In Global Arms Trade?

The
Huffington Post (UK)
25/02/2013

by Ilco van der Linde, Founder/Creative Director MasterPeace

During the last two weeks some media wrote about a ‘shift in global
arms trade’. Without serious fact checking even some peace activists
announced the dawn of a new era. Is it really time to party? This
month the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
published its Yearbook 2012, which includes information about the Top
100 of weapon producing companies. In 2011 these companies sold $410
billion worth weaponry and yes, that is 1,1 billion less then in
2010. But it is only 0.3% down so there is no reason at all for
cheering. Especially taking into consideration that in the last decade
‘the Top 100’ increased their sales with 60%. SIPRI: “The world
military expenditure in 2011 is estimated to have been $1738
billion. Compared to the total in 2010, military spending has remained
virtually unchanged in real terms. However, it is still too early to
say whether this means that world military expenditure has ï¬=81nally
peaked.”

If weapons would actually bring safety for people in general the USA,
the country with the most weapons per capita, would be the safest
country of the world. Quod non. On the contrary I strongly believe
that if this 1738 billion US Dollars ($249 for each person) would be
spent on food or education it would surely bring more sustainable
safety. Bob Marley sung it loud and clear: a hungry man is an angry
man…

Let’s have a look to the new republic of South Sudan. In many villages
people hardly get the food, medicines or education they require, but
nevertheless the government has decided to spend half of its budget to
buy new weaponry. And sooner or later these weapons will be used in a
new armed conflict. And the weapons sold to Assad in Syria are now
being used against his own civilians and the weapons once sold to
Kadafi in Libya were looted from his depots by Islamists and used in
Mali to suppress and kill people in the northern part of that
country. Some of these weapons also reached Niger, Chad and the
Gaza. Automatic guns, rocket launchers, tanks and other heavy stuff
fall in the wrong hands on a daily basis. Each minute someone dies as
a result of armed conflict. Companies sell weapons to both Armenia and
Azerbaijan knowing this ‘has the potential to increase the risk of
renewed conflict’ between these two countries (SIPRI). Cars loaded
with weapons travel in Africa from conflict area to conflict area and
often sell to both parties.

When will the world finally wake up and say ‘enough is enough’ to this
whole system of making money by producing, selling and exporting
weapons all over the globe and by doing so fueling war and violence,
directly or indirectly?

The only optimistic fact I see is that the world military expenditure
has not grown any further for the first time since 1998 and if we can
from now on decrease the weapon sales by a serious 5% per year then by
2025 we will be back at the level of 2000. This would directly and
indirectly save the lives of many and bring reason for endless
optimistic articles. Especially in full democratic countries as USA,
Germany, UK and France – all in the Top 5 of countries with the
highest weapon export and home to 51 of the Top 100 of weapon
producing companies – people should demand their governments to yearly
downscale the weapon export with 5%. Gradually we should transform
this lethal business into sustainable business.

Some say we can’t because we’ll lose too many jobs, but that’s
nonsense. Take the transformation of the German Ruhr area as an
example. Within 30 years they have transformed the economy based on
environmental unfriendly businesses to an economy based on sustainable
high tech. World leaders, business leaders, you; don’t forget to be
awesome and start that other future right now and here. If not we all
have to flee to Iceland. According to the Global Peace Index, also
released by SIPRI in their Yearbook, Iceland is the most peaceful
country of the world…

Follow Ilco van der Linde on Twitter:

ANC AUSTRALIA EDUCATES POLITICIANS ON SUMGAIT MASSACRES ANNIVERSARY

12:42 28.02.2013

The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) has
marked the 25th anniversary of the Sumgait Massacres by spearheading
an educational campaign of Australian legislators.

Organised anti-Armenian violence – aimed at killing and driving
Armenians from their homes – began on the evening of February 27,
1988 in Sumgait, Soviet Azerbaijan, and within hours, turned into a
series of well-documented pogroms during which Sumgait’s Christian
Armenian residents were indiscriminately murdered, raped, and maimed
by Azerbaijani rioters.

These brutal programs were a result of the peaceful aspirations of
the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, who sought their right
to self-determination and independence from Azerbaijan.

ANC Australia Executive Director Vache Kahramanian remarked: “As we
mark the 25th anniversary of the Sumgait massacres we must stand
firm with the people of Nagorno-Karabakh who continue to struggle
for their independence. It is important to educate the wider public
on the horrors suffered by the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh.”

“The Republic of Azerbaijan continues to distort history with incorrect
facts to avoid responsibility for the crimes in committed over two
decades ago. The international community, including Australian
legislators, must unequally condemn the actions of Azerbaijan,”
Kahramanian continued.

ANC Australia has provided information packs to each Member of
Parliament throughout Australia providing detailed information on
the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh and the Sumgait Massacres. The pack
also counters the misinformation campaign being waged by Azerbaijan
and Turkey.

JEWS, ARMENIANS HATE SPEECH TARGETS

09:27 â~@¢ 28.02.13

Jews and Armenians are exposed to hate speech more than any other
group, according to a periodic report on hate speech in the Turkish
media, released by the Hrant Dink Foundation.

According to Hurriyet Daily News, the report was conducted by scanning
16 newspapers by hand and searching for key words in the rest of the
1,000 national and local newspapers published between September and
December 2012.

Jews and Armenians are used in hate speech the most, followed by
Christians and Greeks living in Turkey, according to the report
released Feb. 25 on the website of the Hrant Dink Foundation. The
category of “other” is composed of hate speech against LGBT people and
women. Certain people and institutions are also exposed to hate crimes
apart from ethnic, religious and national groups, the report said.

Columns topped the list of media that has used hate speech most
frequently. Although the amount of hate speech targeting Kurdish people
decreased in this period, the report contends it was a result of
differentiating between “good Kurds” and “others in the media.” The
Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) is widely considered the same as
the outlawed.

Kurdistan Workers’ Group (PKK) and subsequently became a target of
hate speech as well, the report added.

The top three dailies that included hate speech content are Yeni
Akit, Milli Gazete and Yeni Mesaj, respectively, the report said,
adding that in the local media, Istanbul, Gölcuk Postası, and Yozgat
Hakimiyet were top three dailies that used hate speech the most.