Author: Babajanian Karo

TURQUIE
Turquie : heurts à la reprise d’un procès

Des incidents ont opposé manifestants et forces de l’ordre lundi à
Istanbul, à la reprise du procès controversé de près de 300 personnes
accusées d’avoir comploté pour renverser le gouvernement
islamo-conservateur au pouvoir en Turquie, ont rapporté les médias
turcs. Les gendarmes ont utilisé des grenades lacrymogènes et des
canons à eau pour disperser plusieurs centaines de personnes qui
s’étaient rassemblées, à l’appel d’associations et de partis
politiques, devant le complexe pénitentiaire de Silivri, dans la
grande banlieue d’Istanbul, pour dénoncer la tenue de la 276e audience
de ce procès-fleuve, ouvert en octobre 2008.

Un député du principal parti d’opposition turc, le Parti républicain
du peuple (CHP, social-démocrate) a été blessé lors de ces incidents.
Le tribunal qui siège à Silivri doit prochainement entendre le
réquisitoire définitif de l’accusation contre les quelque 300
personnes, officiers, chefs de la pègre ou journalistes, poursuivies
pour avoir tenter de renverser le gouvernement du premier ministre
Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Parmi les membres présumés de ce complot baptisé
Ergenekon, du nom du lieu mythique d’Asie centrale qui aurait vu
naître le peuple turc, figure un ancien chef d’état-major de l’armée
turque, le général Ilker Basbug.

A l’ouverture du procès, l’accusation a requis de très lourdes peines
de prison contre les prévenus. Ce procès est l’un des nombreux
dossiers judiciaires ouverts par le gouvernement du Parti de la
justice et du développement (AKP), au pouvoir depuis 2002, contre
l’armée, qui a renversé trois gouvernements élus depuis 1960 et forcé
un gouvernement pro-islamiste à la démission en 1997. Dans le premier
de ces dossiers jugé, la justice turque a prononcé en septembre 2012
de lourdes peines de prison contre plus de 300 officiers.

dimanche 24 février 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

Élections présidentielles 2013 en Arménie : calmes mais sans réelle
concurrence selon les députés européens

ARMENIE

Les élections présidentielles en Arménie de lundi se sont déroulées
dans le calme, mais la campagne a manqué de débat politique de fond et
de concurrence réelle, les trois principaux partis politiques ayant
décidé de ne pas présenter de candidats, ont déclaré les députés
européens envoyés en tant qu’observateurs.

`Nous avons observé une journée calme pour ces élections, sans
difficulté majeure en termes de procédures, après une campagne
électorale plutôt tranquille et discrète, sans débat politique de fond
ni réelle concurrence. Cette situation découle en grande partie de la
décision des trois principaux partis politiques de ne pas présenter de
candidats`, a déclaré le président de la délégation du Parlement
européen, Milan Carbonoch (ECR, CZ), faisant part des observations
préliminaires des députés à Erevan, ce mardi.

La délégation a souligné qu’Ã l’avenir l’Arménie devait restaurer la
confiance dans le processus électoral et entreprendre des réformes
démocratiques, économiques et sociales, en vue de conclure un accord
d’association avec l’UE.

En outre, les députés ont soutenu les conclusions préliminaires de la
mission d’observation des élections, envoyée par le Bureau des
institutions démocratiques et des droits de l’homme de l’Organisation
pour la sécurité et la coopération en Europe (BIDDH/OSCE), dirigée par
l’ambassadeur Heidi Tagliavini.

Mme Tagliavini a déclaré que les élections s’étaient bien déroulées et
avaient respecté les libertés fondamentales de réunion et
d’expression, mais qu’un manque d’impartialité ainsi qu’une mauvaise
utilisation des ressources administratives lors de la campagne avaient
`rendu floue la distinction entre les activités de l’État et celle du
parti au pouvoir`.

Membres de la délégation :

Milan CABRNOCH (ECR, CZ)

Joachim ZELLER (PPE, DE)

Elena BÄ?SESCU (PPE, RO)

Eva JOLY (Verts/ALE, FR)

Ryszard CZARNECKI (ECR, PL)

dimanche 24 février 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

WorldBulletin.net, Turkey
Feb 23 2013

First Azan sounded on Azerbaijan-Armenia border after 20 years

As a part of the campaign `Towards Karabakh – the voice of Allah and
our truth’, Azan has been resumed and the first Azan sounded in
Chemenli

World Bulletin/News Desk

As a part of the campaign `Towards Karabakh – the voice of Allah and
our truth’, Azan has been resumed and the first Azan sounded in
Chemenli village of Aghdam region, on the contact line of Azerbaijani
and Armenian troops, APA reports.

APA reports that the first Azan on the contact line after 20 years has
been sounded in `Jumshud’ mosque. Following the Azan, Juma namaz was
performed.

Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Religious Organizations
Elshad Isgandarov, head of `Nagorno Karabakh’s Azerbaijani Community’
Public Union Bayram Safarov, heads of the executive authorities and
residents of the frontline regions attended the event.

Azan will also be resumed in other mosques along the frontline.
Campaign `Towards Karabakh – the voice of Allah and our truth’ has
been organized by the State Committee on Work with Religious
Organizations together with the `Justice for Khojaly’ International
Civil Awareness Campaign and `Nagorno Karabakh’s Azerbaijani
Community’ Public Union.

OPPOSITION PARTY REP PROMISES RULING PARTY MP SHOW APRICOT ORCHARDS

15:13 ~U 22.02.13

At a meeting with journalists on Friday, Vice-Chairman of the Heritage
party Armen Martirosyan commented a “humorous remark” by Hovhannes
Sahakyan, an MP from the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA).

In commenting on Mr Martirosyan’s words that “an apricot revolution”
was possible in Armenia, Mr Sahakyan said, “what can Aparan resident
Armen know about the color of apricots?”

Mr Martirosyan regrets that “the authorities are, as a rule, failing
to keep pace with the developments.” According to him, Mr Sahakyan
does not remember that “on my father’s side I come from Lori, and
apricot produces good yield in Alaverdi.”

“HERITAGE” PARTY MEMBER: “ON FEBRUARY 18 THE NATION HAS DONE ELECTORAL REVOLUTION AND NOW WE MUST DO CONSTITUTIONAL REVOLUTION”

Today – 18:38

“Heritage” party rally is going on at Liberty Square. Party members
deliver speeches. “Heritage” member Hovsep Khurshudyan presented
some electoral violations in his speech which were registered by
their staff.

“On February 18 the nation has done electoral revolution and now we
must do Constitutional revolution. We must build rich and independent
state”, H. Khurshudyan said.

The speeches are interrupted by voices such as “Armenia”.

Another member of the “Heritage” party Armen Martirosyan informed
people that Shirak region governor has resigned and added that it
was painful people had to refuse their positions just because they
had failed to do their partial obligations.

ARKADI VARDANYAN ‘IN SEARCH OF MEN’

06:48 PM | TODAY | POLITICS

All those who admit that they are not males, can raise their hands,
political scientist Arkadi Vardanyan said when addressing ralliers
at Yerevan’s Liberty Square.

But no one raised hands.

“Thirteen years ago, I asked the same question here, at Liberty Square
when [second president] Robert Kocharyan announced that there are no
men in Armenia,” Vardanyan continued.

The political scientist is convinced that the new president of the
country, Raffi Hovannisan will not resemble his predecessors and will
not recognize himself the only male representative in Armenia. Nor
will he advise people to ‘borrow that man from each other.’

“When we say Sashik, we understand Serzh and when we say Serzh,
we understand Sashik, Armenian signer Ruben Hakhverdyan said in
his speech.

Top-ranking members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
(Dashnakstutyun) are participating in the rally organized by Heritage
party leader Raffi Hovannisian who came second in the February 18
presidential election with some 37 percent of the votes. Hovannisian
demands that the electoral authorities invalidate the results of the
Feb. 18 ballot.

Vice-chairman of the Heritage party, Armen Martirosyan announced
before the speeches that Dashnakstutyun had joined their call in
opposing the February 18 vote results.

DASHNAKTSUTYUN GREETS PARTICIPANTS OF RALLY THOUGH UNDERLINES EXISTENCE OF ITS OWN POLITICAL AGENDA

20:52, 22 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 22, ARMENPRESS: Representatives of Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) participated in the rally
taking place on February 22 at Independence Square. As reports
Armenpress, ARF deputy Armen Rustamyan greeted their presence at
Independence Square. “Square of Independence has waited for several
days, wishing to see Dashnaktsutyun. Here we are. We came to your
rally,” he noted.

Rustamyan underlined that ARF had already given its evaluations over
presidential elections and informed that they had already met with
presidential candidate, leader of “Heritage” party Raffi Hovhannisyan,
who disputed results of presidential elections held on February 18.

“Raffi had a meeting with us. We have discussed created situation. We
are for choosing legal, constitutional ways and for reaching real,
tangible results,” he noted.

At the same time Rustamyan has underlined that ARF is an independent
and responsible party, which has its political agenda and will be
decisive and consistent. “We don’t see any enemy inside. We want our
nation to have prosperous and dignified life. We want free, fair,
strong and democratic Armenia. And we will have that Armenia,” he said.

In accordance with the preliminary results Serzh Sargsyan was
re-elected. He has received 861 160 votes, 58.64 percent of the valid
votes. “Heritage” party leader Raffi Hovhannisyan has received 539
672 votes (36,75 percent).

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN MANAGED TO CONSOLIDATE ARMENIAN SOCIETY – ANDREAS GHUKASYAN

NEWS.AM
February 22, 2013 | 18:15

YEREVAN.- Presidential candidate Andreas Ghukasyan who was on hunger
strike during the election campaign, addressed participants of Raffi
Hovannisian’s rally in the Liberty square on Friday.

He said people gathered there to express their discontent with the
current situation.

“The fake elections showed that state cannot be fair, but people
displayed their will and came to congratulate Raffi Hovannisian who
managed to consolidate Armenian society,” he said.

But, according to him, this is not enough, because the victory will
be possible only when the people are able to make the authorities
cancel preliminary results of the elections.

“We have a few days to convince the ruling party that the announcement
of final official results of the election will mark the start of
civil disobedience and beginning of the authorities’ end,” Ghukasyan
said, urging those present to pass the spirit to all segments of the
Armenian society.

ANCA-Hollywood Endorses Sam Kbushyan For LA Council District 13

Friday, February 22nd, 2013

Sam Kbushyan

HOLLYWOOD – The Armenian National Committee of America, Hollywood
Chapter announced its endorsement of Sam Kbushyan for the highly
contested Los Angeles City Council District 13 race.

After an extensive endorsement process the ANCA-Hollywood decided to
endorse Sam Kbushyan due to his history of activism and role in the
Armenian-American community in Hollywood. As a former member of the
East Hollywood Neighborhood Council and one of the founders of the
Little Armenia Chamber of Commerce, Kbushyan has worked hard alongside
the ANCA-Hollywood chapter to make sure that the Armenian-American
community has a strong voice, `Sam is part of the fabric of our
community and he’ll be a very strong advocate for us in City Hall,’
said Paul Seradarian, ANCA-Hollywood Chair.

`I am honored to receive the endorsement of my local ANC-Hollywood.’
said Kbushyan, and continues to comment on his activism in the
ANCA-Hollywood chapter, `I have served on the board of ANC-Hollywood
and I have served the Armenian-American community my entire life. Now,
we have less than two weeks until March 5th Election, I would like to
encourage everyone to get out and vote. It’s important to exercise our
civic participation’ Indeed it is very important to vote in the
upcoming election on March 5 as each individuals’ vote is their voice.

The Armenian National Committee of America, Hollywood advances the
social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the area’s
Armenian American community and promotes increased Armenian American
civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.

R. Hovannisian: Man who called Armenian citizen unconscious should resign

Saturday,
February 23

We witnessed Vanadzor’s answer on February 18. Vanadzor has chosen the
path of dignity, law, and reopening of plants, Raffi Hovannisian said
during the rally in Vanadzor today.

In his words, people often view his kindness as weakness. `It is not
weakness, bur respect for law,’ he said.

The leader of Heritage Party touched upon the rumors about the
possible resignation of Vanadzor Mayor Samvel Darbinian.
`I don’t know how reliable this information is, but the man who called
the Armenian citizen unconscious should come here. If he really said
that and did not apologize to the Armenian citizen, he should resign’,
he noted.

Hovannisian urged Vanadzor residents to join the rally tomorrow in
Liberty Square of Yerevan, but people told him that police are
blocking the roads.

Addressing policemen, Raffi Hovannisian said that their obligation is
to ensure free movement of citizens, rather than to restrict it.
The next regional rally of R. Hovannisian is scheduled to take place
in the city of Gyumri.

TODAY, 17:18
Aysor.am