Author: Babajanian Karo

Zvartnots Airport posts passenger traffic of 1,7 mln in 2012

February 2, 2013 – 17:24 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The number of passengers at Zvartnots Airport in
January – December 2012 totaled 1 691 815 against 1 600 897 posted
during the same period in 2011.
According to the Central Department of Civil Aviation of Armenia, 846
115 people arrived in the country in January – December 2012 against
792 944 during the same period in 2011. 845 700 people left Armenia
during the reporting period against 807 953 in that of 2011.
About 12 251 tons of cargo was transported in January – December 2012.
The total number of takeoffs and landings in the reporting period
reached 10 392 against 9 858 during 2011.

Arto Tuncboyaciyan, Armen Hyusnunts and Vahagn Hayrapetyan present
Bambaselos Trio project

FEBRUARY 2, 13:31

YEREVAN. – Renowned Armenian Grammy award-winning musician, songwriter
Arto Tuncboyaciyan will perform as a member of Bambaselos Trio.

The ensemble also features two members of avant-garde folk-jazz
Armenian Navy Band. One of them is Armen Hyusnunts – the founder and
head of Time Report ethno-jazz-rock band who is considered the best
saxophone player and is also heading the Armenian State Jazz
Orchestra.

The third member is Vahagn Hayrapetyan – the best jazz keyboardist,
one of the best pupils of the great American pianist Barry Harris, who
had given numerous concerts in America, Russia, in the East. He has
recorded two albums with American musicians and released in the U.S.

`The name of Bambaselos Trio means ‘to have a gossip about music’,’
Tuncboyaciyan’s manager John Grigoryan told NEWS.am STYLE.

Musicians do not know exactly which songs they will perform, it will
be pure improvisation, he said.

The concert will take place on Saturday in Yerevan’s Yans club.

NEWS.am STYLE

I believe the person that shot me is not Armenian – presidential contender

NEWS.AM
February 02, 2013 | 15:58

YEREVAN. – I believe the person that shot me is not Armenian.
Presidential candidate, opposition National Self-Determination Union
Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan stated this during Saturday’s news briefing
at the hospital where he is currently recovering from a gunshot wound.

`I am [feeling] better than the doctors expected. It was apparent for
me that those who did this [that is, the assassination attempt against
him] did not do [it] against me, but rather against our people, our
state. They pursue but one final objective: to break the course of our
people, our state.

We know from history that it was the Russian imperialism that has
dealt us the heaviest blow. We have Russian friends and we need to
move our relations to a new dimension. But let us not forget that it
was the Russian imperialism that forced the Artsakh [that is,
Karabakh] matter upon us. They believe Armenia should never strengthen
because if it strengthens, they will have to pull out their leg from
those territories. But I do not think so. A strong Armenia likewise
could have shared values and be able to work together. But that value
should not be the interests of Russia’s imperialistic forces.

That scoundrel [who shot me] said nothing; I believe he was not
Armenian. All states have such services for special objectives. This
[shooting] is not about me; they shot at each and every one of you.
They had come to kill me and your right to self-determination, and
there is nothing [more] paramount than self-determination,’ Paruyr
Hayrikyan stated in particular.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, an assassination attempt
was made against presidential candidate, opposition National
Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan, on Thursday at
around 11:20pm in downtown Yerevan, in front of his home. Hayrikyan
was shot and hospitalized with a gunshot wound. He underwent a
successful surgery Friday morning, and a bullet – which was located in
the soft tissues of his right elbow shoulder – was removed.

A criminal case is opened in connection with the assassination attempt
against Paruyr Hayrikyan. It is launched on charges of carrying out an
assassination attempt against a statesman, political or public figure,
which – that is, the attempt – is carried out to end this person’s noted
activities. This crime is punishable by imprisonment for 12-20 years,
or life in prison.

The National Security Service is conducting the investigation.

Azerbaijani writer misses his Armenian friends, wishes to visit Armenia

TERT.AM
16:40 – 02.02.13

Azerbaijani writer Ekrem Eylisli’s `Stone Dreams’ novel caused hot
discussions both in Azerbaijan and outside of it provoking uproar in
Baku with Azeri lawmakers denouncing the work and protesters burning
the author’s portrait outside his house.

`Stone Dreams’ was issued in December dedicated to the Armenians who
lived in Azerbaijan. `I dedicate it to the memory of my compatriots
that left a great pain after them,’ Eylisli wrote in preamble.

`Both parties must repent and overcome the hostility. This is the main
topic of the novel,’ Russian literary critic Lev Aninski wrote.

Russian Regnum news agency’s correspondent talked with the author to
learn his attitude toward the responses to the novel and what steps he
is going to undertake.

Asked whether he expected such a response, the writer said at least he
did not think that it would remain unnoticed. `I have always thought
that I am living in progressive, democratic country where freedom of
expression is guaranteed. My critics seem not to care about the
Constitution. They just want to tense the situation, distort the sense
of the novel, and are trying to mix up it with politics. `Stone
Dreams’ is a feature work. That’s it,’ he said.

Asked whether the pressures on him can make him stop his literary
activity, the author said he has never hidden his approaches over
Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, Karabakh conflict. `I am not going to
change my position, I will come up in favor of peace, friendship and
restoration of friendly relations I miss,’ he said.

The writer also said he is sure the young people burning his photos
near his home have not even read his novel. `Their action is of no
public significance because they are just implementing the order.
Besides, there is quite another youth in Azerbaijan. Many are calling
me expressing gratitude and congratulating on the release of the book.
Many in our country begin understanding the essence of the tragedy
between Armenians and Azerbaijanis. Currently Azerbaijan is other
country and I want Armenia to become so too. I am being accused of
betrayal but I am very much devoted to my people and I want peace
between Armenians and Azerbaijanis. Anyway, our peoples are going to
live side by side and they need peace,’ he said.

The author said the demonstrations against him are ordered by
authorities who use the conflict for their promotion. `I notice that
our authorities are not interested in the settlement of the conflict.
Neither Armenians nor Azerbaijanis are to be blamed of what happened
but those who paved their way forward through it,’ he said.

Asked whether he wants to visit Armenia or not, the author said, `if
everything is regulated he will visit Yerevan with great pleasure. It
is possible to organize different events between the art and culture
figures of Armenia and Azerbaijan. I was always for it,’ he said,
stressing that in case of convenient occasion he will visit Armenia
with pleasure. `I had many Armenian friends and relatives, many of
them are dead. I especially miss Hrant Matevosyan [Armenian prose
writer], my friend who died in 2002. I wish I could see him again…’

ICES launched mission in Armenia on February 3

14:35 02.02.2013

Irrespective of the fact whether the presidential elections in Armenia
are postponed or not, the International expert Center for Electoral
Systems (ICES) will start its planned monitoring of the preparation
and conduct of the presidential vote.

ICES experts are shocked by the assassination attempt on presidential
candidate, chairman of the National Self-Determination Union Paruyr
Hayrikyan. They wish speedy recovery to Mr. Hayrikyan and call on the
law-enforcement bodies to conduct an operative investigation to revel
the forces that stand behind these illegal actions.

The long-term mission, which starts its work on February 3, 2013,
includes eight experts. The group plans to organize meetings with
candidates, heads of parliamentary factions, members of the central
and regional electoral commission, media representatives.

Thirty-five experts of the ICES mission represent ten countries of the
European Union, the United States and Israel. The mission is headed by
ICES President, Member of Knesset of XV convocation Alexander Tsinker.

If elected, Vardan Sedrakyan vows to form Armenia-Russia-Iran
military-economic alliance

14:05 02/02/2013 » ANALYSIS

Presidential candidate, specialist in epic studies Vardan Sedrakyan
says he will dissolve the parliament if elected as president. Fair
elections will be held and a new government will be formed in case of
his election, Sedrakyan told reporters.

Speaking about his election program’s key provision related to foreign
policy, the candidate said that it is necessary to form
Armenia-Russia-Iran military-economic alliance.

As for Karabakh issue settlement, Sedrakyan thinks that Artsakh and
the liberated territories should become part of Armenia, resulting in
the formation of two new regions – Artsakh and Utik.

Also, the candidate promised to remove taxation if elected as president.

Source: Panorama.am

`They `Neatly’ Hush the Press up, or It Is Not as Free as Depicted in
Serzh Sargsyan’s Speeches,’ Taguhi Tovmasyan Says

February 1 2013

Human Rights Watch, an international human rights organization, has
published a report on the level of human rights protection in roughly
90 countries around the world, which also mentions the Armenian press.
In this regard, the report states that the Armenian mass media lack
pluralism.

Reporters Without Borders, in turn, has published its annual report,
`2013 World Press Freedom Index,’ according to which Armenia has
improved its position; it is 74th among 179 countries.
inquired of some Armenian newspaper editors which the reasons for the
lack of pluralism were, and whether they could notice progress in
ensuring press freedom.

Taguhi Tovmasyan, the editor-in-chief of The People, a daily
newspaper, thinks that the press is not to blame for the lack of
pluralism, but rather the political situation and the system created
by the government are to blame for that. She went into detail: `The
press does everything possible to present the objective situation.
However, it often finds itself in a rather unpleasant and dangerous
position. That problem cannot be solved by the mass media alone, if
there is no political will. The mass media often face problems when
the government officials start to differentiate between friendly and
hostile news agencies and boycott the hostile news agencies. For
example, the Presidential Palace has never invited The People to the
events organized by them; this means that the newspaper is deprived of
its right to ensure pluralism. The Government of the Republic of
Armenia is also closed; they don’t invite any representative of our

newspaper even to holiday events. Not only us, there are other
newspapers, which are on the government’s black list. Therefore, the
government should also be interested in ensuring pluralism. It can
restrain the oligarchs that are under its influence and not allow them
to file millions of lawsuits against the mass media, violating the
freedom of press. In the past, they would struggle against the press
using violence, whereas now the press is `freer,’ so to speak, now
they hush the press up in a more civilized way. I don’t think that the
press is as free as depicted in Serzh Sargsyan’s speeches and reports,
since today there are no prerequisites for the press’s normal
activities. They don’t like newspapers, the mass media in Armenia.
They avoid looking at themselves in the mirror.’

Shogher Martirosyan, the editor-in-chief of Fourth Power, a daily
newspaper, stated while talking about the way out: `Either they or we
should change.’ Then, she mentioned monopolization as the main reason
for the current situation and went into detail: `It is not visible at
first sight; it is done more cunningly. Admittedly, one news agency
ostensibly belongs to one party, another to another party, and some
newspaper ostensibly has its owner. However, the government’s
influence is obvious anyway. There is pluralism when one can gather
different representatives of the press and reach a conclusion.
However, the problem is that everyone takes his own path. The press
can express and present itself somewhat freely. However, the problem
is that there are financial, advertising limits; everything is done to
make the press’s existence difficult. They impede in a more civilized,
subtle, astute, and outwardly neat way. As a result, they just fear to
advertise in the newspaper. In the past, it was more obvious and
easier to notice. Now they work more seriously and cunningly.’

Armenian American students protest anti-Armenian hate crimes in Turkey

12:09 02/02/2013 » TOPIC OF THE DAY

Armenian American youth – their mouths symbolically covered with red
tape – held a silent protest Friday, calling on Congress to reject
Turkey’s gag-rule on U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide, citing
the recent ethnically-motivated attacks against elderly Armenian women
in Istanbul as the latest example of the dangerous atmosphere created
by Ankara’s denials and ongoing demonization of Armenians, Asbarez
reported.

`It was of great importance to make our voices heard and educate the
American society about the existing anti-Armenian sentiment in Turkey,
which carries its legacy from the Armenian Genocide of 1915,’
explained Bloomfield College honors student, Armen Sahakyan, an
organizer of the event. `We, as the Armenian youth, will keep our
Cause alive for as long as our demands aren’t met by the denialist
Turkish government.’

UCLA ASA Public Relations Director Knarik Gasparyan, who co-organized
the event, explained that the effort attracted Armenian and
non-Armenian youth alike, many in Washington DC for Capitol Hill
internships or semester programs through their colleges and
universities. `I want to highlight the fact that many non-Armenian
students participated in today’s protest, standing in solidarity with
us and supporting our efforts to shed light on the horrific hate
crimes and human rights violations in Turkey,’ explained Gasparyan.

`This once again comes to prove that the cause we fight for and the
recognition of the Genocide is not simply an Armenian issue, but of
concern to all humanity.’

Protesters carried photos and spotlighted four widely publicized
attacks against elderly Armenian women, one fatal, which have taken
place over the past two months, in the historically Armenian-inhabited
neighborhood of Samatya, in central Istanbul. On Dec. 28, an
85-year-old Armenian woman was repeatedly stabbed and killed in her
home, with assailants carving a cross on her chest. Other attacks
include the Nov. 2012 beating of an 87-year-old Armenian woman, and a
failed attempt to abduct an elderly Armenian woman on Jan. 6.
According to Turkish news outlet, Bianet, the latest incident took
place on Jan. 22, when 83-year-old Sultan Aykar was attacked and
repeatedly kicked until neighbors heard her screams and rushed to
assist her. Aykar lost sight in one eye because of the brutal beating.

The beatings sparked a sharp response from Amnesty International
earlier this week, which called on `Turkish authorities to carry out a
prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the series of
attacks on elderly Armenian women in Istanbul.’ The January 28th
statement stressed that `Hate crimes constitute a serious form of
discrimination… It is regrettable that Turkish legislation does not
foresee any legislative and policy measures ensuring that hate motives
are systematically and thoroughly investigated and duly taken into
account in the prosecution and sentencing.’

Source: Panorama.am

“Sarajevo” In Armenia

Igor Muradyan
13:18 02/02/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

On January 31 someone attempted on the life of the presidential
candidate, soviet dissident, experienced political figure Paruir
Hairikyan. The attempt was made by a dilettante backed by the
political sets of Armenia acting against the pro-Euro-Atlantic
direction of the foreign policy of Armenia. Is it possible that Russia
is somehow involved in this? Will they make a Sarajevo out of Yerevan?

Humiliation and mockery at the Russian army and fleet began not in the
2000s but far before the collapse of the Soviet Union, and this den
was set up by the soviet generals mostly of Russian origin (not
protégés of the CIA). The systemic and conceptual annihilation of not
Soviet but Russian army began after the appointment of Sergey Ivanov,
the protégé of the Federal Security Council, to the post of minister
of defense. Nothing similar had happened even in the period of Stalin
and Beria.

Communist leaders have always bewared the army but never had the
courage to humiliate it so cruelly. On the way to absolute power the
army was the only hindrance to the most powerful political and
information corporations. The army did not want to die and yield the
country to fragmentation, allow its humiliation and sale of its
natural resources.

The Russian society was embarrassed and defeated and could not find
the courage to act against this den.

Moscow has never had shortage of information on what was going on in
the offices of the government. One of the goals of the
political-information corporations is to set up a diversified cash box
by way of endless enrichment. In this regard a so-called pragmatic
policy is declared which means equal and not so equal trade in
politics and arms for money.

It has become known from highly reliable sources that the protégés of
the FSC appointed to key departments bluntly justified `closer
relations with rich Azerbaijan in prejudice of poor Armenia’. A highly
`geopolitically developed’ political researcher based in Moscow said,
`The Caspian is our sea, the Caspian oil belongs to us, and we must
get the maximum of this wealth, the Azerbaijanis must pay us a lot,
Azerbaijan must be the `cash box’ of the office. Armenia is not
counted, everything is fine with it.’

`Cash box’ is the exact wording. Among other functionaries and
politicians this idea was supported by Dmitry Rogozin, the curator of
the military industry. In order to prevent unexpected doubts the
chairs of the State Duma standing committees were bribed, including
Alexey Ostrovskiy, earlier the chair of the committee of the CIS
affairs, currently the committee of public organizations.

To lobby this `intellectuals’ of different think tanks were involved
(such as the Russian Institute of Strategic Studies which FSC took
under its control). The generals of the General Staff of Russia
signaled to their colleagues of Armenian origin about their negative
attitude to supply of modern arms to Azerbaijan, providing detailed
information on backstage talks at the top of government.

In 2009 in Moscow a high-ranking official of the General Staff of
Russia met with the son of a famous Russian politician who had broad
connections with the Armenian sets with the purpose of providing
information on Moscow’s intentions on supply of weapons to Azerbaijan.
The mass media received dozed information on this but the Armenian
society preferred to keep silent, thereby enabling Moscow to act
further in that direction. (They reached where they reached, and there
will be more information in the course of time if we are still alive.)

The current objective is to discredit the policy of Russia aimed at
correcting mistakes and failures in its policy on South Caucasus. In
addition, the political-information corporation acts not only against
improvement of relations with Armenia but also against the opening of
the Abkhazian railway. It cannot be otherwise because this policy is
generously rewarded by Azerbaijan.

Those sets in Moscow have individual plans on Azerbaijan and Georgia,
there is not a clear action plan on Armenia because they thought they
have no problems with this country. Now first of all they need to mess
up everything in Armenia, demonstrate to the West, as well as the
Russian government, that the Armenian government cannot set long-term
goals with the Armenian government because it is not a reliable
partner.

It should be noted that there is no need to look for an intrigue
planned by 100%. In current politics these are very rare, it is a
multi-level experiment based on the method of `poking’. They have
chosen Paruir Hairikyan as a `valuable’ figure for this purpose. Who
else could they shoot at? Hrant Bagratyan? Not, of course, it would be
a farce and a tragicomedy? Who will need him…?

No doubt the right choice has been made. There were rumors that Serzh
Sargsyan intended to appoint Paruir Hairikyan as minister of European
integration and ambassador to NATO after the election. That would be
an important decision and would boost the reputation of Armenia and
the Euro-Atlantic community.

Hence, there was not just running fire (with a possibility of missing)
but an attempt at assassination. And they shot not only at Armenia, as
some analysts say, but at Paruir Hairikyan, the personality who may
play a definite role at this U-turn of foreign policy.

Paruir Hairikyan has stated that `democratic Russia is Armenia’s
partner’. This is what Moscow and its marionettes in Yerevan dislike.
In Armenia they need a real anti-Russian party as an argument for
`giving away’ Armenia for their monetary interests. The idea of
independence is still politically urgent, our society is not
independent.

Get well soon, Paruir, we are waiting for you.

Capitol Hill protest spotlights anti-Armenian hate crimes in Turkey

13:00 02.02.2013

Armenian American youth – their mouths symbolically covered with red
tape – held a silent protest yesterday, calling on Congress to reject
Turkey’s gag-rule on U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide, citing
the recent ethnically-motivated attacks against elderly Armenian women
in Istanbul as the latest example of the dangerous atmosphere created
by Ankara’s denials and ongoing demonization of Armenians.

The demonstration, held in front of the Dirksen Senate Office
Building, was organized by Armenian Student Association (ASA) members
from the across the U.S. along with the Washington, DC `Ani’ chapter
of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Ani chapter and other local
youth, to coincide with the nationwide `Stain of Denial’ campus
protests organized by the All-ASA and supported by the AYF and ARF
Shant Student organizations.

`It was of great importance to make our voices heard and educate the
American society about the existing anti-Armenian sentiment in Turkey,
which carries its legacy from the Armenian Genocide of 1915,’
explained BloomfieldCollege honors student, Armen Sahakyan, an
organizer of the event. `We, as the Armenian youth, will keep our
Cause alive for as long as our demands aren’t met by the denialist
Turkish government.’

UCLA ASA Public Relations Director Knarik Gasparyan, who co-organized
the event, explained that the effort attracted Armenian and
non-Armenian youth alike, many in WashingtonDC for Capitol Hill
internships or semester programs through their colleges and
universities. `I want to highlight the fact that many non-Armenian
students participated in today’s protest, standing in solidarity with
us and supporting our efforts to shed light on the horrific hate
crimes and human rights violations in Turkey,’ explained Gasparyan.
`This once again comes to prove that the cause we fight for and the
recognition of the Genocide is not simply an Armenian issue, but of
concern to all humanity.’

Protesters carried photos and spotlighted four widely publicized
attacks against elderly Armenian women, one fatal, which have taken
place over the past two months, in the historically Armenian-inhabited
neighborhood of Samatya, in central Istanbul. On Dec. 28, an
85-year-old Armenian woman was repeatedly stabbed and killed in her
home, with assailants carving a cross on her chest. Other attacks
include the Nov. 2012 beating of an 87-year-old Armenian woman, and a
failed attempt to abduct an elderly Armenian woman on Jan. 6.
According to Turkish news outlet, Bianet, the latest incident took
place on Jan. 22, when 83-year-old Sultan Aykar was attacked and
repeatedly kicked until neighbors heard her screams and rushed to
assist her. Aykar lost sight in one eye because of the brutal
beating.

The beatings sparked a sharp response from Amnesty International
earlier this week, which called on `Turkish authorities to carry out a
prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the series of
attacks on elderly Armenian women in Istanbul.’ The January 28th
statement stressed that `Hate crimes constitute a serious form of
discrimination… It is regrettable that Turkish legislation does not
foresee any legislative and policy measures ensuring that hate motives
are systematically and thoroughly investigated and duly taken into
account in the prosecution and sentencing.’

Questions regarding a government cover-up of the attacks abound, as
Turkish authorities attempt to downplay the crimes. `The incident was
inspired by robbery, there were no racial motives. Be sure we will
find the perpetrators. Good night,’ tweeted Istanbul Governor Huseyin
Avni Mutlu to his 100,000 followers. This and similar statements
prompted Amnesty International to express `concern at public
statements made by the authorities discounting the possibility of a
racist motivation to the attacks.’ Meanwhile, the Turkish Human
Rights Association stated categorically that `the attacks were carried
out with racist motives,’ according to a January 28th Economist
article, `Turkey’s Armenians: The Ghosts of 1915,’ referencing the
legacy of the Armenian Genocide and its denial.

AYF Washington `Ani’ Chapter chairwoman Narineh Abrahamian explained,
`People around the world must understand that these brutal
anti-Armenian attacks are the modern day manifestation of the very
type of intolerance that led to the Armenian Genocide. Over the past
two months in Turkey, four innocent elderly Armenian women were
assaulted, and in one case, brutally murdered. This is a significant
example of hate that is fostered by the Turkish government’s continued
campaign of Genocide denial.’