Author: Babajanian Karo

BREAKING NEWS: Hayrikian Shot, Taken to Hospital

Presidential candidate Paruyr Hairikian

YEREVAN-Armenian presidential candidate and leader of the Armenian
Self-Determination Movement Paruyr Hayrikian was shot on Tpagrichneri
Avenue, shortly before midnight Friday.

He was transported to the St. Gregory the Illuminator Hospital.

Hospital officials told Hetq.am that that at 11:55 p.m. Hayrikian was
admitted to the hospital with a gun shot wounds to his right clavicle
and is currently in the surgery.

Emergency room reports indicated that his life is not in danger.

“He is recovering,” said a hospital spoekesperson.

Asbarez is following this developing story.

BREAKING NEWS: CANDIDATE HAYRIKYAN WOUNDED IN SHOOTING

NEWS | 01.02.13 | 00:22

Paruyr Hayrikyan, a candidate in the current campaign for the
presidency of Armenia was shot late Thursday evening in Tpagrichner
street, downtown Yerevan. The wound was not fatal and it is reported
that he was shot in the shoulder.

Few details are known as of shortly past midnight Yerevan time.

Armenianow tried to get in touch with candidate Hayrikyan by calling
his cell phone. A young man answered and confirmed that he had been
shot and taken to Grigor Lusavorish hospital.

A nurse on duty at the hospital informed ArmeniaNow that Hayrikyan was
wounded in his right collarbone, but was conscious.

Reportedly chief of police Vladimir Gasparyan and more than two dozens
of police officers arrived after the incident.

Harikyan, 63, is a former Soviet dissident, and leader of the National
Self-Determination Union, and is considered a marginal figure in the
race for president, recently polling less than one percent of voter
interest.

ArmeniaNow will be following developments as news emerges.

ARMENIAN MINISTRY OF DIASPORA AND “NAREK” CULTURAL CENTER OF GLENDALE HAD A VIDEO CONFERENCE

20:04, 31 January, 2013

YEREVAN, JANUARY 31, ARMENPRESS: A video conference took place with
participation of Armenian Ministry of diaspora and “Narek” Cultural
Foundation of Glendale, California. As Armenpress was informed from
press service of Armenian Diaspora, Armenian Minister of Diaspora
Hranush Hakobyan greeted and congratulated staff of “Narek” Cultural
Foundation with its 24th anniversary and its activity. Director of the
school Rima Sarian presented activity of “Narek”, its structure and
noted that more than 90 children were attending “Narek” kindergarten
to get Armenian education.

Founder-director of Foundation Rima Sarian assured that the most
important factor of staying Armenian in Diaspora is Armenia. “If there
would be no Armenia we would easily lose our identity,” Mrs. Sarian
has noted, adding that nowadays Ministry of Diaspora is always well
aware of the activity of “Narek” and fully supports its initiations.

FRANCE VOWS TO REKINDLE TURKEY’S FROZEN EU BID

ANKARA
Turkey may soon come in from the cold in terms of its EU bid as its
biggest skeptic, France, vows to lift blocks on its accession chapters

FM Davutoglu is seen with his French counterpart Fabius in this July
2012 photo. AP Photo

France is expected to submit new proposals to accelerate Turkey’s
accession talks with the union as Paris sends strong signals that
it is prepared to lift its block on at least one accession chapter
during Ireland’s current bloc term presidency.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius is expected to make the
statement during a meeting with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
this weekend in Munich, where both men will attend an annual security
conference, diplomatic sources told the Hurriyet Daily News yesterday.

“Fabius will voice new proposals and will provide information on Paris’
intention to lift its block on the chapter on economic and monetary
policy,” a source speaking on condition of anonymity said.

Five chapters were unilaterally blocked by France during former
President Nicholas Sarkozy’s rule. But following the election of
Francois Hollande last year, Paris softened its position on Turkey’s
accession process.

Amid the new thaw, expectations are growing that the process will
act as a catalyst for Turkey’s accession talks with the union.

Reviving long-stalled EU accession talks will top the ministers’
agenda, and the pair are expected to discuss a road map that would
aid their cooperation to this end.

Elections in Greek Cyprus could also create a better climate between
Turkey and the EU, according to sources. However, European diplomats
have questioned Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent statements
that Turkey could join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization if the
EU drags its feet on Turkish membership.

Paris to explain Mali

Davutoglu and Fabius are also expected to discuss the developments in
Mali. France launched a heavy military campaign against fundamentalist
groups in northern Mali after the central government demanded help
from France on Jan. 10. Turkey was among the opponents of the French
offensive and publicly expressed its unease with the move. Fabius
wanted to meet Davutoglu in Davos but the two could only communicate
through a phone call by the Turkish minister late Jan. 26.

According to sources, Fabius told Davutoglu that French troops
launched the operation following an official Malian request that
armed fundamentalist groups were advancing toward the capital, Bamoko.

The French plan is to stop the militant groups and to protect the
territorial integrity of Mali, sources said, adding that it would
completely withdraw from the country after a political agreement is
reached through political consultations.

Fabius also asked for Turkish help to this end but did not receive a
concrete answer form Davutoglu, sources said. The two ministers will
further discuss ongoing developments in Syria and the international
community’s failure to establish a strong and common front against
the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

January/31/2013

SERZH SARGSYAN: TURKEY WILL ONCE RECOGNIZE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Karen Ghazaryan

“Radiolur”
18:08 31.01.2013

“The 100th anniversary is an important landmark in our struggle for
the recognition of the Armenian Genocide,” presidential candidate,
incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan said during the meeting with voters
in Abovyan. He expressed confidence that “Turkey will once recognize
the Armenian Genocide.”

“I don’t expect Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide before the
100th anniversary,” President Sargsyan said, adding that in the course
of the past 6-7 months Turkey has been speaking about the Armenian
tsunami, meaning the steps taken ahead of the 100th anniversary of
the Genocide.

Serzh Sargsyan said that “as long as Turkey continues the policy of
denial, we cannot say there is no danger on the part of Turkey.”

As for the Nagorno Karabakh settlement, Serzh Sargsyan said “the
status of Artsakh should be determined by its people.” “It’s hard to
say when this will happen. A favorable atmosphere should be created
for solving the issue,” he added.

According to President Sargsyan, it’s hard to except any results
in the Karabakh settlement process, when the Azerbaijani side is
cynically declaring that Yerevan is a historic Azerbaijani land.

NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA: “VLADIMIR PUTIN HAS BANNED THE SALE OF FAVORIT ANTIAIRCRAFT MISSILE COMPLEX TO AZERBAIJAN”

[ 30 January 2013 14:12 ]

Russia’s President has taken this step due to Gabala Radar Station

Russian military expert: “Azerbaijan is capable of shooting down the
aircrafts that will use Khojaly airport”

Moscow. Farid Akberov – APA. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has
banned the sale of Favorite antiaircraft missile complex to Azerbaijan,
said Nezavisimaya Gazeta quoting a source at the Defense Ministry,
APA reports.

The source said Putin has taken this step following the negotiations
between Russia and Azerbaijan on prolongation of Gabala RLS lease-term
failed.

The newspaper has also commented on Azerbaijan’s statement that
the aircrafts that will use Khojaly airport will be shot down. The
commentary says that two modern Favorit antiaircraft missile complexes,
which have no analogue in the world for some measures, sold by Russia
to Azerbaijan during Dmitry Medvedev’s presidency in 2010 enable
Azerbaijan to shoot down aircrafts. Azerbaijan can easily shoot down
aircrafts flying from Khojaly airport. The performance characteristics
of this missile system allow controlling the sky over Nagorno Karabakh.

The air defense expert at the Russian Defense Ministry said that
system can shoot down any target accurately at a distance of 150 km.

It means that any aircraft that will use Khojaly airport can be shot
down by Favorit antiaircraft missile complex.

According to the expert, although Armenian defense minister Seyran
Ohanyan said “Armenia’s air defense system can ensure the security
of its airspace”, almost nothing can be done in case of use of Favorit.

AZERBAIJAN PURCHASES NEW UNIVERSAL MULTIPLE-ROCKET LAUNCHERS

[ 30 January 2013 12:40 ]

Baku. Rashad Suleymanov – APA. Azerbaijan purchased new multiple-rocket
launchers last year.

APA reports quoting its military sources that the new systems allow
firing from missiles with various calibers.

The new system was deployed on vehicles with high maneuvering capable.

The shooting distance depending on missiles makes from 3 km to 110 km.

The name of the country, where the missile system was purchased,
and production company are still unknown .

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

THE ARMENIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH TAKES PART IN THE 10TH SESSION OF THE
INTERNATIONAL JOINT ROMAN CATHOLIC-ORIENTAL ORTHODOX COMMISSION FOR
THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE

ANTELIAS, Lebanon – The 10th session of the International Theological
Dialogue Commission was held in Rome from 23 to 27 January 2013. The
Armenian Church was represented by Archbishop Yeznik Bedrossian and Rev.
Shahé Ananian from the Holy See of Etchmiadzin and Archbishops Oshagan
Choloyan and Nareg Alemezian from the Catholicosate of Cilicia.

The representatives of the Oriental Orthodox Churches first met alone to
discuss issues related to the family. The members of the joint commission
discussed “The role of the Saints in the communion and communication between
churches until the middle of the fifth century.”

The meeting ended with a dinner offered by Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of
the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity. On 25 January the members of the
dialogue commission met with Pope Benedict XVI, and in the evening they
attended the Prayers for Christian Unity presided over by the Pope at the
St. Peter’s Cathedral.

The eleventh meeting of the Roman Catholic – Oriental Orthodox Theological
Commission will be held from 27 January to 4 February 2014 in India.

EBRD, EU READY TO EXPAND COOPERATION WITH YEREVAN MUNICIPALITY UNDER METRO MODERNIZATION PROJECT

YEREVAN, January 31. /ARKA/. The head of EU delegation to Armenia
Traian Hristea and the head of EBRD Yerevan office Valeriu Razlog
expressed satisfaction with the outcome of their cooperation with the
Yerevan municipality under the Yerevan metro modernization project,
the press service of the municipality reported.

During the meeting with the mayor of Yerevan Taron Margaryan resident
representative of Asian Development Bank (ADB) mission David Dole as
well expressed his willingness to cooperate under this project.

Margaryan highly appreciated the results of the joint project, thanked
his conversation partners for the support and suggested discussing the
possibility of increasing metro branch lines under the future project

In 2012, the European Bank for reconstruction and development
(EBRD) extended a loan worth 5 mln euros to Armenia for continuing
re-equipping and reconstructing the Yerevan Metro. Another 5 million
euros will be given by the European Investment Bank in a loan, whereas
the EU Neighborhood Investment Instrument will provide equal amount
in a grant.

In 2010, the EBRD, the EIB and the EU provided a total of 15mln
euros for the first stage of the project to increase reliability,
energy efficiency and safety of the Yerevan Metro. The savings made
after the completion of the first stage were used to fully modernize
and repair 8 cars.

The Yerevan Metro after Karen Demirchyan was founded in 1981. Today
the Metro has ten stations. The total length of the lines is 13.4
kilometers. -0-

KURDISH MILITANTS SET FOR TURKEY CEASEFIRE IN FEBRUARY: PAPER

By Daren Butler | Reuters

View Photo
Reuters/Reuters – Demonstrators hold flags with portraits of jailed
Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan during a protest
in Strasbourg February 18, 2012. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler

ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Kurdish militants will halt hostilities with
Turkey in February according to the timetable of a fledgling peace
process aimed at ending 28 years of insurgency, a report in a
mainstream newspaper said on Tuesday.

Turkish intelligence officials began talks with jailed Kurdistan
Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan in late 2012 and
preliminary talks have also been held with PKK members in northern
Iraq, where most of the group’s several thousand militants are based,
it said.

More than 40,000 people have been killed in fighting since the rebels
took up arms in 1984 with the aim of carving out a Kurdish state in
southeastern Turkey. The PKK, designated a terrorist group by Ankara,
the United States and the European Union, has since moderated its goal
to one of autonomy.

The conflict is the chief domestic problem facing Prime Minister
Tayyip Erdogan after 10 years in power.

“According to the timetable on the table, the PKK will announce its
decision to halt hostilities in February right after an official call
by Abdullah Ocalan,” the paper said.

As an initial confidence-building step, around 100 PKK fighters will
hand in their weapons and leave Turkey, the Hurriyet daily said.

Hurriyet, which is regarded as authoritative on security-related
matters, did not identify its sources and there was no immediate
comment from Turkish officials.

When asked about the report, PKK spokesman Roj Welat said the group
had not as yet declared any ceasefire.

“The PKK officially has made no such declaration for the moment,”
Welat told Reuters by telephone. “There is no such information in our
hands.”

The militants have announced unilateral ceasefires in the past, but
these have been ignored by Turkish security forces.

Under a framework discussed with Ocalan, all PKK fighters will
eventually disarm after the withdrawal from Turkey and in return the
government will improve the rights of Kurds, who make up some 20
percent of Turkey’s population of 76 million.

As part of those reforms, Turkey’s parliament last week passed a law
allowing defendants to use Kurdish in court in a move seen aimed at
breaking a deadlock in the trials of hundreds accused of links to the
PKK. [ID:nL6N0AU2VN]

NORTHERN IRAQ TALKS PLANNED

Only Erdogan and a few officials are believed to have first-hand
knowledge of the peace framework. They have not disclosed details of
the plan, nor have they denied reports on it by media close to the
government.

With next year’s local and presidential elections in mind, Erdogan has
limited time and is keen to keep the process under wraps due to fears
of a nationalist backlash against talks with a group reviled by most
Turks.

A more senior delegation from the MIT national intelligence agency,
possibly including its head – Hakan Fidan, was due to travel to Arbil
in northern Iraq for more talks with the PKK in the coming week, the
liberal Radikal daily reported.

Among those expected to take part in the meeting was Sabri Ok, a
senior figure in the PKK who participated in previous peace talks with
Fidan in Oslo. Those negotiations unraveled in 2011 when recordings of
them were leaked to the media.

The planned withdrawal of PKK fighters from Turkish territory is
expected to be monitored by representatives of non-governmental
organizations.

The militants previously withdrew from Turkish territory on Ocalan’s
orders after his capture in 1999, as part of moves towards peace.

However, several hundred militants are estimated to have been killed
by security forces during that withdrawal.

In an apparent bid to ease PKK concerns, Erdogan gave his word this
month that the same thing would not happen again.

(Additional reporting by Patrick Markey in Baghdad; Editing by Louise
Ireland and Jonathon Burch)