Author: Babajanian Karo

NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT UKRAINE~RS PRIORITY FOR 2013 OSCE CHAIRMANSHIP

TERT.AM
17.01.13

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara today announced his country’s
priorities for the 2013 OSCE Chairmanship, with the progress on
resolution of protracted conflicts, combating trafficking in human
beings and promotion of the media freedom amongst key issues, the
OSCE website reports.

Addressing the OSCE Permanent Council, he said that Ukraine’s
priorities for 2013 include assisting parties in protracted
conflicts to find political solutions, with a focus on re-energizing
existing formats for negotiation. They include negotiations on the
Transdniestrian settlement, the Geneva Discussions on the August
2008 conflict in Georgia and talks on Nagorno-Karabakh led by the
OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

“We are convinced that the so-called protracted conflicts continue
to represent a serious threat to our regional stability. Helping
the parties to find a political solution should remain the highest
priority for the OSCE, the Chairmanship and for all participating
States,” Minister Kozhara said.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister underlined the importance of continuing
efforts aimed at strengthening arms control mechanisms and confidence-
and security building measures.

Ukraine will actively engage to counter transnational threats such
as terrorism, organized crime, and trafficking in human beings,
weapons and drugs. In economic area the Chairmanship will focus on
environmental aspects of energy-related activities.

Promoting implementation of existing commitments in the human
dimension, media freedom and youth human rights education are top
priorities for the Chairmanship, OSCE Chairperson said.

He also called participating States for examining the security
implications of the planned withdrawal of international forces
from Afghanistan in 2014 and potential OSCE responses, and said the
Chairmanship would look into holding an event on the topic.

Minister Kozhara pledged his country’s commitment to the OSCE and its
concept of comprehensive and indivisible security, rooted in agreed
principles and commitments. The OSCE “stands out amongst international
organizations” and remains an “indispensable platform for inclusive
dialogue”. Ukraine’s overarching goal would be to strengthen that role,
the Chairperson-in-Office stressed.

He also welcomed the adoption of the Dublin Ministerial Council
decision on the Helsinki +40 process as it registered the determination
of all the Participating States to launch a result-oriented dialogue on
many key issues leading up to the 40th Helsinki Final Act anniversary
of 2015. In this context Minister Kozhara announced the Ukrainian
Chairmanship decision to establish an open-ended Helsinki+40 Working
Group to drive this process forward.

Leonid Kozhara also announced the Ukrainian Chairmanship initiative
to host an international event aimed at engaging youth representatives
from all OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation.

GEORGIAN PM’S VISIT TO ARMENIA PASSES IN WARM ATMOSPHERE

TERT.AM
17.01.13

Georgia’s Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili is in Armenia on his
first official visit. Greeting the reporters in Armenian language
after the meeting with his Armenian counterpart Tigran Sargsyan,
Ivanishvili said his first visit passes very warmly.

“I want to express my gratitude to Tigran Sargsyan for warm reception
and the meeting. Our meeting passed as if we knew each other from
childhood,” Georgia’s PM said.

Confessing jokingly that he is an inexperienced political figure but
all the issues of mutual interest were discussed, decisions made.

“Few issues have remained, but we managed to find compromises. On the
way from the airport we have discussed a number of issues on bosting
bilateral cooperation,” Ivanishvili said.

Armenia’s PM said they have registered that there are no issues in
the Armenian-Georgian relations they are not able to solve jointly
and there is a big potential to deepen the economic relations between
the two countries.

“I am very thankful to my counterpart that he warmly responded to all
my requests, we are going to set up task groups for the meetings of the
inter-governmental commissions and discuss interesting issues relating
to all the spheres. Today we have already signed two agreements on
culture and customs spheres,” Tigran Sargsyan said.

Ivanishvili said that though they are new Government, they hope
the relations with the neighboring countries will improve, develop
and expand.

PROTRACTED CONFLICTS, HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND MEDIA FREEDOM AMONGST UKRAINE’S OSCE 2013 PRIORITIES

15:34 17.01.2013

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara today announced his country’s
priorities for the 2013 OSCE Chairmanship, with the progress on
resolution of protracted conflicts, combating trafficking in human
beings and promotion of the media freedom amongst key issues.

Addressing the OSCE Permanent Council, he said that Ukraine’s
priorities for 2013 include assisting parties in protracted
conflicts to find political solutions, with a focus on re-energizing
existing formats for negotiation. They include negotiations on the
Transdniestrian settlement, the Geneva Discussions on the August
2008 conflict in Georgia and talks on Nagorno-Karabakh led by the
OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

“We are convinced that the so-called protracted conflicts continue
to represent a serious threat to our regional stability. Helping
the parties to find a political solution should remain the highest
priority for the OSCE, the Chairmanship and for all participating
States,” Minister Kozhara said.

Stressing the Ukrainian Chairmanship determination to contribute to
the Transdniestrian settlement process, Minister Kozhara announced
his first visit as a Chairperson-in-Office to Moldova next week.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister underlined the importance of continuing
efforts aimed at strengthening arms control mechanisms and confidence-
and security building measures.

Ukraine will actively engage to counter transnational threats such
as terrorism, organized crime, and trafficking in human beings,
weapons and drugs. In economic area the Chairmanship will focus on
environmental aspects of energy-related activities.

Promoting implementation of existing commitments in the human
dimension, media freedom and youth human rights education are top
priorities for the Chairmanship, OSCE Chairperson said.

He also called participating States for examining the security
implications of the planned withdrawal of international forces
from Afghanistan in 2014 and potential OSCE responses, and said the
Chairmanship would look into holding an event on the topic.

Minister Kozhara pledged his country’s commitment to the OSCE and its
concept of comprehensive and indivisible security, rooted in agreed
principles and commitments. The OSCE “stands out amongst international
organizations” and remains an “indispensable platform for inclusive
dialogue”. Ukraine’s overarching goal would be to strengthen that role,
the Chairperson-in-Office stressed.

He also welcomed the adoption of the Dublin Ministerial Council
decision on the Helsinki +40 process as it registered the determination
of all the Participating States to launch a result-oriented dialogue on
many key issues leading up to the 40th Helsinki Final Act anniversary
of 2015. In this context Minister Kozhara announced the Ukrainian
Chairmanship decision to establish an open-ended Helsinki+40 Working
Group to drive this process forward.

Leonid Kozhara also announced the Ukrainian Chairmanship initiative
to host an international event aimed at engaging youth representatives
from all OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation.

The Permanent Council is one of the OSCE’s main regular decision-making
bodies. It convenes weekly in Vienna to discuss developments in the
OSCE area and to make decisions.

JUSTICE REFORM? WE WANT ACTION, MINISTER TOVMASYAN, NOT MORE LULLABIES
Edik Baghdasaryan

13:32, January 17, 2013

A fews days before New Years, Gagik called me from prison. He said
that he wanted to break his finger and take the case to the European
Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

I told him he was crazy, and in any event, a broken finger wouldn’t
be enough to get the ECHR to hear his case. I guess I convinced him
of the folly he was contemplating. Gagik said he forget the idea.

Gagik has broken his finger since our conversation, but he always
entertains such thoughts. He is constantly mulling various ways to
get his case heard. I can just picture the ECHR judges opening a
folder with Gage’s finger inside. Oh, the expressions on their faces…

Gagik is truly a difficult prisoner. Difficult, because they fabricated
charges against him and Gagik can’t reconcile his mind with that. At
first, they charged Gagik Karapetyan with large-scale theft.

Later, they changed the charge to organized robbery.

Just picture this. The court stated that sufficient evidence had been
provided to sustain the organized robbery charge, but only Gagik was
found guilty and punished.

Even more amazing is that Gagik named those individuals who had
pressured and prodded him to committing the theft in the first place.

He told the police all about it.

When the last three justice ministers spoke about reforms to the
system, I never took them seriously. Those “reforms” have been in
the works for the past ten years. What have been the results? Have
the courts and serving judges become more independent? No. In fact,
they have become more controllable and more corrupt.

Their financial and other means have grown exponentially. They are
busy buying expensive private homes and fancy cars. But no one seems
interested in finding out where all the money is coming from.

In point of fact, actual reforms must start by following the money
trail.

I am convinced that there is no need of reforms today as well. All
one has to do is select one or two court verdicts and dig a little
bit to reveal the entire chain of events.

Recently, Hetq covered an attempt to prevent a case of money
laundering. Two judges had declared contradictory verdicts in the
matter. The case has remained the same; nothing new has been added.

If the Special Investigative Service could get Judge Koubanyan
to provide the names of those who telephoned, instructing him to
declare the verdict that he did, then the judge, minister, and the
bank representative would be behind bars.

Believe me, every other judge would get the message loud and clear.

None would dare issue a verdict solely based on a telephone call ever
again. In my estimation, this would constitute real reform.

When talking about reforms, Justice Minister Tovmasyan means changing
the laws. But there is no scarcity of laws on the books in Armenia.

Just count the money made by the Venice Commission when talking about
changes to Armenia’s Electoral Code or when it presents its findings.

Not surprisingly, the Commission has always given good marks to
Armenia. But this hasn’t resulted in normal elections in Armenia.

Mr. Minister, here are two examples of reform that you can implement –
1) review the verdict handed down to Gagik Karapetyan; 2) review the
verdict of Judge Ara Koubanyan against the Nairit Rubber Plant.

If you want us to believe that you are sincere and serious about
implementing reforms, then study these cases and punish the judges
involved.

The resulting shockwaves will result in true reform. No judge on the
bench will ever entertain the thought of issuing a verdict for cash,
favouritism, or based on a telephone call from on high.

The time has come for you to stop playing that reform lullaby record
of yours and take concrete steps.

IRAN CAN DISRUPT ENEMY COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS – TOP COMMANDER

January 15, 2013 – 20:11 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Iran can disrupt enemy communication systems as part
of its growing “electronic warfare” capabilities, a senior Iranian
commander was quoted as saying on Tuesday, January 15, according
to Reuters.

Western analysts say Iran has launched increasingly sophisticated
cyber attacks in a growing confrontation with foes, including the
United States, Israel and Gulf Arabs, at a time of rising pressure
on Tehran to curb its nuclear program.

For its part, Iran has suffered a string of cyber attacks in the
past year targeting industrial sites, an oil export terminal and oil
platforms, Iranian officials have said.

The Islamic Republic has denied accusations that it hacked into U.S.

banks last year, but has also devoted resources to building up its
cyber defense capabilities.

On Tuesday, Brig. Gen. Ahmad Reza Pourdastan, Iran’s ground forces
commander, said that Iran was now capable of disrupting its enemies’
communications.

“We have been equipped with electronic warfare systems in order not
to remain just a defending force, and rather become able to jam the
enemy’s communication systems,” said Brigadier General Ahmad Reza
Pourdastan, Iran’s ground forces commander, according to the Fars
news agency.

“Communications are highly valuable in future and current wars and
our armed forces have realized this completely and have prepared
themselves proportionate to today’s needs.”

It was unclear whether Pourdastan was referring to military targets
that Iran might consider a threat or civilian targets, such as what
it considers to be subversive foreign media.

WE’LL NEED NEW MODELING OF FORCES AFTER ELECTIONS – REPUBLICAN MP

16.01.13

Armenia’s political arena will need a new modeling of forces after
the presidential polls, according to Galust Sahakyan, the head of
the ruling Republican faction in Armenia’s parliament.

At a news conference on Wednesday, the politician stressed the
importance of political changes in the post-election period.

Addressing Robert Kocharyan’s Tuesday interview
[], Sahakyan
said it is difficult to both understand and comment on the second
president’s remarks.

“It is simply necessary to respect presidents’ speeches; he has
explained logically why he refused to join the electoral processes.

Serzh Sargsyan was nominated by the Republican Party. Robert Kocharyan
was naturally in favor of that,” he said.

Asked whether he thinks the Prosperous Armenia (which pulled out
of the coalition government after the May parliamentary polls) will
boycott the election, the Republican lawmaker said the party hasn’t
made such a statement yet.

As for the 2018 presidential election, Sahakyan said it is not easy to
predict who will be the role-players then given that a new generation
is now growing with new ideas

IN JOHN HEFFERN’S OPINION OPENING OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER IS A NECESSITY

16:43, 16 January, 2013

YEREVAN, JANUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. The OSCE Minsk group is not a judge,
but a mediator in the procedure of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
regulation. As reports “Armenpress” Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Ambassador of the United States to the Republic of Armenia John Heffern
stated this during the meeting held in the U.S. Congress, answering
on a question how the OSCE Minsk Group can help find solution of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict, when the Azerbaijani president constantly
poses threats and voices Anti-Armenian statements. As reports
“Voice of America” radio station Heffern stated that it’s necessary
to open the Armenian-Turkish border and underscored the significance
of strengthening the economic ties.

Among other things the Ambassador of the Unites States spoke about
the Armenian Genocide and stated that the higher instances of the
United States and selected political figures can qualify the events of
1915 and that this issue cannot be defined by separate ambassadors or
Washington. Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the United
States to the Republic of Armenia John Heffern noted: “Political
relations between Armenia and the United States are strong enough,
and the recent visit of the United States Secretary of State Hilary
Clinton to the Republic of Armenia is to prove this.”

In Heffern’s opinion the Embassy of the United States to Yerevan
targets supporting Armenia to become a democratic, prosperous, and
secure country.

RESULTS OF THE OFFICIAL MEETINGS HELD IN BRUSSELS ARE SUMMED UP

16.01.2013

At the press conference held on January 16 members of the delegation,
the Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Artak
Zakaryan and the Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Defense,
National Security and Internal Affairs Koryun Nahapetyan summed up
the results of the visit of the delegation led by the RA NA President
Hovik Abrahamyan to Brussels on January 8-10.

Artak Zakaryan said that during the meetings of the NA President and
the members of the delegation with the EU Commissioner for Enlargement
and European Neighbourhood Policy tefan Füle, the Head of the CoE EPP
faction Joseph Daul, the President of the European Parliament Martin
Schulz and the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy.

Different issues regarding the existing problems on the RA political
agenda, the priorities of the foreign policy, the activation of the
EU-RA relations, parliamentary cooperation and regional problems were
discussed. They discussed issues concerning the development of the
parliamentary relations of the two countries, as well as issues of
bilateral interest with the President of the Senate of the Kingdom
of Belgium Sabine de Bethune and the President of the Belgian Chamber
of Representatives André Flahaut. By the assessment of the Chairman
of the NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations, the meetings were
held in warm atmosphere and had been effective.

Artak Zakaryan also touched upon the creation ceremony of the European
Union-Armenia Friendship Group, noticing that the creation of the group
was an important format of the parliamentary diplomacy and could play
an important role in activation of the EU-RA rapprochement policy. He
said that 31 members of the European Parliament were included in the
Group, and its number could increase later. In the talk with the MEPs
the common verges of cooperation had already been pre-indicated, and
the delegation had also initiated the visit of the Group to Armenia.

The Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations said
that during the meetings the NA President Hovik Abrahamyan talked
about the steady steps taken by Armeniaâ~@~Ys European Integration,
need of rapprochement policy and the resoluteness of making closer
the cooperation with the EU, at the same time he underlined that
the Armenian-Russian political, economic and strategic-partnership
relations would be continuous, and in the foreign policy Armenia
would not condition by one another, which the EU officials accepted
with perception.

The Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Defense, National Security
and Internal Affairs Koryun Nahapetyan also highlighted the visit to
Brussels, assessed the meetings effective and mutually beneficial. He
said that during the meetings the issue of creating the Association
Agreement and Deep Comprehensive Free Trade Area, and an agreement
was recahed to bring to an end the negotiations until the Vilnius
Summit to be held in the autumn of 2013.

Touching upon the works going on within the Euronest frameowrk and the
active role of Armenia in that structure, the NA President proposed
to hold the Euronest pleancy session in Yerevan in 2014.

Koryun Nahapetyan noted that the NA President and the President of
the European Parliament made a joint statement, highlighting the
activation of the EU-RA cooperation, its impact on Armeniaâ~@~Ys
economic development, strengthening of democracy and inner reforms. It
was noted that the Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements had
been signed between Armenia and European Union. Armenia has been
adherent to its promise, and the EU citizensâ~@~Y had been given
opportunity to enter into Armenia without visa. The NA President had
expressed hope that the European Parliament also soon ratify the Visa
Facilitation to the European Union countries, which would pave a path
for the liberalization of that process.

The issue of the presidential elections in the RA to be held on
February 18 was also discussed. The NA President has assured that
the Armenian authorities have political will for holding free, fair
election in accordance with European standards. The sides also touched
upon and the Karabakh conflict and the situation in the region.

By Koryun Nahapetyanâ~@~Ys assessment, Armeniaâ~@~Ys commitment of
making reforms in all spheres, the rapprochement of the relations
with the EU will promote inner democratic processes.

Artak Zakaryan and Koryun Nahapetyanalso answered the journalistsâ~@~Y
questions.

ALIYEV AGAIN THREATENS ARMENIANS

arminfo
Wednesday, January 16, 15:48

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev: “Because of unconstructive
approach of Armenia, the negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
remain “frozen”.”

“As long as the conflict continues, their position will become
increasingly worse. We, in turn, must use every opportunity to squeeze
Armenia. We have already isolated them from all projects. This policy
will continue. We use every opportunity to achieve this. We can, and
if necessary we will use political, diplomatic, economic and military
capabilities”, – Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at the session
of the Cabinet on the social and economic development of Azerbaijan
in 2012 and the plans for 2013. Azerbaijani mass media report that
among Azerbaijan’s “achievements” in 2012 Aliyev highlighted the
Final Declaration of the Non-Aligned Movement summit”.

President said that Azerbaijan recently has become a member of this
organization. Notwithstanding that Azerbaijan has recently joined this
organization, but at the first summit Azerbaijan participated in, a
very serious resolution on the Armenian- Azerbaijani Nagorno Karabakh
conflict was adopted, based on the justice and international law. That
resolution says that this conflict should be resolved only within the
territorial integrity of countries. I believe that it is our great
political and diplomatic success. This resolution strengthens the
resolutions previously adopted by other international organizations”,
– President Aliyev noted.

The President emphasized that a similar resolution was adopted
last year at the NATO summit. “That resolution also states that
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno Karabakh conflict should be resolved
only within the territorial integrity of countries. Most of the world
countries are members of the Non-Aligned Movement and the NATO, and
therefore, the position of the international community is clear. This
is a fair position based on international law. We will never step back
from this position. Because of unconstructive approach of Armenia,
the negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remain “frozen”. Our
position is indestructible as a legal and political point of view”,
– Ilham Aliyev said.

The Head of State said the Azerbaijani economy – a strong economy. “We
have bright future but Armenia’s economy suffers a downturn. I have
repeatedly said and once more want to say that this country’s future is
under a big question. Because their occupation policy put them under
such state. As long as the conflict continues, their position will
become increasingly worse. We, in turn, must use every opportunity to
squeeze Armenia. We have already isolated them from all projects. This
policy will continue. We use every opportunity to achieve this. We
can, and if necessary we will use political, diplomatic, economic
and military capabilities”, – Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said.

WB ESTIMATES ARMENIA’S ECONOMIC GROWTH AT 6.8%

tert.am
16.01.13

The World Bank has unveiled its Global Economic Prospects report,
estimating Armenia’s economic growth at 6.8%.

The country has thus fallen short of the 7% target set by President
Serzh Sargsyan earlier this year. But the micro-economic index to
be published by the National Statistical Service may indicate higher
figures given that official reports commonly reflect indexes different
from those published by international organizations.

As for the coming years (2013, 2014, 2015), WB forecasts a 4.3%, 4.4%
and 4.4% economic growth, respectively.

According to the report, the consumer index in the state sector is
expected to drop, unlike the private sector which will see a rapid
growth.

The import and export are also expected to grow.

The per capita GDP will rise to $4,0102 in 2015 from the $3,283
in 2012.

The dollar exchange rate will be relatively stable, ranging from
AMD410/$1 to AMD 420/$1.

The authors of the report mote that four years after the global
financial crisis, the global economy remains fragile, with high-income
countries continuing to suffer from volatility and slow growth.

“Despite slow growth in high-income countries, prospects for the
developing world remain solid,” reads the document. The WB experts
recommend that developing countries focus on productivity-enhancing
domestic policies to assure robust growth in the long term.