Author: Babajanian Karo

CT Post
Nov 23 2012

Mexico panel rejects Azerbaijan leader’s statue
MARK STEVENSON, Associated Press

MEXICO CITY (AP) – A commission of intellectuals recommended Friday
that Mexico City’s government remove a life-size bronze statue of
Azerbaijan’s former president that provoked a storm of criticism after
it was installed on the capital’s main boulevard.

The Stalinesque statue of the late Geidar Aliyev was erected by the
Azerbaijani Embassy, which paid for the renovation of part of the city
park where it sits and other public works totaling about $5 million.
Aliyev has been criticized for repressing opponents and critics.

The commission of three writers and analysts appointed by the city
government said authorities erred by accepting money to allow a
foreign government to essentially decide which political figures or
historic events should be commemorated in the capital’s public spaces.

“In view of the majority opinions of the citizens and neighbors, the
sculpture of Geidar Aliyev should be removed from the emblematic spot”
on the Reforma boulevard, commission member Guillermo Osorno said.

The panel suggested that a citizen board be set up to review such
proposals in the future.

“We believe that monuments or street names that are offensive,
hurtful, or which make unilateral judgments on international disputes
should not be installed in public spaces,” Osorno said.

Protesters have said they are offended by a monument to an
authoritarian figure like Aliyev, who led Azerbaijan first as
Communist Party boss during Soviet times and then as president from
1993 until his death in 2003.

Critics’ anger has been amplified by a plaque on Aliyev’s statue that
describes him as “a brilliant example of infinite devotion to the
motherland, loyal to the universal ideals of world peace” and by the
location of the statue not far from monuments to Mahatma Gandhi,
Abraham Lincoln and Mexico’s national heroes.

Writer and activist Homero Aridjis said the city government has a
problem: the money it accepted from the Central Asian nation, which
might have to be returned.

“The problem is the money. If it were just a political issue, they’d
make the decision without any further ado,” he said.

“They have to remove the statue,” said Aridjis, who participated in
protests against the monument. “They have no other choice. It would be
a happy ending to a sordid story.”

Azerbaijani Ambassador Ilgar Yusif oglu Mukhtarov said that although
he didn’t agree with some of the commission’s recommendations, he
would discuss them with city authorities to find a resolution that
everyone agreed with.

Mukhtarov charged that the government of Armenia, with which
Azerbaijan has tense relations, and local Armenians were behind the
campaign to remove Aliyev’s statue.

“We are aware that the current situation was driven by the Armenian
government and the Armenian local diaspora in an attempt to discredit
the work, life and dedication of Azerbaijan’s national leader,”
Mukhtarov said a news conference.

Last month, the embassy suggested in a statement that removing the
statue could affect diplomatic relations. It said the city government
had signed an agreement stipulating the monument should be allowed to
remain in the spot for 99 years.

The city government’s press office said authorities hadn’t made a
decision yet on whether to follow the commission’s recommendation.

Mayor Marcelo Ebrard was somewhat evasive, saying, “We are going to
review it carefully … and we will reply.”

Osorno, however, said the city government has already offered
Azerbaijan a cultural center where the statue could be displayed
indoors. That “would be more appropriate,” he said.

The issue was particularly thorny because the city government prides
itself on its progressive policies and respect for human rights. Some
officials have suggested authorities weren’t really aware of who
Aliyev was when the monument was approved.

The advisory commission also recommended that a second
Azerbaijani-funded monument in the downtown Tlaxcoaque plaza be
changed.

That statue depicts a woman, her arms uplifted in mourning,
commemorating Khojaly, a village where hundreds of Azerbaijanis were
reportedly killed during Azerbaijan’s conflict with Armenia over the
Nagorno-Karabakh region.

The commission said a plaque on the monument calling it “genocide” was
misleading. Genocide is a term more commonly applied to the killing of
about 1.5 million Armenians in the region in 1915.

Moreover, the Tlaxcoaque plaza was the site of a police torture and
detention center that collapsed in Mexico City’s 1985 earthquake. The
commission said it would be more appropriate to commemorate Mexicans
who died there.

“We think this space should be dedicated to the victims of forced
disappearance, torture and execution,” Osorno said.

The Financial, Georgia
Nov 24 2012

EBRD loan for a new bridge at Armenian border crossing in Bagratashen

23/11/2012 23:42

The 10.3 million loan to the Armenian government is the EBRD’s
contribution towards the financing of the Northern Corridor
Modernisation Project.

The upgrade of the cross-border infrastructure facilities is a
priority for the Armenian government. In addition to the EBRD, the
European Investment Bank, European Union, Neighbourhood Investment
Facility and United Nations Development Programme, jointly with the
government of Armenia, will finance this project, the total cost of
which is 62.6 million.

The Northern Corridor Modernisation Project includes the
reconstruction of existing infrastructure to meet international
standards, as well as the construction of new buildings at the three
border control facilities. The improved border crossing points,
equipped for vehicles and pedestrians, will have a more efficient and
increased processing capacity, as well as providing a
multi-directional road crossing for international cargo and passenger
traffic. Located 200km from Yerevan, Bagratashen is the main land
transport corridor connecting Armenia, through Georgia, with the rest
of the world.

`We are delighted to be part of this joint effort. Improvement in the
border crossing conditions will create a more efficient economic
transport corridor facilitating regional trade and passenger flows.’
said Sue Barrett, EBRD Director for Transport.

`The EBRD is firmly committed to supporting the development of
reliable and modern infrastructure in its region. We look forward to
continuing our successful cooperation with the country’s authorities
and other international organisations in supporting the further
development of Armenia,’ added Paul-Henri Forestier, EBRD Director for
Caucasus, Moldova and Belarus.

As the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development announced,
since the beginning of its operations in Armenia, the EBRD has
invested approximately 579 million in over 110 projects, of which
approximately 90 million has been in the country’s infrastructure
sector.

Tsitsernakaberd memorial is not a sacred place for the Armenian people
alone, but for the whole mankind: Deputy Chairman of the State
Assembly of Bashkortostan

16:23, 24 November, 2012

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS. In frames of the visit to the
Republic of Armenia the Deputy Chairman of the State Assembly of
Bashkortostan Raphail Zinurov, accompanied by the Deputy Chairman of
the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Eduard Sharmazanov
visited Tsitsernakaberd memorial on November 24.

The Department of Information and Public Relations of the Republic of
Armenia informed “Armenpress” that Deputy Chairman of the State
Assembly of Bashkortostan placed flowers on the graves of the deceased
Artsakh’s Freedom Fighters near the memorial and honored the memory of
the victims of the Armenian Genocide with silence and bow.

The Deputy Chairman of the State Assembly of Bashkortostan Raphail
Zinurov stated: “This is my fourth visit to Armenia and each time
visiting Tsitsernakaberd I feel bitter pain. Tsitsernakaberd memorial
is not a sacred place for the Armenian people alone, but for the whole
mankind. What happened in 1915 is a bitter loss for Armenia and all
Armenians. To my opinion the whole world must recognize the Armenian
Genocide.”

Among other things Raphail Zinurov paid a visit to the
Museum-Institute of the Armenian Genocide and made the following
inscription: “I can’t find words. I am terribly shocked. Let all the
innocent t victims rest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Armenia! Armenians!
The Bashkirs and Bashkortostan are standing beside you.”

Armavia put to sale together with Superjet

YEREVAN, November 23. / ARKA /. Mikhail Bagdasarov, the owner of
Armenia’s national air carrier Armavia has put the airline for sale,
RBC Daily reported. It quoted the businessman as saying he hopes to
close the deal in two-three weeks.

Baghdasarov said the main reason prompting him to put the company to
sale is the economic crisis, as well as losses from the operation of
new Russian aircraft SuperJet-100.

“No Russian companies are among potential buyers, but there are
Italians, buyers from the East” he told RBC Daily.

“The new owner will have to take on all the major debts of the
carrier. This situation suggests the airline is poorly managed,’ a
source close to Superjet aircrafts supplier told RBC Daily.

According to the official representative of Sukhoi Civil Aircrafts
company, Armavia will continue operating Superjet under a lease
contract.

Armavia was founded in 1996. In 2005 all its shares were acquired by
businessman Mikhail Baghdasarov. The company operates more than 100
flights a week to over 40 destinations in 20 countries. It owns and
runs Airbus, CRJ, Boeing, as well as Sukhoi Superjet aircrafts. -0-

NKR President meets with members of EU-Armenian Parliamentary Commission

armradio.am
11:29 24.11.2012

President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan received some
members of the Armenian National Assembly’s European Union -Armenia
parliamentary commission headed by its co-chair Samvel Farmanyan,
Central Information Department of the Office of the NKR President
reported.

Issues related to the development of inter-parliamentary ties between
the Armenian states were discussed during the meeting.

President Bako Sahakyan stressed the necessity of further deepening
and expanding cooperation in the field underlining its significance
for the foreign policy.

According to the President, despite differences in the platforms of
the political forces it is necessary to demonstrate a unified approach
towards the Karabakh issue for it is among the most important
strategic issues for the Armenian statehood.

APA, Azerbaijan
Nov 23 2012

Bulgarian ambassador: `Azerbaijan and Armenia should refrain making
extremely emotional politic statements, which could additionally
strain tensions between the people of Armenia and Azerbaijan’ –
INTERVIEW

[ 23 November 2012 13:20 ]

Maya Khristova: During the last several years the relations between
the two countries have seen some activation, although we must say that
their volume is still unsatisfactory

Baku. Anakhanim Hidayatova – APA. Bulgarian ambassador to Azerbaijan
Maya Khristova’s interview to APA.

– Tell us, please, about the possibilities for the expansion of the
cooperation between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria in the energy sphere and
the projects which are being developed.

– We appreciate the decision of the consortium “Shah Denis II” to
choose the “Nabucco West” project as one of the options for making
deliveries to Central Europe. The decision on the location of the
exact track of the pipeline will be taken in 2012. We are hopeful that
they will choose the Bulgaria-Rumania-Hungary-Austria route, i.e.,
Nabucco West. We except with satisfaction the confirmation, given by
the Azerbaijani side, that Bulgaria will be the first country to
receive gas from Azerbaijan (1 billion cubic meters).

– In which spheres and how many agreements have been signed between
the two countries so far and where could Bulgaria and Azerbaijan
expect to see an extension of their mutual relations?

– During the last several years the relations between the two
countries have seen some activation, although we must say that their
volume is still unsatisfactory. Both countries posses a much larger
potential for development than has so far been realized in the
commercial and economic cooperation, in the cultural sphere and the
bilateral dialog.

The dynamics of these relations have been boosted by the Bulgarian
Prime minister’s recent visit to Baku – 26th and 27th of April 2012.
Azerbaijan was also visited by the Chairman of the National assembly,
Tsetska Tsacheva. Forthcoming are the visits of the Minister of
Justice of Azerbaijan, Fikrat Mammadov. An invitation for a visit to
our country this year has been extended to the Minister of environment
and natural resources of Azerbaijan, Hussein Bagirev.

Azerbaijan and Bulgaria signed more than 5 agreements over the last
year: cooperation in the sphere of combating crime, memorandum of
understanding between the State oil company of the Republic of
Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and the “Bulgarian Energy Holding” EAD, memorandum
of understanding between the Azerbaijan foundation for encouraging
exports and investments (AZPROMO) and the Bulgarian Chamber of
commerce and industry and A cooperation agreement between the
Constitutional Court of the Republic of Bulgaria and the
Constitutional Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

– Comment, please, on the issue of cultural and humanitarian relations
between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria

– The cultural relations between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan have a much
greater potential for development that they currently enjoy. We are
looking forward with great interest to the forthcoming “Days of the
Azerbaijan culture in Bulgaria” which are to be held next year.

There is also a considerable, unused potential in the sphere of
education, youth and science and the cooperation in this sphere is far
below the level of our, otherwise, extremely good relations (the
cooperation so far has been expressed in the exchange of youth
delegations in 2010). We place considerable hopes on the forthcoming
ratification of an Agreement for cooperation in the educational sphere
between the Ministry of education, youth and science of the Republic
of Bulgaria and the Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan (the text of
the draft agreement is currently being discussed).

We hold the view that the Bulgarian educational institutions are able
to teach a larger number of students from Azerbaijan (during the 2011
– 2012 terms their number was 18).

– What can Bulgaria do to attract more investors from Azerbaijan,
including by planning to hold business forums in view of the need to
improve the economic relations between the two countries?

– The possible areas for boosting up the future cooperation and
increase in Bulgarian exports may be found in the sphere of delivery
of goods from the food industry, wines, tobacco, cigarettes,
non-alcoholic beverages, perfumery and cosmetics, medicaments,
garments, furniture, ceramic products, sanitary equipment,
construction materials, electronics and electrical appliances, food
industry equipment, electrical motors, machines, hauling and transport
vehicles.

– What are the main obstacles in the development of tourism relations?

– Regarding tourism, the lack of a regular air-line between Baku and
Sofia is a considerable detriment to our bilateral economic and
tourist relations. In 2011, the number of Azerbaijan citizens who
visited Bulgaria was 1961 which is a drop by some 1.3% compared to the
previous year. The total number of Bulgarian visits to this country in
2011 amounts to 194.

Azerbaijan may be able to deliver products from the oil and chemical
industry, metals, agricultural products, cotton, vegetable oils, tea,
tobacco, fruits and vegetables, juices, caviar, etc.

One positive precondition for the expansion of the economic relations
will be the incorporation of Azerbaijan into the World Trade
Organization.

– What is your position regarding the issue of Nagorno Karabakh?

– Together with our partners from the EU, we support the activity of
the Minsk group of the OSCE. As we see it this mechanism and the
possibility it suggests does have the capacity to help the two
countries find a lasting solution to the conflict as well as that the
group should retain its status of a basic international forum in the
course of the negotiations that are being held. We believe that the
constructive dialog between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia –
Ilham Aliev and Serge Sargsyan – will help the process of achieving an
agreement on the basic principles for the peaceful solution of the
conflict in Nagorno Karabakh. Bulgaria holds the view, that in order
to find a lasting solution to the conflict, the two countries should
move in the direction of building a sense of confidence and a change
in the understanding of the other country as an “enemy” and to reach a
point where it will be understood that the peaceful solution to the
conflict has no alternative. We believe that the solution of the
conflict in Nagorno Karabakh is a vital precondition for the economic
recovery of the region. This peaceful solution of the conflict will
bring to the successful realization of the regional initiatives for
security and cooperation and for turning Southern Caucasus in a zone
of stability and prosperity. In this connection we believe that the
two countries should refrain from making extremely emotional politic
statements, which could additionally strain tensions between the
people of Armenia and Azerbaijan and create preconditions for the
intensification of this regional conflict.

Trend, Azerbaijan
Nov 23 2012

Armenian former FM tries to prevent International Forum in Baku

Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 23 / Trend M. Aliyev /

Armenian former Foreign Minister, Chairman of the Heritage party Raffi
Hovhannisyan has today tried to prevent the seventh session of the
General Assembly of the International Forum of Asian Political Parties
(ICAPP), held in Baku.

When the declaration was read out at the forum, Hovhannisyan suddenly
came up to the podium and expressed his desire to speak without
permission. The individuals, presiding at the meeting, urged him to
maintain discipline, but Hovhannisyan began to shout and voice
irrelevant accusations.

An Azerbaijani delegation and representatives of most other countries,
participating in the event, expressed their protest against
Hovhannisyan’s violating the order.

The declaration supports Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and the UN
Security Council’s resolution on the Azerbaijani occupied territories.

In his speech Hovhannisyan has also made separatist statements. The
representatives of the Azerbaijani ruling and opposition parties
expressed protest.
Roughly 200 representatives from 35 countries participated in the
seventh General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian
Political Parties (ICAPP) which started in Baku on Thursday.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. – are
currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding
regions.

The Daily Star, Lebanon
Nov 23 2012

Berri cancels legislative session for Armenian president

November 23, 2012 12:54 PM The Daily Star

BEIRUT: Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri cancelled Friday the
legislative session to be held in honor of Armenian President Serzh
Sarksyan and will hold a luncheon instead.

`Given the large number of ministers and MPs participating in
Lebanon’s day at the Vatican for the official appointment of Patriarch
Beshara Rai as Cardinal, the speaker has decided to change his mind on
the parliamentary session scheduled for Nov. 27 to receive the
Armenian president,’ a statement from Berri’s office said.

However, the participants will be invited to a lunch on the same day
at Berri’s residence in Ain el-Tineh to honor the Armenian official.

The Nov. 27 session stirred controversy given the boycott of
parliamentary work by the opposition, which has accused the speaker of
attempting to corner them by convening such sessions.

Haykakan Zhamanak , Armenia
Nov 21 2012

Between the devil and the deep sea

[Translated from Armenian]

The issue of Armenia’s full-fledged participation in EurAsEC [Eurasian
Economic Community], the Customs Union to be established on its basis,
and the Eurasian Union will be raised intensively in December (at
present, Armenia is an observer in EurASEC).

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin
are expected to meet within the framework of the CIS summit to be
held in Ashkhabad [Turkmenistan] in November.

According to reports available to us, Putin will demand that Sargsyan
clearly express his attitude towards Armenia’s joining EurAsEc or
remaining an observer.

The point is that the problem of membership in EurAsEC has become a
“criterion” to decide whether Armenia is moving towards the West or
Russia.

Serzh Sargsyan has never expressed his opinion regarding membership in
the EurAsEC as compared to [Armenian] Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan,
who does not miss a single occasion to express his negative attitude.

It is noteworthy that the issue of Armenia’s membership periodically
becomes acute.

In particular, the chairperson of Russian Federal Council, Valentina
Matviyenko, arrived in Armenia on 10 July 2012, and the chairman of
State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Sergey
Naryshkin, visited Armenia two weeks later.

One of the important aims of those visits was to make Armenia join EurAsEC.

On the other hand, the European Union is trying to keep Armenia away
from this USSR-like project.

During the seminar entitled “EU-Armenia integration, establishment of
common attitude towards cooperation of state structures” [held on 20
November in Yerevan], the head of the Political, Economic, Press and
Information Section of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Onno Simons,
expressed the opinion that the establishment of the Eurasian Union is
an attempt to revert to the USSR, so Armenia should understand itself
where its interests lie.

The issue is becoming acute again ahead of the 2013 presidential
election. It is noteworthy that the West-Russia dilemma will have a
major impact on political developments in Armenia.

Time will show how this impact is expressed.

The Hanging Outhouse of Vanadzor: Relief is Just a River Away
Mariam Mughdusyan

10:42, November 23, 2012
Some residents of Vanadzor have taken the term `outhouse’ to the extreme.

Perched atop the Pampak River, the tin toilet affords passersby in
need of relief a pleasant oasis to do their duty. And, unlike many
other public toilets inArmenia, it’s free of charge.

The outhouse is located next to a local spring called Kantso, a
popular picnic area.

We asked around to find out if the Vanadzor Municipality knew about
the unique outhouse.

Arshavir Ghoukasyan, from the local planning board, first claimed that
the area didn’t belong to the municipality, but later changed his
story, arguing that the outhouse hadn’t been approved.

The official said he would look into the matter and see whether the
toilet adheres to sanitary standards and doesn’t violate environmental
norms.

Local residents I spoke to argued that the toilet was `eco-friendly’
as it used water drawn from the river for cleaning purposes.

Perhaps the wastes of one toilet will not make much of an impact on
the Pampak River, but just imagine what would happen if the concept
took off an a string of hanging outhouses soon appeared on the river.