Author: Babajanian Karo

JOHN HEFFERN CONSIDERS THE REELECTION OF OBAMA TO BE BENEFICIAL FOR ARMENIA

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS: 45th USA presidential elections
have been really interesting, ideological campaigning. Armenpress
quoted USA extraordinary and plenipotentiary Ambassador to Armenia
John Heffern when answering to journalists’ questions on November 7.

“I was happy to participate in this process, the struggle was real
and serous as two strong candidate had a contest of ideas” John
Heffern said. According to him the philosophies of two political
powers reflected in the elections.

“I hope that Armenian Presidential elections which are to be held in
February 2013 will pass this way” highlighted Heffern. Ambassador
considered Obamas speech in Chicago to be “very generous and
good-natured”.

He has also assured that in the USA no matter who you are, where you
live, how wealthy you are “if you work hard you will succeed”.

Ambassador noted that Obama’s administration and Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton paid great attention to Armenia and South Caucasus.

Heffern highlighted that Hillary Clinton had visited Armenia for two
timed during his office, in case any other Secretary didn’t visit
Armenia for 18 years.

“President Obama has been actively engaged in the activity of OSCE
Minsk group aimed to the peaceful settlement of NKR conflict I guess
he will continue his participation during this presidency” highlighted
Ambassador. He underlined that he would like to see some reforms in
the economic relation between Armenia and the USA.

“The creation of new workplaces is very important for the two
states and I will spare no effort to increase the number of American
investments in Armenia”. He noted that the improvements of Armenian
business relations, independent judicial system and the economic
competition would ensure the new investments.

Referring to Armenian-Turkish relations he noted that ratification
of the protocols and their implementation had been of the highest
priority for the United States since 2009.

In Heffern’s opinion during his second term Obama will make some more
serious steps to implement Armenian-Turkish protocols.

John Heffern expects an active struggle from the upcoming Armenian
presidential elections.

ARMENIA POSTS 23,8% AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION GROWTH

PanARMENIAN.Net – The agricultural and aquaculture production volume
totaled AMD 620,7 bln in January-September 2012, growing by 10,7%
as compared with the same period of 2011.

According to RA National Statistical Service, agricultural production
volume grossed AMD 609,3 bln, with 10.5% increase recorded. Meanwhile,
crop production grew by 16,9% to total AMD 393,6 bln, with the
livestock production volume rising by 3,1% to total AMD 215,6 bln.

Aquaculture production was set at AMD 10,7 bln in January-September,
with 23,8% growth reported as compared with the same period of 2011.

COURT RULING WILL SHOW HOW TURKEY SEES ARMENIANS, SAYS BALIKCI’S MOTHER

armradio.am
17:40 07.11.2012

The family of a young man of Armenian descent shot dead by a fellow
private while performing his military service in Batman has told
the court in the murder trial that the verdict will show whether
or not Turkey sees its Armenian population as “the other,” Today’s
Zaman reported.

Pvt. Sevag Å~^ahin Balıkci was killed at the GumuÅ~_görgu gendarmerie
station in Batman’s Kozluk district on April 24, 2011, the day of
commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.

Prime suspect Kıvanc Agaoglu, backed by witnesses, initially claimed
he had caused Balıkci’s death accidentally while cleaning his rifle.

Later, however, one of the witnesses changed his testimony, altering
the course of the trial and creating the impression that Balıkci was
shot because he was of Armenian descent. Agaoglu was released on bail.

The Diyarbakir 2nd Air Force Command Military Courtis hearing the
trial, the ninth session of which was held on Monday, when a quarrel
broke out between the accused and Balıkci’s family.

Ani Balıkci, the victim’s mother, was the first to be heard by the
court. “Your decision will show whether we [Turkish Armenians] are
‘the other.’ This is all I would like to say,” she stated.

Ismail Cem Halavurt, a lawyer for the Balıkci family, requested the
court reject a defense application for a media ban on the hearings,
stating to the court: “If there is a press ban in this court, will
Turkey stop talking about the Armenian issue? Or will people not
talk about deaths in the army? This is why we demand that the press
ban be overruled. Even if we don’t like certain thoughts, we should
treat them as part of free speech in a democratic society.”

Ibrahim Gök, a defense lawyer, claimed that the co-plaintiffs and
their attorneys were attempting to remove the trial from its legal
context and drag it onto the political stage. “The [plaintiff] has
asked political parties to monitor the file. There is nothing that
concerns political parties here. We should not drive the topic out
of the legal context. I don’t think there is an Armenian problem
inTurkey. It is wrong to connect this case to the 1915 incidents.

There is no Armenian problem inTurkey. We should stick with the real
issue here. This is why we want a press ban. We are of the opinion
that there is an attempt to politicize the trial.”

Yalcın Torun, a lawyer for Sadrettin Ersöz, a noncommissioned officer
facing charges of negligence, also called for an overrule of the
press ban, saying closing the court to the media could foster needless
suspicions. He further requested that the prosecution file a criminal
complaint against Kenan Uzyetici, commander of the GumuÅ~_görgu
gendarmerie station, over his alleged negligence in the incident.

The court also filed charges against Halil EkÅ~_i, a private who has
changed his testimony on the incident several times, and Bulent Kaya,
an uncle of the defendant, who has been accused of threatening EkÅ~_i
to influence his testimony. The request for a media ban was rejected,
Today’s Zaman informs.

ARMENIAN CARGO ACCUMULATED IN POTI PORT DUE TO THE STRIKE

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS: Over 300 containers anticipated for
Armenia have been gathered in Poti Port as a result of the strike. The
number of cargo keeps growing. The regulation of the issue is scheduled
for coming two days. Arsen Ghazaryan, “Apaven” international cargo
transportation company director dwelled on the realization of cargo
transportation problems in the briefing with Armenpress.

In the words of the interlocutor the export of goods from Poti Port was
impossible started November 6. Ghazaryan did not exclude the strike
wave due to the solidarity of the strike holders may spread over
Batumi Port which will later create difficulties for the reduction
in income. Georgia’s Poti Port employees have declared strike since
October. Over 1200 people are engaged in the action. The strike
holders demand to raise their salaries and create better working
conditions. Georgia’s main sea gate has been paralyzed due to the
strike.

ARMENIAN REP: SAFAROV’S PARDONING FLAGRANT EXAMPLE OF IMPUNITY

02:49 pm | Today | Politics

Armenia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Karen
Nazaryan delivered a speech at the 67th session of the UN General
Assembly underway in New York.

In his speech concerning the elimination of all forms of racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Mr.

Nazaryan said the wounds Artsakh received in the result of the Azeri
aggression are not yet healed, and Azerbaijan continues seeding
hatred for Armenians at the state level. He drew the attention of U.N
member-states to official Baku’s anti-Armenian rhetoric, pointing
out the response of the international community. In his speech,
Karen Nazaryan focused on the pardoning of Azeri axe-killer Ramil
Safarov, saying it conflicts with a number of international legal
and humanitarian norms and challenges the entire human rights system.

Ambassador Nazaryan stressed that the pardoning Safarov by Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev is a flagrant example of impunity and
continuation of the crime committed on grounds of ethnic hostility
which is resulted by Azerbaijan’s xenophobic and racist policy.

In conclusion, Karen Nazaryan urged the international community to
raise its voice against such unpardonable behaviour, which threatens
the regional stability and peace.

ANTI-ARMENIAN MATERIALS REMOVED FROM AZERBAIJANI BOOTH AT WORLD TRAVEL MARKET

15:09, November 7, 2012

The statement by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan
regarding the participation of Armenia and Artsakh in the World Travel
Market, which began on November 5 in London, is nothing but a product
of a sick imagination.

According to the misleading Azerbaijani statement, “necessary
measures ought to be undertaken to remove Artsakh from the list of
seven participating travel agencies, as has been done previously”.

Not seven, but eleven Armenian travel agencies are represented in
the fair and Artsakh’s participation has never been contested, not
counting Azerbaijan’s customary hysteria.

Artsakh’s participation in London, within the scope of the Armenian
booth, is running smoothly and is again drawing a large amount of
interest.

Moreover, the materials containing anti-Armenian propaganda have been
removed from the Azerbaijani stand at the request of the Armenian
delegation.

National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia

GEORGIAN PARLIAMENT LEADER TO VISIT ARMENIA

news.am
November 07, 2012 | 10:50

Armenia’s Ambassador to Georgia, Hovhannes Manukyan, paid a visit to
Georgia’s newly-elect parliament, which is now located in Kutaisi city.

During the ambassador’s meeting with the parliament’s newly appointed
Speaker David Usupashvili, the latter noted that Manukyan is the
first ambassador with whom the meeting is taking place in the newly
constructed building of the parliament in Kutaisi.

Ambassador Manukyan expressed a conviction that the acquaintance and
the arrangements to be made with the new leadership of the Georgian
parliament will give new impulse to interparliamentary cooperation and
become an important step toward deepening Armenian-Georgian relations.

Giving a high evaluation to the current level Armenian-Georgian ties,
the interlocutors agreed upon the need to deepen cooperation. They
underscored the enhancement of steps toward economic integration
and strengthening regional security. David Usupashvili expressed
his readiness to give new impetus to bilateral relations. Also, they
reflected on the issues of concern for the Georgian-Armenian community.

Ambassador Manukyan handed to Usupashvili Armenian National Assembly
Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan’s congratulatory message and his invitation
to Armenia. Head of the Georgian parliament delightfully accepted
the invitation.

Next, Armenia’s Ambassador met with First Vice-Speaker Manana
Kobakhidze of the Parliament of Georgia. Ambassador Manukyan reflected
on the avenues for expanding interparliamentary cooperation. The
interlocutors stressed the cooperation between the parliamentary
friendship groups, exchange of experience in lawmaking, and cooperation
within international organizations.

Also, Hovhannes Manukyan met with Georgian parliament vice-speakers
Zurab Abashidze, Murman Dumbadze, and Zviad Dzidziguri as well as
with Tedo Japaridze, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for
Foreign Affairs.

SUSI KENTIKIAN TO FACE FORMER WORLD CHAMPION

news.am
November 7

WBA Flyweight champion, Armenia native representing Germany Susi
Kentikian will hold a 10-round championship bout against former world
champion Carina “La Reina” Moreno.

The sides have already signed a contract to hold a bout in Germany
on December 1.

“Right now my trainer Rick Noble has me working on some flaws we see
in Susi’s defense. It’s going to be a difficult fight but I feel I
can get the victory and bring back home the title,” eastsideboxing.com
quotes Moreno.

Her trained Rick Noble considers they must go to Germany and “bring
that belt home to the United States.”

ARGENTINEAN SCIENCE MINISTER WILL COME TO ARMENIA

news.am
November 07, 2012 | 10:59

Armenia’s Ambassador to Argentina, Vahagn Melikyan, met with Amado
Boudou, the Vice President of Argentina. They discussed matters of
bilateral interest.

Reflecting on the development of interparliamentary ties between
both countries, the interlocutors underscored the need to enhance
the activities by the two parliamentary friendship groups that are
established.

Boudou noted that, aside from the economic component, there are vast
opportunities to develop cooperation between Armenia and Argentina
in the fields of science, education, and culture. In this respect,
Ambassador Melikyan informed that a memorandum is being examined in
terms of cooperation between the State University of Buenos Aires and
the Bryusov Yerevan State Linguistic University. At the same time,
Jose Lino Barañao-the Argentine Minister of Science, Technology and
Innovative Production-is expected to soon visit Armenia.

Also, Armenia’s ambassador conveyed to the Vice President the Armenian
National Assembly Speaker’s well wishes and the invitation to Armenia.

Amado Boudou accepted the invitation with delight.

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF ARMENIA IN UN SLAMS AZERBAIJAN FOR CONTINUOUS PROPAGANDA OF HATRED TOWARDS ARMENIANS ON STATE LEVEL

arminfo
Wednesday, November 7, 13:31

Armenia’s Permanent Representative in the UN, Ambassador Karen Nazaryan
made a speech on “Elimination of Racism, Racial Discrimination and
Intolerance” within the framework of the 67th session of the UN
General Assembly, on November 7.

Ambassador Nazaryan noted that the wounds of the aggression against
Artsakh unleashed by Azerbaijan have not yet been healed, and that
country continues to propagate hatred towards Armenians on the
state level.

Karen Nazaryan called the attention of the UN member states to the
statements of official Baku, noting that the whole international
community is alarmed. The Ambassador’s speech mostly focused on the
pardoning of murderer Ramil Safarov, which goes counter to humanitarian
objectives and poses a challenge to the system of human rights.

Ambassador Nazaryan noted that the pardoning of a murderer by
the President of Azerbaijan was a terrible example of impunity,
continuation of a crime committed on the ethnic basis, which is a
result of the policy of xenophobia and racism Azerbaijan has been
conducting for centuries. He added that Azerbaijan severely violates
the UN objective “to practice tolerance and live together in peace
with one another as good neighbors” and thus disturbs the process of
confidence building.

Ambassador Nazaryan called on the UN and the international community
to continue to raise their voice of protest against this unforgivable
behavior, which disrespects human rights and dignity, thus endangering
regional peace and security.

On August 31 the Armenian authorities adopted a decision to suspend
diplomatic relations and official contacts with Hungary. President of
Armenia Serzh Sargsyan made public the decision at a special meeting
with the heads of diplomatic missions on Friday after the Hungarian
authorities extradited Azeri officer Ramil Safarov, who was sentenced
by a Hungarian court to life in jail for killing sleeping Armenian
officer Gurgen Margaryan with an axe in Budapest in 2004. Both the
officers were undergoing an English language course under the NATO
PfP program. The same day after Safarov’s extradition, Azeri President
Ilham Aliyev decreed to pardon the criminal.