SERZH SARGSYAN SENT A CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA HEINZ FISCHER
ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 26, 2012
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, ARMENPRESS. The President of the Republic of
Armenia Serzh Sargsyan sent a congratulatory message to the Federal
President of the Republic of Austria Heinz Fischer on the occasion of
Austria’s National Holiday. The Press Service of the President of the
Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan informed “Armenpress” about this.
RUSSIAN POLICE KILL TARTAR MILITANTS
United Press International UPI
Oct 25 2012
YEREVAN, Armenia, Oct. 25 (UPI) — Russian police and federal security
service killed two alleged militants in Russia’s Tatarstan.
Tatarstan is a predominantly Islamic autonomous republic within the
Russian Federation.
“The gunmen were killed in the police assault on the building,”
Russian Investigative committee member Vladimir Markin said. “They
were suspects in the recent attacks on Muslim leaders in Tatarstan.”
Russian officials fear the turmoil in the northern Caucasus will
spread to the wider areas of the Russian Federation, where Chechen
attacks since 2001 have bedeviled the efforts of Moscow to quell the
insurgency, Panarmenian.net online news agency reported Wednesday.
Markin said the suspects were surrounded in a building in Tatarstan’s
capital, Kazan, and offered substantial resistance, killing a Russian
security officer and injuring two others in a grenade blast. He said
the suspects refused to surrender during the gun battle.
Following the operation, Russian police said they found three handguns,
ammunition, and parts of improvised explosive devices at the scene. One
of the militants was reportedly wearing a belt containing explosives.
MINISTRY INACTION: TOXIC TAILINGS CONTINUE TO FLOW INTO AKHTALA’S DEBED RIVER
Larisa Paremuzyan
‘s-debed-river.html
14:39, October 25, 2012
One month after Hetq reported that toxic tailings from the Akhtala
Mining Enrichment Combine’s Tchotchkan tailing dam were freely flowing
into the Akhtala River, nothing has been done either by the state
government or the company to halt the lethal discharge.
This reporter and Alaverdi Aarhaus Center Coordinator Anoush Evoyan
returned to site on October 24 and saw that the company had taken no
measures to repair the tailings dam’s re-circulatory system.
The toxic sludge was flowing into the river at the same rate as during
our first visit.
Given that Armenia’s Ministries of Environmental Protection
and Emergency Affairs continue to turn a blind eye to the issue,
the mining company is in no hurry to repair the non-functioning
re-circulatory system.
This malfeasance is in direct contradiction to the pronouncement made
to Hetq on September 23 that the company had drafted an extensive
environmental program that would include repairing the damaged pipes.
Hetq asked for clarifications from the Lori branch of the State
Environmental Inspectorate. Today, Director of the Inspectorate Armen
Laplajyan informed us by telephone that office staffers visited
the company after our series of articles and were told that the
re-circulatory system was working.
We told Laplajyan that we’d be willing to escort his staffers to the
tailing dam in order that they see the toxic flow for themselves. He
did not respond to our request.
Such indifference begs the question why so much taxpayer money is
going to finance a ministry whose inspectors aren’t doing the job
they are tasked with?
P.S. Yesterday, we took the above photo of saplings planted by the
Akhtala Enrichment Combine at the re-cultivated tailings dam in
the vicinity of the St. Mariam Astvatzatzin Church. The dried out
saplings are eerie evidence of the crimes being committed against the
environment. This tailings dam, set at a pitched location right above
the Akhtala River, can easily be swept away by the waterway swollen
by the spring melt or heavy rains.
REFUGEES FROM ALEPPO END UP IN RUNDOWN GERMAN TOWN
Deutsche Presse-Agentur
October 24, 2012 Wednesday 2:43 PM EST
Germany
Eisenhuettenstadt, Germany (dpa) – Aleppo jeweller Peter Amadouni
has given up everything to save his family; a beautiful home, a
cherished profession. The Amadouni family enjoyed the good life in
Syria’s largest city until it became one of the worst battle zones
of the 20-month conflict.
“We were able to see the jets from the balcony,” Amadouni says.
When the situation became too dangerous for this family, which has
Christian Armenian roots, the 47-year-old man decided to go into
exile with his wife Hasmig and their two sons.
Their journey did not come cheap. The people who arranged the trip
across the Turkish border by truck and onwards through Greece, Italy
and Austria charged the once prosperous family 46,000 dollars.
Amadouni is now sitting on a rickety bed in makeshift accommodation
watching the leaves fall in the German autumn. The family has found
temporary refuge in Eisenhuettenstadt, a declining steel town on the
border with Poland after an arduous journey across Europe.
They are currently waiting for their application for asylum to be
processed, living in two rooms in a rundown barracks once used by
the police of communist East Germany.
But they are safe. “We are very grateful for what the people here are
doing for us,” Amadouni says. His regrets at what they left behind
are supported by the photographs that Hasmig Amadouni has saved on
her mobile phone.
They show her hairdressing salon, the comfortable home and the large
car that were once theirs, along with their dog Sweety which had to
stay behind.
Her heart remains in Aleppo where her parents and those of her husband
remain. “We haven’t heard from them in weeks,” she says, gazing at
her phone.
The civil war is forcing ever increasing numbers of Syrians to leave
their country, with tens of thousands streaming across the border
into refugee camps in Turkey and Jordan. The numbers going further
afield have thus far been limited but they are increasing.
Whereas in 2011, just 100 Syrians arrived in Eisenhuettenstadt,
the number in the first nine months of this year was 133. “That is
a considerable rise,” says government official Norbert Wendorf.
>>From his experience with Afghan refugees, he has seen families
like the Amadounis before. “They leave everything behind, give up
the shirts on their backs,” he says.
The home in Eisenhuettenstadt is now full, with 549 of the theoretical
550 places taken. Most of the current residents are economic migrants
from Serbia and Macedonia, rather than political refugees from Syria.
On arrival in the western city of Dusseldorf, the Amadounis were
allocated to the Eisenhuettenstadt facility, which is surrounded by
a high fence to ensure their own safety.
Refugee homes have in the past been targets for extremists opposed
to the influx of refugees from other cultures.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said recently that most
of the Syrian refugees were intent on returning to their homes,
suggesting their stay would not be for the longer term.
But Peter Amadouni is not hopeful that the war will end soon and is
already considering the option of starting life again in Germany,
“preferably as a jeweller, but I’ll do anything,” he says.
ARMENIAN AND NKR PRESIDENTS PARTOOK AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE MEMORIAL OF ARTSAKH WAR VICTIMS
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 24, ARMENPRESS: Artsakh Republic President Bako
Sahakyan together with President Serzh Sargsyan of the Republic of
Armenia visited the village of Mets Tager in the Hadrout region on
October 24 and partook at the solemn event of opening a memorial
complex immortalizing the memory of martyrs perished in the Artsakh
liberation war, Armenpress reports referring to NKR presidential
press office.
President Sargsyan considered important the existence of such complexes
in different places of Artaskh republic noting their significance
for patriotic upbringing of the younger generation as well as for
maintaining national values.
Bako Sahakyan expressed gratitude to those who participated in the
construction of the complex adding that by this they make worthy
contribution to developing and prospering the native land.
OFFICIAL BAKU DOESN’T BELIEVE IN EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMITTEE OF AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN DIASPORAS OF RUSSIA IN GARABAGH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT
Azerbaijan Business Center
Oct 24 2012
The State Committee for Diaspora Affairs of Azerbaijan has officially
stated that it does not believe in the positive impact on the
settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno Garabagh conflict from
the Joint Committee of the Azerbaijani and the Armenian Diasporas
in Russia, founded in Moscow at roundtable “Azerbaijani & Armenian
Diasporas of Russia: Inter-Ethnic Dialogue”.
The SCDAA statement says that settlement of the conflict with
participation of professional diplomats is more expedient.
As for the roundtable, the State Committee believes that such meetings
serve for the interests of the Armenian Diaspora, which seeks to build
a world opinion that the society of Azerbaijan is ready to compromise,
which call into question the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
“It is not by chance that in early 2000s, the Armenian Diaspora and
lobby came forward with such initiatives under the name “people’s
diplomacy” in order to form the world’s view that the society of
Azerbaijan is ready for compromise.
Previous years’ experience shows that such steps have been taken
with the purpose of further impact on Azerbaijan in the course of the
negotiation process on the conflict settlement,” the statement says.
Formally, the “social committee” aims to prompt resolution of conflicts
between the two diasporas in Russia.
At the same time the president of the Union of Armenians of Russia
(UAR), Ara Abramian, has said that they and citizens of Russia have
“nothing to share here or conflict”.
“On the contrary, by our example we have to give a signal to our
homelands – Armenia and Azerbaijan – for reconciliation,” Abramian
said.
In turn, Soyun Sadikov, head of the Federal National Cultural Autonomy
“Azerros”, says that he and Abramian have friendly relations that
often allowed smoothing out conflicts situations that arise between
the young members of both communities.
“Our challenge and goal is to avoid those sins and conflicts that have
been in the past few years. If not our diasporas and their leaders,
they could not develop in a better way,” said Sadikov, hoping that
“one day we’ll again visit each other’s homes, treat barbecue, drink
wine and dance”.
The main organization of the Azerbaijani Diaspora in Russia is the
All-Russia Azerbaijani Congress (WAC), but not “AzerRos”. At that,
the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict is linked “only” with the occupation
of 20% of Azerbaijani territory by Armenia and the expulsion of 1
million Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Russian, and other nations from their
homes by the Armenian armed forces.
Armenia’s all claims over Nagorno Garabagh is based only on one
historical fact that Mesrop Mashtots developed the Armenian alphabet,
being in a monastery of Albanian Orthodox Church on the territory
of current Fizuli region (lowland Garabagh) of the Republic of
Azerbaijan. It would be like if Russia would make territorial claims
against the Czech Republic and Slovakia on the basis that the Saints
Cyril and Methodius used Moravian language and alphabet for creation
of Russian reading and writing.
I HAVE DEEP RESPECT FOR MR OSKANYAN’S POINT OF VIEW
Aravot
Oct 16 2012
Armenia
Naira Zohrabian interviewed by Nelly Grigoryan
[Translated from Armenian]
In an interview with pro-opposition daily Aravot, a senior member of
the Prosperous Armenia party, Naira Zohrabyan, has said that the party
has not yet discussed plans for the 2013 presidential election. She
said that she respected former Foreign Minister and member of
Prosperous Armenia Vardan Oskanyan’s statement on his plans to run
in the election but that this was Oskanyan’s personal point of view.
Zohrabyan also defended the party’s move to boycott the parliamentary
vote that stripped Oskanyan of his parliamentary mandate following
official charges of money laundering brought against him.
[Correspondent] A former minister of urban development from the
Prosperous Armenia party, Vardan Vardanyan, was invited to the General
Investigation Department of the Armenian Police on 15 October. How
would you comment on that?
[Zohrabyan] There is no need to look for special scenarios everywhere.
A criminal case has been launched in connection with the National
Library of Armenia, and it is supposed in the context of the case
that the former minister was invited to express his point of view
regarding some issues. I am sure that Vardanyan has things to tell
regarding the library and will provide that information.
Our party, the leader of our party [Gagik Tsarukyan] have been
following this process very closely, and in case we notice something
or developments that are causing concern or are unlawful, we will
indeed react.
[Correspondent] Did Mr Vardanyan report the issue to the PA leadership,
are you aware of what happened in fact?
[Zohrabyan] All of our party members are in constant contact with Gagik
Tsarukyan, and Tsarukyan is informed of all the processes. We will
follow all the processes, and if it becomes necessary for Vardanyan
to provide clarifications as a former minister, I am sure that he
has answers to all the questions.
[Correspondent] The fact that Tsarukyan did not attend parliamentary
discussions on [former Foreign Minister Vardan] Oskanyan’s case has
been interpreted in a variety of ways up to the present. Why has Mr
Tsarukyan not made a statement?
[Zohrabyan] When the Prosecutor-General’s Office issued the first
report on the case of Civilitas [a foundation formerly led by
Oskanyan], Tsarukyan made a statement saying he and the PA backed
Oskanyan and that he would invite experts to Armenia [to defend
Oskanyan] and he did so.
[Passage omitted: Zohrabyan says that Tsarukyan’s statement should
not be misinterpreted and no-one should make statements and say that
there are discords inside the PA]
[Zohrabyan] For that reason I would like to repeat Tsarukyan’s
clarification to a news website – if anyone believes that any PA
member can make statements on behalf of the PA without coordinating
them with the leader of the PA, then these people are badly mistaken
in their interpretations.
The PA is an open party, any member is free to voice his or her
opinions during internal discussions, but when a political decision
is in place, then everyone must follow that decision.
[Correspondent] What is the PA’s attitude to Oskanyan’s clear hint
that he may run in the coming [2013] presidential election?
[Zohrabyan] We have not discussed that issue in the party, because
the party has not yet discussed the issue of the presidential election.
When Mr Oskanyan stated his personal point of view, he said from the
very beginning that it was his personal point of view and not one
of the party’s. If you are interested in my personal point of view
regarding Mr Oskanyan’s personal point of view, I would say that I
treat such point of view of Mr Oskanyan with deep respect.
[Correspondent] Ms Zohrabyan, what did the tactics of boycotting [by
the PA] of the parliamentary vote on Oskanyan’s case yield? Would
it not be more correct if the second largest parliamentary faction
[the PA] took part in the vote and lobbied among the circle of MPs
who intended to vote against – as it turned out there were such MPs
even in the [ruling] Republican Party of Armenia.
[Zohrabyan] Boycott is political tactics, and we found it purposeful
to boycott the farce that was going on in parliament. I am sure that
was the correct decision.
[Correspondent] When is the PA going to discuss the format of its
participation in the presidential election?
[Zohrabyan] There are no specific schedules. We will discuss it at
our convenience.
MEXICO CITY APPOINTS PANEL TO REVIEW CONTROVERSIAL STATUE
U-T San Diego
Oct 24 2012
CA
MEXICO CITY – Mexico City’s government has appointed a committee to
review and recommend a solution to the controversy over a life-size
statue of Azerbaijan’s “founder of the nation” recently erected on
the city’s main boulevard, authorities said Monday.
The Stalin-esque bronze statue of late authoritarian leader Geidar
Aliyev was erected by the Azerbaijan Embassy, which paid for the
renovation of part of the city park where it sits.
A second statue donated by the Caucasus republic appears in another
park they paid to renovate in downtown Mexico City.
Protesters have said they’re offended by a monument to an authoritarian
figure such as Aliyev, who led Azerbaijan first as Communist Party
boss during Soviet times and then as president from 1993 to his death
in 2003.
The city’s leftist government said it had appointed a three-member
commission of academics and experts to review complaints about the
statues.
Felipe Leal, the head of the city’s department of urban development
and housing, said the commission should look at the monument “with
objectivity, a critical eye, to recommend what should be done in
this case.”
Associated Press
The secretary of Azerbaijan’s ambassador in Mexico, Manuel Luna,
suggested the city could run into problems if it removed the statue
in the park.
“The project in the park involved a signed agreement that stipulates
the statue must remain in place for 99 years,” Luna told local media,
adding the issue “could affect our diplomatic relations.”
Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Mexico, Ilgar Mukhtarov, wrote that
Azerbaijan has lavished attention on Mexico because it was one of
the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan after the breakup of the
Soviet Union. “This monument is not intended to improve anybody’s
reputation, because the world’s perception of Heydar (Geidar) Aliyev
does not require any rescuing.”
The second Azerbaijani statue downtown depicts a woman, her arms
uplifted in mourning, commemorating Khojaly, a village where hundreds
of Azerbaijanis were reportedly killed during the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.
Advocates say a monument to Mexican suffering would have been more
appropriate for a site once used as a police interrogation and
torture center.
Members of the Armenian community also said the second statue’s
reference to “genocide” in Khojaly cannot be compared to the mass
killings of some 1.5 million Armenians in the region in 1915.
Associated Press
EXPERT SAYS ARMENIANS’ KILLINGS IN SYRIA NOT ACCIDENTAL
PanARMENIAN.Net
October 24, 2012 – 20:33 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net – Killings of Armenians in Syria bear no accidental
nature, political analyst
Sergey Shakaryants noted mercenaries from pro-U.S. Arab countries
behind the killings, stressing the need for the community’s unification
to prevent the crime.
“The Armenian community should have long ago stated that its territory
is under strict control. We must threaten everyone who dares enter
Armenian districts. And of course, that must be coordinated with the
local authorities,” the expert said, deeming it feasible, given Syrian
Armenians’ strong will.
MP: ARMENIA HAS SOLD ITS 20% STAKE IN ARMRUSGASPROM TO GAZPROM
arminfo
Wednesday, October 24, 20:23
Armenia has sold its 20% stake in ArmRusgasprom to Gazprom for 63bln
AMD, opposition MP Levon Zurabyan said in the Armenian Parliament
on Wednesday.
He said that the Armenian authorities did it to keep down the gas
price before the presidential elections 2013.
Zurabyan explained that Gazprom has already raised its price for
Armenia to $240 per 1,000 c m but the Armenian authorities are still
paying $180.
“The difference will be covered by the country’s stake in
ArmRusgasprom. But Apr 1 2013 we will still have to start paying $240,”
Zurabyan said.
Armenia’s Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan said that the Armenian
authorities are still negotiating with Gazprom. “The negotiations
are confidential and I cannot specify anything before they are over,”
the Minister said.