Author: Babajanian Karo

ARF-D REP. FORESEES NEW REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

TERT.AM
27.09.12

The developments in Syria may also affect the South Caucasus region,
according to a senior politician of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation-Dashnaksutyun.

“The domestic political developments in Turkey can, to a certain
degree, reduce the country’s role in Syria, at least implicitly. These
domestic developments concern both the Kurdish movement and the trial
of the high ranking servicemen,” Kiro Manoyan, the head of the party’s
Office for Armenian Cause and Political Affairs, told a news conference
on Thursday.

“All this may affect Iran, causing the country to get entangled in
regional problems,” he said, adding that Iran’s influence may cause
internal instabilities.

“This may cause instabilities and a tension in the region, reducing
our relations to one regional neighbor, i.e. – Georgia,” he said.

Manoyan warned the people in both Armenia and the Diaspora to be
ready for possible scenarios, which he said are very clearly outlined.

“The state is making steps it cannot make public even if it wishes so,”
the politician noted.

ARMENIAN FM MEETS WITH MEDIATORS AND U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE

Mediamax
Sept 27 2012
Armenia

Yerevan/Mediamax/. Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan met
with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs in New York.

As the press service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry informed
Mediamax, at the meeting the parties discussed the damage caused to
the negotiation process by Azerbaijan after the pardoning of Ramil
Safarov and the way out of this situation through the continuation
of peace talks.

Armenian FM also met with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Philip
Gordon and discussed issues related to bilateral relations, Karabakh
settlement and the situation in the peace process, formed after the
deal concluded between Hungarian and Azerbaijani authorities which
resulted in the pardoning of the murderer of the Armenian officer.

MINIMUM WAGE TO RISE TO 35,000 AMD

07:23 pm | September 27, 2012 | Economy

The Armenian government approved a package of bills on making
amendments to the RA Law on the Minimum Monthly Wage and the RA Law
on Procuracy. The package proposes raising the minimum wage to 35,000
AMD a month.

the development of the drafts, the provisions of the 2007-2017 program
of the RA government were taken into account, under which the minimum
wage shall at least double within five years.

CLEVELAND CITY ACCEPTED DECLARATION ON ARMENIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY

ARMENPRESS
September 27, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS: A festive event dedicated to the
Armenian Independence Day took place in the municipality of Cleveland
city, which is in U.S. state of Ohio. Mayor of the city Frank G.

Jackson, members of the government, authorities and two representatives
of Armenian community attended the event. As Armenpress was informed
from the Armenian MFA press, informational and public relations
department, after congratulating the presents Mayor Jackson referred
to the Declaration of 21st anniversary of Armenian Independence in
which it was mainly noted “Being the first Christian country Armenia
founded its First Democratic Republic after the Genocide of 1915
and on September 21, 1991 it restored its Independence without the
intervention of any external force”. The Declaration highly evaluates
the fact that Armenia has become a strong, flourishing and safe country
and at the same time defended the Independence of Nagorno-Karabakh. It
was also highlighted that Cleveland is glad to have such Armenian
community with its cultural, religious and social values.

EU OFFICIAL SHARES ARMENIAN STANCE ON AZERI AXE-KILLER RELEASE

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 27, 2012 – 16:40 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European
Neighborhood Policy has expressed deep concern over the pain and loss
inflicted on Armenian people.

“I show great respect for the Armenians’ position on the issue
and their right to express anger,” Stefan Fule told a joint press
briefing with Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, commenting on
the extradition and pardon of Azerbaijani criminal Ramil Safarov.

In this context, Mr. Fule noted that the issue is a priority for the
EU over the partnership relations it focuses on.

“We must continue efforts for the sake of maintenance of peace,”
he said.

Ramil Safarov, the Azerbaijani army officer who was serving a life
sentence in Hungary for axing to death Armenian Lt. Gurgen Margaryan,
was extradited to Azerbaijan and pardoned by Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev.

Official Yerevan reacted by suspending diplomatic ties with Hungary.

Hungary, however, states that it had sent Safarov back to Azerbaijan
after receiving assurances from the Azerbaijani Justice Ministry that
Safarov’s sentence, which included the possibility of parole after
25 years, would be enforced.

According to some reports, Safarov was extradited to Azerbaijan in
exchange for Azeri purchase of Hungarian securities worth euro 2-3
billion, an information official Budapest denies.

“Hungarian prime minister is “morally bankrupt” and should resign
after admitting that he personally approved the transfer of the Azeri
axe murderer while knowing the likely consequences,” the leader of
the opposition Socialists said earlier.

Attila Mesterhazy said it was clear from Orban’s comments at a
news conference on Tuesday September 11 that he had been aware that
Azerbaijan would release the life-sentenced Ramil Safarov after his
repatriation.

BOXER TO ALIYEV: PUT SAFAROV BACK IN JAIL

Thursday, September 27th, 2012

Sen. Barbara Boxer

Assistant Secretary of State Gordon “Appalled by the Glorification”
of Safarov

WASHINGTON-California Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) has expressed
her outrage over Azerbaijan’s pardon, promotion and praise for
convicted axe-murderer Ramil Safarov, and called for his immediate
re-incarceration, reported the Armenian National Committee of America.

In a strongly worded letter to President Aliyev, Senator Boxer stressed
that Safarov’s release is “deeply disturbing and provocative action
has only served to inflame tensions and endanger efforts to forge
a lasting peace in the Caucasus.” Calling the Safarov’s pardon a
“blatant disregard for the rule of law,” she went on to demand that
Aliyev “adhere to the standards of the international law by returning
Mr. Safarov to jail, where he belongs, for the heinous crime that he
committed.” The complete text of the letter is provided below.

The letter comes amid the Aliyev Administration’s continuing
glorification of Safarov, who axed to death Armenian military
lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan, in his sleep, during a 2004 NATO sponsored
language training exercise in Hungary. Safarov, who was extradited
by Hungary to Baku on August 31st, was immediately pardoned, promoted
from the rank of lieutenant to major, reimbursed 8 years of back pay,
and provided a new apartment as a reward for committing this heinous
anti-Armenian hate crime. According to news reports, Safarov will
soon resume active Azerbaijani military service.

Meanwhile Azerbaijan’s anti-Armenian aggression continued this week
with a sniper attack leaving 19-year-old soldier Vaghinag Baghdasarian
dead.

With her statement, Senator Boxer has joined a diverse group of U.S.

leaders from the Obama Administration, State Department and Congress
in condemning President Aliyev’s release of Safarov.

Last week, during the Center for European Policy Analysis’ U.S.-Central
Europe Strategy Forum, Assistant Secretary of State Phil Gordon told
RFE/RL that the State Department continues “to express our dismay and
disappointment. We’re not satisfied with what has happened here. In
our view this is someone who should have continued to serve out his
sentence and certainly we were appalled by the glorification that
we heard in some corridors of somebody who was convicted of murder,
and so no, we’re not satisfied with the responses.”

The U.S. was among the first to comment on the travesty on August
31st, with a statement issued by the White House in the name of
National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor, underscoring the
President’s view that, “This action is contrary to ongoing efforts
to reduce regional tensions and promote reconciliation.” Vietor went
on to note that, “The United States is also requesting an explanation
from Hungary regarding its decision to transfer Safarov to Azerbaijan.”

The Department of State, through a formal announcement issued by
Acting Deputy Spokesman Patrick Ventrell, also took a stand against
Hungary’s extradition and Azerbaijan’s pardon, explaining that: “The
United States is extremely troubled by the news that the President
of Azerbaijan pardoned Azerbaijani army officer Ramil Safarov, who
returned to Baku today following his transfer from Hungary. . . . We
are expressing our deep concern to Azerbaijan regarding this action
and seeking an explanation. We are also seeking further details from
Hungary regarding the decision to transfer Mr. Safarov to Azerbaijan.”

Members of Congress who have condemned Azerbaijan’s release of Safarov
to date include, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry
(D-MA), Sen. Boxer, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Congressional Armenian
Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ), House Foreign Affairs Committee
Ranking Democrat Howard Berman (D-CA), House Energy and Commerce
Committee Ranking Democrat Henry Waxman (D-CA), and Representatives
Jim Costa (D-CA), Jeff Denham (R-CA), Robert Dold (R-IL), Anna Eshoo
(D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Devin Nunes (R-CA), John Sarbanes
(D-MD), Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Brad Sherman (D-CA).

A complete list of statements by U.S. leaders condemning the Safarov
release is available at:

On the international front, France, Russia and a host of nations
have condemned the action, with the European Parliament adopting a
resolution deploring Azerbaijan’s actions on September 13th. NATO
Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, during a joint press
conference with Pres. Aliyev in Baku on September 7th, stated: “I am
deeply concerned by the Azerbaijani decision to pardon Ramil Safarov.

The act he committed in 2004 was a crime which should not be glorified,
as this damages trust and does not contribute to the peace process.”

Text of U.S Senator Barbara Boxer’s letter to Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev

September 24, 2012

H.E. Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Baku,
AZ1066 Istiglaliyyat Street, 19

Dear President Aliyev:

I write today to express my outrage regarding your decision to release
and pardon Ramil Safarov, an Azeri soldier who had been sentenced to
life in prison for the vicious murder of an Armenian soldier. This
deeply disturbing and provocative action has only served to inflame
tensions and endanger efforts to forge a lasting peace in the Caucasus.

As you know, Mr. Safarov was convicted of the brutal axe murder of
an Armenian soldier and fellow trainee at a NATO language course in
2004 and had been serving a life sentence in Hungary. On August 21,
2012, Mr. Safarov was extradited to Azerbaijan after Hungary received
assurances that his sentence would be enforced.

The pardon of Mr. Safarov upon his return to Azerbaijan represents a
blatant disregard for the rule of law. This decision, coupled with
the hero’s welcome Mr. Safarov received, is an affront to the most
basic principles of justice and human rights.

As such, I strongly urge you to reconsider your decision to free Mr.

Safarov and adhere to the standards of the international law by
returning Mr. Safarov to jail, where he belongs, for the heinous
crime that he committed.

Sincerely, Barbara Boxer United States Senator

YEREVAN DOLPHINARIUM TO RESUME PERFORMANCES

tert.am
27.09.12

The Yerevan dolphinarium will resume its work on September 29,
Director Natalya Samarets told Tert.am.

“Performances will take place at 1:00pm, 4:00pm and 7:00pm,” she said.

A new team has arrived from Ukraine. “This is a new program – new
stunts and new trainers,” Samarets said.

As regards the animals’ conditions and health, she noted that
experienced specialists are working with them.

“We have brought a new program, which will last from three to six
months,” Samarets said.

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN RECEIVED DELEGATION OF THE FUND FOR ARMENIAN RELIEF

4 Traders
Sept 26 2012

Today, President Serzh Sargsyan received delegation of the Fund for
Armenian Relief (FAR) headed by the leader Armenian Diocese of Eastern
Armenian Church of America, Chairman of the Fund for Armenian Relief
Khajak Archbishop Parsamian.

The President of Armenia highly praised the patriotic activities of
the Fund for Armenian Relief, underscoring that FAR has been by our
country’s side at the most challenging times. “Established right after
the 1988 earthquake in Spitak, FAR not only extended a helping hand
to our people who suffered in the disaster but continued to bring its
participation resolution of issues facing the newly independent Armenia
because, unfortunately, the earthquake was not the only disaster that
we had to face,” President of Armenia said.

The President welcomed the fact that FAR’s assistance programs in
Armenia are gradually being substituted by the development programs,
which according to President Sargsyan, is very important for the
country’s development, considering that the means invested in the
implementation of such programs continue to work and bring their
input to the development of the economy for a long time. On behalf
of the Armenian people and his own behalf, Serzh Sargsyan thanked
the leadership of the Fund, all its employees and those donors who
through their constant donations insure the existence of the Fund. “We
all strive to have a developed and strong state and a nation united
around the idea of building a beautiful Armenia. Spyurk is empowered
by Armenia, Armenia is empowered by Spyurk,” President Sargsyan
underscored.

At the meeting, FAR Board of Directors Chairman Randy Sapah-Gulian
presented to Serzh Sargsyan different programs of the Fund in various
areas and main directions of its activities. The President of Armenia
spoke with the members of the delegation about Armenian economy, issues
related to internal and foreign policies and answered their questions.

COMMISSIONER TO SIGN Â~B¬43M SUPPORT PACKAGE FOR REFORMS ON VISIT TO YEREVAN

ENPI Info Centre
Sept 26 2012

26-09-2012

Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy tefan
Fule will visit Armenia on 27 September to reaffirm Armenia’s role as
an important EU’s partner, acknowledge the country’s determination to
strengthen relations with the EU and its active engagement within the
Eastern Partnership. A press release said Fule would also encourage
further reform efforts in the country and sign two financing agreements
totaling â~B¬43 million to help Armenia prepare for the implementation
of the Association Agreement with the EU.

During his stay in Yerevan, the Commissioner will meet the President
and the Prime Minister, as well as the chairmen of the Foreign
Relations and European Integration committees of the National Assembly
and representatives of the opposition. Fule will also deliver a key
note speech at the Civil Society seminar ‘Strengthening the Role of
Civil Society in Democratic Governance’.

In his meetings, Commissioner Fule will stress the need for Armenia to
pursue the path of reforms with the active support of the EU, based
on the so called “more for more” principle, meaning more support for
more reforms and more progress.

NEW NKR CABINET TO MEET TODAY

Panorama.am
26/09/2012

The new NKR Cabinet will hold its first meeting today, NKR government
press service reported.

On September 22, NKR President Bako Sahakyan signed a decree appointing
cabinet members.

The decree determined the following structure of the Cabinet of
Ministers:

Arthur Aghabekyan vice prime-minister Zoya Lazaryan minister of
healthcare Ararat Danielyan minister of justice Levon Mnatsakanyan
minister of industrial infrastructures Karen Mirzoyan minister of
foreign affairs Andranik Khachatryan minister of agriculture Slavik
Asryan minister of education and science Narine Aghabalyan minister of
culture and youth affairs Movses Hakobyan minister of defense Narine
Narimanyan minister of labor and social affairs Karen Shahramanyan
minister of municipal engineering Spartak Tevosyan minister of finance
and economy