Author: Babajanian Karo

Authorities Made to Change

Arman Galoyan
Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 10:47:41 – 21/09/2012

Interview with Stepan Safaryan, vice-president of the Heritage Party

During the meeting with the ministers, Serzh Sargsyan said dissatisfied
with the prime minister and said he had warned him about it for four years.
Why did he reappoint him prime minister if he was dissatisfied with his
work?

I think the reason is the elections. No country would like such changes
prior to the elections. Especially when the parliamentary elections are
followed by the presidential ones and it’s the case in Armenia. This is the
only explanation.

Will Sargsyan make any changes though? Or was that meeting just a show?

I think there will be some changes because I feel that the authorities
understand that the internal resources of the country are not enough to
hold on to power. They also understand that they may receive foreign
financial support for some reforms. So this is the reason of the
pre-election criticism of the system and kickbacks.

At what level will the changes happen?

I can’t say anything about the deepness of changes. It has been 20 years
no
deep changes happen. So, it is hard to say. But if any other government was
in the place of this one, it would have to make changes due to the
negotiations with the EU.

Do you expect the resignation of the prime minister?

It is difficult to predict. But one thing is certain. Serzh Sargsyan
considers Tigran Sargsyan as one of the core members of his team. He will
not change him before the elections, but afterwards I don’t exclude such
a
turn.

At yesterday’s meeting of government, Tigran Sargsyan fired the head of
the State Procurement Agency for mismanagement. Will other changes at this
level follow?

To be honest, I don’t think these are steps aimed at election propaganda.
Apparently, during the parliamentary elections they failed to persuade the
society to trust them and now they should take specific actions and not to
forget the Republican slogan `Believe to change’. Yes, there are electoral
moods but there is an objective need for change, otherwise the government
will be unable to keep the country.

Do you believe in the sincerity of the authorities?

I have no issue of believing or not the authorities. I build my judgments
on the reality in and outside Armenia. I’m saying that these factors will
make the authorities make changes sooner or later.

Russian envoy: foreign military bases in Afghanistan arouse questions

September 21, 2012 – 09:07 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Russia wants to know what is the purpose of foreign
military bases that will remain in Afghanistan after the completion of
the U.S.-led antiterrorism operation in 2014, Russia’s UN envoy Vitaly
Churkin said, according to RIA Novosti.

`Contradictory statements that foreign troops will be withdrawn from
Afghanistan in 2014, but the foreign military bases will remain there
raise a number of questions,’ Churkin said.

NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) plans to hand
over responsibility for security in Afghanistan to the Afghan
leadership by the end of 2014, as decided at the 2010 NATO summit in
Lisbon.

Churkin said that if the antiterrorism operation was completed in
Afghanistan then the purpose to keep foreign military bases there
would be different and Russia wanted to know the aim for maintaining
the bases.

`If the fight against terrorism continues [after 2014], the UN
Security Council will have to extend the mandate for this operation,’
the diplomat added.

The international coalition in Afghanistan has lost more than 330
troops killed so far in 2012, according to ISAF. The foreign troop
contingents are scheduled to withdraw by the end of 2014.

Uganda negotiates Su-30 jets purchase from Russia

September 21, 2012 – 14:14 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Uganda is in talks with Russian state arms export
company Rosoboronexport over an option purchase of six more Sukhoi
Su-30 multirole fighter jets, the company’s Deputy Director Alexander
Mikheyev said on Friday, Sept 21, at an arms exhibition in South
Africa, RIA Novosti reported.

Uganda signed its first contract to buy six Su-30MK2 fighters this
year, he said. “Now, we are talking about an option, the Ugandans
expressed interest in buying another six aircraft of this type,” he
said.

Rosoboronexport has also signed a contract to sell six Mi-17
helicopters to Ghana, he said.

“We have signed a contract this year to sell six Mi-17s to Ghana,” he
said. The first two aircraft will be delivered to Ghana in a year, he
said, adding talks are also underway about setting up a helicopter
service center in the region.

H. Tovmasyan: We paid a high price for independence

11:10 am | Today | Politics

Armenia’s Justice Minister Hrayr Tovmasyan has issued a message
congratulating the Armenian nation on Independence Day.

“September 21 is a great holiday for the Armenian people. On this day,
we are celebrating the birth of the third Armenian Republic. And
today, we must first of all remember the people who made the
independence possible, those who had the courage and strength to
declare Armenia independent of one of the world’s most powerful
empires.
Independence was not served to us on a beautiful tray with blue
ribbons. it was immediately followed by blockade, war, financial and
economic crisis. But our people were able to overcome all these
hardships and obstacles since we are strong, steadfast and united.

Today we should remember all those who gave their lives for
independence, who during the dark and cold years shared their last
bread with their neighbors. We should remember all those parents who
studied with their children in light of a kerosene heater for them to
receive proper education and serve their knowledge to the benefit of
their motherland.

Yes, we paid a high price for our independence; therefore it more
sweet and dear to us.

Along with the achievements and successes we gained, we should strive
to new ones and reform the political, economic, legal, and social
spheres. True, it is easier to walk along beaten paths, but it is not
for us. History will not forgive us if we do not avail ourselves of
the given opportunity. We are not afraid of challenges and are ready
to face them. We just need to show the courage and spirit which helped
us proclaim independence 21 years ago,” Mr. Tovmasyan said in the
message.

Restore Sovereignty and Return Ararat

Naira Hayrumyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 11:18:01 – 21/09/2012

Armenia celebrates the 21st anniversary of independence at a
crossroad. After 20 years of its independence, Armenia has to choose
its path again. What happened is already past, now we are on the start
and we have to choose our future, perhaps, not for the next 20 years
but longer.

Why are we at the crossroad? First, Armenia is a zone which both
Russia and the U.S. would like to control. So far we can talk about
the sovereignty of Armenia with reservations. According to an
intergovernmental agreement, the security of Armenia is guaranteed not
by our state but Russia and its military base. Russia is also on the
borders of our country, and we never know who crosses our border. Not
to mention the fact that we have handed to Russians all our
infrastructures.

After 20 years of independence Armenia expressed wish to change this
situation. There are two ways – either restore sovereignty or replace
the Russian senior with the European one. Both paths are tough:
denunciation of the provision of the agreement on the `protection of
the security of Armenia by Russia’ and change of conditions of
deployment of the Russian military base in Armenia, as well as signing
a new agreement according to which Russia will stop protecting the
borders of Armenia as `external borders of the CIS’.

Apparently, Armenia is not ready for these steps which means that we
will remain a country with incomplete sovereignty.

We are standing at the crossroad trying to choose the civilization in
which we want to live in future. Armenians have always called
themselves part and even the cradle of the Western civilization but we
have been long living in the soviet and Asian civilization with its
ironical attitude to democracy, equality, freedom, its hierarchy in
the family and state, with its traditions of bribery, corruption and
nepotism. Do we want to change these rules?

There is one more thing about this crossroad – the regional issues.
The year 2015 is drawing nearer and Turkey is getting ready for it
because it will have to recognize the genocide and pay a compensation.
Armenia may get more territories but for this reason we need to be
ready to stand up for the protection of our national dignity. During
the first years of independence we defended our dignity by winning the
war in Karabakh, now we need to display diplomatic courage and state
that Armenia has the right to pretend to our territories.

The president elect in 2013 should decide where Armenia needs to go.
This president may appear in the textbooks of the history of the
Armenian people as a leader who was able to restore the sovereignty of
Armenia by directing the country along its natural civilized path and
return Mountain Ararat and Van. This is a hard mission because if the
next president turns out to be a cowardly conformist, will eventually
present Armenia’s sovereignty to Russia, recognize Armenia as part of
the Asian civilization and lose Karabakh.

Armenia managed to suppress increasing Azeri appetite – President

news.am
September 21, 2012 | 19:36

YEREVAN. – The President of Armenia Serhz Sargsyan congratulated the
Armenian people with the Independence Day. `Armenia is 21 years old.
We have passed through crisis and tortures and did it with honor. We
did not lose our human and political image, our orientation, goals and
ideas. Despite losses, we achieved serious results during past
years-Armenia developed irreversible processes both in the state and
public sector. We managed to develop economy within our modest
measures and during the blockade. We managed to suppress the appetite
of Azerbaijan that is increasing day by day. We managed to establish a
democratic institutes in our country, which still require
reinforcement. Economy, security and deepening democracy are not just
events and good will and efforts of each of us is required for
preserving them. Our number one foreign-policy challenge is Artsakh.
No matter how difficult it is we are ready to continue talks on
Karabakh peace process. The OSCE Minsk Group mediators failed in
registering success not because of them or the international format,
as often claimed by Azerbaijan, the one that is to be blamed and that
regularly torpedoes the process and logic of peace talks. The recent
attack was the disgusting event, which led to granting a pardon to a
murderer. Both Armenia and the world community clearly expressed their
position on this regard. I again congratulate all on the twenty-first
anniversary of the Independence of Armenia,’ President’s message
reads.

Canadian MP extends congratulations on Armenia’s Independence Day

armradio.am
21.09.2012 19:05

Hon. Jim Karygiannis, Canadian Member of Parliament,
Scarborough-Agincourt and Liberal Critic for Multiculturalism issued a
statement on Armenia’s Independence Day.

`I would like to take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to
members of the Canadian Armenian community on the occasion of Armenia
Independence Day.

As a Member of Parliament, for many years I have worked closely with
the Armenian Diaspora in Canada on issues important to the community –
most notably, the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. In 2004, the
Parliament of Canada voted to recognize the Armenian Genocide. Two
years later, the Armenian Genocide was officially recognized by the
Government of Canada. I continue to work with the community with
respect to the importance of Canada establishing an Embassy in
Yerevan.

In 2012, I visited Armenia and discussed issues of concern with
government officials. I also traveled to Nagorno-Karabakh, where I led
a Canadian delegation of International Election Observers to observe
the Presidential election in Artsakh.

Canada is a proud multicultural nation that embraces a wide variety of
cultures and heritages. Canadians of Armenian heritage help to foster
this identity and strengthen the fabric of our society. Members of the
Armenian Diaspora in Canada have made, and continue to make,
significant contributions in a number of areas including sports,
business, the arts and public service.

Canada has attracted, and continues to attract, people from all over
the world to her shores. We will continue to work together to build
our nation and enhance our international reputation. As the Liberal
Critic for Multiculturalism, I look forward to our ongoing work in
building a stronger Canada.

On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada, please accept our wishes for
Armenia Independence Day.’

Vova Gasparyan’s Weapon and Bodyguards’ Morale

HAKOB BADALYAN

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 17:17:59 – 21/09/2012

The Hraparak reported that the chief of police Vova Gasparyan has been
instructed to disarm the bodyguards of officials.

Earlier another police action against bodyguards was launched in 2010
when Serzh Sargsyan announced that he does not understand the meaning
of moving around with a motorcade of bodyguards.

Then the police set to stop the motorcades while the oligarchs came up
with excuses that their office staff and not their bodyguards are
following them. As a result of the `lack of understanding’ of keeping
oligarchs at a high level Ruben Hairapetyan’s bodyguards killed the
military doctor Vahe Avetyan s.in his Harsnakar Restaurant. He thus
explained why they keep their bodyguards.

Afterwards Ruben Hairapetyan was invited to the president’s office,
then issued a heartbreaking statement that he will resign from
parliament.

Meanwhile, the police which investigated the case of Harsnakar did
everything they could to keep prosecution possibly far from
Hairapetyan, while his bodyguards were sent to court with possibly
blurred charges. The police was indifferent to the complaints of the
advocates of Vahe Avetyan’s successor and backed Hairapetyan and his
bodyguards as long as it could.

Now Vova Gasparyan must disarm the bodyguards. He will certainly do
the task. He brilliantly performs the task of total defamation of the
police. By the way, there is no irony in the word `brilliant’.

Since his appointment Vova Gasparyan has regularly mocked the police
during the meetings of the police leadership. The Armenian police is a
deeply decayed institution with a sick psychology where there are a
lot of honest people but they are a small percentage in this
institution.

Consequently, this sick system must be totally defamed to be finally
sent to hell. Vladimir Gasparyan does the job well. Time will show how
he will resolve the problems of the second and the next stages or
whether he will be eligible for the task. This is by the way.

If Gasparyan is told to disarm the bodyguards, he will do it. The
question is what a problem the solution of this problem will solve.
The bodyguards mainly beat to death rather than shoot. On 21 September
2008 Levon Sargsyan’s (nicknamed Alraghatsi Lyov) killed the
Republican young man they have taken for someone else. Ruben
Hairapetyan’s bodyguards killed Vahe Avetyan.

Maybe it is worthwhile to make sure that the bodyguards accused of
murder of 2008 and their oligarch are prosecuted and punished rather
than instructing Vova Gasparyan to disarm the bodyguards.

In this case there might have been no need to disarm the bodyguards.
In that case the oligarchs might have fired their bodyguards and Vahe
Avetyan might have been alive, celebrating the independence day with
his sons.

Meanwhile, the murderer who deprived Vahe of life, turned his family’s
life into sorrow, orphaned his children smiled and winked to his
friends in the court room. He does not need a gun for that. He can
give his gun to Vova Gasparyan. He needs support to smile of which he
apparently gets enough.

Putin congratulates Sargsyan on Independence Day

armradio.am
21.09.2012 18:29

President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin send a
congratulatory message to President Serzh Sargsyan on the occasion of
the Independence Day. The message reads:

`Dear Mr. President,

Accept my sincere congratulations on the occasion of your National
Holiday – Independence Day.

Armenia has registered considerable success in the social and economic
fields over the past years. The rating of your country in the region
and the world is growing.

I’m confident that with joint efforts we’ll manage to reinforce the
strategic partnership between our countries, expand the effective
cooperation within the framework of the integration mechanisms of the
CIS and CSTO. Undoubtedly, this goes in line with the basic interests
of the citizens of Armenia and Russia and contributes to regional
stability and security.’

President Putin wished health, happiness and success to President
Sargsyan, as well as prosperity and wellbeing to all Armenians.

M. Shultz: `Turkey should recognize the Armenian Genocide and it would
be considered as a precondition to enter the European Union’

The President of the European Parliament Martin Shultz announced
Monday that Turkey’s integration into Europe is preconditioned by the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide, reiterating the body’s 1987
decision. Asbarez.com writes about this.

`Turkey should recognize the Armenian Genocide and it would be
considered as a precondition to enter the European Union,’ said Shultz
whose remarks were posted on the official Web site of his Left Party
of Germany, which also welcomed the position. Shultz said that Turkey
must face its history.

The European Parliament leader made the statement during a meeting
with Turkey’s European Integration Minister and Chief Negotiator
Egemen Bagis, who during a press conference later refused to answer
questions pertaining to the announcement and comments he made earlier
this year in Switzerland, effectively denying the Armenian Genocide.

The President of the European Parliament Martin Shultz stated about it
at the meeting with the Turkish State Minister and the Minister for
the EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis. They talked about
the official role of Turkey in Syria, visa issues and Turkey’s
possible membership in the European Union.

Instead Bagis told reporters that Switzerland was not an EU member and
`I will not spend a single second to speak about issues, which do not
concern the European Union.’

19.09.12, 10:39