Author: Babajanian Karo

MICROPHONES KEEP SILENCE DURING HARSNAKAR CASE TRIAL

06:04 pm | Today | Social

The Court of General Jurisdiction of Yerevan’s Avan and Nor Nork
districts has started hearing in the death of military physician
Vahe Avetyan, who was brutally beaten in Harsnakar restaurant owned
by Armenian MP Ruben Hayrapetyan in June.

Attorney of defendant Norayr Hayrapetyan motioned for the recusal
of prosecuting attorney Arthur Davtyan, stating that Davtyan showed
biased attitude during the pretrial investigation.

The courtroom is packed and noisy. Nothing is heard clearly. The
presiding Judge Davit Haroutunyan says the microphone is out of order.

Six defendants are in the dock – Garik Margaryan, Davit Adamyan, Artur
Babloyan, Arman Baghdasaryan, Arman Khachatryan and Norayr Hayrapetyan.

They face charges for brutally beating Vahe Avetyan and his friends.

EUROPEAN VOICE: SAFAROV RELEASE MADE BAKU LOOK MORALLY SUSPECT IN WORLD’S EYES

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 13, 2012 – 17:55 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Azerbaijan used to mind what policymakers in Brussels
and NATO thought. Now it does not, European Voice said in its “Moral
Compass Goes Awry” article.

“Azerbaijan and Hungary both have serious questions to answer about
the case of Ramil Safarov, an Azeri military officer attending a
NATO-run English-language course in Budapest, who murdered a sleeping
Armenian fellow-student with an axe in 2004. But the most unpleasant
consequences are for Brussels and Washington, DC.

Even if the two countries had been at war, Safarov’s behaviour would
have been criminal. Killing an unarmed enemy combatant in his sleep,
in cold blood, in a neutral country is wrong.

The Hungarian authorities have not explained convincingly why they
last month let Safarov – one of their country’s most controversial
prisoners – go back to Azerbaijan. So the allegation that Hungary
took this step in return for a large lump of Azeri money (some say
~@3 billion) deserves scrutiny.

The Azeri reaction in instantly pardoning Safarov, awarding him
back pay and an apartment, and treating him like a national hero, is
deplorable. Glorifying Safarov has made Azerbaijan look hysterical
and morally suspect in world eyes. That is hardly a triumph for
Azeri diplomacy. Hungary looks at best gullible and, at worst, greedy
and deceitful.

But the big point is that both countries seem to think they can get
away with their behaviour. The case illustrates the huge collapse in
the moral authority of the EU and NATO since 2004. In preceding years,
joining Western clubs was a matter of great pride for those newly
admitted, and of great priority for those outside. They took care
not to break the rules and (sincerely or not) to please international
opinion.

Azerbaijan used to mind what policymakers in Brussels and NATO
thought. Now it does not. It sees no realistic chance of membership
in either organisation. It is bulging with oil money. It exploits
cannily its useful geopolitical niche as a place to spy on (and
perhaps bomb) Iran.

Hungary is not bulging with money. Indeed, its public finances feature
gaping holes. But it too cocks a snook at Brussels (and Washington).

Victor Orban, the prime minister, makes his own decisions (often bad
ones) and waits for the world to get used to them.

The knots that bound countries’ behaviour in Europe since the
mid-1990s once seemed indestructible. Now they are fraying fast,”
the article said.

SKOLKOVO AND VOLKSWAGEN FOUNDATIONS TO EXPAND COMMERCIALIZATION OF ARMENIAN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH RESULTS

arminfo
Thursday, September 13, 18:28

The Armenian Ministry of Education and Science is negotiating with
the Skolkovo Foundation for Development of the Center of Research and
Commercializing of New Technologies to conclude an agreement envisaging
joint projects on commercialization of the scientific research results,
Samvel Haroutyunyan, Chairman of the State Committee on Science of
the Armenian Ministry of Education and Science, said at today’s press
conference in Yerevan.

When asked about the projects on commercialization of the practical
scientific research results in Armenia, Haroutyunyan replied that the
State Committee on Science and Skolkovo Foundation will work over
joint financing of innovation projects and carry out joint work to
develop the system of independent expert examination of the scientific
projects. He added that under the agreement with Skolkovo Foundation,
the system applied in Armenia will also be used in Russia and in
Kazakhstan. He also pointed out that Armenia will be the second country
after Belarus to have an agreement with Skolkovo. The database of the
State Committee on Science includes the names of 1,500 scientists,
of them 500 are Armenians from Diaspora and foreigners.

Haroutyunyan said that the Ministry will also negotiate with the
scientific foundation of Volkswagen. He added that the State Committee
on Science has already held a contest of research projects aimed at
gaining practical results. The State Committee on Science and the
private sector have financed 17 projects worth a total of 160 mln
AMD (nearly $400 thsd). He said that the preliminary results of the
contest are impressing, as authors of 43 projects funded not only by
Armenia but also by foreign countries participated in the contest. The
contest results will be summed up in late 2012. Haroutyunyan expressed
confidence that no less than 4-5 projects will have serious results,
which may be applied in practice even today.

He said that in 2012 a new similar contest will be held. The
co-financing of the private sector will be increased from the former
15% to no less than 25%.

ARMENIA CANNOT EVEN ENHANCE SECURITY OF ITS BORDERS
Naira Hayrumyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 16:39:09 – 13/09/2012

The U.S. embassy to Armenia has not explained why Armenia is listed
among 7 countries where enhanced security measures will be taken. In
addition, the embassy states that it was not a misprint and Armenia
is among the most dangerous countries for the citizen of the United
States.

The Armenian media suggest that the possible explanation is Iran but
other options are not considered, such as the upcoming CSTO exercise
when a lot of weapon will be brought to Armenia.

The exercise has been postponed and apparently due to the visit of NATO
Secretary General Rasmussen. Now an interesting situation has occurred
when none of the presidents of CSTO members has announced likely to
arrive in Armenia. The exercise starts on September 15 and it is not
known whether the presidents will participate, namely Vladimir Putin.

Some sources suggested that Putin may arrive on the 17th. Certainly,
enhanced security measures will be taken by then. It is possible that
the United States is preparing its embassy for possible provocations.

It is possible that they are warning Moscow to be ready for all
the scenarios.

It is not ruled out that Armenia is warned about a danger due to recent
aggravation of Muslim-Christian relations. Christians are leaving all
the countries of the Near East. 100,000 Copts of Egypt have applied to
emigrate to the United States. Perhaps a visible line is drawn between
the Muslim and Western worlds. Armenia may appear at the front line.

Certainly, it is too late but Armenia could reject the CSTO exercise,
announcing that if the heads of state do not arrive, it means the
exercise does not interest anyone. Armenia may listen to the Untied
States and enhance security of its borders. But how can it do if the
borders are guarded by the Russian Federal Security Service?

STEPAN SAFARYAN: SAFAROV’S EXTRADITION WAS AIMED AT KARABAKH CONFLICT ESCALATION

Panorama.am
13/09/2012

The aim of Ramil Safarov’s extradition was escalation of Karabakh
conflict, of which Azerbaijan and Turkey have some expectations, Stepan
Safaryan, Secretary of Heritage party, told reporters in Yerevan.

According to him, by pardoning Safarov, Azerbaijan seeks to place
Karabakh issue on the international agenda, and Turkey would like
OSCE Minsk Group format to change so that it could squeeze in.

It would be wrong to stop Karabakh talks now, the expert thinks,
because to deadlock the process means to contribute to changing the
negotiation format, which is desired by Turkey so much.

Safarov’s extradition is a “Turkish-Azerbaijani adventure,” Safaryan
stated, adding that Armenia should refrain from steps that could
increase tensions in the region and should not yield to that adventure.

“That does not mean, however, that Armenia should not take exact
steps. We should place the issue of NKR’s recognition on both Armenian
and international agenda,” he concluded.

US EMBASSY IN ARMENIA IS OBSERVING NORMAL WORKING HOURS

ARMENPRESS
13 September, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS: The US Embassy in Armenia is
observing normal working hours. As the Embassy informed, all the US
citizens overseas, including US citizens residing in Armenia, are
reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and good situational
awareness in light of recent attacks on US missions in Egypt and Libya.

“The US Embassy in Armenia has no specific information to indicate
that these events will affect security in Armenia”, – says the press
release of the US Embassy, which was sent to Armenpress as response
to the question whether the information, provided by some mass media,
is confirmed, according to which the US Embassies in Armenia, Burundi,
Kuwait, Sudan, Tunis, Zambia and Egypt got a warning about possible
protest actions and danger.

The above-mentioned information succeeded an attack to the US Consulate
in Benghazi, Libya and the killing of the US Ambassador.

Nevertheless, no official message confirming the information, spread
by the representatives of the mass media, has not been published in
the United States Department of State website.

URIKHANYAN’S VAGUE ANSWER

Aysor.am
September 13 Politics / WorldSociety / CultureEconomyLawSport / Entertainment

168 Zham asked Tigran Urikhanyan, spokesperson for Prosperous Armenia
Party (PAP), if PAP will back Serzh Sargsyan in the presidential
elections. PAP spokesperson said, “We have nothing new to say. We
will speak out in due time. I must stress, that doesn’t mean we have
a decision, but that doesn’t either mean we don’t have a decision,
that doesn’t mean we are discussing this issue. That means we don’t
want to talk about it now for strategic reasons.”

TODAY, 13:13

IS U.S. EXPECTING PROVOCATIONS IN ARMENIA?
HAKOB BADALYAN

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 13:52:00 – 13/09/2012

World media inform that after the terrorist attack on Libya U.S.
embassies of 7 countries of the Near East, Caucasus and Africa and the
U.S. citizens living in those countries were warned about a possible
attack. The American citizens of Armenia were warned, they were urged
to take additional precautions for personal security, be attentive,
follow domestic developments and news.

Interestingly, Armenia has appeared in a strange company: Burundi,
Kuwait, Sudan, Tunisia, Zambia and Egypt.

Why has the American government listed Armenia among the countries when
the U.S. high-ranking officials assure publicly that the U.S.-Armenian
relations are on a high and friendly level?

Do the Americans feel danger in a friendly country?

Apparently, the problem is in Armenia but not in the Armenians or the
citizens of Armenia. The diplomats and citizens of the United States
know that Armenians are not a source of danger. On the contrary,
they are a source of warm hospitality.

The U.S. government’s action has another motive. Perhaps, the United
States fears provocations against the United States and Armenia,
considering the friendly relations of these countries. The provokers
may use the wave against the United States in Muslim countries and
organize an act in Armenia, considering the current state, dynamics and
prospects of the U.S.-Armenia relations which have not only bilateral
but also regional and geopolitical importance.

This is interesting ahead of the presidential election in Armenia in
the context of which the competition and fight between the West and
Russia to keep Armenia on their orbit each intensify.

It is difficult to guess from which side the United States waits
possible provocations. At least, the U.S. position is a hint that
the national security of Armenia is not reliable enough to block
provocations.

For example, if the ambassador of a country, in this case Russia,
can announce that they guarantee the Armenian identity, and there is
not an official patriotic response by Yerevan, there occur serious
threats to not only national dignity but also national security.

It is possible that the United States feels danger coming from Iran,
for example, from where tens of thousands of citizens cross the border
to Armenia for different purposes.

One way or another, the appeal of the American government to the U.S.
citizens must be understood also as an appeal to official Yerevan. In
this regard, it is interesting that on the eve Serzh Sargsyan held a
meeting of the National Security Council. The formal reason was to
discuss the strategy of human rights but the fact is nevertheless
important in the context of the current developments.

By the way, the leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party Gagik Tsarukyan
was not attending the meeting. He was on a business trip. It is
interesting to know which country he went to.

HEAD OF RA MFA CONSULAR DEPARTMENT ARRESTED ON BRIBERY CHARGES

Panorama.am
13/09/2012

Head of Consular Department of Armenian Foreign Ministry, Hakob
Haji-Hakobyan, was arrested, Armenian National Security Service (NSS)
spokesperson, Artsvin Baghramyan, told Panorama.am.

Hakob Haji-Hakobyan was detained on September 9 on suspicion of taking
bribes within the framework of the criminal case investigated in the
Investigation Department of Armenian National Security Service.

NSS said that Hakob Haji-Hakobyan demanded and took bribes from
citizens abroad with the violation of the requirements of the order
of receiving a certificate of return to the Republic of Armenia. A
preliminary investigation is underway.

NSS spokesperson dismissed media reports that some more MFA officials
were also arrested within the framework of the criminal case.

“I HAD BETTER DIE THAN SELL MY CHILD”

12:03 pm | Today | Social

Marine Nahapetyan, a resident of Gay village in Armenia’s Armavir
marz (province) has five minor children and is pregnant with her
sixth child. The family lives in abject poverty; they do not even
have a shelter.

The 32-year-old mother says she does not want to have the baby but
doctors did not interrupt her pregnancy as she could not afford to
pay the required 15 000 AMD.

Marine’s husband is a Karabakh war participant. He cannot work because
of a disability.

The family lives on the social benefit of 51 000 AMD. Because of
the grave social conditions Marine has sent her two children to
Russia to live with her parents. She has sent her third child to a
boarding school.

Marine says she has been offered to sell her little son to keep
the others.

“The couple came from abroad. But I refused them and said I had better
die than sell my child,” she says.

Marine is ready to do any work to earn her daily bread and support
her multi-member family. She is happy when her fellow villagers offer
her something to do for money. She has even cleaned her neighbour’s
toilet in her state.

Seyran Markosyan, head of the village, helps the family but as he says
he cannot do it regularly as there are many poor people in the village.