Author: Babajanian Karo

HRAPARAK: YET ANOTHER SCANDAL BREWING AROUND ARAGATSOTN GOVERNOR

11:21 12/02/2015 >> DAILY PRESS

“Yet another scandal is brewing around the governor of Armenia’s
Aragatsotn province,” Hraparak writes.

“The checks in the regional administration’s department of health
revealed violations in the Ashtarak Medical Center whose management,
in order to come off clear, stated that nothing was done without the
knowledge of governor Sargis Sahakyan,” the newspaper says.

“Around one year ago, in the wake of checks former head of education
and sports department of regional administration Pargev Hambartsumyan
said goodbye not only to his position, but also to freedom: he was
arrested last February on charges of abuse of official power. It
is rumored that Hambartsumyan has begun to testify against the
governor and other department heads, and also mentioned the regional
administration’s department of health.”

THERE WON’T BE 101ST ANNIVERSARY

Naira Hayrumyan, Political Commentator
Comments – 12 February 2015, 14:46

Perhaps few people would assume that this topic would not occupy even
a secondary position on the agenda of most political parties. The
political parties are busy with everything except participation in
a global process which includes the centenary of the Armenian Genocide.

Such behavior of the Armenian parties gives a surprise to not only
the Armenian Diaspora and the West but also other countries which
are doing their best to prevent the international resonance of the
centenary and legitimization of the claims of Armenians.

The commission set up for the events dedicated to the centenary of the
genocide includes representatives of the Republican Party and the ARF
only. The other parties have not joined the Panarmenian Resolution
which refers to Woodrow Wilson’s arbitral award and the Treaty of
Sevres for the first time ever.

Or the parties are afraid of joining the process in order not to be
blamed for “conciliation” or agreement with the regime or otherwise
everyone understands that putting forth these claims primarily means
revocation of the Russian-Turkish treaties. And the Armenian parties
have agreed not to put forth claims to Russia.

The photo exhibition “100 Years of Silence” is available in public
places. The first question is why Armenians kept silent for 100 years.

Who prevented them from raising their claims, applying to court? Why
did Ara Abrahamyan’s initiative who announced in 2001 to prepare a
legal package to apply to the international court fail? Who advised
him to do it and who brought the process to a halt?

Armenia which used to be part of the Soviet Union and afterwards
was in the zone of “Russian influence” cannot contest the treaties
on division of Armenia signed between Moscow and Turkey. This is 100
years of silence out of fear from Russia. Judging by the behavior of
the Armenian parties, silence continues.

There will not be a 101st anniversary. Everyone understands this. One
year later the Armenians will again visit the memorial to honor the
victims. However, the political importance of the genocide will have
disappeared. Either the Armenians will benefit from the moment and will
break through the silence or will finally admit being a weak-willed
space which has been divided between Russia and Turkey.

NEONATAL CARE EQUIPMENT TO HRAZDAN MEDICAL CENTER

16:31 12/02/2015 >> SOCIETY

VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian and neonatologist Dr
Arshak Djerdjerian, representing “BirthLink,” visited the maternity
department in the Hrazdan medical center today. More than 1,000 babies
are born at this hospital every year; therefore it is essential they
have the facilities to manage premature or sick newborns, the press
service of VivaCell-MTS reports.

The hospital has received equipment for immediate reanimation
and warming of sick and small babies, nasal high flow therapy
for newborns with breathing difficulties, respiratory monitoring,
management of jaundice and the provision of intravenous fluids. The
provided equipment will help support sick and low birth weight babies
after delivery, with provision to stabilize babies before transfer to
Yerevan, if necessary, but also enable the hospital to take care of
some babies without transferring, and staying close to their mothers.

By improving facilities, transfer of some babies can be avoided. In
addition to the equipment being provided, education, training and
support for the medical staff continues.

This is now the seventh year of cooperation between the “BirthLink”
and VivaCell-MTS and within the course of this cooperation twelve
neonatal departments in Yerevan and twenty-three departments in seven
regions of Armenia have received neonatal care equipment and training
for the medical staff. VivaCell-MTS has donated about AMD 535 million
to the project.

“One of the meanings of life is in having an heir to whom you pass your
values, give guidance, and have contribution in making your children
a valuable member of society so that they pass on all these to their
offspring. It is the biggest dream of every family, and it is not hard
to imagine the feelings the parents have when their newborn child is
sick. In such cases, much depends on timely medical aid. Yet, even the
most qualified doctor can be helpless if he does not have the necessary
equipment at his disposition. It will be terrible if the doctors fail
to save the child’s life just because of the lack of equipment. It is
the decreasing these risks that the joint program with “BirthLink” NGO
is targeted at,” commented VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian.

The “Every Newborn” action plan, led by the World Health Organization
and the UNICEF, believes that nearly 3 million babies and women can
be saved each year through investing in quality healthcare around
the time of birth and special care for sick and small newborns.

More than 80% of all newborn deaths result from preventable and
treatable conditions – in particular complications due to prematurity
and infections. Improving quality of care around the time of birth
will save most lives, but needs healthcare professionals with good
knowledge and well equipped facilities to make the difference.

KARABAKH MOVEMENT: LOSSES AND GAINS – COMMENTS BY LITERARY CRITIC

17:33 * 12.02.15

Launched with public rallies and a petition campaign for unification
with Armenia, the pan-national movement for the liberation of
Nagorno-Karabakh celebrates its 27th anniversary today. On this
remarkable occasion, Tert.am has interviewed Hovik Charkhchyan, an
Armenian writer and publicist, who was at the forefront of the 1988
national revival struggle.

As an activists of the Karabakh movement, what recollections do
you have today? How and in what circumstances in 1988 did you find
yourself in Yerevan’s Theatrical [Freedom] Square, joining a vast
majority of the Armenian people?

It was in very interesting circumstances that I came to know of
the Karabakh movement. February 20, which we consider the Karabakh
movement’s start, is also my sister’s birthday, so we were celebrating
it at home. [Late Defense Minister and Premier] Vazgen Sargsyan, who
was among our guests, said he had heard about a movement in Yerevan,
with people gathering in the streets and making calls for unification
with Karabakh. That was our first knowledge about the sessions
convened in Karabakh and the decisions made (the legislative bodies’
decision on Nagorno-Karabakh’s reunification with Armenia). There was
no access to such information then; the press wouldn’t report anything.

And right there at the table, did we decide to head to Yerevan to see
what was going on. We went there in the morning and stayed for over
a week. All the developments in the city were concentrated in Liberty
Square, and that was beyond our understanding. It was something beyond
any description, which we could neither guess nor even think of.

People have now got accustomed to what is called square energetic.

What do you think could have attracted people – [representatives of]
the old and young generation shaped over the course of the 70 years of
Soviet rule – to the square, making them spend days and nights there.

I mean those people were not the present-day civic activists,
but rather, individuals with a completely different upbringing and
different set of values.

The entire charm about Theatrical Square was the very fact that
everything was totally new, totally unexpected and with dazzling
perceptions. It was the first time that people saw they could speak,
that they represented a power which has to be considered. They for
the first time saw leaders on square and on the podium; and for the
first time noticed that that they could say things which would be
heard and perceived.

We have intellectuals who can say, with ambiguous facial expressions,
that they do not like Theatrical Square, for instance. Why was that
square discredited later?

Anything good which turns into a means of deriving benefit or object
of bargaining immediately loses value and reputation. Understandably
enough, those huge masses must have had people who would turn out
“wittier” than other.

But when looked upon against the general background, those negative
phenomena are clearly pushed to the background, with only the
gains remaining ashore. And what we gained was independence, and
[Nagorno-]Karabakh. Of course, with major losses, which must never
be forgotten; they can be put almost on equal scales. And it is very
regrettable that such a beginning had such a bad end, because what
the huge mass were campaigning for – the united nucleus – left behind
absolutely no trace.

ARA NRANYAN PRESENTS BENEFITS OF EEU MEMBERSHIP

February 12, 2015 14:04
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Ara Nranyan

Photo: Photolure

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Member of Board (Minister) of Eurasian Economic
Commission Ara Nranyan hailed the prospects of the Armenian production
on the EEU markets.

Ara Nranyan said this answering the questions of Armenian businesses
community representatives within Prodexpo- 2015 held in Moscow on
February 9-13, the press service of the Eurasian Economic Commission
reports.

Ara Nranyan particularly spoke about the opportunities that the
Armenian manufacturers obtained after the republic’s membership to
the EEU, novelties in customs methods, norms of product certification,
excise policy for alcohol etc..

“I hail the prospects of the Armenian production on the EEU markets
and especially Russia where consumers evaluate the quality of
Armenian products. Earlier, various barriers hindered the expansion of
supplies, while now, after Armenia’s membership to the Union, they are
minimized. In near future, the first Armenian meat products will be
exported to the Russian market; relevant agreements have already been
reached. Armenia has already set certain commercial ties with Belarus
as well. The links are weaker with Kazakhstan but I’m sure the contacts
will strengthen with all the member states of the Union”, he said.

According to Ara Nranyan, procedures of free movement of goods,
services, equity and workforce among Armenia and other EEU states
have been much facilitated.

“Not everyone understands that, as Armenian residents and state
structures responsible for handling the work by rules and norms are
still being adjusted to the new realities.

ARMEN MARTIROSYAN: THERE IS A GROUP OF MASKED PEOPLE IN ARMENIA WHO DO WHATEVER THEY WANT (VIDEO)

12:27 | February 11,2015 | Politics

No matter how hard the authorities try to stay away from the latest
developments in the country, they cannot, Deputy Chairman of the
opposition Heritage party Armen Martirosyan said on Feb 11.

He says the kidnapping and beating of Prosperous Armenia Party
(BHK) member Artak Khachatryan was not the first incident, but the
continuation of incidents and violence against political and public
figures and activists.

“Though my colleague Eduard Sharmazanov [from the ruling Republican
Party of Armenia -HAK] urged to avoid making emotional, surreal,
demagogue statements today we are dealing with an undeniable fact,”
said Mr Martirosyan. Then he reminded the attacks on a group of
Karabakh war veterans and opposition lawmaker Aram Manukyan when
again the perpetrators remained unpunished.

“This is not the first time when masked people attacked and beat a
citizen. There is a group of masked people in Armenia who, without
any obstacles, do whatever they want. I regret to say that the
authorities are involved in the attacks and the impunity in previous
cases testifies to this,” said Mr Martirosyan.

He also expressed hope that early elections will be held in Armenia
after the upcoming meeting of the three opposition leaders.

Artak Khachatryan was attacked at around 12, February 9, in the
neighbourhood of an entertainment centre in Yerevan. Three armed men
wearing masks forced Khachatryan into a car and drove away with him.

Later, Khachatryan was found unconscious, near his home.

A criminal case has been filed in connection with the incident. An
investigation is underway.

NIKOL AGHABABYAN: YOU CANNOT SILENCE INTELLECTUALS WITH BRIBES AND AWARDS (VIDEO)

10:01 | February 11,2015 | Interview

A1+ Company has interviewed painter Nikol Aghababyan.

The artist agrees that cases of violence and intolerance have increased
in Armenia.

Speaking about the passivity of intellectuals, Mr Aghababyan said,
“You cannot silence intellectuals with bribes and awards. People
should be led by intellectuals rather than oligarchs.”

FARMER CLAIMS GAZPROM ARMENIA WON CASE WITH FABRICATED DOCUMENT: TAKES CASE TO ECTHR

02.11.2015 12:13 epress.am

The European Court of Human Rights has accepted a suit against
the Gazprom Armenia corporation by Armavir province resident,
agriculturist Samvel Harutyunyan. Simultaneously, Harutyunyan also
applied to the Armenian courts; he claims in his suit that the company
used an official fabrication, which resulted in the Court of Appeals
handing a verdict in their favor.

The Court of General Jurisdiction of First Instance of Arabkir and
Kanaker-Zeytun Administrative Districts handed down a verdict in favor
of Harutyunyan, considering his claim to be legal in which Gazprom
Armenia had illegally suspended his gas supply, which resulted in
his harvest to freeze in the greenhouse, costing him 4,400,000 AMD
($9,000+/-) worth of damages.

“I won the case in the Court of First Instance. Gazprom Armenia
appealed to the Court of Appeals, presenting a fabricated contract
between us based on a false copy. The Court of Appeals considered
their complaint sufficient. I presented to the Court of Cassation the
conclusion of the Expert Center of Ministry of Justice, which proves
that the document was fabricated. The Court of Cassation didn’t even
accept my suit, while the ECtHR has,” said Samvel Harutyunyan when
speaking to Epress.am.

The farmer also applied to the police, in order to initiate a criminal
case against Gazprom Armenia for fabricating a document. “Instead
of receiving a response in 10 days, it was delayed for 11 months,
later the prosecutor suspended the case. The prosecutor didn’t even
provide the reasons behind the decision. I applied to the Court of
First Instance. 5 hearings have already been held, at least I get
the reasoning behind the prosecutor’s decision through the court,
so I can continue my case,” said Samvel Harutyunyan.

VIKTOR SOGHOMONYAN DENIES INFORMATION ABOUT MEETING OF ROBERT KOCHARYAN AND GAGIK TSARUKYAN

by Nana Martirosyan

Wednesday, February 11, 13:43

In a conversation with ArmInfo’s correspondent, Viktor Soghomonyan,
Spokesman for the second president of Armenia Robert Kocharyan,
refuted the information about the meeting of Robert Kocharyan and
Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan.

To note, a local newspaper “Hraparak” (” Public Square”) writes that
Kocharyan and Tsarukyan met in Moscow on Feb 10 and discussed the
domestic political situation in Armenia. The source also says that at
its last meeting, the RPA Council discussed the latest developments in
the domestic policy life of the country, including Prosperous Armenian
Party’s (PAP) actions, etc. The paper writes that at the meeting,
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan promised “to talk to Tsarukyan one
more time” to verify the real state of affairs. He supposed that
Robert Kocharyan is behind PAP’s behavior.

TER-PETROSYAN: ‘GENOCIDE CENTENNIAL DECLARATION’ TO AFFECT ARMENIAN-TURKISH NORMALIZATION

GENOCIDE | 11.02.15 | 12:12

Legal claims set out as a policy in the recently adopted Pan-Armenian
Declaration on the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide will
affect the process of Armenian-Turkish normalization, Armenia’s
former president Levon Ter-Petrosyan claimed in an article published
on Wednesday.

In the piece that has appeared on ilur.am online and in the
Chorrord Ishkhanutyun newspaper in hard copy the former head of state
(1991-1998), who leads the opposition Armenian National Congress party
today, speaks critically about some of the aspects of the document
that was promulgated by the State Commission on Coordination of the
events for the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide on January 29.

The 12-point Declaration, in particular, expresses “the united will
of Armenia and the Armenian people to achieve worldwide recognition
of the Armenian Genocide and the elimination of the consequences
of the Genocide, preparing to this end a file of legal claims as a
point of departure in the process of restoring individual, communal
and pan-Armenian rights and legitimate interests.”

“While since 1998 Armenia’s foreign policy has been based on the
issue of the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and
in response to that the country got the compulsion of setting up a
commission of Armenian and Turkish histories, then by force of the
‘Genocide Centennial Declaration’ it is the policy of ‘claims’ that
is assumed as a basis for Armenia’s foreign policy,” Ter-Petrosyan
wrote, suggesting that such a turn will “extremely complicate and,
for a long time, suspend Armenian-Turkish normalization, a process
that is very necessary for Armenia’s future.”

Ter-Petrosyan also suggested that the Commission is not a body that is
legally entitled to express “the united will of the Armenian people”,
including its worldwide Diaspora. “Only a pan-Armenian referendum,
whose organization, for understandable reasons, is impossible, can
express a legally binding will or opinion of the entire Armenian
people,” he said.

In his article the former Armenian leader also spoke critically about
some other aspects of the Declaration.

“In short, published has been, if not necessarily a politically
dangerous, but at least fruitless document,” Ter-Petrosyan said.

“Meanwhile, if the Genocide issue were considered exclusively in the
context of human rights, the crime against humanity and the necessity
of Armenian-Turkish normalization, then the Declaration might not
only elicit a broad international response, but also have positive
political consequences for both Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.”