Author: Babajanian Karo

Russia Today
July 5 2012

Germans say yes to dope; no to bestiality

Published: 05 July, 2012, 07:49

An online poll shows that Germans want to decriminalize cannabis, but
make sex with animals illegal. The survey was conducted as part of the
government’s strategy to get people involved in the decision-making
process.

– More than 152,000 Germans voted to make marijuana legal in the online
poll, an important element of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s `Dialogue on
the Future’ program. Over 93,000 participants voted to ban bestiality,
revoking an earlier law that decriminalized having sex with animals,
Reuters reports.

Almost 157,000 Germans said they would support the adoption of a
genocide law that would make it illegal to deny the mass killings of
Armenians by the Ottoman Turks during World War I. However, Merkel
rejected the idea in a discussion with some of the online voters.

Turkey is a major trade partner with Germany, and many Turkish
migrants and their progeny live in Germany, so the genocide law could
be an even more contentious issue there than in neighboring France.

The chancellor welcomed proposals to plant trees in cities and towns
across Germany to commemorate the reunification of the country 22
years ago.

The `Dialogue on the Future’ initiative centered on discussions with
students, scientists and teenagers on what life in Germany would be
like in ten years. Last month, it culminated with the so-called future
dialogue evening at the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin, which
was attended by British Prime Minister David Cameron and Norwegian
Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, along with around 100 students from
all over the globe. Topics ranged from the eurozone debt crisis to the
growing role of senior citizens in society.

Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
July 5 2012

Iranian ambassador to Baku meets Azerbaijan Republic President

Baku, July 5, IRNA – Iranian Ambassador to Baku Mohammad-Bagher
Bahrami met with Azerbaijan Republic President Ilham Aliyev on
occasion of end of his diplomatic mission, here on Wednesday.

President Aliyev thanked the Iranian ambassador’s positive role in
expansion of bilateral relations in the meeting.

Aliyev stressed the need for further development of ties between the
two countries in all fields.

In his turn, Bahrami thanked the president of Azerbaijan for the
meeting opportunity. He noted that the relations between Iran and
Azerbaijan Republic are constantly developing. However, despite the
good and dynamic relations, there is still great potential for further
development of ties, he said.

The Iranian Ambassador alos expressed Iran’s readiness for boosting
ties with Baku in all fields.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mohammad Yarov was also present in
the meeting between Azerbaijan president and Iranian ambassador.

Iran has an embassy in Baku and a consulate-general in the Autonomous
Republic of Nakhichevan. Azerbaijan has an embassy in Tehran and a
consulate-general in Tabriz.

Iran and Azerbaijan have had diplomatic relations since the latter’s
independence from the former Soviet Union. The two countries have a
majority Shia population and share many cultural commonalities.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has made extensive mediation efforts to
settle the dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Karabakh.

ANSA Med, Italy
July 4 2012

Turkey: Nobel writer Pamuk also on extremist hit list

With Armenian journalist assassinated in 2007, press reports
04 July, 15:19

(ANSAMed) – ANKARA, JULY 4 – Nobel prize-winning novelist Orhan Pamuk
was also in the crosshairs of the Turkish nationalists extremists who
assassinated Armenian journalist Hrant Dink in Istanbul in 2007, Taraf
daily reported today.

Yasin Hayal, one of three men convicted for that murder, allegedly
said Pamuk was also on the hit list because he was thought to be in
favor of condemning the Armenian genocide of 1915.

Hayal is presently incarcerated in the Tekirdag maximum security
prison. He was arrested and convicted along with two other nationalist
extremists, Ogun Samast and Erhan Tuncel, soon after Dink’s
assassination in the centre of Istanbul in 2007. Dink was the editor
of Agos magazine. Pamuk escaped his death sentence by extremists
because he moved to the US a few weeks after Dink was murdered,
according to Taraf. (ANSAMed).

President Sargsyan received the Special Representative of the Russian
President

ARMRADIO.AM
05.07.2012 10:53

President Serzh Sargsyan received the Special Representative of the
President of the Russian Federation for the relations with the CIS
member states, Head of the Federal Ruscooperation Agency Konstantin
Kosachev, President’s Press Office reported.

The President of Armenia welcomed the guest and expressed confidence
that during his visit to Armenia he will have many productive
meetings, which will further strengthen the Armenian-Russian relations
and expand cooperation in different areas.

Serzh Sargsyan underscored that Armenia is interested in the deepening
of the allied strategic relations with Russia and is undertaking
active steps in that direction. He also noted that all issues of
mutual interest have been thoroughly discussed during the high-level
reciprocal visits, including during his last fall state visit to the
Russian Federation.

According to the President of Armenia, centuries-long relations of the
two peoples, which today along with the bilateral format are being
successfully developed in the framework of international
organizations, CIS and CSTO, should be enforced by the new initiatives
in the mutually beneficial and prospective areas, the achievements
should be enriched through the joint efforts and passed on to the
generations.

The parties stressed the importance of cooperation particularly in the
humanitarian area. According to the Special Representative of the
President of the Russian Federation for the relations with the CIS
member states, Head of the Federal Ruscooperation Agency Konstantin
Kosachev, in strengthening bilateral ties a significant role is
assigned not only to the politics and economy but also to close
cooperation on all issues in the cultural, educational, and
humanitarian areas. He noted that he is dealing with these issues ex
officio and is ready to work relentlessly and make every necessary
effort to further deepen the Armenian-Russian relations.

Konstantin Kosachev underlined that in Russia, the Armenian people and
Armenia are perceived as friends and the high level of the relations
based on mutual respect and friendship testifies that they have great
potential and prospects for incessant development.

In the framework of his visit to Armenia, Konstantin Kosachev will
have meetings with the Armenian officials, as well as representatives
of non-governmental organizations and unions. The Head of the Federal
Ruscooperation Agency has already met with the Prime Minister of
Armenia and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He is set to meet with the
Head of the Presidential Administration, Ministers of Education and
Science, Economy, and Culture.

Armenian PM discontent with ministers – newspaper

news.am
July 05, 2012 | 07:55

YEREVAN.- Some rumors suggest Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan held
several meetings on Wednesday during which expressed discontent with
the cabinet of ministers, Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun daily writes.

`First Tigran Sargsyan met with a businessman Barsegh Beglaryan and
complained about the ministers saying `they have become
uncontrollable’ and it would be right to replace some of them.
Moreover, Sargsyan offered candidatures from the deputies for the
Republican Party of Armenia not to lose votes during the 2013
elections,’ the newspaper writes.

According to some rumors, he expressed discontent with ministers’
behavior during the meeting with the President. The newspaper says it
will publish the names of the ministers in the near future.

PETITION DEMANDING RESIGNATION OF FFA PRESIDENT RUBEN HAYRAPETYAN SIGNED BY MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE

arminfo
Tuesday, July 3, 15:19

The petition demanding resignation of Armenian MP, President of the
Football Federation of Armenia (FFA) Ruben Hayrapetyan, addressed to
FIFA and UEFA, has been signed by more than 1,000 people. The letter
of petition is on change.org.

A total of 4,000 signatures are needed for such a decision. In
their petition addressed to the Administrations of FIFA and UEFA,
the authors recall the incident with lethal outcome that took place
at Harsnakar restaurant owned by Hayrapetyan. The letter of petition
says that Hayrapetyan “denies his responsibility for the death of
Doctor Vahe Avetyan. Ruben Hayrapetyan is not the right person to
lead the Armenian Football Federation, a sport which brings people
together. We demand his resignation from this post ASAP”. The authors
of the letter also stress that “at various meetings with journalists
over the past years Ruben Hayrapetyan showed disrespect and considered
himself above the law, publicly admitting to beating and threatening
people at gunpoint”. “Dear Officials at FIFA & UEFA, please raise your
voice to prevent this person from staying on his current position as
the head of the Armenian Football Federation”, the letter says.

The letter also recalls that on June 17, 2012 an incident happened
at Harsnaqar Restaurant Complex, located at Acharyan 39, Yerevan,
Armenia. The restaurant belongs to the oligarch and Parliament member
Ruben Hayrapetyan, who at the same time serves as the head of the
Armenian Football Federation. Several military doctors were brutally
beaten by the restaurant security and Hayrapetyan’s bodyguards. As a
result, on June 29, 33-year old military medical doctor Vahe Avetyan,
a father of two children, died in the hospital.

ARMENIAN MINISTER OF CULTURE CALLS ON SOCIETY CONSIDER LIBRARY MULTIFUNCTIONAL CULTURAL CENTER

ARMENPRESS
3 July, 2012
YERVAN

YEREVAN, JULY 3, ARMENPRESS: Armenia should exert junctions to keep
steps with the world pertain to rapidly developing libraries providing
print and electronic books.

“The accessibility of information resources should become applicable in
Armenia, we should have modern approaches referring to service means”
the Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan stated at the course of the
press conference.

In the words of the interlocutor the libraries should be taken to the
most modern level, which cannot be realized within short time period,
Armenpress reports.

“Digitization of the libraries is in the process, it is the part of
global complex process, which can be reached when implementing much
effort” the Minister came forth with.

The Minister disagreed with the opinion that the libraries of the
capital and provinces are not supplied with new literature: every
year the state allocates appropriate funds for the recruitment of
the literature.

“People devoted to their work are engaged in Armenian libraries.

Poghosyan urges to consider library cultural center .

Librarians pan Armenian conference is scheduled to launch in the
nearest future, which in the words of Poghosyan will enable a chance
to discuss issues related to the field.

President Serzh Sargsyan received the President of the European
Council Herman Van Rompuy

04.07.2012

President Serzh Sargsyan received today the President of the European
Council Herman Van Rompuy. The President of Armenia and the President
of the European Council recapped the results of the negotiations at
the joint press conference given for the representatives of the mass
media.

***

Statement by President Serzh Sargsyan at the Joint Press Conference
with the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy

I am glad to welcome Mr. Van RÖ…mpuy to Armenia for the first time.
Such a high-level visit from the European Union seriously encourages
further deepening and expansion of our relations. We have had a
sincere and useful discussion with Mr. Van RÖ…mpuy on bilateral and
regional issues. I should note that we have an overall mutual
understanding regarding all issues on our agenda.

We have registered a noteworthy progress in the Armenia-EU relations
on several directions and reiterated our determination to preserve
that positive dynamics and develop continually and consistently our
cooperation.

Armenia is resolute to implement large-scale reforms aimed at further
democratization, strengthening of the rule of law, considerable
improvement of the social and economic situation and increased
efficiency of the state governing structures of our country. In this
process, we view the European Union as a reliable partner and
supporter. We have had fruitful discussions regarding the EU’s
assistance to our reforms.

With Mr. President we have also discussed the recent developments
around Nagorno Karabakh. Once again, we reiterated that the conflict
must be solved in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group on the
principles of the UN Charter and Helsinki Final Act. Threats to use
force and armed provocations are unbecoming to the Europe of the 21st
century just as xenophobic statements, intolerance, and attempts to
revise history. We welcome the readiness of the European Union to
implement confidence building measures and establish durable peace in
the region.

We have also spoken about the parliamentary elections in Armenia;
assessment of our EU partners and our own assessment on this issue
concur: these have been the best elections in the history of the newly
independent Armenia, however there is still much to be done for the
further improvement of the electoral process. I have reiterated our
commitment to register new progress in the organization and conduct of
the presidential elections of 2013.

We have noted with satisfaction that the Armenia-EU negotiations on a
number of directions are progressing well. In particular, soon we are
planning to bring to a conclusion the Armenia-EU negotiations on the
Association Agreement and in a short period of time to conclude also
negotiations on the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area. The
negotiations on the visa facilitation are also underway. We wish to
conclude these negotiations as soon as possible in order to provide
ample opportunities for our youth, artists, scientists and people to
expand their contacts.

We are grateful to our European partners for their readiness to
support reforms in Armenia. It is very important for their
acceleration and comprehensive implementation. With Mr. Van RÖ…mpuy we
have also exchanged views on the new possible forms of that
assistance.

Recently in Brussels I participated in the Summit of the Heads of
States and Governments ` members of the European People’s Party. The
main topic of the discussions was the existing financial and economic
tension and possible ways to overcome it. Economies of small states
are particularly vulnerable in such times and we anticipate that as an
Eastern Partner we will get our share of assistance for overcoming
these difficulties.

Mr. President, your visit is extremely important but way too short. I
hope that you will find time in your extremely busy schedule to visit
Armenia again since our intensive contacts are very important for the
consolidation of our relations.

Once again I welcome you. And I thank you for attention and support
extended to us.

***

Remarks by Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council,
following his meeting with President of Armenia
Serzh Sargsyan

Mr President, it is a pleasure to be here in Armenia for the first
time, a country which has brought much to European history and
culture, and with which we share many things, both in our past and
future. I am very grateful for the warm and gracious hospitality
extended to me and my delegation today.

This is the third time that we meet. (we met previously in Warsaw for
the EaP-summit and in Brussels). And as usual, President Sargsyan and
I had good talks covering our bilateral and regional agenda.

I would like to highlight the following three points:

First, We are experiencing overall progress in the EU-Armenia
relationship. There has been progress in the negotiations on the
Association Agreement. And, we have started negotiations on a Deep and
Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement. Moreover, in February of this
year, negotiations were launched on Visa Facilitation and Readmission
Agreements, as a first step towards visa liberalisation.

I encouraged President Sargsyan to make maximum use of the
opportunities provided by the Eastern Partnership for Armenia. We have
registered good progress since the summit in Warsaw.

And, as I mentioned, we are on track in reaching the goals set out in
the Roadmap in time for the next Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius
2013.

Second, I welcome Armenia’s commitment to reforms based on the core
values for the European Union, and geared towards approximating to the
standards and norms of the EU. This is clearly a strategic choice by
Armenia.

I encourage Armenia to continue on this path towards strengthening its
democratic institutions, to promote transparency, to root out
corruption and to respect Human Rights and the rule of law, including
the right to free speech and press. You are, President Sargsyan, on
the right track, even if there is still a lot of work ahead.

I also pointed out, (and will point out to parliamentarians and civil
society later today) that we are prepared to support you. The stronger
the commitment to pursue genuine reform and to uphold universal
values, the more you will be able to count on the EU in accordance
with the “more for more” principle.

In this regard, I am happy to announce that the EU has decided to top
up its annual support to Armenia by 15 million euros for 2012 under
the Eastern Partnership Integration and Cooperation (EaPIC). This is
an increase of 25 % of the EU:s financial assistance to Armenia.

The funds will be used to scale up our support to a number for core
reforms in support for Armenias progress towards association.

The European Union welcomes the efforts which the Armenian authorities
made to deliver more competitive and transparent parliamentary
elections. This was an important step forward. However, as identified
in the Final Report by the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission,
some issues remain to be addressed. We trust that this will be done
before the upcoming Presidential elections.

On this basis, I m pleased to say that the European Commission will
now be in a position to start preparations of a donor conference with
Armenia and international financial institutions.

Third, progress on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
should remain a top priority. Everyday that goes by without a solution
is an opportunity missed for all of us. In order to find a solution we
need to build confidence, trust and respect.

It is with great concern that we take note of recent reports of
serious armed incidents on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan
and the Line of Contact. I deeply regret the loss of life. My sympathy
lies with the families of those who have suffered the loss of
relatives and loved ones.

Military force will not resolve the conflict. Only a peaceful,
negotiated settlement can allow the entire region to move beyond the
status quo toward a secure and prosperous future. If a secure and
stable regional environment can be prepared, stability, peace will
bring benefits to all Armenians.

I repeat what has been said earlier by the EU, and was stated by the
Co-chairs of the Minsk-group at the G20, to both Armenia and
Azerbaijan: Both need to take decisions in order to reach a lasting
and peaceful settlement based on the Madrid principles: both Armenia
and Azerbaijan need to fully implement the commitments made by their
Presidents in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. Both sides should
also strictly respect the ceasefire and exercise restraint on the
ground and refrain from hostile rhetoric in public statements.

The EU stands ready to support any confidence building and
reconciliation efforts. We have both the means and the experience to
do so. The appointment of Ambassador Lefort as the new EU Special
Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia shows
the increasing commitment of the EU.

Mr President, thank you again for receiving us here in Yerevan.
Armenia is a partner – a close partner. I am happy that we today
confirmed our joint work together to ensure Armenia´s positive future.

***

Today, President Serzh Sargsyan gave an official dinner in honor of
the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy.

Constitution is main guide for development of state – Armenian government

news.am
July 04, 2012 | 23:12

YEREVAN. – Armenian Minister of Justice Hrair Tovmasyan has made a
statement in connection with the Armenian Constitution Day on July 5.

`The constitution is not just a legal document. The Constitution is
one of the attributes of statehood.

The constitution is the main guide for a state’s development. The
Constitution states the main norms on which state, public and
political life is being built.

The Constitution is a document for the state’s prospects. It is
important for the Constitution day to become a holiday for us all. It
is important for all of us to understand that the Constitution is a
symbol,’ his statement reads.

Iran threatens to destroy 35 U.S. bases in region if attacked

July 4, 2012 – 15:03 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps
Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said that the
IRGC has detailed contingency plans to hit 35 U.S. bases in the region
in the early minutes of a possible conflict, Fars News Agency
reported.

“We have thought of measures to destroy all these bases in the early
minutes after an attack,” Hajizadeh said on Wednesday, July 4,
referring to Iran’s contingency plans for any potential confrontation
with the U.S.

“All these bases are within the reach of our missiles,” he said.

The commander said that the current IRGC missile wargames is a
practice of targeting a single hypothetical enemy airbase which is a
replica of the U.S. bases in the region.