Author: Babajanian Karo

Theft of State Property: Hetq Asks Why Law Enforcement Remains Unconcerned
Edik Baghdasaryan

HETQ
11:27, June 15, 2012

With their inaction, Armenian law enforcement is legalizing the
pillage of the state.

As we’ve stated before, paintings, sculptures, antique carpets and
jewellery are vanishing from museums under the jurisdiction of the
Ministry of Culture.

No one has been brought to justice. You wonder why Armenian law
enforcement immediately becomes paralyzed when such incidents take
place. One gets the impression that they have been instructed to fold
their hands and not launch criminal charges.

As reported in Hetq, sculptures have been repeatedly stolen from the
Armenia’s National Gallery, but no criminal charges have been filed.

No criminal investigation was launched after 8 paintings of Minas
Avetisyan vanished from the Exhibition Center. These paintings belong
to the Armenian state. What has been stolen belongs to the citizens of
Armenia.

Now, let me bring two additional examples of the theft of state property.

Harutyun Hovhannisyan’s graphic works, Ayrivank (registration#2955b)
and Zangezur (registration 8880) that were presented to the Ministry
of Culture in 2002, have been missing since 2005.

I am bringing this to the attention of RA Prosecutor Genral Aghvan
Hovsepyan given that Article 27 (Filing a Claim for the Protection of
State Interests) of the `Law on Prosecution’ states:
The filing by a prosecutor of a claim for the protection of state
interests shall include:

Filing a claim for compensation of pecuniary damage inflicted upon the
state as a direct consequence of a crime in the frameworks of criminal
procedure.

Saudi Arabia calls to resolve Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through negotiations

14:45, 15 June, 2012

YEREVAN, JUNE 15, ARMENPRESS: Saudi Arabia considers diplomacy to be
the most preferable way of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Armenpress reports citing Azerbaijani Medias that about this declared
Deputy Foreign affairs minister of Saudi Arabia, Prince Khaled Ben
Saud Ben Khaled. At the same time Khaled Ben Saud Ben Khaled
highlighted that his country supports Azerbaijan in this issue which
is not surprise for such a country like Saudi Arabia where the ruling
ideology is militarized Wahabizm on of the most radical performances
of Islam. It is noteworthy that even Saudi Arabia which does not have
diplomatic relations with Armenia and openly supports Azerbaijan,
calls to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with the help of
diplomatic negotiations without giving any duty to Azerbaijani
military aspirations.

ARF: Hope Doesn’t Die Even After Death

Igor Muradyan
Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 15:04:27 – 15/06/2012

The political leaders of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun are like a white mulberry
tree to which a branch
of black mulberry is
grafted. The party got this imp in 1998, and it played a trick on the
party, especially its leadership
.

Throughout these fruitless and meaningless years the indicator of success
for the party leaders has been cooperation with authorities. In addition,
it is difficult to call it cooperation, and the ministers nominated by this
party hardly played any role in administration and politics. As a result,
the party could not even predict the decision of the president to agree to
recognize the state border with Turkey.

Nevertheless, the ARF leadership cannot owe Robert Kocharyan or Serzh
Sargsyan a grudge. The ARF leadership received from the government
everything they could expect, and what they received was disproportionately
substantial. The past parliamentary election was a clear disaster for the
party. The party is on the verge of an internal revolution, and the Supreme
Body of the party in Armenia has already preferred a definite non-systemic
solution for the leader of the parliamentary group.

This is a small episode, of course but it is absolutely clear that the
party leadership must be changed. In addition, a lot of members who have
turned to petty bourgeois used to timeserving took this fresh wind in the
moldy air with apparent enthusiasm.

At the same time, the political leadership of the party, as always, seeks
cooperation, or rather provision of services to the authorities. (This
multi-year cooperation has automatically led to a plot with the Armenian
National Movement which is beyond understanding.)

In NKR the party supported the incumbent president in the upcoming
elections. In Armenia there is no reason for that. Moreover, the
incumbent president is not interested in the support of `Dashnaktsutyun’
party. Nevertheless, the party leaders do not lose hope for a `call’ as
an opportunity for cooperation with the government.

Apparently, hope does not die even at the end when one is already
hopeless. The amazing staunch and consistency can have only mystic and
sacral reasons. Cooperation with the authorities is not a taboo but what
are the reasons in this case? Apparently, there are simply no other
decisions and understandings of future.

One can discuss in detail the reasons of failures of the ARF but how can
one expect success if since repatriation the party leaders and
ideologists have announced that it is a regular party, and ARF should be
like the rest? Who needs another `regular’ party and who needs
Dashnaktsutyun if they are like all the rest?

Better have tails and hoofs than be like all the others. Things are not
moving as slow as some people think, things are moving on, and for the
time being we will support those who are trying to change the state of
things in this party. Real work is waiting. No confusion and doubt, it
is time for good organization and understanding of goals, we are facing
war and giant changes.

Yerevan Mayor: Armenia-Japan cooperation at high level

June 15, 2012 – 15:05 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Yervan Mayor Taron Margaryan met with
representatives of Soka Gakkai International (SKI) Japan-based
Nichiren Buddhist lay association, which claims 12 million members in
192 countries and territories. Association president Daisaku Ikeda is
a founder of several educational, cultural and peace research
institutions.

The guests arrived in the Armenian capital on the invitation of
Artists’ Union to present Daisaku Ikeda’s photo exhibit.

At the meeting, Yerevan Mayor stressed the high level of Armenia-Japan
cooperation, praising the association activities. Mr Markaryan
expressed readiness to cooperate with SKI in implementation of new
projects.

A representative of Soka Gakkai International, in turn, briefed the
Mayor on the association’s mission, noting the exhibit in Yerevan to
be a chance to further promote bilateral ties.

Obama administration has no new approaches to resolution of Karabakh
conflict – Russian expert

June 15, 2012 | 03:57

American administration has neither ready scenarios, nor new
approaches to resolution of the Karabakh conflict, Russian expert told
Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Eduard Popov, head of the Black Sea-Caspian center of Russia’s
Institute for Strategic Studies, said that the experts’ skeptical
attitude towards Hillary Clinton’s visit to the region proved to be
right.

`The trip should be regarded not only in the context of foreign policy
but internal, pre-election policy as well.

Several months prior to US presidential elections on the background of
growing criticism against US foreign policy strategy (first of all in
relation to Russia and region called `The Greater Middle East’)
carried out by Obama, the administration must display activeness and
confirm that the process is managed,’ he said.

Another possible scenario may be viewed in the context of the visit,
in this case the Karabakh peace process plays a considerable role.

`The point is preparation for possible aggression against Iran. This
includes likelihood of unfreezing conflict by Azerbaijan in order to
solve the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh which is in fact independent from
Baku. Nevertheless, Clinton’s visit is not contribution to Karabakh
and the entire South Caucasus,’ he added.

Behind the visit are election plans of the ruling US administration
and probably military and strategic interests of US and Washington, he
considers.

As reported earlier, during her regional trip Hillary Clinton said the
parties to the Karabakh conflict will be offered new approaches during
the next meeting of foreign ministers.

Pupils of Tavush region villages will have a summer camp in Tsakhkadzor

Armenian Youth Foundation (AYF) has launched a summer camp in
Tsakhkadzor for the pupils from Tavush region villages. Nearly 100
pupils from 9 border villages (Chinari, Berqaber, Berdavan, Nerqin
karmirakhbyur, Aygepar, Movses and so on) will visit Tsakhkadzor on
June 15, today. The pupils are studying at 9-11th classes.

As the press service AYF informs the teenagers will not only have
their rest in Tsakhkadzor but also will attend the trainings of first
medical assistance, the psychologists will have talks with them,
patriotic discussions, studies of national songs and dances are on
agenda as well.

`Armenian Youth Foundation rates this program. So we express our
support to the residents of the border villages. They must be sure
that the young people living in the cities are with them and are
troubled with their problems’, Deputy of Armenian Parliament,
coordinator of the ARF Karen Avagyan said.

This program is ongoing. Pupils of other villages will also be
included in the program in future as well. Such program will also be
launched for the children from the NKR villages as well.

15.06.12, 12:52

ARMENIE
Nalbandyan : « Le racisme de Davutoglu encourage les provocations azeries. »

Le ministre des Affaires étrangères, Edward Nalbandyan, a participé
mardi à une conférence de presse conjointe avec l’Organisation pour la
sécurité et la coopération en Europe (OSCE) dirigé par Eamon Gilborne
(le vice-président irlandais). Nalbandyan, a qualifié de racisme le
fait que le ministre des affaires étrangères turc, Ahmet Davutoglu,
n’ait exprimé ses condoléances qu’aux familles des victimes azéris
après les incursions sur le territoire arménien.

« Nous n’avons jamais senti Mr Davutoglu concerné par la mort des
soldats arméniens dû aux assauts azéris. Alors que la communauté
internationale appelle les deux parties à abandonner l’usage de la
force, les déclarations du ministre turc ne font qu’encourager, les
Azéris à commettre de nouvelles attaques » a déclaré Mr Nalbandyan.

« Tandis que l’Azerbaïdjan refuse toujours se plier aux demandes de
l’OSCE visant à retirer les snipers du front afin de renforcer le
cessez-le-feu et de créer des liens permettant d’enquêter sur les
incidents au niveau de la frontière arméno-azéri, la Turquie, quant à
elle, est toujours en train d’accuser les autres à propos de l’échec
des pourparlers à Kazan, comme si elle ne savait pas qui était le
fautif. » à ajouté le ministre arménien.

« Il y a vingt ans lorsque l’Arménie était contre l’adhésion de la
Turquie dans le groupe de Minsk de l’OSCE, beaucoup de personnes ont
pensé que cette dernière serait impartiale et qu’elle favoriserait le
règlement du conflit au Karabakh mais ces vingt dernières années ont
montré que si la Turquie n’est pas seulement loin d’être neutre, sa
position empêche la paix » a critiqué Nalbandyan

Des experts ont déjà débattu d’une probable intervention de la Turquie
si les conflits se renouvelaient dans la zone du Karabakh. L’analyste
politique Igor Muradyan pense que l’OTAN et l’Union européenne
n’accepteront pas l’intervention de la Turquie dans un future proche
et si cette dernière décide de faire autrement, la question de la
présence de la Turquie dans l’OTAN sera immédiatement pris en compte
plus sérieusement.

`L’accord militaire entre la Turquie et l’Azerbaïdjan n’est pas
acceptable en raison des lois et des règles de l’OTAN. La Turquie n’a
pas discuté de cette entente avec l’OTAN et a-t-elle par conséquent
laissé de côté son alliance lors de son examen ? Conformément à cet
accord, la Turquie devrait fournir une assistance militaire à
l’Azerbaïdjan, ce provoque un conflit d’intérêts. Mais entre
directement en contradiction avec les lois et règles de l’OTAN. » a
dit Muradyan

Il est évident que les actions turques ne sont pas considérées comme
des préparatifs à une intervention militaire, mais plutôt comme une
pression psychologique sur l’Arménie pour la forcer à donner à
l’Azerbaïdjan une ou deux régions actuellement détenues par l’armée du
Karabakh. Cependant il semble que les partenaires occidentaux de la
Turque soient de plus en plus contraignants.

A présent, la Turquie représente la plus grande force de frappe contre
le régime de Bashar al-Assad et c’est ce rôle dans le dénouement
syrien qui préoccupe ses autres partenaires. Les experts n’excluent
que le Karabakh peut devenir la prochaine ligne de front. Cependant
les intérêts sur cette question de la Turquie et de ses partenaires
occidentaux sont peu susceptibles de correspondre.

ArmeniaNow

Traduction Adrien TOPALIAN

vendredi 15 juin 2012,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

Armenian activists protest plan to demolish historical building

tert.am
22:02 – 14.06.12

Several public activists rallied in central Yerevan on Thursday
evening in protest against a plan to demolish a historical-cultural
monument.

The construction, built in the late 19th century, belonged to the
Afrikyan brothers, a renowned family in Yerevan, which played an
active role in the capital city’s political, social and cultural life.

In 1913, the Yerevan City Club moved to the building.

The group chanting No Demolishon included many activists who had
earlier campaigned for the preservation of green areas in Yerevan’s
Mashtots Park. Lilit Galstyan of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation-Dashnaksutyun (ARF-D) faction in parliament also joined the
protesters.

The activist later headed towards the Armenian Society for Cultural
Cooperation with Foreign Countries, a late 19th and early 20th century
construction that would also have been demolished but for an active
campaign.

Journal of Turkish Weekly
June 14 2012

OSCE Chairman to Talk Karabakh Settlement in Baku

Thursday, 14 June 2012

The chairman-in-office of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister and
Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore, will touch upon the settlement of the
Nagorny Karabakh conflict during his visit to Azerbaijan, the OSCE
office in Baku told RIA Novosti.

Nagorny Karabakh is a breakaway region on Azerbaijani territory with a
predominantly ethnic Armenian population.

An Azerbaijani diplomat said Gilmore will meet with President Ilham
Aliyev, Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, Foreign Minister Elmar
Mamedyarov and other officials and public.

Prior to his visit to Azerbaijan’s capital, Gilmore told Baku-based
ARA news agency that the OSCE may not impose its solution to the
conflict.

Gilmore, who earlier visited Armenia, also said only dialogue and free
expression of will by parties to the conflict may help solve the
conflict, adding that violence should stop.

The conflict between the two Caucasus states erupted in the late
1980s, when Nagorny Karabakh claimed independence from Azerbaijan. It
is estimated to have left more than 30,000 people dead on both sides
between 1988 and 1994. The region has since remained under Armenian
control.

Thursday, 14 June 2012

Hurriyet, Turkey
June 14 2012

Parliament of Israel discusses `genocide’
JERUSALEM

Israel’s Parliament on June 12 held a discussion marking the Turkish
mass killings of Armenians, in a move likely to further strain already
tense relations with Ankara.

`It is our moral obligation to remember and remind others of the
tragedy that befell the Armenian people, who lost over a million of
their sons during the First World War,’ speaker Reuven Rivlin told
lawmakers.

The discussion was the third consecutive year in which the Israeli
Parliament has held such a hearing to commemorate `the anniversary of
the killing of the Armenian people.’ Rivlin said that recognizing the
tragedy was not meant to cast blame on modern Turkey and was not
`against the present Turkish government.’

Hitler example
`Perhaps the government of Israel will at last recognize, like 27
other countries around the world, the massacre of the Armenian
people,’ Agence France-Presse quoted Zehava Galon of the opposition
Meretz party as telling parliament.

Environment Minister Gilad Erdan, who represented the government
during the discussion, said the Knesset should seriously debate the
issue, and recognize it as genocide if it reaches that conclusion.
National Union lawmaker Arieh Eldad called on Turkey to recognize its
responsibility for its `historical crime,’ which he said included
children being `put into cellars and gassed.’

According to Jerusalem Post, Eldad quoted Adolf Hitler as having said
`Who remembers what happened to the Armenians?’ after he was asked
what the world would say about his Final Solution against the Jews.
June/14/2012