Author: Babajanian Karo

DEFENSE LINE REQUIRES REINFORCEMENT – ARMENIAN OPPOSITION

news.am
June 08, 2012 | 15:52

YEREVAN. – Armenia’s and Karabakh defense line with Azerbaijan requires
reinforcement, opposition Armenian National Movement representative
Hovhannes Igityan told the journalists on Friday commenting the
recent incidents on the Armenian-Azerbaijani line of the contact. He
said that the world community has not responded it properly, and he
agrees with the Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh] war hero, Commander Arkadi
Ter-Tadevosyan that the defense line requires reinforcement.

“Our strategic ally and partner within the CSTO, Russia, has
limited itself to expressing concern. Whereas, according to the CSTO
document, in case of aggression towards one of the member states,
the organization forms a joint commission to study reasons and degree
of danger. The CSTO will not interfere in the incidents on the line
of the contact with Karabakh, while the recent diversion operations
were carried out against Armenia, a member state of the organization,”
the opposition figure said.

SCR TRAINS TO BATUMI WILL START RUNNING FROM JUNE 15

/ARKA/
June 8, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, June 8, /ARKA/. Gagik Movsisyan, head of a department
of the South Caucasus Railways (SCR) company operating Armenia’s
railroads, said today the cost of tickets for passenger trains
travelling between Armenian capital Yerevan and Batumi, a popular
sea resort on the Black Sea coast of neighbouring Georgia, have not
been revised upward. The prices are effective for all trains that
will take Armenian holidaymakers to Georgia until September 30.

The prices of tickets will range from 10,000 drams to 24,000 drams
depending on the type of compartment. He said the train will have
this year a compartment for VIP clients that will cost 370,000 drams.

He said last year the trains transported around 43,000 people. The
train will leave Yerevan daily at 3,15 pm and the travel will take
16 hours.

The South Caucasus Railways is run by Russian Railways. The
concessional agreement was concluded in 2008 for 30 years, with a
right of extension for another 20 years after the first 20 years of
operation. ($1 – 413.24 drams).

IRAN, ARMENIA TO BUILD HYDRO POWER PLANT OVER ARAS RIVER

On Line: 08 June 2012 14:41
In Print: Saturday 09 June 2012

Iran and Armenia will construct Meghri hydroelectric power plant
over the Aras River, which borders between the two countries, under
a new agreement.

As per the agreement, the two nations have agreed to commence
construction of the hydroelectric power plant on 22 August 2012.

Upon completion, the plant will be able to produce 130MW of
electricity, reports Press TV.

Armenia and Iran will simultaneously start the power plant construction
in former’s Meghri and latter’s Qarachilar regions.

Iran Grid Management Company (IGMC) managing director Mir Fattah
Ghareh Bagh was quoted by the news agency as saying that the country’s
electricity exports to Armenia would increase upon the completion of
the 400-kV power transfer line.

The new line will connect electricity network in Iran to the Agarak
city in Armenia.

(Source: energy-business-review)

GERMANY CONCERNED OVER ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJANI BORDER INCIDENTS

ARMENPRESS
8 June, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 8, ARMENPRESS: The German Government is very concerned
about the violent confrontations at the frontier between Armenia and
Azerbaijan and deeply regrets the loss of human lives. Commenting on
the recent request of Armenpress reporter on the infiltration attempt
of Azerbaijani side and the provocation of shooting, Germany Foreign
Ministry Spokesperson came forth with the statement:

” We call upon both parties to respect the cease-fire to which Armenia
and Azerbaijan have committed themselves. Germany fully supports the
efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group to negotiate a peaceful solution to
the conflict.”

Azerbaijani Armed Forces have repeatedly violated the ceasefire regime
on the month of June.

On the night of June 4, a group of 15 to 20 Azeri saboteurs took
attempt at infiltrating the border village of Voskepar in Armenia’s
Tavush province.

Due to the vigilance of the Armenian servicemen, the group was
discovered .According to preliminary data, 5 Azeri soldiers were
killed and many others wounded.

Armenian soldiers Hrach Sargsyan, Zohrab Balabekyan and Karen Davtyan
were killed during the Azeri infiltration attempt, with 5 more soldiers
left injured.

Azerbaijani Armed Forces intelligence diversion undertook infiltration
attempt to the combat positions of the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army
on June 5- 6 night; which resulted in the death of NK DA soldier.

NAGORNO-KARABAKH WILL BE OFFERED TO BECOME FULL PARTY OF NEGOTIATIONS: POLITICAL SCIENTIST

ARMENPRESS
8 June, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE8, ARMENPRESS: The aim of recent boarder incident was the
failure of regional visit of Hilary Clinton. According to Armenpress,
this opinion was expressed by Regional Research Center Director
Richard Kirakosyan, during the press conference on June 8.

“Azerbaijan does not prefer the perspective of peaceful settlement
of the conflict, and now is taking diversions to the Armenian border
hoping for a motivation of new actions ” he said. In his opinion
Azerbaijan wants to show its strengthening and show the fact, that
it can afford itself to buy new weapons.

“Azerbaijan can use the threat of war for reaching new achievements,
but it is not ready for a war yet. In fact, if the war begins now,
Azerbaijan will be defeated”- noted Kirakosyan. Political scientist
mentioned, that Armenia is ready to protect its borders. “Azerbaijan
ought to pay for each attack. International community must force him
to be responsible for the attacks”- highlighted Kirakosyan.

Rebounding to the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s statement,
that Foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will be offered now
approaches to the conflict settlement in Paris, Kirakosyan said ,
that during that meeting Nagorno-Karabakh will be offered to become
a full party of negotiations. “One thing is evident, Clinton could
not make any announcement on new approaches without an agreement with
France and Russia”- said Kirakosyan.

WE WILL DO EVERYTHING SO ARMENIA’S APRICOT IS EXPORTED ON TIME, WITHOUT LOSSES – ACTING MINISTER

news.am
June 08, 2012 | 15:42

YEREVAN. – In the lead-up to the export season of Armenia’s apricots,
Acting Agriculture Minister Sergo Karapetyan on Friday held a
consultation with the country’s fruit and vegetable exporters.

“The export was organized very well last year. The state encourages
export, especially of apricots. All conditions are created, the
tax field is liberated. We will do everything so that apricot and,
in general, fruits and vegetables are exported on time and without
losses. The Government will contribute to increasing export,” said
Karapetyan and listened to the exporters’ suggestions.

In their turn, the exporters assured that the purchase prices will
be reasonable, mutually profitable for the parties, and the payments
will be made in organized and timely fashion.

It was noted that this year’s export will surpass last year’s
indicator.

SLAVONIC UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, U.S. ENVOY DISCUSS REGIONAL ISSUES

PanARMENIAN.Net
June 8, 2012 – 16:56 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University hosted
a roundtable, with U.S. ambassador to Armenia John Heffern,
administration and political club members of the university
participating.

Recent parliamentary elections, reform implementation, European
integration process, regional interests of the U.S. and Russia, as
well as prospects of Iran’s crisis resolution were in focus of the
discussion, according to the university’s press service.

University rector Armen Darbinyan and Ambassador Heffern shared their
political vision on the recent elections and the common interests of
the U.S. and Armenia.

The envoy stressed assisting Armenia in building of independent,
prosperous, democratic and safe statehood as the U.S. embassy’s
key role.

BALANCE OF POWER REMAINS ON ARMENIA, NKR SIDE OF SCALE – MP

PanARMENIAN.Net
June 8, 2012 – 16:31 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – MP from Free Democrats party commented on
Azerbaijan’s recent subversive acts on contact line.

Free Democrats party representative commented on Azerbaijan’s recent
subversive acts on contact line.

Alexander Arzumanyan linked them with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton’s visit to the South Caucasus region, dubbing them “means of
pressure and a message predicting developments in case the issue is
not resolved the way Azerbaijan wants.”

He deemed the resumption of war possible if Azerbaijan acknowledges
the shift in balance of power, realizing that its army is able to
resolve the problem.

“The balance of power remains on Armenia, NKR side of scale,” Mr.
Arzumanyan said.

The MP noted that Armenian forces showed adequate response to Azeri
sabotage, whilst slamming Armenian diplomacy, citing recent activity
of Azeri diplomacy as an example.

TURKEY’S FORMER GENERAL STAFF CHIEF REFLECTS ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE’S ORGANIZERS IN HIS BOOK

NEWS.AM
June 08, 2012 | 13:49

Former Chief of the General Staff of Turkey, Ilker Basbug, who is
in prison on charges of heading a terrorist organization, finished
his book entitled Mustafa Kemal [Ataturk]: Greatest Leader of the
20th Century.

The book presents the events that occurred between 1881, when Ataturk
was born, and 1923, when the Rep. of Turkey was declared, Hurriyet
daily of Turkey informs.

The book also includes information with reference to Ataturk’s views
on the Kurdish issue and the meetings with the Young Turks who were
arrested in connection with the Armenian massacres.

WORLD COMMUNITY KEEPS FLIRTING WITH AZERBAIJAN – POLITICIAN

tert.am
08.06.12

Azerbaijan’s recent attempts to violate the Ceasefire Accord
with Armenia demonstrate the country’s dissatisfaction with the
current peace process over Nagorno-Karabakh, the leader of the
Christian-Democratic Party has said.

Khosrov Harutyunyan told a news conference on Friday that the
Azerbaijani authorities are not willing to accept the Madrid Principles
proposed to the negotiating parties.

“Azerbaijan is seeking to change the negotiation format or win its
point on some other manner, blackmailing the international community.

Azerbaijan is throwing down the gauntlet, with the ball being on his
court. The world community keeps flirting with Azerbaijan,” he said.

Harutyunyan, who represents the ruling Republican Party of Armenia
faction in the new parliament, noted the OSCE Minsk Group member
states, which broker the peace deal, deliver weapons supply to
Azerbaijan. The politician said he was very much surprised that
Russia failed to respond to Azerbaijan’s recent subversive attacks
on the borderline.

“That Azerbaijan’s conduct poses security threats to the entire region
is a question that needs to be raised in international tribunals,”
he said, adding that the resumption of war would drive the region to
a dead-end.