Author: Babajanian Karo

AZERBAIJAN, TURKEY REALIZE NEW WAR WILL AFFECT ENTIRE REGION – ARMENIAN MP

news.am
May 24, 2012 | 13:16

YEREVAN.- In case of Azerbaijan’s aggression against Karabakh, the
war will not be locked only in the territory of the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic, said member of ARF Dashnaktsutyun Hrayr Karapetyan.

Earlier this week CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization)
Secretary General Nikolay Bordyuzha said the organization will
render necessary assistance to Armenia in the case of unfriendly
steps by Azerbaijan.

During the Thursday press conference, Hrayr Karapetyan who is heading
standing committee on defense in the parliament, said both Turkey
and Azerbaijan realize that a new war will impact the entire region.

Asked about response actions of the Armenian side to provocations by
Azerbaijan, Karapetyan said Azerbaijan urges to respond.

In April Dovegh village in Armenian Tavush region was attacked by
Azerbaijani military units. The fire was focused on the small square
of the village, where the kindergarten and school is located. A day
before an ambulance was fired. On April 26 Azerbaijani saboteurs
penetrated into the territory of Armenia and opened fire at a vehicle
killing three soldiers.

GENOCIDE MONUMENT UNVEILED IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 25, 2012 – 15:03 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – For the first time in history, on May 20, 2012
in Adelaide, South Australia, descendants of the original Christian
inhabitants who survived the Turkish Ottoman Empire’s genocide united
for justice and recognition.

As Elena Harrison, President of the Armenian Cultural Association of
South Australia Inc., the small but vibrant Armenian, Pontian-Greek
and Assyrian Universal Alliance communities unveiled a monument in
recognition of the 1,500,000 Armenians, 800,000 Greeks of Asia Minor,
500,000 Pontian Greeks and 800,000 Assyrians, all Christians, who were
massacred or deported from their ancestral lands through a series of
genocides by the Ottoman Turks, between 1915 and 1923.

The commemoration started from 10am at St. Dimitrios Greek Orthodox
Church of Salisbury, where His Grace, Bishop Nikandros of Doryleon and
Reverend Fathers Christos Tsoraklidis and Silouan Fotineas officiated
at a divine liturgy service.

The church was filled not only with members of the local Armenian,
Pontian Greek and Assyrian communities, but also by many distinguished
guests and members of the parliament, including Dr Joseph Masika,
representing the Lieutenant Governor of South Australia, Hieu Van Le,
the Honourable Jack Snelling MP, Treasurer of South Australia, the
Honourable Jennifer Rankine MP, Minister for Multicultural Affairs,
the Honourable Tom Koutsantonis MP, Minister for Manufacturing,
Innovation and Trade, Ms Isobel Redmond MP, Leader of the Opposition,
and many others.

After the Church Service everyone made their way to the Mausoleum of
the Holy Family for the formal program.

Representatives of the Armenian, Pontian Greek and Assyrian communities
gave appropriate readings from the Bible.

After the formalities the company present made its way to the site
of the monument where the Australian, Greek, Armenian and Assyrian
Anthems were played.

The Hon Jack Snelling, together with Anna Volis, Elena Harrison
and Paul Azzo unveiled the monument, where distinguished guests and
members of the communities laid wreaths and flowers.

EUROVISION 2012: INTERNATIONAL COVERAGE OF CONTEST IN BAKU INCLUDES REFERENCES TO ARMENIA PULLOUT

Arts and Culture | 25.05.12 | 13:44

The current Eurovision song contest in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku
has been highlighted by major international media and advocacy groups
not only for its musical value, but also in terms of the oil-rich
South Caucasus nation’s human rights record, including its relations
with neighbor Armenia.

Euronews, a Pan-European news television channel, in particular,
reports on the latest arrests in Baku of opponents of President
Ilham Aliyev in Azerbaijan using the occasion of Europe’s biggest pop
music contest to get their message across. It says: “For Azerbaijan,
hosting the glitz and glamour of the Eurovision Song Contest was part
of a charm offensive to put the ex-Soviet Republic on the map. But
increased international attention has also led to criticism of the
country’s human rights record.”

CNN also covers the street protests and clashes “inspired” by
Eurovision and also dwells on the boycott of the contest by Armenia
as part of the political background.

Azerbaijan’s politicization of the song contest also became part of
a recent documentary shown by the BBC as part of its Panorama series
that included references to 2009 when Azerbaijan’s broadcaster “pulled
the plug” on the performance by an Armenian duet and the country’s
national security summoned several people for questioning over their
voting for the Armenia entry.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International’s Azerbaijan campaigner Max Tucker,
who is currently in the country’s capital Baku writes: “Despite
publicly committing to support free expression in Azerbaijan, the
European Broadcasting Union has maintained a deathly silence on recent
repeated violations of that right. The lack of action by the EBU and
the international community is giving the authorities carte blanche
to continue violently crushing dissent without consequence.”

Armenia pulled out of this year’s Eurovision contest accusing the
Azerbaijani leadership of having an anti-Armenian stance. The Public
Television of Armenia has not broadcast the two semifinals of the
competition on May 22 and 24. It remains unclear whether H1 will
broadcast the final show on Saturday night. By not broadcasting the
show Armenia risks exclusion from next year’s participation in the
popular contest.

GERMAN DOCTOR OPERATES NINE PEOPLE INJURED IN YEREVAN BALLOON BLAST

news.am
May 25, 2012 | 00:14

YEREVAN. – Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery professor, German doctor
Adrien Daigler, who was invited to Armenia upon the instruction of
President Serzh Sargsyan, operated nine of the patients who were
injured during the capital city Yerevan’s balloon explosion, Health
Minister’s press secretary Shushan Hunanyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

The doctor has left from Armenia two days ago. However, he would
be invited again if necessary. As for the issue of taking several
injured abroad, it is still unclear.

Still 17 people are in hospitals, while no one is at resuscitation
wards.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, a tragedy occurred during
the Republican Party of Armenia rally and concert held at Yerevan’s
Republic Square on May 4. Hundreds of balloons filled with gas exploded
and started to burn. Subsequently, the balloons’ melted rubber fell on
the event participants. Those near the stage were affected the most,
and 154 people were injured.

For Eurovision Host, a Note of Discord
By JOE PARKINSON

EUROPE NEWS

May 25, 2012, 4:17 a.m. ET

BAKU, Azerbaijan-Famed for outrageous spectacle and gaudy kitsch,
the Eurovision song contest is a quirky annual tradition usually more
synonymous with high camp than high politics: not so in Azerbaijan.

For this small ex-Soviet nation hosting the pop music competition’s
finale for the first time on Saturday, Eurovision is a political
project designed to showcase the country’s booming capital and its
European aspirations to millions of viewers.

Flush with revenue from an oil and gas windfall since its main export
pipeline began operating in 2006, the government has prepared for
Eurovision with a frenzy of construction and beefed-up state security.

Mathias Depardon for The Wall Street journal

A family from commemorate the birth of Heydar Aliyev in front of the
Heydar Aliyev Palace. Baku Azerbaijan 2012 A family from commemorate
the birth of Heydar Aliyev in front of the Heydar Aliyev Palace. Baku
Azerbaijan 2012

Ruled for nearly two decades by the late Heydar Aliyev, a former
KGB general, and now his son Ilham, Azerbaijan has poured some $100
million into infrastructure ahead of the event-cramming a multiyear
development plan for its capital Baku into less than 12 months.

Azerbaijan is the latest former communist country, including
Ukraine, Russia and Serbia, to win the right to host the frothy pop
extravaganza, but unlike in the other cases, international attention
on Azerbaijan’s poor human-rights record threatens to damp the impact.

Over the past two months, one investigative journalist, Idrak
Abbasov, was hospitalized after being beaten, while a second, Khadija
Ismayilova, was threatened with the release of a sex tape, filmed
using cameras concealed in her apartment, unless she stopped writing
articles investigating the Aliyev family’s alleged corruption. The
journalists allege that the government is behind the incidents. The
government denies those charges and has pledged to investigate.

Activists say hundreds of Baku residents weren’t fairly compensated
when they were forced to leave their homes in order to make way for
construction projects. The government denies that.

Police on Monday briefly detained 10 protesters in central Baku during
a march demanding democracy and the government’s resignation.

A protest in downtown Baku by a local group called “sing for democracy”
on Tuesday passed without incident.

Opposition activists, dominated by young Web-savvy university graduates
who campaign using social media, have sought to rebrand Azerbaijan’s
“light your fire” slogan to “fight your liar,” in a reference to
official corruption. Many activists lament the lack of support from
governments in Europe and the U.S. who see Azerbaijan as a stable
energy producer and an ally against Iran.

The government, unfamiliar with sharp criticism from its tightly
controlled media, initially appeared to have been caught off guard
by the criticism. But in recent days, officials have lashed out
at critics.

“We know the image and strength of these organizations but they
are losing the trust of our society,” said Ali Hasanov, head of
the public and political issues department at the presidential
administration. “Their conclusions do not correspond with the reality”
and their statements are “anti-Azeri propaganda,” he told a news
conference.

Officials say the government is willing to hear criticism but also
wants recognition for its achievements and its willingness to open up.

The increasingly bitter political reaction stands in contrast with
the festive atmosphere of Azerbaijan’s showpiece capital, Baku. The
rapid completion of prestige projects has transformed this once-drab
Soviet city into a glittering showcase of marble and neon. Workers
have expanded a highway to the airport and the seafront boardwalk,
which runs along the Caspian Sea. Perched on a hill overlooking the
coastal promenade sit the so-called Flame Towers, a $350 million
complex with three buildings shaped like flames that at night are
illuminated with 100,000 lights showing moving flames or the Azeri
flag. In the city’s ancient citadel, nightly the silk-road era maiden
tower, a signature landmark made of mud brick, has become the canvas
for a mesmerizing video art exhibition.

To stage the event, the Aliyev regime last month completed a cavernous,
23,000-seat palace ringed by diamond-shaped glass panels on a pier
jutting out into the Caspian Sea, the Baku Crystal Hall.

Across the city are other example’s of the government’s efforts to
project a new image. The government flew in more than 1,000 iconic
London taxi cabs to replace the dilapidated unlicensed cars that have
plied the city for decades. At Mr. Aliyev’s behest, the Baku fleet
is deep purple, not traditional black, and drivers are required to
wear a uniform of navy slacks and light blue polo shirt.

In the evenings, crowds of Azeris, as if seeking confirmation of the
pace of change, gather at big screens along the capital’s promenades
to watch glossy advertisements promoting the Eurovision contest and
trumpeting the city’s transformation.

“I can’t recognize the city anymore, but the way it looks now makes
me proud,” said Rasul Huseynov, a 32-year-old engineer watching the
screen with his two sons, one of whom was draped in an Azeri flag.

“We all want to be a part of this and show the world that we’re a
serious country.”

That message is one Azerbaijan’s rulers hope will lure tourists and
foreign investment and strengthen the country’s influence in one of
the world’s key energy corridors. At least 100 million people are
expected to watch the contest, which pitches pop acts from more than
40 nations against one another in a flamboyant battle of the bands.

The politics of the song contest have also reverberated around
Azerbaijan’s fraught region.

Baku’s neighbor Iran on Tuesday recalled its ambassador for
consultations after some of the Islamic Republic’s clerics and
lawmakers criticized Azerbaijan’s hosting of the contest, calling it a
“gay parade.”

In March, neighbor Armenia, with whom Azerbaijan is still at war
over a disputed territory, pulled out of the competition, citing
the death of an Armenian soldier from an Azeri sniper attack. Baku
countered that Armenia had staged the killing to provoke a domestic
crisis that could benefit the ruling party in national elections.

Although opposition activists have successfully promoted their message
of discontent, most Azeris see Eurovision as a holiday and a badge
of national pride.

“We’re a long way from perfect, but life is getting much better here,”
said Safer Aliyev, a 23-year-old engineering student. “Look at our
city: this is a great chance to show the world that Azerbaijan is a
modern nation and the country is behind that.”

BAKU COUNTING ON AZERBAIJANIS ABROAD TO ‘NEUTRALIZE’ ARMENIAN LOBBY

Vol. V, No. 9 (May 1, 2012)
Paul Goble
Publications Advisor
Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy

Azerbaijan, which has often felt itself on the defensive abroad
because of the activities of the Armenian diaspora, is counting on
Azerbaijani communities abroad to “neutralize the Armenian lobby,”
according to a senior advisor to President Ilham Aliyev. On the one
hand, this new reliance reflects the dramatic growth in the size and
activity of the Azerbaijani groups in Europe and the United States.

And on the other, it reflects a growing recognition in Baku that the
Armenian “lobby” is not as strong as it was and can be most effectively
countered by the Azerbaijani diaspora.

In an April 29 speech to the fourth congress of the Congress of
Azerbaijanis of Europe, a group that represents some 61 diaspora
groups on the continent and is a partner of the Azerbaijani State
Committee for Work with the Diaspora, Ali Hasanov, the head of the
social-political department of the Presidential Administration, said
that “great responsibility for neutralizing the anti-Azerbaijani
activity of enemies of the Azerbaijani state now falls on diaspora
organizations.” He added that he and other senior Baku officials
“carefully follow the activity” of the Congress, especially because
the activity of the group has increased in recent months. [1]

A major reason this has happened, Hasanov continued, is that “the
growing power and international achievements of Azerbaijan have
frightened the enemies of the Azerbaijani state and led them to
increase their anti-Azerbaijani activity.”

Bashar Kemur, the president of the Congress of Azerbaijanis of
Europe, echoed Hasanov’s words. He noted in a speech to the group
that the group is now conducting “serious work in the neutralization
of the anti-Azerbaijani activity of the Armenian lobby and has made
significant steps toward bringing to the attention of the world
community the truth about Karabakh.”

Nazim Ibrahimov, chairman of the State Committee for Work with
the Diaspora, added that the Congress of Azerbaijanis of Europe has
already achieved a great deal and that his structure is pleased to be
working closely with it. Other speakers included Parviz Shahbazov,
Azerbaijani ambassador to Berlin, Samira Pattser-Ismailova, head of
the Coordination Center of Azerbaijanis in Germany, Fazil Hasanov,
head of the Cultural Center of Azerbaijanis of Georgia, Sahil Gasymov,
president of the Congress of Azerbaijanis of the Benelux Countries,
and Bilal Dundar, president of the Federation of Turkish-Azerbaijani
Societies. This list in and of itself underscores the ways in which
the Azerbaijani communities abroad have assumed a more clearly defined
organizational role.

The Azerbaijani communities abroad vary from country to country. The
largest, of course, numbering more than 25 million, consists of the
Azerbaijani population of Iran. The next largest, number upwards of
two million are the Azerbaijanis of the Russian Federation, with more
than one million of them living in Moscow and another half million in
St. Petersburg. Elsewhere, the communities are smaller, but in many
cases, they consist of businessmen and students, with the latter group
particularly prepared to play a broader social and political role.

Until a few years ago, most Azerbaijanis assumed that the Armenian
diaspora was almost all-powerful, and even now Azerbaijanis are
inclined to ascribe to its machinations decisions by foreign
governments with which they do not agree. But Hasanov’s comments
in Berlin suggest that today there is a growing awareness among
Azerbaijani leaders that the Armenian “lobby” can be countered,
and countered successfully, if Azerbaijanis living abroad become
more active.

SHAME OF A EUROVISION HOST: AZERBAIJAN’S SPENT MILLIONS ON THIS WEEKEND’S SONG CONTEST, HOPING TO BANISH ITS IMAGE OF A CORRUPT, TORTURING DICTATORSHIP

The Express
May 23, 2012 Wednesday
Edition 1; National Edition

DANIEL GOULD

TWO months ago a 24-year-old rapper called Jamal Ali performed at an
opposition rally in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. The focus of the
rally was corruption and political prisoners but Ali upped the ante
by insulting the president’s late mother. After that he was dragged
away by police. He claims he was tortured for two days and his home
was demolished. He has since fled the country.

We’d probably never know of his plight were it not for the 57th annual
Eurovision Song Contest which is taking place in Baku all this week.

Culminating in a final on Saturday watched by an estimated 125
million people, the competition is seen in Britain as an elaborate
joke which you either laugh with or at. But there is nothing funny
about Azerbaijan’s abysmal human rights record.

“It’s deeply ironic that so soon before Baku takes the world stage
for Eurovision, Azerbaijani authorities were using force to break up
and silence musicians performing at a peaceful protest on the city’s
streets,” says John Dalhuisen of Amnesty, which has called for the
immediate release of 17 political prisoners. “When viewers tune in
for the contest the most convincing way for Azerbaijan to present
itself as a modern, progressive nation will be for the authorities
to end their ongoing crackdown on freedom of expression.”

Located at the ancient crossroads of Europe and Asia, Azerbaijan is
a nation of nine million people bordered by the Caspian Sea, Russia,
Georgia, Armenia and Iran. It supplied almost half the world’s oil at
the start of the 20th century. It was the first modern parliamentary
republic in the Muslim world but was incorporated into the Soviet
Union in 1920. It only regained independence after the collapse of
the Eastern Bloc in 1991.

>From the late Sixties it was run by Soviet strongman Heydar Aliyev.

Shortly after independence he rose to power once more and ruled as
president until six weeks before his death in 2003. Power then passed
to his son Ilham who won an election with 76 per cent of the vote,
prompting allegations of rigging. His friends include Prince Andrew,
who has been goose shooting with him, and Tony Blair, who earned tens
of thousands of pounds for a speech praising him. But more often he
is accused of cronyism, corruption and authoritarianism.

He and his family have embraced Eurovision with enthusiasm. His wife
Mehriban is the head of the preparation committee and his son-in-law
Emin Agalarov, a would-be pop star, will perform during Saturday’s
interlude. There are allegations that the Aliyev family has benefited
financially from the construction of the Crystal Hall, a 25,000-seat
concert venue where the spectacular will take place.

Some 281 families are said to have been evicted from their homes to
make way for its construction, without adequate compensation. These
evictions follow the demolition of an estimated 4,000 other houses
razed as the country’s mineral revenues (it has a huge offshore gas
field as well as oil reserves) are spent on construction.

Eurovision fans arriving in Baku this week have been trying to judge
the place for themselves. “It’s actually a very grand city which I’d
describe as ‘Dubai meets Istanbul’,” says Daniel Gould, a professional
gambling tipster who specialises in Eurovision. “There are boulevards
framed by classical architecture that give it a Parisian feel and
there’s a nice old walled city in the middle. There’s obviously a lot
of money washing around and everything is beautifully manicured. You
get the impression it’s the kind of dictatorship where the president
shows his prestige and power by providing a superficial gloss of
prosperity and grandeur.”

He says the general consensus is that things were disorganised at
first but the final will go off well. “There are absolutely hundreds
of volunteers and security staff everywhere so they’re making sure
everything will be all right on the night.”

Dr Paul Jordan, a political scientist from Cardiff University, is
also a regular on the Eurovision circuit. Having completed his PhD
on the role of the contest in helping form national identity for the
newly independent countries of Eastern Europe, he knows how important
it can be to countries such as Azerbaijan.

HE SAYS: “From a security point of view the situation in Baku makes
Eurovision in Moscow three years ago look tame. There are sniffer
dogs and armed guards around the arena and there are warships on the
horizon in the Caspian Sea. I don’t feel threatened but I’ve never
seen so many guns in a Eurovision press centre.

“For Azerbaijan, which is bidding to host the 2020 Olympics, this is a
superb opportunity. They only joined Eurovision four years ago and it’s
a way of getting them on the map. But with that come some questions
that they don’t want highlighted and which I think need to be.”

In the face of the criticisms, the Azerbaijani authorities have hired
a senior PR consultant – Rupert Murdoch’s son-in-law Matthew Freud –
to try to boost their image in Britain. They have also hit out at
claims made by Amnesty and another organisation, Human Rights Watch.

“I want to say that if these organisations continue acting in the same
way they will risk losing the Azerbaijani people’s trust because the
Azerbaijani people see that the statements of these two organisations
have nothing in common with the actual situation in the country,”
said a senior government spokesman this week.

There was initially talk of calls for a boycott of the contest and
dissidents are divided as to whether it is good or bad. “It’s a joke to
have Eurovision in a country with a rights record like Azerbaijan’s,”
says one investigative reporter from Baku who has experieinced
government intimidation. “It would be really great to hear some kind
of message from the stage from some of the contestants to remind the
regime here that Europe is a set of values, not just a song contest.”

Blogger Emin Milli, who spent two years in prison for YouTube videos
mocking the regime, is glad so many foreigners are there this week.

“Eurovision is an opportunity for the international community to
focus on what is happening in Azerbaijan,” he says. Arguing that a
boycott would have been counter-productive he adds: “The best way to
understand is to come and see it.”

SO WHO ARE THE FAVOURITES?

RUSSIA A group of grannies in full ethnic clothing start their
routine with some wailing next to a stove in which they are baking
pizza. A disco beat kicks in, they jump up and cry: “Party for
everybody! Dance!”

This is definitely the most memorable act.

ITALY Nina Zilli looks and sounds like Amy Winehouse and is singing
an Amy-style song. Her fashionably retro sound and the attitude she
brings to her performance mean she’s one of the favourites and she
could well take the crown.

FRANCE This act looks like the French gymnastics team are warming
up for the Olympics during this number, with muscle-bound athletes
supporting pretty singer Anggun. The French do not have a good recent
record in the contest. Could this gimmick turn things around for them?

SWEDEN This is a tune you would more likely expect in a nightclub than
on the Eurovision stage. Loreen, with her hair often covering much of
her face, puts in some tai-chi and yoga moves as she sings. Snow starts
falling in the final chorus. Some viewers may find it all too weird.

UKRAINE This is the unofficial theme tune for football’s European
Championships to be held in Poland and the Ukraine where singer Gaitana
is a big star. As she sings men in skirts pretend to play toy trumpets.

UNITED KINGDOM Engelbert Humperdinck, at 76 the oldest Eurovision
contestant ever, can certainly sing and his ballad isn’t half bad. We
might even win.

IRELAND Jedward are singing Waterline in an attempt to improve on
the eighth place they achieved last year.

IFAD DELEGATION TO VISIT ARMENIA IN THE FALL

armradio.am
23.05.2012 17:46

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received Henning Pedersen, the head
of the Armenian Program of the International Fund for Agricultural
Development (IFAD).

Greeting the guest, Tigran Sargsyan noted: “Our long-term cooperation
has produced positive results. We highly appreciate your personal
contribution to the implementation of programs. I would like to
express gratitude to you on behalf of the government of the Republic
of Armenia, as your knowledge and experience have always been useful
to us,” PM Tigran Sargsyan said, adding that Armenia is interested
in continued cooperation with IFAD.

Henning Pedersen, in turn, hailed the implementation of joint programs
in Armenia and appreciated the support of RA Government in the process.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the process of implementation
of programs with IFAD financing. Mr. Pedersen informed that the next
meeting of IFAD delegation is scheduled for this fall. The perspectives
of future cooperation and new investment programs will be discussed.

THE MOST EXPENSIVE FLATS ARE IN VAZGEN SARGSYAN STREET

Karabakh-open.info
Tuesday, 22 May 2012 14:32

In the last few years the prices for flats in Stepanakert have been
equal to those in Yerevan, once it was even possible to sell a flat
in Stepanakert and buy an identical one in Yerevan. During the last
year, however, prices for flats have decreased a bit, real estate
agents state this.

By the data of the State Committee of the Real Estate Cadastre adjunct
to the NKR Government, in Stepanakert the average price per square
meter of a flat area in a multi-flat house amounts to AMD 230.000.

In her interview to Karabakh-open.info director of the ‘Ð~]аÑ~H
Дом’ real estate agency Anahit Tovmasyan informed that of all the
newly built elite multi-flat houses the most expensive flats sold are
in Vazgen Sargsyan street where the price amounts to USD 1200 per
square meter of an unrepaired apartment space whereas in Sasountsi
Davit street USD 1200 stands per square meter of a repaired apartment
space. The price per square meter of the apartments in W. Saroyan
street is USD 1000, in Artsakh district and in Toumanyan street the
price is AMD 270.000.

These are the prices presented by the realtors to the agency.

As the agency director assures the purchase and sales process of
apartments is not actively carried on in spite of the fact that the
prices have decreased a bit.

The demands of the people applying for the purchase of a flat are
quite different, Anahit Tovmasyan explains and adds that there is a
certain class of people who prefer the repaired flats in good order
in Artsakh district. “However, only 35% of potential customers have
this opportunity, the other 75% of buyers, because of tight budget,
prefer the secondary market,’ A. Tovmasyan says.

As for the choice of districts people always try to live near
the city centre. As opposed to the newly built elite houses the
Khrushov-designed apartments are very difficult to sell.

‘Of course, flats are classified according to streets and districts
yet the price is mainly determined by the design of the flat and the
public transport service of the area,’ the agency director explains.

Private houses are more difficult to sell; only the
one-and-a-half-storey houses with a garage and a plot the prices of
which vary within the limits of USD 40 – 45 thousand are frequently
purchased.

PAP NOT TO JOIN THE COALITION GOVERNMENT

ARMENPRESS
24 May, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 24, ARMENPRESS: Prosperous Armenia Party chairman Gagik
Tsarukyan issued a statement on the political decision of the party;
PAP will not to come forth in the coalition Government. PAP press
service informed Armenpress, the statement runs as follows:

“Dear compatriots,

Sisters, brothers,

‘~R Prosperous Armenia” party’s 6th congress ‘cornerstone issues were
aimed at the establishment of the idea to make significant changes
in the lives of the nation.

Throughout pre-election campaign the party held the same stance. At
the meetings PAP presented the citizens the party’s comprehensive
program. I have always stated in my speeches that I am not seeking
personal benefit; moreover I noted I am ready to have certain losses
in order to maintain the confidence of the people.

During May 6 Parliamentary Elections PAP has gained about half a
million of votes. The electorate casting their ballots in favor
of PAP party trusts us and wants tangible changes in country’s
socio-economic life.

The election results did not guarantee a constitutional right to PAP
to form the Government. I officially declare that the Prosperous
Armenia Party does not consider appropriate to participate in the
formation of a coalition government.

PAP will continue to have a significant role in the political life
of our country. We are scheduling to have a very constructive and
balanced role in the social and political life of the country.

In the fifth convocation of the Parliamentary Assembly PAP faction
will be active and operative. I promise that PAP MPs will always voice
the alarms of the citizens, protect the rights and the interests of
our compatriots.

I wish all the success and productive work to the new formed Government
for the welfare of our country and the people’~R.