Author: Badalian Vardan

NEW ERRORS APPEAR IN ARMENIAN VOTERS’ LISTS

Vestnik Kavkaza
April 10 2012
Russia

Armenia is having its third campaigning day for the parliamentary
polls. This time citizens may send their complaints about violations
using the iDitord project, realized by the Counter-Corruption Center
of Transparency International and the Institute for Diversity of Mass
Media. The project is available at iditord.org, the First Armenian
Informative reports.

The office of the Armenian National Congress in Achapnyak and the
electoral office of Avet Pogosyan, an MP of the sixth electoral
district, according to the majority list, presented a list of errors
in the voters’ list the day before yesterday.

One of the people in the list died on August 17, 1962. Another error
is the name of a serviceman who lives at a different address.

MOLDOVAN MINISTER DENIES LAW VIOLATIONS IN ARMS DEAL WITH ARMENIA

Infotag news agency
April 9 2012
Chisinau, Moldova

[translated from Russian]

Chisinau, 9 April: The Moldovan parliamentary commission in charge
of investigating the sale of a batch of weapons to Armenia has put
forward ungrounded charges concerning the procedures for the issuing
of arms export clearances. This was stated in a letter by Deputy
Prime Minister and Economics Minister Valeriu Lazar addressed to the
parliament speaker, the commission for national security, defence and
public order, and the parliamentary commission for investigation of
the arms sale.

A source in the Economics Ministry has told Infotag that the ministry
deems untrue the information that obsolete weapons were sold to a
company that lacked an “Armenian end-user certificate”.

“What is more, from the legal point of view, the government commission
in charge of selling the assets of the National Army can only refuse
to approve an export contract if a UN international embargo on trading
weapons with certain countries is imposed or if an embargo is imposed
inside the country through a parliamentary ruling. But national and
international laws do not ban arms supplies to Armenia. There was no
such embargo in force when the decision was taken and there is none
in force now,” the letter said.

In order to eliminate gaps in the legislation, the Economics Ministry
came up with a range of proposals to amend it. In particular, it
suggested that authorized bodies have the right to ban the sale of
arms to certain countries including those with frozen conflicts.

Infotag earlier reported that members of the special commission in
charge of investigating the sale of weapons to Armenia insisted that
“it was conducted with violations”.

Lawmakers said that “the chairman of the governmental commission for
the sale of military equipment and ammunition, Economics Minister
Valeriu Lazar, as well as commission member and Defence Minister
Valeriu Marinuta, violated the law while carrying out the deal
with the Latvian company Latspeceksports. No auction was conducted,
while the Latvian company did not have all the documents necessary
for such deals”.

Infotag’s note: In 2011, the Moldovan Defence Ministry sold weapons
and ammunition from the National Army’s reserves to Latspeceksports.

Under the contract, the weapons reachedArmenia and Ukraine. A scandal
broke out when it emerged that the weapons could be used to arm the
Armenian service personnel participating in the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict with Azerbaijan.

WE HAVE DISTORTED MANY THINGS IN YEREVAN – ARMENIAN PRESIDENT

news.am
April 10, 2012 | 19:56

YEREVAN. – During the past decade we distorted many things in Yerevan,
Armenian President and chairman of the ruling Republican Party (RPA)
Serzh Sargsyan announced during a meeting with voters in Yerevan’s
Erebuni district on Tuesday.

According to the president, while much attention was paid to
economic problems, Yerevan city environmental and identity issues
were neglected.

“This is a sad reality. Today we say that economic priorities are
more important than the issue of preserving Yerevan’s identity. I
promise you here and now that this will change from now on,” Sargsyan
mentioned, adding that they will prohibit by law any construction
not corresponding to Yerevan’s identity.

Talking about economic issues the president pointed out that the
state managed to survive the crisis.

“We were able to protect the country form shocks that happened in
many European countries. But we were not able to register an economic
growth, which would be visible for the majority of population. Armenia
can and will have a modern industry,” the president stressed.

The Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) is a ruling conservative party
in Armenia founded on 2 April, 1990, and registered on 14 May, 1991,
being the first officially registered socio-political organization
in the independent Republic of Armenia.

The founder of the party was Ashot Navasardyan. After his death the
party was headed by former Armenian prime minister, very influential
political figure, Vazgen Sargsyan, who was killed in 1999 terrorist
attack in the parliament. He was replaced by another Armenian Premier
Andranik Margaryan. After Margaryan’s death, the incumbent Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan took the office of the chairman of RPA board.

Since 2003, the Republican Party is a core member of the ruling
coalition along with the Prosperous Armenia and Orinats Yerkir
parties. RPA has majority of seats in the Armenian parliament since
2003.

The Republican Party of Armenia will run in the parliamentary
elections under its new slogan: “Let us believe to change!” The
Party’s proportional list includes 253 names.

RPA has also nominated MP candidates with the majority election system
in 33 electoral districts.

POWERS OF ARMY AND EMERGENCY TROOPS IN ARMENIA ARE NOT CLEARLY SPECIFIED IN LAWS

arminfo
Tuesday, April 10, 18:40

The powers of the army and the emergency troops in Armenia are not
clearly specified in the law, a group of human rights activists said
during a conference on the problems of army on Tuesday.

Lawyer Vahe Grigoryan said that the law says that the army and the
emergency troops should ensure the country’s security and territorial
integrity, but it does not differentiate between the state of emergency
and the martial law, and some commanders use this deficiency for
exploiting soldiers.

“Homeland defense is the duty of each citizen, but the use of a draftee
for personal purposes is a human rights violation. A conscript joins
the army to defend his homeland and is not obliged to fight criminals
or suppress riots. The Venice Commission has approved this provision,
but it is a question if its decision is right,” Grigoryan said.

SEVAG MEKHITARIAN WINNER OF BRAZIL OPEN

Panorama.am
10/04/2012

Grand Master Krikor-Sevag Mekhitarian scored 6 points out of 7
and took the first prize at the 2nd Brazil Open held in Fortaleza,
Armenian chess federation website report says.

According to the source the same results showed GMs Cubas (Paraguay),
Vescovi and El Debs (Brazil) but they were behind the Armenian chess
player on tie-break.

MP DUBS MARAGHA AS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CONTINUATION BY AZERBAIJAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 10, 2012 – 14:01 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Yerevan hosted an event on April 10 dedicated to
the 20th anniversary of the massacre of Armenians in the village of
Maragha by Azerbaijan.

Armenian MP, Against Legal Arbitrariness NGO leader Larisa Alaverdyan
extended her condolences to witnesses and survivors of Maragha tragedy
who attended the event organized by her organization.

“We all owe you, because those responsible for this terrible crime
did not face punishment yet. Maragha events are incontestable fact
of continuation of the Armenian Genocide by Azerbaijani authorities,”
she stressed. MP also noted that it was hard for their NGO to collect
information about the victims and captive Armenians.

Currently the village is under Azerbaijan’s control, and it’s
impossible to get information from there.

In addition, the captives were usually privately sold into slavery,
and then faced terrible fate. The NGO does not disclose these details,
to save people from suffering. Still, due to materials provided by the
relatives, Against Legal Arbitrariness keeps pursuing its activities
through contacts with different international organizations.

This event aimed not only to honor the memory of victims and
their relatives, but also promote the fight against such genocide
manifestations around the world.

52 people were massacred in Maragha (Leninavan) settlement, Mardakert
region, on April 10, 1992. 57 people were taken hostages, including 9
children and 18 women. The destiny of 19 people is still unknown. The
slaughter continued on April 22-23, when the survived residents of
Maragha returned to bury those dead. The data is confirmed by Helsinki
Watch international human rights organization.

OLIGARCHS’ PULSE RATE IS HIGH

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 15:08:20 – 10/04/2012

Member of Karabakh committee Ashot Manucharyan dwelt today on the
ongoing election processes. According to him, the main issue worrying
the people is whether it is possible to choose one life, which is out
of the election processes since that life is related with fundamental
orientates, change of the system of values which is not raised by
the participants in the election, that is the main participants are
in the same field of values, they don’t make any statement that they
are going to change the system of materialist people.

Ashot Manucharyan noted that there are two types of election
participants one of which thinks people just need to accumulate riches
and should do that at any cost, the other type thinks people need
to do it within the frameworks of the constitutional order. “The
Constitutional life of today’s world is the system of robbery and
some game rules. Unfortunately, another philosophy, which could come
up connected with other social systems was not ensured even by Robert
Poladyan, who was the most organized figure of this force but Armenia’s
future is related to such factors”, says Ashot Manucharyan.

He also noted that there is a serious split between the political
forces, which was not in place ten days ago, and after the signing
of the agreement on the joint election staff, the situation changed.

Ashot Manucharyan says today Armenia fully depends on the West –
the U.S. and Great Britain, plus, it is trying to resist Russia,
which evidently is absent from the upcoming elections.

According to him, the whole process is based on a Western scenario and
after the victory of the planned forces the events will develop like
in Georgia. So, the signing of the document changed the situation and
now it is difficult to guess the developments, said Ashot Manucharyan
determining the atmosphere of fear by this fact. If we try to measure
the pulse of the oligarchs and political figures, we will see both
camps are worried, said Ashot Manucharyan.

EXPERT SAYS AZERBAIJAN SHOULD BE CALLED TO ACCOUNT FOR MARAGHA TRAGEDY

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 10, 2012 – 14:38 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Against Legal Arbitrariness NGO organized a mourning
event on April 10 dedicated to the 20th anniversary of massacre of
Armenians in the village of Maragha by Azerbaijan.

“Events in Maragha are military crimes with elements of genocide,”
Hovhannes Nikoghosyan, head of Political Processes chair at
Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University said at the event.

“Maragha was far from hostilities area, and there was no need to
attack the village from a military viewpoint. The atrocity targeted
just Armenians, the civilians, and it aimed to kill and rob.

Unfortunately, the International Criminal Court has the authority to
consider cases related to events which have occurred after 2002, when
the Rome statute imposing responsibility for the crime of genocide,
crime against humanity, military crimes and crimes of aggression,
was adopted,” Nikoghosyan stated.

“However, the population [of Maragha] can address the European Court
for Human Rights for compensation of damage and property plunder;
while considering the case, the court will have to address the genocide
facts and look into them separately. This is what we can achieve in
the nearest future,” the expert concluded.

52 people were massacred in Maragha (Leninavan) settlement, Mardakert
region, on April 10, 1992. 57 people were taken hostages, including 9
children and 18 women. The destiny of 19 people is still unknown. The
slaughter continued on April 22-23, when the survived residents of
Maragha returned to bury those dead. The data is confirmed by Helsinki
Watch international human rights organization.

NKR PARLIAMENT ISSUES A STATEMENT ON THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF MARAGAHA EVENTS
Lusine Avanesyan

“Radiolur”
10.04.2012 13:24

The “Fatherland,” “Democracy” and “Dashnaktsutyun” factions and the
“Artsakhatun” deputy group of the NKR National Assembly adopted a joint
statement on the 20th anniversary of the events in Maragha village,
which reads, in part:

“On April 10, 1992, the subunits of the Azerbaijani regular army
invaded the village of Maragha in Martakert region, which posed no
threat to the Azerbaijani side from the military point of view. The
operation was aimed at slaughtering and deporting the peaceful
population of Maragha. As a result of the aggression hundreds of
people were killed, deported or taken hostage.

Those responsible for the heavy crime committed in Maragha remain
unpunished, and the settlement remains occupied. More than 1 000 former
residents of Maragaha now reside in different countries of the world.”

Strongly condemning the crime committed in Maragha, the faction of the
National Assembly assess it as genocide and declare that they will
pursue that the perpetrators and organizers of this crime against
humanity are punished.

They will defend the rights of the Artsakh Armenians, including the
restoration of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Artsakh,
and will contribute to the continuous strengthening of the republic,
viewing it as the most reliable guarantee of people’s security.”

MELKONIAN FUND RECEIVES FLOOD OF DONATIONS

Armenian Weekly
April 10, 2012

The Armenian Relief Society Eastern USA (ARS EUSA) Inc., Board of
Regional Directors extends its gratitude to the Melkonian and Abrimian
families who, in the memory of their beloved husband and father,
the late Nazareth Melkonian, requested friends to donate to the “Garo
Melkonian Scholarship Fund.” The ARS Office has since received $3,140
by the following individuals and groups:

ARS Leola Sassouni Chapter, Watertown, Mass.

WilmerHale Law Firm

Mr. and Mrs. William and Barbara Gobbi

Mr. and Mrs. Hovhanes and Rita Kassabian

Mr. and Mrs. Vahe and Nartoohi Abrimian

Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis and Ani Kassabian

Mr. and Mrs. Garabet and Shake Kezirian

Mr. and Mrs. Antranig and Ardemis Minassian

Mr. and Mrs. Khoren and Tamar Melkonian

Mrs. Arawalous Soghomonian

Mr. and Mrs. Vartan and Nayiri Manjikian

Mr. Kevork Dikramanjian

Mr. Sahag Donigian

Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis and Maro Sajonian

Dr. and Mrs. Leon and Deanna Bastajian

Mrs. Mary Barghamian

Mrs. Nevart Kouyoumjian

Mr. and Mrs. Harout and Mary Arabian

Mrs. Hasmig DerVartanian

Mr. Mardig Abrimian

Ms. Carolyn E. Hannon

Mr. and Mrs. Salvatore and Carolyn LaFauci

Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis and Mary Barghamian

Mr. and Mrs. Anthony and Annie Kiledjian

Mr. and Mrs. Megerdich and Angele Manoogian

Mr. and Mrs. Vartan and Vartouhie Chiloyan

Mr. and Mrs. Lisa and Andrea Martino

Ms. Allyson M. Seitz

Ms. Caitlin W. Monahan

Mr. and Mrs. Nazaret and Ekhsapet Sarkissian

Ms. Lousine A. Sarkissian

Mr. and Mrs. Vekan and Lisa Anserlian

Mr. and Mrs. Ohannes and Araxie Jorekjian

Mr. and Mrs. Hrayr and Yeran Manjikian

Ms. Marybeth Sulkowski

Mr. and Mrs. Levon and Shake Khatchadourian

Mrs. Hermine B. Anserlian

Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Veronica Sagherian

Mr. and Mrs. Vartan and Louisa Kheremian

Mr. and Mrs. Harout and Lena Sajonian

Mr. and Mrs. Yeprem and Mayda Melkonian

Wilmerhale Law Firm

Mr. and Mrs. Kasbar and Alisa Mirkhanian

Mr. and Mrs. Artin and Shnorig Emirkhanian

Mrs. Anahis K. Uruk

Mr. and Mrs. Yervant and Knarik Kiledjian

Mrs. Vera Bejakian

Mrs. Marie Bazarian

The Maltby Family

Mrs. Alice Palourian

Mr. and Mrs. Kevork and Hamesd Artinian

Mr. and Mrs. Hampig and Silva Nazarian

Mr. and Mrs. Garo and Lee Ann Emirkhanian

Mr. and Mrs. Varouj and Sona Baghdassarian

Mr. and Mrs. John and Maria Keusseyan

Mrs. Angele Minassian

Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis and Shoushan Stepanian

Mrs. Araks Badalian

Ms. Kathleen L. Heydt

Mr. and Mrs. Garo and Nelly Nerkizian

Mr. and Mrs. Armen and Tamar Postoyan

In addition to providing scholarships to worthy graduate and
undergraduate students of Armenian descent, the ARS EUSA sponsors
orphans, kindergartens, and other relief efforts in the U.S., Armenia,
and Artsakh.

The ARS EUSA participates in “Trick or Treat for UNICEF,” a Halloween
tradition beloved by generations of Americans. The ARS EUSA also
sponsors the “Youth Connect Program” for college-age students,
an Annual Essay Contest for school-age children, and “camperships”
to deserving children to attend Camp Haiastan.

Scholarship applications may be downloaded at
or be obtained by e-mailing a request to the ARS USA Office at
[email protected]

The Armenian Relief Society Eastern USA is a 501 C 3 charitable
organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed
by law.