Author: Badalian Vardan

Proportional list of Armenian oppositional Heritage party will be
published on Sunday

news.am
March 17, 2012 | 22:56

YEREVAN. – Armenian oppositional Heritage Party will hold a political
council on Sunday. The proportional list of the party and the nominees
by the majoritarian system will be confirmed during the council, head
of Heritage parliament group Styopa Safaryan told Armenian
News-NEWS.am.

Safaryan refused to make any comments about any nomination.

`As long as there is not any official decision I can neither confirm
nor deny any nomination. People must decide tomorrow whether they get
nominated or not and the party also has to tell its opinion,’ Safaryan
said mentioning that he might also put his nomination by the
majoritarian system.

To note, it is possible that Heritage and Free Democrats parties will
come up with joint list.

It is necessary to provide tax concessions to small and medium
enterprises, Gagik Tsarukyan says

arminfo
Saturday, March 17, 21:29

The state should create favorable conditions for the people to create
values, not to leave the country, Leader of the coalition Prosperous
Armenia Party (PAP), businessman Gagik Tsarukyan said at today’s
congress of the PAP.

He is concerned over the fact that the citizens of Armenia hardly make
both ends meet, but when they leave the country they resolve their
social problems pretty soon. “It is necessary to combat poverty.
Working people should not be poor. For that purpose, it is first of
all necessary to stimulate small and medium business, to remove all
administrative and other obstacles, and to provide tax concessions.
The economic crisis in 2008 seriously affected our country, like all
the other states. In almost all the countries of the world the
governments gave a hand to their businessmen, especially, to the small
and medium enterprises. But did the Armenian businessmen feel that
support? I want to especially single out the small and medium
entrepreneurs, because for them it is a “to be or not to be?”
question, while the large businessmen can work without profit and even
with loss for some time”, Tsarukyan stressed.

He said that today the small and medium enterprises of Armenia are in
a desperate state, many enterprises have been closed, and there are no
relevant conditions for smart and gifted people to use their skills.

“Prosperous Armenia suggests switching from the initial capital to the
human capital assets. The new system should be based on new methods. I
am sure that we’ll gain nothing by the old methods”, he said and added
that the hero of the country should be not an official, but a man, who
works and creates new values for his state.

RAFFI HOVHANNISYAN MEETS GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER

16.03.12, 17:51

Heritage Party leader Raffi K. Hovannisian met with Federal Republic of
Germany foreign minister Guido Westerwelle here today in the presence
of other politicians and civil society representatives.

Hovannisian, who had served as Armenia’s first minister of foreign
affairs, shared his perspectives on the Republic’s domestic challenges
and international priorities. Press service of Heritage Party informs
about this.

On the same day Raffi Hovannisian received Ms. Katherine Leach,
Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Armenia, at Heritage headquarters. They
discussed British-Armenian relations and current developments
in Armenia and the region. Stiopa Safaryan, head of Heritage’s
parliamentary faction, also took part in the meeting.

AZERI HACKERS TARGET 20 ARMENIAN WEBSITES

PanARMENIAN.Net
March 16, 2012 – 15:36 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Azerbaijani hackers keep attacking Armenian websites,
targeting the site of Armenia~Rs National Archives among the 20 others.

As information security expert Samvel Martirosyan told a
PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, the hackers placed posts, particularly
insults addressed to French president Nicolas Sarkozy.

Hackers earlier attacked websites of Araratian Diocese, Vallex Group,
Gavar State University and Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression
(CPFE).

RENEWED DRIVE FOR SENATE RECOGNITION OF GENOCIDE TO BE LAUNCHED

Armenian Weekly
March 16, 2012

Bipartisan Genocide-Prevention Measure Seeks to Apply Lessons of
Armenian Genocide in Preventing Future Crimes Against Humanity

WASHINGTON-Senators Bob Menendez, fresh off blocking the flawed
nomination of Matt Bryza to a full term as Ambassador to Azerbaijan,
and Mark Kirk, who came to the Senate last year after serving as
Co-Chairman of the Armenian Caucus in the U.S. House, are set to
introduce the Armenian Genocide Resolution, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA).

The two Senators are currently collecting original cosponsors for
the genocide-prevention measure, which will, upon introduction,
be referred to the Foreign Relations Committee, chaired by John
Kerry (D-Mass.). The resolution is being introduced during a closely
contested election year, amid increasingly strained relations between
Turkey and many of its former friends on Capitol Hill.

Armenian Americans and anti-genocide activists are encouraged
to contact their Senators to become original cosponsors of this
legislation by sending a free ANCA WebMail at:

“We extend our thanks to Senators Menendez and Kirk for their
leadership in putting America on the right side of this human rights
issue,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. “We look
forward to supporting their efforts to ensure that our leaders – in
the White House and Congress – reject Turkey’s gag-rule on American
recognition of the Armenian Genocide. No one – ally or adversary –
deserves a veto on U.S. human rights policy.”

Parallel to this effort, Reps. Robert Dold (R-Ill.) and Adam Schiff
(D-Calif.) have offered a nearly identical measure, S.Res.304, in
the U.S. House, and Senators Scott Brown (R-Mass.), Dianne Feinstein
(D-Calif.), and Mark Kirk have introduced S.Res.392, the Senate version
of a religious freedom measure that was adopted last December, in
the U.S. House calling upon Turkey to return stolen Christian church
properties to their rightful owners.

PROCEEDING FROM THE CURRENT POLITICAL REALITIES, THE RECOGNITION OF THE NKR BY ARMENIA SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE YET
Susanna Balayan

Friday, 16 March 2012 11:18

Prominent political scientists from Armenia participated in the
international conference “The 20th anniversary of the independence of
the NKR: Realities and Perspectives” held in Stepanakert in the last
decade of February. Among them was Director of the Caucasus Institute
Alexander Iskandaryan who made a report in the second section –
”Karabakh as a Factor in the Construction of the Region.”

It should be noted that the topic of the second section – “The place
and role of the NKR in the regional and international processes”
– caused the greatest interest among the professionals and wider
audience of the section meetings. To remind, the thesis presented at
the fourth and final meeting of the section by Russian expert on the
South Caucasus and Middle East, Director of the International Institute
of the Latest States Alexei Martynov on the need for recognizing
Karabakh by â~@~Kâ~@~KArmenia caused mixed reactions. Following is
an assessment by the Armenian political scientist on the subject.

– Mr. Iskandaryan, what do you think about the thesis of the Russian
political scientist on the need for the priority recognition of the
NKR independence by Armenia? What will it give to the two Armenian
states? Will this not lead to war?

– I am a political scientist, and my job is to say what is right
and what is not, that is only to assess the situation. Recognition
of Nagorno-Karabakh by Armenia is not on the agenda today. If the
recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh happens now, Azerbaijan will have
to be actually out of the Minsk process. The Minsk process will be
slowed down, and the issue will be removed from the OSCE format. Is
it bad or good – this is not the matter… It has a distinct positive
feature: the OSCE is a format with an element of consensus. Armenia
can block an undesirable decision. Then all the rest, which once
took place in Lisbon, will leave this format (this can be said with
high probability). This will create certain risks and threats to
the situation in the conflict zone. Considering this, the official
position of Armenia has not changed for nearly twenty years. Or, that
is the degree of compromise, which is made by the Armenian party,
or strictly both Armenian parties so that the status of Karabakh
could be the endpoint of the negotiation process and not the initial
one. It is widely known.

– As you have pointed out, the position of the Armenian party has
not changed for twenty years. How long do you think it will remain
unchanged?

– A lot of states in the world, that are not recognized or recognized
in part, live on this sample. This is a political fact. And it is
realized by any qualified political scientist. Another ball game
is impossible. Surely, this does not mean it is forever. But in
today’s political reality, the recognition of the NKR by Armenia is
impossible. De facto recognition exists, which is also obvious to
everybody. The Armenian monetary system operates in the territory of
Nagorno-Karabakh. Karabakh is connected with Armenia with the bank
and communication systems. The NKR inhabitants are citizens of Armenia
and have the same passports. Boundaries, in fact, do not exist. Both
states have a single economic, demographic, and legislative field…

This is clear to everybody. Surely, we seek legal recognition.

However, to date, this may be stated only by those who aim at pleasing
the audience. In terms of political science, I think to please the
audience is not the most important goal. Proceeding from the current
political realities, it seems impossible yet, whatever we want (well,
which of us does not seek the recognition?).

FOREIGN MINISTER OF ARMENIA BLAMES AZERBAIJAN IN FAILING THE CREATION OF INVESTIGATION MECHANISM

ARMENPRESS
MARCH 16, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS. At the recent meeting of the presidents
of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan in Sochi an arrangement has been
reached over working out a mechanism of investigation of incidents
on the line of contact. Azerbaijan did everything not to create such
mechanism, Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian said at the
joint news conference with his German counterpart Guido Westerwelle.

“At the previous meeting in Sochi, a year ago, the presidents referred
to a number of points but these arrangements as well did not come true
as Azerbaijan again stepped back,” Foreign Minister of Armenia said.

He informed that corresponding proposals over the investigation
mechanism have been presented by the co-chairs in March 2011 and
Armenia responded to it. “Armenia once again positively responded in
October past year to the proposal of the co-chairs. Azerbaijan has
not answered till now,” Nalbandian stressed.

As an example of unconstructive approach of Azerbaijan, Minister
Nalbandian mentioned the discussions of the OSCE budget when Azerbaijan
threatened to put a veto in case of allocation of financial means
to the investigation mechanism. “It is one of the examples why we do
not manage to register progress as we agree one thing, but Azerbaijan
steps back from our arrangements,” Nalbandian said.

He said the Azerbaijani position became the reason for failure to
register progress. “That is the reason why the co-chairs fail to help
the parties. They are doing a great work,” the Minister said.

Nalbandian also highly rated the brokering activity of President of
Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev. “At the recent meeting in Sochi a
quite high assessment was given to the activity of the co-chairs. Even
Azerbaijani president stated that he highly values their activity
and the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan expressed hope that
the mediators will continue working in the same format until peace
is established in the region,” the minister said. He stressed that
few days after these statements of Ilham Aliev suddenly a criticism
was voiced addressed to the co-chairs which once again proves the
unconstructive approach of Azerbaijan.

HERITAGE LEADER CALLS FOR UNITING EFFORTS

Tert.am
16.03.12

The leader of the Heritage party, Raffi Hovhannisyan, has called
upon the opposition forces to unite their efforts ahead of the May
parliamentary polls.

In his speech at the Free Democrats party’s third congress on Friday,
Hovhannisyan conveyed to the participants his sympathy and support
on behalf of Heritage and said their concerted efforts would bring
a new daybreak to Armenia on May 6 and the following day.

He characterized the Free Democrats party as a powerful force committed
to national interests.

Hovhannisyan stressed that an alliance would contribute to state
building more than separate political parties put together.

“Our country’s sovereignty, interests, and the future of generations
is beyond our own selves. Together, we will move mountains,” he said.

In a summary report adopted after the speeches, the Free Democrats
vested the Heritage party with the authority to determine the format
of the parliamentary campained.

None of the ruling political forces had attended the congress. A
spokesperson for the Free Democrats party, Angela Khachatryan, told
Tert.am that the coalition parties – the Republican, Rule of Law and
Prosperous Armenia – had not been sent an invitation. But ex-foreign
minister Vardan Oskanyan, who has recently joined Prosperous Armenia,
was among the invited. Commenting on his presence Khachatryan said
it had nothing to do with Oskanyan’s party affiliation as he was
invited there as a public figure known, not as a Prosperous Armenia
representative.

The congress was also attended by the leader of the Republic party
(a political force represented in the opposition Armenian National
Congress), Aram Sargsyan, and a member of the opposition Armenian
Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaksutyun (ARF-D) faction in parliament,
Armen Roustamyan.

All the lawmakers of the Heritage party faction were present at
the discussion.

NATO NOT TO BE ENGAGED IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

news.am
March 16, 2012 | 14:34

NATO has no intention of getting involved in the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict and it is not even involved in the peace process, the Deputy
Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy
James Appathurai said in an interview with Atlantic-community.org.

In response to the question what kind of arrangements NATO is going
to carry out in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijan and
Armenia, Appathurai said that the bottom line is that NATO hopes it
never to happen.

Appathurai thinks there is concern amongst the Allies at the state
of the Minsk Process.

“NATO heard from the two presidents in the last few weeks that
they are committed to the process, they are committed to a peaceful
resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh crisis. But the reality is that
the Minsk Process has had some difficulties, especially recently,
and that there is worrying rhetoric between the two states and a lot
of weapons being purchased by both states,” he said.

According to him, the South Caucasus is a region which probably does
not get as much attention as it deserves from the international media.

“It is of critical strategic importance for reasons of its location,
for reasons of its potential, and for reasons of its energy transit and
supply role. So for many reasons it is important that this conflict
be resolved in a peaceful way as soon as possible and respecting the
principles of international law. So NATO hopes it will be solved,
but to come back to the question in its most pointed way, NATO is not
involved in this crisis, except to supporting the Minsk Group and a
peaceful resolution,” he said.

” UNE MEILLEURE ARMENIE POUR CHACUN ”
Stephane

armenews.com
vendredi 16 mars 2012

Les agences de presse et les televisions ont accorde une importante
couverture au Congrès du parti Republicain, le 10 mars, au cours
duquel le President Sarkissian a ete reelu, sans surprise, a la tete
du parti. Wilfrid Martens, le President du Parti Populaire Europeen
auquel le parti Republicain vient d’adherer, a salue la tenue de ce
congrès, reaffirmant la place de l’Armenie dans la famille europeenne
du PPE. Le depute russe d’origine armenienne, Arthur Tchilingarov,
a egalement lu un message de felicitations de Vladimir Poutine. Dans
son discours d’une heure, le President armenien a aborde de nombreux
thèmes dont une Armenie forte et un Haut Karabagh independant, ”
qui ne retournera pas dans le giron de Bakou “. Le chef de l’Etat
a notamment plaide pour un changement a tous les niveaux de la vie
politique et sociale du pays.

Principaux thèmes evoques :

consultations electorales imminentes. Le chef de l’Etat s’est borne
a souligner que ” l’on doit tenir de bonnes elections “, et ne pas
mettre en doute dès maintenant, leur legitimite. Le slogan du parti
Republicain sera : ” Une meilleure Armenie pour tous “.

Evoquant les critiques a l’encontre de son parti au cours des dernières
annees ” accuse de tous les peches “, notamment d’avoir voulu ”
ceder ” le HK, d'” abjurer ” le genocide et d’avoir fait ” echouer ”
le developpement, le chef de l’Etat a enumere les acquis economiques,
notamment l’augmentation du budget de l’Etat, la creation de nouveaux
emplois malgre la crise economique, la croissance du salaire moyen
(de 120 euros a 220 euros), des retraites (2,5 fois) etc. Le President
a ajoute qu’aucune croissance economique ne saurait resoudre les
problèmes, sans creation de nouvelles entreprises.

Concernant la ” maladie cancerigène ” de la ” corruption “, il a
preconise des moyens ” chirurgicaux “.

conflit du HK. Le HK a toujours ete, est et sera armenien. La
reconnaissance internationale du droit du peuple du HK a
l’autodetermination est la base du règlement pacifique du conflit
auquel Stepanakert doit etre associe.

relations armeno-turques. Bien que la frontière demeure fermee,
l’initiative armenienne de normaliser les relations bilaterales a
eu trois consequences : le processus de reconnaissance du genocide
armenien a ete relance ; le monde entier sait que l’unique obstacle
a la normalisation des relations armeno-turques reside a Ankara et a
Bakou ; la Turquie a signe un document excluant tout prealable a la
normalisation des relations.

les reformes sont indispensables. Le chef de l’Etat, evoquant les
mecontentements vis-a-vis du système de gouvernance, estime que
l’on doit changer d’attitude envers ” l’un des plus beaux pays du
monde qui jouit d’un riche patrimoine, et d’un avenir encourageant
“. ” Croyons, pour changer “, c’est le slogan que propose le chef de
l’Etat pour la campagne electorale de son parti.

Ambassade de France en Armenie

Service de presse