Author: Badalian Vardan

“I DON’T WISH TO LEAD PROPORTIONAL LIST,” ARF-D BUREAU REPRESENTATIVE HRANT MARGARYAN SAYS

16:24 . 27/02

The parliament must be for political forces, political figures, who
don’t use the parliamentary tribune for other purposes but promote to
the development process of this country by the parliamentary activity,
ARF-D Bureau representative Hrant Margaryan stated during a briefing
with journalists today touching upon the issue of businessmen MPs’
inclusion in the National Assembly.

As informed by yerkir.am, the ARF-D politician also touched upon
ARF-D’s proportional list stating there are many people in the party
who may lead the list. He has no such a wish. Asked if it is possible
that he leads the list, H. Margaryan answered: “I don’t think so. No.

I don’t wish to participate and my wish is real. I have so much to do.

Let others go to the parliament: shall I do everything?”

He also added that the party’s proportional list will be published
when the time schedule demands it. And they haven’t still decided on
what principle it will be formed: “According to the law, it must be
decided by the body or the congress: we’ll convene a meeting for two
hours and decide”.

Asked by journalists if it is possible that ARF-D again forms a
coalition with RPA in the future parliament, H. Margaryan answered that
ARF-D has no reason to form a coalition with the ruling party, while
the reasons not to form are many: – “I rather consider it possible
that others try to form a coalition around our axis. I don’t think
that we’ll form a coalition. But nothing is excluded in this world: if,
God forbid, a war starts, I think that all of us must consolidate. But
proceeding from today’s conditions, there is no reason for it, while
there are many reasons for the opposite.”

Asked how advantageous ARF-D’s situation is today, the ARF-D bureau
representative said that the situation today is favorable for no
political force. “We have appeared in a false situation, where the
parties with rare exceptions or comparative differences, don’t enjoy
the people’s real sympathy, a sympathy, which will be directed to
their ideology, their programme, their political direction. Perhaps,
we are different, that people recognize us in some respect; at least
they know what ARF-D is in national issues; but in the case of others,
it is not the party’s ideology that has a popular support, it is
rather separate figures, separate individuals that have it, which I
think is not a good thing, it is even dangerous,” Hrant Margaryan said.

SLOVAK POLITICIAN FAVORS KARABAKH’S DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 28, 2012 – 17:24 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – It is surprising to see how the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic, the population of which totals only 140 thousand, follows
the path of democratic development, according to Slovak politician.

“Capital of Nagorno Karabakh, Stepanakert more and more reminds of
Western countries’ metropolises. Thanks to its President Bako Sahakyan,
corruption is not a core problem in the country. People acknowledge
that interior demoralization poses a major threat to their existence,”
an article published by František Mikloško says.

The author further voiced confidence that “Armenians in Artsakh are
ready to defend their ancient culture, religion and civilization at
any cost.”

“Armenians are a special nation that have undergone various
tribulations. But I have an impression that an invisible hand protests
them. That’s inspires optimism,” he writes.

ARMENIAN FM: OTHER STATES WILL FOLLOW FRANCE’S EXAMPLE

Tert.am
28.02.12

As long as Turkey keeps on denying the Armenian Genocide, other
countries will follow France’s example to outlaw that crime against
humanity, the Armenian Foreign Minister has said.

Edward Nalbandyan made the statement in an interview with the Austrian
publication Der Standard when asked to comment on whether the bill
French parliament’s bill criminalizing the denial of genocides could
serve as a model for other states.

“Whether or not a model, I’m sure that other countries will take such
decisions as long as the denial of the Armenian Genocide remains
Turkey’s state policy. That Genocide is a crime against humanity
and has been recognized as such by many countries and international
organizations. The denial of a crime of genocide entails a relevant
response. The French law reflects the feelings and opinions of
the French people. I have known that since the time I served as an
ambassador to France,” he said.

The minister disagreed to the remark that the critics of the bill link
the French lawmakers’ move with the coming presidential election in
the country.

“That’s not true. The law enjoys full support by the French president,
government and main political forces, both right- and left-wing. It
was put to vote and passed both by the National Assembly and Senate.

Hence the adoption of the law reflects the opinion of the French
people. The same was the case with the 2001 law on recognizing the
Armenian Genocide,” he said.

Commenting on Turkey’s threats to cut ties with France in case the
bill is signed into law, Nalbandyan noted: “The law could be first of
all useful in terms of the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish ties.

If something prevents the Armenia-Turkey reconciliation, it’s Turkey’s
approach. After the signing of the protocols in Zurich, Turkey made
a step backwards, refusing to enforce the agreements reached. The
world community finds that the ball is in Turkey’s half field.”

LAND TAXES: AHEAD OF ELECTIONS GOVERNMENT OFFERS TAX BREAKS TO FARMERS
By Gayane Lazarian

ArmeniaNow
28.02.12 | 15:56

Photo:

The National Assembly of Armenia in the first reading has adopted
a draft law ‘On Property Tax and Land Tax Arrears’, under which
all the taxpayers who had less than 2 million drams (about $5,170)
debt within the period of 2008-2011, when paying the basic amount,
will be freed from all interests; and the time frame for paying the
basic amount is from three months to one year.

Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan stated that by this
initiative the Government forgives tax arrears of about 43 billion
drams (about $111 million) in the agricultural sector. According to
him, the bill will also promote the economic growth, because the tax
burden on agriculture will be essentially reduced.

Vahan Hovhannisyan, head of the opposition Armenian Revolutionary
Federation (ARF, Dashnaktsutyun), says it is suspicious why the
Government has submitted the bill ahead of the upcoming parliamentary
elections.

“What is this? Is this an election bribe ahead of the elections? Why
is this bill brought to the vote in a special way just now? Why do
diligent taxpayers, not being aware of anything, end up in unequal
conditions?” he says. “Out of nothing they suddenly forgive a debt
ahead of the elections appearing in the role of someone who does
a favor.”

Head of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia parliamentary faction
Gagik Melikyan, not agreeing with his opponents, says that the
submission of the bill right now is not connected with the upcoming
Parliamentary elections.

“Had it [the bill] been submitted after the [Parliamentary] elections
they [the opposition] would have said that we submitted it ahead of the
Presidential elections. And had we submitted it after it, they would
have said that we did it ahead of local elections,” Melikyan says.

The Union of Communities of Armenia, being concerned about the bill,
made a statement, saying that the suggested methods are disputable,
and that they may have an essential impact upon the activities of
the communities, their budgeting processes, and financial capacities
of communities.

“Besides, the diligent and unscrupulous taxpayers will be put on unfair
and unequal scales of a balance under the bill,” the statement reads.

BHP MP THINKS EUROPEANS DON’T UNDERSTAND THE LOOPHOLES

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 16:09:04 – 28/02/2012

Member of the Bargavach Hayastan parliamentary group Naira Zohrabyan,
dwelling on the law draft proposing to pass to 100% proportional
representation, stated that it is necessary to come to a consensus.

She proposed to hold either a parliamentary referendum to learn the
opinion of the society, or to reduce the majoritarian seats up to 21.

“Even if there are worries that the regional representation will be
violated, let them do it anyway”, said Zohrabyan.

As for the position of the European structures on this issue, Zohrabyan
noted: “Europeans don’t understand the value of the issue.

They accept both modes, they don’t understand the loopholes”.

ARMENIAN SOLDIER WOUNDED BY ADVERSARY’S BULLET

news.am
February 28, 2012 | 15:12

YEREVAN. – According to preliminary data, Armenian MOD recruit,
Private Arman Sedrakyan, who is serving in a military unit, received a
gunshot wound from the bullet fired by the adversary on February 25,
MOD Investigation Department Public Relations Senior Officer Meri
Sargsyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Sedrakyan was initially taken to Noyemberyan Hospital, but he was
subsequently transferred to Yerevan Military Hospital. At present,
he is in satisfactory condition.

Meri Sargsyan also informed that MOD Investigation Department has
launched a criminal case, in this connection, and on charges of
murder attempt.

Arman Sedrakyan was recruited from Etchmiadzin city in 2010.

ARMENIAN LIBRARIES DIGITALIZED

AEMENPRESS
FEBRUARY 28, 2012
YERVAN

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS: Four libraries are being digitalized
in Armenia. Director of the National Library Tigran Zargaryan told
the reporters today that first magazines and periodicals will be
digitized. Currently the number of digitalized books reaches about
1 million but the number will grow.

“The digitalization process have started since 2001 and currently the
1-2% of the Armenian literature has been digitalized,” Zargaryan said.

He said the digitized books are being read from all the corners of
the world.

He said it has been done under the auspices of the Open Society
Institute and currently state-funded. “The digitalization process
will not result in job cut but vice versa,” Zargaryan said.

The digitalized books may be read at and
websites.

TO NAME AND SHAME?: GREEN ACTIVISTS DEMAND IDENTITIES OF MASHOTS PARK KIOSK OWNERS BE REVEALED

28.02.12 | 15:06

The young environmental activists fighting against the installment of
kiosks in Mashtots Park demand that the Yerevan municipality publish
the names of the developers.

Yerevan city authorities gave the owners of the kiosks dismantled from
Abovyan Street permission to relocate their property to the park near
Yerevan’s main thoroughfare, Mashtots Boulevard, as compensation. They
say the measure is temporary and the kiosks will later be dismantled
when reconstruction projects for this zone are realized.

The environmentalists have sent an open letter to Yerevan Mayor
Taron Margaryan, demanding that the municipality not only publish
the names of the kiosk owners, but also all the decisions made by
Yerevan authorities related to the pavilions installed in Abovyan
Street before, as well as all the decisions related to the relocation
of the pavilions from Abovyan Street to Mashtots Park and all the
contracts signed with the owners of the kiosks.

Member of “We are the Owners of Our City” initiative Gor Hakobyan says:
“It is not clear why these contracts and decisions are not provided. Is
there anything to hide? What is the problem? Are there more things
that must be done secretly?”

Shushan Sardaryan, the spokeswoman for the Yerevan mayor, told
RFE/RL’s Armenian Service that the names will be published when the
open letter is answered within the time frame defined by the law. And
as for providing the documents, Sardaryan said that the municipality
has already provided all documents and reported all the details
connected with the decision of the construction.

As of now, 2,500 people have joined the signature collection initiative
against the construction in Mashtots Park.

CUMHURIYET: CONSTITUTIONAL COURT TO RATIFY ARMENIAN BILL

Panorama.am
28/02/2012

The French Constitutional Council is expected to pass a decision on
the bill criminalizing the denial of Armenian Genocide late Tuesday
evening, Cumhuriyet reports in an article titled “Constitutional
Court to Ratify Armenian Bill.”

The French Senate passed the Armenian Genocide bill on January 23. The
bill envisages one year prison term and a fine of 45,000 euros for
anyone who denies the fact of Armenian Genocide. Later a group of
French senators appealed to the Constitutional Council against the
bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial.

GEORGIA DENIES AZERBAIJANI MEDIA REGARDING PARTICIPATION IN ANTI-ARMENIAN EVENTS

Panorama.am
28/02/2012

Azerbaijani mass media reported events commemorating the 20th
anniversary of Aghdam events were held on February 23-24 in Georgia.

The initiative was supported by Azerbaijan’s Embassy in Georgia and
Kvemo Kartli governor’s office David Kirkitadze.

However, diplomatic sources don’t confirm the information. Kvemo
Kartli governor’s office doesn’t have any connection with that event.

Even more governor David Kirkitadze was at that time abroad. Deputy
governor Hussein Yusubov was present at the meeting as a head of
Congress of Azerbaijanis in Georgia.

It was also denied that Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Academy of
Sciences of Georgia were engaged in those events.