Aronian defeats Gelfand in Tata Steel 12th round
January 28, 2012 – 22:05 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian grandmaster Levon Aronian defeated Boris
Gelfand of Israel in the 12th round of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament
in Wijk aan Zee, the Netherlands.
Aronian keeps the lead with 8.5 points to face Azerbaijan’s Teimour
Rajabov in the last round. Rajabov has 7.5 points and shares the
2nd-3rd places with Magnus Carlsen of Norway.
The name of Armenian participant at Eurovision 2012 to be known by March 18
armradio.am
28.01.2012 23:34
The Armenian entrant at Eurovision Song Contest 2012 will be chosen by
a special commission to be established by the Council of Public
Television and Radio Company of Armenia. The commission will comprise
musicians, television specialists and music producers.
The song to be performed at Eurovision 2012 will be chosen by March 18.
For the first time the Public Television will participate in the
Eurovision-12 Contest of Young Musicians to be held in Vienna in May.
Other participants will include Austria, Belarus, Bosnia& Herzegovina,
Croatia, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Germany, Greece, teh
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovenia and Ukraine.
This annual competition of young classical performers aged 15-20 and
id one of the greatest projects of the European Broadcasting Union.
The name of the Armenian participant will be known by March 15
NKR Defense Army refrains from responding to enemy’s provocative actions
15:36 28/01/2012 » Politics
The Azerbaijani army violated ceasefire regime at the line of contact
between Karabakh and Azerbaijani troops around 150 times on January
22-28, firing more than 500 shots towards Armenian defensive posts,
NKR Defense Army said.
Nevertheless, NKR Defense Army’s forces refrained from responding to
enemy’s provocative actions and kept defending the military posts
confidently, the source said.
Source: Panorama.am
You Are Thieves and Cheaters
Siranuysh Papyan
Story from Lragir.am News:
Published: 14:15:35 – 28/01/2012
Interview with Andreas Ghukasyan, political scientist
Mr. Ghukasyan, in his New Year message Serzh Sargsyan noted that the
elections are understood as a way of seizing or holding on to power,
and it is time to understand that there are higher goals and he will
do everything to rid of this vicious stereotype. The election process
has started. Does Serzh Sargsyan’s speech mean that we will have a
different political situation in this election?
The issue must be viewed from the internal and external points of
view. If we view the situation of the Republic of Armenia, the head of
state and the party which supports him from the outside, it should be
noted that the external climate, political world and environment are
changing. On the one hand, the developments in Arab states, on the
other hand, the elaboration of the political field in Europe,
fundamental change is happening in the entire world.
Naturally, the head of any banana or eggplant republic should send a
message to the external world that he is in line with the
international processes because otherwise he may be run over.
If we view from the inside, people’s consciousness remains in the
system which is already past. A great part of the society does not
understand the mainstream which the president already knows. Hence,
the president has an advantage. He understands that it is necessary to
lead in this process and say that it is time to crash the system which
guarantees misgovernment, and he will lead the cause.
Is the society in the Soviet past or the first years of independence?
If we view the past, we will see that we had fundamental change of
government and the political system once in 12 years. The first stage
was the movement of 88 for Karabakh and independence and the main
slogan then was independence, self-determination and democracy. The
other stage was in 2000, the change of government in Russia, and at
the same time the change of government in Armenia, that is a
government within the government which ridded of the actors of the
previous period, Yeltsin in Russia and Levon Ter-Petrosyan, Vazgen
Sargsyan and others in Armenia. And a new slogan appears – lets come
together and develop the economy.
12 years later, we can see that in Russia people stood up and told
them they are thieves and cheaters. The slogan now is – end
misgovernment.
Our society is in the first stage of developing the economy, while the
president is already in the next stage of struggling `thieves and
cheaters’.
In this regard, are Serzh Sargsyan’s intentions positive and is a
downward change possible?
It depends on whether the president as a person can gain the
confidence of the society or not. The logic of our political process
is the following: coming to government with the support of people who
have money is needed because the public is ready to sell their votes
and tolerates election fraud. In other words, a government which makes
compromise allows people who can strike deals form government. As a
result, the government becomes the product of deals, while the leader
of the ruling class finalizes all the deals. Will the person who came
to government in this way be able to change the system? This question
concerns not only Sargsyan but also Putin, Mubarak, Gaddafi, all the
people who come to power in this way. My answer is no, it is
impossible. Because one needs to break relations with all those people
who helped you come to government through deals. There are rare
examples, of course. In Singapore, a national leader was able to rid
of his entourage, supporters and shape another government. In Armenia,
there are forces which like to refer to the example of Singapore. And
they dream of the same thing but without changing anything. Is it
possible to eliminate misgovernment by leaving the oligarchs, corrupt
ministers and officials in their positions?
In other words, can Serzh Sargyan fight these things alone?
Not that he is unable to fight his own political basis but a
reasonable man would not think about chopping the branch on which he
is sitting. There must be extreme reasons, extreme challenges to force
a politician to destroy his political assets. For this purpose, he
needs another group to rely on. In Armenia the president does not and
will never have such a group.
What should be done if there is no such group?
The government should go on a diet, which means legitimization and
division of property in favor of the society. Will the ruling class be
able to solve such a problem independently? Considering our
peculiarities and people’s readiness to fight for the smallest
personal property, I exclude it. Our ruling class cannot make up its
mind to give power to another force which will be able to establish
the rule of law for everyone, including itself, and nobody’s property
will be the target of political games.
Is there a force which will be able to substitute the present government?
In 2000, a new force emerged which substituted the incapable
government, today the government has a reserve team which will be able
to tell the world it is the changed adequate political force which has
all the tools to do something in the country. It is the prime
minister’s team with all its resource, including oligarchs.
However, there is no confidence in the prime minister’s word because
everyone sees that his words are not translated into action.
This is a situation when the government has teams with different
values and goals, so no force can display absolute abilities. They
restrain one another, they fight with one another.
Let’s get back to the opposition. In fact, the opposition does not
have a new political culture. There is only an idea – go forward
towards the past. We have two groups of activists of this idea, Levon
Ter-Petrosyan is pointing to 1997. Beyond him there is a camp of red
forces which point to even the remoter past.
The new political force will lead forward. The global experience shows
that it must emerge in the opposition. New structures may emerge in
the opposition which will prove their capability to the society.
Will there be no alternative to elections?
Only elections can be alternative to elections. We need to change the
political system, that is the Constitution. In order to change it, a
competent body must be created which can be done only by an entity
which carries power. The entity which carries power in Armenia is the
public. If the majority of citizens elect a constitutional assembly
and authorize their representatives to represent their interests, this
body will be able to change the constitution, that is the entire
political system, adopting a new model and presenting it to the
society for approval. I think this is the necessary path rather than
an alternative.
Why do we need a new constitution? Which points of the existing
constitutions do you disagree with?
Our constitution does not guarantee the right to employment. Our
government has no such duty. The income of welfare of a citizen is his
or her work. A society cannot consist of entrepreneurs only. This is a
fundamental point that must be added, and from which the other points
will proceed – the right to social security, the right to welfare. The
philosophy of the revenant chapter of our constitution is think for
yourself.
Is this political scramble imitation?
I think it is because there is lack of confidence in the election
commission, so the opposition must stand at the barricades and demand
change of election commissions. Instead, we can see that parties want
to eliminate single-member districts and adopt full proportional
representation. If there is a will to form a legitimate government,
the issue of election commissions must be a key one. In other words,
the political scramble is not for fair elections and legitimate
government.
Analysts say Turkey on wrong track over Armenia genocide
Turkey’s attempts to intimidate France and other countries over the
question of the Armenian genocide are bound to backfire, analysts said
as the 100th anniversary of the bloodshed approaches.
AFP
ANKARA- “This negative and reactive strategy has failed, and no one is
ready to admit it,” said Cengiz Aktar of Istanbul’s Bahcesehir
University. “I hope that the authorities will think about it and come
up with a different tack by the time of the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian genocide that is coming up” in 2015, said Aktar, an
international relations professor, using the term Ankara condemns.
Hugh Pope of the International Crisis Group agreed, saying: “There are
many people in Turkey that are worried about how Turkey is going to
handle the situation in 2015.” He said Ankara should “get on a path of
reconciliation with the Armenians so that they can be on the side of
the people who are going to be remembering the lost communities of
Armenians” in the anniversary year.
The French Senate on Monday approved legislation under which anyone in
France who denies that the 1915 massacre of Armenians by Ottoman Turk
forces amounted to genocide could face imprisonment.
On Tuesday, Paris brushed off angry threats of retaliation by Turkey
and said the bill would become law in two weeks.
Ankara has already halted political amd military cooperation and is
threatening to cut off economic and cultural ties. Bilateral trade
totalled some 11.7 billion euros ($15.4 billion) in 2010.
The French chamber of commerce in Turkey, which has some 400 members,
on Thursday expressed “great disappointment” over the bill, and called
on France’s constitutional council to nix it.
“Turkey is making more and more threats against France,” wrote
editorialist Semih Idiz in the Milliyet daily. “But in a few weeks the
issue will rear its head again in the US Congress. There are other
countries waiting in the wings. Will Turkey recall its ambassador each
time?” he asked. “It’s an absurd situation.”
Armenia and its diaspora in countries around the world have long
campaigned for international recognition of the killings as genocide,
despite strong denials from Turkey.
Armenians says that planned massacres and deportations left more than
1.5 million people dead, but Turkey puts the number at up to 500,000,
describing the bloodshed as civil strife stemming from the conflict
with Russia in World War I.
Around 20 countries have officially recognised the killings as genocide.
The dispute is in addition to the conflict between Armenia and
Azerbaijan, an ally of Turkey, over the Nagorny-Karabakh enclave.
Ankara and Yerevan signed a historic protocol in 2009 to normalise
relations, but it was never ratified as Turkey demanded a resolution
to the Nagorny-Karabakh dispute.
Armenian separatists backed by Yerevan seized Nagorny-Karabakh from
Azerbaijan in a war in the 1990s that left some 30,000 people dead,
and the two sides have not signed a final peace deal since a 1994
ceasefire.
Turkey can no longer escape its duty of contrition for the genocide,
said Soli Ozel of Istanbul’s Kadir Has University
“First and foremost it must express chagrin, and the Turkish state has
never done that,” the international relations professor wrote in the
daily HaberTurk.
27 January 2012
Bako Sahakyan. “We are proud to have such a victorious army”
2012-01-28 09:54:48 | Armenia | Politics
On 28 January President Bako Sahakyan sent a congratulatory letter to
President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan in connection with
the 20th anniversary of Defense army’s formation.
The letter runs as follows:
`On behalf of the people, authorities of Artsakh and myself I
cordially congratulate You on the Day of the Army.
This year we held nationwide celebrations of the 20th anniversary of
our glorious army’s formation. It is indeed a national army that
having passed a difficult and heroic way became the main guarantor of
our peace and security.
You have been standing at the origins of the formation of the
Armenian armed forces and today as a Supreme Commander in chief You do
everything possible for the army to be powerful and efficient, ready
to fulfill tasks set before it successfully.
We are proud to have such a victorious army, brave and patriotic
soldiers who serve devotedly to their Motherland and people.
I once again congratulate You and the whole personnel of the Armenian
Army on this sacramental holiday and wish peace, robust health and
greatest successes for the glory of free and independent Armenia and
Artsakh, the bright future of our people’.
Noyan Tapan – News from Armenia
Armenian army is cherished child of our independent state – Catholicos
news.am
January 28, 2012 | 11:46
YEREVAN. – The Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II, issued a
message, on Saturday, in connection with 20th anniversary of the
Armenian army.
`The Armenian army is a cherished child of our independent state. It
was born from the battles to defend the Fatherland, and from hardships
and sacrifice, and it grew and strengthened. The Armenian army
embodies our people’s patriotic spirit, the will to protect our
national rights, and the trust in the future, and it is the bulwark
and support of the peaceful life and progress of our native country.
Our army welcomes its anniversary with accomplishments and victories,
with a combat-ready and courageous spirit. We highly appreciate our
dear children who have a contribution and a merit in the forming and
strengthening of the Armenian army, in the building of its brave
spirit, and our army members who today defend the borders of the
Fatherland,’ the message specifically reads.
Masis Mailyan: The attempts of Azerbaijan over the past few months
have been void
28.01.2012 14:22
Lusine Avanesyan
`Radiolur’
Stepanakert
`The negotiations on the settlement of the Karabakh conflict will
continue on the basis of the Madrid Principles,’ ex-Foreign Minister
of Nagorno Karabakh Masis Mailyan said, recalling that these
principles contradict the interests of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
That is why the ex-Foreign Minister expects new proposals from the
Minsk Group Co-Chairs.
The meeting of the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan is Sochi was
the continuation of the existing process, which means that
Azerbaijan’s attempts to refuse from the process of coordination of
the principles and proceed to the development of the peace treaty have
been void, Mailyan said.
`The mediators should come forth with new approaches, which will take
into consideration the contemporary legal realities, and the new
precedents that exist in international relations,’ he said.
Commenting on the commitment of the parties to enhance humanitarian
contacts, the political scientist said he hopes Azerbaijan will not
try to turn these into inter-community contacts.
`If the Presidents really want to use the contacts between societies
of the two countries to relieve tension, and to reinforce confidence,
this can only be welcomed, but the mistakes of the past must not
repeat,’ he said.
According to Masis Mailyan, Azerbaijan prevents the investigation of
incidents at the line of contact. He recalls that is because of the
Azerbaijani side that the 1995 document signed by representatives of
Nagorno Karabakh, still remains on the table.
`Azerbaijan has not yet refused from its policy of military blackmail.
Under these conditions any meeting of the Presidents, even without the
participation of Artsakh, is positive,’ Masis Milyan said.
Tribute to the memory of freedom fighters
28.01.2012 14:02
Anna Balyan
`Radiolur’
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of formation of the Armenian
Army, President Serzh Sargsyan visited Yerablur Pantheon to pay
tribute to the memory of those who fell for the sake of independence
of the Motherland.
The President was accompanied by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan, Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan, NKR President Bako
Sahakyan, Speaker of the National Assembly Samvel Nikoyan, members of
parliament and government officials.
`This is really a national holiday, since it was due to the potential
of the Armenian people that we managed to have a full-fledged army in
20, the main task of which is to ensure the protection of the security
of borders of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh,’ Defense Minister Seyran
Ohanyan said.
`One of the many peculiarities of our army is that it was created
during the war,’ the Defense Minister noted.
Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of
Armenia, Colonel General Yuri Khachaturov says `the Officer staff is
the greatest wealth our army.’
According to Chief of RA Police, Lieutenant General Vladimir
Gasparyan, our army is the best in the region.
RA Military prosecutor Gevorg Kostanyan wishes power to the Armenian
armed forces. `Army is the greatest achievement and the guarantee of
security of our people and country.’
Congratulatory Address by President Sargsyan on the occasion of the
20th anniversary of the creation of the Armed Forces of Armenia
28.01.2012 11:56
Dear Compatriots,
Generals, officers, soldiers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I cordially congratulate you on the occasion of the 20th anniversary
of the creation of the Armed Forces of Armenia.
After losing independent statehood, the Armenian nation brought forth
many warriors, but was not blessed with having its own army. The
Armenian soldiers, officers and generals brought glory to different
countries through their personal valor and dedication, but our
nation’s sons were deprived of the opportunity to defend jointly
interests of the Motherland and rights of the fellow citizens.
Twenty years ago, we turned the wheel of history. It that critical
time, our nation reinstated its independent statehood and took total
responsibility for the protection of its rights and national
interests. At the moment of that historic rise, the creation of the
Armenian army was one of the most momentous achievements.
There was an imperative to thwart the imminent danger of a genocide
looming over the Armenian people and, particularly, over the Armenians
of Artsakh. That vital episode of the army creation was necessitated
by the time itself.
Our cause was just, and we were ready for confrontation. We knew that
we alone could protect our right to live. However, we also fully
realized that that right and justice were our strength and resolve.
Volunteers, who rose against intolerance, hostility and blind hatred,
became the core of the Armenian regular army. At the moment of
national awakening, many of those volunteers sacrificed their lives on
the altar of the Motherland’s defense and security.
Eternal glory to them, reverence and admiration to their memory.
Generals, officers, soldiers,
Anniversary of our Army is your professional holiday. Choosing this
profession, you have assumed responsibility towards your
contemporaries and future generations. But at the same time, you have
chosen Vardan Mamikonian’s and Hovhannes Baghramian’s path, which
means that your accomplishments will be measured by the standards set
by them. I have no doubt that every military serviceman in the
Republic of Armenia, regardless of his or her duty station and
position, realizes that historic responsibility.
Let’s recall that at the beginning we were counting arms and even
bullets, while today we have an impressive level of weaponry. We have
dug trenches meter by meter, hundreds of kilometers of military
fortifications; we have constructed thousands of apartments for the
servicemen and a respectable building for the Ministry of Defense. We
have created a military-industrial complex and created a worthy image
of the army. We have done all this together, the entire nation. And
continue to do it through our work, through our trust in our army and
exceptional warmth towards it.
It’s hard to tell in a couple of words everything that has been done
in twenty years. The military parade dedicated to the 20th anniversary
of the reinstated Armenian independence and the ceasefire, which is
being preserved since 1994, are the most precise report and test held
before the people of Armenia and the entire Armenian nation.
The Armed Forced of the Republic of Armenia are among the most
important guarantees of the preservation of the balance, hence of the
peace and security in our region. Today, our troops guard Armenia’s
peace and tranquility; at the same time they are engaged in the
international peace-keeping missions, where they have manifested their
best qualities and multiplied their reputation of the disciplined and
brave soldiers.
I once again congratulate us all on the occasion of this glorious
holiday. I wish that peace always reign in our country and the region,
and our people continue their creative work for the benefit of
Armenia’s empowerment and advancement.
Glory to the Armed Forces of Armenia!
Long live the Republic of Armenia!