Author: Badalian Vardan

COALITION FAILED THE BILL OF ARF

YERKIR.AM
12:34 – 16.11.2011

Few minutes ago the Parliament brought the initiation of the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) about the “lowest salary”
into discussion.

The ruling Coalition failed the discussion of the bill and the only
ones who voted FOR that bill were the 14 oppositional MPs that were
present in the Parliament.

Before the ballot, head of the Republican Party fraction Galust
Sahakyan asked for a voice and announced that the Coalition will not
participate in the ballot.

Secretary of the ARF fraction Artashes Shahbazyan suggested confirming
the bill in the first reading and come to an agreement through
discussions till the second reading.

Galust Sahakyan demanded that the GOAM has no resources right now:
“We will not have any basis for that bill until the GOAM has the
considerable resources. Till then we will not take part in the ballot”,
repeated Galust Sahakyan.

ARF member Artsvik Minasyan reminded that the logic and the philosophy
of that bill were present in the GOAM project as well as in the
campaign promises of the president Serzh Sargsyan.

“If the bill is accepted in the first reading and during the second
reading it is more discussed it will be more productive and logic
for all of to realize when it can be used.

We call the political majority to consider this bill from that point
of view if they have the will”, said Minasyan.

NA vice-speaker Samvel Balasanyan, from the Prosperous Armenia party
suggested postponing the discussion of the bill.

Secretary of the Republican Party Edward Sharmazanov also noted that
the idea is theoretically acceptable and they too are excited to do
it, but now.

“Dear political minority, if you put that bill to ballot we will not
vote”, said he.

“Inheritage” party fraction secretary Larisa Alaverdyan also made an
announcement and told the majority to vote by the conscience.

“Let me remind you all that we have accepted a senseless bill recently,
I do not wish to name it as Mr. Bostanjyan did, but I call you all
to use your rights”, said Larisa Alaverdyan.

BEYOND LISKA AND SYLVIA
Hakob Badalyan

Lragir.am News

12:25:24 – 16/11/2011

In the context of the Marriott-based battle of Surik Khachatryan,
the governor of Syunik, a bigger phenomenon is outlining, namely the
clash of interests in the sector of mining.

It is beyond doubt that Sylvia Hambardzumyan cannot be a passer-by
in mining. In this highly-profitable sector decisions are made at
the top level. So, fitting in mining quotas rules out probability.

On the other hand, if decisions are made, and quotas are set at
the top level, is Sylvia Hambardzumyan that ingenuous to try to
oppose this level and pronounce the names of the governor of Syunik,
the minister of energy, and even the prime minister as the persons
trespassing upon her property?

Apparently, the emergence of multiple poles in the sector of mining
is thus revealed. In other words, decisions on this sector are not
made easily any more, or the sector is facing difficult decisions,
which intensifies the conflict of interests.

Mining is the last refuge of the government’s economic policy. Despite
declarations on modern technologies and SME support, these sectors
either develop slowly or hardly survive.

Growth in the sector of information technologies is insufficient
to be considered as a dominant economic sector. This sector is far
behind the world pace.

SMEs survive on crumbs left over by oligopolies and monopolies.

Construction slowed down because buildings were built but apartments
do not sell.

Mines are left. They will ensure statistic growth for the economy of
Armenia, at the same time ensuring “performance” of the shaded budget
of the government. Besides, the tension of resources is almost at
its peak, and partly renouncing the shaded sector is an inevitable
necessity.

Automatically, the question occurs at whose expense shaded business
must be reduced for the sake of statistics. It caused tensions
in mines, and one of the first flowers was Sylvia Hambardzumyan’s
public speech.

In this context, Liska’s assault on the business lady at the Marriott
Armenia Hotel becomes secondary, I repeat only in this context. Even
without this incident, the clash of interests in mining sector would
not be weaker.

Now that the Special Investigative Service has launched proceedings,
it is highly important to conduct an impartial investigation because
the practice of prosecution of hooliganism by government officials
must be established one day.

However, it is as important to know what other measures the SIS will
take regarding the other statements made by Sylvia Hambardzumyan
earlier. If investigated impartially, they may reveal much more
truth about the mining sector than just the dispute between Surik
Khachatryan and Sylvia Hambardzumyan.

TURKISH NEWSPAPER CLAIMS FERRY HIJACKER WAS ARMENIAN

epress.am
11.16.2011 12:42

The suspected Kurdish rebel who hijacked a passenger ferry heading
for Ä°stanbul on Friday after it left the northwestern port city of
Izmit was ethnically Armenian, reported Turkish daily Vakit on Tuesday.

There were no casualties aboard the Kartepe, which was carrying
18 passengers on board, as well as four crew and two trainees,
authorities said.

Turkish commandos in civilian clothes slipped onto a hijacked passenger
ferry and posed as hostages before fatally shooting Mesut (or Mensur)
Guzel, who was carrying explosives, in a 12-hour drama that ended
before dawn Saturday, AP reports.

Vakit claims that Guzel was born in an old Armenian village called Kulp
in Diyarbakır province, and that his grandfather’s name was Hagop.

As reported by Epress.am’s Istanbul correspondent, the article has
become the subject of heated discussion and criticism by members of
the Turkish press who say that to claim the hijacker was Armenian is
a hate crime against Armenians.

Furthermore, some journalists and bloggers state that claiming that
Armenians are connected to all criminal incidents is Vakit’s policy.

CITY OF 1001 CHURCHES: ARMENIA CELEBRATES THE 1050 ANNIVERSARY OF ANI

16.11.11 | 12:44

A three-day conference on “Ani – medieval Armenia’s Political and
Civilization Center” kicked off at the Armenian National Academy of
Sciences November 15 and is dedicated to the 1050th anniversary of
the proclamation of Ani as the capital of Bagratuni Kingdom.

The conference brought together scholars from Armenia, Russia, France,
Germany, Italy, the United States and Austria.

A website in three languages dedicated to the 1050th anniversary of
Ani has been launched () which provides information
about the city and depicts the photos of Ani.

In the opening speech chairman of the RA NAS Radik Martirosyan
expressed hope that the Armenian people will have more opportunities
to visit Ani.

“This conference is another step toward studying the rich
historic-cultural heritage of Ani, making it reach the world public,”
Martirosyan said.

Once called the “City of 1001 Churches”, and stood on various
trade routes Ani now is a ruined and uninhabited site situated
in modern-day Turkey’s province of Kars, near the border with the
Republic of Armenia.

ARMENIA MAKES CHESS COMPULSORY IN SCHOOLS

guardian.co.uk
Tuesday 15 November 2011 15.16 GMT

Authorities say teaching pastime to primary school children is about
building character, not breeding future champions

David Ayrapetyan, eight, plays a game of chess in his class in Yerevan,
Armenia. Photograph: Tigran Mehrabyan/AP

Tiny Armenia is a big player in world chess, and a new gambit could
make it even bigger: mandatory chess in school. The former Soviet
nation has made the game part of the primary school curriculum along
with such standards as maths and history for children between the
ages of seven and nine.

Chess is a national obsession in this country of 3 million people
tucked away in a corner between Turkey and Iran. The passion was
fostered in modern times by the exploits of chess champion Tigran
Petrosian, who won the world championship in 1963 and successfully
defended his title three years later.

In July a six-person national squad came first at the World Team Chess
Championship in Ningbo, China. The returning players and their coach
were greeted as heroes and collectively awarded $20,000 (£12,000).

That group included up-and-coming player Levon Aronian, 28, who is
currently third in the World Chess Federation’s rankings.

Armenian authorities say teaching chess in school is about building
character, not breeding chess champions.

The education minister says taking the pastime into classrooms
will help nurture a sense of responsibility and organisation among
schoolchildren, as well as serving as an example to the rest of
the world.

“We hope that the Armenian teaching model might become among the best
in the world,” said Armen Ashotyan.

Half a million dollars were allocated to the national chess academy
to draw up a course, create textbooks, train instructors and buy
equipment. A further $1m paid for furniture for chess classrooms.

The only thing eight-year-old David Ayrapetyan is hoping for from
the programme is an opponent worthy of his skills. The chess whiz
finds the local retirees and fellow children to be pushovers. Only
classmate Aren Sedrakyan can give him a run for his money.

David’s father, Arman, says he thinks chess is good for him no matter
what the future holds. “Even if he doesn’t become a grandmaster,
chess will teach him to think logically and improvise, as those are
indispensable qualities in life,” he said.

Wendi Fischer, executive director of the US Foundation for Chess,
has campaigned for the game to be taken up in American classrooms
and says Armenia’s programme has big potential.

“By incorporating chess as part of the curriculum you are including
a game, and that’s how kids see it,” she said. “They think they’re
focused on fun. So I think it is a great way to cross over between
a true hardcore curriculum that’s mandatory and the young children
being able to play and explore and have fun.”

CHESS BECOMES COMPULSORY IN ARMENIA’S SCHOOLS

100gf | Politics and Computers
Nov 15 2011

Chess is to become compulsory in Armenian schools, with the former
Soviet state having confirmed that the game will be put on the
curriculum alongside History and Maths for all children aged between
7 and 9.

The aim, according to education officials in the country, is to
improve the character of the nation’s children, focus their sense
of responsibility, and encourage them to get better at concentrating
on tasks.

Chess is hugely popular in Armenia, thanks largely to the exploits
of 60s world champion Tigran Petrosian. Earlier this year, Armenia
won the World Team Chess Championship in Ningbo, China, while the
country’s player Levon Aronian is currently ranked third in the
international chess rankings.

WHAT DO HRANT’S FRIENDS SAY?
by ORHAN KEMAL CENGÄ°Z

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Nov 15 2011

On Nov. 14 the Istanbul Criminal Court held the 21st hearing in
the Hrant Dink murder case. At this hearing friends of Hrant Dink,
a group that has been following and monitoring the case since the
very beginning, submitted to the court their “alternative opinion”
about the case.

If you remember in an earlier hearing the prosecutor had submitted an
“opinion” to the court in which he claimed that Hrant Dink’s murder
had been executed by a cell of Ergenekon; however, he admitted that
he was unable to establish any concrete links. This “opinion” by the
prosecutor created outrage in everyone following this case.

Can a prosecutor claim that a murder is connected to a larger network
and then leave at that with the excuse that he cannot make any
concrete links? Are these links so elusive to discover? Is this more
a confession by the prosecutor about the system in which he operates?

Did the prosecutor and the court put enough effort into uncovering
these so-called links? In this last hearing Hrant’s friends submitted
a symbolic alternative opinion in which they tried to answer these
questions. I have summarized their opinion for you below. I agree
with everything they say:

1. The people who killed Hrant were people who had been under the
control of the state for a long time. …Officers and chiefs from
the Trabzon police force who knew details about how the murder was
to be carried out have not even been properly questioned.

There has also been no serious, in-depth investigation into the
Ä°stanbul police force, which possessed information relating to the
murder and not only did nothing to prevent it but also covered up
evidence afterwards.

2. While a special team of prosecutors ought to have been appointed
to consider all of this in depth and all these facts in light of each
other, this was not in fact seen as necessary.

3. Just as these fragmented, divided and flimsily run cases were not
consolidated, judges and prosecutors seemed to have been in a race
to see who could deny requests by lawyers faster.

4. In the period immediately following the murder, support from some
clerks of the state for this murder was clear for all to see. The
fact that some police officers and gendarmerie officers who posed
like heroes with the murderer were never punished has become one of
the indisputable symbols of this period.

5. After the murder, state inspectors personally reported that police
had destroyed and falsified some evidence. However, no one was ever
seriously questioned about this. The questioning and interrogations
that did take place were quickly brushed over. Video camera recordings
showing exactly what happened at the time and location of the murder
happened to have been in police hands from the very first day but
the court never took possession of these recordings and never looked
at them.

6. The Telecommunications Directorate (TIB) has, since the start of
the case, worked less to reveal the murder, and more to see the case
stop at one point and not go any deeper.

7. There has been a special effort made to block the path leading to
this murder, to protect the murderers involved, to ignore the murder,
to direct forces behind scenes, to destroy evidence, to not allow
those responsible to be questioned… All of these factors have been
overseen in a coordinated manner and if you add to this the warning
from the military’s General Staff headquarters regarding the silencing
of Hrant, the Supreme Court of Appeals that condemned him for words
he never said and thus made him a target, the police who hid and
manipulated evidence… you can actually easily see the umbrella of
the state over this murder.

8. The facts that the governor who was responsible when Hrant was
threatened by two MÄ°T agents in his office is today a deputy in the
ruling party, and that the former Ä°stanbul police chief, who said
“this is not the work of the PKK” thus creating a scandal, is now a
governor, are in themselves clear enough clues to this all.

9. Concrete details about this case, which we will remind you of a
little later, will show without a doubt the truth what our research
has revealed.

10. It is clear that the suspects on trial in this murder case had ties
not only with the Ergenekon group but with many officials, and that an
organized effort in not only Hrant’s murder but also to cover up and
destroy evidence in the wake of his murder included state officials,
as well as the police, gendarme, city leaders, government and courts
for protecting them, in other words, the state.

11. Because of their participation in the process that slowly turned
Hrant into a target, many newspaper and television executives should
be questioned and brought to trial together with state officials
responsible for this murder.

In conclusion, those who had Hrant killed are a part of the state
and there are many pieces of clear evidence to support this allegation.

“RUBEN HAYRAPETYAN HELPED US LIKE NO ONE ELSE,” KARAPET MIKAELYAN’S WIFE SAYS

Mediamax, Armenia
Nov 15 2011

The President of the Football Federation of Armenia (FFA), Ruben
Hayrapetyan, “helped us like no one else,” Svetlana Boleeva, the wife
of the ex-forward of the Armenian National Team Karapet Mikaelyan,
said.

In late October, information appeared that Karapet Mikaelyan needed
heart urgent surgery and asked to help with fundraising.

The football player’s wife said in the interview to Mediamax today
that Karapet Mikaelyan’s diagnosis has been confirmed and he will be
operated on.

She also said that Karapet Mikaelyan is currently at Bakulev Scientific
Center for Cardiovascular Surgery, doing all necessary tests.

Talking to Mediamax, Svetlana Boleeva confirmed that FFA head Ruben
Hayrapetyan had transferred money to their bank account.

“He helped as very much. He helped us like no one else did. Many
thanks and bows to him,” Karapet Mikaelyan’s wife said.

ANKARA INTENDS BANNING EDUCATION FOR IMMIGRANT ARMENIANS

Panorama
Nov 15 2011
Armenia

Turkish authorities develop a program related to the registration
and education issues of the children of immigrant Armenians. Fathma
Shahin, Minister of family and social policy issues, has declared
the children of immigrant Armenians cannot get a passport and be
authorized to study. Turkish “Habergec” news site said appropriate
mechanisms have launched in this respect.

According to the source children of Armenians who don’t have right of
residence in Turkey cannot study in Armenian schools attached to the
Education Ministry. Although in the reporting year Turkish Ministry
of Education has granted status of guests for those children.

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN ARRIVED TO LORI MARZ

Economic News (Information Agency Oreanda)
November 14, 2011 Monday
Russia

Yerevan . OREANDA-NEWS . November 14, 2011. President Serzh Sargsyan
arrived to Lori marz on a working visit. In Spitak, the President of
Armenia visited a multisectoral Agroholding Armenia enterprise.

President Sargsyan toured the compound, familiarized with the business
activities and programs and discussed development programs with the
leadership of the Company.

Agroholding Armenia Ltd was founded in 1989 in the border village
of Darik (Amasia community) and in 21 years of its functioning has
been persistently investing in crop farming, animal husbandry, milk
processing as well as in new technologies for forage production. The
Company has also imported modern machinery and is planning to
conduct agricultural machinery repairs and assembling operations
locally. The Company is working in four marzes, in Darik, Spitak,
Ghazanchi, Aragatsavan, Hrazdan and Eghvard community on nearly 1,620
hectares of its own and leased land. During the tour of the compound,
the President was informed that until now Agroholding Armenia has
already made close to 11 million USD investments for the modernization
of the production process and introduction of new technologies.

In Spitak, the President visited also A. Myasnikian n. 1 secondary
school, and familiarized with the conditions at the newly built school.

It was noted that through the financing of the Lincy Foundation in
the framework of the second lag of the Schoolbuilding program (total
funding is about 11 million USD) which commenced in July, 2010,
capital repairs of the secondary schools in Spitak, Stepanavan and
Vanadzor towns of Lori marz have been realized. In the three units
of Spitak town n. 1 secondary school built for 570 pupils the roofs,
interior works, doors and windows, lavatories, heating and power
supply and water systems have been totally renovated.

At the conclusion of the Presidential tour, at the n. 1 secondary
schools assembly hall there took place the ceremony of handing home
certificates to 150 families who lost shelter in the devastating
earthquake of 1988.

In Stepanavan, Serzh Sargsyan visited V. Tekeyan Secondary School
n. 6 and toured the newly constructed premise of the school. He also
observed the chess tournament that was going on at the school. The
President was informed that Stepanavan n. 6 secondary school, also
in the framework of the Schoolbuilding program has been entirely
furnished, repaired inside and outside; floors, doors and windows
as well as lavatories, heating, water and power supply systems,
and sewage were renovated.

During the second lag of the Lincy Foundation Schoolbuilding program
renovated and rebuilt were also three secondary schools in Arevshat,
Sarakap and Nor Kyanq villages of Shirak marz.

The President of Armenia was informed that in the framework of the
housing construction program conducted in the earthquake zone, in
2009-2010 in the rural communities of Lori marz 303 houses were built
and turned over to the beneficiaries.

Housing problems of six families were solved through the 2009 program
of housing acquisition vouchers which is implemented in the rural
communities that have up to 10 beneficiaries.

153 houses have been built and put in commission in 2011. In urban
communities of Lori in 2009-2010 were built and put in commission:
220 apartment units in Spitak and four in Stepanavan. Forty-three out
of 50 families on the waiting list have already received apartments.

Beneficiary families from the multi-unit residential homes from
Stepanavan, who lost shelter, were provided with the apartments. Three
vouchers have been handed in Vanadzor, 15 families from the multi-unit
apartment building in Gugark rural community, who had lost their homes
got their housing problems solved through the acquisition vouchers.

As of November 1, 708 families in Lori got new homes, in the rural
areas that number is 447, and in urban areas 231.

In Stepanavan, President Sargsyan visited also the family of the
military serviceman Artak Ghabuzian.

Artak Ghabuzian was drafted in May, 2009 (born 08.05.1991). During his
service in the army he displayed personal courage and valor, mortally
wounded the enemy who had penetrated the RA battle positions. In
recognition of his brave act by the 15.09.2010 decree of the President
of Armenia he was awarded the medal For Valor and by the 30.08.2010
decree of the President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic he received
the medal For Combat Service. After concluding his military service,
Artak Ghabuzian was appointed mechanic for servicing the battle
component of the battery and assembling and preventive repairs at
the RA Stepanavan military unit. Concurrently, Artak Ghabuzian is
a first year distant learner at the radio physics department of the
Yerevan State University.

During the visiting with the Ghabuzian family, President Sargsyan
first thanked the parents of Artak for raising such an exemplary son
and underscored that Artaks work is very important for defending our
Motherland and keeping the borders of our country impenetrable. With
Artak and his family members, Serzh Sargsuyan spoke also about daily
life of the family, noting that he had already instructed relevant
bodies to solve their housing problem as soon as possible.

In the framework of his working visit to Lori marz, President
Serzh Sargsyan attended also the inauguration of Sagamar Ltd an
ore-dressing and processing enterprise in the Armanis district of
Stepanavan. Serzh Sargsyan toured the premise, familiarized with
the works of the plant conducted in the framework of the investment
programs and learned about its future plans. The President visited this
enterprise one year ago and familiarized with the works and observed
the construction process. Construction works of the complex were
conducted in 2008-2011. The complex comprises the ore-dressing plant,
the mine servicing compound and an open mine. Development works include
27, 263 sq m (production, service and administrative buildings), an
auto road from the center of Stepanavan to Armanis disctrict 7.5km, a
water canal 8.8km, water supply point and water regulator, and 3.5km of
high-voltage line. Sagamar enterprise has 370 employees. It was noted,
that in a short period of time, the jobs will increase up to 500,
and when the mine is fully operational their number will reach 720.

The proprietors of the NevaRus company which is engaged in the mining
industry of Armenia and realizes investment projects through its
two daughter enterprises Sagamar and Molibdeni Ashkharh companies,
noted that they would continue with their strategy of consistent
implementation of their investment programs in the mining industry of
Armenia. They assured that in the nearest future their efforts would
be aimed at the development, construction and successful operation of
Dastakert and Lichvaz-Tei. The total amount of investments envisaged
for the implementation of the present projects will reach nearly 300
million USD, and the number of employees will come close to 2000.