Author: Badalian Vardan

NO NEED FOR WEAPONS DISPLAYED IN ARMENIAN MILITARY PARADE ONCE THEY ARE NOT USED

news.az
Sept 23 2011
Azerbaijan

News.Az interviews Azad Isazade, Azerbaijani military expert.

What are your comments on latest military statements made by the
Armenian political and military leadership during a military parade
in Yerevan?

First of all, one needs to understand that parade is a celebration for
any country. And if wonderful toast and flattering expressions are made
in honor of a bride and a groom at a wedding or in honor of a jubilee
in celebration of anniversary, top government and military commanders
are usually more pathetic in a parade. So, I have not heard anything
surprising in statements of the Armenian president and other officials.

They said what they expected to do. Moreover, this is a country which
is at a conflict and, naturally, they used this platform to send a
message to a neighboring state (which also sends such messages).

Secondly, I appreciate these remarks as a message to their public
because the population is in stress.

There has been arms race in the region in recent years and Armenian
population understands it very well that their country is losing in
this race while it tries to compete with the help of civilian economy,
that is, some social programs and so on. That is, this race primarily
affects budgets of population.

By the way, the Armenian population is reducing day by day…

There is also serious demographic crisis which Armenian authorities
fail to hide. This crisis affects all spheres of life including
military. Armenia simply has not been able to provide the army with
recruits over the last eight years, and maybe more. The conscription
plan is not fulfilled. This situation has been observed from year
to year.

So, it is one thing to gather well-trained soldiers for a parade
and it is another thing to fill military units with rank and file
soldiers. Besides, it does not make a sense to have a good weapon if
there is no one to use it.

Even pro-Armenian media admit that even June military parade in Baku
and the recent one in Yerevan clearly showed that Azerbaijan is ahead
of Armenia for its military power to a great degree…

Definitely. Given that I am always far from groundless praise of the
Azerbaijani army and always try to give an unbiased assessment of its
battle readiness, its superiority in technical sense and in terms of
preparation is obvious.

Azerbaijani army is now superior to Armenian army both technically
and qualitatively. However, we must bear in mind that the Azerbaijani
army faces a task of an offensive war to liberate its territory,
and therefore it should enhance this superiority.

As you know, the attacking side should have superiority as much as
five times and if combat operations are conducted in a mountainous
terrain, then this advantage should be even greater.

That is why numerical or qualitative superiority is not enough,
it should be even higher. In this case the negotiation process can
produce pretty realistic results.

Even taking into account that Azerbaijan’s military budget already
exceeds the entire budget of Armenia?

It is not just about money. Army is an unprofitable state institution
that offers no benefits. And it is impossible to solve all the problems
by money here. In addition to the budget, there are other aspects. Yes,
demographic situation in Azerbaijan is so favorable that there no
any conscription problems. There are even more recruits than it is
necessary to replenish the Azerbaijani army in all kinds of armed
forces. Technical equipment of our army, too, is much higher.

But we can not stop at what has been achieved given the problems
facing our country.

CONGRATULATIONS ON ARMENIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY

States News Service
September 21, 2011 Wednesday

The following information was released by the office of the President
of Russia:

Dmitry Medvedev sent a message of congratulations to President
of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s
independence.

The President said, in particular, in his message:

“Over these years, Armenia has made significant progress in its
economic and social development and strengthened its authority on the
international stage. We are happy to see the strong new foundation
supporting the traditionally friendly ties between Russia and Armenia –
ties that reach deep back into history.

Today, we are successfully developing multifaceted relations in all of
the different areas in which we work together as partners and allies.

We are making a common effort to open up new opportunities for
trade and economic, investment, humanitarian, and other forms of
cooperation. I hope that your upcoming visit to Russia in October
this year will give a big boost to continued all-round development
of our cooperation.

I am sure that our fruitful political dialogue and coordinated work
within the integration organisations in the Commonwealth of Independent
States are in the long-term interests of the Russian and Armenian
peoples and play an important part in dynamically developing the
entire spectrum of our bilateral relations and reinforcing security
and stability in the Trans-Caucasus.”

HH THE EMIR SENDS CONGRATULATIONS TO ARMENIAN PRESIDENT

Qatar News Agency
September 21, 2011 Wednesday 9:41 AM EST

Doha, September 21 (QNA) – HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al
Thani has sent a cable of congratulations to the President of the
Republic of Armenia on the occasion of his country’s national day.

HH the Deputy Emir and the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad
Al Thani has also sent a similar cable to the Armenian President
congratulating him on the occasion. (QNA)

CREATION OF FREE ECONOMIC ZONES TO FOSTER ARMENIAN JEWELRY INDUSTRY

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 22, 2011 – 19:56 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Creation of free economic zones will foster jewelry
industry in Armenia.

On September 22, Head of Industry Issues Department of Armenian
Ministry of Economy Hayk Mirzoyan told journalists in Yerevan that
members of AJA are concerned with creating FEZs are willing to work
in such conditions.

Within the frames of AJA exhibition on the occasion of the 20th
anniversary of Armenia’s independence conference “The role of AJA in
integrating Armenia’s jewelry industry into the international society
of jewelers” was held in Yerevan. The conference addressed issues of
collaboration between Armenia’s state structures and leading Armenian
jewelry companies.

Renowned Armenian jewelers from U.S., Canada, Switzerland, Russia,
France, Italy, Thailand, Lebanon and other countries participate in the
three-day exhibition. Yerevan Show exhibits best pieces of 65 famous
jewelry brands owned by our compatriots from Diaspora, among them
Asthet, Haytayan, Bergio, Tacori, Waskol, Yessayan Jewelry and others.

SOUTH CAUCASUS WILL PUSH KARABAKH ISSUE TO FOREGROUND, EXPERT FORECASTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 22, 2011 – 14:20 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The first vice president of Strategic Development
Modeling Center forecasted a political split in South Caucasus.

“With Arab Spring gaining impetus, the South Caucasus states will
become less aware of Karabakh issue, instead, focusing on political
factors in the neighbouring states,” Grigory Trofimchuk stated.

“Georgia’s policy will become more West-oriented. Armenia, Azerbaijan
and Russia, having pushed Karabakh issue to the background, will have
to consider political factors around the South Caucasus, specifically,
Syria, with increasingly worsening situation,” the expert noted,
advising to settle Karabakh issue before it’s too late.

Dwelling on the role of Turkey in the process, the analyst was
skeptical over the possibility for Ankara to increase its regional
presence. “The Western states won’t allow of it, taking their best
effort prevent the regional presence of a strong player like Turkey,”
he concluded.

RECEPTION IN BEIJING ON THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIA’S INDEPENDENCE

armradio.am
22.09.2011 17:20

The 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence was celebrated in
China. The event was attended by high-ranking officials of China,
heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Beijing, representatives
of business circles and mass media.

Armenia’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China Armen Sargsyan
noted in his opening speech that “the path the Armenian nation has
passed after gaining independence and the experience in the field of
state-building allow the coming generations to build a more powerful
Armenia.

Ambassador Sargsyan referred to the high level of Armenian-Chinese
relations, and stressed the importance of the assistance rendered to
Armenia from the very first day of independence.

SEVAN CAN BE A DISASTER

04:26 pm | Today | Social

NGOs and activists from social internet networks decided to join and
to declare a new S.O.S. Sevan campaign. On 20 September the first and
foremost measures to be taken to save Lake Sevan were discussed at the
Aarhus Center in Yerevan. The situation of the lake was determined as
highly critical. “I can declare we don’t have “lake Sevan” freshwater
reservoir any longer. If somebody wants to drink this water, let them
try and we’ll see what will happen to them,” said Gagik Sukhudyan, who
held the position of “Sevan” National Park Director from 1981 to 1992.

Under him, even in the late 70’s, when logging process in Sevan
acquired threatening nature, such pollution was not observed.

The main threats for the lake are as follows: – change in water
composition, – fish extinction, – lake pollution with garbage, sewage
and industrial wastes, – illegal operation of mining companies –
GeoProMining Gold, Gegamet Plus, Mika Cement which violates Article
10 of RA Law “On Lake Sevan”.

– absence of control , – imitation activities of official bodies
and improper waste of funds – budget, grant and loan (particularly,
the loan allotted by the World Bank in the amount of 16 million USD
for “Reducing Poverty and Preserving Lake Sevan Ecosystem” program)
designed to preserved Lake Sevan Ecosystem.

The main reason for concern is that neither Nature Protection Ministry
as represented by “Sevan” National Park, nor Urban Development,
Territorial Administration, Energy and Natural Resources and
Agriculture Ministries, nor any committees and councils put any
efforts to save the lake.

The laws are violated and nobody bears responsibility for that. There
is certain impression that top officials consider Sevan as a source
for getting profit.

The discussion participants worked out an action plan and decided to
call on everybody who is not indifferent to the fate of Sevan.

There is no Armenia without Sevan. Let’s join and not allow a group
of people to grab and to leave to our next generation a toxic apple
instead of 34 billion freshwater.

PHOTO EXHIBIT TO FOCUS ON “ACCESSIBILITY FOR THE DIASBLED”

hetq
12:52, September 22, 2011

There will be a photo exhibition to raise awareness of the issue
of public accessibility for persons with disabilities on Friday,
September 23, at the Aram Khatchaturian statue near Yerevan’s Opera
House from noon to 6pm.

Organized by the Unison NGO, the exhibit is part of the “Unrestricted
Movement-A Right for All” project supported by Counterpart
International and USAID.

TEHRAN HOSTS THE 43RD ARMENIANS OLYMPICS

Press TV
Sept 22 2011
Iran

850 Armenian athletes from across the country are taking part in
the 43rd Armenian Olympics in Tehran; this annual event is held in
eight fields including soccer, basketball, track and field, chess,
swimming, tennis, table tennis and billiard.

Iran’s Armenia Olympics is not international but regional countries
like Armenia, Lebanon and Syria can join the games if they wish.

The level of the games is very high; the rivals are moving neck
and neck. The Armenians Olympics is aimed at finding new talents in
Armenian sports and encourage the youth to turn to sports. Although
this year we did not have any participant from other countries we
hope that with a rise in the budget we will be able to make this
Olympics international.

This Olympics provides a good ground for Armenian athletes to join
Iran’s national teams as a result Armenian female basketball players
have become an inseparable part of Iran’s national basketball team.

Iran’s Armenian athletes have great potentials and talents and
fortunately they have been successful at national and international
competitions; now with the establishment of Iran’s Ministry of Sports,
we hope to pay special attention to the Armenian athletes.

In the past couple of years Iran’s Armenian teams have achieved
great successes at different international competitions like the
World Armenian Games.

Although Iran’s Armenia Olympics is an sports event, Iran’s Armenian
use it as an opportunity to spend time together in joy and happiness.

‘ARMENIA HELD MILITARY PARADE UNDER NOT ITS OWN FLAG’

news.az
Sept 22 2011
Azerbaijan

The parade held in Armenia proved that this country is an outpost
with a formal independence.

The statement came from Arif Pasha, former commander of Lachin
regiment, retired Colonel, while commenting on a recent military
parade held in Yerevan.

‘There had been much talks about formal independence of Armenia
before. We have seen that states usually hold parades under their
own flag. But we did not see this in a parade held in Armenia. The
country became a laughing stock to the world public,’ Pasha said.

Pasha said this would cause a political tension in Armenia and
exacerbate the situation in the country even further.

‘The Armenian people made it sure once again that their country is not
independent. This is a terrible factor for any country that holds a
parade under a flag of a different country,’ the retired Colonel noted.