Author: Badalian Vardan

DES MILITANTS DU HAK ONT ETE LIBERES
Laetitia

armenews.com
lundi 22 aout 2011
ARMENIE

Deux autres membres de l’opposition du Congrès national armenien
(HAK)qui ont ete arretes la semaine dernière ont ete liberes vendredi
en attendant les investigations concernant leur violente dispute avec
les officiers de police a Erevan.

La Cour d’appel a infirme une decision du tribunal inferieur, ce qui
a permis a la police de retenir Sargis Gevorgian et Artak Karapetian
en garde en vue. Mais elle a rejete un appel similaire de Tigran
Arakelian, qui demeure desormais le seul militant du HAK en prison.

” La cour a affirme qu’il n’y a pas de motifs suffisants pour que
Tigran Arakelian soit libere sous caution “,a declare son avocat
Vartuhi Elbakian lors d’une interview accorde a RFE/RL.

Arakelian est accuse d’hooliganisme et risque au minimum 10 ans de
prison. Les six autres militants du HAK qui ont eu des differends
avec la police le 9 août font face a des accusation moins importantes.

Les sept hommes ont nie les accusations de la police. Ils ont affirme
qu’ils avaient ete frappe par les officiers et qu’ils ont ete detenus
ensuite.

Stepan Voskanian, un autre avocat des militants du HAK, a affirme
qu’ils refusent toujours de faire des temoignages car ” ils ne
croient pas au système. ” ” Ils ont eu des differends avec la police
et n’attendent naturellement pas une enquete juste et objective. ”

Le HAK, cependant, a affirme que la detention d’Arakelian ralentira les
negociations avec le president Serge Sarkissian et la coalition. ”
Aujourd’hui, nous sommes exposes a un serieux obstacle dans la
continuite du dialogue “, a declare Arman Musinian, le porte-parole
de l’oppostion lors d’une interview accordee a RFE/RL.

Musinian n’a pas precise si le HAK se retirerait du dialogue dans le
cas où Arakelian ne serait pas libere.

L’equipe de negociations representant le HAK et la coalition ont
tente de programmer leur prochaine reunion vendredi. Mais le HAK a
annonce dans la matinee qu’il etait reporte a mardi prochain.

Vartan Bostanjian, un des negociateurs de la coalition, a lie le retard
a l’audience de l’appel. Lors d’une interview accordee a RFE/RL,
Bostanjian a egalement insiste sur le fait que les representants du
HAK n’ont pas encore entame des discussions sur la liberation des
jeunes opposants.

news.am, Armenia
Aug 20 2011

Do not confuse statements of Azerbaijan with reality – Karabakh

August 20, 2011 | 18:28

STEPANAKERT. – The mere fact of existence of Aliyev dynasty in
Azerbaijan, recurrent and systematic violations of national
minorities, racism, Armenophobia, xenophobia, all this indicates that
the concepts of tolerance and democracy are not applicable to
Azerbaijan, said press secretary of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR)
President David Babayan to a press conference.

`If the high rank officials call to get rid of their colleagues who do
not have Turkic roots, how can we speak about democracy or European
values?’ asked Babayan.

According to him, the various statements of official Baku, where it is
trying to present itself as a democratic state, should not be confused
with reality.

“The real picture is formed through actions rather than words,” he
said, adding that neighboring Iran, being an Islamic state itself,
also sees the dangers of its policies. “I am not talking about the
fact that official Baku always has some absurd territorial claims to
Armenia.”

Business Insider
Aug 20 2011

Gorbachev’s Organization Supports Alternative Energy in Armenia

Antonio Pasolini, Energy Refuge | Aug. 20, 2011, 3:59 PM

A solar power generator plant in Spitak, Armenia, will get financial
help from Green Cross International, an organization founded by former
Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

So far the project has attracted $8 million in investments. The plant
will produce up to 1,000 units with capacities that range between 3
and 32 kilowatt. The latter can supply electricity to a household.

Vahagn Hameazaspanyan, head of the solar power plant program, said the
plant will give Armenia an economic boost since there is huge demand
for this type of equipment.

He criticized the government for not helping Armenia’s solar power
sector, despite recently approving an energy security plan.

Brazil and Mozambique are possible destinations for the Armenian solar
generators.

news.am, Armenia
Aug 20 2011

Armenia’s Ambassador meets Lebanese Education Minister

August 20, 2011 | 14:25

YEREVAN. – Armenia’s Ambassador to Lebanon Ashot Kocharyan met with
Lebanese Education and Higher Education Minister Hassan Diab on
Friday.

Kocharyan conveyed Armenian Education Minister Armen Ashotyan’s
congratulatory message to Hassan Diab on his appointment to the new
post, the press service of Armenian MFA informed Armenian
News-NEWS.am.

The sides discussed implementation of joint educational programs,
exchange of students and lecturers and issues on mutual assistance.
The officials also attached importance to mutual visits and
improvement of legal framework.

news.az, Azerbaijan
Aug 19 2011

Armenia’s policy undermines peace and stability in region – Swedish diplomat
Fri 19 August 2011 12:16 GMT | 8:16 Local Time

Non-constructive policy pursued by Armenia undermines peace and
stability in the region.

The statement came from former head of the Political Affairs Committee
of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the former
head of the Swedish delegation Goran Lindblad.

The international organizations and countries of the world should put
up pressure on Yerevan so that it takes a more transparent and open
stance in the negotiations to settle the Armenian-Azerbaijani
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Lindblad said.

The Swedish diplomat emphasized development of military capability and
economy of Azerbaijan and noted that Armenia’s economy will weaken
further in event of war.

Lindblad said that he supports settlement of the conflict within norms
and principles of international law.

Speaking about activities of the OSCE Minsk Group, the Swedish
diplomat added that member states must intensify their efforts in this
direction.

1news.az

President Serzh Sargsyan Says Today Azerbaijan Not Able to Have
Military Superiority Over Armenia

20:28, 20 August, 2011

YEREVAN, AUGUST 20, ARMENPRESS:

The Karabakh issue is painful both for Armenia and Azerbaijan, RA
President Serzh Sargsyan said today during a meeting in Sevan with the
participants of “Miasin” (Together) movement and “Ari Tun” program.

In answer to a question by one of the participants on the NK issue and
its deadlines, the president said “if it were easy, the issue would
have already been settled.” According to the president, the
Azerbaijani authorities for years have been trying to convince the
Azerbaijani people that Karabakh is an Azerbaijani land, and now the
Azerbaijani authorities face a number of problems.

“They have never tried, and unfortunately do not try to have a frank
and clear conversation with their people and tell them that the land
is an Armenian one, there Armenians have lived for centuries. I am
sure the time will come for this: no matter how difficult and arguable
the matter is, we are obliged to find a key to the peaceful settlement
of the issue. By saying “we”, I mean Armenia, Karabakh and
Azerbaijan,” the president said. He added that the current atmosphere
does not give an opportunity for this.

“How can I indicate any timeframes, when referring to a peaceful
resolution? Is a peaceful settlement possible, when every day the
Azerbaijani authorities utter only anti-Armenian words, when they
propagandize hatred?” the president says. He added that “we seem to
have reconciled ourselves and got used to this, as it is not the first
or second year.”

The president told the young participants of “Miasin” movement and
“Ari Tun” program that “maybe not the young, but their parents and
elders will certainly remember the beginning of the 1990s”, when
Azerbaijani presidents Mütallibov, Elchibey were telling the same
story about the power and superiority of Azerbaijan. He said there was
only one Azerbaijani president, who had some realistic views.

“I am sure the military actions are a path leading to nowhere. Today
Azerbaijan is not able to have a military superiority over us,”
President Serzh Sargsyan stated.

The president says it is well-known that Karabakh will never belong to
Azerbaijan. “Today I am looking at you and telling my variant of
resolution, what I say is that the resolution should be in a peaceful
way.” He said Karabakh has self-determined itself long ago and decides
the fate on its own. “Which of you has visited the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic and doubted that they have an independent state there?” the
president stated. He added that sooner or later the issue of
recognition of the Nagorno Karabakh will be settled. “The sooner, the
better – both for Armenia, Karabakh and for Azerbaijan,” the president
stated.

ARF Between Principles and Quotas

Naira Hayrumyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 15:17:01 – 20/08/2011

The ARF-D Central Committee of West America made serious allegations
against President Sargsyan. The ARF of California refused to attend
the reception which will be organized in Los Angeles on the 20th
anniversary of independence of Armenia, `in honor of President Serzh
Sargsyan’. ARF-D accuses Serzh Sargsyan of leading the country to
social collapse, causing people to emigrate, yielding in the Karabakh
issue and relations with Turkey, discrediting the idea of
independence.

Giro Manoyan, the head of the ARF-D Bureau Office of Political
Affairs, has already issued a disclaimer, noting that `Armenian’ ARF-D
disagrees with this position, and does not think the 20th anniversary
of independence should be used for similar statements. For their part,
the `American’ ARF-D thinks the 20th anniversary of independence
cannot be used for honoring a discredited president.

The American ARF-D’s refusal to support Serzh Sargsyan may lead to an
interesting transformation.

It has been brought up for a number of times that the economic
disaster in Armenia, oligopolies, `criminal’ laws, imitation of
democracy is rooted in the dependence of the Armenian government of
Russia where the vicious soviet traditions persist. It has been
brought up for a number of times that the Western Diaspora may help
change the social and political psychology in Armenia. But so far, the
Diaspora has been reluctant to interfere with the process in Armenia,
accepted its government as symbols of the homeland.

The Diaspora is divided by their support of one political party or
another, and the ARF-D has influence on a significant part of
Armenians living outside Armenia. In this context, rejection of Serzh
Sargsyan by pro-ARF-D Armenians traditionally supporting the Armenian
government may influence general moods in the Diaspora.

The government of Armenia may say they don’t need the support of the
American Diaspora and they will be right to some extent because in the
past few years the government became reliant on the Armenian Russian
tycoons. And this is only one side of the issue.

The other side is the approach of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun itself. In
the past few years, the leadership of the party moved to Yerevan,
accreted with the government, receiving both economic and political
quotas. Sometimes, the Armenian leadership of the party, despite the
opinion of the ARF-D worldwide, openly or tacitly supported the
Armenian government. Even though the ARF-D left the coalition, it did
not demand the president’s resignation and did not take abrupt action.
The behavior of the ARF-D in Armenia regarding the Armenian-Turkish
normalization was softer than outside Armenia.

Despite few seats in parliament and small electorate, the Armenian
government needs the ARF-D’s support. At the same time, the Armenian
Dashnaktsutyun would hardly wish to lose its quotas and be pushed out
of the way. The statement of the ARF-D of West America will certainly
give rise to questions to `local’ Dashnaktsutyun. They will either
have to announce that they do not share positions or they agree with
the evaluation of their American friends. This would lead to a
break-up with the government, resulting in a new division of property
and business.

ARF-D may announce that the CC of West America said nothing new, and
`local’ Dashnaktsutyun has announced the same thing for a number of
times but less roughly. But obviously, it will not be true.
Dashnaktsutyun in Yerevan has never boycotted any event which was
attended by Serzh Sargsyan.

The ARF-D may also say that the statement was agreed with the `local’
leadership and was a so-called precaution in case the ruling coalition
and the Armenian National Congress reach agreement and `divide’ seats
in parliament. ARF-D warns that it will not silence.

Bar Association to Hold Meeting in Detroit

Sat, Aug 20 2011

By: Betty Apigian-Kessel

It may interest you to know that we have an active Armenian Bar
Association here in the metro Detroit area. If you look through the
listings in the yellow pages, you will be impressed by the sheer
number of attorneys whose names end in `ian,’ male and female alike.

The exciting news is that the Armenian Bar Association will be holding
its Mid-Year Meeting in downtown Detroit from Sept. 22-24. Plans have
been made to assure that those attending will always remember Detroit
as a city that treats its guests in a warm and welcoming Mid-Western
fashion. You’ll be happy you decided to attend.

According to attorney Kathryn Ossian, a Bar Association Board member,
the official kickoff reception will be held on Friday evening at the
firm of Miller Canfield on Jefferson Ave. Guests will dine on
delicious Middle Eastern cuisine with continuous entertainment by the
Les Williams Trio playing Motown favorites. Jazz violinist, the
incomparable Harry Hovakimian, will be offering sweet Armenian
melodies.

On Saturday, the business meeting will take place at the Detroit
Marriott at the Renaissance Center, located on the Detroit River with
Windsor, Ontario just across the river – a really lovely sight,
particularly in the evening with thousands of lights reflecting off
the river. The Renaissance Center is also General Motors’ world
headquarters.

The first panel of the day will focus on `Birthright Armenia,’ a
non-profit organization that offers diasporan young adults the
opportunity for true cultural immersion in Armenia. Panelists Linda
Yepoyan, the executive director, and Mandy Ani Messer, a 2009
participant, will enlighten the audience about the organization and
share their experiences in Armenia.

The second panel will be on `The Use of Economic Experts in
Litigation.’ Panelists Mick Kahayian, director of Stout Risius, will
present the expert perspective, and attorney Richard Apkarian,
partner, Dickinson Wright, will offer the litigator perspective on the
topic. The final panel will discuss corporate compliance and the
foreign corrupt practices act. Panelists Richard Hartunian, U.S.
attorney, Albany, N.Y., Joe Papelian, deputy general counsel, Delphi
Corporation, and Tom Cranmer, principal and managing director, Miller
Canfield, will offer varying perspectives from the corporate,
prosecutorial, and defense side of this important topic.

Saturday night’s optional dinner will be held at Fishbone’s in
Detroit’s popular and colorful `Greektown.’ Other optional events are
also planned. On Thursday night, for example, you’ll be able to join
the group in Miller Canfield’s Comerica Park suite to see the Detroit
Tigers take on the Baltimore Orioles. On Friday, the group will take a
tour of the historic Ford Motor Rouge factory, always an exciting and
educational opportunity where visitors can see F-150 Trucks being
assembled in a state-of-the-art plant.

Downtown Detroit offers three casinos for trying your luck, fine
restaurants, a world-class art institute, and other cultural venues
should one wish to extend his/her visit.

Registration is now open. Don’t miss out on the 2011 Mid-Year Meeting
in Motown. For more information, go to

***

Kathryn Ossian provided me with information on this upcoming event.
She is currently the only Board member from Michigan, serving since
May 2010. She is also chairing the planning committee for this
meeting, assisted by eight Armenian attorneys located in southeast
Michigan and one in Toronto, an associate in her firm’s Toronto
office.

Ossian is a principal and leader of Miller Canfield’s Information
Technology Team, as well as deputy leader of the Litigation and
Dispute Resolution Practice Group, with over 25 years of extensive
experience negotiating and drafting software licensing agreements,
distribution, maintenance and other information technology agreements,
computer law, and intellectual property dispute resolution.

She is a certified faculty member at the University of Phoenix,
teaching graduate-level business law courses. She is listed in the
information technology law Section of `The Best Lawyers in America,’
as well as in `Michigan Super Lawyers.’ Ossian is a frequent speaker
and has published several articles relating to her areas of practice.
She graduated magna cum laude from the Detroit College of Law and has
been a licensed attorney since 1984.

***

The Armenian Bar Association was formed in 1989 to provide an arena
for lawyers of Armenian heritage and other interested individuals to
come together socially and professionally to address the legal
concerns of the Armenian community.

Based in southern California are Edvin Minassian, Armenian Bar
Association chair, and Jackie Boyadjian, executive director.

To receive the special room rate of $104 per night, available Thursday
through Sunday, reference the Armenian Bar Association group code
`abmabma.’ Call the hotel at (313) 568-8000 or

(888) 236-2427. The deadline for reservations is Thurs., Sept. 1.

My thanks to Krista Lacata Haroutunian of Bingham Farms law firm of
Haroutunian, Lacata, Haroutunian for introducing me to Kathryn Ossian
of Miller Canfield, so that I could inform Weekly readers of the
accomplishments of our fellow Hyes in the world of law.

Armenian soldier commits suicide in army?

15:27 – 20.08.11

A soldier in a military unit of Armenia was reported dead on Friday.

According to a press release by the Ministry of Defense, Vardan
Sevyan, 20, committed suicide, reportedly with firearm.

A criminal case has been launched. An investigation is underway.

Tert.am

ARF-D of West America Against Serzh Sargsyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 14:19:16 – 20/08/2011

ARF-D Central Committee of West America congratulated the Armenian
people on the 20th anniversary of independence

In the statement the ARF-D CC welcomes the efforts of the Armenian
Consulate General to Los Angeles which organizes a series of events to
mark the holiday. A solemn reception in honor of President Serzh
Sargsyan will be organized at the Beverley Hills Hotel. In this
connection, the CC noted the presence of Serzh Sargsyan, as well as
the reception organized in his honor, may discredit the idea of
independence and play down the struggle of our people for justice.

`The Independence Day cannot be a reason to honor a disreputable
president `thanks to’ whose policy independent Armenia is getting
bogged deeper and deeper for the sake of the reproduction of the
regime. Gross violations of human rights, lack of justice and
independence of the judicial system and an unhealthy climate have
annihilated the belief of the Armenian people in justice and
independence. The oligarchs who have taken in their hands the economic
system based on monopolies and the leverages of the parliament and
government continue to oppress people. The level of social injustice
and poverty cause the citizens of Armenia to emigrate, seeking their
future elsewhere,’ the statement runs.

We cannot honor a president who surrendered in the issue of Artsakh
and announced ready to hand over the territories set down in the NKR
Constitution. We cannot honor a president who has led Armenia along
the humiliating and defeatist path for normalization of relations with
Turkey, the ARF-D CC of West America announced. Hence, the CC declared
to boycott the reception `in honor of Serzh Sargsyan’.