Author: Badalian Vardan

Targeted News Service
May 27, 2011 Friday 2:56 AM EST

Implementation of European Court of Human Rights Armenia Judgments
Focus of OSCE-Supported Conference

YEREVAN, Armenia

The U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe issued the following communication:

The execution of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights
(ECtHR) on Armenia, as analysed in an OSCE-supported report, is the
focus of an international conference in Yerevan today. The report
presents the findings of a monitoring exercise implemented by the
Chamber of Advocates with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

The event is organized by the OSCE Office in Yerevan and the Armenian
Chamber of Advocates in co-operation with the Council of Europe and
the Armenian Constitutional Court.

“As the OSCE is assisting Armenia in strengthening the rule of law in
line with its commitments this first study of the execution of the
Court’s judgements is of prime importance, not only for the individual
cases concerned but for Armenia’s legal development,” said Carel
Hofstra, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Office. “The report contains
clear descriptions of the cases and recommendations for the action
needed to implement the Court’s decisions.”

Gagik Harutyunyan, the Chairman of the Armenian Constitutional Court,
said: “The ultimate goal of our work is the human being. The State is
obliged to ensure and guarantee people’s rights. The European Court of
Human Rights can effectively fulfill its mission only when national
structures function efficiently. Even one violation points to problems
that need to be addressed”.

The study attempted to review the state and progress of implementation
of judgments, examined the conformity of national proceedings for
re-opening court cases with the provisions of the European Convention
on Human Rights, indentified legislative and institutional
shortcomings and provided recommendations for further improvements.
The study includes ECtHR decisions against Armenia until December
2010, totaling 25 judgments.

Representatives of executive, legislative and judicial authorities, an
Armenian judge at the ECtHR, international and local experts, members
of the Chamber of Advocates, as well as civil society representatives
participated in the event.

Artak Zeinalyan, a member of the expert group that drafted the report
said, said: “Brief descriptions of the factual data related to the
judgments of ECtHR against Armenia, the actual Court judgments as well
as the current stage of the supervision by the CoE Committee of
Ministers of the implementation of the judgments concerned are
presented in a single publication. Considering the inadequate state of
implementing ECtHR judgments, it is necessary to continuously improve
Armenian legislation, implement training programmes and address
various factors hindering the full implementation of judgments”.

For more information please contact Gayane Ter-Stepanyan, Senior
Assistant on Press and Public Information of the OSCE Office in
Yerevan, tel.: 229610/11/12, ext. 5407, cel. 091 012603.

Interfax, Russia
May 27 2011

Armenia should heed call of U.S., Russia to liberate Azeri lands – Baku

BAKU. May 27

The joint statement of the presidents of Russia, the United States and
France on Nagorno Karabakh is an open message to Armenia about the
need to free Azeri lands, the Azeri Foreign Ministry said.

“The Armenian side must realize that the world community does not
accept the occupation of Azerbaijani lands. Proceeding from this
logic, Armenia must withdraw its troops from the territory of
Azerbaijan so that Azeri displaced persons can return, communications
can be restored and a certain situation created in the region,”
Foreign Ministry spokesman Elman Abdulallyev told Interfax.

The withdrawal of Armenian troops from Azeri territory will create
conditions for the peaceful coexistence of the Azeri and Armenian
communities in Nagorno Karabakh and the definition of the status of
the region within Azerbaijan, Abdulallyev said.

“This is the position of Azerbaijan and it remains unchanged,” he said.

“However, unfortunately, while the world community is demonstrating a
clear stance, Armenia, like before, is trying to block the peaceful
settlement of the conflict in various ways,” Abdullayev said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Head of the Foreign Relations Section of the
Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Novruz Mamedov told the ANS
channel that “Azerbaijan welcomes the declaration” of the leaders of
Russia, the Untied States and France on Karabakh and regards it as
evidence of the concern of countries co-chairing the Minsk Group about
the conflict still being unresolved.

Ml eb

AssA-Irada, Azerbaijan
May 25, 2011 Wednesday

AZERBAIJAN RATED 122ND AMONG PEACE-LOVING NATIONS

Azerbaijan ranks 122nd out of 153 countries among peace-loving
nations, a think tank has said in a report. The Institute for
Economics and Peace (IEP) report, released on Wednesday, ranks
countries based on 23 key criteria, including the size of their
military budget and the number of staff in the armed forces and law
enforcement. Iceland was ranked as the most peace-loving nation,
followed by New Zealand and Japan. Somali took the last spot,
according to the Global Peace Index (GPI). The report also claimed
that Armenia is a more peace-loving country than Azerbaijan, ranking
109th, though the country has occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijani
territory since a war in the early 1990s. Azerbaijans other neighbors
Turkey, Georgia and Russia ranked 127th, 134th and 147th respectively.
The United States ranked 82nd in the report. Founded in 2007 with
offices in Sydney and New York, the IEP is an international research
institute dedicated to building a greater understanding of the
inter-relationships between business, peace and economics, with a
particular emphasis on the economic benefits of peace.

Marketwire
May 25, 2011 Wednesday 4:14 PM GMT

Hospital Ordered to Pay Surgeon Hrayr Shahinian, M.D. More Than $6 Million

The Court Is Upholding Its Multi-Million-Dollar Verdict Against
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, a Success for Whistleblower Hrayr
Shahinian, M.D. and Reputable Medical Doctors Everywhere

LOS ANGELES, CA; May 25, 2011

The California Court of Appeals has upheld a world-renowned surgeon’s
multi-million dollar judgment against Cedars-Sinai Medical Center,
stemming from the hospital’s negligence in maintaining and sterilizing
surgical instruments — measures that had put patients’ lives at
stake. The Court also reaffirmed the original ruling that Cedars and
much of its executive staff engaged in retaliatory measures against
Hrayr Shahinian, M.D., which damaged his practice and reputation,
resulting in a loss of revenue.

“Once again, the Court has bravely ruled against one of the most
powerful medical institutions in the country in favor of patient care
and the ability of one surgeon to continue helping patients facing
uncertain futures,” said Shahinian. “Justice has prevailed.”

Dr. Hrayr Shahinian was recently honored by NASA for his role in
developing technology that allows surgeons to see 3D high-def images
of the brain and scientists to capture 3D images of planetary
surfaces. “For several years now my time, resources and attention have
been split between advancing science, caring for my patients and
deflecting the seemingly countless salvos that are part and parcel of
wrangling with Cedars-Sinai.”

Shahinian is referring to a malpractice suit he is currently
appealing, in which he says a Cedars staff member falsely testified
against him. “The chief witness against me in that trial is a staff
member at Cedars-Sinai who is the very person who replaced me when I
broke ties with the hospital over this whistle-blowing incident,” he
said. “To detail every incident in which Cedars has attempted to
destroy my career would fill a book.”

“Cedars-Sinai is using its vast resources to drown Dr. Shahinian in
litigation,” added attorney Robert C. Baker, who represented
Shahinian. “They have been using the legal system to kill his career.”

These are a few of the disturbing revelations that Shahinian brought
to light in the original case:

— In numerous instances, bioburden (brain matter) was found on surgical
instruments supposedly sterilized by Cedars-Sinai. Had they been used,
patients would have been vulnerable to a host of infections including
one resembling “mad cow” disease.

— Shahinian was pressured to extend overnight stays long beyond what was
medically necessary to increase revenue for the hospital.

— Shahinian was “encouraged” to refer patients to Cedars staff
physicians even when they were not qualified in order to increase
revenue for the hospital.

— Cedars regularly engaged in the practice of flash sterilization
instead of proper procedure. (This should only be used in rare
instances such as when an instrument is dropped during surgery and it
is necessary to complete the procedure. Proper sterilization is an
overnight process and much safer for patients.)

— Cedars-Sinai withheld key information from the investigators during
the original investigation in 2006.

— Shahinian’s refusal to “buckle” under pressure from the hospital made
him the target of a campaign designed to harm his practice and
reputation.

For more information on Dr. Shahinian and his revolutionary surgical
techniques, visit

About Hrayr Shahinian, M.D.:

Dr. Shahinian has earned international attention for his
groundbreaking minimally invasive approach to the surgical procedure
to remove brain and skull base tumors and treat other related
abnormalities. His revolutionary techniques have helped more than
4,500 patients who benefited from fewer complications, shortened
hospital stays and decreased recovery times. To date, Shahinian has
treated patients from all 50 states as well as Mexico, Canada, Japan,
South Korea, Australia, Armenia, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Italy,
France, Poland, Egypt and Israel. The efficacy of Shahinian’s
minimally invasive techniques over the open craniotomy and other
traditional methods have been documented in prestigious peer-reviewed
journals, medical books and, most recently, a textbook authored by
Shahinian entitled “Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery.”

SOURCE: Skull Base Institute

news.am, Armenia
May 28 2011

Komi Republic to hold Armenian Cultural Days

May 28, 2011 | 05:41

Siktivkar will hold Armenian cultural days on June 3-4, informs
`Yerkramas’ newspaper of Armenians in Russia, citing Ministry of
national policy of Komi Republic.

In the frameworks of the event a wreath will be put on `Eeternal Fire’
Memorial Complex and “Symbol of Eternity” cross stone.

Armenians of Russia will have regional meeting on June 4 and Ministry
of national policy of Komi Republic will meet with the Armenian
community.

Rezonansi, Georgia
May 26 2011

Obama intends to supply Georgia with weaponry

By Ia Abulashvili

As the Washington Post observer Jennifer Rubin writes in her blog, at
the forthcoming meeting of the presidents of the United States and
Russia, Barack Obama is going to threaten Dmitriy Medvedev with
blocking Russia from WTO membership and to inform him about supplying
Georgia with defensive military equipment.

This is the conclusion the observer comes to as a result of the
analysis of the human rights in Russia and the discussion of a new
draft law at the [US] Congress. According to Jennifer Rubin, the
inactiveness of the White House concerning the verdict of the [Russian
businessman] Khodorkovskiy made the US Congress take active steps.

The draft initiated by Senator Ben Cardin envisages a number of
sanctions for the Russian high-ranking officials including those on
entering the country and freezing the accounts in the US [banks] if
any. However, the observer also says that the White House is not
concerned seriously enough to impose sanctions on the Russian
officials on its part.

Georgia trying to buy weapons from United States

Before this, the Atlantic magazine wrote that Georgia was trying to
buy weaponry from the United States and [the country] was said to have
paid 500,000 dollars to four leading lobbyist companies for this
purpose.

“The money spent by Georgia last year alone by far exceeds the money
spent by similar countries. [Georgian President Mikheil] Saakashvili’s
explanation of the fact is “the Russian threat”. Senator John McCain
is participating in the campaign, but the US State Department is
secretly blocking the attempts of supplying Georgia with weaponry. The
Georgian officials keep off the following question: Is Georgia going
to buy weaponry from the United Sates or receive it as aid? Some
American pundits think that American weaponry will indicate direct
support from the West, which Saakashvili “is longing for”, the edition
says.

What are Georgia’s chances of getting UN consent on buying military
equipment and what type of weaponry does it need? These are the
questions Rezonansi asked Georgian experts, who think that Obama’s
current vector – the reset policy – rules this out.

Georgia not able to “afford” up-to-date weaponry

Expert in security issues Irakli Sesiashvili says that the
ultra-modern equipment we need as well as the antiaircraft systems
cost a colossal sum of money, which our country cannot afford.

“Maintaining equipment as well as purchasing ammunition cost a lot.
Probably we should think of being presented. Will the United States
take this step? I do not think so. However, I have expectations that
the United States will help us stage by stage in the form of training
programmes. As for buying or selling weaponry, or presuming that we
will be able to make Russia leave, I doubt it. I am afraid we might
end up in a more disadvantageous situation. We might cause Russia’s
anger and, by introducing additional forces, end in the escalation of
tensions. The militarization of the region will add to tensions given
the closeness of the Armenian and Azerbaijani borders. This cannot be
in the interests of Georgia, the United States or Russia.

“I cannot agree with the idea that the United States will threaten
Russia to block it from the WTO membership. As far as I am concerned,
this issue has already been decided. The United States understands
that selling weapons to Georgia is not a strong argument to threaten
Russia. I think we should consider balancing our relations with
Russia. As for the short-term prospects, the defence issue components
should be considered in the context of the development of the state.”

Georgia unlikely to get weaponry

Expert in military issues Giorgi Melitauri thinks that Georgia badly
needs up-to-date defensive military equipment.

“What we have today is of Soviet origin and obsolete at the least.
Modern conditions require completely different weapons and renewal,
which is a permanent process. Since the 2008 August war, there has
been no supply of weapons by the United States. Before then, the
United Sates used to supply us with M4-type rifles, high-quality means
of communications and Hammer-type transport. Unfortunately, this
weaponry ended in Russia’s possession and the image of the United
States was disgraced, as due to its own partner, the weapons produced
by the United States ended up in Russia’s hands.

“We need anti-aircraft and anti-tank defensive means and it is
desirable to get them. We can have expectations with this regard.
However, what we need is a political decision. Our potential will also
be estimated and specialists will be trained, which is a long-term
process.

“It should also be noted that at the first stage of the conflict, in
terms of weaponry, we had a great advantage, but we failed to use it.
It was not a war of rifles alone. Neither the state not the army was
ready for war, and the General Staff, too, had wrong expectations. I
do not understand the need of weaponry, when we fail to use it. In the
conflict, we lost 110 tanks. Over 70 armed vehicles were driven away
by the Russians. All this was in full trim. Whatever they left was out
of order or blown up. No need to speak about the ammunition.
Unfortunately, I think that no-one is going to give us weaponry under
this government or with this kind of army”, Melitauri told Rezonansi.

PARLIAMENT DEBATES THE ISSUE OF AMNESTY

National Assembly

May 26 2011
Armenia

The National Assembly at May 25 sitting passes more than one dozen
agenda issues presented on the previous day and turned to the debate
of the proposal of the President of the Republic on Amnesty.

Meanwhile in the deputies’ name the NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan
welcomed the students and teachers of Gyumri N 7 secondary school,
who visited the legislative body within the Open Lesson framework

The Justice Minister Hrayr Tovmasyan submitted to the deputies
the NA draft decision on Announcing Amnesty on the Occasion of the
20th Anniversary of the Independence Declaration of the Republic of
Armenia in a special order. The Minister noted that the Amnesty is a
manifestation of good will of the President of the Republic, a humane
step, and it should be perceived as a new warrant of understanding
responsibility. The key speaker said that, as a result of amnesty,
396 defendants will be released, it will be partially spread on the
measure of punishment of 379 persons. These figures will still be
changed, in case of compensation of caused material damage the Amnesty
will be also applied on 348 persons, as well as, involving those being
under preliminary detention, their number will be increased by 20%.

To recap, during the history of the newly independent Armenia this was
the 9th amnesty and with its volumes and involvement of the articles
it differs from the previous ones, in particular, from the amnesty
applied in 2009. The Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs
of the parliament debated the proposal of Amnesty by the President,
endorsing it. The Committee Chairman said that the draft resolution
was reviewed based on the voiced proposals.

This decision of the amnesty will relate to the persons, who committed
crime until May 1 of this year, and the demands of the decision will
be carried until September 21.

The NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan gave an extraordinary speech on the
proposal of the Amnesty.

“Dear deputies As Speaker of the National Assembly I highly assess the
proposal of the President of the Republic of Armenia on ‘Announcing
Amnesty on the 20th Anniversary of RA Independence Declaration,’
which in my opinion, is an expected and completely justified
step. This is the 9th amnesty during the history of the newly
independent Armenia, but it will be an unprecedented amnesty, which
will be the first one with respect to its use, framework of influence,
volume and manifestation, and it is both of humanitarian and political
importance on the inner-political field and public atmosphere. On this
occasion our political assessment is unequivocally positive, and we
should welcome from the view that the state displays its compassion,
why not, its humanitarian attitude towards the so-called ‘mistaken
citizens,’ as the amnesty can also serve one very important goal,
for facilitating the tension caused in the society and creating a
basis of cooperation. In general, from the view of humanism, as well
as moral and political view, we highlight and welcome what may be said
is inclined to easing the tension accumulated in the country and boost
the formation of the atmosphere of tolerance, solidarity and unity.

It’s known that in many countries on the occasion of state holidays
or important events, the presidents of those countries direct
their glances to the persons being in prison as a humanitarian
attitude. On this occasion, first, I want to stress that there are
no time limitations for such inner-political decisions. They should
be used, if necessary, which today, really exists, and then it will
also be an instructive step, humanitarian display, educative for the
people, who being in prison could invest their forces in future for
the welfare of our country, our statehood.

I am sure that the Amnesty proposed by the President of the Republic
of Armenia and being announced by RA National Assembly is true timely
implementing and completely basic step, by which an attempt is made by
making a certain turning point in the political agenda and political
culture finally overcome the inner political tension.

Dear deputies,

The representative of the President of the Republic of Armenia with
all details presented the main structure, direction of the Amnesty
act and the conditions, by which the Amnesty act is proposed to pass,
and a need to again touch upon it, I think there isn’t.

There are countries, where the Amnesty is observed as a merely
political step aimed at the solution of numerous inner problems, and of
course, the easing of tension, bringing forth with it also solutions
of social, psychological and other problems. In our country the
Amnesty includes almost all the problems enumerated by me: political,
economic and social-psychological, but the most important thing is,
by my conviction, the formation of civil solidarity, without which
the ongoing reforms in the country will never become the people’s
property. The Amnesty also supposes full or partial release of the
persons of certain category, and emanating from the punishment not
only by political and economic expediency, but also, first of all,
from the faith towards good and justice, as well as by social agreement
of such humanitarian step in democratic, legal state.

We together with you should be sure that everyone gets what he/she
deserves, and the committed crime is not characteristic to a man,
but in his/her life it is of unique nature or a result of chance
or some circumstances, then an opportunity will be given to those
persons to be rectified and stand on the right path.

But here I am obliged to remind that the Amnesty should not be confused
with non-substantiated leniency, which results in permissiveness,
impunity and bears new crimes. In reality, the Amnesty is a step
emanating from Christian faith, which in parallel with enhancement
of civil solidarity, tolerance, and mutual trust sends an impetus of
humanity to the whole society.

I would also like to touch upon the circumstance that this is the
unique case when all the wings of the power had tangible contribution
in specifying the arguments, principles and basic provisions of the
Amnesty and, finally in establishing the fact. With this a basis of
new culture of solving the serious issues together was laid among
us, which, I think will have a big role while solving all the future
problems.

Dear Colleagues,

Today, before voting let’s for one moment think over the words of
the President of the Republic: ‘Remember that we shall have work to
do, remember that we a mission of defending and creating. We have
no right to allow us to have a society in our country treating each
other in a hostile way, we have no right to have political forces,
which have an attitude, let’s say, a unique hatred, and the quality
of their relations is animosity. We shall be able, eventually, lay
down a basis for the culture of political, civilized dialogue.’ Let’s
remember this exhortation, and take our step to unity. I am sure that
this is a step of displaying strong will and right thought.

I also call on the citizens being released under the influence of
the Amnesty Act to approach the humane attitude shown by the state
with all conscience to contribute their forces for the welfare of
our country, of our statehood, become full and exemplary members of
the society promoting the development of our country.”

PACE PRAISES AMNESTY IN ARMENIA

news.am
May 27 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – Parliament Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE) praises
amnesty in Armenia.

Amnesty will release all political prisoners in connection with
March 2008.

“Releasing political prisoners and making thorough investigation of
the ten people deaths on March 1, 2008, will lead to the regulation
of political climate. It will cause for a new constructive dialogue
between opposition-ruling powers,” reads the PACE report.

PACE is also very inspired by the opposition leader Levon Ter
Petrosyan’s announcement to be ready for a dialogue with ruling powers.

ARTSAKH REPUBLIC PRESIDENT: MAY 28 IS A HOLIDAY ALL ARMENIANS HOLD DEAR

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 27, 2011 – 18:36 AMT

Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan issued a congratulatory
address on the eve of the First Armenian Republic Day.

“May 28 is a holiday all Armenians hold dear. It has become one of the
glorious pages of our age-long history. The nation that went through a
genocide and lost the great part of the historical Motherland claimed
to the world for surviving and asserting itself, created a state with
all the attributes, structures and resoluteness to live and create
freely and independently.

The First Armenian Republic was born in a very difficult geopolitical
situation and existed only for two and a half years. However, the
lessons it has left contain deep meaning and are actual till now.

We should always remember the events of these critical years of our
history, evaluate successes and achievements and never repeat the
mistakes of the past. Every Armenian in Armenia, Artsakh and Diaspora
must assist by all means to the state building process, do everything
possible for our people’s victorious path to be eternal and stable.

Unity, solidarity and national goals should prevail over everything
else.

On this festive day I once again congratulate the entire Armenian
people, all our brothers and sisters and wish peace, prosperity
and new successes in the name of strengthening and reinforcing the
independent Armenian statehood,” the President said in his address.

SERGE SARGSYAN: SHADOW SHOULD BE REDUCED

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 17:35:40 – 27/05/2011

Press service of the president reports that today Serge Sargsyan had
a working meeting with the leadership of the State Revenues Committee
of Armenia.

In his speech, Serge Sargsyan in particular said that he convened that
meeting to find out where the process of changes in the activities
of the State Revenues Committee reached and what the issues to be
solved in this phase are to accelerate the process of changes.

He said that the task is really hard, and the Committee should not
only quickly ease the administrative burden for the businessmen and
business with the help of reforms, but also it should ensure a proper
tax collection level. He said that it is necessary to annually increase
the taxes/GDP correlation taking to the tax field may spheres from
the shadow. He said sure none of them doubts the shadow exists and
its scales cannot be assessed. Serge Sargsyan said that there is no
alternative and the system should increase the tax collection. He
says it is a really hard task but it is realizable.

Serge Sargsyan said that they should succeed in changing the attitude
towards the SRC, towards the tax and customs services and their staff
of the business sphere and the society. At the same time, he says, it
is necessary to change the demands imposed on the SRC. First of all,
according to him, the perception of the society and the business sphere
of the tax and customs services should be changed: the services should
become a body offering modern services and supervision to taxpayers
from a tax collecting body. It should be done through cooperation,
formation of an atmosphere of dialogue, a simple, transparent and
effective system.

At the same time, Serge Sargsyan notes, there should be measures taken
to reduce the shadow, corruption risks in the tax and customs spheres,
and the most important is to ensure equal conditions and justice to
all businessmen.