Author: Badalian Vardan

OPPOSITION IN SHAMBLES?: ANALYSTS SAY PAP “BREAKDOWN” LEAVES ARMENIA WITH NO MAJOR FORCE OPPOSED TO GOVERNMENT

POLITICS | 26.02.15 | 10:17

By SARA KHOJOYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter

Following the dramatic developments of recent days around the
Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) many analysts say there is no major
opposition force left in Armenia and no political party will be able
to rise up to that level in the near future.

The PAP led by tycoon Gagik Tsarukyan tried to mount a challenge to
President Serzh Sargsyan, but quickly backed off amid a government
crackdown that included detentions of its members who own businesses
as well as threats to prosecute Tsarukyan himself over tax evasion.

The PAP is preparing for its “extraordinary” convention that will be
held on March 5. Meanwhile, five members of its parliamentary faction
have already quit it. And some of the party lawmakers also recently
met with Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan to discuss issues related to
“small and medium-sized enterprises”.

The opposition, if not has been destroyed, then it is has been
considerably weakened, political analyst Sergey Minasyan said at a
press conference on Wednesday.

“We understand how the events will develop within the PAP, but it
cannot have any positive impact on Armenia’s political life. The
political career of Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan,
if not ended, then has been frozen,” the political analyst said.

Tsarukyan angered the current administration by an apparent “ultimatum”
to give up the constitutional reform or face a campaign of sustained
street protests demanding early presidential and parliamentary
elections. The PAP leader made those statements at a conference of
“non-governing” forces on February 5.

On February 12, President Serzh Sargsyan, the leader of the ruling
Republican Party of Armenia, lashed out at Tsarukyan and effectively
called on his party to oust the PAP leader from Armenian politics. On
February 15, Tsarukyan’s PAP and its two opposition allies, the
Armenian National Congress (ANC) and Heritage met to discuss their
response and scheduled a joint rally for February 20, but the PAP
called it off after Tsarukyan’s conciliatory remarks several days
later.

It is remarkable that Heritage party leader Raffi Hovannisian and his
supporters did turn out for the rally not attended by the PAP and the
ANC. Then Hovannisian declared that the troika effectively did not
exist any longer. He said that they no longer “play these games” and
that the ANC rally scheduled for March 1 will provide a “breakthrough”.

The actions against Tsarukyan were an attempt to put an end to
the situation created in February and the authorities did it by
decapitating one of the leading organizing forces, ANC parliamentary
leader Levon Zurabyan said.

“At this moment the PAP is out of the game. Now the PAP itself should
say where it stands. After coming under an intimidation campaign the
PAP has said nothing,” Zurabyan told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service. “Now
the March 1 rally will be a test for the forces that continue their
struggle in the name of Armenia no matter what terror they have been
subjected to by the regime.”

Pressure on the PAP leader appears to continue. While Tsarukyan
has not yet been stripped of his parliamentary seat over “chronic
absenteeism”, Parliament Speaker Galust Sahakyan said that the current
RPA position is not different from that expressed by President Sargsyan
on February 12.

“I think that the PAP should come up with a new strategy. As for who
will lead this new party strategy is not known to me,” he said.

TURKEY KEEPS INSISTING ON NON-CONSTRUCTIVE PRECONDITIONS – EXPERTS

10:33 * 26.02.15

Turkologists in Armenia express their criticism of Turkish foreign
minister’s recent statement linking the bilateral reconciliation
process with the unsettled Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

According to Artak Shakaryan, Mevlut Cavushoglu’s call for leaving
Nagorno-Karabakh without Armenians fully fits within the logic adopted
in the 1990’s (when Turkey closed its state border with Armenia as
a sign of solidarity with Azerbaijan).

“Back in the 1990s, Turkey would insist on the Nagorno-Karabakh
issue, with Armenia always saying that the relations should never be
contingent upon third countries. Armenia never imposed any condition
on Turkey to urge for the withdrawal of its troops from Cyprus, and
it never made it a precondition for [normalizing] the Armenia-Turkey
ties,” he told Tert.am.

“We have always been ready for the unconditional normalization
of ties, but we also saw that Turkey wouldn’t back away from its
preconditions. So Turkey alone is to blame for the failure.”

In a speech in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, on Wednesday, the
Turkish official slammed Armenia for a “failure to pass the openness
test” which he said led to the decision to withdraw the 2009 bilateral
protocols from parliament. He also reiterated the Turkish authorities’
earlier calls for “liberating the Azerbaijani territories”.

Noting that the Turkish authorities have so far taken no essential step
to enforce the bilateral protocols signed in Zurich (Switzerland), the
Turkologist said he finds that the ball is now in that country’s court.

“For them, the protocols’ signing was not principally essential;
what mattered was their availability. The Turkish side was doing all
its best to keep the protocols on the agenda, so the withdrawal from
the Armenian parliament makes them nervous,” Shakaryan said, adding
that he expects the country to do everything possible to keep the
documents alive.

Speaking to Tert.am, Turkologist Levon Hovespyan described the
Turkish official’s remark as an attempt to justify the country’s
earlier efforts towards derailing the process.

“The entire process’ failure is due to Turkey, as their activities
in the past six years were targeted at killing the process. So Turkey
translated that into action. All they can do now is to pretend, with
statements of the kind, that they are ready to keep the process going,”
he added.

The expert said he hasn’t seen any constructive step by Turkey over
the past period, with the only strategy remaining the rhetoric of
preconditions.

“It is important to note at the same time that the Armenian side’s
decision did not come as a surprise to Turkey, but they will long
speculate that fact, demonstrating that the ball is in Armenia’s
court. That’s for certain. Turkey has clearly shown what policies it
pursues and what intentions it has, i.e. – the language of blackmails
and use of pressure mechanisms,” he added.

UWC DILIJAN COLLEGE FIRST IN ARMENIA TO BE BREEAM CERTIFIED

February 26, 2015 12:09

The building of UWC Dilijan College

Photo: Danil Kolodin/IDeA

Yerevan /Mediamax/. The building of UWC Dilijan College was the first
in Armenia to be BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental
Assessment Methodology) certified and to be assigned a “good” level
in BREEAM rating of eco-efficiency of buildings.

BREEAM is one of the most known and widespread methods of assessment
of the eco-efficiency of design solutions and construction works from
their planning to putting into operation. Around the world, BREEAM
certification is perceived as a sign of a building’s environmental
quality and its compliance with international “green” norms.

According to the method, solutions such as green roofs, green walls
and building management system (BMS) were assessed. The building was
also assessed based on categories such as health, environment, life
security, water, materials, recycling, ecology, land-utilization and
pollution as well as based on the impact of its use on the environment.

The College is the joint project of philanthropists Ruben Vardanyan and
Veronika Zonabend and their partners – individuals or organizations –
carried out by IDeA Foundation.

UWC Dilijan College is a full member of United World Colleges (UWC)
educational movement and has been accredited by the International
Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) to deliver its Diploma Program.

The construction of the College was carried out by “Camp Ventures” CJSC
(Armenia) – project originator, Tim Flynn Architects (London) – chief
architect of the project, RD Construction Management CJSC (Russia) –
general designer and general contractor for the project. In summer
2014, first phase construction works completed (around 37 thousand
square meters of the building and 43 thousand square kilometers of
developed area).

DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN RULING RPA AND PAP CAUSED BY CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM, POLITICAL TECHNOLOGIST SAYS

YEREVAN, February 25. /ARKA/. The disagreement between the ruling
Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) and the Prosperous Armenia Party
(PAP) were caused by the constitutional reform, political technologist
Karen Kocharyan said on the air on Sputnik-Armenia radio channel.

The reform has been the visible part of the iceberg, he said.

Kocharyan also said the authorities felt a threat from PAP after
the latter gathered lots of people in the last rallies in autumn,
fearing it may develop into a critical mass growing itself.

Speaking on February 12 at a meeting of the ruling Republican Party
of Armenia, president Serzh Sargsyan criticized harshly the leader of
Prosperous Armenia party tycoon Gagik Tsarukian and said Tsarukian,
as a political actor, is an evil for the country. The president signed
a decree withdrawing Tsarukian from the national security council
due to his systematic failure to attend the council meetings. The
president also instructed to look into cases of the tycoon’s absence
in the parliament sessions and the rumors about his tax evasion.

The leader of the Prosperous Armenia, in turn, said the reason for the
president’s statements is his refusal to contribute to the reproduction
of the political power through a constitutional reform.

In particular, the tycoon said he refused to become a president
after the country turns to parliamentary form through constitutional
amendments.

According to the expert, invisible processes started when PAP refused
to enter the coalition after the 2012 parliamentary elections.

Yet, the expert said PAP has not been withdrawn from active political
life.

“Time will show whether the authorities or the people themselves will
bring up a new opposition force,” Kocharyan said.

The expert has not ruled out new political forces may occur during
the next months.

PAP was going to hold a rally on February 20, together with two other
opposition parties, Armenian national Congress and the Heritage, but
cancelled the rally later. PAP leader Gagik Tsarukian urged people
to solve problems only through peaceful, legal and political means.

PAP parliament faction, has been boycotting the regular parliamentary
session as from Monday. The secretary of the faction Naira Zohrabyan
said they will discuss the situation in the next days and make a
statement about further steps.

RICHARD GIRAGOSSIAN: THE SUCCESS OF THE TALKS WITH BRUSSELS MUCH DEPENDS ON RELIABILITY AND ABILITY OF THE ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT

by Ashot Safaryan

ARMINFO
Wednesday, February 25, 12:59

The success of the talks with Brussels and an effective dialogue
between Armenia and the EU much depends on reliability and ability
of the Armenian government, political expert Richard Giragossian said
at today’s conference in Yerevan dedicated to this topic.

He said that once Armenia lost its chance when abandoning the
Association Agreement with the EU and deciding to join the Customs
Union. Now Yerevan has been given the second chance which must not
been lost, as it will not have the third one, Giragossian is sure.

‘At the present conditions the Eastern Partnership Programme is gaining
special importance. So, we need to fill its agenda with a specific
content. The Riga summit of the Eastern Partnership, that will be
held in May, should not be similar to the Vilnius one. Besides the
active participation of civil society in the process for enhancing the
dialogue with the EU, I think that the serious approach of the Armenian
leadership is also very much important. They have to understand that
the decisions adopted today much determine the future of our children”,
– Guragossian said.

POLITICAL EXPERT: US STATE DEPARTMENT’S CALLS TO SET FREE AZERI RAIDERS WILL RECEIVE NO RESPONSE

by Marianna Lazarian

Wednesday, February 25, 13:32

The US State Department’s calls to set free the Azeri raiders
prosecuted in Nagorno-Karabakh will receive no response, such an
opinion was expressed by the Deputy Director of the Caucasus Institute
Sergey Minasyan, answering the question of Arminfo correspondent
during press conference in Yerevan.

“Since there have been no direct messages addressed to the
Nagorno-Karabakh authorities, there will be no response. Those people
are not ordinary civilians or servicemen, they have committed a brutal
crime far from war sites in the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and
must be punished according to the law of that country,” Minasyan said.

He said that the Azeris have distorted Nuland’s words about the
raiders. “In Yerevan she was no longer able to change the statements
she had made in Baku but she did not specify who her call was addressed
to. So, there will be no response,” Minasyan said.

On Feb 23 Spokesperson of the US State Department Jen Psaki called
on Armenia to give back the Azeri raiders.

The Nagorno-Karabakh authorities consider these calls unacceptable.

Spokesman of the NKR President David Babayan said that Guliyev
and Askerov have committed terrorist acts in the territory of
Nagorno-Karabakh. “Their trial was transparent and open for mass
media and NGOs. So, we must respect the court’s verdict,” Babayan said.

To recall, the Stepanakert General Court sentenced Askerov and Gulyev
to life imprisonment and 20 years in prison for illegal crossing of
the state border and committing sabotage attacks and vicious murders,
respectively.

CHORRORD ISHKHANUTYUN: RUSSIAN ARMENIAN BUSINESSMAN TO BUY ELECTRIC NETWORKS?

10:08 * 25.02.15

The paper says it has learned from “well-informed sources” that the
prominent Russian-Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan is planning
to purchase the Electric Networks of Armenia.

The company, whose shares are now controlled by the Russian joint-stock
venture Inter RAO, is said to have accumulated debts amounting to
$300 million over the past years. The paper claims that Karapetyan
is now negotiating the company’s purchase in return for the debts.

Citing further its sources, the paper adds that the Electric Networks
of Armenia is now conducting inventory, although no final decision
has been made for now.

ARMENIA NEEDS ALTERNATIVE WAY FOR EXPORT – RAFFI MKHCHYAN

14:51 * 25.02.15

Chairman of the Union of Exporters of Armenia Raffi Mkhchyan points
out a decline in Armenia’s exports primarily because of the situation
in Russia, which is Armenia’s strategic partner.

The second cause is the daily declining population, labor force and
number of specialists.

“No essential changes have been observed since before Armenia’s
accession to the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). Such changes would be
possible if relevant surveys had been conducted in Armenia. We have
no domestic production, we have to re-operate our production shops
and modernize our economy. We can increase our exports when we have
sufficient essential agricultural produce, but exports are not large
either,” Mr Mkhchyan said.

Armenia joined the EEU just about two months ago and great expectations
would be too much.

Armenia continues exporting products to Russia it has to date been
exporting.

“We have to wait to see weak and strong points of the Eurasian
Economic Union. But one thing is clear: we need an alternative way
for exports. We cannot gain high profits by using Lars alone.”

PETITION FOR TRANSFER OF AVETISYAN FAMILY MURDER CASE TO ARMENIAN LAW-ENFORCERS DISCUSSED WITH RUSSIAN SIDE

14:56 * 24.02.15

Given the public concern over the investigation into the Avetisyan
family murder, the Prosecutor General’s Office of Armenia has provided
explanations:

On February 3, Armenia’s Prosecutor General Gevorg Kostanyan sent
a petition to his Russian counterpart Yuri Chaika for transfer of
Avetisyan family murder case to Armenian law-enforcers.

Russia’s relevant bodies are considering the petition. To preclude
any misunderstanding the Prosecutor General’s Office has released a
copy of the reply to an inquiry by the Department of International
Legal Relations.

With respect to statements that the petition should be made public,
according to Article 8 of the Law on Freedom of Information, it
contains data on preliminary investigation that is not to be published.

The Prosecutor General’s Office of Armenia urges citizens to refrain
from unprofessional comments on the matter of paramount of importance.

The Prosecutor General’s office is acting in conformity with Armenia’s
Constitution and laws.

ISRAELI SCHOLAR YAIR AURON ABOUT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION AND THE IMPRESSIONS FROM ARTSAKH

13:28, 24 Feb 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Lusine Avanesyan
Public Radio of Armenia
Stepanakert

On a three-day visit to Artsakh Israeli genocide scholar Yair Auron
had meetings with officials, youth and soldiers. He met with reporters
in Stepanakert to share the impressions. The scholar confesses he
didn’t know much about the Artsakh war.

As a genocide expert, Auron does not accept describing the events in
Khojalu, as well as Sumgait and Baku as “genocide.” “Some people say
the events in Khojalu constituted genocide, but they do not comply
with the classical definition of genocide.” As for the events in
Sumgait and Baku, the scholar said he has not conducted research on
these concrete cases, but considers they should be called “massacres.”

Yair Auron confessed that on the first day of the visit the impressions
were not that bright, but everything changed over the next two days.

“My impression on the first day was that you are week. Now I’m
confident you are very strong, strong with your spirit.”

“I admire your struggle for self-determination,” he said. “This is
your right and I with you every success,” the scholar added.

“After I met with the soldiers, I saw they are ready to continue the
struggle with the same spirit. They have the resoluteness to fight,
to master their own destiny. I admire that determination.”

Mr. Auron said he’s ashamed for the fact of Israel selling arms to
Azerbaijan, knowing those will be used against the people of Karabakh.

“I go mad, when I think these weapons are used against you,” the
scholar said.

According to Yair Auron, upon his return to Israel he will continue
the struggle for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Besides, he
will talk to his friends about Artsakh, its people and their struggle.

He plans to visit Nagorno Karabakh again in summer.