Author: Badalian Vardan

ANCA ANNOUNCES 2014 CONGRESSIONAL GRADES AND ENDORSEMENTS

10:25, 24 Oct 2014

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) this week released
its 2014 Congressional grades and endorsements, throwing the Armenian
American community’s political and electoral strength behind House
and Senate candidates from more than twenty-three states with proven
track records of support on issues of special concern to Armenian
Americans and all friends of Armenia.

“The ANCA is pleased, once again, to provide detailed, reliable facts
to help friends of Armenia make informed decisions at the ballot box
this November 4th,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.

“Please take a moment to study our report cards, review our
endorsements, share your feedback, and – most importantly – vote.”

The ANCA endorsements are based primarily on ANCA Congressional Report
Cards, a detailed review of each incumbent’s record across a broad
range of Armenian American issues. These Report Cards, prepared in
consultation with ANCA Regional offices and local chapters across
the country, cover issues ranging from securing a just resolution of
the Armenian Genocide and securing Turkey’s return of Armenian and
other Christian religious properties, to strengthening U.S.-Armenia
relations, defending Nagorno Karabakh’s independence, and increasing
U.S. aid and trade levels with Armenia.

Among the grading criteria were each Member’s willingness to advance
pro-Armenian American legislative initiatives (resolutions, letters,
etc.), including the Armenian Genocide Resolution, the Return of
Churches Resolution, pro-Armenian provisions of the foreign aid bill,
support for Nagorno Karabakh and advocacy on behalf of beleaguered
Armenian and other Christian communities in the Middle East.

Other factors include their membership in the Armenian Caucus,
attendance at Armenian civic and community events, and their support
for human rights issues related to Cyprus.

The 2014 ANCA Report Cards include:

* A point-by-point analysis of each incumbent’s support on key
legislation, Congressional “Dear Colleague” letters, participation
and leadership in initiatives and events held in the nation’s capital
and in local communities.

* Congressional Notes highlighting key initiatives taken by individual
House and Senate Members – from Congressional speeches to other
undertakings of special concern to the Armenian American community.

The ANCA Congressional Report Cards are posted on the ANCA website at:

WE NEED PAN-ARMENIAN COUNCIL TO COORDINATE COMMON TASKS, SAYS DEPUTY MINISTER

11:26 * 24.10.14

In an interview with Tert.am, a deputy minister of diaspora shared his
impressions of the Fifth Armenia-Diaspora Conference held in Yerevan,
praising the proposed idea of creating a pan-Armenian council.

Serzh Srapionyan said he thinks that such a structure would be really
important in terms of coordinating common tasks and offering solution
to urgent and major problems of pan-national significance. He cited
the Armenian Genocide Coordination Commission (launched in 2011)
as a good precedent justifying that need.

In his speech at the pan-Armenian annual event, held in Yerevan from
20 to 25 September, President Serzh Sargsyan proposed renaming the
commission a “Pan-Armenian Council” in an effort to turn it into a
permanent platform addressing urgent issues.

“It is stated very clearly and plainly. That’s to say, the president
made a proposal, and he now expects a reaction by Armenian and Diaspora
representatives. The Armenian Genocide Coordination Commission’s
three-year work proved that a coordinated solution to major and urgent
pan-national problems does really require such a structure. So what
connection can the [plan] to create that body have with the Armenian
Ministry of Diaspora? The Ministry of Diaspora’s task has to do
with the consolidation of the Armenian disapora, the preservation of
the Armenian identity, the deepening of the Armenia-Diaspora ties,
the uncovering of diaspora’s potential and its use to the benefit of
Armenia’s economic development. The programs implemented annually are
the evidence of the Ministry’s activities of the past six years. You
can find more detailed information on that in our fifth anniversary
collection, as well as in the annual yearbooks.

But that body, which is still to come into existence, will not focus
its activities on collaboration with the Diaspora; as the president
said, ‘it will become a platform to address urgent pan-Armenian
issues’,” the deputy minister noted.

Armenian News – Tert.am

BIPOLAR POLITICAL SYSTEM IMPLIES HIGH-QUALITY MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT

12:14 * 23.10.14

The draft concept for constitutional reforms is expected to raise
the legislative’s political role, gradually developing a “classical
bi-polar political system” in Armenia.

The two main poles in the system will be the two major parliamentary
forces vying for seats in the Government (the parliamentary majority
and opposition).

Such a model will practically enable the voter to exercise a
considerable influence on political processes through parliamentary
elections, by deciding which political force is to assume the helm
of state. The second largest parliamentary force, having new and big
leverages of control, will then be able to oppose to the political
majority by expressing its criticism or proposing alternatives,
and influence the public opinion.

In case the model succeeds, the next parliamentary elections will
allow voters to decide – based on previous evaluations and conclusions
– which political force to give preference to. That in turn will
reinforce the core principle of democratic governance, enabling the
population to elect and change its own government.

The adoption of an electoral legislation as a constitutional law
is also deemed to be a key part of the reforms, which requires a
high-quality majority and hence – a wide political consent between the
ruling political force and the opposition. The concept also proposes
differentiated barriers for parties and alliances in an effort to
enlarge political forces and promote collaboration among those which
have keynote programs.

In comments to Tert.am, Head of the National Assembly’s Standing
Committee on State and Legal Affairs Hovhannes Sahakyan elaborated
on the proposal for securing a corresponding number of votes to elect
the prime minister. According to him, the procedure does not abolutely
require a high-quality majority

President of the Helsinki Committee of Armenia Avetik Ishkhanyan
says he doesn’t think that the quality majority will apply to the
procedures of electing the premier and forming the cabinet. “The draft
in question proposes appointing members of the Justice Council based
on a quality majority,” he explained.

Similar mechanisms are proposed for the procedures to elect the
Control Chamber president and the chairman of the Central Election
Commission. The proposed majority of votes is 3/5 of the total number
of ballots (as is the case with electing the human rights defender).

The introduction of organic (constitutional) laws, which also requires
a quality majority, is seen as a key factor in terms of raising the
opposition’s legislative role. It is particularly proposed to provide
an exhaustive list of the corresponding laws in the Constitution.

To increase the efficiency of the control functions, the draft
further proposes constitutionalizing the minority’s right to create
committees (Under Article 44 of Germany’s Constitution, for example,
1/4 of parliament members exercises that right).

Armenian News – Tert.am

LE PROJET DE REFORME CONSTITUTIONNELLE PRESENTE AU CHEF DE L’ETAT

ARMENIE

Comme annonce, la Commission ad hoc mise en place pour l’elaboration de
la reforme constitutionnelle a remis au Chef de l’Etat, le 15 octobre,
le projet de reforme constitutionnelle, approuve par la Commission de
Venise, qui preconise la transformation de l’Armenie en une Republique
parlementaire avec un Premier ministre jouant le rôle de > politique et un President dote plutôt d’un rôle d’arbitre et
en grande partie protocolaire. La Commission a conclu que le passage
a un système parlementaire permettra de trouver des solutions aux
problèmes de gouvernance que le système actuel semi-presidentiel n’est
pas en mesure de resoudre. La reforme devrait au premier chef assurer
la separation fonctionnelle claire des pouvoirs, rendre les tribunaux
plus independants, ameliorer le système des gouvernements locaux,
prevoir un elargissement des droits de la minorite parlementaire
etc. Le projet de reforme dit egalement que le pouvoir executif doit
etre dirige uniquement par le Premier Ministre et les membres de son
Cabinet, representant la majorite parlementaire.

Il dit que le President de la Republique doit essentiellement
agir comme un > pour suivre la conformite du
Gouvernement et du Parlement a la Constitution.

Dans un entretien avec Hayots Achkhar, Vardan Poghossian, membre de
la Commission ad hoc, relève que celle-ci n’a pas encore elabore les
amendements preconisant l’election du President de la Republique, mais
celui-ci devrait en principe etre elu au suffrage universel indirect
par un Collège electoral special, qui pourrait etre constitue de l’AN,
mais aussi d’autres acteurs, dont des representants de la Diaspora. La
reforme empecherait le President de la Republique de briguer un
second mandat, son premier mandat devant se borner a six ou sept ans
(le mandat du Chef de l’Etat devrait etre d’une plus longue duree
que celui de l’Assemblee nationale, celle-ci etant elue pour cinq ans).

Le President Sarkissian, après avoir accepte ce document, devra entamer
des consultations avec les partis politiques avant de decider si la
Commission ad hoc devra commencer a rediger des amendements concrets a
la Constitution armenienne suivant ses recommandations. La Commission
de Venise a trouve la plupart des recommandations convaincantes.

LA TURQUIE, ALLIéE DEVENUE INUTILE

Laurent Leylekian

Analyste politique

Publication: 20/10/2014 11h59 CEST Mis a jour: 20/10/2014 11h59 CEST

Dans une tribune récemment publiée par le Temps, Marie-Hélène
Miauton conclut son propos sur Kobané en écrivant “Avoir démasqué
l’ami turc sera sans doute le seul effet collatéral positif du chaos
qui règne au Proche-Orient”. Peut-être est-ce effectivement le cas
pour les observateurs les plus extérieurs longuement abusés par la
très puissante politique de communication menée depuis de nombreuses
années par Ankara. Pour ceux qui suivent les affaires turques de plus
près en revanche, l’entreprise de dévoilement a fait long feu. Au
pire, il n’est besoin que de se souvenirdes câbles de Wikileaks pour
se faire une idée de l’appréciation peu flatteuse entretenue par
Washington, et sans doute par nombre de chancelleries occidentales,
au sujet de leur “allié” turc.

Ce qui est peut-être nouveau en revanche, c’est que les
développements en cours semblent attester d’une Turquie désormais
moins indispensable a la puissance américaine comme aux acteurs
locaux de la crise proche-orientale. Non pas qu’il y ait eu une
volonté claire d’écarter Ankara mais plutôt que, par sa position
intenable, l’Etat AKP se soit exclu de lui-même.

Lire aussi:

â~@¢ Avant Daech, la Turquie doit résoudre le problème kurde au
plus vite

â~@¢ Que fait la Turquie pour empêcher les jihadistes de l’Etat
islamique de prendre la ville syrienne kurde de Kobané?

â~@¢ Daech en Syrie et en Irak : La Turquie dément avoir autorisé les
Ã~Itats-Unis a utiliser ses bases pour lutter contre l’Ã~Itat islamique

Les Kurdes, vers l’Union sacrée

Deux initiatives spectaculaires sont récemment venues illustrer
ce changement. D’une part, Le Parlement d’Erbil représentant le
Kurdistan Autonome d’Irak vient de reconnaître les trois cantons
syriens d’un “Kurdistan occidental” autoproclamé, ceux de Qamishli /
Hassakeh, de Kobane bien sÔr, et même celui d’Afrin situé au nord
d’Alep. L’article premier de la résolution adoptée le 15 octobre
stipule que “le Parlement du Kurdistan soutient la volonté de la
Nation kurde du Kurdistan occidental pour toute décision qu’elle
prendrait quant a sa souveraineté.

Le Gouvernement régional du Kurdistan devrait établir des relations
officielles et légitimes avec ces cantons”. Un message apparemment
bien recu de – sinon directement inspiré par – Massoud Barzani, le
Président du Gouvernement en question. Dans la foulée, celui-ci a
enterré la hache de guerre qu’il entretenait depuis longtemps avec
le Parti de l’unité démocratique (PYD) d’inspiration marxiste pour
déclarer avec Salih Muslim, le Président du PYD, que les Kurdes
d’Irak allaient désormais soutenir leurs frères syriens et même
qu’il enverrait “dans les 24 heures des armes a Kobané, parachutées
par avion si la Turquie refuse leur transit sur son territoire”.

Certes, en fin politique, Barzani s’est bien garder de rompre tout
lien avec le régime turc. N’a-t-il pas quelques jours auparavant
rendu un hommage ambigu a la Turquieen soulignant néanmoins la
prééminence du rôle de l’Iran ? Selon des sources turques, Ankara
aurait ainsi fourni secrètement des armes aux peshmergas débordés
par l’offensive de l’Etat islamique. Des sources qui perdent néanmoins
en crédibilité en alléguant que la Turquie soignerait des militants
des forces d’autodéfense du PYD, et même du PKK. Quoi qu’il en
soit, il est difficile de ne pas voir dans la reconnaissance des
cantons syriens un acte de défiance vis-a-vis d’Ankara dont le clan
Barzani est réputé proche et avec lequel le Gouvernement Autonome
du Kurdistan entretient un très juteux trafic d’or noir.

Washington soutient désormais ouvertement le YPG

D’autre part, Erbil n’est certainement pas le seul acteur a avoir tiré
les conclusions de la duplicité turque sur l’affaire de Kobané. Selon
une dépêche Reuters, “des diplomates américains ont eu des contacts
directs sans précédent avec le principal parti kurde de Syrie,
dans le cadre des discussions sur l’élargissement de la coalition
mise sur pied pour combattre l’Etat islamique”. Jennifer Psaki,
porte-parole du Département d’Etat a précisé que la rencontre
avait eu lieu a Paris et que “Washington n’en était “pas encore”
au stade d’envisager d’armer et de former les milices kurdes” et
qu’il s’agissait uniquement “d’une brève rencontre”.

Il n’empêche, selon des sources plus orientales, des contacts
existeraient depuis plus de deux ans entre l’administration américaine
et le PKK. Des sources qui précisent que les tractations de Paris,
ce 12 octobre, ont réuni Salih Muslim lui-même et Daniel Rubinstein,
l’envoyé spécial du Département d’Etat pour la Syrie, et qu’elles
auraient portées sur “la mise en place d’une coordination militaire
entre les unités de protection du peuple (YPG) et la coalition
internationale contre le terrorisme”.

Il faut croire que ces discussions sont allées bien plus loin que
ce que prétend Mme Psaki puisqu’on apprend ce lundi 20 octobre que
l’armée américaine a procédé dans la nuit a des largages d’armes
en provenance des Kurdes d’Irak aux résistants de Kobané. Au
grand dam d’Ankara: la veille même, Erdogan affirmait a nouveau
qu’il considérait l’YPG comme un groupe terroriste. Un retournement
d’alliance qui ne s’est certainement pas fait sans concession : Salih
Muslim jusqu’alors plutôt bienveillant vis-a-vis du régime de Damas
ne vient-il pas de déclarer que le régime d’Assad était désormais
“illégitime”?

Le crépuscule de la diplomatie turque ?

Mais l’essentiel n’est sans doute pas la. Pour la première fois
depuis longtemps, le régime turc semble n’être pas parvenu a
jouer de la position du territoire qu’il contrôle en Asie mineure
pour faire prévaloir ses options et ses vues. Une marginalisation
d’Ankara nouvelle et qui étonne de la part d’une diplomatie ayant
jusqu’a présent toujours réussi a faire passer la Turquie pour un
allié fiable et indispensable. L’avènement possible d’une Turquie
inutile n’est pas sans conséquence. Sur le plan intérieur, Il est
certain qu’un revers d’une telle ampleur affaiblit l’Etat AKP. Il y
a quelques jours, le chef du parti kémaliste, Kemal Kılıcdaroglu,
avait déja vu la l’occasion de redorer le blason de son parti défait
aux dernières présidentielle, en accusant le gouvernement de soutenir
l’Etat islamique. Il semblerait que depuis lors,la tension politique
ne fasse que s’accroître en Turquie. Sur le plan extérieur, la
Turquie inutile a été en quelques sortes actée par la communauté
internationale : En dépit d’un lobbying intensif, Ankara n’est pas
parvenu a se faire élire au Conseil de Sécurité de l’ONU, alors
que cela son élection semblait jouée quelques jours auparavant. Mis
en perspective des signes sans cesse croissants de réintégration de
l’Iran au sein de la communauté internationale, les évolutions en
cours pourraient annoncer un bouleversement géostratégique majeur
au Proche-Orient.

KARABAKH SCULPTOR’S WIKIPEDIA MONUMENT UNVEILED IN POLAND

Arts and Culture | 23.10.14 | 15:48

A monument designed by an Armenian sculptor from Karabakh and dedicated
to Wikipedia was ceremonially unveiled in Slubice, Poland, this week.

The work by Mihran Hakobyan, a 30-year-old Stepanakert-based sculptor,
is the first monument dedicated to the internet-based encyclopedia.

In the years 2010-2013, Hakobyan graduated from the Polish Studies
for International Students at Collegium Polonicum in SÃ…~Bubice and
was awarded the title of licencjat (BA). In 2012, in recognition
for his work for the university and very good grades, he received the
Kulczyk Family Fund scholarship. Since 2011, he has been working in the
field of computer animation. He is the author of several animations,
including plasticine animated films promoting Collegium Polonicum
and Polish Studies for International Students. In 2013, he received
the audience award for his animated film “Umbrella” presented at the
Short Film Fund competition in Moscow.

The fiber-and-resin sculpture, designed by Armenian Mihran Hakobyan,
depicts the Wikipedia globe held up by four people.

Consistent with the Wikipedia logo’s globe, the world is shown as
being unfinished, ready to accept more knowledge.

The information as well as the photo of the statue is published in
the Monument’s section of Wikipedia.

JAMES WARLICK: ARMENIA’S MEMBERSHIP IN EEU WILL NOT AFFECT KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

17:17, 23 Oct 2014

A resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict depends on the political
will of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, and not on treaties
or alliances, US co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group, James Warlick told
Trend on Oct.23.

He was commenting on the possible impact of Armenia’s accession to
the Eurasian Economic Union on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The co-chair said the government of Armenia has made its decision,
which he respects.

“We hope with the recent contacts between the presidents they will
commit themselves to a settlement,” Warlick said.

“Conditions along the line of contact and Armenian-Azerbaijani border
have stabilized after the outbreak of violence this summer. But the
situation remains tense,” he added.

HONEY PRODUCTION SLASHES DRAMATICALLY IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, October 23. / ARKA /. This year honey production in Armenia
has slashed from two thousand metric tons in 2013 to about one hundred
tons, said on Thursday Telman Nazaryan, the head of the National
Association of Beekeepers Nectar.

Citing data from his own research he said the dramatic decline in
production is due to the loss of honey bees.

“Honey production this year has dropped catastrophically I personally
conducted research across the country and I can say with certainty
that the number of bees has decreased. The National Association of
Beekeepers is concerned about this situation. We believe that research
is needed to objectively assess the extent of the problem and develop
a mechanism to deal with the death of the bees, “said Nazaryan.

The first massive death of bees was described by American beekeepers
in 2006. It was called “colony collapse disorder.” Colony collapse
disorder is caused by a combination of factors – parasites,
agricultural chemicals and poor nutrition.

These all weaken the honeybees’ immune system and make them more
susceptible to viruses and infections that can kill them. Some experts
argue that frequencies use by cellular phones also affect bees which
“forget” the way to hives and die.

This is a global problem. Of the 100 crop species responsible for
providing 90% of food worldwide, 71 are dependent on bee pollination,
aaccording to UN figures. They also say the number of honey bees in
the world fell by 90%. – 0–

HRAPARAK: ELECTION OF ARMENIAN JUDGE AT ECHR MAY BE INVALIDATED

10:22 22/10/2014 >> DAILY PRESS

The controversial election of a judge representing Armenia at the
European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) may be declared invalid,
Hraparak writes. Some NGOs plan to file complaints to the court. Three
candidates were announced winners of the contest: former Ombudsman
Armen Harutyunyan, lawyer Ara Ghazaryan, and Prosecutor General’s
Office employee Nelik Harutyunyan. President Serzh Sargsyan has
confirmed the results of the contest.

Source: Panorama.am

ERDOGAN SEES TURKEY AS SUPER POWER IN MIDEAST: ANALYST

Tue Oct 21, 2014 5:7PM GMT

Turkey’s president sees the country as a super power in the Middle East
facilitating the overthrow of the Syrian government, says an analyst.

“I think [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan sees Turkey as a regional super power
in which he uses the ISIS to overthrow the Bashar al-Assad government,”
James Petras, a Middle East expert from New York, told Press TV in
an interview Tuesday.

Turkey is an “aspiring hegemonic country” seeking to “establish its
version of Islamic dominance and to limit the influence of independent
governments like Syria, like Iran.”

The government in Ankara also “wants to compete with Israel and the
United States as the dominant group, and this has created an enormous
series of conflicts.”

Turkey along with the United States and others are accused of arming
and supporting the ISIL Takfiri militants operating inside Syria.

Ankara has prevented Turkish Kurds from crossing the border into
Syria to join the anti-ISIL battle for the strategic town of Kobani.

Britain’s Sky News said in a recent report that it has obtained
documents showing that the Turkish government has stamped passports
of foreign militants seeking to cross the Turkish border into Syria
to join the ISIL Takfiri terrorists.

Passports from different countries were recovered in a village near
Kobani across the Turkish border.

The ISIL militants have been engaged in operations attempting to cut
off Kobani’s access to the Turkish border.

Syrian Kurdish fighters have called on all Kurds across the region
to take up arms against the militants.

SC/HSN