Author: Badalian Vardan

Democracy & Freedom Watch
Aug 23 2014

Armenia’s gas supply restored, pipeline repaired after landslide

by DFWatch staff

TBILISI, DFWatch-Gas began flowing again Saturday in a pipeline that
runs through a Georgian mountain valley which was hit by a landslide
on August 22.

The pipeline through Dariali Valley brings Russian natural gas to Armenia.

According to Georgia’s Gas Transport Company, the 1200mm trunk
pipeline has been repaired and gas began flowing at 10:00a.m on
Saturday.

Cleanup work succeeded in making the river Tergi flow along its bed,
which makes it easier to work on repairing the road connecting Georgia
with Russia.

A Turkish citizen was found dead on the Russian side of the border
after the landslide. His body was handed over to Georgia and is now in
Tbilisi for autopsy. One Georgian citizen is still missing.

Four people drowned in Lake Sevan this year – ministry of emergencies

YEREVAN, August 23. /ARKA/. Four people drowned in Sevan Lake this
year, head of special water rescue group of Armenia’s ministry of
emergencies Armen Chzmachyan said.

One of them had a heart attack while being in water, two others jumped
from boats and failed to get out of water, the fourth went swimming
drunk, Chzmachyan told a press conference on Friday.

The head of water rescuers said they prevented some 23 drown cases
this year, compared to 22 last year.

Chzmachyan said in order to avoid water accidents, beachgoers should
follow the rules, not swim into deep, not go into water while drunk
and avoid overeating.

Only zones with water rescue control should be used for swimming,
otherwise number of drowned may increase, the head of the rescuers
said. This year 28 water rescuers work at Sevan beaches.

According to Armenia’s ministry of environment, over 200,000 people
take a holiday at 11 public beaches of Sevan this year, compared to
100,000 in 2011, 120,000 in 2012 and over 150,000 last year.

Sevan is one of the largest mountainous lakes in Europe and Asia. It
sits in the middle of Armenian Highland at an altitude of 1914 meters
and is the main sources of drinking water in the region. -0–

ARMENIE
Le Premier ministre géorgien a rendu hommage aux victimes du génocide arménien

Le Premier ministre géorgien Irakli Garibashvili et la délégation qui
l’accompagne ont visité le mémorial de Tsitsernakaberd dans le cadre
de sa visite d’Etat en Arménie le 21 Août 2014.

Irakli Garibashvili a déposé une gerbe au mémorial des victimes du
génocide arménien. La délégation géorgienne a mis des fleurs devant le
feu éternel et a honoré la mémoire des victimes innocentes avec une
minute de silence.

Le Premier ministre géorgien a également planté un sapin.

samedi 23 août 2014,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com

APA, Azerbaijan
Aug 22 2014

France appalled by reports on death of Karen Petrosyan in Azerbaijan

[ 22 August 2014 14:51 ]

Baku. Anakhanum Idoyatova – APA. France is appalled by the reports on
death of Armenian citizen Karen Petrosyan in Azerbaijan, spokesperson
for French Foreign Ministry Roman Nadal said, APA reports quoting
news.am.

“France expresses condolences to the family of Karen Petrosyan. We
call on Azerbaijani authorities to return his body immediately and
shed light on the causes of his death,” he stressed.

On August 7, an Armenian subversive group attempted to cross the line
of contact in Tovuz District, Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry reported.

As a result of preventive actions against the enemy’s subversive
group, member of the group Karen Petrosyan, 1989, a Chinari villager
of Berd region, was captured alive by Azerbaijani soldiers.

In the morning hours of August 8, Karen Petrosyan died from heart failure.

Note that, Ali Hasanov, the Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the
State Committee on Refugees and IDPs said that Azerbaijan’s Defense
Ministry has proposed the Armenian Defense Ministry to exchange an
Armenian family consisting of 5 persons and the corpse of an Armenian
that are being kept in Azerbaijan with Shahbaz Guliyev and Dilgam
Asgarov who are in Azerbaijani captivity as well as the corpse of
Hasan Hasanov.

“The Armenian Defense Ministry told us that they agree on exchanging
an Armenian family and the corpse of the Armenian who had suddenly
passed away recently with only Hasan Hasanov’s body. And I, in my
turn, told them that I don’t agree with this and want the release of
our captives as well”, he said.

Ali Hasanov said Azerbaijan’s proposal is still valid and that they
are waiting for Armenia’s response.

Armenia’s wine exports expected to increase by up to 60% – Avag Harutyunyan

21:43 * 22.08.14

In an interview with Tert.am, Chairman of the Armenian Association of
Winemakers Avag Harutyunyan said that Armenia’s wine exports are
expected to increase by 40 to 60 per cent because Armenia produces
high-quality wines.

Although the quality of Armenian wines is not so high as that of
European wines, it is much higher than that of wines produced in the
other Customs Union member-states.

“Armenian wines are not inferior to Georgian wines or to wines
produced in any other post-Soviet state,” Mr Harutyunyan said.

The Armenian Diaspora continues consuming Armenian wines. Armenia’s
government has made progress as well, because the premier is well
aware of the situation in Armenia’s wine industry.

“We export about 22-23 million liters of cognac and only 2 million
liters of wines. Russia’s share in Armenia’s exports is 75%.”

With respect to Russia’s sanctions, Mr Harutyunyan said that sanctions
do not apply to wines, and Armenia’s exports are growing.

“Armenian wines had always been in demand in Russia, but Armenia had
no major exporters. Armenians had always been cognac-makers, without
paying due attention to wine-making. It is four or five years since
the policy has changed and wine output has increased. Our wine exports
to Russia are very small and do not depend on any political processes.
They depend on our work. By the end of this year, we expect a 40 to 60
percent increase in our wine exports.”

The exports of Armenian cognac go on increasing, and the demand
exceeds supplies.

“The quality of Armenian wines is high and continues improving. We
have serious productions, the market has transformed and very rich
actors and new technologies have entered the market. Armenian wines
are not inferior to Georgian wines or to wines produced in any other
post-Soviet state,” Mr Harutyunyan said.

As to the profitability of wine-making in Armenia, he said:

“Yes, it is profitable business for big enterprises, but not for small
ones. Large economic entities have lower production costs. Farmers’
profits are low because their farms are small.”

With respect to the government policy, Mr Harutyunyan said:

“Individual wine-makers are as a rule poorer than cognac producers.
They cannot make large-scale investments. Producers can only use 70%
of their potential, and the government only 20 or 30 percent. But the
government has made progress because the new premier is well aware of
the wine industry’s problems. Another question is that the government
has not sufficient funds now, but it is doing its best. About five
days ago he invited a meeting with wine and cognac producers. That is,
the government is not only showing a favorable attitude, but is also
providing practical support.”

As regards the competitiveness of Armenian wines in Europe, he said:

“They are not inferior to European wines worth within EURO 3. The task of
competitiveness has not been set, otherwise we would be competitive.
The problem is the Armenian Diaspora. They consume what you supply to
them. Producers are not much interested in quality. They ensure the
minimum required quality for the wines to cross the border. European
consumers are not our market. Armenians living in Europe or in the
United States are our clients. Regrettably, a similar situation is in
Russia – we hope for Armenian consumers.”

Speaking of measures to develop wine and cognac production in Armenia,
Mr Harutyunyan said:

“We have not enough high-quality grapes. We need to enlarge vineyards.
We have only 17,000 hectares, with only 2,000 hectares for wine.”

Will U.S. Recognize Karabakh?

Haikazn Ghahriyan, Editor-in-Chief
Comments – 22 August 2014, 19:57

The head of the U.S. House Committee of Foreign Affairs has blamed
Azerbaijan for the recent incidents at the Armenian-Azerbaijani
border. Other congressmen, as well as representatives of other Western
countries followed his example. This is the first time because
formerly an equality mark was put between the sides.

Obviously, this time the Russian factor played its role because it was
the “author” of recent tension. The ongoing West-Russia confrontation
has caused such a distinct position.

Russia intends to establish monopoly in the Karabakh settlement, oust
the Minsk Group and deploy forces in Karabakh, dividing Karabakh and
ensuring its dominance in the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan supported
Russia’s plans.

The other reason for such a distinct position of the West was the
distinct actions of the Armenian side which thwarted the
Russian-Azerbaijani plans. The Armenian side said against
“peacekeepers” and imposed peace on Azerbaijan, thwarting the
Russian-Azerbaijani plan.

It is obvious that Moscow and Baku will not give up on their
intentions and will try to boost tension to a new level. This
circumstance is also understood by the West and it is one of the
reasons for its distinct position.

On the other hand, however, are such statements sufficient to prevent
war and resolve global issues? Will the West resort to specific steps
which will boost the level of security and strengthen the positions of
Armenians in the region, which is currently in line with the
tendencies of global politics.

For example, such a step could be the recognition of NKR which itself
would give serious political guarantees to the Armenian side. The
United States has “similar” experience. Some American states have
recognized the independence of Artsakh. The United States provides
assistance to Artsakh. Besides, the parliaments of leading states have
established direct links with the parliament of Artsakh, there are
ties of other nature.

The next essential step could be military and political support to the
Armenian army which has proven its defense capacity and the ability to
be a partner in resolving global problems. Such assistance could be
directed at maintaining balance, stability and peace in the region.

Here, of course, the issue of the lack of initiatives by the Armenian
side occurs. There are no such initiatives. The Armenian MFA has
become a support unit for the Russian foreign ministry and is serving
its needs, the Armenian government agencies are subject to Moscow.

On the other hand, however, there is an Armenian army, the only body
which fulfils the Armenian interests and has proved that it can be a
serious partner to interested states. The Armenian army could be a
good “lodgment” for the Armenian initiatives, and it is time to deal
with this.

This is a well-known and simple situation: one has to demand and make
friends with those whose interests are in line with Armenia’s
interests. There is not a more simple formula of success in politics.

OSCE representative alarmed by attack on Azerbaijani journalist

18:08, 22.08.2014

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja MijatoviÄ? today said
she was alarmed by yesterday’s violent attack on journalist Ilgar
Nasibov in Nakhichevan, Azerbaijan.

`I call on the authorities to conduct a swift and thorough
investigation of this brutal attack on Nasibov and bring those
responsible to justice,’ MijatoviÄ? said. `This criminal act has an
enormous chilling effect on free expression and free media and it
could inspire future crimes against members of the media.’

Nasibov, a journalist actively contributing to several media outlets
in Azerbaijan, including Turan News Agency and Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty, was assaulted on 21 August by a number of individuals in his
office at the Resource Centre for Development of NGOs and Democracy in
Nakhichevan. Nasibov sustained serious injuries, including concussion,
broken cheekbones, nose and ribs. He is still in a very critical
condition and receiving medical treatment at the hospital. The
attackers also smashed and destroyed property and office equipment.

Nasibov has been prosecuted, threatened and physically attacked
several times in the past. In December 2007, he was arrested and
convicted to a one-year suspended sentence for libel charges. In July
2011, Nasibov, together with other journalists, was assaulted and
briefly detained by the police. Both issues were raised by the
Representative with the Azerbaijani authorities.

Following a recent crackdown on free media voices in Azebaijan,
MijatoviÄ? also expressed concern about continuing harassment of the
Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS).

`This ongoing persecution of independent journalists, media activists
and freedom of expression advocates must stop immediately. The
authorities in Azerbaijan have to do their utmost to stop these
practices,’ MijatoviÄ? said.

MijatoviÄ? said that her Office was ready to support Azerbaijan in
fulfilling its media freedom commitments and that a visit to Baku in
the near future would help address these issues.

Armenia News – NEWS.am

Armenia’s gross agriculture output grows 3.2% in Jan-July 2014 to AMD
316.1 billion

YEREVAN, August 22. /ARKA/. Armenia’s Jan-July 2014 gross agriculture
output amounted to AMD 316.1 billion after growing 3.2%, compared with
the same period a year earlier, Agriculture Minister Sergo Karapetyan
said on Friday. All crops, but apricot are larger now than a year
before.

He pointed out expansion of areas under crop by 14,600 hectares as one
of this year’s significant achievements – this enhanced effectiveness
of land usage by 74.2% against 71% a year before.

Armenia’s Jan-June 2014 agriculture output amounted to AMD 219.4
billion showing 1.4% year-on-year growth. ($1 – AMD 407.79). –0—

No plans to demolish round building of Zvartnots Airport – Minister

16:28 22/08/2014 >> SOCIETY

No construction of historical value will be demolished in the near
future in Yerevan and there are no plans either to demolish the round
building of Zvartnots Airport, Armenian Minister of Urban Development
Narek Sargsyan told reporters on Friday.

As regards unfinished buildings in Yerevan, the Minister said he
assesses the work of the Ministry as “unsatisfactory” in this regard.

“We have nothing to be proud of in this sense,” Sargsyan said, citing
the examples of the Youth Palace and the Sevan Hotel.

The official stressed that they have raised the problem and they will
make every effort to resolve it.

Source: Panorama.am

Erdogan needs a weak premier today, says Armenian Turkologist

16:25 * 22.08.14

Turkey’s president-elect Recep wants a weak prime minister to be able
to use him as a marionette, an Armenian Turkologist has said,
commenting on the former premier’s move to name FM Davutoglu as his
successor.

“Davutoglu, who is ideologically closer to [former prime minister
recept Recep Tayyip] Erdogan is weak as a political figure, so he is
the most suitable candidate, ” Artak Shakaryan told Tert.am.

He described the move as an attempt to change the form of government
in Turkey, noting that the results of parliamentary election are not
likely to be decisive at all.

Shakaryan said he doesn’t think that that the replacement of the
country’s president and prime minister does not imply a change in
foreign policies. As for the outgoing president, Abdullah Gul, the
expert pointed out to existing controversies between him and Mr
Erdogan.

“Gul was obviously in conflicts with Erdogans in the recent years. Gul
is a more ponderous figure in any case, so if he were to become a
prime minister, he would probably be Erdogan’s marionette,” he added.

Armenian News – Tert.am