Author: Badalian Vardan

LES JEUNES D’ARMENIE SUR LA TRACE DE MONTE MELKONIAN – PHOTOS

Le dimanche 16 juin a Erevan, le vingtième anniversaire de la
tragique disparition de Monte Melkonian, figure de proue de la lutte
armee contre l’Etat turc dans les annees 1980 et l’un des eminents
combattants de la guerre de liberation du Karabagh, a occasionne
une journee complète de commemoration par la nouvelle generation
des activistes d’Armenie integres dans des mouvements citoyens de
contestation, en collaboration avec le Fonds Monte Melkonian. Cette
journee de commemoration a commence avec une messe de requiem
a l’eglise Zoravor, en presence de celle qui fut sa femme (Seta
Melkonian) et de bon nombre de ses ex-camarades de combat (aussi bien
ceux avec qui il avait commence son action en diaspora qu’avec ceux
du Karabagh).

Ensuite, exhibant des drapeaux tricolores et chantant des chansons
patriotiques, plusieurs dizaines de jeunes (et des moins jeunes)
ont marche de l’entree du pantheon militaire de Yèraplour jusqu’a la
tombe de Monte. La, Seta Melkonian, Alec Yenikomèchyan (ex-camarade de
combat de Monte et actuel directeur du Fonds Monte Melkonian), ainsi
que Yèghia Nersisyan (activiste du mouvement ecologique pan-armenien
et du Pre- Parlement) ont brièvement pris la parole pour souligner
l’humanisme, la droiture, le souci ecologique ainsi que les aptitudes
militaires de Monte Melkonian. Après quoi les jeunes ont rejoint le
centre-ville et se sont rendus a pied par les rues de la capitale
jusqu’a la salle où devait se tenir la soiree commemorative, au
Theâtre de marionnettes de l’avenue Sayat Nova.

Cette soiree, qui etait animee par Tigrane Khezmalian (cineaste et
membre du Pre-Parlement), a dure plus de deux heures. Elle a ete
ponctuee par les discours de Seta Melkonian et de Vahan Batasyan
(camarade de combat de Monte au Karabagh), par la projection d’un
court metrage retracant le parcours de Monte Melkonian, et par un
volet artistique constitue par les prestations du groupe de danses
traditionnelles Karine, de la chorale de chants patriotiques Koussan
Haygazoun, et du chanteur Arsen Ghamparyan. La soiree s’est poursuivie
avec un discours memorable d’Alec Yenikomèchyan exhortant la jeunesse
d’Armenie et de la Diaspora a suivre l’exemple de Monte afin de pouvoir
realiser ses ideaux. Le mot de la fin est revenu a Yèghia Nersisyan,
le jeune porte parole du Mouvement ecologique pan armenien : ” Tout
a ete dit. Il reste a travailler et croire a ce que l’on fait…Je
suis sûr qu’aujourd’hui l’âme de Monte et celle de ses compagnons
etaient parmi nous et qu’elles nous ont parle. Cette soiree sera a
jamais gravee dans l’esprit de chacun d’entre nous “.

Avec cette journee, c’est le passage de flambeau a la jeune generation
qu’on a vu se derouler sous nos yeux. Et la lutte continue…

Schanth Vosgueritchian (Erevan)

jeudi 20 juin 2013, Ara ©armenews.com

ZHOGHOVURD: GOVERNMENT SPENT 1 MILLION AMD IN RESTAURANT

Wednesday,
June 19

“Zhoghovurd” paper says that the feast organized in Old Jrvezh
Restaurant in early June by Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
cost the state budget almost 1 million AMD.

The government paid 920 thousand drams. “It is unknown who the guests
were. There was no information on the government’s official website
about a reception of foreign delegations or guests at that time. Did
the prime minister dine with his friends only? “the paper asks,
noting that in addition, 800 thousand AMD was spent on catering of
government guests.

TODAY, 12:13

Aysor.am

JOSTLING FOR SUCCESSOR?: PRIME MINISTER IN THE BALANCE AS STRUGGLE FOR GEOPOLITICAL ORIENTATION, FUTURE PRESIDENT ON IN ARMENIA

POLITICS | 19.06.13 | 10:46

Photo:

By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
ArmeniaNow correspondent

Several domestic political scandals fraught with high-profile
resignations are arising in Armenia. Despite the fact that the country
has no tradition of resignations based on violations or alleged
violations of ethical and legal norms and standards, recent media
disclosures of offshore accounts could cost Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan his position considering other undercurrent processes.

Online newspaper Hetq conducted a journalist investigation and last
month published an article suggesting that Sargsyan is a stakeholder
of a Cyprus-registered company involved in some ‘murky dealings’.

While the prime minister is trying to prove that he was not aware
of the company being registered in his name, on Tuesday businessman
Ashot Sukiasyan, whose name also figured in the article in connection
with the deals, admitted that he registered the company in Sargsyan’s
name without the prime minister’s knowledge. Earlier, Sargsyan asked
the Prosecutor-General’s Office to inquire into who had registered
Wlispera Holdings Limited and how his name appeared in the list of
its shareholders. Recently, a case was opened against Sukiasyan,
whose whereabouts are apparently not known, and he was put on the
‘wanted’ list.

However, the opposition political parties, in particular, the Armenian
National Congress and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, actively
raise questions and doubt the innocence of the prime minister.

Law-enforcement authorities are silent. President Serzh Sargsyan does
not express his position either.

While the offshore scandal was unfolding, another one emerged
as the Control Chamber published its report on violations and
abuse of government funds revealed in 2012. In particular, it
said that building organizations were often spending budget funds
inappropriately, sometimes paying for material ten times as much
as the market price. Parliament Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan, a senior
member of President Sargsyan’s Republican Party, was quick to blame
the government, lashing out at “plunderers’ of public money.

The Armenian media have already branded this process a campaign against
the prime minister. Despite the validity of the charges and the lack
of counterarguments on the part of Tigran Sargsyan, the course of the
scandals suggests that there might be forces that consistently work
for Sargsyan’s resignation. There could be lots of forces interested
in that, first of all Russia and advocates of the pro-Russian course
in Armenia, as well as the forces that challenge Tigran Sargsyan’s
‘leadership’ within the Republican Party.

The current prime minister is considered to be perhaps the only
apologist of the pro-European course of development and the signing
of the Association Agreement with the European Union within Armenia’s
establishment. He also acts as mouthpiece when it comes to rejecting
persistent offers from Russian about accession to the Customs Union
and the Eurasian Union – Kremlin-advocated integration projects for
ex-Soviet states. And the closer it draws to November, when Armenia
is due to initial its Association Agreement with the EU, the stronger
becomes the pressure on the prime minister.

Add to this the fact that technocrat Sargsyan is deemed to be
the most likely candidate for presidency in Armenia in 2018. The
Constitution bars incumbent president Serzh Sargsyan from seeking a
third consecutive term and the jostle for the successor has already
started within the ruling party. In this regard, the ‘conservative’
or rather ‘oligarchic’ wing of the Republican Party led by Hovik
Abrahamyan appears to have launched a crusade against Tigran Sargsyan.

It is unlikely to be a coincidence that recently reports appeared in
the media that the Prosperous Armenia Party could again become part
of the governing coalition and its leader, tycoon Gagik Tsarukyan,
who is in-laws with Abrahamyan, could be appointed prime minister.

Considering this, the prospect of Prime Minister Sargsyan’s
resignation becomes real, and now everyone is waiting for President
Serzh Sargsyan’s word. But everyone clearly understands that the issue
is not only about Tigran Sargsyan, but rather about Armenia’s future
geopolitical orientation and president.

MARSEILLE A RENDU HOMMAGE A LA CULTURE ARMENIENNE

Dans le cadre de la Semaine de l’excellence Franco-Armenienne, un
” Hommage a la Culture ” a ete rendu le 18 juin devant le khatchkar
armenien au Parc Borely de Marseille (8e). En presence de S.E.

L’Ambassadeur d’Armenie en France, Viguen Tchitetchian, Levon
Davdyan vice-consul d’Armenie a Marseille, Ohan Hekimian, Chevalier
des Hospitaliers de Saint-Lazare de Jerusalem et representant de
la region du Lori (Armenie) en France, Didier Parakian, Adjoint au
Maire de Marseille, representant le senateur maire Jean-Claude Gaudin,
Arthur Nalbandian, gouverneur de la region de Lori (Armenie). D’autres
personnalites du monde politique et des representants d’associations
etaient egalement presentes. Après le ” Haïr Mer ” (Notre Père
en armenien) avec la presence de la chorale Sahak Mesrop dirigee
par Khatchig Yilmazian, Ohan Hekimian presenta l’objectif de la
manifestation culturelle dediee a l’amitie franco-armenienne. Puis
Patrick Donabedian, Maître de Conference a l’Universite d’Aix-Marseille
fit un bref rappel de la culture armenienne et des liens historiques
entre la France et l’Armenie.

Puis Didier Parakian, Adjoint au Maire, delegue au developpement
des entreprises marseillaises a l’exportation et President-delegue
de Marseille-Armenie, presenta les relations entre Marseille et
l’Armenie, deux villes liees depuis trente ans deja par un accord
de cooperation. Didier Parakian a egalement rappele le cadre de
Marseille, capitale europeenne de la Culture ne 2013 avec la Semaine
de l’excellence franco-armenienne. Des manifestations qui se deroulent
au Pavillon M dont Didier Parakian a la charge, a quelques pas de la
Mairie de Marseille.

Krikor Amirzayan a Marseille, texte et reportage-photo

mercredi 19 juin 2013, Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

RUSSIA SHIPPING ARMS WORTH $1 BLN TO AZERBAIJAN – REPORT

Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
June 18 2013

Russia is currently delivering up to $1 billion worth of military
equipment to Azerbaijan including tanks, artillery systems and
infantry fighting vehicles, Vedomosti newspaper reported Tuesday.

The shipments are the result of contracts signed in 2011 and 2012,
unnamed Russian Defense Ministry sources told the business daily,
which also cited photographs posted on milkavkaz.net, a website
analyzing the military situation in the Southern Caucasus, to prove
the deliveries were underway.

The military hardware being supplied to Baku is worth between $700
million and $1 billion and includes 94 T-90S tanks, about 100 BMP-3
infantry fighting vehicles, 18 Msta-S howitzers, 18 Smerch rocket
launchers, 18 Vena “floating mortars,” and six TOS-1A Solntsepek
multiple launch rocket systems, according to Vedomosti.

Reached by phone, a spokesman for Rosoboronexport, the
state-controlled arms trader, declined to comment on the report.

Large-scale Russian military support for Azerbaijan is likely to
provoke unease in neighboring Armenia, which traditionally enjoys a
close relationship with Moscow. Armenia and Azerbaijan are still
locked in a dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous exclave
populated mostly by ethnic Armenians but located within Azerbaijan’s
internationally recognized borders, where a bloody war erupted in the
late 1980s and went on to claim tens of thousands lives.

18 June 2013

HENRIKH MKHITARYAN IN LIVERPOOL MEDICAL TODAY: £23M DEAL AGREED TO SIGN SHAKHTAR DONESTK ATTACKER

caught off side
June 18 2013

by The Newshound June 18th, 2013

Liverpool are set to complete the £23m signing of Armenian
international Henrikh Mkhitaryan according to the Daily Mirror.

The 24 year old Shakhtar Donestk star is set to become Liverpool’s
third signing of the summer, following Kolo Toure and Iago Aspas to
Anfield via Man City and Celta Vigo respectively.

The goal-scoring attacking midfielder had an astounding season last
term, netting 25 goals in all competitions, and has been tracked by
clubs able to offer the Shakhtar man Champions League football for
2013/14 but Liverpool have all but won the race to bring in a player
who can ably link midfield and attack.

Liverpool will look to part cover the cost of the addition by finally
completing a permanent sale of Andy Carroll to West Ham, with the
£35m striker set for an Upton Park medical today ahead of a £15.5m
switch to Upton Park.

Brendan Rodgers has been handed a transfer fund in the region of £20m
and further summer signings, with Sunderland keeper Simon Mignolet
also set to join the Merseyside club, are likely to have be covered
by further exits with the likes Stewart Downing and Martin Skrtel
set to leave Liverpool in the summer.

BATTLE TO SNAP UP HENRIKH

Liverpool Echo, UK
June 17, 2013 Monday

Armenian star attracts interest from top clubs

by PHIL KIRKBRIDE

LIVERPOOL have a fight on their hands if they are to win the race to
sign Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

The attacking midfielder from Shakhtar Donetsk is a target for manager
Brendan Rodgers but the Reds face a battle to secure his services.

Mkhitaryan will cost Liverpool around £20m but their biggest challenge
will be in seeing off the interest from a host of top European clubs
said to be preparing bids for him.

The Armenian has attracted the attention of a number of sides after
his performances in this season’s Champions League for Donetsk.

Mkhitaryan scored 25 goals in the Ukrainan league in the last campaign
and is seen as the ideal player to help add the extra ’20 goals’ that
Rodgers believes will push them towards Champions League
qualification.

The lack of European football at Anfield next summer could be another
stumbling block in Liverpool’s pursuit of the talented 24-year-old.

Earlier in the campaign, Mkhitaryan was said to have caught the
attention of Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester City although it
remains unclear if they are keen.

But Liverpool’s interest is real and should they manage to bring the
Donetsk star to Merseyside then it will be seen as statement of intent
as well as a reminder as to the pulling power of the club.

A three-time Armenian player of the year, Mkhitaryan said it was his
wish to play for “one of the strongest clubs in the world” earlier
this season.

ARMENIAN HOSPITALIZED IN TURKEY’S ALEPPO

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
June 18 2013

9 passengers of a bus, including Armenians, driving from Yerevan
to Aleppo were injured in a collision with a taxi in Aleppo in the
Sarikamis District of the Kars Province on June 14, News Armenia
reports.

The driver and the passenger of the taxi died.

Tila Tapikyan (born in 1991) is in average condition. She was taken
to the Erebuni Medical Center in Yerevan. Other passengers received
medical aid at the place of accident and are in satisfactory condition.

ARFD: IF THOSE ENGAGED IN ABUSE AND FLAWS ARE NOT BROUGHT TO RESPONSIBILITY, PARLIAMENTARY HEARINGS WILL BECOME A SIMPLE SHOW

Tuesday, June 18, 18:19

If those engaged in the abuse and flaws registered by the Control
Chamber of Armenia are not brought to responsibility, the parliamentary
hearings will become a simple show, Artsvik Minasyan, MP from ARF
Dashnaktsutyun Faction, said in Parliament.

He pointed out that in its report the Control Chamber clearly accused
the executive power of crimes. The Government admits that there were
flaws in its activity but does not consider them to be crimes. “It is
unacceptable that on the one hand they say that the state funds were
misappropriated, but on the other hand nobody is made accountable. It
turns out that either the Control Chamber or the Government is telling
a lie. Someone must be responsible for that. And that someone is not
a common official”, said Minasyan.

OPPOSITION ARMENIAN MP LASHES OUT AT PREMIER, PARLIAMENT SPEAKER, EX-MINISTER

17:37 ~U 18.06.13

Speaking of the Control Chamber’s report on Tuesday, Nikol Pashinyan,
an MP from the Armenian National Congress (ANC) party, accused not only
Chamber Chairman Ishkhan Zakaryan, but also Parliament Speaker Hovik
Abrahamyan, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan and other representatives
of Armenia’s ruling circles.

“Nine months ago, Zakaryan reported abuse to Parliament and is now
reporting other abuse. I am surprised how he dares report abuse by
others,” Pashinyan said.

“According to Russian and Armenian mass media, Parliament Speaker
Hovik Abrahamyan, during his 20-year activities, has become one
of major proprietors in Armenia. He has kept on searching the ones
plundering our homeland, but has never found them,” Pashinyan said.

“Vardan Aivazyan, who is associated with the greatest corruption
scandal in the Third Republic’s history – when he was minister
of nature protection – demands that all the corrupt officials be
identified and punished. The Control Chamber’s report deals with the
government headed by Tigran Sargsyan, who does not miss a chance to
speak of anti-corruption measures,” Pashinyan said.

Armenian News – Tert.am