Author: Badalian Vardan

Women could make for discipline in army – Karabakh war hero

13:18 – 15.06.13

A legendary hero of the Nagorno-Karabakh liberation war, Arkady
Tadevosyan, said Saturday that he finds women’s role in the military
to be only positive for the given country.

He made the remark in comments to Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan’s
recent statement about the plan to admit girls to the military
education institutions of Armenia starting from next year

`Norway, for example, adopted a law necessitating women’s service. For
us, it isn’t mandatory, but I think a woman – wherever she serves –
helps make the situation good,’ Ter-Tadevosyan said, speaking to
reporters.

The hero remembered that during the war in Karabakh they lost 25 women
fighters on the battlefield. `We have many women officers in military
institutions. Once you wanted to carry out inspection, you saw the
shortcomings were done away with 100 percent. Women are more
responsible in all kinds of relations,’ he said.

As for the female officers’ marriage, Ter-Tadevosyan said though the
question is a little problematic he is optimistic about that too.
Another positive thing about women’s presence in the military is that
they could make the male servicemen refrain from foul language and
conduct, he added. `Men use a bad language a lot, but they would
behave more seriously and restrainedly in a woman’s presence,’ he
noted.

Ter-Tadevosyan, better known with the nickname Komandos, disagreed to
the opinion that the decision to involve women in the military was
made because of the decreasing number of male servicemen. `It isn’t
right to think definitely that way. Yes, the Army requires a specific
number, and the decreasing birthrate may also have something to do
with that, but that isn’t the basic cause,’ the hero explained.

He said there is a preliminary decision to specialize women servicemen
in artillery and anti-air defense, and signaler services.

Armenian News – Tert.am

INTERNET
L’Arménie en 4e position des pays les plus attaqués sur
internet…derrière l’Azerbaïdjan…

Selon les indices de surveillance internet de Kaspersky, même si les
médias évoquent régulièrement les attaques de hackers en Chine et aux
Etats Unis, c’est dans les pays économiquement plus faibles que les
attaques des sites internet sont plus fréquentes. Les cyber attaques
se réalisent souvent sur des réseaux où il est plus facile d’accéder.
Les pays en développement leur offrant cette occasion d’attaque qui
affectent des millions d’internautes. Dans le classement de Kaspersky,
l’Arménie occupe la 4e place des pays les plus vulnérables aux
attaques de hackers. Selon les données de Kaspersky, 56 % des
utilisateurs internet en Arménie ont été victimes d’attaques (virus ou
autres). Selon « Internet World Stats » 61 % de la population de
l’Arménie, soit 1,8 million de personnes utiliseraient internet.
L’Azerbaïdjan est en 3e position des pays subissant des cyber attaques
avec 57 % des internautes qui ont été victimes de ces agressions. La
Russie est le pays le plus attaqué avec 59 % des utilisateurs
internet. 48 % des Russes, soit 68 millions de personnes utilisent
internet.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 15 juin 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

WHAT HAS HAYKAZ BAGHMANYAN DONE SO FAR?

Interview with Arthur Sakunts, chairman of Helsinki Citizens Assembly
Vanadzor Office, on recent reshuffle in the army

Henrik Muradyan was appointed military commissioner of Armenia. By
another decree, the term of the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of
the Armed Forces, lieutenant general Haykaz Baghmanyan was extended
for five years. Are these formal changes?

These changes have no grounds, no purpose and no logic. Let’s take
Haykaz Baghmanyan, for example. What has he done so far to extend
his term for another five years? In general, we think that military
commissioners should not be under the ministry of defense but be
part of a state civil agency to fulfill the orders of the army. As
to the civil control, it should be ensured through the establishment
of the institute of military ombudsman. Otherwise, all these changes
of individuals won’t solve any issue: we will keep having complaints
relating to the levy, as we are having now.

What shortcomings of spring conscription have you detected?

During this spring draft the order of the minister of defense changed.

The category “fit for non-combat military service” has been replaced
with “fit for military service with restrictions”. But it is not
clear with restrictions are meant. The list of diseases has changed
without providing a justification. In other words, rules are being
changed during the game. The list of diseases must be defined by law
because it deals with human rights but during the next conscription
there can be another order with a view to meeting the needs of the
system rather than protecting the human rights of conscripts. The
system is not changing and it is not willing to change.

The ministry of defense also dwelt on middlemen who accept money to
arrange so that young men are stated ineligible for military service.

Two representatives of the ministry of defense have already been held
responsible. Do you think radical changes are possible?

We have received complaints from Goris about a subjective approach
applied to postponement of military service. There are complaints that
healthy young men are stated “ineligible for military service”. In
our country, the law is not applied equally for everyone. The law is
not applied to “their” relatives and friends and they are not punished.

Such selective approach does not dispel our doubts.

Is a generation change necessary in the Armed Forces?

In general, the Armed Forces need radical change. The Armed Forces
are based on authoritarian principles. I have said many times that the
Armed Forces should be professional. The state should have a program.

This program should have been worked out between 2000 – 2006 period
because in 2006 young men born after 1988 were recruited. Five years
would have been enough for setting up a professional army but a
program based on soldier’s dignity was needed. The army should be
controllable. Professional army implies a high level of control and
transparency.

The content of the system is determined by thinking and approaches of
those who form the system. So, here we have the issue of mentality
of those engaged in defense policies, which is directly related to
the essence of the political system. The political forces conduct
a policy which is not based on human values but on consumption,
which results in emigration. The armed forces are also affected by
these policies resulting in non-combat deaths, violence etc. which
eventually makes people opt for emigration.

Siranuysh Papyan 11:01 14/06/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

WHY HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN DOESN’T INVITE PROSECUTOR GENERAL

The National Assembly looks like a political theater. Speaker Hovik
Abrahamyan used to be behind the scenes assumed the role of the
primo in this theater. Marxist David Hakobyan called the Chief of
Police of Armenia Vova Gasparyan a “great actor”, while the press
called Serzh Sargsyan a “bad actor” after his blunders. Apparently,
all this inspired Hovik Abrahamyan.

Hovik Abrahamyan criticized the prime minister toughly after the
scandalous revelations presented by the president of the Control
Chamber Ishkhan Zakaryan. This is in line with Abrahamyan’s plan
to weaken the prime minister but it has nothing in common with the
disclosures of the Control Chamber.

How many officials have been held responsible after the revelation
of theft of public funds, Hovik Abrahamyan exclaimed dramatically.

Ishkhan Zakaryan was tired of repeating that he sends all cases to
the general prosecutor’s office and the parliament hasn’t given him
the mandate to follow the cases.

Logically, Hovik Abrahamyan should have immediately instructed to
call Aghvan Hovsepyan and demand explanations on the cases conveyed
by the Control Chamber.

However, either Aghvan Hovsepyan is inaccessible for Hovik Abrahamyan,
or the speaker knows there are no cases and Hovsepyan will just be
embarrassed. Abrahamyan avoids inviting prosecutor general.

It is clear that Abrahamyan does not want the denouncement of budget
thieves because his close friends may be among them. The purpose
of this scandal is to “enhance the role of the parliament” and play
democracy.

It was last September when Serzh Sargsyan called an ad-hoc meeting on
kickbacks and made angry statements. 9 months have passed. One could
have a baby in this period whereas no revelations on kickbacks have
been made.

Aghvan Hovsepyan is like a big case where not only compromising
materials on all Armenian officials and not only officials are kept,
but also their wishes and dreams. This case is almost never opened,
just like no muscle moves on the prosecutor general’s face when he
speaks. The only exception was Vartan Oskanian’s case when Hovsepyan
asked the parliament a bit anxiously to strip Vartan Oskanian of
immunity. Then Hovik Abrahamyan warned Hovsepyan that if Oskanian’s
guilt was not proved, the prosecutor general’s office would have to
account for it.

Perhaps Hovik Abrahamyan does not want to invite Aghvan Hovsepyan in
order to avoid unnecessary questions asked to the prosecutor general,
including questions about Oskanian’s case, about prime minister’s
offshore assets and other scandalous cases. Why should they invite
him? He will complete his duties in September, and most probably the
head of the National Security Council Gorik Hakobyan will accompany
him during his retirement. So, there is no need to spoil relations
with people who know you better than you do.

Naira Hayrumyan 11:37 14/06/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

DISCUSSIONS OVER TV ANCHOR’S DISMISSAL CONTINUE

06:40 pm | June 13, 2013 | Politics

The journalist community in Armenia continues discussing the dismissal
of TV anchor Armen Dulyan for a Facebook a post.

“Firing a journalist for his/her viewpoint is the same as firing a
doctor for treating a patient or a fireman for rescuing a person,”
Petros Ghazaryan, head of news programs at Kentron TV, said on June
13. He says that the employer has the right to recruit and hire anyone
but Dulyan’s dismissal gives rise to serious reflection.

Hakob Avetikyan, editor of Azg daily, is concerned over the situation
in TV companies.

“Our broadcasters should have distinct regulations,” he said.

Dulyan, a popular anchor at Shant TV, referred on his Facebook account
to the divorce of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his wife.

“The newly-founded Russian Public TV decided to make jokes related to
Putin’s divorce in yesterday’s show, but the program was immediately
banned. How can one joke about the president? It is like a coup
d’etat! How similar are the people in charge of TV content in both
countries by their level of primitivism…,” Dulyan wrote. On Monday
he was informed that the management of the TV company decided to fire
him for the post.

ARMENIAN ETHICS COMMITTEE REJECTS TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL’S APPEAL

June 13, 2013 – 21:56 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenia’s ethics committee rejected Transparency
International Anti-Corruption Center’s appeal regarding the violation
of ethical norms by MP Samvel Aleksanyan.

According to the committee’s decision, the appeal lacks documents
proving the violations committed.

On May 24, the center addressed the committee with a request to
consider the compliance of MP Aleksanyan’s conduct during Yerevan city
council elections with parliamentary ethical norms, with a relevant
internet video material cited as a proof.

“The committee considered the video material unlinked to the demands
listed in the appeal. However, according to the video, the MP’s visit
to the polling station served the purpose of monitoring the election
process,” the center’s report reads.

RUSSIA DAY ASSOCIATED WITH FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES IN RUSSIAN SOCIETY : ARMENIAN PM

YEREVAN, June 12./ARKA/. Russia Day is associated with the fundamental
changes which took place in political, economic and spiritual life
of the whole Russian society- creation of modern Russia, Armenian
prime minister Tigran Sargsyan said Wednesday on the reception on
the occasion of Russia Day.

The press service of the Armenian government reported Sargsyan
congratulated the reception attendees on behalf of the government
and wished to the brotherly Russian people peace and happiness.

“As a regular tradition we celebrate this day with our friends. This
is a very young but important holiday which is linked to the dramatic
changes in the history of Russia. Our nations have made a historical
choice to have a civil society, democratic institutions and state
modernization,” he said.

Sargsyan noted Russia Day is a holiday which unites all citizens of
this country, people of different generations and cultures.

“This is a holiday of each citizen who understands the country’s
prosperity also depends on his personal contribution,” he noted.

Sargsyan highlighted Armenia and Russia had not only managed to
maintain centuries-long brotherly and friendly relations, but also
to enhance the groundwork of the Armenian-Russian cooperation.

“It is important to expand our cooperation year over year through new
initiatives in political, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres,”
he said.

The head of the government believes the two countries will succeed
in expanding their cooperation. As an important pre-condition for
the progress in both countries, Sargsyan mentioned the further peace
building and stability in the region. -0- 13:21 12.06.2013

AMBASSADOR: “CHINA HAS NOT SOLD, IS NOT SELLING NOR WILL SELL OFFENSIVE ARMS TO ARMENIA”

APA, Azerbaijan
June 13 2013

Baku. Shamil Alibeyli – APA. China has not sold, is not selling nor
will sell offensive arms to Armenia, ambassador of China to Azerbaijan
Xun Tsiuin told journalists, APA reports.

According to him, the Chinese government reconfirms its support for
the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan: “At the same
time, we urge to implement the resolutions of the UN Security Council.

China supports the peaceful solution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
basing on the international legal norms and the efforts of world
community in this regard.”

ARMENIAN STUDY CENTER TO DEBUT AT UCLA

Glendale News-Press (California)
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News
June 12, 2013 Wednesday

Kelly Corrigan, Glendale News-Press, Calif.

June 12–An allotment of Armenian books and cultural artifacts linked
to the country’s history and diaspora following the 1915 genocide will
debut at UCLA in the first permanent research program of its kind
at any major American university dedicated to Armenian archaeology
and ethnography.

The collection was given to UCLA with a $2-million gift from Zaruhy
Sara Chitjian to establish a research program that will serve as a
major resource for scholars around the world on Armenia’s cultural
heritage, stakeholders announced this week.

Chitjian’s gift will pave the way for more research projects related
to Armenian history and anthropology and fund public lectures and
graduate-student conferences.

“Studying the ethnographic artifacts of recent age is an important
means of understanding the past of this still thriving culture,”
Chitjian said in a statement.

Named after Chitjian’s parents, the Hampartzoum and Ovsanna Chitjian
collection features letters and artifacts that will be housed at
UCLA’s Cotsen Institute under director Charles Stanish.

“Each acquisition not only provides insight into a small portion of
this tragic but heroic drama, but also provides a window into dozens
of new questions and areas of inquiry,” Stanish said in a statement
announcing the program.

Roughly 1.5 million Armenians were killed by Ottoman Turks during
the Armenian genocide from 1915 to 1923 — an event that destroyed
cities and cultural artifacts.

Chitjian’s father survived the Armenian genocide, eventually making
his way to safety by walking through eastern Turkey.

“With the work at the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology, the Armenian
identity and Armenian people — past and present — can be respected
and appreciated for the contributions of their 3,000-year history,”
Chitjian said.

FORMER SYUNIK GOVERNOR TRIES TO PROVE INNOCENCE OF HIS SON

June 13, 2013 | 18:27

YEREVAN. – Former governor of Syunik Region Suren Khachatryan said
the only thing on his mind is how to prove innocence of his son.

“It was an armed assault. He was defending himself. I do not care
about the post. I am not recognized for having this post. I will
remain the soldier of my state and will continue doing everything
for Syunik Region,” Khachatryan told Henaran.am correspondent.

As informed earlier, shots were fired nearby Suren Khachatryan’s home
in Goris city, on June 2 at around 12:10am, as a result of which one
person was killed and two others sustained gunshot wounds and were
taken to Goris hospital. The person who died was Avo Budaghyan,
the former Goris mayoral candidate. The wounded are Budaghyan’s
brother Artak, and Nikolay Abrahamyan, a relative and bodyguard of
Khachatryan. Subsequently, the wounded were transferred to capital
city Yerevan.