Author: Badalian Vardan

esctoday.com
May 9 2013

Armenia: Dorians’ special message for you

Dorians, who are representing Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest
have a message for esctoday.com readers and a special a capella
version of their song Lonely planet.

The song was written by Tony Iommi who is the guitarist in legendary
metal band Black Sabbath, along with Armenian lyricist Vardan Zadoyan.
They will perform the song in semi final 2 at Malmö Arena on 16 May.

View video at

Head of Union of Azerbaijani Writers told how Shushi was
“Azerbaijanized” by Heydar Aliyev

00:10 10/05/2013 » REGION

Baku declared the Artsakh town Shushi “a pearl of Azerbaijan,” the
cradle of Azerbaijani culture, etc. However, while praising the former
leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, the President of the Union of
Writers of Azerbaijan Anar slipped indicating that it was under Mr.
Aliyev’s ruling that the first monuments “glorifying the Azerbaijanis”
appeared in Shushi.

In an interview given to Azerbaijani newspaper “Zerkalo” Anar
confirmed that in 1970s the party leadership of Azerbaijan SSR was
carrying out a policy of making Shushi more Azerbaijani: ” There was
not a single monument in Shushi glorifying the Azerbaijanis. But there
were busts of Nelson Stepanian and Tevosyan. During the reign of
Heydar Aliyev busts of Molla Panah Vagif, Natavan, Uzeyir Hajibayli,
Bulbul were installed in Shushi, mosque of Gevhar-agi was restored,
“Mema”, pearls of architecture – houses of Mehmandarov, Gadzhikuli,
madrasas where Molla Panah Vagif taught, house of Shushi scientist Mir
Mohsin Nevvab, the grand mausoleum of Vagif ascended, the classics of
our poetry, the vizier of Karabakh khanate. ”

The head of the Writers’ Union of Azerbaijan also noted: “At a time
when Heydar Aliyev was at the head of the republic, Shushi was
actively transforming. Shusha, restoring its historical memory, became
one of Azerbaijan’s cultural centers.” According to the writer, if
Heydar Aliyev, continued to run Azerbaijan during perestroika and the
Soviet times, the Armenians would not pick up the Karabakh issue.

“What was the main complaint of the Armenians to Heydar Aliyev?
Judging by their statements, it appeared that Heydar Aliyev “emptied”
Nakhichevan of Armenians and now wants to clear them out from Karabakh
as well,” said Anar and stated that “the migration of Armenians from
Nakhichevan was connected with natural causes.” He recalled that “a
resolution came out when Heydar Aliyev was still at office as first
secretary of the Central Committee of Azerbaijani Communist Party; it
sharply criticized the nationalism in Karabakh. I reminded Heydar
Aliyev about it at the meeting with the writer: “Never before such a
drastic decision about the Armenian nationalism has been taken in
Soviet times.”

According to scientist-researchers, and Academician Ashot Ioannisyan
in particular, who formed the collection of the documents titled
“Armenian-Russian relations in the first third of the XVIII century,”
centurion Avan laid the now-preserved foundations of the
fortifications of Shushi in 1724, if not earlier. Later, in 1751
Armenian prince Melik-Shahnazar suggested Turkic tribe leader Panah
Ali Khan, a place where Shushi fortress was built. The population of
Shushi consisted of Armenians of Artsakh and Syunik, and little number
of Turks. The very name of the city comes from the neighboring
Armenian village Shosh (Shushikend).

It is noteworthy that neither Panah Khan nor his son Ibrahim had no
land in Varand outside of Shushi, and had to buy lands near Aghdam
under the name of the family cemetery.

In 1805, the city of Shushi, as well as all the Karabakh khanate came
under the rule of the Russian Empire. By the late 19th early 20th
century, the city became one of the greatest cultural and educational
centers of the Caucasus, more than half of its population was
Armenian. In 1918, National Council of Karabakh Armenians, who
recognized the power of Baku, was called in Shushi. During the
massacre caused by Azerbaijani troops in 1920, Armenian blocks in
Shushi were ruined, destroyed and burned, after which the city was in
decline. In Soviet times Shushi actively and purposefully was
populated by Azerbaijanis and was built up by typical buildings
mutilating its once beautiful appearance. The Armenian blocks were
never restored, and the survived Armenian cultural monuments were in
decline. In 1988, the Armenians that still were in Shushi, were
finally expelled by Azerbaijani nationalists, and the city-fortress
itself was turned into a powerful weapon emplacement, from where the
capital city of Artsakh, Stepanakert, and the neighboring villages
were shelled systematically during the war in 1991 to 1992. Armenian
monuments, including the bust of Nelson Stepanyan, native of Shushi,
who had twice become a Hero of the Soviet Union, was destroyed.

On 8-9 May 1992 the Self-Defense Forces of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
liberated Shushi from Azerbaijani occupation. Currently, the city is
recovering gradually acquiring its former glory.

Source: Panorama.am

Shushi liberation demonstrated our unity – Armenia’s DM

15:27 – 09.05.13

Shushi has a special significance in the Nagorno Karabakh liberation
war, Armenia’s Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan said at the Victory
Park on the Day of Liberation of Shushi and Victory Day.

`With Shushi liberation we showed the unity of the Armenian people,
the military knowledge of Armenian people that comes from centuries.
Shushi operation showed the devotion and selflessness of our commander
and soldier. We are implementing a historic mission showing the role
and significance of the Armenian people on the earth. We have restored
our domination on our ancient town and united it with Motherland
Armenia,’ the minister said.

He stressed that with the liberation of Shushi the historic justice
was restored. `Because of the biased policy of Azerbaijan all the
highways from Nagorno Karabakh capital and regions were passing
through Azerbaijani settlements. During the first years after
self-determination it was very difficult to lead the life and
activity. We were forced to eliminate the shooting points and military
points created around and ensure a free territory for living,’ the
defense minister said.

Asked whether Azerbaijan seems to stop its military rhetoric and
statements about military settlement of the conflict, and whether it
is a `bluff’ Seyran Ohanyan said, `I do not think they gave up their
ideas. I think they are getting seriously prepared for the military
actions and we are getting seriously prepared to protect our
homeland.’

Armenian News – Tert.am

Municipales
Vartan Oskanian accuse le gouvernement de corruption

Alors que son parti garde le silence, l’ancien ministre des Affaires
étrangères, Vartan Oskanian, (Arménie prospère (BHK)), a condamné
mercredi le déroulement des élections municipales à Erevan.

Oskanian a rejeté les résultats officiels des élections que le parti
républicain du président Serge Sarkissian d’Arménie (HHK) a
remportées. Le HHK a obtenu 56% des voix, contre 23% pour le BHK.

« Y a-t-il quelqu’un qui ne doute pas [des résultats officiels du vote
?]. Qui sont ces personnes à l’intérieur des bureaux de vote ? Les
minibus ont transporté les gens. Les personnes gées ont été guidés.
Des témoins affirment que pendant le dépouillement, il y avait sur les
bulletins le sigle du HHK marqué au crayon de couleur. »

Le BHK lui-même a été accusé par certaines forces de l’opposition de
corruption. Le parti dirigé par Gagik Tsarukian a fermement démenti
ces allégations. Oskanian était cependant moins catégorique. « Si cela
se produisait, ce serait tout aussi condamnable », a-t-il dit.

Contrairement aux autres partis de l’opposition, le BHK n’a pas encore
déclaré officiellement s’il accepte ou rejette le résultat du scrutin.
Il reste également difficile de savoir si le BHK prendra ses 17 sièges
au conseil municipal sur les 65.

Exprimant son point de vue personnel, Oskanian s’est prononcé contre
le boycott du conseil. Il a déclaré que le BHK devrait utiliser sa
présence au Conseil pour faire pression sur le HHK. Oskanian a déclaré
lors de la campagne électorale que le vote du 5mai était l’occasion
d’apporter « des changements radicaux » dans l’arène politique
arménienne.

jeudi 9 mai 2013,
Laetitia ©armenews.com

Appeals Court Sustains Verdict Against Company Owned by Deceased
American-Armenian Businessman George Baghoumian
Kristine Aghalaryan

00:45, May 9, 2013
Yesterday the RA Civil Appeals Court let stand a lower court ruling
that had gone against a company owned by George Baghoumian, an
American-Armenian businessman who died on April 25 while being held in
pre-trial detention in the Nubarashen Correctional Facility.

Baghoumian was seeking to overturn the lower court’s ruling in a suit
he had brought against Arva Yerkir Ltd.

The businessman was being held in Nubarashen to await trial on charges
of tax evasion and illegal arms possession. Baghoumian always
proclaimed his innocence and now his family is charging that top
Armenian government officials are seeking to appropriate his property
and assets.

George Baghoumian used to produce electric batteries that he sold to
the RA Ministry of Defense. Afterwards, his company lost contract bids
to Arva Yerkir, a company founded by General Vardan Avetisyan. The
general would buy the batteries from Baghoumian’s Gold Energy company
and then resell them to the Ministry of Defense.

According to Baghoumian lawyer Ruben Balabanyan, in 2010, Arva Yerkir
failed to pay for a certain amount of batteries and the diaspora
businessman took the general’s company to court.

Gold Energy transferred 193 million AMD worth of merchandise to Arva
Yerkir, but was only paid 152.5 million.

Arva Yerkir also countersued Gold Energy, claiming that the batteries
weren’t supplied on time and that it was forced to contract with other
suppliers.

According to the countersuit, Arva Yerkir argued that the Armenian
Army would suffer if the batteries weren’t supplied on time and that
the company’s reputation would be damaged as well. Arva Yerkir also
claimed that Gold Energy had discredited a number of government
officials (General Avetisyan) and had presented unsubstantiated
charges.

Attorney Balabanyan also notes that according to the contract between
Gold Energy and the Ministry of Defense, the batteries were to be of
domestic production, whereas during the time when Gold Energy was
doing business with Arva Yerkir, the latter used the money it didn’t
pay Gold Energy to purchase foreign made batteries via a company
called Metz-Aniv Ltd.

At the end of 2010, Arva Yerkir also signed a contract with Elbat Ltd.
One of the owners of this company was Karen Jshmarityan, a member of
parliament and a former commerce and economic development minister.

Before his death, George Baghoumian had told Hetq that certain
individuals were attempting to seize the battery business from him.
They first forced him to vacate the production facility Gold Energy
was using (on a site owned by Elbat) and move to Etchmiadzin. Later,
they did everything to dissuade him from battery production in
general.

Arva Yerkir spins the story differently, claiming that Gold Energy’s
batteries were of substandard quality and that it had to spend an
additional 3.5 million AMD in repairs. It addition, Arva Yerkir says
it faced additional expenses when forced to contract with other
suppliers.

Thus, Arva Yerkir had sought 10.5 million AMD for sustained losses
from Baghoumian’s company.

The company also claimed that it had to pay 15.8 million in VAT taxes
after Gold Energy failed to provide proper accounting statements. Arva
says it paid for two accounting audits as well.

Attorney Balabanyan refutes the tax charge and says that Arva Yerkir
has no evidence proving that the liability stemmed from Gold Energy.
`Perhaps this tax liability was caused by the actions of another
company,’ he argues.

At the end of the day, lower court Judge Gagik Heboyan rejected Gold
Energy’s 47.8 million AMD payment demand and sustained Arva Yerkir’s
11 million demand (10.5 million for sustained losses and the remainder
in compensation for the audits).

Today, Appeals Court Judge Narineh Barseghyan let the lower court
decision stand and added another 4 million AMD in state fees which
must be paid by the company of the deceased American-Armenian
businessman.

Congratulatory address of Artsakh President on Victory Day

09:29 09/05/2013 » SOCIETY

Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan issued a congratulatory
address on occasion of the Victory Holiday, the Day of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Defense Army and Liberation of Shoushi.

The address reads as follows:

Dear compatriots,
Dear veterans of the Great Patriotic and Artsakh Liberation Wars,
Respected generals, officers and soldiers of the Defense Army,

On behalf of the Artsakh Republic authorities and personally I
cordially congratulate You on the Victory Holiday, the Day of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Defense Army and the Liberation of Shoushi.

May 9 is written in golden letters in the history of our nation,
written with the blood of our brave grandfathers and fathers, sisters
and brothers, with the blood of those who considered the freedom and
independence of their motherland above everything else and perished
for the sake of implementation of nationwide ideas. The memory of
motherland devotees will always remain bright in our hearts and deeds.

During World War II the Armenian nation, passing through a great deal
of hardship, fought together with other peoples against the greatest
evil of the century – fascism, and celebrated together the Great
Victory.

Multiplying their glory and feat, our generation made miracles of
heroism and courage on the battlefield and defended their native
Artsakh. We created a regular and efficient army, liberated the
ancient Armenian fortress-town Shoushi, and today we continue to make
prosperous our ancestral land and our home country, deepening and
strengthening the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trinity hand in hand with
all the Armenians.

I am confident that with joint efforts and united we will more have
many new achievements and accomplishments and will record further
success in different spheres of life.

Dear compatriots,

I once again congratulate all of us with this glorious Triple Day and
wish peace, good health and all the best. May victories accompany our
people forever.

Source: Panorama.am

EDITORIAL: Shoushi Stands Tall

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013

The celebration of the Shoushi Liberation 20th anniversary last year

The anticipation that had been building on May 8 turned into jubilant
pandemonium on May 9. SHOUSHI WAS TRIUMPHANTLY LIBERATED.

The people of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (Artsakh) in and around
Stepanakert had endured grueling daily barrage of fire from Azeri forces,
which had taken their positions in Shoushi and were relentlessly bombing
the civilian population. The operation, whose military precision had
delivered an exacting blow to Azeri forces, irreversibly stifled their
attacks and paved the way for the eventual liberation of Lachin (Kashatagh)
and the establishment of the vital land corridor to Armenia – a lifeline. It
also was the spark that ensured victory in the Karabakh Liberation Struggle.

It would be an understatement to say that the events of and leading up to
May 9, 1992 had a far greater importance for the soldiers of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Liberation Army and the general population of
Karabakh. The liberation of Shoushi not only had crucial strategic
significance, it also brought back the ancient Armenian capital that for so
long had served as a center for cultural reawakening and intellectual
renaissance.

The significance of Shoushi’s liberation still resonates as loudly as it
did 21 years ago, as it is not merely a symbol but a constant reminder of
the people’s expression of self-determination and courage, will and
resilience.

Today, the Azeri Army, which 21 year ago retreated in disgrace and
embarrassment, is regularly provoking military skirmishes around the border
and threatening the fragile peace that has been safeguarded. The Azeri
leadership is not only threatening war to reclaim Karabakh but has
amplified its racist posturing toward Armenians, calling all Armenians
enemies of the state. The international mediators refuse to properly assess
the situation and, through convoluted statements, are attempting to remain
neutral. And, Karabakh is still not at the negotiating table as a party to
the conflict.

What is clear to the people of Karabakh, and the entire Armenian nation, is
that the liberation of Shoushi embedded an irreversible course for our
national liberation movement that is immune to threats and compromises. The
people who conceived and carried out the remarkably unthinkable operation
to liberate Shoushi will protect it to death.

The Azeris believe that by spending millions of filthy petro-dollars into a
propaganda machine that perpetuates their lies, will temper and fray the
resilience and determination of the Armenian people, when, in reality,
Shoushi was just the beginning of the realization of the Armenian
Liberation Struggle toward JUSTICE.

diplomatie-Turquie-USA-Palestiniens-conflit
Le PM turc Erdogan affirme maintenir sa visite à Gaza

(AFP) – Le Premier ministre islamo-conservateur turc Recep Tayyip
Erdogan a affirmé maintenir sa visite prévue pour la fin mai à Gaza,
en dépit d’une demande de report de ce déplacement du secrétaire
d’Etat américain John Kerry.

`Il n’est pas question de différer cette visite`, a dit M. Erdogan à
des journalistes à Ankara, cité par les chaînes d’information NTV et
CNN-Türk.

Le chef du gouvernement turc a précisé que la date de cette visite,
programmée pour la fin mai, serait fixée après sa visite à Washington
où il doit être reçu le 16 mai par le président américain Barack Obama
à la Maison blanche.

Ce projet a suscité l’hostilité du président palestinien Mahmoud
Abbas, dont le Fatah est le rival du Hamas, et l’embarras des
Etats-Unis, qui ont fait de la réconciliation turco-israélienne en
cours une de leurs cartes pour tenter de relancer le processus de paix
moribond au Proche-Orient.

En visite à Istanbul lors du week-end dernier, le secrétaire d’Etat
américain John Kerry a conseillé au chef du gouvernement turc de
reporter son projet de visiter Gaza, gouverné par le mouvement
islamiste palestinien Hamas, en attendant des circonstances plus
`favorables`. M. Erdogan a clairement exprimé son mécontentement mardi
à propos de cette déclaration : `Cela n’a pas été correct. On aurait
espéré qu’il n’ait pas tenu ces propos et d’ajouter :`Je vais de toute
façon me rendre aux Etats-Unis, il aurait pu nous dire tout cela
là-bas`.

La veille, le porte-parole du gouvernement, Bülent Arinç avait
également critiqué M. Kerry.

`C’est à notre gouvernement de décider où et quand notre Premier
ministre ou un responsable turc se déplacent`, a affirmé M. Arinç
devant la presse au terme d’une réunion du cabinet.

`Nous n’avons pas à recevoir de permission ou de feu vert de qui que
ce soit`, a-t-il poursuivi, ajoutant : `le monde et M. Kerry doivent
savoir que la Turquie est un pays qui peut faire ce qu’elle veut quand
elle le veut`.

De source turque on précisait que le déplacement dans l’enclave
palestinienne de M. Erdogan, qui soutient le Hamas et la cause
palestinienne en générale, pourrait avoir lieu le 30 ou le 31 mai.

jeudi 9 mai 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

ARMENIE
Les procureurs généraux d’Arménie et d’Iran ont signé un mémorandum de
coopération

Une lutte conjointe sera notamment menée contre le trafic de drogues.
Le procureur général iranien, effectuant une visite en Arménie, a été
reçu, par le Président Sarkissian.

Extrait de la revue de presse de l’Ambassade de France en Arménie en
date du 2 mai 2013

jeudi 9 mai 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.co

‘ARMENIA AND ARTSAKH’

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013 |

Posted by Matthew Karanian

Armenia and Karabakh Travel Guide

The stories and photos that appear in this travel section of Asbarez
are adapted from ‘Armenia and Karabakh: The Stone Garden Travel Guide,’
by Matthew Karanian and Robert Kurkjian.

‘Armenia and Karabakh’ is a 320-page comprehensive travel guide, and
is the winner of three national book awards, including an award for
best travel guide by the Independent Publishers Association. The book
was recently featured in the Los Angeles Times, which described it as
“a fresh view on ancient Armenia.”

This title is the first commercial travel guide to independent Armenia
and Karabakh, and it provides coverage of history, cultural sites,
nature and conservation, and all the features one expects in a
comprehensive travel guide book.

Karanian first traveled to Armenia in 1995, and he has worked there
as Associate Dean of the law program at the American University of
Armenia. He practices law in Los Angeles. Kurkjian is an environmental
scientist in Los Angeles. He first traveled to Armenia in 1995, and
has served as Director of the Environmental Research and Conservation
Center at the American University of Armenia.

‘Armenia and Karabakh’ is available for purchase online at
ArmeniaTravelGuide.com and by mail order by sending check or money
order for $30 (post paid) to Stone Garden Productions, PO Box 7758,
Northridge, CA 91327.