Author: Badalian Vardan

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN URGES ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES TO SETTLE SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN COUNTRY

arminfo
Thursday, April 4, 15:37

Heritage Party Leader Raffi Hovannisian, who was meeting the residents
of the town Alaverdi Thursday, urged the Armenian authorities to
create more jobs and increase salary of the employees of the Akhtala
mining combine.

Hovannisian believes that those in power must share ‘the billions’
they receive from those minerals with the people.

“The country’s minerals belong to the people. The labor of our citizens
must be compensated properly. It is not slavery. The authorities must
prevent environment pollution in order our children do not suffer
from cancer,” the oppositionist said.

THREE BOTULISM DEATHS REPORTED IN ARMENIA IN 2013

16:50 ~U 04.04.13

Three individuals are known to have died of botulism in Armenia over
the past months of 2013.

According to the Ministry of Healthcare, 20 cases of the disease have
been recorded overall, with the total number of patients reaching 34.

The affected were residents of the Lori, Kotayk, Tavush, Ararat,
Shriak , Vayots Dzor and Armavir regions, and capital Yerevan.

The Ministry warns that botulism is severe food poisoning caused by
the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It enters the human body from
vegetables and greens.

The Ministry calls upon the population:

– To avoid using home-prepared conserved food;

– To conserve products through freezing, drying or saliniaztion;

– To boil home-prepared conserved food for 20-25 minutes
before use;

– To avoid buying home-made conserved food from markets or
unknown individuals;

– To immediately turn to a doctor upon observing the first
signs of the disease.

Armenian News – Tert.am

PRIME MINISTER WAS ANGRY AT MEETING OF GOVERNMENT

Today the government approved the plan of compensation for the
victims of the failed construction project at 72-80 Aram Street. The
government proposed to the City Hall to invest the completed building
at 72, 74 and 76 Aram Street which is considered the property of
Yerevan community in the charter capital of D&H Group. According to
the government decisions, the victims of the project will receive
apartments at 1/2 Tsitsernakaberd Street.

A heated discussion took place at the meeting of government. Prime
Minister Tigran Sargsyan said the problem will be solved but will not
meet their expectations. The minister of finance Vache Gabrielyan
noted that the deceived citizens will get apartments at an equal
space with the lost apartments but since the same apartments on Aram
Street were sold to several people, some of them get apartments on
Tsitsernakaberd Street.

The minister of justice said most deceived citizens have agreed to
this scheme. 35 families will get compensation for their apartments
which were demolished for eminent domain, deceived families are 37.

However, a total of 150 sales contracts have been signed.

The prime minister expressed his anger about the possibility of further
risks and asked how such cases must be prevented in the future. Deputy
Mayor Kamo Areyan rushed to inform that there are no such risks in
Yerevan any more. The ex-mayor Gagik Beglaryan, minister of transport,
interfered, saying that Areyan is lying, and there are such risks on
Main Avenue, as well as in Arabkir and other communities.

The minister of justice hurried to convince the prime minister that
citizens are cautious and will not pay for an apartment before they
get a certificate of property.

The prime minister said it is necessary to raise awareness of the
citizens to avoid transactions which are not certified by notary
public.

Note that some officials have also bought apartments at 72-80 Aram
Street. The head of the Control Service of the President Hovhannes
Hovsepyan has bought over 20 apartments in this building.

15:39 04/04/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

TRILATERAL AGREEMENT ON PRESERVATION OF ARMENIAN CULTURAL HERITAGE SIGNED

14:44, 4 April, 2013

YEREVAN, AORIL 4, ARMENPRESS. “Hovhannes Imastaser Catholicos Odznetsi”
charity foundation, the Artists’ Union of Armenia and Writers’ Union
of Armenia singed a trilateral agreement on April 4. In accordance
with the trilateral agreement the sides will assist and contribute to
the preservation, reinforcement, and restoration of Armenia’s cultural
heritage. As reports “Armenpress” the Chairman of the Writers’ Union
of Armenia Levon Ananyan stated that he welcomes the initiative,
which is aimed at the preservation of the spiritual heritage.

Among other things the Chairman of the Writers’ Union Levon Ananyan
noted: “It’s of a certain importance to make various classes of
society denying culture to become culture-centered.” In his words the
agreement proves that the creative unions are willing to contribute
to strengthening of the spiritual ties and work actively for that
objective.

Ananyan also emphasized that he is hopeful that the launch and
further development of this initiative will create corresponding
cultural atmosphere.

DOCTOR SAYS 4428 DRUG ADDICTS REGISTERED IN ARMENIA

April 4, 2013 – 14:47 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – There are 4428 registered drug addicts in Armenia,
with 32 women among them, rehabilitation center director said.

“The number of addicts grew by 30 % in 2013 as compared with 2012,”
Petros Semerjyan said. He cited social, legal and psychological
problems as drug addiction causes in Armenia.

Psychologist Samvel Khudoyan, in turn, noted strong will along with
proper treatment as effective tools to the problem solution.

PARTICIPATION IN SARGSYAN INAUGURATION NOT ON PAP AGENDA – REP.

April 4, 2013 – 13:58 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Participation in Serzh Sargsyan’s inauguration
ceremony was not included in Prosperous Armenia party’s agenda,
spokesman Tigran Urikhanyan said.

Dwelling on Heritage party leader Raffi Hovannisian’s statement that
the ‘moment of truth has come for Prosperous Armenia’, Mr Urikhanyan
said, “Our party was committed to truth right from the moment of
its establishment.”

As for the tensions between the ruling Republican Party of Armenia
(RPA) and Prosperous Armenia, the spokesman said they acted within
the legal framework.

ARMENIE: LA COMPAGNIE AERIENNE ARMAVIA EN FAILLITE

webmanagercenter
1 avril 2013

EREVAN (AFP) La première compagnie aerienne d’Armenie, Armavia,
incapable de faire face a ses obligations financières, a cesse ses
vols lundi après avoir annonce sa decision de se mettre en faillite.

Fondee en 1996, la compagnie detenue par l’homme d’affaires armenien
Mikhaïl Bagdasarov comprenait notamment quatre moyen-courriers,
trois Boeing 737 et un Airbus A320.

Elle etait aussi la première compagnie a avoir pris livraison, en 2011,
du nouvel avion regional Superjet 100 de l’avionneur russe Soukhoï,
mais elle avait renonce depuis plusieurs mois a exploiter cet appareil
faute des moyens necessaires.

“Ces trois dernières annees, le proprietaire de la compagnie Armavia a
mis en oeuvre des moyens financiers puises dans ses autres activites
pour soutenir le transporteur aerien”, a ecrit Armavia dans un
communique.

“Cependant, la situation est aujourd’hui telle qu’il est devenu
impossible de continuer a travailler de cette manière”, est-il ajoute.

La compagnie a souligne les difficultes liees a la crise economique qui
a durement frappe le secteur aerien, provoquant plusieurs importants
depôts de bilan (American Airlines) voire des liquidations, comme
recemment la compagnie regionale russe Kuban.

L’autorite russe du transport aerien, Rosaviatsia, a precise de son
côte qu’Armavia souffrait d’arrieres de paiement en Russie depassant
plus de 40 millions de roubles (un million d’euros) envers des
aeroports et plus de 200.000 euros envers les contrôleurs aeriens.

D’une taille modeste, Armavia etait cependant la première compagnie de
cette ex-republique sovietique du Caucase, avec le statut de compagnie
nationale. Elle desservait 48 destinations en Europe, Asie et Afrique
du Nord.

La precedente compagnie nationale avait fait faillite en 2003 et
le gouvernement a fait savoir qu’aucun autre transporteur n’avait
exprime son interet pour obtenir ce statut après la faillite d’Armavia.

Armavia avait ete la première compagnie a recevoir le nouvel avion
regional Superjet 100 lance par l’avionneur russe Soukhoï avec
plusieurs partenaires internationaux.

Cet avion regional, qui porte les espoirs de renaissance de l’industrie
aeronautique civile russe, est aujourd’hui essentiellement exploite
par la compagnie russe Aeroflot.

WASHINGTON TO HOST CONFERENCE ON NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT

APA, Azerbaijan
April 1 2013

The conference is dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the first UN
Security Council resolution on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict

Baku. Victoria Dementyeva – APA. The conference on “The United Nations
and the Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict: Back to the Basics” will be held
in Washington on April 5. APA reports that the event to be organized
by the Jamestown Foundation is dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the
first UN Security Council resolution on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

Azerbaijan’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations
Tofig Musayev will deliver a speech on the International Legal
Relevance and Significance of the UN Security Council Resolutions.

Moreover, Senior Research Fellow Ariel Cohen and Chairman, Central
Asia-Caucasus Institute Frederick Starr will also make speeches and
speak about international factors that have impact on the settlement
of the conflict.

AZERBAIJAN’S PROSECUTOR GENERAL APPEALS TO TURKISH AND FRENCH PROSECUTORS GENERAL

APA, Azerbaijan
April 1 2013

Baku. Hafiz Heydarov – APA. Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor General Zakir
Garalov has addressed Turkish and French Prosecutors General regarding
the crimes committed at the commemorative event on Khojaly genocide
in Ankara and against Azerbaijanis in Paris.

APA reports quoting the website of Prosecutor General’s Office that 7
of the participants of the event on the 21st anniversary of Khojaly
tragedy in Ankara on February 24, 2013 were injured as a group of
pro-Armenians attacked.

Moreover, chairperson of Paris Azerbaijan House Mirvari Fataliyeva
and Azerbaijani student Vusal Huseynov were beaten and injured by
the members of Armenian Diaspora at the National Assembly of France
on February 26 this year.

Strongly condemning the illegal actions of the Armenian Diaspora and
pro-Armenian forces, Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan Republic has
appealed to the Prosecutor General of Turkey, Prosecutor General
under Supreme Court of France and Paris Prosecutor General under
Appeals Court asking the Turkish and French law-enforcement bodies
to ensure transparent investigation of the incident and bring the
culprits to justice.

AZERBAIJAN’S RULING PARTY: KHOJALY AIRPORT ISSUE IS ARMENIA’S ANOTHER TRICK AND PROVOCATION

Trend, Azerbaijan
April 1 2013

Azerbaijani side wants the OSCE Minsk Group to put pressure on Armenia
and take measures to force Armenia to peace in order to achieve peace
in the region. This was told the official website of the ruling New
Azerbaijan Party by the NAP Deputy Executive Secretary, MP Mubariz
Gurbanli on Monday.

“Unfortunately, the Minsk co-chairs, as intermediaries, allow the
postponement of this issue’s resolution,” MP said.

Alongside, Gurbanli stressed the importance of continuing the process
of negotiations and noted Azerbaijan’s continuous involvement in
the process.

According to him, despite many provocative steps undertaken by Armenia,
Azerbaijan patiently remains involved in the negotiations.

NAP Deputy Executive Secretary said there was a need for a visit of
co-chairs in the region in the context of the recent downturn in the
negotiation process.

Touching upon the issue of Khojaly airport, Gurbanli noted that it
was another trick of Armenia.

“Armenia does not need the Khojaly airport. Opening flights between
Yerevan and Khojaly is of no significance neither economically
nor from a different perspective. In case of opening the flight,
there will be no major outflow and inflow from Yerevan to Khankendi
and vice versa. The statement on the opening of this flight is just
another Armenian provocation,” he added.

According to him, Armenia wants to divert attention from other problems
and direct the efforts of both international and Azerbaijani diplomats
to the issue.

“Alongside, by putting the issue on the agenda, the Armenian side
is trying to further provoke Azerbaijan and benefit from steps to
be taken by Azerbaijan in case of opening the airport. Azerbaijan is
perfectly aware of all this and openly states its position,” he added.

He emphasized that regarding this issue, there is a requirement of the
International Civil Aviation Organization, as well as international
law norms.

“While this is not adhered to, the opening of this flight will
be considered illegal. International organizations, co-chairs and
certain states have criticized Armenia’s attempts. At the same time,
the co-chairs should demonstrate a particular position. Armenia should
know that this provocation will turn against it,” he added.

According to information released by the Armenian media, the General
Administration of Civil Aviation of Armenia will permit civil aircraft
flights in the occupied Azerbaijani territories. Head of the General
Administration of Civil Aviation Artyom Movsisyan did not name the
specific date, however, according to him, the flights will be served
by a 19-seater Armenian aircraft, and duration of flights will be
45-50 minutes.

Earlier, Armenian media reported on the intended commissioning of
the airport in Khojaly in the near future.

The commissioning of the airport is an open violation of the
Convention on International Civil Aviation (adopted on December 7,
1944 in Chicago), the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry reported earlier.

Azerbaijan will strengthen the legal level use of the application of
the Chicago convention.

Azerbaijan banned the use of the airspace over Nagorno-Karabakh
occupied by Armenia, as no one can guarantee safe flights in the area,
the Azerbaijani Civil Aviation Administration said earlier.

According to Azerbaijani Civil Aviation Administration, Armenia’s
steps towards the operation of the airport are attempts to violate
international aviation law.

This air space belongs to Azerbaijan, so its use by Armenia is illegal.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the European
Civil Aviation Conference (ICAC) also support the position of
Azerbaijan on this issue.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France and the U.S. –
are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.