Author: Badalian Vardan

ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR HAD A MEETING WITH LITHUANIA’S DEFENSE MINISTER

11:16, 27 March, 2013

YEREVAN, MARCH 27, ARMENPRESS: Armenia’s Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Lithuania Ara Ayvazyan had a
meeting with Lithuania’s Defense Minister Juozas Olekas. As the Press,
Information and Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the Republic of Armenia told Armenpress, in the course
of the meeting launched on March 26, the sides have touched upon
the friendly ties between Armenia and Lithuania, expressed their
gratification refer to the activation of cooperation between the
Defense Ministries of the two countries, as well as highly estimated
the expansion of inter-departmental continuing cooperation, clarifying
the timetable of bilateral events and mutual visits scheduled for 2013.

The interlocutors exchanged views over the Lithuanian Presidency in the
EU in 2013 second semester, foreign and regional agenda, international
security, as well as cooperation established between Armenia and
Lithuania in participation of international peacekeeping missions.

KARABAKH LIBERATION MARKED AT UK PARLIAMENT

[Round-table-discussion-at-the-House-of-Commons-1-620×300.jpg]

A scene from the British House of Commons roundtable on Artsakh

LONDON-A round-table discussion entitled, “The 25th anniversary
of the Karabakh Movement: Struggle for Independence and Justice”
was held at the British House of Commons on Monday. The event was
organized by the British-Armenian All-Party Parliamentary Group and
the Armenian Embassy in Great Britain.

The discussion was chaired by Vice-President of the British-Armenian
All-Party Parliamentary Group John Whittingdale, Chairman of the
House Committee on Press, Sport and Culture.

Making presentation at the conference were Armenian Parliament member
Vahan Hovannesian, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic Felix Khachatryan and Director of the Regional Research
Center Richard Giragosian. Topics ranged from the 25th anniversary of
the Artsakh Movement, the Sumgait pogroms and the peaceful resolution
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

The meeting featured President of the British-Armenian All-Party
Parliamentary Group, Baroness Caroline Cox, members of the House
of Commons and the House of Lords, diplomats accredited to London,
representatives of the Armenian community, analysts, historians
and students.

ARTSAKH REPRESENTATIVE SPEAKS IN FRESNO

[Avetisyan-Fresno-2013-016-by-Raffi-Mouradian.jpg]

Robert Avetisyan addresses the crowd in Fresno (photo by Raffi
Mouradian)

BY SEVAG TATEOSIAN

FRESNO-Members of Fresno’s Armenian community were joined by
representatives of the offices of U.S. Congressmen Jim Costa and
Devin Nunez to hear Robert Avetisyan, Representative of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic to the U.S. speak at California State
University, Fresno.

Weeks prior to the lecture, which was sponsored by the Fresno State
Armenian Studies Program and the Armenian National Committee of
America-Central California as well as the Armenian Students
Organization, emails and letters to the editor sparked the interest
of the community to hear Avetisyan.

The local newspaper, The Fresno Bee also published an op-ed written
by him to give background of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh (known
as Artsakh by Armenians).

At the onset of the lecture Paul Jamushian, member of the Armenian
National Committee of America-Central California said, “I ask for
two things from you, one to listen and learn more about Karabakh and
ask questions…secondly, please tell your friends about Karabakh .”

The audience did exactly that, asking numerous questions immediately
following the lecture. The scope of questions ranged from more
details of the mountainous territory to ways the Diaspora can help
develop the small republic.

[Avetisyan-Fresno-2013-002-by-Raffi-Mouradian.jpg]

On his first visit to Fresno, Robert Avetisyan paid homage to William
Saroyan (photo by Raffi Mouradian)

“The Karabakh liberation movement began on February 20th 1988 when
the Nagorno-Karabakh Council of Deputies applied to the Supreme
Councils of Soviet Armenia and Azerbaijan for a decision on
reunification of Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia,” said Barlow Der
Mugrdechian, Coordinator of the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno
State as he invited Avetisyan to the podium.

It was Avetisyan’s first trip to Fresno, which he noted shared the
same weather as his homeland. The time prior to the lecture was spent
visiting Armenian monuments in Fresno, including the William Saroyan
bust and the David of Sassoun statue.

“Karabakh is interested in having global awareness about us because
we are sure that our cause is right, we have a very strong legal,
historical and moral basis for claiming the right to live in freedom
and dignity,” stated the Representative, who immediately got the
attention of the audience with his comments.

The current situation of Nagorno-Karabakh started in 1921, when
former dictator Joseph Stalin carved out the republic from Armenia
and placed it under the administration of the newly created Soviet
Azerbaijan Republic. This was the only time in history that
Nagorno-Karabakh was under the territory of Soviet Azerbaijan as part
of the Soviet Union.

[562083_286668154796820_1239509004_n.jpg]

Melissa Mata presents a plaque to Robert Avetisyan, with the
statement read into the Congressional Record by Congressman Costa on
the 25th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic.

This wrongful placement was never accepted by the citizens of
Nagorno-Karabakh, 97% of whom were Armenians at the time of the
distribution. For decades, Soviet Azerbaijan did whatever it could to
change the demographic situation. In 1989, because of systemic
population increases by the Azerbaijan, the Azeri population in the
region was up from 3% to 21%. The apparent intention of Azerbaijan
was to eliminate anything resembling an Armenian existence – a
policy that had been successfully implemented by Azeris in
Nakhijevan, where, for instance, thousands of ancient Armenian
monuments and cemeteries were destroyed and replaced by military
training sites.

On many occasions, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh raised their
voices, requesting restoration of justice but the Soviet authorities
declined their requests. The most recent attempt took place in 1988,
when new Soviet leader Gorbachev pledged more democracy. Soviet
Azerbaijan reacted negatively to this movement for freedom. Hundreds
of Armenians were subjected to torture and murdered simply for being
Armenian. Organized mobs armed with knives and sharpened rods
attacked apartments that belonged to Armenian families and conducted
targeted atrocities with the full support of law-enforcement
authorities in the large industrial city of Sumgait, hundreds of
miles away from Nagorno-Karabakh.

In 1991, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh acted under existing laws and
declared the formation of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Their goal
was to be a sovereign nation. “Azerbaijan replied with full scale
military aggression, which was predictable,” said Avetisyan of the
move for freedom. Despite being outnumbered by soldiers and rough
terrain, the Nagorno-Karabakh military was able to force a
cease-fire, signed by Azerbaijan, Armenia and themselves. The war
left the social and economic infrastructure of the Republic in ruin.

Today, much has been done to rebuild what was destroyed by the
Azerbaijani military.

“We found that Karabakh is rich in gold, in coal and in copper and
mining companies are the #1 tax payers,” said Avetisyan referring to
revenue streams of the economy. “We are doing everything to minimize
the impact on the environment,” he continued. These taxes and
natural resources are helping build the economy and people are
noticing. For the seventh consecutive year, the population has seen
an increase.

Tourism is also on the rise. Last year 16,000 tourists visited the
Republic. Knar Kahkejian, an Armenian born in Pasadena, CA has
visited Nagorno-Karabakh and actually lived there for 2-weeks
volunteering her time. Of the experience, she said, “I gained
insight on what Artsakh (Armenian name for Nagorno-Karabakh) was all
about and what it could offer the Diaspora and myself. There was so
much I learned about the region and its history, just by sitting and
conversing with Dadik who lived next door.” At the end of the
lecture, she asked one of the countless questions to Representative
Avetisyan. Like many, she was impressed by the turn out. “It proved
to me that the people of Fresno are in fact interested in the welfare
of Artsakh and what is currently occurring in the region.”

Today, although a peace treaty is still in effect, threats continue
from Azerbaijan to resort to military action to take back the
Republic. “The biggest challenge facing Karabakh is Azerbaijan’s
aggressive stance,” said Avetisyan. “Every day from various media
sources, Azerbaijan states that they are going to sell more oil and
buy more arms,” he continued.

The Representative is correct in his assertion. On March 11, 2013
News.Az reported that Azerbaijan was the main consumer of Belarusian
military technology, purchasing $167 million worth.

“They think they can scare us or force us to leave…it is not
working,” said Avetisyan. “We are trying to get in touch with them
and free their society from this poison,” he continued. Poison it
is. Two recent examples show just how much hatred Azerbaijan’s
government has against Armenia and Armenians.

Last year convicted murderer Ramil Safarov, who was found guilty of
murdering Armenian serviceman Lt. Gurgen Markarian, was pardoned by
Azerbaijan who proclaimed him as a hero, giving him countless
benefits and back pay. Another example is of writer Akram Aylisli, a
respected Azerbaijani author who was stripped of his state honors and
pension for saying Azerbaijan needs to apologize to the Armenians. A
$12,500 reward was offered for anyone who would cut the author’s ear
off.

Despite this unpredictable neighbor, things are looking more positive
in Nagorno- Karabakh. Watchdog organization Freedom House rated it as
a “partly free” nation, which is much better than other regional
countries. “Today we have a viable state…the population is
growing,” said Avetisyan. “We still invite the international
community to share and teach us how to do things better,” he
continued.

STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE YEREVAN MUNICIPALITY. OMBUDSMAN’S SPEECH

2013-03-26 23:44:24

The following shortcomings have been registered in the actions of
the Yerevan Municipality:

In several cases Yerevan Municipality makes the citizens pay illegal
fees instead of giving their right for the property used for spare.

Numerous cases were registered, when as a result of non-transparent
administration of the Municipality, non-uniform and discriminatory
treatment was used against the people who applied for the installation
of the booths.

The issue of unauthorized buildings remains unsolved, which among
other effects, hinders the development of the regions and are followed
by corruption.

Event thought the Municipality has taken steps for the increase of the
level of transportation, but they didn’t solve the current concerns.

The issue of the decrease of the number of children in the
kindergartens was not granted sufficient attention.

Consistent policy was not implemented for the quick response to
the logging, environmental pollution, and the creation of efficient
mechanisms for its elimination.

Appropriate actions were not taken for revealing of the
communal-domestic issues and their solutions.

The issue of movement of the disabled with the public transport
remains unsolved.

Registered positive development

Negotiations took place with the Chinese automobile factories for
the accommodation for the disabled people, which offered elevators
for the vehicles.

The municipality has adopted a policy, according to which the operation
of old “Raf” and “Eraz” vehicles should be terminated.

According to records the unauthorized buildings were destroyed,
illegally occupied community-owned lands where removed from the
holders, and the areas were brought to their old condition.

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION DEMANDS NEW PRESIDENTIAL, PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

Interfax, Russia
March 25, 2013 Monday 10:14 AM MSK

Raffi Ovannisian, the leader of the Armenian opposition party Heritage,
who lost the recent presidential elections, forwarded a letter with
his proposals to President Serzh Sargsyan from a rally in the center
of Yerevan on Friday.

Before sealing the envelope, Ovannisian read out the letter to about
4,000 of his supporters who gathered on Freedom Square, an Interfax
correspondent reported.

“We demand new presidential elections, new parliamentary elections,
amendments to the Electoral Code, and a transition to a fully
proportional election system. We also demand resignation of at least
five governors, in place of whom my nominees will be appointed, and
holding those who rigged the elections accountable,” Ovannisian said.

The opposition leader also demanded that people from his team be
appointed to head the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Tax and Customs
Committees, the National Security Service, the Foreign Ministry,
the Education and Science Ministry, the Audit Chamber, the Justice
Council and the Anticorruption Chamber.

“These proposals are integral and must be signed by the two parties,”
Ovannisian said.

US-ARMENIAN ACTIVIST TO CAMPER ACROSS USA TO BUILD AWARENESS OF HIS CAUSE

11:11 ~U 26.03.13

Ara Manoogian hadn’t eaten from March 17, and he was prepared to go
without food for weeks, or even months, more.

The Burbank Leader writes that camped in an RV parked outside Rep.

Adam Schiff’s Burbank office, Manoogian said his hunger strike was
in protest of President Obama’s congratulatory remarks toward the
re-elected president of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, amid allegations
of election fraud and bribery following what Manoogian called a
corrupt regime.

“When the president congratulates something, that means you, me and
everybody else that’s an American citizen is congratulating this
person,” Manoogian said, adding that Sargsyan is using the remarks
to legitimize his election. “Our values are being manipulated and
misrepresented to other countries.”

Presidential runner-up Raffi Hovanissian also declared a hunger strike
March 10 in protest of the official election results.

Manoogian – Burbank resident – lived in Armenia for eight years,
but moved back to the United States in 2005 after his work as a
human rights activist and investigative reporter left him in fear of
his safety.

“That is who Serzh Sargsyan is,” Manoogian said.

Via a letters sent through Schiff’s office, Manoogian is asking Obama
to retract his congratulations.

“Our office has passed Mr. Manoogian’s comments and concerns to the
White House and State Department, as we have done when others have
raised concerns about administration actions,” said Schiff spokesman
Patrick Boland in an email. “We will, of course, alert him when we
receive a response.”

Meanwhile, he plans to take his camper across the country to Washington
D.C. to build awareness and political pressure while stopping in
different cities to educate people of his cause along the way.

CNCDH : RAPPORT ANNUEL SUR LE RACISME EN FRANCE

Publié le : 25-03-2013

Info Collectif VAN – – Le rapport annuel sur le
racisme en France de la Commission consultative des droits de l’homme
(CNCDH) révèle des phénomènes particulièrement inquiétants,
concernant particulièrement les actes antisémites et contre les
musulmans ainsi que le statut et l’image des Roms. Le Collectif VAN
vous propose de parcourir ce rapport pour vous faire une idée de la
masse de propagande xénophobe qui est déversée quotidiennement par
ceux qui désignent ainsi des boucs-émissaires. Il est néanmoins
regrettable que les pouvoirs publics n’aient pas également jugé
bon d’analyser les sites internet négationnistes panturcs où se
déversent une propagande haineuse envers les Arméniens, et où
est répercutée l’historiographie officielle de l’Etat turc qui
persiste a nier le génocide arménien perpétré en 1915 dans
l’Empire ottoman. Dans le ” Rapport de la commission nationale
consultative des droits de l’homme ” présenté au premier ministre
en 2004, le site Tête de Turc avait été épinglé comme faisant
partie de ” L’internet raciste en langue francaise ”. Depuis, la
situation s’est considérablement dégradée avec une profusion de
sites négationnistes turcs et azéris qui incitent a la haine raciale.

Il est donc urgent que le gouvernement accède a la demande de la
CNCDH qui réitère sa recommandation relative a la création d’un
observatoire du racisme, de l’antisémitisme et de la xénophobie
sur Internet. A cette occasion, le Collectif VAN rappelle qu’il met
a jour depuis 2006 un Observatoire du Négationnisme accessible a
partir de la page d’accueil de son site.

Constats pour l’année 2012

Le racisme dans l’opinion publique

Sondage exclusif CSA / CNCDH / Service d’information du Gouvernement
réalisé en face a face du 6 au 12 décembre 2012, auprès de
1029 personnes âgées de 18 ans et plus résidant en France,
constitué d’après la méthode des quotas (sexe, âge, profession
du chef de ménage), après stratification par région et catégorie
d’agglomération.

Pour la troisième année consécutive, le sondage indique une montée
de l’intolérance en France. Alors que le début des années 2000 avait
été marqué par un mouvement continu de la société francaise vers
plus de tolérance, on constate depuis 2010 que les indicateurs de
racisme sont en hausse, que l’intolérance augmente. Le phénomène
s’ancre dans la durée, et cette évolution est particulièrement
préoccupante. Plusieurs éléments des résultats du sondage doivent
être soulignés : Augmentation toujours plus marquée de la méfiance
a l’égard des musulmans :

55% des personnes interrogées estiment que les musulmans forment
un groupe a part dans la société (+4 points par rapport 2011 et +
11 points par rapport a 2009)

Seulement 22% des personnes interrogées ont une opinion positive
de la religion musulmane, c’est beaucoup moins que les opinions
positives a l’égard des autres religions (44% d’opinion 4 positive
pour le catholicisme et 34% pour le judaïsme), et c’est surtout 7
points de moins qu’en 2011

77% des personnes interrogées pensent que le port du voile peut poser
problème pour vivre en société (+ 2 points par rapport a 2011 et +
9 points par rapport a 2010)

47% des personnes interrogées pensent que l’interdiction de montrer
l’image du prophète Mahomet peut poser problème pour vivre en
société (+8 points par rapport a 2011)

Rejet croissant des étrangers, percus de plus en plus comme des
parasites, voire comme une menace :

” Il y a trop d’immigrés aujourd’hui en France ” : 69% des
personnes interrogées se déclarent d’accord avec cette opinion,
soit une progression de 10 points par rapport a 2011 et de 22 points
par rapport a 2009.

” De nombreux immigrés viennent en France uniquement pour profiter
de la protection sociale ” : 73% des personnes interrogées se
déclarent d’accord avec cette opinion, soit une progression de 3
points par rapport a 2011 et de 9 points par rapport a 2009.

” Les travailleurs immigrés doivent être considérés ici comme chez
eux puisqu’ils contribuent a l’économie francaise ”, les réponses
n’avaient jamais été aussi intolérantes depuis les émeutes de 2005
: 72% des personnes interrogées sont en désaccord avec cette opinion.

Constat d’échec de l’intégration et remise en cause de la
possibilité d’un ” vivre ensemble ” dans la société francaise.

Une majorité des personnes interrogées : 56%) considère que
l’intégration fonctionne mal (dont 42% assez mal et 14% très mal)

94% des personnes interrogées (+5 points par rapport a 2011) pensent
d’ailleurs qu’il est indispensable que les étrangers qui viennent
vivre en France adoptent les habitudes de vie francaises.

En outre, la responsabilité du mauvais fonctionnement de
l’intégration est nettement plus imputée aux étrangers qu’a la
société. Les interviewés jugent en effet a 60% que ce sont avant
tout les personnes d’origine étrangère qui ne se donnent pas les
moyens de s’intégrer.

Ces constats sont d’autant plus inquiétants qu’ils s’inscrivent dans
un contexte plus général de perception globalement négative de
la société francaise : préoccupations économiques, sociales et
sécuritaires fortes, vision très segmentée de la société. Par
ailleurs, on assiste a une dangereuse banalisation des propos
racistes. Internet contribue grandement a cette banalisation. Mais
elle s’alimente également de l’instrumentalisation dans le discours
politique de certaines th̩matiques (immigration, religionЉ~@~P
laïcité), ainsi que de certains dérapages et des polémiques qui
ont suivi.

Lire la suite du Rapport ICI.

Lire aussi :

Rapport de la commission nationale consultative des droits de l’homme
” présenté au premier ministre en 2004

Observatoire du Négationnisme du Collectif VAN

Retour a la rubrique

TÃ~ILÃ~ICHARGER : Rapport annuel sur le racisme en France

ARMENIAN EX-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE CALLS FOR SELF-PURIFICATION

TERT.AM
22:04 ~U 25.03.13

Armenian ex-presidential candidate Raffi Hovannisian, who made a speech
in Yerevan’s Freedom Square on Monday, said that there were people
who sincerely voted for Serzh Sargsyan in the Feb. 18 presidential
election in Armenia.

On the other hand, he believes that most of the votes are the result
of election frauds.

“I wish our purification and revival on February 18 applied to Mr
Serzh Sargsyan and his party as well before April 9,” he said.

He calls on Armenia’s authorities to open the ballot boxes and thus
dispel all the doubts.

“Let Mr Sargsyan apply to the Constitutional Court and demand the
opening of the ballot boxes. It is clear that the people won. That is
why they do not want to open [the ballot boxes],” Mr Hovannisian said.

To gain victory, Mr Hovannisian is ready to resort to all the
possible means – rallies, inauguration of New Armenia. If President
Serzh Sargsyan is ready, Mr Hovannisian is willing to meet him in
Freedom Square.

GAME TO ‘CHECKMATE ARMENIA’S AUTHORITIES – OPPOSITION REP

TERT.AM
21:23 ~U 25.03.13

At an open civil forum in Freedom Square in Yerevan, conductor Vardan
Hakobyan stressed the importance of forums and all the other steps,
which must have a logical end.

“Every game has its end. We are not playing for the sake of the game,
but to checkmate Armenia’s authorities,” he said.

Although he welcomes the format of discussions, he is skeptical. “A
clever man can only be deceived one time.”

He stressed the need for urgent institutional reforms.

“When we started this game with the authorities, we had not a glimpse
of hope for victory. How can we achieve constitutional reforms when
we have not a single chance to get parliament’s decisions changed?” he
queried.

“Such dialogues may not produce results. But if issues involving the
country’s population are on the agenda, I am for this way,” he said.

“I have travelled round settlements and villages with Raffi
Hovannisian. People want changes, but changes in a peaceful way,”
Mr Safaryan said. Being absent from discussions does not at all mean
allowing President Serzh Sargsyan “to transform the conflict.”

Armenia’s population must be informed of the issues on the
Hovannisian-Sargsyan meeting agenda. This is the best way to high
results.

ETHNIC ARMENIANS MUST BE INTEGRATED WITH HELP OF GEORGIAN LANGUAGE – SAAKASHVILI

March 25, 2013 | 18:46

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said integration of ethnic
Armenian residents of Georgia must be carried out through Georgian
language, not dangerous initiatives.

He pointed at new modern school built in Akhalkalaki and Georgian
teachers who will do everything to affirm Georgian as a state language
in the area.

“For me, both Georgian and Armenian schoolchildren are Georgians,”
Gruziya Online quotes Saakashvili.

Local Armenians must be integrated with the help of language and
getting education in universities, he said.