Author: Badalian Vardan

Armenia-Uruguay friendship group holds meeting

news.am
November 16, 2012 | 16:13

YEREVAN. – The delegation, which is led by speaker Jorge Orrico of the
House of Representatives of Uruguay, met on Friday with the Armenian
National Assembly’s (NA) Armenia-Uruguay Parliamentary Friendship
Group members and representatives from NA political factions.

The aforesaid group’s head, Vahan Hovhannisyan, informed that
businessmen likewise were invited to this meeting.

In his remarks, Jorge Orrico spoke about Uruguay’s peculiarities. He
added that the fact that Uruguay was the first country in the world to
formally recognize and condemn the Armenian Genocide is a vivid
illustration for Uruguay’s accomplishments in democracy and protection
of human rights.

Subsequently, the Armenian and Uruguayan businessmen introduced their
areas of activity and possible investment targets. In this connection,
Vahan Hovhannisyan proposed them to organize more extended meetings,
discuss all investment opportunities, and take realistic and practical
steps.

Drones in Armenian sky – VIDEO and PHOTO

November 17, 2012 | 17:38

YEREVAN. – Winged robots, or drones, appeared above the airfield in
Armenia’s Arzni within the open competition of robots in Armenia by
ArmRobotics. The photo coverage of the event is available here.

It is still an in-between round of competition where 7 teams
participate. The final will take place next spring. The organizer of
the competition is the Union of Information Technology Enterprises,
the main sponsor is VivaCell-MTS, technological sponsor is the
ArtinVarujan Company, and supporters are Armenia’s MOD and Microsoft
innovation center.

According to the competition demands, the winged robots should
recognize the signs and set orient, throw a weight of 300 grams in the
prescribed place, send an online video filmed during the flight, and
return to the starting point.

NKR Defense Army: Azerbaijan fires about 600 shots in Karabakh’s direction

14:22 17/11/2012 » REGION

The Azerbaijani army violated ceasefire regime at the line of contact
between Karabakh and Azerbaijani armed forces more than 200 times over
the past week, firing about 600 shots towards Armenian defensive
posts, NKR Defense Army’s press service reported.

NKR Defense Army’s forces did not yield to the enemy’s provocations
and defended the military posts confidently along the whole line of
contact.

Source: Panorama.a

Opinion: “Members of Eurasian Union are not democratic”

06:14 PM | NOVEMBER 16, 2012 | POLITICS

Heritage Party member Stepan Safaryan believes that the Eurasian Union
does not have future; therefore, he calls on Armenian authorities to
say `no’ to the Union. Also, he sees contradictions between the
European Union and the Eurasian Union.

“On the one hand, there is the European Union that many countries are
striving to become members of; on the other hand, there is the
Eurasian Union which is knocking doors of its would-be members,” said
the Heritage representative.

During today’s discussion on the theme “Armenia and Eurasian Union,”
Mr Safaryan said Armenia need not seek membership to the Union,
moreover, the country should fear the idea of membership as the
process puts the country’s security in question.

“The members of the Eurasian Union are not democratic states,” he stressed.

The participants of the discussion unanimously agreed that the
Eurasian Union is a geopolitical, rather than an economic project.
Political scientist Ruben Mehrabyan even labeled the Union the
geopolitical catastrophe and misfortune of the century.

Leader of the New Times Party (NzhK) Aram Karapetyan is also against
the possible membership. He says the main purpose of the Union is to
maintain Russia’s influence on the foreign policy of former Soviet
states and hinder their accession to the European Union.

Vote 2013: Single candidate, `dark horses’, party platforms and other
outstanding issues

ANALYSIS | 16.11.12 | 12:15

By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
ArmeniaNow correspondent

By the end of November Armenian opposition forces are likely to
determine their format of participation in the upcoming presidential
election. Two questions remain central on the current political agenda
– will the opposition be able to field a single candidate and will
`dark horses’ be fielded as well.

After the proposal made by the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) to
switch to a parliamentary system of government after the 2017
legislative polls active consultations began among opposition forces
in Armenia. However, apart from the negotiations on the nomination of
a single alternative candidate, parties are also trying to advance
their agendas. And a possible single candidate will find it difficult
to combine all of these agendas.

For example, the opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC) puts
forward regime change goals, and this opposition alliance is ready for
consolidation with other forces only if together they can achieve a
change of the current administration and establish a `democratic
order’.

Dashnaktsutyun considers a switch to a parliamentary form of
government as part of the `national-social revolution’ and says it
will support the candidate who will undertake to do so.

PAP, which suggested a transition to the parliamentary system of
government, has not spoken much about the longer-term goals it
pursues. Some clarification was presented by PAP lawmaker, former
Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian. Then, suddenly,
ex-president Robert Kocharyan added his voice of support for a
transition to a 100-percent proportional ballot system at
parliamentary elections. He said that the majority system allows
authorities to `feudalize’ their constituencies and reproduce
themselves.

The Heritage Party, in fact, agreed with the ideas that have been put
forward, but it does not want to cooperate with PAP, which it
considers to be part of the regime. Besides, Heritage has already
suggested its leader Raffi Hovannisian as the possible single
candidate.

`In the current political situation it is difficult to find a single
candidate from the opposition as they all have different agendas,’
said deputy chairman of Heritage Armen Martirosyan.

In fact, the single candidate will have to carry out the change of
power as the ANC wants it, make a `national-social revolution’ as is
desired by Dashnaktsutyun, dissolve the parliament after the elections
according to Heritage’s vision and before that persuade Heritage’s
Hovannisian not to run for president. And most importantly he must be
able to provide a `decent’ alternative to incumbent president Serzh
Sargsyan, which is apparently the request of PAP.

Oskanian said that PAP has already met with the ANC, ARF and even the
coalition Orinats Yerkir party, and that by the end of this week they
also expect to meet with Free Democrats. This will signify the end of
the first phase of political consultations. He said that the issue of
the nomination of candidates for the presidency at this point is not
considered. According to him, if there is an agreement on the agenda,
it will be easier to decide on the candidate.

But, apparently, some `dark horses’ may also be taking part in the
election. These are people whom most haven’t expected to become
candidates, but who may still prove to be interesting candidates.

For example, the chairman of the Hanrapetutyun party Aram Sargsyan on
November 15 met with U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern and
discussed with him the visit that he made to the United States a few
weeks ago, but most importantly his attitude to the forthcoming
elections. Sargsyan is enjoys considerable respect among political
circles and is not considered a `conjuncture’ politician.

Another `dark horse’ may be the vice-chairman of Free Democrats Anush
Sedrakyan. She may represent not so much her party as active civil
society. Besides the fact that Sedrakyan may become the first female
presidential candidate in Armenia, she claims to have a clear concept
of the liberal democratic development of the country and has a
reputation for a disinterested politician.

Armenian capital plans importing more buses from South Korea

NEWS | 16.11.12 | 11:08

Yerevan authorities plan to have at least 60 new buses working in the
city by the end of the year.

Head of the Department of Transport at the Yerevan Municipality Henrik
Navasardyan told the Armenpress news agency that they had expected to
importing 120 new buses from South Korea in September-October. The
delay, he said, was conditioned by a strike at the South Korean
factory that manufactures the buses.

`Still, they promised us that they will bring 50-60 buses to Yerevan
by the end of this year. We have already paid for 120 buses,’ he said.

These buses will substitute some of the minibuses. The official said
by the end of the tender for new bus routes, only 76 of current 125
minibus routes will remain. The rest will be serviced by large buses.
Some changes are being made in the numbers of buses and minibuses to
reflect the adjustments.

The Skeleton In The Cupboard

Haik Aramyan

Comments – Saturday, 17 November 2012, 16:24

The second president Robert Kocharyan’s recent statements have
interesting implications. They may shed a light on a number of
developments of the past decade and uncover their logic. In addition,
it will not be limited to Armenia.

This is highly important, considering that Kocharyan’s presidency was
full of controversial and violent developments. On the one hand,
Kocharyan fought away anarchy and chaos and boosted the economy. On
the other hand, a tough political and business hierarchy was
established in the country with clear arrangements of quotas and areas
of responsibility. Two tragedies marked his presidency. Besides,
almost the entire resource of Armenia was handed over to Russia.

The first of Kocharyan’s statements referred to 1 March 2008.
According to him, the place where people were murdered was not
controlled by either the government or the opposition.

The next important statement was made on the parliamentary government.
Kocharyan said he is sorry for not having been able to ensure
elimination of the majority voting system. `For a simple reason – the
government wanted to keep the single-member districts as an
advantage,’ he said, highlighting the reluctance of the government to
eliminate the majority voting system.

These two statements allow for deliberation. Kocharyan was perceived
as an authoritarian leader who made decisions alone and controlled all
the processes. However, the statements he made change the image he had
as a president.

Who held power in Armenia, what happened on October 27 and March 1,
why was the country’s resource handed over to Russia? Neither
Kocharyan, nor others who know answer this question. The think-tanks
have circulated quite logical and substantial schemes, and Kocharyan’s
statements actually `complete’ those schemes.

On the eve of October 27 the Unity Alliance which won the
parliamentary election set to review the foreign policy of Armenia and
establish closer political and economic relations with the West.
Important arrangements were made during the visits of Speaker Karen
Demirchyan and Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsyan to the United States.
However, following the tragedy Moscow announced that Russia’s friends
were killed. And the Russian channels hinted that the terrorist attack
was backed by Kocharyan. The Russian campaign against Kocharyan found
a lot of supporters in Armenia via the pro-All-Armenian Movement media
outlets. Then Russia launched a clear expansion towards Armenia,
gradually getting hold of the important infrastructures and facilities
of the country.

In 2006 Kocharyan facilitated the creation of the Prosperous Armenia
Party. Then the party was said to be a `Western’ project with a
provision in its charter to integrate with the EU and NATO. The PAP
was expected to win the parliamentary election and nominate Vartan
Oskanian for the presidential election in 2008. In the context of the
PAP, the president’s administration spoke about fundamental reforms,
Vartan Oskanian and Vahram Nersisyants particularly made speeches on
this.

However, the RPA won the parliamentary election of 2007 while
Kocharyan had to visit the RPA office at midnight of the Election Day
and congratulate. In 2008, though with delay, Kocharyan stated to
support Serzh Sargsyan. On 1 March 2008 the demonstrators were shot,
and since then Armenia has had to sign humiliating military agreements
with Russia.

Kocharyan’s statements were preceded by press reports that at the
place where people were shot conversations in North Caucasian
languages were heard. Later some Armenian officials hinted that such
cases cannot be revealed now that Armenia lacks sufficient importance
and power. The hint is on an intervention.

Certainly, this is not a justification for the government and for
Kocharyan. The society does not care. The society needs a leader who
will be able to keep the country from destructive interventions.

By the way, the government is again trying to review the `traditional
schemes’ of the foreign policy of Armenia. The governments of Armenia
cannot avoid this but the problem is whether this process will again
be foiled externally and what methods will be used.

In this context, independent from their purpose, Kocharyan’s
statements bring a positive tendency towards clarification of a number
of circumstances to the society. This would be Kocharyan’s useful
input to Armenia because apart from physical destruction those
circumstances are an unbearable psychological burden for the society
and it has been unable to straight its back for decades.

Yerevan Blue Mosque has many visitors

tert.am
12:55 – 17.11.12

Yerevan’s Blue Mosque has many visitors especially in spring and summer months.

Tourists visiting Armenia and Armenians married with Muslims visit the
mosque too, Iranian-Armenian Lena Hakobyan, graduate of Yerevan State
University, told Tert.am. She is working in Yerevan Blue Mosque for
already ten years as a guide, librarian and translator.

`We do not have any restrictions, those who want may visit the mosque.
We have a permanent exhibition of Iranian traditional art, we have a
wonderful library connected with Iran’s National library through
computers,’ Hakobyan said.

Citing Iranian FARS news agency, Panorama.am reports that the Blue
Mosque in Yerevan will be included in UNESCO cultural heritage list.
It was stated by deputy head of Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization
Masoud Alavian Sadr.

The Iranian official said that at the meeting with Armenia’s Culture
Minister Hasmik Poghosyan an arrangement has been reached to undertake
steps after reconstruction of the mosque to include it in the cultural
heritage list.

Free classes of Persian language are being conducted in the mosque,
though recently the organizers are taking some money for film
presentations or other expenses.

Yerevan Blue Mosque was built in 18th century when Yerevan Hussein Ali
Khan built nine mosques in Yerevan. After the Russian-Iranian war when
Eastern Armenia passed under Russia’s control only one of the mosques
was preserved.

During the soviet years the Blue Mosque operated as Yerevan History Museum.
The Blue Mosque started functioning 21 years ago after Iran restored it.

ARMENIAN GREENS ARE SKEPTICAL ABOUT GIZ’S REPORT ON ARMENIAN FORESTS

ARMINFO
Friday, November 16, 16:52

The Armenian greens are skeptical about GIZ’s report saying that
forests cover 11.1% of Armenia’s territory or 332,333 h.

President of the Green Union of Armenia Hakob Sanasaryan told ArmInfo
on Friday that some of the green areas seen from space cannot be
qualified as forests. “They are covered mostly with bushes, which have
grown to replace the big rare trees cut down by our forest mafia,”
Sanasaryan said.

In 1978 forests covered 9.89% of Armenia’s territory or 296,600 h,
in the 1990s from 9.7% to 11.2%. In 2000 Landsat ETM+ reported 8.2%,
in 2001 UNEP reported 8.1%, in 2007 FAO reported 9.5%.

ARMENIA’S HEALTH CARE NEEDS RADICAL CHANGES – PRIME MINISTER

NEWS.AM
November 16, 2012 | 14:40

YEREVAN. – Radical changes are needed in Armenia’s healthcare sector,
PM Tigran Sargsyan stated Friday speaking at the Armenian State
University of Economics.

In his words, the past-twenty-year discussions were about how much the
healthcare funding should be, and this is not the right approach. “The
country needs to find the correct organizational approach, owing
to which greater results can be achieved with less funding. I find
that radical changes need to be made in the healthcare sector. [And]
We have taken the first steps; it was the introduction of [health]
insurance system,” Sargsyan noted.

Also, the Premier said it is important to correctly decide upon the
right rate for the state funding of health care. At present, huge
sums of money are allocated to this sector yet the state-funded fees
are 2-3 times lower than the market fees that are charged, and this,
as per Armenia’s PM, is the basis for corruption.