Author: Badalian Vardan

OTAJONOV CLAIMS ARMENIAN INTELLIGENCE AGENCY TORTURED HIM

hetq
16:44, November 7, 2012

Today’s APA carries a news item reporting that Zamirjon Otajonov, the
Uzbekistan citizen Armenian intelligence agencies charged with being
a paid Azerbaijani agent provocateur, has given a press conference
stating that he was “tortured” while being held in Armenia.

On October 10, 2012, Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS)
stated that Otajonov had confessed to having been paid by Azerbaijani
intelligence to come to Armenia and offer his services as a terrorist,
ready to travel to Baku and explode a bomb.

The NSS stated that the entire scenario was hatched by the Azerbaijani
secret service to portray Armenia as a country that foments terrorism
and that it sought to direct international attention away from the
Ramil Safarov affair.

At the Baku press conference Otajonov is reported to have said that
he was not given food or water and was tortured several times a day
while in Armenian custody.

SOCCER: ARMENIA PLUMMETING IN FIFA RANKINGS AFTER DEFEAT BY ITALY

Soccer | 07.11.12 | 15:53

Armenia has dropped 18 positions to stand 82nd on the latest
rankings of 200 or so soccer nations released monthly by the game’s
international governing body, FIFA.

The November 7 update gives Armenia 444 points and neighbors like
North Korea and FYR Macedonia in the list, still topped by World and
European champions Spain.

The dramatic fall by the team that was ranked as high as 41st only at
the beginning of this year follows a series of disappointing defeats,
including from Bulgaria and Italy as part of the ongoing World Cup
qualifying campaign.

Vardan Minasyan’s side has a chance of improving when they host
Lithuania in a friendly in Yerevan on November 14.

Full FIFA rankings are available
here:

NALBANDYAN’S EXPECTATIONS ARE “TOO OPTIMISTIC”

November 6, 2012 15:56

“I allow myself to treat with reservations the statement of Eduard
Nalbandyan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia,
that the international community has strongly condemned the extradition
and pardon of Ramil Safarov,” Vahram Atanesyan, the chairman of the
foreign affairs committee of the Nagorno-Karabakh National Assembly,
said during a conversation with yesterday, adding,
“Some member states of the OSCE Minsk Group such as Turkey, Belarus
and others haven’t talked about this phenomenon at all. Not Safarov’s
extradition, but rather his pardon has been condemned by the co-chair
countries of the OSCE Minsk Group with different emphases. I cannot
say that there has been a consolidated, consensual condemnation.”

According to our interlocutor, in such situations, the Foreign
Ministers of the Minsk Group co-chair countries or the three co-chairs
usually make a joint statement. However, we first saw the response of
the US State Department, then the response of the French Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and only then the response of the Russian Federation
Foreign Ministry press secretary. “I don’t think that as a result of
Safarov’s extradition, the international community did not perceive
the actions of Azerbaijan the way it should have done,” Vahram
Atanesyan thinks as opposed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of
the Republic of Armenia. Let us remind that yesterday the Minister
of Foreign Affairs, talking about the meeting of the Ministers of
Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Azerbaijan and the Minsk Group co-chairs
that had taken place in Paris, said that the main purpose of it was
to bring Azerbaijan to constructive negotiations.

He also noted, “The international community expressed its attitude
toward Azerbaijan’s behavior with a respective response. There is
no country, no organization, which hasn’t strongly condemned, hasn’t
expressed its indignation with this step,” he said, adding that the
only unchanged thing was the necessity for Armenia and the co-chairs
to make Azerbaijan agree that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict had to be
solved by peaceful means. “Before that, Azerbaijan took a step backward
not only in Kazan, but also in Sochi before that, earlier in Astrakhan,
St. Petersburg, actually rejecting all offers made by the co-chairs
with regard to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, it created
a situation, in which Azerbaijan, rejecting the negotiation process,
actually, wished to disrupt negotiations. Thus, one should have taken
[a step, ed.], in order that negotiations continued. If there is a
party that wants to disrupt the negotiations, it is the Azerbaijani
side. The three co-chairs initiated the return of Azerbaijan to the
negotiation table,” the Minister said, adding that the story related
to Safarov was a blow to the negotiation process.

“I have said and stick to my opinion that it will be hard for the
Armenian sides to negotiate with Azerbaijan from now on,” Vahram
Atanesyan said, sharing Nalbandyan’s opinion that in Kazan, Astrakhan
and St. Petersburg, Azerbaijan had undermined the negotiations,
but as a Nagorno-Karabakh Republic politician stuck to his personal
opinion that Azerbaijan would continue to reject all offers to
peacefully settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and he thought
that having expectations that one could make Azerbaijan be more
constructive, bring it to the negotiation table was too optimistic,
to say the least. “Azerbaijan doesn’t have an intention to settle the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It has rejected, rejects and will reject
all offers. Certainly, Armenia, as a member of the international
community, the UN, a party directly involved in the OSCE Minsk
Group process, should show a positive attitude toward any attempt
to resume the negotiations. In this regard, the Foreign Minister’s
optimistic assessments are understandable and acceptable – we should do
everything not to waste an opportunity to continue the negotiations,”
our interlocutor states, drawing the attention of the international
community, mediators and co-chairmen once again to the fact that
there is only one option of settling the conflict for Azerbaijan –
to restore what is written in their Constitution, in which the term
“Nagorno-Karabakh” is not mentioned.

Vahram Atanesyan thinks that in this case, the issue should gradually
be turned into the course of de facto recognizing the independence of
the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, “So the logic should be applied that
if Azerbaijan rejects any offer of the mediators given the political
elite’s intentions, an alternative to that is the international
community’s legitimization of the actual situation. In that sense,
I welcome Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandyan’s optimism. Yes, one
should continue, one should try to convince the international community
around the negotiation table that Azerbaijan has no intention to settle
the conflict peacefully, in order that the international community
draws a respective conclusion. Certainly, strengthening the defense
capabilities of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and the Republic of
Armenia at the same time, to increase the army’s armaments, solve
practical, concrete issues, as, for example, putting the Stepanakert
airport into operation.”

N. GRIGORYAN

GURGEN ARSENYAN DECLARED 2 AIRPLANES, 3 CARS AND 6 BUILDINGS

Country – Wednesday, 07 November 2012, 10:54

According to parliamentmonitoring.am, MP Gurgen Arsenyan, Prosperous
Armenia party, leader of the United Labor Party, is “leader” among
MPs with the most impressive declaration of property. On March 3, he
declared 2 Zenair CH-701 STOL airplanes and 3 cars – a Lexus LS600HL,
a Range Rover Supercharged and a Toyota Prado.

Besides, Gurgen Arsenyan has declared 6 buildings in Yerevan, Gyumri
and Tbilisi with a total space of 2088.39 square meters and 8 land
plots with a total area of 253 hectares.

The annual income of the MP is over 1.190 billion.

As of March 3, Arsenyan had AMD 35.233 million, 6.253 million and
USD 23.138 thousand.

He owns 100% shares of ARSOIL and Unicorn Trade CJS, 50% of Unicorn
Group, Unicorn Print, Unicorn Flora, Unicorn Technology, Unicorn
Construction, Annalus CJS and 85% in Grand Tobacco CJSC (Tajikistan).

The majority of MPs has not declared any movable property. Gagik
Tsarukyan, leader of Prosperous Armenia Party, has declared 7 cars –
BMW X5, Toyota Prado V6, Jeep Wrangler P 6-4.0, Rolls Royce B 12-6.7,
Nissan Patrol, Rolls Royce Coupe Phantom and Range Rover Sport 4.4.

NEGOTIATIONS TO RELEASE KIDNAPPED ARMENIANS ARE UNDERWAY

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 7, ARMENPRESS: The state of Armenians kidnapped
on Beirut Aleppo road is still uncertain. Aleppo Armenian community
representative Hrayr Aguilyan stated in the briefing with Armenpress,
efforts to continue negotiations aimed at releasing Armenians are
underway. In the words of our compatriot the overall state especially
in Armenian populated districts is peaceful on November 7 morning.

“Government forces are controlling the districts yet nothing is
guaranteed, in any moment the state can change for the worse. Aleppo
Armenians were not ready for such difficult days, we were living quiet
and safe life.Our Aleppo brothers and sisters have been left jobless
for already four months, the job places are closed down. Little funds
have been left for everyday expenses, but God knows , how long we
can stand this state ” Hrayr Aguilyan noted.

In the words of the interlocutor there is no positive change, ruined
buildings are left here and there, and Armenians are becoming victims
due to daily shelling. Aleppo Armenians are still in uncertain and
unstable situation in badly need for psychological and moral support.

Clashes in Syria lasting for already 19 months caused the death
of more than 30 thousand people, including more than four dozens
Armenians. Armed opposition gang had stopped Beirut-Aleppo “Zeytuni
Druz” company civil bus in Aleppo nearby Sarakeb city on October 29.

Then they made the passengers to quit the bus and started to check it
, after separated Christian passengers, released women and children
yet kidnapped 11 passengers , 7 of which Armenians, 3 were Christian
Arabs. There were Assyrians and the Kurds among them. There are
news the rebels in black have reduced the men fall in knees, stroke
them and take with them to an indefinite direction. Karo Pampalian,
Arsen Aroian, Levon Zeitunian, Bashar and George Rabat are the names
of the kidnapped Armenians. The latter has already been released.

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TIGRAN SARKISSIAN NOMME GARNIK PETROSYAN COMME VICE-MINISTRE DE L’AGRICULTURE
Stephane

armenews.com
mercredi 7 novembre 2012

Le Premier ministre Tigran Sarkissian a nomme Garnik Petrosyan en
tant que vice-ministre de l’agriculture.

Garnik Petrosyan est nee le 1er Juin 1958. En 1981, il obtient son
diplôme a l’Institut agricole. Il a travaille comme agronome dans la
region de Masis entre 1991 et 1996, puis il occupe un poste de chef
de service de la gestion agricole a la direction de la communaute
regionale de Masis, en 1996-1999, il a dirige le bureau de la gestion
agricole et de protection de la nature au service de lal’administration
regionale de l’Ararat.

De 1999 a 2003 Petrossian a ete a la tete du departement des cultures
au ministère de l’Agriculture, et de 2003 a 2008 il a ete le chef de
la protection des cultures, de la foret et des patures au ministère
de l’Agriculture.

De mars 2010 a avril 2012 Petrosyan a ete conseiller nationale du
programme de la FAO.

mercredi 7 novembre 2012, Stephane ©armenews.com

BAKU: MACEDONIAN AMB. ACCREDITED IN AZERBAIJAN REFUTES REPORTS THAT HIS COUNTRY PLANS TO RECOGNIZE NKR

APA
Nov 6 2012
Azerbaijan

Ambassador: “Macedonia has no diplomatic relations with Armenia”

Baku. Anakhanim Hidayatova-APA. Azerbaijan’s Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary to Turkey Faig Bagirov met with Macedonia’s
ambassador to Turkey and Azerbaijan Guran Toskovski. Reports that
Macedonia is going to recognize the so-called “Nagorno Karabakh
Republic” established by the Armenian separatists in the occupied
Azerbaijani territories were discussed at the meeting. Spokesman
for Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elman Abdullayev told APA that
Macedonia’s Ambassador Guran Toskovski refuted the reports and said
Macedonia supports just position of Azerbaijan on Nagorno Karabakh
conflict, recognizes Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial
integrity. Ambassador also said that Macedonia has no diplomatic
relations with Armenia.

Armenian media had reported that Armenian newly-appointed “honorary
consul” to Macedonia Araik Sargsyan raised issue on recognition of
the so-called “Nagorno Karabakh Republic” by Macedonia.

TOP OFFICIAL: AZERBAIJAN TO TAKE MORE DRASTIC MEASURES TOWARDS ARMENIA, IF NECESSARY

Trend
Nov 6 2012
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan will take more drastic measures toward Armenia if necessary,
Head of Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Social and Political
Department Ali Hasanov told the media today.

Hasanov was commenting on Baku’s planned actions in response to
Armenia’s threats to shoot down the aircrafts flying to Azerbaijan
from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

“The Azerbaijani government is taking all necessary measures in this
regard and conducting the necessary work,” he said.

Hasanov underscored that the separatist regime is being supported
today by Armenia and its leadership.

“Restoring the former Khojaly airport, organizing the flights by the
separatist regime, receiving and sending aircrafts in Azerbaijan’s
sovereign territory are illegal without the settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh issue and Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict,” he said.

“This counteracts the international laws and all aspects of interstate
relations,” he said. “Therefore, Azerbaijan will take the necessary
measures. We think that we will be able to stop this.”

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.

INTERVIEW: TIGRAN: THE BRIGHT NEW ARMENIAN PIANO STAR OPENS THE LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL

The Arts Desk
Nov 6 2012

Tigran Hamasyan is a brilliant jazz pianist who is clearly on the
rise – for one thing, like many a star before him, he has dropped
his surname, and is now, according to his latest record The Fable,
simply Tigran. When I meet him in London, he tells me one reason he
became addicted to the acoustic piano as a child was that there were so
many blackouts in his native Gyumri in Armenia, and it was something
he could play by candlelight. When he was 18 months old, in December
1988, there was a terrible earthquake in the region. When the Soviet
Union collapsed the next year, Armenia went to war with neighbouring
Azerbaijan over disputed territory and there was a blockade.

Tigran’s parents – his father was a jeweller and his mother a clothing
designer – would queue at five in the morning for hours for bread of
dubious quality. “When the electricity came on, my sister would start
crying as it was so unusual,” he recalls. The first music he fell in
love with in the middle of this post-apocalyptic atmosphere was heavy
metal, and he says he still loves Meshuggar, the Swedish Death Metal
band (authors of “the heaviest songs ever written – rhythmically,
it’s insane”) as much as Ravel or Thelonious Monk.

He was enrolled at a classical school aged five. “For years it was
just a chore. My mum made me practise, but as soon she turned away
I started improvising and coming up with cheesy songs.” While most
classical musicians don’t improvise “it was my thing, I didn’t even
know what jazz was. For me improvising is the deepest music, it’s where
everything starts.” In his teens, a jazz-loving uncle introduced him
to pianists like Fats Waller. Tigran has a hand-span which reaches
from C to the E flat an octave-and-a-bit above, which makes it that
much easier to play the minor, melancholy chords that infuse his music.

When he was 16, his parents moved to Los Angeles to give their two
children (Tigran’s sister is a painter and sculptor) better artistic
opportunities. Tigran began to win a series of piano competitions
and met saxophonist Ben Wendell and drummer Nate Wood, who still play
with him today.

The other reason you can tell Tigran is on a vertiginous ascent is
that fellow jazz pianists like Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea and Brad
Mehldau have all raved about him, and he recently made his TV debut
on Later With Jools (when was the last time you saw solo jazz piano
on that programme?) He was even played on theartsdesk radio show.

His last album The Fable (see video, next page), is mainly solo piano,
with snatches of singing and humming, and is an immensely poised
masterwork with sparkling melodies, veering between introspective
romanticism and expansive virtuosity. Of all his albums, this one
has the most of his native Armenian influence. There’s a take of
the standard “Someday My Prince Will Come” and an Armenian medieval
hymn, with most of the rest being new compositions, improvising
around Armenian scales, which gives the whole a certain mysterious
East-West quality.

Geoff Dyer in his jazz book But Beautiful suggests that the future of
jazz will come from such fusions of culture, and this is an exemplary
specimen. One of the most enigmatically beautiful tracks is “The
Spinner”, a hauntingly melodic composition by the mystic (and conman,
depending on your point of view) George Gurdjieff arranged by Thomas
de Hartmann (see video, next page). Gurdjieff, the author of Meetings
With Remarkable Men, would hum his tunes to the pianist Hartmann;
for Tigran it is “absolutely timeless, incredible music.” Tigran
says he believes in God, and like his musical “gods” Herbie Hancock
and Wayne Shorter is also interested in Buddhism. Of his spiritual
search he says “Every time I think about it I realise I know nothing.”

Now he is becoming an international star, he is feted back in Armenia,
but is depressed by the Armenian pop music – “Some of the songs
include Armenian instruments, but it’s really rubbish.” He does rate
the other best known musician in Armenia, Djivan Gasparian (who plays
the oboe-like duduk), who he says has “bardic” qualities.

MIKHNEVICH: BELARUS READY TO LEASE AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT TO ARMENIA

News of Belarus
Nov 6 2012

MINSK, 6 November (BelTA) – Belarus and Armenia are set to step up
their trade and economic cooperation, First Deputy Foreign Minister of
Belarus Alexander Mikhnevich told media after the Belarusian-Armenian
ministerial consultations on 6 November.

“The participants of the ministerial consultations and the recent
meeting of the Belarus-Armenia intergovernmental commission for trade
and economic cooperation agreed that the present level of mutual trade
does not correspond to the potential the two countries have. We have
identified the ways to intensify the bilateral trade. Among them are
supplies of Belarusian agricultural equipment under leasing terms,
cooperation in the innovation area and possible opening of assembling
plants in Armenia. We also welcome Armenian products on the Belarusian
market. Belarus and Armenia will be complementary in trade,” Alexander
Mikhnevich said.

He praised the two-year operation of the Belarusian Trading House
in Armenia, noting that it is some sort of a driving force for
implementation of the most promising ideas in the trade and economic
cooperation.

Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan stated that the ministerial
consultations “demonstrated the mutual interest in stepping up
all-round relations.” “I would like to emphasize a high level of the
political dialogue between Belarus and Armenia. We are both interested
in strengthening economic and interregional cooperation,” he said.