Author: Badalian Vardan

FRENCH ENVOY WELCOMES EU~RS NOBEL PEACE PRIZE

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 30, 2012 – 16:24 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – French ambassador to Armenia Henri Reynaud met
October 30 with Yerevan State University (YSU) international relations
faculty students.

“You gain practical knowledge from meetings with an envoy, who
represents a friendly state,” YSU rector Aram Simonyan said.

Ambassador Reynaud briefed the students on the EU’s Nobel Peace Prize
and the reactions to it. “Many deemed the prize improper, while I
wonder why it took so long to take the decision,” the envoy said.

NEW CANCER-TREATMENT CENTER TO BE BUILT IN ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 30, 2012 – 16:47 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – According to the data provided by Armenian Ministry
of Healthcare, about 2700 people annually suffer disability problems
due to malignant tumors, with the economic damage inflicted exceeding
AMD 75 mln.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan attended today, October 30 the
groundbreaking ceremony for the Armenian Centre of Excellence in
Oncology. The Center will be specialized in radioisotope production,
radiological and laboratory diagnosis, as well as cancer surgeries.

The center will be built by the joint efforts of National
Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia, RA Ministries of Economy
and Healthcare.

Euro 5 mln worth Armenian-Belgian agreement envisages purchase of
a cyclotron C18/18, nuclear pharmacy laboratory and facilities for
radiological diagnosis.

“The center will offer an unprecedented format in the region. The
state, the private sector and international organizations are involved
in USD 30-60 million worth project. This will enable to export the
services, which will play a significant role in the country’s economy,”
Armenian Economy Minister Tigran Davtyan said.

ARMENIA’S SHADOW ECONOMY IS 44.6% – OPPOSITION MP

news.am
October 30, 2012 | 14:45

YEREVAN. – The shadow economy in Armenia is 44.6 percent, opposition
Armenian National Congress MP and former PM Hrant Bagratyan stated
Tuesday at the National Assembly basing himself on the data by Amnesty
International human rights NGO.

In addition, as per Bagratyan, in the case when Armenia was ranked
110th from among 138 countries five years ago, in terms of the level
of shadow economy, now, the country is ranked 129th. And as proof of
Armenia’s growing shadow economy, the MP also pointed to the reduction
in the ratio between state income and GDP.

In response, Finance Minister Vache Gabrielyan noted that, owing to
the changes in tax legislation and the administrative measures being
taken, the state budget revenues cannot drop and added that the tax
revenue’s share in GDP has increased.

And with respect to Amnesty International’s assessment, Gabrielyan
joked that shadow economy evaluations cannot have a decimal-degree
of accuracy.

ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN RENEW TALKS COMMITMENT

United Press International UPI
Oct 30 2012

PARIS, Oct. 30 (UPI) — The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan
over the weekend recommitted themselves to finding a peaceful solution
to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Armenian
counterpart Edward Nalbandian met Saturday in Paris with leaders of
the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Minsk Group,
which is mediating the conflict.

After the meeting, the parties issued a statement in which the foreign
ministers “reiterated their determination to continue working with
the co-chairs to reach a peaceful settlement” in the wake of a furor
this summer over the pardon of an Azeri soldier convicting of killing
an Armenian counterpart eight years ago in Hungary.

The OSCE co-chairmen — including Ambassadors Robert Bradtke of the
United States, Igor Popov of Russia and Jacques Faure of France —
“stressed to the ministers the importance of reducing tensions among
the parties,” the statement said, adding, “They presented their ideas
on a working proposal to advance the peace process.”

The Minsk Group leaders also put a focus on an upcoming visit to region
in which they are to meet with the two countries’ leaders next month,
saying the “working proposal” would be discussed further then.

The Paris meeting represented an attempt to bridge a vacuum in
the talks that has developed following Baku’s August pardoning of
Azerbaijani military officer Ramil Safarov, who had been convicted
of killing of Armenian serviceman Gurgen Markaryan in Hungary eight
years ago.

The Azeri courts issued a pardon for Safarov after he was extradited
from Hungary, where he had been sentenced to life in prison. He was
greeted by Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev as a national hero and
promoted to major after the extradition.

That move upset Armenia and brought condemnation from the United
Nations. Rupert Colville, a spokesman for the U.N. High Commissioner
for Human Rights, said in September Safarov’s attack on Markaryan
was clearly ethnically motivated.

“International standards regarding accountability for serious crimes
should be upheld,” he said. “Ethnically motivated hate crimes of
this gravity should be deplored and properly punished, not publicly
glorified by leaders and politicians.”

Since then, the Minsk Group mediators have been trying to get the two
sides to re-commit to the peace process and to set up next month’s
meeting, which is likely to involve the presidents Aliyev and Serzh
Sarkisyan of Armenia.

Karen Bekaryan, head of the Armenian non-governmental organization
European Integration, told the English-language news website
Panorama.am last week the Safarov episode has changed Armenia’s
approach to the talks.

“After the extradition and pardon of Ramil Safarov, we have a different
situation. Armenia did not abandon the talks, but we now have much
to say,” he said.

“I think before making the Safarov deal, Azerbaijan discussed the
possible consequences (of) thinking that Armenia would quit the talks,
(which is just what Azerbaijan wants), the Minsk Group format would
change, the negotiations would be transferred to another platform
and Azerbaijan could accuse Armenia of foiling the negotiations,”
Bekaryan said.

Armenia went to war with Azerbaijan over the disputed, Armenian
majority territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in 1988, and since fighting
stopped four years later have occupied the region, which Azerbaijan
claims as 20 percent of its nation.

Tensions rekindled in June when fighting broke out between Azeri and
Armenian forces over the region.

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen in September visited
Armenia for the first time, calling on both sides to break down
barriers that interfere with reconciliation.

“There must be no return to conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan,”
he said. “Tensions must be reduced and concrete steps must be taken
to promote regional cooperation and reconciliation.”

ARMENIAN WOMEN TURN TO ULCER MEDICATION FOR DO-IT-YOURSELF ABORTIONS
by Marianna Grigoryan

EurasiaNet.org
Oct 30 2012
NY

In the past, to get rid of unwanted pregnancies, Armenian women
used to jump off wardrobes, insert pipes into their uteruses or
drink various “potions.” Now, they often just purchase Cytotec, a
preventive medication for stomach ulcers that can induce abortions,
and try to carry out the procedure themselves at home.

Women’s healthcare specialists believe that a 16-percentage-point
decline in clinical abortions in Armenia since 2007 is linked to women
using Cytotec for such “do-it-yourself” abortions rather than having
a surgical procedure in a hospital.

A 2010 survey by the Armenian Ministry of Health and National
Statistical Service of 5,922 women between the ages of 16 and 40
years old found that 29 percent of the respondents’ pregnancies for
the past five years had ended in a hospital abortion.

By comparison, in 2005, 45 percent of the respondents’ reported
pregnancies were terminated this way.

But no corresponding increase in the birth rate, sterility rate or
use of contraception was reported.

“So, where are these ‘no-abortions’? Either people no longer are
having sex or these [abortions] are not being registered,” commented
Garik Hayrapetian, an assistant representative at the Armenian office
of the United Nations Population Fund. “The reason perhaps lies in
pill abortions.”

“Pill abortions,” as they are called, refer to abortions induced by
Cytotec, a product of the American pharmaceutical company Pfizer,
which, when misused, can cause uterine contractions, bleeding
and miscarriage in pregnant women. In the United States, Cytotec
is available only by prescription; a contraindication exists for
pregnant women.

Armenia, however, has no such restrictions; 200-microgram tablets
of Cytotec have been sold over the counter in pharmacies since
2007, several Yerevan pharmacies told this reporter as part of an
investigation for MediaLab.am funded by SCOOP, an international
network of investigative journalists.* (Official records indicate
imports began in late 2009, however.)

The period largely coincides with the time frame for the
16-percentage-point decrease in registered abortions reported by
the government.

One obstetrician-gynecologist at the medical center in Vanadzor,
the country’s third-largest city, said that most cases of “extreme
bleeding” that she sees are related to an attempt to abort a fetus
at home.

“In very rare cases, home interventions with the use of drugs or other
methods have a lucky ending,” said Dr. Nelly Mirzoian. “Usually,
we have women bleeding with an incomplete abortion, in a dangerous
situation.”

Doctors in Yerevan hospitals echoed that finding. “Cytotec is a
strong medication, but [women], being poorly aware of this, just
take the pills …That’s why we’ve had several fatal cases,” said
obstetrician-gynecologist Arpine Soghoian, head of pre-natal medicine
at Yerevan’s Kanaker-Zeytun medical center. “Women are routinely
brought into hospitals with internal bleeding, and we try hard to
save their lives.”

Often, said the Ministry of Health’s chief obstetrician-gynecologist,
Razmik Abrahamian, women rely on the advice of their neighbors about
using Cytotec and, pressed for cash, do not consult a doctor. “In this
case, complications may arise; a hemorrhage can take place. Anything
can happen.”

No official data exists on the number of Cytotec-related fatalities
nationwide. In 2007, the medication was cited as the cause of death
for 37-year-old Armine Danielian, a Yerevan resident who took a
Cytotec pill to terminate a pregnancy.

Little indication exists that such risks have decreased demand for
Cytotec. According to data from the Ministry of Health, the amount of
Cytotec imported into Armenia increased by more than 10 times between
2010 and 2011, to 26,655 packs of 200 micrograms.

Fifteen pharmacies in Yerevan and 10 regional pharmacies told MediaLab
that most purchasers of Cytotec tend to be women between the ages of
16 and 40.

Those who have used Cytotec to induce abortions often cite financial
constraints as the cause.

Surgical abortions tend to cost, on average, 15,000 to 20,000 drams
($35 – $50) in hospitals; Cytotec pills cost 180-200 drams (40-50
cents) per 200-microgram pill. In a country where monthly incomes
may be as little as $440, that difference, for many, is substantial.

Other women who have used the pill cite a desire to avoid the strong
social stigma that exists in Armenia’s traditional culture against
women who have children out of wedlock.

A 20-year-old woman from one small town told EurasiaNet.org a friend
had advised her to use Cytotec at home to end a pregnancy from an
extramarital relationship. An emergency-room hysterectomy was required
to stop the bleeding that resulted and to save the woman’s life.

The whole town became aware of her situation, said the woman, who
requested anonymity, who described her future, now that she is unable
to bear children, as “ruined.”

For ways to end such abuse of Cytotec, most specialists look to the
government. They cite the need for a formal study into home abortions,
and call for a requirement that the medication be available by
prescription only and that abortions take place only in hospitals.

Said Chief Obstetrician-Gynecologist Abrahamian, “There must be
control over this . . .”

*The Open Society Foundation is among the organizations which have
provided financial assistance to SCOOP. EurasiaNet.org is operated
under the auspices of the Open Society Foundation’s Central Eurasia
Project.

Editor’s note: Marianna Grigoryan is a freelance reporter in Yerevan
and the editor of MediaLab.am.

THIEF STEALS TWO SILVER CHALICES FROM WATERTOWN’S ST. JAMES ARMENIAN CHURCH
By Charlie Breitrose

Patch.com
Oct 30 2012

Someone went into the church and took the cups from behind the altar.

A thief went into St. James Armenian Church in Watertown and stole
two silver chalices that were kept behind the church altar.

Workers at the church on Mt. Auburn Street discovered on Oct. 22 that
the two cups, valued at $1,500 each, had been taken, said Watertown
Police Lt. Michael Lawn.

Exactly when the chalices were stolen is not clear. Lawn said the
church staff believes they were taken sometime between Oct. 14 and
Oct. 20.

Police are investigating.

AUSTRALIAN STATE RECOGNIZED NAGORNO-KARABAKH
by Yuri Roks

WPS Agency
October 29, 2012 Monday
Russia

Source: Nezavisimaya Gazeta, No 226, October 29, 2012, p. 1 [Translated
from Russian]

FOREIGN MINISTERS OF AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA DISCUSSED KARABAKH CONFLICT
SETTLEMENT; An update on the situation with Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
settlement.

Foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia discussed Karabakh conflict
settlement in the presence of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen. The
negotiations took place in Paris. The council of New South Wales,
Australia’s largest state, recognized sovereignty of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Official Baku responded to the news from Sidney, the capital of
New South Wales, with undisguised irritation. “As always, it is
wishful thinking on Armenia’s part. Armenia misinterpreted personal
opinions of a couple of council members as official recognition of
Nagorno-Karabakh,” said Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Elman
Abdullayev.

According to Abdullayev, Australia stands for territorial integrity
of Azerbaijan which it confirmed on many occasions. “Even so, we
asked for an explanation,” he said.

Azerbaijani experts declined comment, preferring to listen to what
Canberra had to say first. “Whatever their answer, there will be
neither anything good nor anything catastrophic in it for Baku,”
one of them said.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandjan learned of this latest
development on a visit to Costa Rica. Nalbandjan said, “The more
Azerbaijan resists efforts made by OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen, the
more decisions will be made like the one made in Australia… These
decisions will eventually pave the way for official recognition of
Nagorno-Karabakh by the international community.”

The upper house of the parliament of the New South Wales in the
meantime appealed to the Australian authorities to recognize
Nagorno-Karabakh.

“Recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh as a sovereign state by the parliament
of New South Wales is an important event… It is a corollary of the
energetic policy of Armenia striving for recognition of Karabakh by
the international community… I read in newspapers that Uruguay is
about to recognize Nagorno-Karabakh too,” said Eduard Sharmazanov,
Deputy Chairman of the Armenian parliament.

David Babajan, Chief of the Nagorno-Karabakh Main Directorate of
Information commented, “Recognition of Karabakh by the Australian
state is a considerable political and moral accomplishment. New South
Wales is the best advanced and most populous state of Australia. I
hope that it will launch a series of analogous decisions made by
other foreign countries.”

Armenian newspaper Graparak wrote, “According to interim reports,
chairman of the parliament of Uruguay will make an official visit to
Armenia in late November. He will visit Karabakh after that.” The
newspaper pointed out as well that Uruguay was the first foreign
country that acknowledged the genocide of the Armenians.

AR-BE ARMENIAN-BYELORUSSIAN TRADE HOUSE TO BUILD A TRADE NETWORK IN YEREVAN

arminfo
Monday, October 29, 16:19

Ar-Be Armenian-Byelorussian Trade House is planning to build a trade
network covering all communities of Yerevan, Deputy Director of the
Trade House Vladimir Narkevich said in an interview to ArmInfo.

Narkevich said that today Ar-Be sells 12,000 items against just 2,300
ones when first opened on Sept 30 2010. In the first year the sales
totaled $9mln.

“This index has not grown much since then because of the crisis but
now that the Armenian economy is recovering, it will certainly grow,”
Narkevich said.

He said that Ar-Be’s key goal is to familiarize Armenian consumers
with Byelorussian products and stimulate Armenian-Byelorussian trade.

Ar-Be is the exclusive representative of 56 Byelorussian companies
in Armenia and cooperates with a total of 150 Byelorussian producers.

“The greater part of the sales is items produced by Belmash, but we
can also import alcohol, confectionary, cosmetics, domestic appliances,
light industry products, carpets,” Narkevich said.

The founders of Ar-Be are Multi Group (Armenia) and four companies
of Belogospischeprom Concern.

According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia, in Jan-Aug
2012 Armenian exports to Belarus totaled $3.8mln (56.5% more than in
Jan-Aug 2011), Byelorussian imports into Armenia $23.8mln (27.4% more).

WE SHOULD BACK UP AUSTRALIAN STATE’S RESOLUTION
Vahan Avetisyan

Monday, 29 October 2012, 13:25

Several days ago one of the biggest states of Australia, New South
Wales, recognized the independence of Artsakh. This is not the first
case. Two U.S.states, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, have called
Washington to recognize the independence of Karabakh.

There are more than enough grounds in the American legislative bodies
to pass pro-Armenian resolutions – big Armenian community, traditional
and influential Armenian lobby, independence of government bodies
from the central government. Without underestimating the resolutions
on Artsakh adopted by the American states, we should note that it
is the resolution adopted by Australia to mark the beginning of
the international process of recognition of Artsakh. Australia has
always been reserved in regard to issues which have nothing in common
with its interests. This may be a positive signal to those countries
which at least minimally depend on Azerbaijan’s oil and want to have
a precedent to justify their decision to recognize Artsakh.

All this will come. As of now, I think the main task of the Armenian
authorities should be to defend the resolution of the Australian
state and to develop that success implementing relevant steps.

The first step should be the embassy of Armenia in Australia.

We witnessed in some situations how our enemies used our
self-confidence and non consistent behavior after our successes. It
happened after Safarov’s case. We can still remember our enthusiasm
after Hungary had sentenced the Azerbaijani killer for life and the
court rejected Baku’s motion to extradite him. Now, remember what
happened 8 years later when we failed because Azerbaijan set up the
embassy in Hungary and worked actively against the sentence.

Today, official Baku made a query with the authorities of Australia.

Official Canberra may answer that the steps of one of its state
do not express the official stance of the country but I’m sure the
Azerbaijani-Australian “correspondence” won’t end so easily.

Azerbaijan will possibly set up an embassy in Canberra in order
to work with other states of Australia to make sure they pass
counter-resolutions to prevent the tendency.

How about us? We should be ready for everything, we should at least
be prepared to preserve what we have already achieved and to create
a favorable atmosphere to create a precedent in other states.

Influential representation is necessary not only through community
but also embassy’s formal work.

PROSPEROUS ARMENIA HAS CONFLICTS WITH REPUBLICAN – ANALYST

TERT.AM
29.10.12

Director of the Regional Studies Center Richard Giragosian thinks
the Prosperous Armenia party has serious conflicts with its former
coalition partner, the Republican Party of Armenia.

At a news conference on Monday, the expert said the existing conflicts
could lead to serious challenges ahead of the presidential elections.

According to him, a possible decision by the PAP not to nominate
a candidate would prove that the criminal case against ex-Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian (who is now a member of the PAP) is a real
cause of the disagreements.

Giragosyan said the presidential campaign is more like a political
hobby, with President Seerzh Sargsyan facing the likelihood of
re-election. As for relationship between Armenian National Congress
(ANC) and the Prosperous Armenia party, Giragosyan noted that the two
forces are unlikely to create an alliance as they both have powerful
representatives and show obvious signs of dislike for one another.