Author: Badalian Vardan

AUSTRALIA’S NEW SOUTH WALES RECOGNIZES KARABAKH INDEPENDENCE

asbarez
Thursday, October 25th, 2012

New South Wales parliament

SYDNEY-The Legislative Council of the New South Wales Parliament
adopted a resolution recognizing the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh and
the right to self-determination of its Armenian people, who declared
independence 20 years ago.

The motion, which was unanimously adopted on Thursday 25th October,
comes after many months of advocacy from the Armenian National
Committee of Australia (ANC Australia). It was introduced to the
Chamber by the Hon. Marie Ficarra MLC, who was been a long-standing
supporter of Armenian issues.

The motion acknowledges the 20th anniversary of independence
for the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, it supports the right to
self-determination of its people, and it “calls on the Commonwealth
Government [of Australia] to officially recognize the independence
of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh and strengthen Australia’s
relationship with the Nagorno Karabakh and its citizens”.

ANC Australia Executive Director Vache Kahramanian and with
Communications Director Haig Kayserian were present in the Gallery
to witness the successful passage of this historic motion.

“Nagorno Karabakh has been at the forefront of ANC Australia’s recent
activities. Today’s result is a victory for all those who continue
to remain oppressed under brutal regimes,” Kahramanian remarked.

“The NSW Parliament has always been, and continues to be, a beacon
of hope in upholding human rights. We thank all members of the
Legislative Council for taking a stance to uphold the basic human
right to self-determination. In particular we thank Marie Ficarra
for her courageous stance.”

ANC Australia Honorary Chairman, Greg Soghomonian welcomed this
historic decision.

Soghomonian said: “The Republic of Nagorno Karabakh is now receiving
the status it has long deserved – an independent, democratic republic.

This is a significant milestone for the Armenian-Australian community
and the Armenian community at large.

He added: “This motion serves as a testament to the strength of the
Armenian National Committee of Australia in ensuring the representation
of all issues of importance to our community.”

The full text of the motion can be read below.

1. That this House notes that 2012 marks the twentieth anniversary
of the declaration of independence of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.

2. That this House:

(a) acknowledges the importance of the basic human right to
self-determination and a free and a democratic society,

(b) recognizes the right to self-determination of all peoples including
those of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh,

(c) notes Nagorno-Karabakh’s sustained efforts towards creating a free
and democratic society through the use of legitimate parliamentary
elections and its continued efforts to develop a responsible
government,

(d) supports and encourages Nagorno-Karabakh’s involvement within
the international community and further encourages its engagement
with the international community to reach a solution to the existing
regional problems to establish peace and stability,

(e) encourages peaceful relations and the continued promotion of
humanitarian and economic support for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh;
and

(f) calls on the Commonwealth Government to officially recognise
the independence of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh and strengthen
Australia’s relationship with the Nagorno-Karabakh and its citizens.

HAYASTAN ALL-ARMENIA FUND LAUNCHES 15TH INTERNATIONAL TELETHON CAMPAIGN

armradio.am
12:06 25.10.2012

Wednesday, October 10, 2012 marked the launch of Hayastan All-Armenia
Fund’s 15th International campaign.

The live 12 hour program is set to air on Thanksgiving Day, November
22, 2012 and will raise funds for the construction of Multifunctional
Community Centers in the remote villages of Armenia and Artsakh.

The community centers will house first aid clinics with an ambulance,
computer rooms connected to the internet, an auditorium for trainings
and town hall meetings, a library with audio visual equipment, as
well as an administrative and accounting office. The dinner reception,
hosted at the House of Armenia in Glendale, attracted long time donors
and supporters of the Fund.

The event has become a tradition where the official logo of the
telethon is unveiled, kicking off the campaign and rallying the
greater Armenian-American community around one mission: to help
strengthen Armenia.

The honor of unveiling the official Telethon 2012 Logo, designed by
Los Angeles based graphic artist Edik Balaian, was given to Mr. Ara
Vardanyan, Executive Director of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund and Mr.

Ara Aghishian, Esq., Chairman of Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region.

Present at the event was the Honorable Grigor Hovhanissian, Consul
General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles, Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy, Archbishop
Vatche Hovsepian, former Primate of the Western Diocese of the
Armenian Church, as well as the leadership of major Armenian-American
organizations, who are also members of the Armenia

IRAN’S SUPREME LEADER ACCUSES U.S., ISRAEL OF DIVIDING MUSLIMS

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 25, 2012 – 16:01 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Iran’s most powerful authority, Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei, on Thursday, Oct 25, accused the United States and Israel
of fomenting divisions among Muslims to undermine “Islamic uprisings”
across the Middle East, Reuters reported.

“By exploiting inattention … corrupt American, NATO and Zionist
agents are trying to divert the deluge-like movement of Muslim youth
and bring them into confrontation with one another in the name of
Islam,” he said in an annual message to Iranians who have gone to
Saudi Arabia for the haj pilgrimage.

“They are trying to turn the jihad against colonialism and Zionism
into blind terrorism in the streets … so that Muslims shed each
other’s blood.”

Officials in Shi’ite Muslim Iran often describe the “Arab Spring”
uprisings as an “Islamic Awakening”.

Some of those uprisings have brought Islamists to power, while others,
notably in Syria and Bahrain, have pitted Sunnis against Shi’ites or
Alawites, members of an offshoot of Shi’ite Islam. Iran has aligned
itself with its regional ally Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and
Lebanon’s Shi’ite Hezbollah movement in what it calls an “axis of
resistance” against Israel. At the same time it denies accusations
from Sunni-ruled Gulf monarchies that it is encouraging Shi’ite
uprisings in their countries.

“The aggressive and interventionist arrogant powers are making every
effort to divert the course of these significant Islamic movements,”
Khamenei said, according to Iranian state television, urging Muslims
to show solidarity.

He reiterated Iran’s opposition to outside intervention in Syria,
saying only Syrians could decide their own future, and said other
unspecified nations could also be engulfed by Syria’s turmoil.

On Wednesday, international mediator Lakhdar Brahimi said both
the Syrian government and most opposition groups had agreed to the
principle of a ceasefire during the three-day Muslim Eid al-Adha
holiday, which starts on Friday.

IRAN, ARMENIA SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 25, 2012 – 18:16 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Yerevan hosted the 11th sitting of Armenian-Iranian
intergovernmental committee on October 23 through 25.

To attend the sitting, Iranian delegation of high-ranking officials
and experts led by Energy Minister Majid Namjoo arrived in the
Armenian capital.

At the sitting, the parties discussed trade and economic ties, issues
related to the sectors of energy, transport, communication, ecology,
healthcare and agriculture.

At the event, Yerevan and Tehran agreed to hold discussions on
construction of Iran-Armenia railway. A memorandum of understanding
was signed in after the completion of the sitting.

As Mr. Namjoo further stressed, both Iranian and Armenian sides
believe the railways construction to be if key importance.

EXPERT HAILS CZECH PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE’S RESOLUTION ON SAFAROV RELEASE

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 25, 2012 – 17:26 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Czech Parliamentary Committee’s reaction to
extradition and release of Azeri axe-murderer Ramil Safarov is typical
for European countries, a political analyst believes.

On October 23, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and
Security of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic
issued a resolution expressing deep concern over release of Azeri
criminal Ramil Safarov convicted by a court of an EU member state
over axe-killing an Armenian officer.

“Hungarian people, as well, showed an adequate response, with all
the protest rallies and petitions against the country’s leadership
proving the fact. It’s hard to say though, whether other European
countries will follow the Czech Republic’s suit in issuing a similar
resolution,” Alexander Iskandaryan said.

The expert, however, was skeptical over progress in Karabakh conflict
settlement during Armenian and Azeri Foreign Ministers’ meeting in
Paris. “Safarov case is just another reason to see who we’re dealing
with,” the expert stressed.

NEW MAJOR OF GYUMRI MADE A SCANDALOUS DISCLOSURE ON THE HUGE DEBT ACCUMULATED BY VARDAN GHUKASYAN

ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 25, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 25, ARMENPRESS: The former administration of Gyumri
Municipality has spent the sum of money which was supposed for the
state apparatus expenses in 9 months instead of a 1 year. Not only
the sum has been spent but a huge debt has been accumulated, about
827 million AMD only for utility services. Armenpress reports that
this was declared by the newly elected Gyumri Major Samvel Balasanyan
during the extraordinary meeting on October 25.

Samvel Balasanyan also noted that he was not going to step into
someone else’s so-called “swamp” and the issue had to be discussed
and solved with the help of newly elected council which would take
the power on November 12.

“There are debts for gas, electricity, “ArmenTel”, salaries,
advertising, publication and a list of constructing companies. I am
very surprised with the salary debts, 209 million AMD for August and
September. With such utility debts Municipality wouldn’t be able to
breath. There are even some organizations which threated with going
to the court” said Samvel Balasanyan.

The newly elected Major of Gyumri assured that in order to cut the
expenses he was willing to refuse the bodyguard service.

TIGRAN SARGSYAN: DEVELOPMENT OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND COMMUNICATION AMONG GOVERNMENT PRIORITIES

armradio.am
15:30 26.10.2012

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan participated in the opening of the
conference titled “Money Transfers in the CIS: New perspectives of
development, new trends and technologies.”

Greeting the participants on behalf of the Armenian Government, the
Prime Minister said: “Two third of our nation lives abroad, which
means that money transfers are of great importance to us. We have
to look into future, trying to reveal all possible challenges and
risks of the sphere. The conference is of great importance from this
viewpoint, as your experience and knowledge will allow to determine
the primary directions of development of money transfers.”

According to the Prime Minister, today’s scientific-technical
developments – new technologies, electronic systems – are linked
to this sphere. Therefore, the Armenian Government attaches great
importance to the development of information systems in the country,
and the development of communication, in general.

“We have registered serious progress in the sphere over the past
years and we are the leader in the region with regard to the number
of Internet users, the price of Internet and Internet coverage in
the republic. We’ll implement new reforms in the future that will
have a serious influence on the development of money transfers,”
the Prime Minister stated.

Speaking about the banking sector of Armenia, Tigran Sargsyan said:
“Armenia has a strong banking system. Unlike other CIS countries,
the first wave of the financial-economic crisis did not affect our
banking sector.”

The conference has brought together heads of largest banks from the
Russian Federation, CIS, Georgia, Baltic States, representatives of
international organizations, banking associations and payment systems.

MULTI-STORY BUILDINGS CANNOT BE BUILT IN THE PARK

02:17 pm | Today | Social

Why did a semi-built building collapse in Yerevan center and can a
similar building be erected in a central park?

“We have repeatedly said that multi-story reinforced concrete buildings
are forbidden to be constructed in Oghakadzev (Circular) Park which
is overladen with parks. Today we are witnessing that these cafes
are turning into huge, multi-story buildings,” said Mkrtich Minasyan,
President of the Union of Architects.

The architect does not exclude that the building may have collapsed
because of technical shortcomings.

“A commission has been set up to investigate the collapse,” he added.

A semi-built building collapsed in Khanjyan Str. in Yerevan at around
1:10 pm, Oct. 25, injuring at least 11 people. Eight of the injured
were hospitalized immediately after the collapse.

For more details visit here

HRAPARAK: URUGUAY TO RECOGNIZE ARTSAKH BY LATE NOVEMBER

tert.am
26.10.12

The paper says it has learned from “well-informed sources” that Uruguay
is going to be the next after Australia’s New South Wales to recognize
the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh’s (Artsakh).

Uruguay has been long willing to make the step, but the superpowers
(Russia, and partially the US) hampered its efforts, consideringthe
measure quite early. The paper notes that the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation-Dashnaksutyun, which stands close to the problem’s sources
as a pan-Armenian organization, recently addressed such possibility.

According to the paper, the Australian state’s move marks only the
beginning of that step-by-step technology which previously applied
to the Armenian Genocide recognition efforts. Uruguay’s parliament
speaker is reportedly set to visit Armenia in late November to reach
a final agreement over the issue, and later travel to Nagorno-Karabakh.

L’ARMENIE ET LES ETATS-UNIS COOPERENT DANS LE DOMAINE ENERGETIQUE
Stephane

armenews.com
vendredi 26 octobre 2012

L’ensemble de la presse rend compte de la session du groupe de
travail armeno-americain de cooperation economique a l’occasion de
laquelle l’adjoint au sous-secretaire d’Etat americain, Eric Rubin,
s’est rendu a Erevan. Sous sa presidence et celle du Ministre armenien
des Finances, les deux parties se sont penchees sur les perspectives
de renforcement des echanges commerciaux et de la facilitation
des investissements americains dans l’economie armenienne. A
l’issue de la session, un memorandum de cooperation dans le secteur
energetique a ete signe entre les Gouvernements des deux pays. Lors
d’une conference de presse, le Ministre armenien de l’Energie, Armen
Movsissian, a indique que le Gouvernement armenien a pris la decision
de prolonger l’exploitation de la centrale nucleaire de Medzamor de
10 ans (sa fermeture etait prevue en 2016), compte tenu du fait que
la construction d’un nouveau bloc prendrait environ autant de temps.

Selon l’Ambassadeur americain, John Heffern, la partie americaine
souhaiterait voir la centrale de Medzamor arretee en 2016, mais si sa
duree de vie est prolongee, elle est prete a fournir les ressources
necessaires pour maintenir son fonctionnement en toute securite.

Jamanak qualifie de ” sans precedent ” le document signe entre les
Gouvernements d’Armenie et des Etats-Unis en matière de cooperation
energetique, dans la mesure où la Russie a la mainmise sur ce domaine
strategique. Jamanak veut croire que cette cooperation creera une
nouvelle situation non seulement dans les relations bilaterales, mais
aussi dans la conjoncture regionale, l’Armenie obtenant, selon lui,
la possibilite de retrouver une souverainete très endommagee par la
dependance energetique vis-a-vis de la Russie.

Extrait de la revue de presse de l’Ambassade de France en Armenie en
date du 19 octobre 2012