Author: Badalian Vardan

Yerevan Experts Not Opposed to Turning Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Building into Hotel
Narek Aleksanyan

hetq
13:46, October 5, 2012

“Of course a cultural center in [Yerevan’s] Republic Square would be
desirable, but if we [have to] make a choice between a hotel and a
state department, then, without a doubt, it would be better for there
to be a hotel instead of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – on the
condition that the exterior architectural appearance of the building
is preserved,” said Ruben Babayan, the artistic director of the
Yerevan State Puppet Theatre named after Hovhannes Tumanyan, meeting
with journalists today and expressing his views on turning the foreign
ministry building into a hotel.

Recall, according to a government decision Thursday, the No. 2
Goverment Building in the city of Yerevan, which houses the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, was sold to Tango CJSC, which belongs to wealthy
Argentian-Armenian businessman Eduardo Eurnekian. The building, which
reportedly will house a five-star hotel, was sold for the equivalent
of $51 million 271 thousand USD.

Samvel Karapetyan, head of the Yerevan branch of the NGO Research on
Armenian Architecture, is for the most part also not opposed to
another hotel in Yerevan’s central square, citing as an example the
Golden Tulip Hotel, which was sold to Italian entrepreneurs, who,
despite conducting other renovations, didn’t touch the exterior
architectural appearance of the building.

“There’s only one small area of concern,” Karapetyan cautioned. “To
what extent does it define the image of our country, our capital city,
its center if half or even more of the buildings at its heart,
Republic Square, are to be hotels and not centers of culture?”

Babayan added: “I’m happier that a private individual is coming to
take ownership of that building – I no longer trust the state in these
matters. We saw what a state official who had the vote of the people
did with the Pak Shuka [the covered marketplace on Mashtots Ave.
having historical and cultural significance].”

Babayan also noted that in many developed countries, the state
departments located in the city center are removed from there.
Courthouses are turned into theaters; ministry buildings, into
libraries. “Regarding the role of the building, it plays no historical
role as, for example, the White House, and even [Yerevan architect
Alexander] Tamamyan didn’t decide that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
had to be there.”

Armenian Club at Tufts Reinstated

October 5, 2012

By Knar Bedian

The Armenian Club of Tufts University received (re-)recognition from
the Tufts Community Union Judiciary.
After two years of hosting unofficial meetings and events, on Thurs.,
Sept. 27 the Armenian Club of Tufts University finally received
(re-)recognition from the Tufts Community Union Judiciary (TCUJ).
While in the past the Tufts Armenian Club had a strong membership,
over the years its numbers waned, and eventually the club lost
recognition. Determined to make the club official again, I wrote up a
constitution using the knowledge gained from my years in the AYF, and
worked with fellow Tufts student Lisa Setrakian to bring together
Armenians and non-Armenians alike.

Together, Lisa and I attended meetings required for the recognition
process, continued to update our (unofficial) members with upcoming
events in the local community, and met with the Armenian Students’
Associations (ASA) and Armenian Clubs of Boston-area universities to
support each other and plan joint events. Finally, last Thursday
night, with a new constitution and more than the required 15
signatures in hand, Lisa and I attended the final meeting with the
TCUJ. After answering questions and clarifying our purpose and goals,
we anxiously awaited their decision. Our hard work paid off: The
Armenian Club is now an official organization of Tufts University.

We look forward to continuing our collaborations with the ASAs and
Armenian Clubs of the Boston Area, and would like to thank them for
all of their support throughout these past two years.

On Sept. 30, the Tufts Armenian Club took part in the Boston Armenian
Students Reception held by the Boston University ASA. The reception
began with opening remarks from the executive of Boston University’s
Armenian Students’ Association, followed by a presentation by
Professor Payaslian of Boston University. Shortly afterwards, the club
members representing a number of Boston-area colleges, including
Northeastern, Tufts, BU, MIT and MCPHS, discussed goals for the coming
year and planned events for the coming months. Those in attendance
then socialized over food and talked with their fellow members.

Readers interested in joining their respective Armenian Club can
e-mail [email protected].

Knar Bedian is a member of the Chicago `Ararat’ AYF Chapter and a
junior at Tufts University. She is on the AYF Public Relations
Committee and she can be found at most AYF events, taking official
photos for the organization.

WHERE IS PROSPEROUS ARMENIA PARTY LEADER? – NEWSPAPER

news.am
October 04, 2012 | 06:45

YEREVAN. – The Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) is concealing like
state secret the whereabouts of PAP Chairman Gagik Tsarukyan, Hraparak
daily reports.

“Everything is being done so that no one would know where he has
gone when the [National Assembly] NA was discussing the matter of
a potential presidential candidate [that is, former FM and PAP MP
Vartan Oskanian] to be nominated by PAP.

The circles close to Oskanian claim he [Tsarukyan] has gone nowhere,
[that] he is sitting at his home. [But] Those closer to Tsarukyan
say he is not here [in Armenia].

As is known, the PAP leader must make a final decision within this one
week as to the format whereby he will participate in the [forthcoming]
presidential elections, and inform [President] Serzh Sargsyan about
his decision, as they had agreed before leaving.

‘Tsarukyan faces the decision of changing the ‘boss,’ [and] he went to
Ukraine to peacefully contemplate,’ some PAP members quietly informed,”
Hraparak writes.

“GEORGIAN DREAM” SHOULD NOT BECOME “NIGHTMARE” FOR LOCAL ARMENIANS – ANALYST

news.am
October 04, 2012 | 11:54

YEREVAN. – The “Georgian Dream” should not turn into a “Georgian
nightmare” for the Armenians living in Georgia, Regional Studies
Center Director, political analyst Richard Giragosian stated during
a press conference on Thursday.

In his words, 6.5 percent of Georgia’s population is Azerbaijani,
6 percent is Armenian, and, in actual fact, there is always a threat
by people such as billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, who heads the
“Georgian Dream” bloc, and former PM Silvio Berlusconi of Italy.

“These types of men have but one God: money. There is a threat, and
everything will depend on one eccentric person. This also shows that,
unlike Armenia, Georgia is unpredictable,” Giragosian said.

In the analyst’s view, the level of Armenian-Georgian
relations depends on Javakhk’s (Georgian name: Javakheti-is a
predominantly-Armenian-populated part of Georgia’s southeastern
Samtskhe-JavakhetiProvince) status and the situation there. But this
is a test for Georgian democracy, not for Armenia.

“Business in politics brings lot more losses than gains in any
country. This also refers to Armenian politicians who have turned
the parliament into a business club,” he added.

In any case, as per Richard Giragosian, there will be changes in
Georgia.

RUSSIAN PAPER ADDRESSES ARMENIAN PM’S CRITICISM OF MIGRATION PROGRAM

tert.am
04.10.12

The Russian newspaper Vzglyad has addressed Armenian Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan’s Wednesday statement expressing criticism of
the Russian government’s migration program offering jobs to the
Russian-speaking citizens of the former Soviet republics.

Citing the premier, the publication says that the Armenian authorities
were against the proposal from the very outset.

Since its launch in 2006, the program, entitled Compatriots, has
enabled around 1,500 Armenians to move to the Russian Federation.

The Russian publication says it is not the first time the initiative
has come under criticism. A Russian consul in the second largest city
of Gyumri, Vasily Korchmar, had earlier announced plans for suspending
the program permanently.

Russian Ambassador to Armenia Vyacheslav Kovalenko was quoted as
saying last September that no one stands the Armenians in Russia as
some of them seek to cash in on the fact of being immigrants in an
effort to gain political assets.

According to the paper, the Armenians prefer the Kuban province
which has been increasingly populated by Armenian immigrants over
the past years.

Citing bloggers’ reports, it says many of the Armenians settle in the
provinces of Krasnoyarsk, Krasnodar and Stavropol, with the Armenian
restaurants in Sochi being the only ones still operating in the
resort city.

Referring to the Krasnodar governor’s call for halting the Caucasians’
migration, the paper says further that it was particularly intended
for the Armenian and Azerbaijani migrants.

KICKBACKS AT THE EXPENSE OF DISABLED PEOPLE

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 10:22:34 – 04/10/2012

Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Artem Asatryan signed a decision
on dismissing the director of the Medical-Social Inspection Agency
Michael Vanyan. The PM’s Service of Control has identified that
65,000-70,000 people in Armenia undergo a medical-social examination
every year and are asked asked to pay for issuance of disability
status.

“I demand immediate dismissal of the head of the agency and personnel
changes,” the PM stressed.

EGOYAN, TANKIAN, U.S. EMBASSY ON THE CASE AGAINST OSKANIAN

Published: Thursday October 04, 2012

Related Articles
Armenia’s ruling party threatens election rival, independent media outlet

Atom Egoyan
Filmmaker
Member of the Civilitas Foundation Honorary Board
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
October 1, 2012

I have known Vartan Oskanian for many years, and believe that he is a
brilliant statesman, committed to Armenia’s prosperity and well-being.

He is a truly international presence, capable of creating important
bonds and bringing cherished ideas of democratic reform and free
media to a country that is still recovering from over seventy years
of Soviet-era control.

With this in mind, I immediately accepted Mr. Oskanian’s invitation
to lend my name to the formation of Civilitas. I have watched as this
vital organization has helped shape the course of open discussion
and debate within a country I cherish and so proud of. This is why
I am so shocked and upset by the current charges that have been
brought against Mr. Oskanian. The persecution of Vartan Oskanian
is a deplorable and politically motivated action which is extremely
dangerous to the health of the country.

I urge the Prosecutor General of Armenia to seriously consider the
consequences of removing Vartan Oskanian’s immunity and to charge
him with this trumped-up charge. This action is being watched with
great concern by anyone who is concerned with freedom of expression
in a truly democratic and modern country.

Serj Tankian Singer, Musician, Political Activist Member of the
Civilitas Foundation Honorary Board Los Angeles, California, US
October 1, 2012

The persecution of Vartan Oskanian, former foreign minister of Armenia,
is clearly politically motivated.

The funds from Jon Huntsman Sr were donated to Civilitas via Oskanian
in early 2011.

Yet the proceedings against Mr. Oskanian were brought on only after
he re-entered politics in Armenia this year.

Civilitas, the non-profit organization started by Mr. Oskanian,
has done amazing work in Armenia, as well as diplomatically abroad,
for Armenia.

It is extremely important for a developing democracy to shun the
monopolization of media, industries, and political offices.

It is also very important for Armenian citizens to be able to express
their choices and grievances by voting in free and fair elections,
monitored by reputable international polling organizations.

For centuries we have been controlled by one foreign entity or
another. Although we have allegiances, allies, and the need for aid
as a nation, our democracy and economy should not be victimized by
influences from the West (U.S. mainly), nor Russia.

We must collectively rise out of this short sighted Soviet-era need
to control industries and politics to allow our countrymen the freedom
of expression earned over centuries of struggle.

>>From the U.S. Embassy in Armenia:

October 2, 2012

“We have been following the legal case against former Foreign Minister
Oskanian carefully and are very concerned by recent developments. We
hope that this case does not represent a politically motivated and
selective enforcement of Armenian law, as this would detract from
efforts to promote greater transparency and reform in the legal,
justice and legislative sectors in Armenia.”

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT ADOPTS A DECISION TO COMPENSATE A PART OF EXPENDITURE OF “ARMAVIA” LTD.

arminfo
Thursday, October 4, 17:38

At its today’s session, the government of Armenia adopted a decision
to compensate a part of expenditure of “Armavia” Ltd by means of
cross cancellation of debts.

The draft decision was submitted by the head of Civil Aviation General
Department, Artem Movsisyan.

He said that on 14 March 2003 the government of Armenia, “Siberian
airlines” and “Armavia” signed a trilateral investment contract,
according to which “Armavia” got a right to implement flights in
several directions for 10 years. For that, Armavia obliged to pay $15
mln to the state budget of Armenia over 10 years, including $5 mln
were paid in 2003, and the rest $10 mln the company had to pay over 10
years, $1 mln every year. As of 31 December 2011, the debt of Armavia
to the state budget was $1 mln (385,7 mln drams). At the same time,
according to the contract, Armavia had to transport veterans of the
Great Patriotic War free of charge or at easy terms, and the state had
to compensate these expenses. In this context, the government had 355,6
mln drams debt to Armavia. The state offered the company to repay debts
by means of cross cancellation of debts on the income tax, but Armavia
was working with loss. For this reason, the government has adopted a
decision to hold cross cancellation of debts and Armavia is obliged
to pay only the difference – 30,1 mln drams to the state budget.

DIRT FOR GAIN: SMEAR CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED AHEAD OF 2013 VOTE
By Gayane Abrahamyan

ArmeniaNow
Politics | 04.10.12 | 15:36

The recent domestic political developments lead many to believe that
the upcoming presidential election will feature “digging up dirt”
as a main campaign technology.

If in the case with Georgia the opposition possessed such compromising
evidence and became a mighty force winning due to the “prison scandal”,
in Armenia it is the authorities most frequently using such information
for political purposes.

The “war of compromising materials” began Wednesday, when 1tv.am
– the website of the State Television and essentially a campaign
arm for the incumbent, apparently sought to smear President Serzh
Sargsyan’s most serious opponent Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP)
leader Gagik Tsarurkyan.

The website says they “have come into possession of a document,
proving that in the 1980s PAP leader Gagik Tsarukyan was found guilty
of rape and served his sentence at a penitentiary for police officers
(then called militiamen) in Russia’s Nizhni Tagil town”.

The website reports that Tsarukyan used to work at Patrol Service so
was sent to a prison for law-enforcement officers, and was paroled
for good behavior. Then “during Robert Kocharyan’s tenure, Tsarukyan,
who had pled guilty, was acquitted by Armenia’s Supreme Court…”,
wrote 1tv.am. (Although this information has long been an issue of
public speculations, it is the first time there is documented evidence
confirming it.)

The same day Tsarukyan’s press office released a refuting statement
qualifying it as “dirty campaign politically ordered by those to whom
decency is an incomprehensible category”. Tsarukyan reminded of “the
boomerang effect”, stressing that “in this time-period the boomerang
is going to become a rather serious category, also a political one”.

The same apparent technique was used against former foreign minister
Vartan Oskanian who is now accused of money laundering. Although the
prosecutor general confirmed that he had known about Oskanian’s “money
embezzlement” for almost a year, the time for using that information
against him happens to coincide with Oskanian’s re-entry into big
politics, which he did with sharp criticism against the authorities
and unconcealed ambitions for the presidential chair.

Some two weeks ago the President’s former adviser Garnik
Isagulyan predicted a large-scale war with the main weapon being
personally-damaging information. He said there is an order of knights
called “Mehr’s Door” (Mher is a epical hero from “David of Sasun”)
operating in Armenia that has been collecting detailed information
on everybody in the domestic political elite, Armenia’s top brass
(some 3-4,000 people), starting from the 1990s.

Isagulyan claimed he was shown these lists with the kind of details
that even the National Security Service does not possess: “I am
astonished by how informed they are.”

Why Isagulyan disclosed this and who he was trying to warn or threaten
is not clear, but it appears that the “dirty campaign” will be the
marking trait of the presidential run of 2013.

FRUITFULL ARMENIA’S EIGHTH AGRO-FORUM ON VITICULTURE AND WINEMAKING OPENS IN YEREVAN

/ARKA/
4 October, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, October 4. /ARKA/. Fruitfull Armenia’s Eighth Annual
Agricultural Forum “Prospects for development of viticulture and
winemaking in Armenia” is kicked off in Yerevan.

“This event was long-anticipated, and it is special as it gives
an exclusive opportunity to discuss agricultural issues with the
professionals,” Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said at the
forum opening.

According to him, the forum participants will try to find new solutions
for agricultural development in Armenia.

“The important thing is also the sphere’s specialists who will present
their work during one year, and introduce new innovative solutions,”
he added.

Sargsyan also highlighted that President Serzh Sargsyan had underscored
the development of agricultural sphere as the country’s economic
priority two years ago. That is why, the government is implementing
activities for this agriculture’s gradual modernization.

” I believe, the forum will reveal the new tendencies and methods
for development of viticulture, one of the most important sectors of
agriculture,” he added.

Famous winemakers, viticulturists and marketers from France, Argentina,
Austria and other countries participate in the forum.

Michel Rolland, one of the most famous enologists in the world, world
wine guru, will also attend the forum. Together with the other experts
he will degustate the whole wine assortment presented by Armenian
winemakers at the forum.

Fruitfull Armenia is an independent non-for-profit organization
established to foster the development of the farming and food
processing market sectors in Armenia. It has been organizing agro-
forums in Yerevan since 2005.