Author: Badalian Vardan

ARMENIAN DEPUTY CHIEF OF POLICE CONDEMNS HARSNAKAR INCIDENT

news.am
July 20, 2012 | 17:24

YEREVAN. – Deputy Chief of Armenia’s Police Hunan Poghosyan condemns
the tragic incident in the Harsnakar Restaurant, he said at a press
conference on Friday.

Asked to comment on the incident, Poghosyan said that that he, as a
citizen, condemns any kind of violence, adding he is guided by law,
while common people by emotions.

Brutal beating occurred on June 17 in the aforesaid restaurant, which
belongs to the ruling Republican Party of Armenia former MP, head of
the Armenian Football Federation Ruben Hayrapetyan. Four military
doctors were brutally beaten in the restaurant, while one of them,
Vahe Avetyan died on June 29, without coming into consciousness.

Moreover, in another incident Hayrapetyan hit a human right protector
Arman Veziryan during an action commemorating Avetyan. However,
police criminal case was not opened, Veziryan was satisfied fully by
Hayrapetyan’s apology.

WATER MORE VALUABLE THAN LIFE IN ARMENIA

03:37 pm | Today | Social

State Committee allegation in misinformation is ungrounded, “EcoLur”
NGO said in a statement.

“We, “EcoLur” and ‘Territorial Development and Studies Center’ NGOs
think that allegation in misinformation made by State Committee on
Water Industry addressed to Gegharkounik-based ‘Territorial Development
and Studies Center’ NGO has no words. Reminder: in its statement on
12 July, the State Committee particularly noted, “Recently some NGOs
deal with dissemination of obvious misinformation…

“…The arguments brought by ‘Territorial Development and Studies
Center’ NGO President Satenik Badeyan don’t comply with the
reality….” And then, “…Three water users’ companies operate in
Gegharkounik region, ‘Martuni’, ‘Gavar’ and ‘Vardenis’, the number
of factually irrigated land areas in their service area makes up
6400 ha…’, “…Around 25% of the regional population deals with
irrigated agriculture.’

For our part, we would like to mention that Gegharkounik region has
(under different data) from 80,000 to 86,000 ha of plough lands,
and in this regard, 4600 ha mentioned in the statement of the State
Committee, make up only 5-7% of the total area. We would also like to
draw State Committee attention to another figure that 25% of regional
residents are supplied with irrigation water. This figure could be
higher, as it includes the population of three large towns – Martouni,
Gavar and Vardenis. Town people deal with agriculture for more less
than rural people, but rural people should cultivate land areas left
beyond control of State Committee, 75,000 – 79,000 ha, hoping for
weather, snow and rain. If snow and rain lack, there is no harvest.

People take loans and get nothing due to water absence.

Water has turned into something valuable, more valuable than life.

Beneath our eyes, two Geghamavan villagers slipped down on ropes
to Sevan-Hrazdan canal, took water with buckets and poured it into
narrow pipe, which runs to their land areas. The speed of water
running through the canal is very high, canal walls are smooth,
while its depth is 7-10 meters. If you fall into canal, it’s almost
impossible to survive. Old villagers assured us that since opening
of the canal more than 50 people drowned there.

When we asked whether these farmers are not afraid of the rope
break off, they said, “What can we do, we should water, we need
water.” It’s hard to say how many times you need to slip down to the
canal, evidently as many times as many buckets they need to water
their land areas.

Here what we talk about, we talk about problems. These problems can’t
be kept silent about. We think that governmental bodies should perceive
public statements as alarm signals and should take all measures to
solve these problems, so as not only companies, but also people are
pleased with this situation,” reads the statement.

CHAIRMAN OF RUSSIAN STATE DUMA TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
20 July, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS: On the invitation of the President of
Armenian National Assembly Hovik Abrahamyan on July 23 the Chairman
of the State Duma of Russian Federation Sergey Naryshkin will pay
a two-day visit to Armenia. Armenpress was informed from public
relations and information department of Armenian National Assembly
that during the visit Sergey Naryshkin and members of the delegation
will have meetings with the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh
Sargsyan, President of Armenian National Assembly Hovik Abrahamyan,
Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan. In the
National Academy of sciences of Armenia the Chairman of Russian
State Duma will hold meeting with the representatives of the sphere
of science and will perform with a speech.

The members of the delegation will also visit Tsitsernakaberd.

ARMENIA’S FOREIGN MINISTRY: WITH ELECTIONS HELD ON 19 JULY, THE PEOPLE OF ARTSAKH ONCE AGAIN PROVED THEIR DETERMINATION TO CONTROL THEIR DESTINY THROUGH DEMOCRACY

arminfo
Friday, July 20, 15:20

With the presidential elections held on 19 July, the people of
Artsakh once again proved their determination to control their destiny
through democracy, Foreign Minister of Armenia, Edward Nalbandyan,
said in his statement, press-service of the Ministry reported.

“Thursday’s free, fair, and competitive presidential elections
in Nagorno-Karabakh, or Artsakh, proved once again the latter’s
authorities’ and people’s allegiance to democracy and the rule of law.

The presence of several dozen international observers, according
to which the elections were conducted in organized fashion,
transparently, in line with international standards”, – the minister
said. He also added that he does not believe any democratic country
could dispute the need for and importance of forming a government by
way of democratic elections. Naturally, the international community
should be interested in having ties with the authorities elected by
the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, especially since this is envisioned
by the mandate of holding the OSCE Minsk Conference.

ELECTING A PRESIDENT IS A STRONG AND AN INVULNERABLE ARGUMENT: POLITICIAN

ARMENPRESS
19 July, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS: OSCE Co-Chairs are getting frustrated
by Azeri stubbornness in connection with the refusal to withdraw the
snipers from Karabakh- Azerbaijan line of contact.

As Armenpress reports, “Caucasus” Institute Deputy Director Sergey
Minasyan came up with the statement in the course of the briefing
with the journalists on July 19. In the words of the interlocutor the
creation of a mechanism aimed at reducing the incidents in the line
of contact is in the center of international society’s attention in
this moment, which Azerbaijan however refuses to accept.

“The opening of the airport, the launch of elections or the
establishment of a company are just strengthening NKR statehood. What
comes to prove Artsakh will never return to a two- decades -ago status”
the political scientist noted.

Referring to the presidential elections launched in Artsakh , Minasyan
refused to make predictions. “But the fact that NKR for already twenty
years elects a President by democratic principles is already a very
serious and invulnerable argument” Minasyan concluded.

According to the interlocutor if some separate institutions or
countries come forth with negative remarks, it does not mean yet they
refuse to work with NKR authorities.

The politic more cares for Artsakh safety in this moment than its
recognition.

DIASPORA MINISTRY NOT INTERESTED IN SYRIAN ARMENIANS’ SETTLING IN ARMENIA – NEWSPAPER

news.am
July 19, 2012 | 07:56

YEREVAN. – The civil war in Syria is compelling numerous Syrian
Armenians to find safety in other countries, including Armenia,
Haykakan Zhamanak daily writes.

“[And] It would have seemed that Syrian Armenians’ large-scale
relocation to Armenia should be organized on state level, but obstacles
were placed before Syrian Armenians when coming to Armenia.

Specifically, the [prices of] tickets for planes flying from Syria to
Armenia sharply increased. It has become clear that creating hurdles
before those [Syrian Armenians] who wish to come to Armenia is the
Armenian authorities’ unofficial policy.

In an interview with the newspaper’s reporter, Diaspora Ministry
Spokesperson Tevos Nersisyan said verbatim: ‘We are not interested in
the disintegration of our community in Syria.’ Officials from other
departments likewise said the same unofficially.

That is to say, Armenia’s authorities are not too enthusiastic over
the prospect of receiving Syrian Armenians to Armenia. And this, in
the case when emigration from Armenia has reached alarming dimensions.

In fact, we need the Diaspora Armenians solely for sending remittances,
coming to Armenia for a few days to see [Mount] Ararat, renting
astronomically-priced rooms in hotels belonging to officials,
and justifying the existence of the Diaspora Ministry,” Haykakan
Zhamanak writes.

SECURITY: SYRIAN-ARMENIANS WANT EASIER ROUTE TO “HOMELAND”
By Gayane Lazarian

ArmeniaNow
19.07.12

Photo: Gayane Lazarian/ArmeniaNow.com

Hayazn Union held a picket in front of the Government building on
Thursday and passed a letter to the Government, demanding to secure
proper repatriation of Syrian-Armenians to the Homeland.

Member of the union Davit Hovsepyan states that there are many Armenian
families residing in Syria who are willing to return to Armenia,
however, the authorities of Armenia do not take practical measures
in this respect.

In the letter submitted to the Government the authors of the initiative
present their demands, which according to them, is a list of proposals
to develop a stage-by-stage repatriation program.

One of the demands, mentioned in the open letter, is to provide
Syrian-Armenians with a one-time free of charge transportation and
a transfer of their personal minimum luggage, not allowing private
carriers to take advantage of the present situation. Besides, it is
demanded to provide Syrian-Armenians with shelters and grant them
with favorable terms to get housing, to create favorable conditions
for Diaspora Armenians’ children to continue studying at educational
institutions, to grant them with favorable terms to get credits, etc.

Participant of the picket, Syrian-Armenian Andranik Vardanian says
that they have come to Armenia with their whole family, however they
have left all their businesses in Syria. Currently they live in their
relative’s house.

“Syrian-Armenians can neither continue their business nor use their
handicraft here. The authorities of Armenia would have better supported
us morally and provided us with shelters and job, at least temporary,
by the time we manage to settle here,” Vardanian says.

Members of Hayazn Union state that many Armenian families not always
choose Armenia, preferring to leave for another country and get a
more favorable status of a refugee there.

TURK JOURNALIST IS IMPRESSED BY ARMENIA AND “GOLDEN APRICOT” FILM FESTIVAL

ARMENPRESS
19 July, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS: Turkish Medias with special interest
reverberated to “Golden Apricot” 9th international film festival which
took place in Yerevan on July 9-15. Turkish Medias mentioned that in
absence of diplomatic relation between Turkey and Armenia and close
borders “the distance between two nations is overcome with the help
of film”.

Armenpress reports that Turkish “Radical” newspaper on that occasion
writes that “the opening ceremony of the film festival took place
in Moscow cinema of Yerevan which is distinguished by its unique
architecture”.

The newspaper proudly mentions that the film “The future will last
long” of Turkish director Ozhan Alper was also presented in the
festival which was awarded to a special prize. Another film of Turk
director “I found Dostoevsky in garbage” took part in the competition
of documentary films.

The author of the article mentions that he was impressed by Armenia and
first visit to Yerevan where they met friendly attitude everywhere. He
had been surprised that many people had mentioned that they roots
were from Mush, Ardvin, Bitlis, Kars, Urfa, Malatia and Van and no
matter talking about which theme his interlocutors reverberated to
Genocide, spoke with great excitement. The author told about great
national dishes which he tasted in Yerevan and about fantastic journeys
in Armenia.

SUPPORTING ARMENIA’S SECOND PRESIDENT NOT IN ARF DASHNAKTSUTYUN’S AGENDA – NEWSPAPER

news.am
July 19, 2012 | 08:27

YEREVAN. – “[Armenia’s opposition] ARF [Dashnaktsutyun Party Supreme
Body] SB is guided by the General Assembly decision. [And] No such
discussion and decision was made in the Assembly, which means the SB
has not launched any step toward supporting Robert Kocharyan.” ARF
SP representative Arsen Hambardzumyan told this 168 Zham daily,
in response to the query as to whether the ARF will support second
President Robert Kocharyan in the 2013 presidential elections.

‘”And could the ARF convene yet another special General Assembly, prior
to the elections, and discuss the matter of supporting Kocharyan?’

‘The SB is guided by our Assembly’s decisions. Not only [was] such
decision [not reached], but, also, no [such] discussion took place
in the Assembly. That is to say, there is no such issue on our agenda
in general,’ he concluded,” 168 Zham writes.

BAKO SAHAKYAN: ELECTIONS DEMONSTRATE THE REAL DEGREE OF DEMOCRACY IN ARTSAKH

armradio.am
19.07.2012 13:12

On 19 July incumbent President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako
Sahakyan voted at the Stepanakert polling station No 24.

Bako Sahakyan stressed the importance of the elections in the life of
the republic, adding that they demonstrate the real degree of
democracy in the country, Artsakh’s adherence to international norms
and standards.

According to Bako Sahakyan, the election campaign in Artsakh was
carried out on a high level, in compliance with international
standards, providing all the candidates with equal opportunities.

As for his choice, the acting President noted that he cast his vote
for the unity, cooperation, for building a powerful and independent
state, Central Information Department of the Office of the NKR
President reported.