Author: Badalian Vardan

NEWLY APPOINTED ECUADORIAN AMBASSADOR MET EDWARD NALBANDIAN

ARMENPRESS
12 June, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 12, ARMENPRESS: Foreign affairs minister of the
Republic of Armenia Edward Nalbandian on June 12 hosted newly
appointed Ecuadorian ambassador to Armenia Patricio Alberto Chaves
Savalay (residence- Moscow) on occasion of giving the copies of
the credentials.

Armenpress was informed from Media, information and public
relations department if the Foreign affairs ministry of Armenia that
congratulating the guest minister Nalbandian hoped that the ambassador
by his activity would have great investment in strengthening of
bilateral relations between two countries and in the development of
mutual interesting cooperation in different fields.

Ambassador Savalay thanking for warm words mentioned that being the
first ambassador of his country to Armenia is honorable. He assured
that he would make efforts to develop bilateral cooperation.

The interlocutors discussed issues relating to cooperation in
international organizations as well as economic, cultural issues.

COMMITTEE FINDS CONSTRUCTION ABUSE AT YEREVAN COVERED MARKET; DEMANDS NEW DESIGN BLUEPRINT

hetq
11:58, June 12, 2012

A special committee set up by the RA Ministry of Culture and the
Yerevan Municipality tasked with investigating recent construction at
Yerevan’s Pak Shouka (Covered Market) has found a number of violations.

The committee says that during last month construction at the landmark
site violated several points in the architectural plan that had been
approved; specifically that the work done had overstepped the bounds
as set in the plan.

On May 27, a part of the arched roof of the market collapsed as a
result of unauthorized work by the developer.

The committee found that while construction has been halted, cleanup
work inside the skeleton structure is making the overall situation
worse.

The committee has called for immediate strengthening of the underground
garage foundations and is demanding that the developer present a new
architectural blueprint for the site that preserves the exterior and
interior design of the market.

ARMENIAN AMBASSADORS INFORMED UN AND OSCE STATES ABOUT AZERBAIJANI ENCROACHMENTS

ARMENPRESS
11 June, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 12, ARMENPRESS: Heads of Armenian diplomatic
missions in New York and Vienna informed UN and OSCE member
states about Azerbaijani encroachments and diversion activities in
Armenian-Azerbaijani border and Azerbaijani-Karabakh contact line.

Armenpress was informed from Media, information and public relations
department of Armenian Foreign affairs ministry that ambassadors
have mentioned in their statements: “It is characteristic that
Azerbaijan rejected the suggestion of personnel representative of
OSCE chairman-in-office on increase of the budget last December during
the discussions of United Budget for 2012, which could practical step
in realization of Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents’ arrangements
which they had made in Sochi in March, 2012 to create an mechanism for
investigation the incidents of cease-fire regime violations all along
the contact line. In its statement Armenian side has stressed that
rejecting the implementation of investigation mechanism Azerbaijan
takes the responsibility for violations of cease-fire regime and
victims.

Unfortunately Azerbaijani side continues to reject the implementation
of confidence-building measures, particularly rejecting the suggestions
of OSCE and Minsk group Co-Chairs to strengthen the cease-fire regime,
taking away the snipers and above mentioned mechanism”.

In the statement is also mentioned that “during the press conference
on June 4 with Hillary Clinton Foreign affairs Minister of Armenia
Edward Nalbandian condemned strictly Azerbaijani provocations and
mentioned the increasing of the tension lays significant obstacles
in the negotiating process and is harmful for regional security.

Responsibility off all possible results of these actions lies on
Azerbaijani side”.

ARMENIAN INDUSTRIALIST WANTS LESS EMPHASIS ON RAW MATERIALS

The Messenger
June 11 2012
Georgia

Chair of the Entrepreneurs’ Union of Armenia, Vazgen Saparian, has
asked the government to pay more attention to industry.

Saparian believes that it would serve Armenia’s economy better if it
focused on processed goods, rather than raw material such as copper.

He estimates that gains could be in the realm of 3.7%.

Industry currently contributes approximately 20% of Armenia’s GDP,
down from 65% during the Soviet period.

Saparian also noted that Armenia could better administrate the loans
received by the country from the IMF and World Bank.

HOW THE STATE PREPARES FOR DEFENSE: TRAINING FOR OFFICIALS AT THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE

armradio.am
11.06.2012 17:56

Week-long trainings featuring officials from the executive authority,
the state and territorial administration bodies kicked off at the
Ministry of Defense today.

Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan delivered a lecture on “Preparation of
the State for Defense.” Greeting the participants, the Minister said
such gatherings provide an opportunity to double the achievements
and reduce the existing shortcomings. Minister Ohanyan dwelt on
two important issues: the protection of the state and the bases of
organization of the armed forces, and the directions of preparation
of the society for the protection of the state.

First Deputy Defense Minister David Tonoyan delivered a lecture on
“The role of CSTO in ensuring the military security of the Republic
of Armenia.” He referred to the preparation and proper conduct of
the Interaction-2012 military exercises of the CSTO Rapid-Reaction
Forces to be held in Armenia in September.

Within the framework of the training course, lectures will be offered
by Secretary of the National Security Council Arthur Baghdasaryan,
representatives of the Ministries of Economy and Emergency Situations.

The annual training programs for high-ranking state officials aims
to reinforce the close cooperation between state bodies to ensure
the military security of the country.

AZERBAIJAN TO ORGANIZE SEVERAL PROVOCATIONS BEFORE EU PRESIDENT’S VISIT

arminfo
Monday, June 11, 17:39

Before the visit by President of European Council Herman Van Rompuy
to Armenia, Azerbaijan will implement a number of provocations at
the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the head of the Veterans’ Union
of the Karabakh war, Hamlet Hovsepyan, voiced such a prediction at
today’s press-conference.

“The last Azerbaijani sabotage actions were “dedicated” to US
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit and were of a demonstrative
nature. But the world community has been gradually disappointing in
official Baku and will try by all means to hinder the war resumption”,
– he said.

He also added that for the last days veterans of the Karabakh war
expressed readiness to protect their native land and replace soldiers
at the border line. The veterans are sure that the Armenian army is
battle-worthy, however they want to protect young generation, he said.

DOES NSS SUSPECT VARTAN OSKANIAN?

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 17:14:10 – 11/06/2012

Former foreign minister of Armenia, Member of Parliament, PAP,
Founder of Civilitas Foundation Vartan Oskanian issued a statement
dwelling on an invitation to him by the National Security Service
for an interrogation on money laundering case as a witness.

He says in his statement that the case is related to him and his
Civilitas Foundation adding that the activities of his Foundation
have always been transparent and legal.

Governments and foreign ministries and embassies of a number of
countries, such as Netherland, Poland, Norway, Germany, Switzerland,
UK, U.S., OSCE Yerevan office as well as others have cooperated
with the Foundation since the day of its establishment in 2008,
the statement runs.

Vartan Oskanian says it is strange that the activities of the
Foundation can somehow be connected with the criminal and illegal
money laundering case, especially strange is that such an issue is
raised when Oskanian is again engaged in politics.

It is evident the criminal case is based on an order, is said in
Vartan Oskanian’s statement.

CATHOLICOS MET WITH CHAIRMAN OF BUNDESTAG’S COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 16:43:49 – 11/06/2012

On June 10, Catholicos Garegin II received the Chairman of the German
Bundestag’s Committee on Foreign Affairs Ruprecht Polenz accompanied
by the ambassador of Germany to Armenia Hans Johan Schmidt.

Catholicos made an overview of the history of the Armenian Church,
in particular the difficulties and obstacles that it encountered
during the soviet period, as well as its achievements during the 20
years of independence.

Dwelling on the relations between both countries, the Catholicos
pointed out they are developing and strengthening.

Mr. Ruprecht Polenz underlined the important role of the Armenian
Church in the life of the Armenian community of Germany.

The collocutors dwelt on the Nagorno Karabakh issue. Catholicos issues
concern over the increasing provocations by Azerbaijan.

OSCE CHAIRMAN-IN-OFFICE TO REVERBERATE THE SITUATION IN ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJANI CONTACT LINE

ARMENPRESS
11 June, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 11, ARMENPRESS: OSCE Chairman-in-office, Ireland’s
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore during his
visit to South Caucasian region will reverberate to the tension which
was created because of Azerbaijani diversion activity along the whole
Armenian-Azerbaijani border. Armenpress was informed about this from
OSCE press service.

Gilmore’s visit to Armenia is expected on June 11. In Yerevan in June
11-12 he will hold meetings with Armenian authorities, representatives
of political forces. The priorities of OSCE, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
settlement, perspectives of cooperation with the institution and
other issues will be discussed.

Gilmore will also pay a visit to Georgia on June 12-13 and Azerbaijan
June 13-14.

“Making progress towards lasting settlements of protracted conflicts
in the OSCE area is a key priority of the Irish OSCE Chairmanship”
is said in the massage of OSCE media department.

OSKANIAN, CIBLE D’UNE ENQUETE ” POLITIQUEMENT MOTIVEE ”
Ara

armenews.com
mardi 12 juin 2012

L’ancien ministre des Affaires etrangères Vartan Oskan a ete convoque
lundi par le service de la securite nationale pour etre interroge
dans le cadre d’une enquete criminelle qu’il a denoncee comme etant
politiquement motivee

Dans une declaration ecrite, Oskanian a declare que le SSN a ouvert
une enquete penale sur une affaire de blanchiment d’argent qui
impliquerait pretendument le ministre ainsi que sa Fondation Civilitas,
un think-tank qu’il a fonde a Erevan tout recemment.

” Je trouve etrange et etonnant que mon travail et le celui de
Civilitas puisse etre d’une quelconque facon liee a du blanchiment
d’argent ou de fonds acquis illegalement “, at-il dit. “Encore plus
etonnant, c’est qu’une telle question est soulevee a un moment où je
suis entre dans la politique.”

“Il est evident pour moi que l’enquete penale qui a ete ouverte est
politiquement motivee”, a-t-il ajoute.

Le SNS, organisme armenien qui succède au KGB sovietique et qui traite
normalement les graves affaires criminelles, a confirme l’assignation
et le lancement d’une procedure penale a l’encontre d’ Oskanian et
Civilitas. Mais il a refuse d’en dire davantage.

L’ancien ministre des Affaires etrangères Vartan Oskanian avait
presente dans une reunion publique la Fondation Civilitas a Erevan,
le 28 fevrier 2011. Il avait insiste sur le fait que ses activites
etaient transparentes et legales. “Depuis ses premiers jours en
2008, les programmes de la Fondation Civilitas recoivent l’appui
des gouvernements des Pays-Bas et la Pologne, des ministères des
Affaires etrangères de la Norvège et l’Allemagne, des organisations
internationales de developpement de la Suisse et le Royaume-Uni,
de l’ambassade americaine a Erevan, du bureau de l’OSCE a Erevan,
ainsi que d’autres organisations bien connues, des societes et des
individus “, a-t-il explique. ” C’est de notoriete publique. Les
organismes gouvernementaux de la Republique d’Armenie ne pouvaient
manifestement pas l’ignorer. ”

Depuis quatre ans les activites de Civilitas portent sur l’analyse
des evolutions politiques et economiques dans et autour de l’Armenie
ainsi sur des debats publics mettant en vedette des politiciens,
des intellectuels et autres personnalites publiques. Le think-tank
a egalement lance une chaîne de television sur Internet en ciblant
principalement les jeunes armeniens en septembre dernier.

Parmi les membres de son conseil honoraire figurent Lloyd Axworthy
l’ancien ministre des Affaires etrangères du Canada , Yossi Sarid
l’ancien ministre israelien de l’Education, le cineaste canadien
d’origine armenienne Atom Egoyan, Serj Tankian le chanteur de rock
armenien aux Etats-Unis, de Murat Belge militant turc des droits
de l’homme.

Oskanian, qui a servi comme ministre des Affaires etrangères dans
le gouvernement de Robert Kotcharian de 1998-2008, a demissionne de
la presidence de Civilitas il y a quelques mois, peu de temps après
l’annonce de son retour dans l’arène politique et son adhesion au
Parti Armenie prospère (BHK). Il a critique a plusieurs reprises
les politiques economiques et autres du gouvernement de Sarkissian,
provoquant des reactions de colère de certains membres importants du
Parti republicain qui soutient le president de l’Armenie (HHK).

Citoyen des Etats-Unis originaire de Syrie, Oskanian a ete
particulièrement critique envers le gouvernement dans la campagne pour
les legislatives du 6 mai. Il a contribue a ce que le BHK, jusqu’a
present membre de la coalition au pouvoir, denonce conjointement
avec deux principales forces d’opposition, les manipulations du vote
effectuees par les autorites armeniennes. Il a egalement fortement
soutenu la decision subsequente du BHK de ne pas adherer au nouveau
gouvernement en cours de constitution de Sarkissian.

Le BHK est dirige par Gagik Tsarukian, homme d’affaires millionnaire
proche de Kotcharian. C’est pourquoi certains analystes armeniens ont
lie l’adhesion d’Oskanian au BHK aux plans presumes de l’ex-president
de preparer son retour en politique. La decision de la BHK de quitter
le gouvernement a alimente ces speculations.