Author: Badalian Vardan

Who will the Prosperous Armenia Party support in the presidential elections?
06.05.2012 14:08

Liana Ygehiazaryan
`Radiolur’

Leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party Gagik Tsarukyan cast his vote
at precinct #28/28 located at the kindergarten after Roza Tsarukyan in
the village of Arinj.

Who is Gagik Tsarukyan’s team going to support in the presidential
elections next year? `I have been saying for two years that everything
will be clear only after the parliamentary elections,’ he told
reporters.

What will the parliamentary elections give to the common citizen? `It
depends on which party will get more votes,’ Tsarukyan said, adding
that `to change the country, we need conditions and opportunities. The
one who is aware of the situation is able to do this,’ leader of the
Prosperous Armenia Party said.

USA – AFFAIRE AVIVA
Vartkes Yeghiayan dépose un recours devant La Cour Suprême

Permettez nous d’abord, pour clarifier, de revenir sur les événements
passés et la situation juridique actuelle de cette très importante
affaire. Nous nous intéresserons ensuite à notre démarche actuelle et
à ses possibles répercussions.

Comme vous pouvez vous en rappeler, en 2003, les demandeurs arméniens,
avaient engagé collectivement, dans un tribunal fédéral, un procès
contre des compagnies d’assurance sur la vie allemande (Victoria
Versicherung). Plutôt que de se soumettre à ses obligations, Victoria
a répondu par contre-procès tendant au rejet de ces demandes,
soutenant que la référence au Génocide des Arméniens violait le
domaine réservé de la politique étrangère du Gouvernement fédéral.

A la suite de plusieurs développements en appel, le 23 février 2012,
une formation de onze juges fédéraux de la Cour d’Appel de la 9ème
Circonscription Fédérale rejetait le procès contre Victoria. Cette
décision, ne remet pas en cause, cependant, la transaction convenue
avec des compagnies comme New York Life et Axa Assurance.

N’étant pas de ceux qui renoncent facilement, nous avons maintenant
porté l’affaire devant la Cour Suprême des Etats Unis d’Amérique,
parce que nous pensons que la Cour [la formation de la Cour d’Appel] a
pris une position contestable en jugeant que le droit de l’état
constituait une intrusion dans le domaine de la politique étrangère
[des USA], même en l’absence de tout conflit entre les deux [entre le
droit de l’état de Californie et la politique étrangère de l’exécutif
des USA].

En fait, l’Etat de Californie et le gouvernement fédéral sont d’accord
sur la question du Génocide, dans la mesure où la Chambre des
représentants a reconnu le Génocide Arménien en 1975 et en 1984. Le
Président Reagan, l’a reconnu dans une proclamation en 1981, et de
plus, ce qui est d’avantage important, le Département de la Justice
Américain [l’équivalent du Ministère de la Justice en France] a cité
le cas arménien comme un exemple de génocide dans un rapport officiel
soumis à la Cour Internationale de Justice en 1951.

La Cour d’Appel [la formation des onze juges, le 23 février] a
également jugé que la décision de [l’Assemblée de l’état de] la
Californie `impose le terme politiquement chargé de ‘génocide’ pour
qualifier les actes de l’Empire Ottoman (et par conséquent, de la
Turquie d’aujourd’hui) en exprimant sa sympathie pour les ‘victimes du
Génocide Arménien’.` Nous voulons attirer l’attention sur le fait que
la Loi [celle de l’état de Californie, en accordant un moratoire sur
les déclarations des descendants des victimes assurées sur la Vie], ne
fait aucune référence à la Turquie d’aujourd’hui.

Nous avons bien sûr, contesté cette décision et sommes dans l’attente
d’une réponse à notre requête de writ of certiorari [un accusé de
réception issu de la Cour Suprême des Etats-Unis, déclarant qu’elle
accepte d’examiner l’affaire portée devant elle et qu’elle entend
statuer sur la recevabilité] de l’affaire Victoria devant la Cour
Suprême des USA.

Cela aura un impact final sur l’évolution des procès contre Aviva et
certains autres procès relatifs aux assurances en cours dans nos
tribunaux.

Nous vous tiendrons informés des événements à venir affectant cette affaire.

Yeghiayan Law Firm

535 N. Brand Blvd. Suite 270 – Glendale, CA 91203

818-242-7400

dimanche 6 mai 2012,
Jean Eckian ©armenews.com

LUTTE
Le meilleur sportif d’Arménie en 2011, le lutteur Roman Amoyan n’ira
pas aux J.O. de Londres
l’Arménie dispose de 19 qualifiés pour les J.O. de Londres

Grande déception pour le sport arménien. Le lutteur Roman Amoyan (
lutte gréco-romaine, 55 kg), élu meilleur sportif d’Arménie en 2011
n’ira pas aux Jeux Olympiques de Londres cet été. Roman Amoyan a
échoué la qualification lors d’une compétition qualificative en
Finlande hier. Roman Amoyan était pourtant parvenu jusqu’en quart de
finale mais il perdit son combat contre le Kirghize Arsen Eraliav.
Roman Amoyan échoue ainsi aux portes de la qualification olympique.

Mais hier, une bonne nouvelle est venue faire oublier quelque peu
cette déception. Le représentant de l’Arménie, Hovhannés Vartéressian
(66 kg) s’est qualifié pour les J.O. de Londres. L’Arménien est
parvenu en finale, obtenant ainsi un visa olympique. Et même s’il
perdit en finale son combat face au Turc Atakan Youksel il avait
réalisé le plus important : se qualifier pour Londres où l’Arménie
présentera 7 lutteurs (4 en lutte gréco-romaine et 3 en lutte-libre).
L’Arménie dispose déjà 19 sportifs qualifiés pour les Jeux Olympiques
de Londres.

Krikor Amirzayan

dimanche 6 mai 2012,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

RELIABLE INCOME FOR INVESTORS PROVIDED

Saturday, 05 May 2012 11:05

Annual Meeting of ArtsakhHES Company

On April 30, the annual meeting of ArtsakhHES Company took place,
which was attended by NKR Prime Minister Ara Harutyunian.

The meeting participants presented the annual reports and approved the
financial reports, introduced the auditor’s conclusion on the
financial activities of the year under review and chose the audit
organization for the current year’s financial activities.

The Supervisory Committee presented a report on the reliability of the
data comprised in the annual reports. On the results of the company’s
2011 activities, a resolution was adopted on paying annual dividends
and their size was established.

The provisions of the company on the Board of Directors’ staff were
amended. Elections of the Board of Directors’ members took place. NKR
Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Finance Spartak Tevosian was elected
Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Board comprised also Hayk
Beglarian, Raffy Baloghian, Arman Hakobian, Karen Arabian, Emin
Ohanjanian, and Vahram Beglarian.

Chairman of the Board of Directors Spartak Tevosian presented
ArtsakhHES Company’s current and further development.

«The company was founded four years ago, and the current general
meeting of the shareholders is taking place in the conditions that the
company can make considerable contribution to the development of the
Artsakh energy system, as well as to the solution of important issues
in the country’s economy», he said.

In the reporting year, the company managed to provide over 40% of the
Republic’s electricity demand and the goal of the launched investment
programs on expanding its production capacity is to fully satisfy the
domestic demand and to create corresponding prerequisites for export.

Among the most important achievements of the company were emphasized
the creation of hundreds of jobs, the identification and realization
of the available potential in the energy sector, and the provision of
a progressive rate of growth in the energy sphere. Today, the
ArtsakhHES is one of the big companies, which are ready for
implementing large-scale investment projects. The company has more
than 1,200 shareholders, and, as mentioned by the speakers, is
constantly improving its corporate governance system.

To date, the company’s share capital amounts to 10 650 million AMD,
47.9% of which is owned by the Government.

Noting that 2011 was marked by the exploitation of Trghe-2 HES and by
considerable works on building Mataghis-1 and Mataghis-2 hydroelectric
stations, S. Tevosian expressed confidence that the resolutions
adopted at the general meeting of the company’s shareholders would
create favorable conditions for the further development of the
company.

ArtsakhHES OJSC General Director Mr. Beglarian presented the company’s
annual financial-economic report, according to which, in 2011, the
company’s revenues amounted to 1 031 960 thousand AMD, the expenses –
780 253 thousand AMD, and the capital investments – 2 445 000 thousand
AMD. In 2011, ArtsakhHES company’s assets made 15 445 223 thousand
AMD, the equity capital – 11 795 535 thousand AMD, the liabilities – 3
649 668 thousand AMD, and the net profit – 227 442 thousand AMD.
Moreover, the profitability of the equity capital makes 2.2%, the
assets profitability – 1.6%, the operating income on net profit
redemption – 22%, and the net profit per share – 25 AMD.

In short, the company managed to ensure reliable income for investors
through continuous and successful projects – this idea was expressed
by all the speakers. And this promoted the shares’ public
distribution. Last year, as we know, the third, additional issue of
shares took place, distributing shares at 3 287, 9 million AMD of
nominal value. 65% of the noted amount was acquired by companies and
35% – by individuals. 32% of the distributed shares were acquired by
resident shareholders and 68% – non-resident shareholders. The general
meeting of the ArtsakhHES was also attended by major shareholder
Joseph Ughurlian, whose share in the company’s assets makes 11.86%.

Srbuhi Vanian

94 citizens still at hospitals

armradio.am
05.05.2012 11:27

As of 10 a.m. Yerevan time 94 citizens injured as a result of balloon
blast at the Republic Square on May 4 were still getting treatment in
medical institutions of Yerevan. Twenty-five are at the resuscitation
department.

All medical institutions are supplied with necessary medicines.
Necessary treatment is provided at a high level, Press Service of the
Ministry of Healthcare informs.

The condition of the patients is satisfactory, the Ministry said..

APA, Azerbaijan
May 5 2012

Azerbaijani embassy in Argentina investigating Uruguayan Foreign
Minister’s statement sounded in Armenia

[ 05 May 2012 12:24 ]

Baku. Victoria Dementyeva – APA. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry is
investigating the information, spread by the Armenian media on
statement of Uruguayan Foreign Minister Luis Almagro on `We support
the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict on the basis of the
principle of self-determination of peoples’, APA reports.

Spokesman for the FM Elman Abdullayev says the Ministry tasked
Azerbaijani embassy in Argentina on this issue: `The embassy will
investigate whether this statement was sounded by Uruguayan Foreign
Minister or the information was distorted by Armenian media’.

Abdullayev noted that after the official response of Uruguay,
Azerbaijan would announce its positions connected with this issue.

Patch.com
May 5 2012

Storm Damages Evanston Church, Floods Apartments

No one was seriously injured in Thursday’s storm, but several
buildings sustained damage.

By Jordan Graham

Last night’s storm kept Evanston residents indoors and off the roads,
but it also caused a fair amount of damage around town.

St. James Armenian Church, 816 Clark St., was hit hardest when part of
its façade collapsed, said Evanston City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz.
Bricks from the building tumbled out onto the sidewalk, even injuring
a few people, he added, though no one was seriously wounded.

Additionally, many parts of Evanston experienced localized flooding.
Several Noyes Court apartments had some form of water damage, and one
apartment was `seriously flooded’, Bobkiewicz said.

Members of the Evanston Fire Department and city Community and
Economic Development staff were reportedly on scene at both locations.

Take a look at the damage sustained by St. James Armenian Church in
the photos above.

Pravda, Russia
May 5 2012

Hundreds of balloons explode in Armenian capital during concert
05.05.2012

After the fire on Republic Square in the center of Yerevan, the
capital of Armenia, the people were not allowed to leave the square.
The incident occurred when many balloons filled with gas caught fire
and exploded, EPress.am website reports.

The video published by 1in.am portal shows the police and a
plain-clothed man detaining a young man as the latter is trying to
leave the square. The man, a participant of the meeting, was telling
them that he only wanted to go to a safe place. The video also shows
the host of the meeting, which was held in the form of a concert,
asking the audience to “give it up” to another artist.

Armenian President Serj Sarkisian was not staying on the square at the
moment when the accident occurred. The host of the concert, Nazeni
Ovannisian, was trying to calm people down saying that “nothing
extraordinary has happened, let’s continue our concert.”

The police let everyone leave only by 9:00 p.m., after the concert finished.

“The police could do it not to let the potential culprits escape from
the scene. No one could know the true reasons of the explosion on the
square at first. What if it was a terrorist act? What if the terrorist
was trying to escape?” spokespeople for the Yerevan police said.

As many as 154 people were injured as a result of the explosion on the
square. All of them were hospitalized. Their condition was estimated
as satisfactory. The majority of the injured individuals suffered the
burns of their faces and hands. The youngest of the injured is a
4-year-old girl.

Hundreds of white balloons, which the participants of the meeting were
holding not far from the stage, burst into flames immediately, having
scattered drops of melted rubber around.

The meeting and the concert were organized on the threshold of the
parliamentary elections. The elections are to take place in Armenia on
Sunday, May 6th.

“The law-enforcement bodies have already started investigating the
accident. The culprits will be found and punished accordingly,”
Armenian President Serj Sarkisian said.

“Most likely, the balloons were filled with hydrogen. Helium is
absolutely inert – it does not come into any chemical reactions
whatsoever,” officials said.

The Volokh Conspiracy
May 4, 2012 Friday 11:30 PM EST

“Call Me Irresponsible, Call Me Unreliable, Throw in Undependable Too”

I blogged about Turkish Coalition of America, Inc. v. Bruininks (8th
Cir. May 3, 2012) when the district court decision came down, and
yesterday the Eighth Circuit agreed with the district court’s bottom
line (though disagreed with the district court’s decision about
standing). I think the District Court and the Eighth Circuit both got
it quite right – the defendant university’s labeling the Turkish
Coalition’s site “unreliable” and advising students against relying on
the site in their research papers doesn’t violate the Coalition’s
First Amendment rights, and is also not actionable libel:

TCA alleges that the defendants defamed it by stating that TCA’s
website (1) engages in “denial” of the Armenian genocide in Turkey
during World War I, (2) is “unreliable,” (3) presents a “strange mix
of fact and opinion,” and (4) is an “illegitimate source of
information.” …

With regard to the first challenged statement, TCA argues that the
Center’s accusation of “denial” is false because the term “denial,” in
the context of genocide studies, is a term of art that implies denial
of well-documented underlying facts associated with a genocidal event.
TCA points out that its website does not deny certain underlying
historical facts about the fate of Armenians in Turkey during World
War I, such as that “certainly hundreds of thousands of Armenians died
during” what it characterizes as “the Armenian revolt.” Under TCA’s
interpretation, however, the term “denial” would merely express a
subjective evaluation of the credibility of the historical sources for
every assertion on the TCA website, many of which TCA admits are
“contested.” Such an evaluation of credibility is essentially an
opinion, “not capable of being proven true or false,” and thus not
actionable in defamation, because different historians might well come
to different conclusions. On the other hand, the “denial” statement
reasonably can be construed as stating simply that the TCA website
denies that the treatment of Armenians within Turkey during World War
I meets the definition of the term “genocide.” A statement about the
content of the TCA website is capable of being proven true or false.
Because the TCA website does, in fact, state that it is “highly
unlikely that a genocide charge could be sustained against the Ottoman
government or its successor” based on the historical evidence, the
Center’s statement under this interpretation is true and, thus, still
not actionable….

The remaining three statements can be interpreted reasonably only as
subjective opinions, rather than facts.

Interfax, Russia
May 4 2012

Diamond exports from Armenia down by half in Q1

YEREVAN. May 4

Exports of cut diamonds from Armenia were down 55.4% year-on-year in
the first quarter of 2012 at 29,000 carats, a report from the
country’s Customs Service says.

Diamond export value was up from $17.5 million at $18.7 million.

The country’s Economy Ministry told Interfax that the customs value of
the stones was up though carat weight was down due to the republic
cutting larger diamonds at higher prices and thus exporting more
valuable jewels.

The republic imported 70,000 carats of uncut diamonds for $23.5
million in Q1 versus 106,000 carats for $27.3 million in the same
three months of 2011.

The lion’s share of the imported uncut diamonds are cut and then
exported mainly to Europe, the United States, and Russia. The ministry
said the drop in exports and imports by carat weight was a product of
lower world demand for cut diamonds.
Cf