Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

FAO : AIDE AUX PAYS DE L’EX-URSS POUR ELIMINER LES PESTICIDES DANGEREUX
Ara

armenews.com
vendredi 13 avril 2012

ROME, – L’organisation de l’ONU pour l’alimentation et l’agriculture
(FAO) a annonce jeudi un programme, en accord avec l’Union europeenne
(UE) pour aider 12 payer de l’ex-URSS a eliminer et gerer leurs vastes
stocks de pesticides perimes, estimes a environ 200.000 tonnes.

“Au cours des quatre prochaines annees, l’UE et la FAO investiront
sept millions d’euros pour aider ces pays – Armenie, Azerbaïdjan,
Belarus, Federation de Russie, Georgie, Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan,
Moldavie, Ouzbekistan, Tadjikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine – a gerer
les pesticides perimes et a attenuer les risques que representent
les stocks existants”, indique un communique de l’organisation basee
a Rome.

Ces pesticides “conserves dans des dizaines de milliers de sites non
proteges (…) constituent une grave menace pour la sante publique
et pour l’environnement”, precise l’agence specialisee.

L’UE contribue a cette initiative a hauteur de 6 millions d’euros,
tandis que la FAO, chargee de son execution, a egalement alloue 1
million d’euros. “Si les activites prevoient l’elimination des stocks,
la priorite va au renforcement des capacites, par exemple, en matière
de reformes legislatives, de processus d’homologation des pesticides,
de promotion d’alternatives aux produits chimiques les plus dangereux
en usage, et de mise au point de strategies de communication visant a
sensibiliser davantage les agriculteurs et le public”, precise la FAO.

Dans le cadre de cette initiative, la FAO et l’UE travaillent avec
des partenaires tels que l’Organisation mondiale de la sante (OMS)
ou des ONG comme la Croix Verte internationale et la “International
HCH and Pesticide Association ” (IHPA), ainsi que le secteur prive.

From: Baghdasarian

LTP SALUE L’ACTION DE TZARUKIAN QUI A ” CASSE LA COALITION GOUVERNEMENTALE ”
Ara

armenews.com
vendredi 13 avril 2012

Le chef de l’opposition Levon Ter-Petrossian a fait jeudi l’eloge
du Parti Armenie prospère (BHK), en estimant qu’il a cause au sein
de la direction politique du pays une fracture majeure qui aura des
implications ” très importantes ” dans les elections legislatives
a venir.

“La coalition au pouvoir, qui etait monolithique et jouissait d’une
toute-puissance jusqu’a une date recente, est aujourd’hui divisee. Le
Parti Armenie prospère est a la recherche d’independance et a pris
des mesures serieuses dans ce sens, a declare Ter-Petrossian alors
qu’il faisait campagne dans la region centrale de Kotayk, fief Gagik
Tsarukian chef de file du BHK .

Le dirigeant du Congrès National Armenien (HAK) a souligne le soutien
tacite du BHK aux appels de l’opposition pour une reforme electorale de
fond, ainsi que son engagement a unir ses forces avec les trois pays
principaux groupes d’opposition dans leur lutte contre d’eventuelles
tentatives de fraudes le 6 mai.

” Ce sont des etapes très importantes qui montrent que le Parti Armenie
prospère a cesse d’etre un appendice de Serge Sarkissian et cherche a
devenir un acteur politique independant. Cette nouvelle donne jouera
un rôle très important dans la formation de la prochaine legislature,
a d’eclate “Ter-Petrossian devant une petite foule venu assister a
un rassemblement du HAK dans le bourg de Yeghvard.

Ter-Petrossian a maintes fois tendu la main au BHK depuis que Tsarukian
a ostensiblement refuse de reaffirmer son soutien a la reelection
de Sarkissian en septembre dernier. Il a declare en novembre que
la cooperation du bloc de l’opposition avec le parti de Tsarukian ”
pourrait changer radicalement la configuration politique en vigueur
” avant les elections parlementaires.

Vartan Oskanian, l’ancien ministre des Affaires etrangères, et haut
responsable du BHK, a affirme le mois dernier que la coalition au
pouvoir qui comprenait le BHK, le Parti republicain (HHK) et le Parti
Orinats Yerkir avait effectivement cesse d’exister.

Un point de vue que n’a pas semble vouloir partager Tsarukian dans
une interview accordee a RFE / RL mercredi. Le magnat n’a en effet pas
ecarter la possibilite d’un nouveau partage du pouvoir avec Sarkissian
après les elections.

S’adressant a une foule plus nombreuse dans la ville voisine d’Abovian
, Ter-Petrossian a precise plus tard dans la journee que le HAK
evitera pendant la campagne de se livrer a des attaques verbales
contre le BHK ainsi que contre les forces d’opposition rivale que
sont le parti Heritage et la FRA. La cible principale du HAK sera le
HHK de Sarkissian, a-t-il assene, un parti de “voleurs et d’escrocs.”

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN COMMUNISTS SUPPORT ALLIANCE WITH RUSSIA AND OPPOSE NATO

Vestnik Kavkaza
April 12 2012
Russia

Ruben Tovmasyan, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the
Armenian Communist Party, said on April 12 that his party wants further
enforcement of Armenia’s alliances with Russia in the Collective
Security Treaty Organization, News.am reports.

The party says that the country needs to improve staff, making it
more responsible to end corruption, bribery and clan formation. The
parliament needs a law on dismissal of MPs and stripping them of
their immunity.

Consolidation of civilians and the military should become one of the
main goals of the country, Tovmasyan says. Armenia and Russia must
oppose NATO expansion together, he stresses.

The Single Progressive Communist Party has decided to unite with
the Communist Party of Armenia into a single proportional list
for the parliamentary polls on May 6. Vazgen Safaryan, leader of
progressive communists, said that he is second in the list. The party
had parliamentary seats in 1990-2003. It got 12.1% of vote in 1999. It
is a pro-Russian political party with close contacts with the Russian
Communist Party of Gennady Zyuganov.

From: Baghdasarian

PLACES YOU NEVER HEARD OF: ARMENIA’S YEREVAN FLEA MARKET
Phillip Butler

Argophilia Travel News

April 12 2012

Armenia is one of the least understood, and most fascinating places in
the world. Today we want to bring you a little piece of culture from
there, a place you undoubtedly never heard of, the Yerevan Flea Market.

Called Vernissage from the French meaning “varnishing” (or an
art preview), this world class flea market slash swap meet is
extraordinary. Shoppers here can find anything, and we mean literally
anything, from thoroughbred pups to rare war medals, and on to bargains
to extensive to list in any travel article. Vernissage Flea Market
may just be the best such bargain hunting dream on Earth.

Held behind the historic Republic Square in Yerevan, tourists get
not only the best look at souvenirs of the region, but a taste of
local culture as well. Wood carvings, baby dolls, handmade jewelry,
leather, stone items, carpets, clothes, anything you can name, one
vendor or another carries an example to sell you.

Recently the market came under some criticism for lacking in sanitation
standards, to which city Mayor Karen Karapetyan assured people there
the market would not be shut down, but upgraded instead.

Having become such an institution in Armenia, and especially where
tourist are concerned, the last thing the town needs is a closed down
draw like Yerevan Flea Market.

Turning back to Yerevan’s tradition, some 25 years ago, artists
established the market about the statue of Saryan. As the saying goes,
“the rest is history,” but a lot more kinds of art are on sale and
display here now. Stamps, unframed oils and water color, acrylic,
silver heirlooms, even sculptures, the market today resembles the one
from back when, only surrounded with myriad other objects. And just
like back then, some vendors really need the market. In the days of
the Cold War some were so hard up they would come here to sell the
shoes off their feet.

For the reader, Yerevan now is an up and coming metropolis, with room
for tradition – the old ways – and the new as well. Better even that
the deals you may find at the world’s greatest flea market (arguments
welcome), the nearly 1.2 million inhabitants of Armenia’s capital are
some of the friendliest people anywhere. The image above of Yerevan
Armenia with the backdrop of Mount Ararat, may strike a cord Biblical
scholarly types.

The city named for King Yervand IV (the Last), has a heritage dating
back to the Bronze Age, old and rich enough to cast a shadow on many
of Europe’s more noted capitals. In fact, this place on our small
rock in space was once seat of a most amazing empire. Those who would
dig along the Tigris or Euphrates, all about the ancient Nile, would
certainly be as rewarded to discover more the Acheemenid Empire.

From: Baghdasarian

ONE MAN KILLED, SEVERAL WOUNDED IN CLASH ON AZERI-ARMENIAN CONTACT LINE – SOURCES IN BAKU

Interfax
April 11 2012
Russia

An Azeri private was wounded as a result of ceasefire violations by
the Armenian army in the Fizulin district of Azerbaijan, the Azeri
Defense Ministry press service reported on Wednesday.

One Armenian soldier was killed and several were wounded in the
exchange of fire, the source said.

The ceasefire regime was established between Azerbaijan and Armenia
in May 1994. The OSCE regularly organizes monitoring on the frontline
to get information on the observance by the parties of the ceasefire
conditions.

From: Baghdasarian

NAGORNO-KARABAKH DENIES EXCHANGE OF FIRE AT CONTACT LINE WITH AZERI ARMED FORCES

Interfax
April 11 2012
Russia

The Defense Ministry of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh republic
has denied Azerbaijan’s reports about an exchange of fire at the
contact line between the Azeri and Armenianarmed forces.

“Azerbaijan has circulated misinformation once again. Nothing of
the sort happened. Units of the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army are
continuing to strictly observe the ceasefire,” Nagorno-Karabakh
Defense Ministry spokesman Senor Asratian told Interfax.

The Azeri Defense Ministry reported earlier on Wednesday that a private
of the Azeri armed forces had been wounded as a result of ceasefire
violations by the Armenian army in the Fuzuli district. One Armenian
soldier was also killed and several were wounded in the incident,
the ministry said.

The ceasefire between Azerbaijan and Armenia was established in May
1994. The OSCE regularly posts its representatives at the contact line
to get information on the observance of the ceasefire agreements by
the parties.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry told Interfax that Foreign Minister
Edward Nalbandian would meet with the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Group for settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in Warsaw on April 12.

From: Baghdasarian

PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA RECEIVES DELEGATION OF PACE ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION

ARMENPRESS
APRIL 12, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 12, ARMENPRESS: On 12 April President of Armenia,
Chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan received
the delegation of PACE Election Observation Mission headed by Baroness
Emma Nicholson, president’s press service told Armenpress.

In the context of Armenia’s affiliation to the European Union, the
parties highly assessed Armenia’s cooperation with structures of the
Council of Europe and the country’s active participation in discussion
of the issues of the all-European agenda.

President Serzh Sargsyan highlighted the role of the European Union in
consolidation and development of human rights, democracy, rule of law,
simultaneously noting that Armenia’s participation in the Council of
Europe is significant for implementation of reforms in our country.

The president noted that considerable work has already been carried
out in different spheres, which will enable to conduct the elections
in compliance with democratic standards, which, according to the
president, will promote enhancement of democracy.

President of Armenia, Chairman of Republican Party of Armenia Serzh
Sargsyan and the members of the PACE Election Observation Mission
discussed a number of issues related to the upcoming parliamentary
elections in Armenia and their observation.

From: Baghdasarian

AZERBAIJANI ISLAMISTS THREAT PARTICIPANTS IN ‘EUROVISION – 2012’

arminfo
Thursday, April 12, 21:12

The religious extremists in Azerbaijan have come forward with threats
towards the participants in “Eurovision-2012”, which will be held on
22-26 May in Baku.

To recall, on 7 March the Armenian Public Television officially
informed the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) of their withdrawal
from the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest. Such a decision is not
accidental. Last week several Armenian singers disseminated a statement
about the refusal to participate in the contest, as on 23 February
an Armenian soldier was killed by the Azerbaijani sniper.

The tragedy caused indignation of the Armenian society, including
singers. Many of them said that to take part in the contest after
the murder means to lower their national dignity.

As Interfax reported, the information was placed at one of the islamist
websites, the author of which called “Eurovision-2012” “a frightening
dream for all the Muslims” and added that participants in the contest
will be attacked. Azerbaijani terrorists have taken responsibility
for the attempts to implement terrorist actions in several towns of
the republic.

From: Baghdasarian

S. SAFARYAN EXPRESSED CONCERNS

06:50 pm | Today | Politics

Representatives of “Heritage” Party’s headquarters, MPs Styopa Safaryan
and Armen Martirosyan, as well as Anush Sedrakyan and Armen Arakleyan
from the “Free Democrats” Party had a meeting with the PACE monitoring
mission at the National Assembly today.

Baroness Emma Nickolson presented the delegates, including Polish
Senator Pyotr Vakh, secretary of the PACE Inter-Parliamentary
Cooperation and Election Monitoring Bogdan Torcatoriu and Secretary
of the PACE Monitoring Commission Bas Klein. The meeting was also
attended by Head of the CE Office in Yerevan Silvia Zehe.

“I fully hope the cooperation between “Heritage” Party and the PACE
monitoring mission and the preliminary interim reports will prevent
the current and possible fraud,” mentioned Safaryan.

At the guests’ request, members of “Heritage” Party’s headquarters
touched upon the troubling manifestations that have been observed
before and during the campaign for the parliamentary elections, the
existing violations in the majoritarian and proportional electoral
orders, discussed the exaggeration of the number of voters in voters’
lists, the violence that has been recorded, the distribution
of electoral bribes on the part of certain political parties,
the charities that have a political subtext and the collection of
passports, reports the news service of “Heritage” Party’s pre-election
headquarters.

From: Baghdasarian

NAGORNO KARABAKH TO ENSURE ITS FULL ELECTRICITY DEMAND ON ITS OWN IN THREE YEARS

ARMENPRESS
APRIL 12, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 12, ARMENPRESS. In the coming two-three years Nagorno
Karabakh will acquire independence in ensuring electricity, minister
of productive infrastructures of Nagorno Karabakh Karlen Petrosyan
said speaking to Artsakh’s public TV.

According to him, during the past three years four small hydro power
plants have been built in the territory of NKR. One plant has been
put into operation this year. By the end of the first half of the
running year other three are expected to operate. At the same time
Petrosyan convinced that Artsakh Republic ensures the 70% of its
energy demand and during the coming three years it will be able to
ensure the necessary demand on its own.

From: Baghdasarian