Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

THE MIRROR IMAGE OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH

Transitions online, Czech Rep.

Oct 10 2013

At the top, the rhetoric over the disputed territory is increasingly
bellicose, but among the region’s people, it hits a proud and
mournful note.

by Bulgarian National Television 10 October 2013

Reports of violence between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces are on
the rise and the rhetoric flying back and forth between the two foes
is heating up.

Locked in a frequently broken cease-fire since their war over
Nagorno-Karabakh ended in 1994, both countries have beefed up
their armed forces, and a resumption of fighting seems to have
re-entered their calculus, the International Crisis Group noted
in a late-September report. Azerbaijan entertains military options
for pushing back Armenia – which not only uses its army to defend
Nagorno-Karabakh but also occupies Azerbaijani regions surrounding the
enclave – and forcing Yerevan to make a deal, while Armenia considers
a strike to preempt any move by Baku.

Meanwhile diplomacy is going nowhere. Efforts to bring the two sides to
the table are sporadic and likely undermined by Russia’s multiple roles
as official mediator, ally of Armenia, and arms merchant to both sides.

In this environment, the ICG warned, the risks of a “military
miscalculation” are increasing.

Many who live in Nagorno-Karabakh are proud and nationalistic, in
the way that living in a defensive crouch can make a person, while
the Azeris who were driven out speak longingly of abandoned homes
and past lives.

The older people remember their neighbors, whether Azeris or Armenians,
fondly and still seem shocked that they took up arms against one
another. But they can never again live side-by-side, many say.

Here TOL presents a recent documentary from Bulgarian
National Television on what many call the “frozen conflict” of
Nagorno-Karabakh. It was reported in part by TOL columnist and BNT
producer Boyko Vasilev.

From: Baghdasarian

GEDIMINAS KIRKILAS: LITHUANIA IS INTERESTED IN DEVELOPING RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA

October 10, 2013 | 17:27

YEREVAN. – Lithuania is interested in developing and strengthening
diverse relations with Armenia.

Gediminas Kirkilas, Deputy Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas
(Parliament), noted the aforesaid Thursday during his talk, in
Armenia’s capital city Yerevan, with Armenian Minister of Foreign
Affairs Edward Nalbandian.

On his part, Nalbandian expressed satisfaction with the dynamically
developing Armenian-Lithuanian relations, informs the Armenian MFA
press service.

He specifically underscored the high-level political discourse and
the developing humanitarian ties between both countries.

The interlocutors discussed Armenia-European Union (EU) cooperation,
and the preparations for the Eastern Partnership Summit to be held
in the Lithuanian capital city Vilnius, at the end of November.

In this context, Edward Nalbandian reflected on his recent visit to
Vilnius and his talk with his Lithuanian colleague Linas LinkeviÄ~Mius,
during which the two FMs agreed that Armenia-EU relations need to be
boosted on the basis of the respective achievements.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: Baghdasarian

OBSERVERS FROM THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ON THE WAY OF ‘CAVIAR DIPLOMACY’

16:56 ~U 10.10.13

The PACE observation mission and the European Parliament announced
today the primary conclusion of the presidential election on October 9.

The paper argues that the October 9 election process was “transparent,
fair and free.”

As the head of the delegation of the European Parliament Pino Arlacci
said, the processes before the election and on the elections day
passed quietly. He expressed satisfaction with the “technical skills”
of the elections by the government of Azerbaijan.

According to him, the mission did not record cases of pressure on
observers at polling stations.

According to the electoral law, at polling stations there were no
police. However, there is a need for “some improvement”.

Thus, compared to the previous elections, “there was little free
debate.”

For the opposition, some opportunities opened up and in the future
it should be developed. The current election process is just the
beginning, MEPs believe.

“We are calling upon the Government of Azerbaijan to seriously develop
the path to democracy,” said Arlacci.

At the same time, he stressed the need for progress in ensuring
fundamental freedoms, and the government should be attentive to this.

Both delegations will soon present their final reports.

Note that the European Parliament delegation consisted of 7 members.

The PACE delegation led by British MP Robert Walter had 32
parliamentarians.

In recent years, MEPs are taking a more conformist attitude to
the ruling regime in Azerbaijan, turning a blind eye to massive
human rights violations referred to in the reports of authoritative
international human rights organizations.

Two years ago there was even a study entitled “caviar diplomacy”,
which describes the backroom deals of the authorities of Azerbaijan to
PACE members, who are paid for lobbying the interests of official Baku.

Armenian News – Tert.am

From: Baghdasarian

BUCHAREST PUBLISHES ARMENIAN LANGUAGE MANUAL

16:17, 10 October, 2013

BUCHAREST, OCTOBER 10, ARMENPRESS: In the result of the 10-year hard
work, Ulnia Blanaru Maganian published a manual of Western Armenian
language in Romania. This unique guide is primarily intended for
the beginner schoolchildren. Armenpress reports that this book,
financed by the Armenian Union of Romania, is the first of its kind,
which got the approval of the Ministry of Education of Romania.

Since 1990 the Professor Ulnia Blanaru Maganian had taught Western
Armenian for twenty years at the Bucharest’s Armenian Sunday school,
as well as at the Bucharest University. Now his work is continued
by his granddaughter Narine Bogdan Kaush, who had coordinated the
publishing works of the manual.

The author hopes that the publishing of this unique manual for the
Armenian community of Romania will foster the interest towards the
Armenian language and will provide the new Romanian Armenian generation
with the opportunity to learn Armenian.

From: Baghdasarian

LOWER PRICE FOR INSULIN TO ALLOW ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT TO SAVE AMD 300 MILLION

YEREVAN, October 10. /ARKA/. Armenia’s government will purchase another
batch of insulin from a Denmark’s Novo Nordisk at $3.3 per ampoule,
and this price will allow it to save AMD 300 million, Derenik Dumanyan,
the country’s health minister, said on Thursday.

At its regular Thursday session, the Cabinet approved a proposal to
sign a five-year agreement with the Danish company to buy insulin from
it. The health minister said that before that insulin was bought at
$12 per ampoule.

“We have decided to negotiate directly with European companies,” he
said. “The Danish company has made the most lucrative offer to us,
thanks to which we will save AMD 300 million.”

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, on his side, said that this is the
lowest price Armenia has ever paid for insulin.

The Cabinet also voided its previous agreement with Hungary’s
Sanofi-Aventis that sold insulin to Armenia before.

There are some 56,000 people diagnosed with type one and type two
diabetes in Armenia.

Treatment of children at the age below 18 is paid by the government
in Armenia. ($1 – AMD 406.20). —-0—

– See more at:

From: Baghdasarian

ARARAT ZURABYAN. “ANC’S PASSIVENESS DEPENDS ON PRO-RUSSIAN POLITICAL APPROACH.”

October 9 2013

Today, Aravot.am inquired from the member of restructuring ANC Ararat
Zurabyan as to how he will interpret the reaction of the opposition
regarding the statement to enter into the Customs Union. He answered,
“Let’s say the following, a significant part of our opposition had
always been in very pro-Russian position, and I think that the
passiveness of ANC’s reaction, a failure to answer this-or-that
question, clearly depends on the pro-Russian political approach.” To
our question that the politicians who are expressing in favor of the
Customs Union, whether we can say that they are expecting for a crown
from Putin, he answered, “I do not know what they are expecting for,
but one thing is obvious: a significant part of our political and
social life is really pro-Russian. They do not even hide it. I think
that they do not differ much from the authorities.” Ararat Zurabyan
said that he had met and talked to “Republic” party leader Aram
Sargsyan regarding the issue of joining the Customs Union, and hopes
that they will find some solutions. To our question whether the series
of consultations are outdated, he responded, “Life is going on. Let’s
consider something that there is no break in life. Political activity
is a matter of one day or one issue. They are processes, they will
proceed and we will find a dimension where we will stop.”

Hripsime JEBEJYAN

Read more at:

From: Baghdasarian

EGYPT LASHES OUT AT U.S. OVER MILITARY AID SUSPENSION

October 10, 2013 – 14:04 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Obama administration on Wednesday, Oct 9,
announced a modest and temporary freeze on military assistance to
Egypt, even as American officials emphasized their desire to avoid
rupturing a security relationship that stretches back more than three
decades, The New York Times reports.

To signal its displeasure at the Egyptian military’s bloody crackdown
on the Muslim Brotherhood, officials said, the United States would
withhold the delivery of several big-ticket items, including Apache
attack helicopters, Harpoon missiles, M1-A1 tank parts and F-16
warplanes, as well as $260 million for the general Egyptian budget.

But in a sign of how the administration is balancing its interests,
senior officials said the United States would continue aid for
counterterrorism programs as well as for Egypt’s efforts to protect
its borders and secure Sinai, which has become a haven for extremists.

In announcing the decision, administration officials reiterated that
the Egyptian military’s brutal repression of supporters of the ousted
president, Mohamed Morsi, was not acceptable. But in explaining their
specific steps, American officials sounded as if they were reaffirming
a valuable relationship rather than delivering a rebuke.

“This is not meant to be permanent; this is meant to be the opposite,”
a senior administration official said. “It is meant to be continually
reviewed.” Still, the official added, “it’s fair to say that holding
up hundreds of millions of dollars of assistance is a pretty clear
message.”

“We will continue to hold the delivery of certain large-scale military
systems and cash assistance to the government pending credible progress
toward an inclusive, democratically elected civilian government through
free and fair elections,” state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said,
according to BBC News.

Among the assistance that will be untouched, officials said, are
programs to train and educate Egyptian military officials in the
United States; the delivery of spare parts for many American-supplied
weapons; and aid for health care, education and the promotion of
business in Egypt.

Egypt has criticized the decision. Foreign ministry spokesman Badr
Abdelatty said the decision was wrong and Egypt would “not surrender
to American pressure and is continuing on its path towards democracy”.

From: Baghdasarian

FUNDS RAISED THROUGH TELETHON 2013 TO LAUNCH CONSTRUCTION OF VARDENIS-MARTAKERT HIGHWAY

12:43 10.10.2013

The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s upcoming Telethon will be
dedicated to raising financial support for the construction of the
Vardenis-Martakert Highway. The third project of its kind to be
carried out by the fund, the Vardenis-Martakert Highway is expected
to be a boon to the further socio-economic development of Artsakh
and Armenia alike.

Today it would be hard to exaggerate the crucial role which the
Goris-Stepanakert and North-South highways have had in the growth and
improved living standards of both republics. The Goris-Stepanakert
Highway, which links Artsakh to Armenia, and the North-South Highway,
often described as the backbone of Artsakh, have enabled the Hayastan
All-Armenian Fund to accelerate the development of infrastructure
(including water and gas pipelines and networks) as well as the
construction or renovation of schools, clinics, hospitals, and cultural
institutions throughout the cities and villages of Artsakh.

The Vardenis-Martakert Highway likewise will be of key economic and
humanitarian importance. By functioning as a direct road link, the
highway will become a second lifeline between northern Armenia and
northern Artsakh, significantly cutting down travel times, boosting
the economies of scores of Artsakh communities along its path,
stimulating inter-community ties, and vastly improving geographic
access for implementing local development initiatives. Currently
the only land-travel link between Artsakh and Armenia is the Berdzor
community, through which passes the Goris-Stepanakert Highway.

The highway’s construction will include, in addition to paving and
the painting of pavement markings, the installation of water-removal
and snowdrift-control systems as well as protective barriers and road
signs. Design tweaks and special safety measures will be applied in
highway sections prone to landslides. These measures will comprise the
construction of support walls and rockfall-attenuation structures, and
the removal of rocks. In addition, the project entails the renovation
or refitting of 16 bridges along the route.

The Vardenis-Martakert Highway will bring economic benefits to
communities located within up to 20 kilometers on either side of
the route. Villages that lie within two to three kilometers of the
future highway include Drmbon, Kochoghut, Verin Horatagh, Vaghuhas,
Haterk, Getavan, Chapar, Khnkavan, Charektar, Nor Erkej, Dadivank,
Nor Getashen, Knaravan, and Yeghegnut. Outlying villages, located
five or more kilometers from the highway, include Karvachar, Nor
Gharachinar, Harutagomer, Zardakhach, Hamshak, Chapni, Chinavan,
Nor Kharkhapur, Shigkar, Nor Brajur, Yeghtsin, Zovk, Nor Vernashen,
Msheni, and Nor Manashid.

From: Baghdasarian

EPP PRESIDENT WILFRIED MARTENS PASSED AWAY

October 10, 2013 | 12:26

President of European Peoples’ Party and former Belgian Prime Minister
Wilfried Martens has died at the age of 77, Belgian media announced
this morning.

Under his leadership, the EPP has grown into the largest political
group in the European Parliament and has enormously influenced EU
politics,euractiv.com reported.

Martens was hospitalised at the end of August for blood coagulation
problems and released on 9 September.

On 8 October, he transferred his functions as EPP president to Joseph
Daul, the political group chairman in the European Parliament.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: Baghdasarian

EN AZERBAIDJAN, LE CLANISME ET L’AUTOCRATIE AU POUVOIR

REVUE DE PRESSE

Ilham Aliev a-t-il jamais connu la fièvre de la victoire ? Pas sûr :
depuis qu’il a pris les renes de l’Azerbaïdjan, en octobre 2003,
il n’a, du fait d’un verrouillage etroit de la scène politique,
jamais eu d’adversaire a sa mesure. Reelu a l’automne 2008 avec
un score digne de l’ex-URSS (88,73 % des voix), il s’achemine de
nouveau vers un large succès lors du scrutin presidentiel du mercredi
9 octobre. C’est du moins ce que lui predisent les sondages, meme si
neuf autres candidats sont sur les rangs pour tenter de torpiller sa
quete d’un troisième mandat de cinq ans.

Chef du Parti du nouvel Azerbaïdjan (YAP), Ilham Aliev, 51 ans, a
su se maintenir au pouvoir en appliquant, avec autant de soin que
de rigueur, les methodes eprouvees par feu son père Heydar Aliev,
disparu en decembre 2003 après avoir adoube son fils. L’ex-membre
du KGB, qui avait gravi une a une les marches de la “meritocratie
communiste”, a ainsi legue a son heritier la tradition du nepotisme
et de l’autocratie.

POUR LIRE LA SUITE CLIQUER SUR LE LIEN

jeudi 10 octobre 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian