Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

WHERE WILL SERZH SARGSYAN FLY?

Hakob Badalyan
Comments – Friday, 27 September 2013, 16:47

The airport of Stepanakert is in the focus of the Russian media.

Lenta.ru has dwelled on the situation, asking whether they will allow
operating the airport. Is it true that the question of the mass media
is not addressed to someone special and it is not clear who is meant
to allow, Azerbaijan, the Minsk Group or any other co-chair country,
such as Russia. Or maybe they mean Armenia which would not agree
to operate the airport. The Russian Regnum has also dwelled on the
airport of Stepanakert, writing about ongoing tryout of take-off and
landing of planes. Both Lenta and Regnum remind that in 2011 Serzh
Sargsyan promised to board the first plane leaving for Stepanakert.

The first flight was to be on 9 May 2011, the Victory Day. However,
no flights have been operated yet between Yerevan and Stepanakert.

Apparently, the flights do not depend on Azerbaijan, the Minsk Group
or Armenia. The flight depends on one person and this person is Serzh
Sargsyan. He promised to be the first passenger but, apparently,
he has changed his mind for some dangers and since he promised to
take the first flight to Stepanakert, he would not approve the first
flight. Every time a new excuse is brought to postpone the operation
of the airport. On these days the head of Civil Aviation Department of
Artsakh Dmitry Atbashyan announced that airports will be technically
ready to fly in 15 days. After this statement the Russian mass media
focused on the issue. The impression is that Moscow is pushing Serzh
Sargsyan into the plane. Will Sargsyan fly or not? After membership
to the Customs Union he announced that it was aimed at security. Now
Serzh Sargsyan is facing an interesting fact or rather Moscow made him
face the fact: if you are secure, then fly, go ahead. Moscow is going
to give many more surprises to Serzh Sargsyan on security. When Serzh
Sargsyan circulated the idea of security to justify his decision,
he put a heavy burden on Moscow’s shoulders. It is a burden which
is not in line with Moscow’s interest. However, the Kremlin will not
disclaim any pledges of security and further commitments. The Kremlin
will try to do everything possible to have Serzh Sargsyan to either
denounce his statement or fly. It is hard to tell what destination
Moscow suggests for flying to but it is interesting that the French
president Hollande told Serzh Sargsyan to fly Paris.

From: Baghdasarian

PRESIDENT ATTENDED THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR A NEW CHECK-POINT IN BAGRATASHEN

27.09.2013

President Serzh Sargsyan conducted today a working visit to Tavush
marz. The President attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the a
check-point in Bagratashen. The check-point is being constructed in
the framework of the RA State Border Bagratashen, Bavra and Gogavan
Modernization Program. In Bagratashen, the President was familiarized
with the process of implementation of this 60.6 million Euro worth
program and forthcoming works. Reports were made by the Head of the RA
Government State Revenue Committee Gagik Khatchatrian, Head of the EU
Head of Delegation in Armenia Traian Hristea, UN Resident Coordinator
in Armenia Bradley Busetto, Head of the National Security Strategy
Implementation Department of the RA National Security Council Aram
Tananian. The event was attended also by the representatives of the
state border control bodies, international and international financial
organizations, diplomatic corps, and mass media.

Bagratashen, Bavra and Gogavan check-point modernization program is
carried out by the Development Program of the United Nations (UNDP),
construction works are conducted by the French SADE Consortium and
the State Revenue Service is coordinating the entire process. The
program is financed by the EU grant and other credits.

The program will allow to solve the problem of the installment and
development of a comprehensive system of management of the RA state
borders, enhancement of security at the state borders, facilitation of
border crossing processes for the citizens and business entities and
will enhance international trade. It is expected that the modernization
of the cross-points will also considerably improve the living standards
for the local population since it will create temporary jobs for the
period of construction and permanent jobs when the construction is
completed. It will allow to ensure smooth flow of economic activities
through the check-point. In addition, the population will see
improvements in the communication and information related issues.

The modernization process of the RA border check-points commenced
back in 2010 with the Presidential decree on the adoption of the
RA state border security and comprehensive management strategy,
which was followed by the adoption of a program in 2011 aimed at the
realization of relevant measures for the implementation of the strategy
in the period of 2011-2015. The program mentions as a priority the
modernization of three check-points – Bagratashen, Bavra and Gogavan.

On July 22, 2013, President signed another decree which implies
introduction at the RA state border check-point crossing procedures
of the One Stop, One Window approach.

From: Baghdasarian

Trend, Azerbaijan
Sept 28 2013

Azerbaijani FM discusses Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with U.S. Under Secretary

Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 28 /Trend M. Aliyev/

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov met with the U.S. Under
Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman during the visit to New
York to attend the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly, a report
of Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry’s press service said on Saturday.

The meeting focused on issues such as the development of bilateral
relations between Azerbaijan and the U.S., settlement of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the issue of use
of chemical weapons in Syria, which is on the agenda of the UN
Security Council.

From: Baghdasarian

US Fed News
September 27, 2013 Friday 4:30 PM EST

WIPO PUBLISHES PATENT OF ECOSERV REMOTE OBSERVATION CENTRE AND
ARTASHES ARAKELYAN FOR “AN AUTOMATED WIDE-RANGING ANTI-HAIL PROTECTION
METHOD AND A NETWORK” (ARMENIAN INVENTOR)

GENEVA

GENEVA, Sept. 27 — Publication No. WO/2013/138824 was published on Sept. 26.

Title of the invention: “AN AUTOMATED WIDE-RANGING ANTI-HAIL
PROTECTION METHOD AND A NETWORK.” Applicants: ECOSERV REMOTE
OBSERVATION CENTRE CO. LTD. (AM) and Artashes Arakelyan (AM).
Inventors: Artashes Arakelyan (AM). According to the abstract* posted
by the World Intellectual Property Organization: “The present
invention relates to hail detection, warning, prevention.

An automated method of wide-ranging anti-hail protection including
reception of sky proper radiothermal emission in M sites, its
comparison with corresponding thresholds, generation command signals
to detonate combustible gas and to direct shock waves upwardly to the
sky, generation and transmission alert signals, reception of
transmitted alert signals in each M sites, comparison with proper
code-signals of that site and setting alert operational mode of sonic
generator. An automated network of anti-hail protection including M
hail preventing sonic cannons set in M sites of anti-hail protection
area any of which comprises an antenna, a radiometric receiver, a
controlled compensation device, a controlled multi-channel threshold
system, a wamer, a transmitter, a receiver, a comparison device, a
first controlling switcher, a controlled single- channel thrcsholdcr
and a second controlling switcher. It is enhanced operation efficiency
and is automated exploitation of an anti-hail protection network.” The
patent was filed on July 9, 2012 under Application No.
PCT/AM2012/000003. *For further information, including images, charts
and tables, please visit:

From: Baghdasarian

3 Soldiers Accused of Beating Senior Officer: Witnesses Say
Testimonies were Embellished

09.24.2013 23:15 epress.am

The next hearing in the case of the three conscripts serving in the
Mehrab military unit accused of assaulting their superior was held
today in the Court of General Jurisdiction of Tavush Marz. According
to the indictment, brothers Karlen and Artak Sargsyan, and Manuk
Margaryan beat Lieutenant David Lazarian. The accused argue that
Lazarian hit first, after which Karlen struck back, while the other
two attempted to break up the fight.

Speaking to Epress.am, the Sargsyans’ attorney, Ani Torosyan, said
that the following witnesses testified in court: deputy commander of
the military unit Rodin Poghosyan, and rank-and-file soldiers Garik
Zakaryan and Gegham Margaryan. All the witnesses said in court that
their preliminary testimonies taken from them were not those heard in
court today.

Poghosyan was particularly angry by the fact that the investigator
recorded something that bears no relation to what he said. “Bring that
investigator here,” he demanded. The witness confirmed that he only
heard David Lazarian telling others that he did not beat the
conscripts.

However, in Poghosyan’s preliminary testimony heard in court, the
incident is described in great detail; meanwhile, Poghosyan insists
that he did not witness the incident.

Gagik Zakaryan also told the court that the pre-trial testimony he
gave was not to such a great extent as it was presented in court.

In court, he said that he only saw the officer arguing with someone in
the hallway, and he did not even know with whom he was arguing.

The other witness, Gegham Margaryan, said he testified at the behest
of the military police officer. According to the published pre-trial
testimony, Margaryan said that he saw one of the accused, Manuk,
holding the officer while one of the brothers beat him.

Previously, another witness in the case, rank-and-file Armen Nazaryan,
said that he was pressured and beaten in order to extract a testimony
from him.

From: Baghdasarian

We will raise salaries and pensions in 2014 – Armenian PM

September 28, 2013 | 15:04

YEREVAN. – As of January 1, 2014, the average pension in Armenia will
rise by 15 percent, and as of July 1, the wages will rise by 40
percent.

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan noted the abovementioned during
Saturday’s special Cabinet session.

The salaries and pensions will be raised on the account of the
additional revenues that are envisioned in the state budget.

On his part, Labor and Social Affairs Minister Artem Asatryan said the
increases in pensions will be different for different groups. Hence,
the pensions of those that receive low pensions will rise by up to 25
percent, whereas the pensions of those that receive high pensions will
increase by a mere 3 percent. In addition, a minimum monthly pension
of 18,200 drams (approx. $45) will be set.

In this connection, PM Tigran Sargsyan stated that, by making
amendments in the law, the pension differences between the groups
should be lessened.

From: Baghdasarian

President Bako Sahakyan received delegation of the French city of
Vienne headed by mayor Jacques Remiller

28-09-2013 17:30:21

On 28 September Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan received
delegation of the French city of Vienne headed by mayor Jacques
Remiller.
Issues related to cooperation between Vienne and a number of towns in
our republic were discussed during the meeting.
Special attention was paid to practical realization of the twin town
idea as well as cooperation in the spheres of healthcare and culture.
President Sahakyan considered important this direction, noting that
its implementation would give a special impetus to the development of
different towns in our republic and deepening ties with developed
countries.
The Head of the State expressed gratitude to Jacques Remiller for his
active participation in Artsakh-France friendship circle and for
constant support shown to our country.
NKR minister of health Zoya Lazaryan, Mayor of Stepanakert Souren
Grigoryan and other officials partook at the meeting.

CENTRAL INFORMATION DEPARTMENT OF
THE OFFICE OF THE ARTSAKH REPUBLIC PRESIDENT

News from Armenia and Diaspora – Noyan Tapan
– See more at:

From: Baghdasarian

Azerbaijani media are outraged: Armenian businessman insured Hilton
hotel in Baku

16:42 28/09/2013 » SOCIETY

Famous Russian billionaire of Armenian origin Sergey Sarkisov not only
entered the Azerbaijani market, but also insured one of the five star
hotels in Baku, the Azerbaijani news portal Haqqin.az” writes.

Earlier “Haqqin.az” reported with reference to the site Virtualaz.org,
that the famous Russian billionaire of Armenian origin Sergey Sarkisov
had adjusted his insurance business in Azerbaijan. After this, the
Ministry of Finance of Azerbaijan hurried to deny these facts, calling
the investigation of the site “biased” and “false.”

According to the article, the information published on May 5, 2012, on
the Armenian billionaire’s official website of the “RESO – Guarantee”,
states that “Unity Re” which is a member of re-insurance company RESO
reinsured several largest hotels in the world’s Hilton network in May
2012.

It says that today, the world-famous chain of hotels and resorts
founded in the U.S. in 1919, has 540 facilities in 78 countries around
the world. Five hotels in that network, including Hilton Baku
(Azerbaijan), Hilton Beirut Habtoor Grand (Lebanon), Hilton Abu Dhabi,
Hilton Ras Al Khaimah and the Double Tree by Hilton RAK (the last
three – UAE), were reinsured by the “Unity Re” in May 2012.

The total sum of the insured objects exceeded $ 600 million, the
“Haqqin.az” informs. “It also became known that the head of the “Unity
Re” had come to Baku to participate in the second Azerbaijani
International Insurance Forum held on July 7-8, in 2011. The
organizers of the forum were the Ministry of Finance of Azerbaijan and
Azerbaijani Insurers Association. Was it so difficult for our Ministry
of Finance to check and find out that the “Unity Re” is included in
the holding of the company of the Armenian billionaire?” wonders the
portal.

Source: Panorama.am

From: Baghdasarian

Armenia’s 1st Vegan Fest Tomorrow in Mashots Park

11:40, September 28, 2013

Armenia’s first `Vegan Fest’ will take place tomorrow at 1pm in
Yerevan’s Mashtots Park.

Touting the slogan `Choose Life’, the festival seeks to disseminate
the ideal of a healthy lifestyle through vegetarianism in addition to
highlighting cruelty to animals.

Vegetarian dishes will be available for sampling, as well as lectures
on the benefits of eating healthy.

Invited musicians will provide an entertaining backdrop to the fair
that will also include slackline and yoga competitions.

The public is encouraged to bring samples of vegetarian dishes to the
fair where a contest for the tastiest will be held.

So come one and all.

From: Baghdasarian

Baroness Cox about Azerbaijan’s `black list’: We regard it as a big joke

September 28, 2013 | 13:54

YEREVAN. – Baroness Caroline Cox said by initiating a `black list’,
Azerbaijan tries to intimidate and threaten people who intend to go to
Nagorno-Karabakh.

`I think this is because Azerbaijan is afraid that people will know
the truth,’ Baroness Cox told correspondents of Armenian News-NEWS.am,
tert.am and haynews.am.

`But second, those of us whose names are on the so-called `black list’
treat it like a role of honor. We are proud to be next to other very
good names on that list. We also regard it as a big joke,’ she said.

Azerbaijani MFA issued the list of those individuals that are declared
persona non grata in Azerbaijan for visiting Nagorno-Karabakh `without
permission.’

The Azerbaijani `black list’ comprises 335 names, including famous
Italian singer and actor Al Bano, and world-renowned Spanish operatic
soprano Montserrat Caballé.

From: Baghdasarian