Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

REPORTS: KARABAKH HOPES TO PRODUCE FOR VERSACE

EurasiaNet.org
Sept 12 2013

September 12, 2013 – 9:28am, by Giorgi Lomsadze

Could Azerbaijan be facing encroachments on its territorial integrity
by Italian fashion brands? Armenian and Karabakhi media have it
that Versace, Armani, Prada and Moschino are considering setting up
production lines in breakaway Nagorno Karabakh, a patch of territory
that Azerbaijan claims as its own design.

According to the reports, a coterie of Italian businesspeople are
visiting Karabakh this week to check out the potential for producing
clothes in a decrepit, former textile factory, Gharmetakskombinat. The
separatist authorities hope that the abandoned factory could soon
start producing Versace outfits, among others, and have joked that
perhaps Baku would care to set up a special black list for “prominent
international brands and companies.”

While this story may sound like something out of The Onion, officials
in Baku took it seriously. Azerbaijan, which is trying to isolate
Karabakh as part of its policy to regain control of the predominantly
ethnic Armenian territory, tasked its embassy in Italy to look into
the reports. One nationalist NGO called for a boycott of Versace
clothes — an action that, conceivably, might have put Azerbaijan’s
reigning fashionista, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, in a potentially
delicate situation.

Soon enough, though, Azerbaijani media distributed alleged comments
from Versace that the company has no plans to extend production to
the disputed region.

A purported “representative” of Versace in Azerbaijan, however, told
the Azerbaijani website Virtualaz.org that the Italian clothier intends
to open a boutique, rather than a factory, in the breakaway territory.

Versace spokespeople could not be reached by EurasiaNet.org for
confirmation.

It remains unclear if energy-rich Baku was able to talk Italy’s
fashion sharks out of their alleged Karabakh ideas or if the fashion
factory was Armenian/Karabakhi wishful thinking to begin with. In a
part of the world known both for fake news and fake fashion brands,
it may take time to get a clear picture.

From: Baghdasarian

HAKHVERDYAN, ELEMENT BAND TO MARK INDEPENDENCE IN CONCERT

Thursday, September 12th, 2013

Ruben Hakhverdyan and Element Band in concert

LOS ANGELES–Legendary poet and songwriter Ruben Hakhverdyan will
join Element Band at the Ford Amphitheatre on September 22 for an
unforgettable performance in celebration of Armenia’s independence.

The concert, a first-time performance of Ruben Hakhverdyan and Element
Band on the stage together, promises to be a unique experience, as the
audience will mark the 22nd anniversary of Armenian independence. The
concert date also marks the release of Ruben Hakhverdyan’s new album
titled ”Կտակ” (Testament).

Accompanied by Tigran Ter Stepanian, Hakhverdyan will perform new
and old songs, taking the crowd through an emotional journey to the
homeland. The concert will take place on September 22, 2013 at 7:30
p.m., doors open at 5:30 p.m.

The Ford Amphitheatre is located on 2580 E. Cahuenga Blvd in Los
Angeles, California. Ticket prices are $35, $45, and $60. To purchase
tickets, visit itsmyseat.com/ford or call (818) 426-1342.

From: Baghdasarian

YEGHIAZARIAN: AUTHORITIES CREATE CONDITIONS IN WHICH PEOPLE LEAVE COUNTRY

Thursday,
September
12

“After gaining independence, Armenia became a sovereign state.

Everything should be done to keep that sovereignty, whereas the
current authorities are doing everything so that the people will lose
independence”. Member of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) Gurgen
Yeghiazarian expressed that opinion at a meeting with reporters today.

In his words, the authorities create conditions, in which people have
to leave the country. “At the same time, thanks to some puppets an
impression is being created that we live in a country where life is
full of color,” Yeghiazarain noted.

Another participant of the press conference, member of the Republican
Party of Armenia (HHK) Lernik Aleksanian said that naturally every
authority has its shortcomings. In his opinion, the reason is that the
idea of independence was initially interpreted wrongly. “Independence
is an absolute value, and not symbolism,” he stated.

TODAY, 18:38

Aysor.am

From: Baghdasarian

RUSSIA AND UKRAINE ENRICH ARMENIA’S MAIZE MARKET

17:32, 12 September, 2013

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. The maize import volume to the
Republic of Armenia has been increased by over 58 percents during
the first six months of the current year in comparison with the same
period of 2012, thus reaching 38 thousand 964.6 tons. In accordance
with the data provided by the State Revenue Committee under the
Government of the Republic of Armenia 24 thousand 254.3 tons of maize
have been imported to the Republic of Armenia during the first six
months of the previous year. As reports “Armenpress” the Republic of
Armenia imported the majority of maize from the Russian Federation
(21 thousand 939 tons) and Ukraine (15 thousand 855 tons). Also,
the Republic of Armenia imported 1078.7 tons of maize from Georgia.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN PAVILION OPENED IN TAIZHOU’S TRADE CENTRE IN CHINA

16:16, 12 September, 2013

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. An Armenian pavilion was opened in
“Global Purchasing Center” in Taizhou City of the Jiangsu Province
of the People’s Republic of China on September 11. The Information
and Public Relations Department of the Government of the Republic of
Armenia informed “Armenpress” that the Head of Staff of the Government
of the Republic of Armenia-Minister Vache Gabrielyan participated
in the solemn opening ceremony of the pavilion along with a number
of Armenian businessmen. The production of the Armenian companies
including brandy, wine, and juices are introduced in the pavilion.

The Russian Federation, France, Great Britain, United States,
Switzerland, Italy, Germany, and a row of other European and Asian
countries introduce their production to the Chinese consumers in
this centre.

The delegation led by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia
Tigran Sargsyan paid a working visit to the People’s Republic of
China on September 9. The Armenian delegation participates in the
World Economic Forum. Among other things it is considered to sign
bilateral documents; in particular an agreement on economic cooperation
and a memorandum of mutual understanding in the sphere of emergency
situations administration. Also, there will be a number of meetings
with the representatives of various IT companies.

The Head of Staff of the Government of the Republic of Armenia-Minister
Vache Gabrielyan, the Minister of the Emergency Situations of the
Republic of Armenia Armen Yeritsyan, the Deputy Minister of Foreign
Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Sergey Manaseryan have been included
in the delegation led by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia
Tigran Sargsyan.

From: Baghdasarian

RUSSIAN POLITICAL SCIENTIST: NO NEED FOR PUTIN TO VISIT ARMENIA IN SEPTEMBER

September 12, 2013 | 11:27

The Presidents of Armenia and Russia held a meeting in Moscow on
September 3 and it was very productive, and therefore visiting
Armenia~Rs capital city Yerevan in September will not be topical.

CIS Institute Director Konstantin Zatulin told the aforesaid
toArmenian News-NEWS.am. He reflected on the information that the
Russian president~Rs visit to Armenia, which is slated for this month,
will not take place.

Zatulin added, however, that the information on the cancelation of
the visit is just a prediction, and the Russian president~Rs protocol
should be looked at for accurate information.

The Russian political scientist remarked that an Armenian church will
be consecrated in Moscow on September 17.

~SArmenia~Rs President Serzh Sargsyan likewise is expected to be on
hand at the ceremony. But it is not known whether the [two] presidents
will hold a bilateral meeting,~T Konstantin Zatulin concluded.

To note, Russian President Vladimir Putin was slated to visit Armenia
in the latter half of September, but a source close to the Kremlin
had informed that this visit would be rescheduled.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: Baghdasarian

SARGSYAN SHOULD WRITE A LETTER TO PUTIN

Europe and Armenia are looking for ways of integration after the
first shock of Serzh Sargsyan’s statement in Moscow. Already new
trends are outlining which may toss us back to where we were.

The first trend is the policy of Europe which has apparently made a
political decision to tackle Russian pressure on its eastern partners.

The European officials denounce huge pressure by Russia. In addition,
Moscow does not comment on these statements, without admitting or
dismissing facts of pressure.

Not only Armenia is concerned whose leadership, by the way, has not
stated about pressure officially. Facts of pressure on Ukraine and
Moldova have been acknowledged.

It is not clear whether Europe will apply any sanction on Moscow but
it is obvious that if Armenia announces that its decision to join
the Customs Union was forced by Moscow, Serzh Sargsyan’s statement
in Moscow will become illegitimate.

By the way, today the Russian president Putin published an article in
the New York Times where he states: “And I would rather disagree with
a case he [Barack Obama] made on American exceptionalism, stating that
the United States’ policy is “what makes America different. It’s what
makes us exceptional.” It is extremely dangerous to encourage people
to see themselves as exceptional, whatever the motivation. There are
big countries and small countries, rich and poor, those with long
democratic traditions and those still finding their way to democracy.

Their policies differ, too. We are all different, but when we ask for
the Lord’s blessings, we must not forget that God created us equal.”

The second trend which is outlining more visibly is Armenia’s hope that
Kazakhstan and Belarus will disagree to Armenia’s membership to the
Customs Union. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nlabandyan told
about this yesterday in the parliament. In October the Customs Union
summit will take place during which its three members are supposed
to approve Armenia’s membership, maybe also Kyrgyzstan’s membership
to the Customs Union.

The intrigue is that Armenia has initially been announced to join the
Customs Union together with Karabakh. If Kazakhstan, an old friend
of Azerbaijan, approves Armenia’s membership, it will automatically
recognize that Karabakh is part of Armenia. Nazarbayev, the father
of the Eurasian Union, will hardly take such a step against its
friend Aliyev.

Kazakhstan has already handed over to the prime minister of Armenia
some model documents relating to membership to the CU. What is the
role of Karabakh in these documents? Nalbandyan says “Karabakh will
not suffer”. Does this mean that Nazarbayev has agreed to recognize
Karabakh within its current borders? Or has Armenia agreed to “share”
Karabakh?

For many years now Russia has been unable to force Lukashenko and
Nazarbayev to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia. It is harder
with Karabakh because the factor of Turkic and Islamic solidarity
interferes. And if the Russian guarantee for Armenia’s membership
to the CU was the recognition of Karabakh, does Armenia reserve the
right to renounce its decision in case recognition does not come?

No doubt all these trends are weaker than the Russian boot (let Levon
Ter-Petrosyan forgive me). Apparently, however, it is time Serzh
Sargsyan wrote to the New York Times a letter to Putin and told him
that God created us equal, even if our country is marked with a number
on the map.

Naira Hayrumyan 14:35 12/09/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

From: Baghdasarian

NIKOL PASHINYAN URGES PRIME MINISTER TO RETURN FROM CHINA AND BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR INDOOR MARKET

by Karina Manukyan

ARMINFO
Thursday, September 12, 10:54

The issue of the Indoor Market, which has turned from a historical
monument of Yerevan into an ordinary supermarket, was raised during
a meeting of parliamentarians and government members on Wednesday.

Nikol Pashinyan, MP from the Armenian National Congress Faction,
said that a criminal case on the damage caused to the monument should
have been instituted. “I demand that the Government should explain why
no measures established by the law were taken and why the historical
monument has been demolished despite the fact that the issue has been
raised in Parliament for a year”, he said.

“According to the Constitution, the people that must reply to my
questions must be in this hall. Let them return from China and answer
my questions. The Prime

Minister has no right to be on a business trip today”, Pashinyan said
meaning Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan’s visit to China. He stressed
that the Premier is directly accountable for the current situation
around the Indoor Market. “In 2012, during the hearings on the
governmental program, I asked the Premier about the Indoor Market. He
answered that the issue was to be studied, discussed, and assessed.

But now we have no Indoor Market at all”, said Pashinyan.

The Indoor Market was built in 1952 by Armenian architect Grigory
Aghababyan’s project and has been considered one of the symbols
of the Armenian capital since then. The repair inside the building
has damaged the original exterior of the building. In early June,
the municipality promised that the constructions erected inside the
building would be demolished and the original appearance would be
restored. However, these constructions have not been dismantled.

From: Baghdasarian

ZHOGHOVURD: CONTROL CHAMBER HEAD BOYCOTTS GOVERNMENT SESSIONS

Thursday,
September
12

‘Zhoghovurd’ writes that the well-known sitting held in the Armenian
president’s residence following the presentation of the Control
Chamber’s 2012 report in the Armenian parliament has become fateful
for the Control Chamber.

According to the paper’s sources, since the sensational report, the
Control Chamber head Ishkhan Zakarian has not attended the government
sessions. “Zakarian has declared a ‘boycott’ against Armenian Prime
Minister Tigran Sargsyan and forbade his deputies to attend sessions.

His seat in the ‘left wing’ of the session hall has been vacant
for a long time. Offended by such behavior of Ishkhan Zakarian,
the prime minister presented one of his favorites with that seat,”
the daily says.

TODAY, 11:39

Aysor.am

From: Baghdasarian

CHORRORD INQNISHKHANUTYUN: SERZH SARGSYAN MET RUSSIAN-ARMENIAN BUSINESSMAN IN CROATIA

11:02 12.09.13

President Serzh Sargsyan’s somewhat unexpected visit to Croatia in
late August was reportedly linked with his desire to meet with Ara
Abrahamyan, a Russian-Armenian businessman and the president of the
Union of Armenians of Russia.

The paper said earlier that the visit was aimed atnotifying the
European partners of Armenia’s plans to join the Eurasian Customs
Union. But it emerged later that the president, who did not manage
to meet his Russian counterpart till September 3 (the day he made
the statement expressing Armenia’s desire to become a member of the
Russian-led union) to know his position on the Customs Union and the
Association Agreement processes, sought a meeting with Abrahamyan who
is thought to have quite a big influence in Moscow. The paper says
that Sargsyan asked the businessman to arrange a meeting between him
and Vladimir Putin.

Abrahamyan reportedly invited the Armenian leader to his private
residence in Croatia to let him know of Putin’s messages concerning
the Customs Union integration. According to the paper, the Russian
money transfers and the overturn of Armenian products on the Russian
market were among the key addresses.

Armenian News – Tert.am

From: Baghdasarian