Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

AZERBAIJAN’S ATTEMPTS TO OBTAIN UNILATERAL CONCESSIONS DOOMED TO FAILURE – ARMENIAN MOD

June 28, 2013 | 13:03

YEREVAN. – Azerbaijan’s attempts to obtain unilateral concessions
are doomed to failure, Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan told reporters.

Asked about continuous belligerent rhetoric by official Baku, Ohanyan
noted that such statements are made to achieve a certain goal either
to solve an internal problem, or to obtain unilateral concessions.

“We were once drawn into a war and we managed to defend
Nagorno-Karabakh and our borders. Nowadays, it is impossible to make us
accept unilateral concessions,” he said, adding that Armenia stands for
peaceful resolution achieved through talks and mutual understanding.

Defense Minister said we must be ready for war and improve the
capabilities every day. However, he said the likelihood of war is
not strong despite tensions.

Asked about Russia’s selling of weapons to Azerbaijan, the Minster
said the purchase of arms by an opponent “is concerning.” However,
technical cooperation between Armenia and Russia is at higher level and
we maintain balance of forces due to qualitative factor – long-range
weapons and the better preparedness of the personnel.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: Baghdasarian

PRIME MINISTER’S TARGET OF WEST

The reply of the government to the U.S. ambassador did not come late.

Tigran Sargsyan stated in the meeting of government that the addressee
of allegations of mismanagement of Millennium Challenge projects is
the U.S. government, not the Armenian government.

“The disbursement agreements were signed in 2007 when the agency
had not even been set up. The American side announced reward of
contracts, selected the winner, signed the compact, disbursed the
grant, audited and evaluated the results as quite effective,” Tigran
Sargsyan announced.

During the IT forum a few days ago the U.S. ambassador John Heffern
stated that the government had better keep away from the IT sector
not to hinder its development.

Apparently, Tigran Sargsyan was insulted by this statement. He
evoked Millennium Challenge in a different context but did not miss
the chance to blame the U.S. government latently. At the same time,
Tigran Sargsyan expressed his dissatisfaction that the Americans
hear that he is criticized but do not intervene and argue that Tigran
Sargsyan has no role in this process.

What will the American side say? It is hardly possible that
mismanagement in Millennium Challenge will be stated. The United States
will thus lose the moral right to teach democracy to the Armenian
government, criticize the government for insufficient efforts to combat
corruption. On the other hand, there is obviously lack of confidence
between Tigran Sargsyan and the West, which is, most probably, the
reason for this exchange of unpleasant statements. The prime minister
is apparently dissatisfied that in this stage of political offensives
he does not get sufficient support from the West.

It is not ruled out that Tigran Sargsyan is dissatisfied with the
lack of investments pledged in December 2012 during his American visit.

Confidence may have ended late in May in Minsk after the meeting
of Tigran Sargsyan and Dmitry Medvedev where Tigran Sargsyan spoke
about signing of the memorandum of cooperation with the Customs Union
and deepening of integration. Perhaps afterwards the west demanded
explanations from Tigran Sargsyan and the prime minister did not
have any.

In December 2012 Tigran Sargsyan had a visit to the United States with
a tight schedule and achieved some agreements in the Silicon Valley
on investments in Armenia. Tigran Sargsyan was helped by ambassador
Heffern, the ambassador who was going to announce in a few months
that the government had better keep away from the IT sector not to
hinder its development.

Seven or eight months ago in Washington Tigran Sargsyan had an ad-hoc
meeting with Vice-President Biden. The meeting was a significant
support to Tigran Sargsyan. Perhaps Sargsyan did not live up to the
expectations if economic support is delayed after political support.

Meanwhile, economic support is essential to the spine of the Armenian
government.

It is not clear what Tigran Sargsyan expects from the West although
it is possible that the expectations were from Serzh Sargsyan, and
Tigran Sargsyan is the victim of non-implementation of the agreements
between the West and Serzh Sargsyan.

It is not ruled out that there is another purpose for this controversy
with Tigran Sargsyan. More exactly, an attempt is made to smear
Tigran Sargsyan’s reputation of the “West’s favorite” and thereby
curb possible dissatisfaction and aggressiveness of Russia, thereby
saving Tigran Sargsyan from being the target of the possible Russian
offensive on Armenia.

Hakob Badalyan 13:16 28/06/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

From: Baghdasarian

GERMAN EMBASSY SUPPORTS SYRIAN ARMENIANS

The German embassy to Armenia reports that after the first successful
joint project of 20 thousand Euros between the embassy of Germany and
Mission Armenia ONG, Germany continues supporting Mission Armenia
allocating another 30 thousand Euros for humanitarian aid projects
to Syrian Armenians.

Mission Armenia is also cooperating with UNHCR helping Syrian refugees
providing clothes, household items, hygiene supplies. Besides,
it facilitates the possibilities of Syrian refugees to use health
care services.

15:47 27/06/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

From: Baghdasarian

YEREVAN MUNICIPALITY DONATES STROLLERS TO SYRIAN-ARMENIAN FAMILIES WITH NEWBORNS

June 27, 2013 | 12:51

YEREVAN. – The Municipality of Armenian capital city Yerevan is
donating strollers, children’s items, and other necessary accessories
to the city’s Syrian-Armenian families with newborn babies.

Around 850 Syrian-Armenian families have received assistance in the
first half of 2013, the Municipality press service informs.

In addition, the Syrian Armenians receive social and education
assistance, legal advice, and relevant support.

Medical assistance and service for the socially disadvantaged
Syrian-Armenian families is free of charge at the medical facilities
that are under the jurisdiction of the Municipality.

Also, the needy Syrian Armenians in Yerevan can make use of soup
kitchens.

Ruzanna Zakaryan, Head the Department of Social Security of Yerevan
Municipality, informed that a special attention is paid to the
employment issue of Syrian Armenians. With the assistance of the staff
of Yerevan’s administrative regions, 13 Syrian Armenians already have
found jobs.

She also noted that the Syrian-Armenian families are registered in
the poverty assessment system and, as a result, family allowances
are allocated to those families with the corresponding points.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: Baghdasarian

APPLE CO-FOUNDER STEVE WOZNIAK SAYS SNOWDEN IS A HERO

June 26, 2013 – 23:54 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has spoken out in
favor of NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, Business Insider reports.

In an interview with The Daily Beast, Wozniak talked about how the
Internet has changed, and why he supports Snowden: “I think he’s a
hero. He’s a hero to my beliefs about how the Constitution should
work. I don’t think the NSA has done one thing valuable for us, in
this whole ‘Prism’ regard, that couldn’t have been done by following
the Constitution and doing it the old way.”

Wozniak went on to discuss his views on terrorism – which he believes
is a crime and not a war – and talked about how the word “war”
is being manipulated to allow unconstitutional monitoring. He also
talked about how supposedly “secure” correspondence has changed.

Reminiscing of a time when snail mail was guaranteed to go unopened
by the post office, Wozniak voiced his concern over the lack of
legitimate guarantee that exists with today’s email services.

From: Baghdasarian

INSTITUTE FOR NATIONAL STRATEGIC STUDIES BECOMES MEMBER OF CSTO ANALYTICAL ASSOCIATION

14:00 26/06/2013 ” SOCIETY

Drastamat Kanayan Institute for National Strategic Studies of the
Armenian Ministry of Defense and CSTO Analytical Association signed a
memorandum on the sidelines of the second strategic political forum on
“Political and Security Guidelines for the Formation of the Military
Component of CSTO” taking place in Yerevan.

Igor Panarin, coordinator of CSTO Analytical Association, announced
that the holding of the high-level forum enables the Institute for
National Strategic Studies to become a full member of the Association.

Head of Drastamat Kanayan Institute for National Strategic Studies,
Major General Hayk Kotanjyan signed the memorandum, with the consent
of Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan and CSTO Secretary General
Nikolai Bordyuzha.

Source: Panorama.am

From: Baghdasarian

ALIYEV SAYS THREATENING ARMENIA NORMAL FOR AZERBAIJAN

13:13 ~U 26.06.13

The strong Azerbaijan can use any language to talk to its weak
neighbor, Armenia, President Ilham Aliyev has said at a parade devoted
to the country’s Armed Forces Day.

According to the APA News Agency, the Azerbaijani leader spoke of
a military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He said the
country is powerful enough to choose that option, adding that it now
keeps sticking to the negotiation format not to frstrate the stability
in the South Caucasus region.

“Azerbaijan enjoys a great reputation in the region, playing the
role of a stabilizer. The project can be called to life without
Azerbaijan’s success. Hence, in order to ensure peace in the region,
we now choose the political path of settling the problem. But it’s no
secret Azerbaijan is growing stronger and stronger by every day, with
Armenia becoming weaker. We top our enemies in all aspects … And the
gap will widen in the course of time, because we have a clear future,
prospects and a way for development,” said the president.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict broke out in 1988 when the Armenian
majority of the then autonomous region declared its intention of
breaking away from Azerbaijan. In a referendum held on December 10,
1991 (days before the collapse of the USSR), the population voted
overwhelmingly in favor of independence (99.89%). The move was
followed by Azerbaijan’s large-scale military operations against
Nagorno-Karabakh and seven neighboring regions. The Ceasefire
Agreement, which went into effect in May 1994, put an end to the armed
attacks in the conflict zone. Since 1992, the OSCE Minsk Group has
been spearheading the efforts towards reaching a negotiated settlement
between the conflicting countries.

From: Baghdasarian

JUST A SEMI-AUTHORITARIAN STATE

Last week, Armenian mass media was full of optimistic titles relating
to Armenia’s bettering of position in ranking on trafficking fight,
freedom of speech and democracy, investment attraction and else. Still
there is not much to be happy for: according to rankings, Armenia
shifted from being an “authoritarian” to a “semi-authoritarian” state.

In Armenia no one particularly believes rankings, including
international. How can one believe the ranking which says that Armenia
is among first ten countries with the best retail trade investment
perspectives (The 2013 Global Retail Development Index)?

Those who know where Armenia is located on the map and what the real
situation is say otherwise. For instance, the U.S. ambassador to
Armenia John Heffern urged on the Armenian government not to intervene
in the IT sphere and let it develop. He is promoting Open government
partnership stating that it will better the indexes which Millennium
Challenges Corporation considers.

Semi-authoritarian management of the state, in fact, becomes a major
barrier to the development. It is not the blockade by Turkey and
Azerbaijan, not the U.S. sanctions against Iran, not the policy of
Russia, but the “semi-authoritarian” rule in the country. You should
thank for it is not authoritarian, we are told.

Armenian authorities are trying to change or imitate changes. The
last parliamentary session could be an index of democracy in
another country: reciprocal allegations for budget misappropriation,
kickbacks, criminal past and appeals to the prosecutor’s office were
heard. But all the accusations were eliminated in the most common
“semi-authoritarian” mode – RPA stated that the prime minister won’t
resign, Control Chamber was accused of political assessments and
everything remained as it used to be.

Armenian political-economic system is connected by a tough mutual
responsibility system. Any disclosure will drag along a long chain,
and the whole chain will fall apart. So now they will held from each
other even stronger than before. The main thing is to ensure the
chain does not collapse.

Perhaps, this fear is the reason of stubborn resistance of the Armenian
political system to the European integration. It supposes for other
relations in business and politics. Perhaps, the relations proposed
by Europe are not the best, but they differ from the current ones and
suppose for the destruction of the system. This is why Armen Movsisyan
says that the Customs Union is better since the system is used to it,
while with Europe, new processes which are possible to be turbulent,
are expected.

The semi-authoritarian system in Armenia recalls a besieged fortress –
oligarchs and officials don’t allow others to come in expecting the
Trojan horse. They have isolated Armenia, helping Turkey and Russia
to render the country a boiling pot with the lid closed. But steam
in any case will find the way out, moreover the fire under the pot
is getting stronger.

Naira Hayrumyan 13:32 26/06/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

From: Baghdasarian

GOVERNMENT’S GREEN OR WHO WANTS A SHARE OF AMULSAR

The U.K. Ambassador to Armenia Katherine Leach met on June 25 with the
minister of environmental protection Aram Harutiunyan. The ambassador
asked the minister to support the company which is investing in
Amulsar gold mine. As is known, the license to exploit the mine is
to be given to the British Lydian International headed by the former
prime minister of Armenia, chairman of Yerevan, My Love Foundation
Armen Sargsyan. By the way, on his invitation Prince Charles visited
Armenia on May 28 to attend the celebration of the First Republic Day.

The permit of exploitation is not with Lydian yet. The company does
not have the right to exploit the mine yet, and the ambassador has
most probably turned to the minister asking to resolve this issue.

Environmentalists protest against exploitation of this mine. They held
protest actions during Prince Charles~R visit. As a result, he had to
enter Matenadaran through the back entrance to avoid an encounter with
the demonstrators. The Prince~Rs relation to the mines is unknown. We
only know that the Prince and Armen Sargsyan are friends.

It is hard to tell whether the protests of environmentalists helped
to delay a final decision on the issue. It is also hard to tell if
Armen Sargsyan had organized the visit of the Prince to please the
authorities and for a ~Sreward~T. But even if the aim of the visit
was this, it seems to have failed. Otherwise the British ambassador
would not have met with the minister of environmental protection
asking for his help.

By the way, the minister~Rs answer was very interesting. He said that
Armenia is guided by green economy policy so the Amulsar project
should be perfect. Tens of thousands of trees cut in Teghut forest
for opening mines or the concentration of heavy metals in the air
in Alaverdi exceeding the limit beyond which it is danger for human
health is evidence to how strictly Armenia follows a green policy.

Here the issue is not environmental protection or green economy.
Environmentalists were protesting actively against the mineral industry
in Teghut but it did not stop an alliance between the authorities
and investors. So why are they so ~Sgreen~T in Amulsar?

Maybe green is used in a figurative sense. Apparently, some influential
person wants to be a formal or informal shareholder of the Amulsar
project expecting their share from the British company, so the
issuance of license is taking so long. The authorities are indirect
supporters of the environmentalists until they come to terms with
the British company.

The government must have requested a very high price from the British
to turn a blind eye on the protests of environmentalists. Even Prince
Charles saw how determined they are and how difficult it will be for
the government to ignore their protests.

James Hakobyan 11:06 26/06/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

From: Baghdasarian

WHY PATRUSHEV CAME TO ARMENIA

Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev had been
in Yerevan and met Serzh Sargsyan before the latter left for Poland.

Patrushev’s visit, according to the official message, was held upon
the invitation of his Armenian counterpart Arthur Baghdasaryan. The
Russian official attended a number of events in Armenia, but the aim
of this visit was different.

Mainly the purpose of his visit was his statement made in Gyumri that
Armenia has no problem in terms of security. The security issue is the
key in the Armenian-Russian relations and Russia is considered to be
the guarantor of the Armenian security. Russian frontier troops are
at Armenia’s borders, besides Russia keeps increasing its military
contingent in Armenia.

On the other hand, the security issue is an axis one also in the Euro
integration process. Serzh Sargsyan’s visit to Poland is a proof
of this. At his meeting with the president of Poland, he actually
demanded guarantees from the West. Poland is the leading country of
Eastern Europe and the “authorized representative” of the Euro-Atlantic
community in Eastern Europe and ex-Soviet Union territory. Poland is
coordinating integration processes in this area.

Europe does not impose sharp conditions on Armenia taking into account
the Russian element. At the same time it does not want to have another
partner which has problems with Russia. On the other hand, security
issues need clarity and at a certain point the issue on the Russian
bases and borders will be pushed to the first row with the demand
of “diversification”. This does not suppose for resistance, at the
same time for “monopoly”, especially in terms of implementation of
economic projects.

For now, Russia’s military presence in Armenia has no other content
but to keep the borders closed taking into account Turkey’s wish to
keep Armenia isolated. Here, we can say that Russia and Turkey are
jointly leading the isolation policy. The situation at the border with
Iran is not better: despite the open communications, Russia controls
all processes with Iran.

Patrushev’s visit was perhaps aimed at underlining this fact and
showing that Armenia has nowhere to “escape”. Hence, Serzh Sargsyan’s
statements in Poland were either aimed at receiving security guarantees
or they were an alibi in case Armenia does not resist the Russian
pressure and gets integrated into the Customs Union.

The situation is really serious in the sense that Armenians have
the bitter experience of Russian-Turkish agreements, for example, on
the eve of 1915 events. It is not ruled out that Patrushev made such
hints during his visit. On the other hand, when later Russia left the
Armenian territory, Armenians, having no other external hopes, managed
to set up the first republic and enlarged its borders. Then Russia
came back and again gave the territories to Turkey and Azerbaijan.

After the USSR collapse, Russia again left Armenia, and Armenians won.

The interests of Russia and Armenia don’t match: this is a historical
and political rule, and Armenia should accept it.

By the way, the Turkish massacres of Armenians were determined by
Armenians’ being the “fifth column of Russia”.

Haik Aramyan 11:26 26/06/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

From: Baghdasarian