Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

ARMENIAN SOLDIER WOUNDED IN DEADLY GUNSHOT RECOVERING RAPIDLY – DOCTOR

17:37 ~U 05.06.13

The Armenian army private, wounded in last month’s deadly gun attack
that saw a fellow serviceman killed, is said to be recovering rapidly.

The head of the hospital where the consriptm, Hrach Sargsyan, is now
receiving a treatment, told reporters on Wednesday that he has now
been discharged from the intensive care unit and is continuing his
in-patient therapy in a general department.

“The solider now communicates quite well and speaks like we do. He can
be said to need no further treatment at all, only rehabilitation,”
Ara Asaturyan said, adding that the hospital has carried out quite
serious work to make his recovery possible.

Sargsyan, who serves in a military unit in Noyemberyan (Tavush region),
was wounded by a fellow conscript’s bullet on May 16. Luxe Stepanyan,
another private at the same unit, died on the spot.

Asaturyan said the hospital is now negotiating with the Red Cross to
promote the soldier’s further rehabilitation.

Armenian News – Tert.am

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN ARCHITECT CONCERNED OVER YEREVAN SQUARE RECONSTRUCTION PLAN (VIDEO)

14:02 ~U 05.06.13

The head of the Armenian Architects’ Union has expressed concerns over
the Yerevan municipality’s bid for Republic Square’s reconstruction.

At a news conference on Wednesday, Mkrtich Minasyan said the proposal
makes absolutely no mention of the fact that Yerevan’s central square
is a monument of a republican importance.

“There’s no justification saying that every mayor and citizen is aware
it is a republican monument. He may or may not be aware, but that has
to be fixed in the bid proposal as the approaches completely change
in case it is not deemed a monument,” he said, adding that the fact
would guarantee the area’s immunity.

Not opposing to the city authorities’ claim that the area really
needs a reconstruction, the architect said it is still too early to
realize the plan given the forlorn situation of other squares in the
capital city.

Minasyan agreed that the central square has turned into a transport
knot, but said it is impossible to think of a solution without tackling
the problem of the streets nearby.

“It is impossible to regulate those streams in the square; there may
underground passages to enable people’s free movement. We can approach
the issue, but [it is important] to finalize all the problem, as we
have no more room for error,” he added.

From: Baghdasarian

YEREVAN CITIZENS ON SYUNIK SHOOTOUT – VIDEO

07:36 PM | JUNE 04, 2013 | SOCIAL

Last week’s deadly shootout in Syunik province that left one person
killed and two more injured outside the governor’s house gives rise
to reflections.

Most of the respondents of A1+’s survey says the guilty ones should
receive fair punishment. At the same time they are unanimous that,
under the circumstances, the temporarily resignation of Syunik Governor
Surik Khachatryan announced on June 3 is not enough.

“I regret that I could not prevent the tragic incident that occurred
near my house. Now, all questions will be given an objective
examination,” Khachatryan said in his statement on Monday.

Watch the video to know the opinion of our citizens.

From: Baghdasarian

CAN SURIK KHACHATRYAN “DIGEST” THIS CRIME?

08:16 PM | JUNE 04, 2013 | POLITICS

Editor of Yerevan-based Aravot (Morning) daily, Anna Israelyan,
knows Syunik Governor Surik Khachatryan well enough to say that the
country’s political and judicial systems will not make him accountable
for the recent gunfight outside his house in Goris.

“If he (Khachatryan) has digested everything to this date, why
shouldn’t he digest this one?” she said.

Among the crimes ‘digested’ by Syunik governor the journalist singled
out the beating of a 16-year-old pupil by Surik Khachatryan, the
rape attempt of a girl by his brother in a Gyumri store, beating
of Syunik-based businesswoman Silva Hambardzumyan, the killing of a
30-year-old fellow by his nephews.

“Only one of his nephews was punished for the murder but he served his
sentence in the prison hospital and was released earlier,” she said.

In the editorial office, Anna Israelyan showed A1+’s correspondent
an article about the first high-profile crime involving the Syunik
governor. Surik Khachatryan had beaten a 16-year-old schoolboy. The
prime minister appointed an official investigation and personally
denied the obvious crime, saying it was the schoolboy who had beaten
the governor’s son.

“If the prime minister believes that someone will dare in Syunik to
beat the governor’s son and stay alive, it is his problem. Now let them
rejoice at the recurrent ‘feats’ performed by their beloved governor,”
said Mrs Israelyan.

Zaruhi Postanjyan, a lawmaker from the opposition Heritage faction,
does not even want to recall the incidents involving Syunik governor
during the parliamentary election campaign. She says ‘that man swore
at and offended a woman.

“Khachatryan was to be arrested in connection with the recent deadly
incident that left a former mayoral candidate dead outside his house,”
said the MP.

Zaruhi Postanjyan thinks that Khachatryan can interfere in the
investigation in order to save his son.

“If he (Khachatryan) is not detained and no charges are brought against
him, I think that he is sponsored personally by Serzh Sargsyan,”
said the Heritage MP.

Postanjyan believes that Serzh Sargsyan cannot ‘get rid of’ Surik
Khachatryan for fear that he will lose his influence in Syunik province
which he gained thanks to Khachatryan.

From: Baghdasarian

IT’S UP TO GOVERNMENT, NOT SOCIETY TO YIELD

Two important processes are underway in Armenia which do not seem
to be interrelated at first sight. The first is the growing social
dissatisfaction, and the second is Armenia’s experience to resist to
Russia’s urge to join the Eurasian Union.

Social dissatisfaction is not provoked by Russia but by mediocre
governance and even mismanagement of the government which tightens
the social noose and jeopardizes equal rights and social justice. The
economic and political policies of the government aggravate the
social dissatisfaction, and people protest against the government,
not foreign countries.

It is evident, however, that the same foreign countries may avail
themselves of the people’s outburst in order to thwart the current
authorities of Armenia. Not only the Armenian pro-opposition and
independent media but also Russian media are writing about the
emigration rates and probability of a rebellion in Armenia. It goes
in the context of failure of the government and the need to change it.

Hardly anyone will doubt that the government cannot handle the new
situation. But when the failure of the government in Armenia becomes
the priority of another country, it causes doubts. Why would Russia
or any other country need to change the government of Armenia? What
does Moscow dislike in the policies of the current authorities?

It is evident that Serzh Sargsyan’s regime is refusing Russia’s
invitations to join the Eurasian Union. The gas price increase and
Serzh Sargsyan’s absence at the CSTO and Eurasian Economic Union’s
summits prove that Armenia resists Russia’s pressure. Shavarsh
Kocharyan stated that Armenia cannot join the Customs Union because
it is going to sign the Association Agreement with the European Union.

If the government changed, the choice could also be different.

Russia’s agents of influence have been increasingly active recently.

They state that it will be good to join the Customs Union because
Europe is unhealthy and will infect Armenia with homosexuality. The
opposition does not hide their sympathy for the Eurasian Union and
if they come to power, Armenia will immediately join the Union.

If the government of Armenia does not want to join the Customs Union,
it should understand that the society will be its only partner when it
is necessary to show resistance. Currently, the society is its main
opponent and is at the front of the political fight. Apparently, the
political regime also noticed the increasing connection between these
two phenomena but conclusions are wrong. It seems that the regime has
decided to resist social dissatisfaction till November with the help of
police prayers and payments from its pocket. But this is a useless way.

The government and the society can be allies only in case of real
reforms. The government cannot continue to sustain the predatory
oligarchic system and at the same time have the society as its
partner. It is necessary to make a choice: either sacrifice the
oligarchs, overcome social dissatisfaction, then jointly overcome
Russian pressure and make our own choice or enable the foreign forces
to stir up unrests in the country, destroy the government and achieve
their goal of including Armenia in the Eurasian Union.

This does not mean at all that people should stop protests due to
foreign threat. This trick has been used in Armenia for already two
decades. This time it is up to the government to yield because the
society will survive anyway while the government will not.

Naira Hayrumyan 10:50 05/06/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

From: Baghdasarian

RUSSIAN ISKANDERS AND KERRY’S SMILE

In terms of results, Edward Nalbandyan’s visit to the U.S. was more
concrete than Prime Minister’s visit last December. Then it was not
clear yet what would happen during and after the February elections and
how the new government of Armenia would react to Russia’s proposals.

Now a lot has become clear, and John Kerry spoke openly about the
resumption of the Millennium Challenge Program in Armenia. But the
most important phrase uttered by Kerry was that the U.S. is likely
to ensure the security of Armenia.

This phrase was voiced against the information that Russia has brought
Iskander missile systems to Armenia. These systems are an equivalent
of the American Patriot. Military experts said that military balance
between Armenia and Azerbaijan has thus been restored.

Against who can Russia use these missile systems? Where does it
expect attack from? Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia or Iran? There can
be different options considering the process of secularization in
Turkey which may lead to the collapse of the state and ending with
the fact that the U.S. may launch a campaign against Iran.

In any case, Iskanders are in Armenia not for the defense of
Armenia (although information about their presence already cools
many hotheads). They have been brought to be used against foreign
expansion in the region in case tectonic processes which enshroud
the Middle East get closer to the CIS which Russia considers its own.

In this regard, Kerry’s statement that the U.S. is ready to defend
Armenia’s security is symptomatic. Who is the U.S. going to protect
Armenia from? The first answer that comes to one’s mind is Azerbaijan.

But the context is much wider. The U.S. understands that unrests and
military actions may first arrive in Turkey in which case Armenia
will need help not only for defense but also for “attack”.

The plan of reform in the Greater Middle East is being carried out
methodically and first of all it will reach Turkey. While Armenia could
remain neutral even to Syria, it will be unable to keep neutrality
if processes start in Turkey.

On these days Italy has offered Armenia to engage Armenian peacekeepers
in Lebanon torn by unrests. This means that a difficult geopolitical
period is beginning for Armenia which will need not only diplomatic
efforts and initiatives but also precise orientation.

Naira Hayrumyan 12:28 05/06/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

From: Baghdasarian

LE MEMORIAL ARMENIEN A DROIT DE CITE A GENEVE

Les associations turques de Suisse tentent d’empecher la construction
a Genève d’un monument a la memoire du genocide armenien. Après
plusieurs annees de discussions, on envisage desormais un nouveau
site a proximite du siège de l’ONU a Genève.

Celâl Bayar, president de la federation des associations turques de
Romandie, a qualifie le choix de ce site de provocation.

La Suisse a pourtant le droit d’eriger ce memorial, estime le quotidien
liberal-conservateur Neue Zurcher Zeitung :

“Au-dela des limites de Genève, la Suisse s’est toujours montree
solidaire de ce peuple brise, prive d’Etat pendant plusieurs siècles.

… De ce point de vue, le projet de memorial armenien s’inscrit
dans la plus pure tradition genevoise et helvetique. Comme histoire
armenienne est aussi un peu l’histoire suisse, les politiques
helvetiques comme les Armeniens de Suisse ont le droit de representer
l’histoire armenienne de leur point de vue, sans avoir a demander
prealablement la permission au gouvernement turc. … On est en droit
d’esperer que les relations entre la Suisse et la Turquie sauront
supporter de tels differends.”

(Neue Zurcher Zeitung, 8. mai 2013)

mercredi 5 juin 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

MONTSERRAT CABALLE ETAIT HIER A STEPANAKERT AU HAUT KARABAGH

La cantatrice d’opera, l’espagnole mondialement celèbre Montserrat
Caballe etait hier 4 juin au Haut Karabagh. Elle fut recue a
Stepanakert par le president de la Republique du Haut Karabagh,
Bako Sahakian. Selon le service de presse de la presidence, Bako
Sahakian a remercie Montserrat Caballe pour son sejour au Haut
Karabagh et a affirme qu’elle disposait dans la Republique du Haut
Karabagh de nombreux fans. B. Sahakian a egalement souligne que
ces rencontres visent a faire developper le monde de la culture de
la Republique. Mgr Barkev Mardirossian, l’archeveque de l’Artsakh
(Haut Karabagh en armenien) etait present a la rencontre, ainsi que
de nombreuses personnalites dont Narine Aghabalian, la ministre de
la Culture et de la Jeunesse de la Republique du Haut Karabagh.

Krikor Amirzayan

mercredi 5 juin 2013, Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

IMPORT OF ARMENIA-MADE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO AZERBAIJAN PREVENTED

APA, Azerbaijan
June 4 2013

Substances hazardous to the human health have been detected in cognac,
vodka, cigarettes and coffee

Baku. Rashad Suleymanov – APA. Import of Armenia-made alcoholic
beverages and tobacco products to Azerbaijan has been prevented,
the State Customs Committee told APA.

The Committee said that an attempt to import a large amount of
Armenia-made cognac, vodka, cigarettes and coffee to Azerbaijan from
Georgia and Russia has been revealed.

As a result of the laboratory examination carried out with modern
equipments at the Department of the Customs Examination Centre of
State Customs Committee, these products were revealed to be fake,
unfit for consumption, have dangerous and even toxic substances.

The State Customs Committee warns once again that regardless of the
volume, the import of such goods to the country is unacceptable and
will be vigorously prevented.

From: Baghdasarian

SECRETARY OF STATE KERRY COMMENTS ABOUT AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTER ELMAR MAMMADYAROV BEFORE THEIR MEETING

US Fed News
June 3, 2013 Monday 12:22 PM EST

WASHINGTON, June 3 — The U.S. Department of State issued the following
transcript of remarks by the U.S. Secretary of State:

SECRETARY KERRY: Good afternoon, everybody. I am very, very happy
to welcome Foreign Minister Mammadyarov from Azerbaijan and very,
very pleased to spend some time with him today. I’ve had occasion
to talk to President Aliyev several times in the last months and
we’ve talked about a number of different issues. But Azerbaijan –
we were just talking together – is a wonderful statement about the
ability of different religions, different sects to come together and
live together and to find a way forward. And the Foreign Minister
just spoke to the American Jewish Committee here in Washington and
received a standing ovation when he talked about the commitment to
fighting anti-Semitism and a commitment to diversity and pluralism.

So we’re particularly grateful to welcome the Foreign Minister here.

Azerbaijan has been an important partner in Afghanistan, in ISAF,
and equally important with respect to the northern distribution route
but also the southern gas line and other issues that are of great
importance to us.

We’ve also talked – I’ve had occasion to talk with the President
about Nagorno-Karabakh. And this is a frozen conflict, as we call
it, one that threatens the stability of the region and one that we
need to deal with. As co-chair of the Minsk Group, we have a serious
interest – the United States – in helping Azerbaijan and Armenia to
be able to find a path forward. The last thing we want is a return
to war and to conflict. I believe there is a path forward, and we
will continue to work quietly and patiently in an effort to try to
encourage the parties to be able to take either confidence-building
measures that may get to further down the road or to find a way towards
a settlement with respect to this issue. Both have been close before,
and at the last minute things have happened that have denied everybody
that opportunity. So we have a big interest in that.

We also have an interest in seeing Azerbaijan continue to walk down
this road, march down the road towards greater democracy to help build
the pluralism of the country and ultimately to be able to find a way
for peace and stability in the region and with its neighbors. So we
are going to work on that and we are going to have a good discussion
in a few moments about a number of these issues. But Mr. Foreign
Minister, I’m glad to have you here. Thank you for your efforts and
we appreciate the effort to try to walk down this road together.

FOREIGN MINISTER Mammadyarov: Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary. Just
a few words. It’s very difficult to add something to what was so
skillfully articulated by the Secretary for our discussion for our
agenda. But one thing is extremely important: We consider Azerbaijan
as a partner, your strategic partner, taking the consideration what
Mr. Secretary said about the agenda of our cooperation with the United
States and all of the issue which was indicated is definitely of the
strategic nature.

Of course, Azerbaijan, it’s far from United States, but we still
believe that to all these challenges which we’re facing together with
United States will successfully move forward, including on the – one
of the biggest problem of the conflict resolution with the neighbor
Armenia, with whom we are definitely and desperately interested to
live in peace with dignity, always that there will be all the negative
outcome of the conflict will be in the past, and we will look to the
bright future of successful cooperation and living next to each other
as a good neighborhood.

SECRETARY KERRY: Good. Thank you, my friend.

FOREIGN MINISTER Mammadyarov: Thank you very much.

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you, sir.

QUESTION: Mr. Minister, do you have any plans to increase United
States role in resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

FOREIGN MINISTER Mammadyarov: We’re going to discuss this issue in
particular on this detail.

SECRETARY KERRY: We are working on that. We’re co-chairs of the
Minsk Group. We have thoughts about how we can proceed down that road
carefully and thoughtfully. Thank you very much.

FOREIGN MINISTER Mammadyarov: Thank you.

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you.

From: Baghdasarian