Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

WHO HAS A RISK OF COUNTING “CATHERINE MIHRAN’S” MONEY?

2013-06-01 00:34:26

During the performance of reports, when the queue of report reached
the Minister of Justice, members were concerned about question of
extrabudgetary of the Compulsory Enforcement of Judicial Acts (CEJA).

What amount is typed in extrabudgetary, how the so-called
extrabudgetary is formed, who manages the money, whether it has
control or not? Questions were asked to the Minister of Justice
Hrayr Tovmasyan. It is difficult to say whether there was moment
of provocation in the subtext of issues, or not, though, it can be
stated that in the Republic of Armenia senior officials take into
account the experience of the previous basically, and at least in
the case of Hrayr Tovmasyan it can be safely said that in the face
of this official, we are dealing with a man who has learned from the
experience of his predecessor.

The Minister first informed the deputies that the formation of
extrabudgetary acting under his subordination structure has been
defined by the law, that 70 percent off budget goes to fund of the
salary, and the rest is used to develop the system, and then started
to praise Mihran Poghosyan, they say there is not such CEJA in the
world, supposedly our service of compulsory enforcement is the first
in the world. In short, long live Mihran Poghosyan…

To all those who have forgotten the scandal of December 2010, we recall
that the former Minister of Justice Gevorg Danielian siad goodbye to
his position because of the head of CEJA Mihran Poghosyan, who had
to make a point, but because he realized that a relative of former
deputy chief of the National Security Service Grisha Harutyunyan
should not be told anything, did not say anything, and the Primier
went and dismissed Danielyan from his office.

Who-who, but Hrayr Tovmasyan knows this story because as a result
of all this history, he has gradually moved from the status of the
program writer of opposition party in the “plateau” of power. As for
Mihran Poghosyan, the latter had not received the fateful reprimand,
moreover, during these years he was able to be free from the status
of protege of his uncle. And if they used to say, “Grisha is also
his supporter”, now he is for many people “a supporter”, including
for his retired uncle.

Lusine Kesoyan

From: Baghdasarian

RESOLUTION ON NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT TO BE ADOPTED AT PACE BUREAU AND STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING

APA, Azerbaijan
May 31 2013

Baku. Shamil Alibeyli – APA. A resolution on the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict will be adopted at the PACE Bureau and Standing Committee
meeting being held in Yerevan under the patronage of Armenia, which is
chairing the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers, APA reports
quoting news.am.

The draft resolution says that searching peaceful ways to resolve the
conflict derives from commitments undertaken by Armenia and Azerbaijan
upon admission to the Council of Europe.

“The PACE strongly supports the negotiations conducted by OSCE Minsk
Group basing on “Madrid principles”. The Assembly calls upon Armenia
and Azerbaijan to make use of the opportunities of the chairmanship of
the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers to intensify the search
for ways to resolve the conflict within the OSCE Minsk Group. It
should be a priority during Armenia and Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of
the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers.”

The draft resolution says that PACE is ready to do it best to
establish an atmosphere of confidence and facilitate dialogue between
parliamentarians of the two countries within parliamentary diplomacy.

From: Baghdasarian

AFTER PASTOR’S ARREST, IRANIAN AUTHORITIES THREATEN TO CLOSE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH

Charisma News
May 31 2013

The future of the central Assemblies of God church in Tehran hangs
in the balance, following the arrest of one of its pastors last week.

Iranian authorities continue to pressure churches of Armenian or
Assyrian heritage to cancel all services in the Farsi language,
or face permanent closure.

Pastor Robert Asseriyan was arrested on May 21, two days after the
church refused to voluntarily terminate its Farsi services. He is
being held in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison.

Mohabat News, a website devoted to news about Christians in Iran,
reported on May 28 that Asseriyan told his family by phone that he
is in good health.

The congregation was to be told of the church’s decision at a meeting
at the church on May 26, but a sign was posted on the door of the
church, which read: “This church is closed due to major repairs.

Please do not return!”

Mansour Borji, an Iranian-born Kurdish Christian and advocacy
officer for the human-rights group Article 18, says the situation is
symptomatic of a wider problem in Iran, which threatens the existence
of all churches in which Farsi is spoken.

“I am certain that the AOG church in Tehran will not be the last,”
he said in a May 28 email to supporters. “If the Iranian government
manages to close this church, the few remaining churches that have
Farsi-speaking services will follow.”

In 2010 the number of Christians in Iran was recorded as 300,000 in
the World Christian Database, although World Watch Monitor reported
earlier this month that the figure is likely to be significantly
higher due to the “systematic persecution and prosecution” facing
Christians in the country.

Historically, the Iranian government has tolerated Christians of
predominantly Armenian or Assyrian descent and their churches.

However, churches which refuse to stop Farsi services face opposition.

The central AOG church in Tehran is the largest official church in
Iran that still offers services in Farsi.

In 2009, the church was ordered to terminate its Friday services,
while in 2012 its leaders were asked to provide the national identity
numbers of all members.

It is unclear whether the church will attempt to continue services,
but Borji says the government is using Asseriyan’s arrest, and the
detention of other pastors, as a bargaining tool.

“Authorities have explicitly made their intentions clear: ‘Farsi
services have to stop! We cannot allow this to go on. . . It is
best if you close them yourselves so you can keep the building and
continue to serve the Armenian congregation. It is only then that we
can consider release of your pastors’,” he said.

Four leaders from AOG’s church in the southern city of Ahwaz are also
in prison, having had one-year sentences upheld by the appeal court
earlier this month.

To Borji, the future for the Church in Iran looks bleak.

“It was clear to most of us that an end to all manifestations of
Christian worship in Farsi was the outcome Iranian authorities were
pursuing all along,” he said. “I know some of my fellow pastors
will try to offer spiritual insights and comforting words about
the nourishing effect of persecution. I however will do my part
[to protect Christians’] right to worship freely.”

Iran is No. 8 on the World Watch List of 50 countries where oppression
of Christians is most severe. The list, published annually by Open
Doors International, a ministry to Christians under pressure for their
faith, says the Iranian authorities keep a close watch on Christian
activities, especially those that reach out to Muslims, who face the
death penalty for leaving Islam.

From: Baghdasarian

US AMBASSADOR: ARMENIA-TURKEY RAPPROCHEMENT TO FOSTER INCREASED STABILITY AND PROSPERITY IN CAUCASUS REGION

May 31, 2013 | 00:15

YEREVAN. – Armenian News-NEWS.am presents an interview with U.S.
Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern.

Recently, when talking with students at Synopsys Armenia, you expressed
regret regarding the failed Armenian-Turkish protocols.

According to you, what is the prospect for this issue and will the
United States take steps to bring the sides closer?

Rapprochement between Armenia and Turkey will foster increased
stability and prosperity in the entire Caucasus region. It has long
been and remains the position of the United States that normalization
should take place without preconditions.

Another statement which you made about the events of 1915 gave ground
for numerous comments. Can you clarify exactly what kind of pressure
you were talking about?

Congress, in the process of fulfilling its Constitutional duties,
can and should ask tough questions of ambassadorial nominees. In that
sense, there is pressure on nominees to know and understand their
country of assignment and our foreign policy toward that country.

You also spoke about steps directed to make Armenia look to the West.

Don’t you think that the best means for that lies with targeted
economic programs?

USG economic development programs play a very important role in
providing options for Armenia to be more integrated with the West.

The U.S. Embassy, including through USAID projects, works to improve
the business climate for foreign direct investment and strengthen
trade options with the EU and U.S. markets. In addition to supporting
Armenia’s economic integration with the West, the U.S. facilitates
partnerships between Armenia and U.S. and European institutions to
strengthen links across sectors. The U.S. also supports an extensive
number of exchange programs that offer valuable education and training
for Armenians in the U.S. The aim of this support is to offer Armenians
a Western perspective and experience that will foster economic growth
over the long term.

In addition to our programs to support Armenia, we are constantly in
a discussion with the Armenian government about investment issues.

American companies invest in countries that have predictable and
transparent economies. We can help and are helping the Armenian
government on this issue, but we count on the Armenian government to
take the lead to create a healthy business environment.

Could you please describe in detail the investment programs of the
United States to develop tourism in Armenia?

The USAID Enterprise Development and Market Competitiveness (EDMC)
Project is currently providing professional development opportunities
for front-line staff, such as guides, and for middle-level managers
to enhance their knowledge of international tourism standards and
practices. To further contribute to improved education and workforce
skills in the field, EDMC is also working with other key stakeholders,
including the American University of Armenia, to train tourism
operators, and has sponsored a new best practice-focused hospitality
management course for Armenian industry participants.

To further promote rural tourism, EDMC is conducting a targeted
assessment of the Syunik region to develop an integrated menu of new
tourism products, enhance professional development opportunities, and
facilitate design/dissemination of advanced promotional materials,
including a detailed rural travel guide. To contribute to an
improved online profile for Armenia on the World Wide Web, EDMC is
developing a new content development and sustainability plan for
the national tourism portal, which will function as a one-stop-shop
for international tourists interested in Armenia. This will not only
significantly enhance the quality and ready availability of information
about traveling and staying in Armenia, but will also enhance the
country’s profile as a ready tourism destination and facilitate the
outreach efforts of hospitality service providers across the country.

Finally, it’s worth mentioning a word about the Black Sea Silk Road
Corridor (BSSRC) project, a two-year initiative that fosters tourism
development, cross-border cooperation and economic development in 173
communities across four countries of the Black Sea Silk Road Corridor –
Armenia, Georgia, Greece and Turkey.

How would you assess the recent Municipal elections in Armenia? Do
you agree that there were huge number of violations? Do you think
there were disadvantages compared with the Presidential elections?

The election was an improvement over the 2009 municipal election.

However, even with those improvements, we believe that local
observation groups have raised legitimate concerns about electoral
violations and the lack of level playing field. It is important for
law enforcement to proactively, but deliberately investigate and
prosecute all credible reports of electoral violations. Prosecutions
of violators, irrespective of party, are an important step in building
people’s trust in the democratic process.

Recently the U.S. Ambassador in Azerbaijan spoke about possible change
of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairman. Will you confirm this information
and whose candidacies are being considered for this post?

The United States remains fully committed to its role as U.S. co-chair
and to helping the sides find a peaceful, negotiated solution to the NK
conflict. Ambassador Kelly is an experienced diplomat who is serving
as the interim U.S. co-chair until Secretary Kerry, in consultation
with the White House, can nominate a permanent candidate.

The State Department will announce a candidate as soon as possible.

From: Baghdasarian

WASHINGTON BETRAYED MOSCOW OVER S-300 DEAL WITH IRAN: RUSSIAN OFFICIAL

A file photo of a Russian-made S-300 air defense system

Fri May 31, 2013 8:47AM GMT

Under a contract signed in 2007, Russia was required to provide Iran
with at least five S-300 defense systems.”

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A Russian official has criticized the US for abandoning Moscow after
forcing it to stop a deal for the delivery of S-300 defense systems to
Iran.

Russian Technologies (Rostech) CEO Sergei Chemezov said on Thursday
that the US applied heavy pressure on Moscow to stop the agreement
under the pretext that the Iran-Russia deal was against UN Security
Council sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic.

Chemezov, added, however, that Washington later changed its rhetoric,
saying the UN resolution did not specifically mention the S-300 system
and Russia had acted on its own.

“The Americans now agree that it is a defensive system and Russia
alone should be responsible for the breach of the contract,” Ria
Novosti quoted Chemezov as saying.

He added that Moscow now seeks to reach a settlement with Tehran to
withdraw its lawsuit against Russia’s state-run arms export company
Rosoboronexport over the canceled deal, saying Russia’s chances
“to win the case are very slim.”

Under a contract signed in 2007, Russia was required to provide Iran
with at least five S-300 defense systems.

Russia, however, refused to deliver the systems to Iran under the
pretext that they are covered by the fourth round of the UN Security
Council resolutions against Iran.

In September 2010, then Russian President Dmitry Medvedev also signed
a decree banning the delivery of the defense systems to the Islamic
Republic.

Iran has filed a complaint against Rosoboronexport in the International
Arbitration Court in Geneva.

The Iranian Army has previously announced that it is manufacturing an
indigenous missile defense system similar to the Russian S-300 and will
unveil it in the next Iranian calendar year (beginning March 21, 2014).

AR/NN/HMV

From: Baghdasarian

LOUISIANA STATE SENATE PASSES RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE INDEPENDENCE OF NAGORNO KARABAKH

19:00 31.05.2013
Louisiana, Nagorno-Karabakh

The Louisiana State Senate passed a resolution enrolled by Edwin
Murray recognizing the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
(NKR), and calling on the U.S. President and Congress “to support the
self-determination and democratic independence” of Nagorno Karabakh.

“The Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana encourages and supports
the NagornoKarabakhRepublic’s continuing efforts to develop as a free
and independent nation in order to guarantee its citizens those rights
inherent in a free and independent society,” the resolution reads.

It also urges the Congress of the United States of America to
support the self-determination and democratic independence of the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic and its constructive involvement with the
international community’s efforts to reach a just and lasting solution
to security issues in that strategically important region.

The copies of this Resolution were transmitted to the President of
the United States, the Secretary of the United States Senate, the
clerk of the United States House of Representatives, and to each
member of the Louisiana delegation to the United States Congress.

The Louisiana Senate passed a resolution recognizing the independence
of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic

The full text of the resolution is provided below:

“WHEREAS, Nagorno Karabakh, also known as Artsakh, has historically
been Armenian territory, populated by an overwhelming majority of
Armenians, which was illegally severed from Armenia by the Soviet
Union in 1921 and placed under the newly created Soviet Azerbaijani
administration; and

WHEREAS, February 20, 1988, marked the beginning of the national
liberation movement in Nagorno Karabakh, which inspired people
throughout the Soviet Union to stand up against tyranny and for
their rights and freedoms, helping to bring democracy to millions
and contributing to world peace; and

WHEREAS, the United States Congress has repeatedly expressed support
for the legitimate freedom aspirations of the people of Nagorno
Karabakh; and WHEREAS, on September 2, 1991, the legislature of
Nagorno Karabakh declared formation of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic,
in accordance with then acting legislation; and

WHEREAS, on December 10, 1991, the people of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic voted in favor of the independence, and on January 6, 1992,
the democratically elected legislature of the Republic formally
declared independence; and

WHEREAS, since proclaiming independence, the NagornoKarabakhRepublic
has registered significant progress in democracy building, which has
been most recently demonstrated during the July 19, 2012, presidential
elections that were assessed by international observers as free
and transparent.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of
Louisiana hereby encourages and supports the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic’s continuing efforts to develop as a free and independent
nation in order to guarantee its citizens those rights inherent in
a free and independent society.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the president and Congress of the United
States of America are hereby urged to support the self-determination
and democratic independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and its
constructive involvement with the international community’s efforts
to reach a just and lasting solution to security issues in that
strategically important region.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
the president of the United States, the secretary of the United States
Senate, the clerk of the United States House of Representatives, and to
each member of the Louisiana delegation to the United States Congress.

From: Baghdasarian

SERZH SARGSYAN AND PHILIPPE LEFORT DISCUSSED NKR-RELATED ISSUES

15:43, 31 May, 2013

YEREVAN, MAY 31, ARMENPRESS: The President of the Republic of Armenia
Serzh Sargsyan received today the European Union Special Representative
for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia Philippe Lefort,
who arrived in Armenia in the framework of the regional visit. As
Armenpress was reported by the Department for Mass Media and Public
Relations of the Armenian President’s Staff, the interlocutors
discussed the dynamically developing relations between the European
Union and Armenia, the regional development, as well as issues related
to the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict process.

From: Baghdasarian

CRISIS MANAGEMENT CENTER TO BE ESTABLISHED IN ARTSAKH

15:32 31/05/2013 ” SOCIETY

Armenian rescuers will hold joint exercise in Artsakh this year and
joint steps will be taken to establish a crisis management center in
Artsakh, Armenian Minister of Emergency Situations Armen Yeritsyan
said at a press briefing following his meeting with visiting NKR
President Bako Sahakyan.

Mr Yeritsyan noted that the steps for further cooperation were
clarified during the joint consultation, and joint crisis management
was, in particular, discussed.

“We have a crisis management center here and are going to build a
second one in Artsakh. In three or four months, we will have online
communication with all fire stations and departments of Artsakh,”
Yeritsyan said.

Source: Panorama.am

From: Baghdasarian

YEREVAN TO HOST INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION SYMPOSIUM

May 31, 2013 | 10:58

YEREVAN. – A total of 145 scientists from 32 countries will attend
the International Astronomical Union (IAU) symposium that will be
convened in October in Armenia’s capital city Yerevan.

This is a record number in the history of the scientific events that
were held in Armenia, the Armenian Astronomical Society (ArAS) informs.

The symposium is devoted to the 100th anniversary of famous Armenian
astronomer Beniamin Margaryan, and it will be convened under the topic,
“Multiwavelangth AGN Surveys and Studies.”

Although most of the discussants will be from the countries that lead
in the field of astronomy and from Armenia, numerous other countries
likewise will be represented at the event.

The participants will include well-known astronomers as well as many
young astronomers.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: Baghdasarian

15559 TOURISTES ONT VISITE LE KARABAGH EN 2012

La republique du Haut-Karabagh a accueilli 15559 touristes en
provenance de 86 pays en 2012 contre 11363 de 69 pays en 2011 soit
une hausse de 36,9% sur un an selon le service des statistiques
du Karabagh.

Selon les donnees statistiques, 90,9% des touristes se sont rendus au
Karabagh pour les vacances, 9% y sont venus pour les affaires et 0,1%
pour y faire leurs etudes en 2012, tout comme les autres annees.

49,5% des touristes venaient de Russie, 8,9% des Etats-Unis, 6,1%
de France et 3,5% d’Iran.

vendredi 31 mai 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian