Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

FRANCE
La pétition d’« Arménia » à François Hollande sera envoyée le 24 Avril

L’association culturelle « Arménia » », qui a lancé il y a quelques
semaines un appel titré « La loi de pénalisation du négationnisme du
génocide arménien, C’EST MAINTENANT ! » s’adressant au Président de la
République François Hollande en lui demandant se tenir ses engagements
pour une Loi de pénalisation du négationnisme du génocide arménien
conforme à la Constitution, poursuit sa campagne de signatures.

Dans la région de Valence (Drôme) « Arménia » a déjà recueilli
plusieurs centaines de signatures. Placé sur le site des Nouvelles
d’Arménie Magazine, l’appel d’« Arménia » a également suscité le
soutien de dizaines de pétitionnaires à Paris, Marseille ou Lyon.

A la grande satisfaction de Krikor Amirzayan, président d’« Arménia »
qui tenait en fin de semaine dernière une réunion avec son bureau
composé d’Alain Euksuzian (vice-président) et des membres Georges
Eretzian, Edouard Tchokaklian, Christian Charrière et Vartkés
Simonian. « Nous avons eu également pour cette action le soutien
d’autres associations arméniennes de la région telles que
l’Ucfaf-Valence ou l’Acfoa Valence. Les pétitions continuent » dit K.
Amirzayan.

« Arménia » a décidé d’effectuer l’envoi de ces signatures à
l’Elysée…le 24 avril, jour de célébration du 98e anniversaire du
génocide arménien. Tout un symbole sur une démarche originale et très
soutenue.

L’appel d’« Arménia » précise « Monsieur le Président de la
République, Le 24 avril dernier à Paris, vous aviez déclaré dans vos
engagements de campagne électorale, votre volonté de faire reconnaitre
par une loi la pénalisation du négationnisme du génocide arménien. Le
7 juillet dernier, vous confirmiez publiquement face à la presse ainsi
qu’auprès du CCAF (conseil de coordination des organisations
arméniennes de France), votre engagement de pénaliser la négation du
génocide arménien alors que des représentants de cette communauté
redoutaient un revirement, après les propos de Laurent Fabius sur les
relations franco-turques. Vous envisagiez un nouveau texte conforme à
la Constitution. Or, aujourd’hui, plus de six mois après vos
déclarations, les 600 000 Français d’origine arménienne ainsi que
leurs amis, attendent votre proposition. « La France est favorable à
l’ouverture d’un nouveau chapitre dans les négociations avec la
Turquie en vue de son adhésion à l’Union européenne » a annoncé le 12
février le chef de la diplomatie Laurent Fabius son homologue Ahmet
Davutoglu reçu à Paris. La Communauté arménienne de France est
aujourd’hui inquiète de ces développements diplomatiques. Nous
appelons le Président François Hollande à tenir ses engagements et de
proposer une Loi de pénalisation du négationnisme de génocide arménien
au plus vite ! Car la Loi de pénalisation C’EST MAINTENANT ! ».

Contact : « Arménia », 130 rue Marcel Paul -Bourg-Lès-Valence. Tél. 04
75 83 80 58

Vous pouvez également apporter vos soutiens par mail à l’adresse :
[email protected]

dimanche 14 avril 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

IRAN ACCUSED AZERBAIJANI AUTHORITIES OF SERVING THE INTERESTS OF USA AND ISRAEL

18:19, 12 April, 2013

YEREVAN, APRIL 12, ARMENPRESS: Vice President of the committee
on security issues of Iranian Parliament Mansour Haghighat accused
Azerbaijani authorities of serving the interests of USA and Israel. As
reports Armenpress this was reported by Fars news agency.

“There are some powers in Azerbaijan which implement anti-Iranian
campaign. Nevertheless, it shouldn’t bother us. Azerbaijani authorities
just want to please USA and Israel. That is why all their actions
are ridiculous,” Iranian official said.

From: Baghdasarian

NEXT MEETING OF ARMENIAN AND GEORGIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS TO BE HELD IN MAY

19:54, 12 April, 2013

YEREVAN, APRIL 12, ARMENPRESS: Meeting of acting Armenian Foreign
Minister and his Georgian counterpart Maia Panjikidze, who arrived in
Armenia with an official visit, was held. As Armenpress was informed
from the press service of Armenian Foreign Ministry, greeting the
guest Edward Nalbandian gladly noted that Armenian-Georgian good
neighborly relations were on a high level the evidence of which was
the regularity of political dialogues, extending trade turnover and
active humanitarian ties.

He has underlined that in accordance with the agreement, meetings of
Foreign Ministers of the two states have regular nature, which will
be conducive for the development of relations.

Expressing gratitude for invitation, Minister Panjikidze has underlined
that Georgian authorities are consistent regarding the deepening of
relations with friendly Armenia and that her official visit has the
same intention.

At the meeting Foreign Ministers of the two neighboring states
thoroughly discussed the implementation processes of the agreements
reached between Georgian Premier Ivanishvili and Armenian authorities
during his visit to Armenia in January 2013. Sides also referred
to the extension of cooperation, issues on exchange in humanitarian
sphere as well as changed with viewpoints on other Armenian-Georgian
relations issues.

Interlocutors referred to working process of commission which deals
with delimitation and demarcation issues of the Armenian-Georgian
state border.

Interlocutors reached an agreement to hold the next meeting in May.

From: Baghdasarian

RUSSIAN SERVICEMEN HOLD CHECKUP AFTER TWO ARMENIAN CHILDREN KILLED IN MINE EXPLOSION

April 12, 2013 | 16:45

The Russian military investigators organized a checkup after the
death of two teenagers in the territory of the Russian “Kamhud”
military training facility located in Armenia, Russian investigation
department said.

A tragic incident occurred on April 7 near the village of Vahramaberd
of Shirak Region, Armenia. Two children were killed in mine explosion,
while playing in the former military unit.

A.Lazarian born in 2001 and M.Gevorgyan born in 1997 were killed.

Children reportedly were tending sheep.

Prosecutor’s Office of Russia’s Southern Military District said
teenagers were picking up scrap metal. Russian military prosecutors
are holding a checkup. A forensic examination has been appointed.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: Baghdasarian

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN’S TRANSITIONAL PROGRAM

2013-04-12 15:28:37

After February 18th presidential election peak of fight during these
months was April 9. All expressed their opinion in relation to April
9, some convened press conference, the other were active in social
networks, but during this time RPA leads its fight rather competently.

Hero of poster on the Council elections of Yerevan Taron Margaryan
began his campaign with Arabkir administrative district, where he
counted the problems of district.

However, in the fight for election of the Council of Elders to this
day, in fact, the Republican Party is representative: good or bad,
at least the process has started and continues on the posters, and
both about the campaign, and about asphalt. Tha whole Yerevan has
never seen in its life so much asphalt as it saw in the last few days.

What do other parties and candidates think about this? All of them
claimed that they would start with Yerevan and would do everything
to win in Yerevan.

Referring to the passivity of “Prosperous Armenia”. During these
days the members of the PAP once again proved their dependence on
the party leader Gagik Tsarukyan: Tsarukyan is not in Armenia, and
the members of his party took expectant position. And this is not
enough, these days there are active discussions with the presence of
the 2nd and 3rd number of the list of Yerevan Council of Elders in
Serzh Sargsyan’s inauguration ceremony. If PAP is suitable for the
upcoming elections with a similar attitude, in this case victory of
the RPA is more than obvious.

Today, nothing is being done, as if after 9 April, everyone forgot
about the upcoming May 5 elections of Yereva Council of Elders, despite
the fact that on April 9 Hovannisian spoke about the elections on
May 5 and said that they should definitely win theses elections. On
this occasion, of course, today’s rally in Liberty Square will be
interesting, Raffi Hovannisian will deliver a keynote address. In all
likelihood, the cursor control is directed specifically to the polls
on May 5, and it will be the first item on Raffi Hovhannisyan’s agenda.

That is, in fact, fight, formed after February 18, must go in a
completely different battle of the post-election to the election
campaign, which will become a transitional program both for Raffi
Hovannisian, and citizens, gathered in Freedom Square.

Gevorg Avetisyan

From: Baghdasarian

ANDRIAS GHUKASIAN CALLS FOR ALL-REPUBLICAN MEETING

Friday,
April 12

The former presidential candidate Andrias Ghukasian has issued a
statement about the need to convene an all-republican meeting of
Armenian citizens.

The statement in particular says that the Armenian people have the
right to arrest and isolate the persons who seized power, and “in
order to rid the Armenian state bodies of criminal forces, a direct
manifestation of popular power is necessary”.

“The citizens, who declared civil disobedience in Liberty Square on
April 9 and vowed not to recognize the country’s heads, not to obey
illegal orders, not to be afraid, not to accept bribes, and not to
retreat, must unite their efforts to develop the agenda of this event
and implement the decisions taken,” the statement reads.

From: Baghdasarian

SINGER ARTHUR ISPIRYAN WROTE THREE-VOLUME BOOK ON YEREVAN’S PROBLEMS

15:55 12/04/2013 ” POLITICS

I am ill with Yerevan, singer Arthur Ispiryan told reporters on Friday,
expressing his love for the Armenian capital.

The singer’s name is in the candidate list of Barev Yerevan bloc of
parties for Yerevan elections. “I was very happy when they proposed
including my name in the list,” he said.

Arthur Ispiryan mentioned the problems faced by Yerevan residents: the
sanitary situation, ecology and transport issues, illegal construction.

“I have written a three-volume book on Yerevan’s problems. There are
many problems which are not resolved positively,” he said.

Source: Panorama.am

From: Baghdasarian

EURASIAN UNION OR CUSTOMS UNION?: CHOOSING BETWEEN THE TWO IS WRONG, SAYS ECONOMIST

16:41 ~U 12.04.13

The mutual cooperation agreement between the Armenian Government and
the Eurasian Economic Commission is step towards the Customs Union
but it does not imply membership, says an Armenian economist.

Speaking to Tert.am, Tatul Manaseryan explained that the document
cannot impose constraints on Armenia in terms of future plans for
joining the European Union.

Under the agreement signed Wednesday by acting Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan and the Eurasian Economic Commission~Rs board president,
Victor Kristienko, the sides agreed to develop such spheres of mutual
cooperation in the sphere of trade policies (including simplification
of procedures, technical management, standardization, and other issues
of mutual interest). The agreement enters into force immediately
after being signed, with the parties being allowed to withdraw any
time after proper notification procedures.

The sides can mutually agree on amending the clauses. It was further
confirmed that the document is not an international agreement creating
rights and obligations regulated by international law. It does not
impose financial obligations on the signatories.

Manaseryan said he is against any artificial divides forcing Armenia
to choose between the Eurasian Union and the European Union. ~SThat~Rs
what I consider normal. Common sense implies that Armenia must be free
to cooperate with any state, without facing artificial obstacles. Any
integration is useful to Armenia provided there aren~Rt limitations,~T
he said.

Hayk Sargsyan, the dean of the Yerevan State University~Rs Department
of Economics, also finds such policies to be the right choice for
the country. ~SWe are obliged to conduct tolerant policies in both
directions, demonstrating an initiative to be in both unions,~T he
told Tert.am.

Asked whether Armenia~Rs representation in the European market will
not undermine the country~Rs positions on Russia~Rs market, Sargsyan
answered, ~SIt is necessary to remain in the established market
and simultaneously be able to attract new markets. This has to be
our objective and export policies in Armenia in general,~T he said,
considering the trend a priority for the country.

But Manaseryan disagreed to the remark that Armenia has established its
positions on the Russian market. He considers steps made (especially
in promoting the realization of the Armenian products) very little
work in comparison to the efforts which could have been taken.

Armenian News – Tert.am

From: Baghdasarian

KAREL SCHWARZENBERG: CZECH REPUBLIC READY TO ASSIST ARMENIA’S EU INTEGRATION

13:25, 12 April, 2013

YEREVAN, APRIL 12, ARMENPRESS: The Acting Prime Minister of
the Republic of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan hosted the First Prime
Minister of the Czech Republic and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Karel Schwarzenberg. As Armenpress was reported by the Information
and PR Department of the Government of Armenia, highlighting the
Armenian-Czech Business Forum, held in Yerevan and attended by 13
Czech enterprises, Tigran Sargsyan stated: “I am certain that your
visit to Armenia will provide us with the opportunity to strengthen
the relations between our two countries”.

The interlocutors touched upon the necessity to form new business
ties, thus enabling to develop the Armenian-Czech economic cooperation
opportunities.

Highlighting the EU integration process of Armenia, Tigran Sargsyan
expressed his gratitude to the Czech side for the assistance in that
direction. In response, Karel Schwarzenberg stated that his country
was ready to support the reforms in the field taking place in Armenia.

The Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan
and the First Prime Minister of the Czech Republic and Minister of
Foreign Affairs Karel Schwarzenberg highlighted the organization
of the Donors’ Conference for Armenia, the possible participation
of the Czech Republic in the latter, as well as the prospects of
the bilateral cooperation development in the fields of information
technologies and other economic spheres.

From: Baghdasarian

Whose Eyes Do We Try To Throw Dust In?

Thursday, 21 March 2013 12:36

We are in the same arena with Armenia. We hear this expression quite
often from high-ranking officials in Karabakh, especially when there
is a need to find “justification” to this or that step.

During the Prime Minister’s press conference at the end of the past
year when the issue of the increase in wages and pensions was raised
we again heard the same justification. The Prime Minister announced
that there was no provision for any rises in Armenia and as we are
in the same political arena, we cannot have any, either.

Yet the officials forget this expression when it comes to the
publication of their income statements. It turns out that these
statements cannot be published in Karabakh until a published
application by the press is presented. Whereas in Armenia, which
seems to be on the same arena with us, people are aware not only
of the government officials’ but also their wives’ or husbands’
incomes and property. In this regard we are not in the same field with
Armenia, yet a similar decision for Karabakh is at least astonishing
as here nearly everybody knows how much property each of them has,
how many houses they build, how many shops and plots of land they
have privatized, what businesses, how many apartments in this or
that country they have. On this background all the efforts to keep
everything in secret seem to be ridiculous.

The question is: why do they try to keep their incomes in secret?

Maybe all these businesses, construction units and apartments are not
registered by their or their spouses’ names, or is there any other
reason for this?

Incidentally, in answer to our question in the press conference at
the end of the past year prime minister Ara Haroutyunyan announced
that in January we would have his income declaration published but
we are still waiting for it. He also mentioned that he could give no
promise on behalf of other officials.

Ministers also try to maintain confidentiality trying not to betray
their colleagues. During the latest press conference the Minister of
Agriculture gave no distinct answer to our question in what business
sphere the government official most succeeds in. He noted that they
have no similar statistics. He also said that agriculture is not
observed as a business element and they welcome each investment. And
to the question whether having thousands of hectares of wheat fields
or farms in possession is not a business the minister also gave a
somewhat vague answer whereas he is well aware of all the personal
possessions of each official.

Why do they need this secrecy and why do the government officials
calling to the necessity of open to public activity avoid openness?

Whose eyes do we try to throw dust in?

Anahit Danielyan

From: Baghdasarian