Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

VAHRAM HARUTYUNYAN CONDEMNS AZNAVOUR’S STEP

March 4 2013

He reminds that Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix would write songs
against the Vietnam War at the time and wouldn’t congratulate the
president Famous painter Vahram Harutyunyan, aka Cook, condemns
Charles Aznavour’s step. He thinks that the chansonnier shouldn’t
have congratulated Serzh Sargsyan. “I condemn Charles Aznavour’s step;
how could he congratulate a man who hadn’t been elected? People have
taken to the streets, and students are on a strike these days. How
could he congratulate, while the events of March 1 and October 27
are not revealed; people leave Armenia by the thousands? Never in
the history of Armenia, even in the Soviet period, has the government
shot at its own people and killed 10 men. And after all this, Charles
congratulates; by the way, those are not ordinary congratulations.

Firstly, he is a diplomat at the moment; in 2008, many diplomats
left the government, in order not to take part in the killings and
the slaughter. Charles became a diplomat after that, and now he
congratulates, whereas the people are still protesting at the moment.

Many people who listen to Charles Aznavour’s songs may be discouraged
because of his congratulations, may they not? Why does he do a service
to the president who was not elected by the people?” the painter says.

Then he adds: “Today members of the Cabinet, the Republican Party
of Armenia (RPA) members, say that if there were violations, they
will catch and punish the perpetrators. How are they going to do
that when the punisher, the court, is theirs? Even if they punish a
hundred men, basically nothing will change. The only way to change
is to declare the election with massive fraud null. The government
hasn’t wished to solve the simple issue of stamps for a few years
already; as a result, people can vote twice. The issue of stamps
is an action taken by the very government, for which this election
could be declared null. By the way, when it is in its interests this
government invites observers from abroad, i.e. calls an outsider to
soothe the people, and if someone from the opposition says in Europe
that something is not right in our country, the government immediately
makes a fuss through its information agencies, ‘Ugh, they are washing
our dirty linen abroad.’ However, when they find themselves in an
awkward position they call observers who draw a conclusion drawn up
in advance to soothe the people. And they state before the final
opinion of the Constitutional Court that the election was a step
forward.” Talking about the letters written by Serj Tankian to Serzh
Sargsyan, the artist stated: “When Serj Tankian asks the unelected
president questions opinions are expressed that he should mind his own
business, but how can a singer sing, if he is not informed about the
failures and successes of his fatherland? There are a lot of singers
in Armenia who do services. If a singer, a painter or an intellectual
doesn’t live the life of his country, he is not a good citizen, a
good singer, painter or intellectual. It is like some students who
refuse to strike, learn their lessons, as some people would learn
by heart the history of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in
Soviet times, but are not good citizens. By the way, as for singers,
Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix would write songs against the Vietnam
War and wouldn’t congratulate the president.” Gohar HAKOBYAN

Read more at:

© 1998 – 2013 Aravot – News from Armenia

From: Baghdasarian

NGOS ISSUE STATEMENT REGARDING NUMEROUS CASES OF ELECTORAL FRAUD THEY WITNESSED

16:10, March 5, 2013

On February 18 2013, Armenia held presidential elections that were
accompanied with gross violations reported by a numerous organizations
and individuals.

In this respect, the Europe in Law Association and Transparency
International Anticorruption Center voice their concern over the
reluctance of the Armenian law enforcement bodies to detect criminal
cases and the illegal acts tended to conceal the crime.

On 18 February, 2013, the Armenian NGO Europe in Law Association
conducted an observation mission in 14 polling stations in constituency
#17, which covers the town of Artashat and several of its neighbouring
villages. The Europe in Law Association’s team of observers worked
in these polling stations together with journalists invited by the
organization.

In the course of the observation, the Europe in Law Association’s team
detected numerous cases of electoral fraud, including ballot-box
stuffing, multiple voting, abuse of administrative resource,
intimidation of and pressures on observers and journalists. On the day
of voting and afterwards, the Europe in Law Association’s observers
made several reports to the police, and the Police in Artashat and
the Special Investigative Service have instituted criminal cases
based on several of our reports.

One of these cases concerns ballot-box stuffing in polling station
17/5 in Artashat. The witnesses of the crime were observer Narine
Esmaeli and journalist Artak Hambardzoumyan.

Narine is an American citizen of Armenian origin. She has arrived here
through an organization called Birthright Armenia and currently does
an internship with Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center.

In this case, some 25-30 young men stormed into the polling station,
held the hands of the observer and the journalis,t while the secretary
of the precinct commission opened the ballot box herself for one of
the guys to stuff some 400-500 ballots into it.

This case became subject of examination by the Special Investigative
Service by investigator Gorik Hovakimyan. Narine Esmaeili was invited
to give testimony, which she did in the presence of Tigran Yegoryan,
advocate and member of Europe in Law Association.

Investigation was accompanied by aggressive behavior, vocal
intimidation and changing of words by the investigator, attempting
to hinder the witness’s efforts to provide the true picture of what
happened at precinct 17/05 on the Election Day.

Since attorneys are entitled to collect evidence, including by means
of recordings under Article 18 of the Law on Advocacy and it was
critical to collect evidence on unlawful investigation practice,
Tigran Yegoryan recorded the interrogations.

On 1 March, 2013, on the day of cross examination of Narine
Esmaeili with the secretary of the precinct electoral commission, the
investigator Hovakimyan started an argument with Tigran Yegoryan over
the necessity and lawfulness of recording the proceedings. Narine’s
representative substantiated his right under Armenian law, while the
investigator could not prove the absence of such a right.

After arguing with him for about 40 minutes the investigator went
out of the room and came back with the Head of the Service, Andranik
Mirzoyan who prohibited the representative to record the interrogation
in very rude terms by telling one of his investigators (there were
5 of them in the room) to throw his recorder into the toilet. Not
waiting for his own order to be carried out, Mirzoya snatched the
recorder from Tigran Yegoryan’s hand and threw it into the shelf in
that room. Later, one of the investigators took it out secretly and
erased the recordings. Nevertheless, part of these recordings are
currently at Europe in Law Association’s disposal.

The process of investigation of this particular case indicates the
reluctance of the Special Investigative Service to detect the electoral
violation and punish the act of crime. Instead, representatives of
this entity are engaged in unlawful processes that create obstacles
for effective investigation, put pressure on witness and indicate
protection of the potential suspect.

The Europe in Law Association and Transparency International
Anti-Corruption Centre deplore the unlawful actions of the
investigators of the Special Investigative Service and particularly
those of Andranik Mirzoyan, the Head of the Special Investigative
Service,

We call on the US Embassy in Armenia to intervene and to request
assurances from the Armenian government for the security of its
citizen Narine Esmaeli.

We further call on the OSCE/ODIHR to pay special attention to the
practices of the Armenian law enforcement bodies to investigate and
detect the election-related fraud.

We finally call on the Armenian authorities to make sure that all
election-related crimes are investigated in a transparent, effective
and lawful manner and that the Armenian society is regularly updated
on their progress.

Europe in Law Association Transparency International Anticorruption
Center

From: Baghdasarian

GYUMRY HELICOPTER REPAIR FACTORY TO SERVE OTHER COUNTRIES AS WELL

13:37, 5 March, 2013

YEREVAN, MARCH 5, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian-Russian joint Helicopter
Repair Factory scheduled to be built in Gyumry current year will serve
not only Armenia, but Russia and other countries of Caucasus as well.

The Armenian National Security Council (NSC) Secretary Arthur
Baghdasaryan made this statement in the March 5 session convoked to
sum up the activities of the Ministry of Emergency Situations for
2012. “It is going to be a regional center. Not only the Armenian
helicopters, but helicopters of Russia and Caucasus region countries
will be repaired there,” Baghdasaryan stated. The NSC Secretary
highly appreciated the development of this branch in our country,
Armenpress reports.

Armenia and Russia have established multilateral and comprehensive
cooperation in various spheres, emergency situations sphere inclusive.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN WAS HIS TRUE CALLING – VAZGEN SARGSYAN’S FRIEND REMEMBERS HERO

13:08 ~U 05.03.13

Photo from Hovikcharkhchyan.wordpress.com

Vazgen Sargsyan was a real military leader, an intellectual and a true
Armenian by calling, says his friend, Murad Kirakosyan, remembering
the great commander, politician and writer.

As a companion-in-arms, he described Sargsyan as an intellectual
who replaced his pen with a weapon during the Nagorno-Karabakh
liberation war.

“The Sparapet [the Armenian for commander; the word is commonly used to
refer to Sargsyan] had a unique talent for consolidating people, and
he did so to head to the battlefield. It is not my desire to glorify
Vazgen because he doesn’t need that. It’s not for a journalistic
activity to describe Vazgen as a person. Vazgen was the kind of man
who, sitting in front of a video camera, would say just the same things
as he would when speaking at a cafe or elsewhere,” Kirakosyan said,
speaking to Tert.am.

Today marks Sargsyan’s birth anniversary. The former commander and
minister of defense would celebrate his 54th birthday if alive. A
commander of the volunteer battalion Yerkrapah (Defender of Land) and
a co-chair of the Union alliance, Sargsyan was honored as National
Hero of Armenia and Hero of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). He was also
a knight of the Golden Eagle medal. Sargsyan was killed during the
October 27, 1999 terror act in Armenia’s National Assembly.

Kirakosyan further spoke of the hero’s political path. “He did not
commit a political error. In the period he was engaged in politics,
Vazgen managed to realize just 10 percent of his plans and dreams,
which was foreseeable. Just think of what he could have done but for
October 27,” he said.

Asked whether he thinks the October 27 plot will be ever resolved,
Kirakosyan said, “I think the same way as you do. It will certainly be
resolved,” said he, adding that he is not sure about such a possibility
as long as the incumbent authorities are in power.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA TO ATTEND ITB’2013 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TRADE SHOW IN BERLIN

13:00 05.03.2013

The Armenian National Competitiveness Foundation along with 17 tourism
companies will represent Armenia at the ITB’2013 International Travel
Trade Show in Germany on March 6-10.

More than 9,800 companies from about 180 countries are expected to
participate in the event this year.

Besides materials advertising the historical-cultural values, this
time the participants will present information about the protected
areas in Armenia. The initiative aims to promote ecotourism in Armenia.

The German market is one of the target directions for the promotion
of Armenian tourism, and the efforts in that direction promise good
results, the National Competitiveness Foundation said.

From: Baghdasarian

FEDERICO MONDELCI TO INTRODUCE VARIOUS MUSICAL STYLES IN YEREVAN

10:36, 5 March, 2013

YEREVAN, MARCH 5, ARMENRPESS. Prominent Italian saxophonist Federico
Mondelci will give a joint concert with the State Chamber Orchestra
of Armenia in Yerevan. The concert, which is scheduled to be held at
“Aram Khachaturyan” Concert Hall on March 30, will be dedicated to
the 50th anniversary of establishment of the State Chamber Orchestra
of Armenia. In a conversation with “Armenpress” the Art Director and
Chief Conductor of the orchestra Vahan Martirosyan noted that Federico
Mondelci accepted their suggestion on the organization of the joint
concert at once. According to Martirosyan the Italian musician noted
that he had been in Armenia for several times and loved the Armenian
people and music very much.

Among other things Vahan Martirosyan noted: “We have chosen a very
unique program for the concert. During a single concert we shall
introduce 150-year-old history of music ranging from classic music
to soundtracks, jazz, and tango.”

Also as an admirer of the Armenian music Federico Mondelci will
introduce his own interpretation of an Armenian music to the audience.

In the last 20 years, Federico Mondelci has established himself as one
of the leading saxophonists of his generation. His principal studies
were at the Conservatorio Statale di Musica ‘G. Rossini’ in Italy and
later with Jean-Marie Londeix at the Bordeaux Conservatoire, France.

In 1981, he was awarded the ‘Premier Prix et Medaille d’Or a
l’Unanimite. Alongside the saxophone, his studies also included
singing, composition and conducting.

Federico Mondelci has represented Italy on several occasions in the
World Saxophone Congress. These include performances in Germany,
Japan, USA, and Spain. In Italy, he has performed as soloist with all
the major orchestras, including the Orchestra Filarmonica della Scala
at La Scala, Milan, conducted by Seiji Ozawa and the BBC Philharmonic
Orchestra. During recent seasons, Mondelci has frequently performed
in Russia and now enjoys a particularly close relationship with the
Moscow Chamber Orchestra.

Federico Mondelci has been an active promoter of contemporary music
and innovator of instrumental technique. Numerous compositions have
been dedicated to him and subsequently performed and broadcast for
many important venues in Europe and America.

From: Baghdasarian

CARREFOUR CONSTRUIT-IL UN CENTRE COMMERCIAL DANS LE DISTRICT AVAN D’EREVAN POUR Y EMMENAGER ?

Asekose.am relève, citant un depute du parti Republicain, Manvel
Badeyan, que Carrefour construirait un centre commercial dans un
district d’Erevan. M. Badeyan a par ailleurs releve qu’il avait
propose a Carrefour un bâtiment lui appartenant, mais que celui-ci
ne repondait pas a ses besoins techniques. Ce depute relève qu’il
ne connaît personne au sein du Gouvernement armenien qui soit contre
l’arrivee de Carrefour en Armenie./ 168 Jam

Extrait de la revue de presse de l’Ambassade de France en Armenie en
date du 26 fevrier 2013

mardi 5 mars 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

HOVANNISIAN ET TSARUKIAN DISCUTENT DES TENSIONS POSTELECTORALES

Raffi Hovannisian a rencontre Gagik Tsarukian le chef du Parti Armenie
prospère (BHK) le week-end dernier pour discuter de la situation
postelectorale dans le pays et de la possibilite de cooperation entre
les deux poids lourds politiques.

Peu de details de la reunion ont ete rendus publics, selon une
declaration du BHK qui disant seulement qu’elle a ete demandee par
Hovannisian et a dure environ trois heures. Elle precise que les
deux hommes se sont entretenus en tete-a-tete, samedi, avant d’etre
rejoints par leurs proches collaborateurs, y compris Vartan Oskanian,
ancien ministre des Affaires etrangères affilie au parti de Tsarukian.

“Gagik Tsarukian a souligne qu’il n’y a pas de partis ennemis et
qu’il est pret a repondre [autres chefs de parti] et de discuter de
tous les sujets qui pourraient beneficier au peuple “, a declare a
RFE / RL ( Azatutyun.am) Ivetta Tonoyan, une porte-parole du chef de
BHK. Selon elle, Hovannisian a declare que l’opposition armenienne
et meme certains elements du parti republicain au pouvoir doivent
travailler ensemble pour ” rendre le pouvoir au peuple.”

Une declaration emise par le siège de campagne du parti de Hovannisian
indique qu’ils ont convenu de ” cooperer en vue de surmonter la crise
politique actuelle, y compris sur la base de solutions a court terme.

” Il n’a pas precise si l’organisation de nouvelles elections
presidentielles ou parlementaires recherchee par Hovannisian faisait
partie des solutions envisagees.

“Gagik Tsarukian a reaffirme sa position selon laquelle le BHK a
toujours ete et demeurera du côte du peuple”, a ajoute le communique.

Dans un communique publie la semaine dernière, le BHK, qui n’a pas
presente ou defendu de candidats a la presidentielle, a reagi de
manière ambiguë a l’election du 18 fevrier. Bien que justifiant
en apparence les manifestations de rue postelectorale organisee
par Hovannisian, ce parti n’a pas dit s’il acceptait ou non les
resultats du vote officiels qui ont donne la victoire au president
Serge Sarkissian.

Les relations entre le BHK et Zharangutyun (Heritage) ont ete jusqu’a
present tendues. Contrairement aux deux autres principaux groupes
d’opposition, Zharangutyun refuse d’associer le BHK a la surveillance
des elections parlementaires de mai 2012.

Les dirigeants de Zharangutyun ont accuse le parti de Tsarukian
d’achat de votes et l’utilisation des ressources administratives. Les
representants BHK en colère avaient rejete ces accusations.

mardi 5 mars 2013, Ara ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

AZERBAIJANI HUGE FLAG IS AGAIN TORN

Today – 16:58

Azerbaijani the biggest and major flag which is situated at Baku Flag
Square is torn again because of the strong wind.

The Flag Square in Baku is opened since September, 2010 and 35 million
USD was spent on it from the state budget.

The designers did not take under consideration the fact that the
square is in the center of strong winds.

The flag has been torn already for five times.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA TO PARTICIPATE IN CANNES FILM FESTIVAL IN BEST WAY

11:05, 6 March, 2013

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS: Armenia is scheduled to participate in
world famous Cannes film festival current year as well. Our country
is going to be engaged both in competitive projects and in the
film market, launched in the frames of film festival. The Armenian
National Cinema-Center head Gevorg Gevorgyan told Armenpress, Vigen
Chaldranyan “Voice of Silence” movie has been introduced in the
contest program. Efforts are being made in order to complete and
introduce Armenian- French- Ukrainian joint project – “Parajanov:
the Lover of the Beauty”.

This time too Armenia has great expectations from the current year
festival. Among other things Gevorg Gevorgyan noted: “We shall make
attempts to sign a new agreement with CNC company aimed at launching
joint filming and funding program. It will contribute to the change
of our films’ status and make them meet European standards, which
will further on enable a chance to take an advantage of relevant
privileges.” Besides a range of meetings are scheduled to be held
and a number of the Armenian film projects are also scheduled to
be presented.

The 2013 Cannes Film Festival will take place from May 15 to May 26,
2013. The President of the Jury will be American film director Steven
Spielberg. The Cannes Film Festival has its origins in the late
1930s when Jean Zay, the French Minister of National Education, on
the proposal of Philippe Erlanger and with the support of the British
and Americans, set up an international cinematographic festival. In
1947, the festival was held as the “Festival du film de Cannes”,
where films from sixteen countries were presented. At that time the
principle of equality was introduced, with a jury made up of only one
representative per country. The festival is now held at the Palais
des Festivals, expressly constructed for the occasion, although for
its 1949 inaugural the roof was unfinished and blew off during a storm.

The festival was not held in 1948 and 1950 on account of budgetary
problems. Although its origins may be attributed in part to the French
desire to compete with Autumn’s Venice Film Festival, in 1951 Cannes
was moved to Spring to avoid a Fall clash.

In 1955, the Golden Palm was created, replacing the Grand Prix du
Festival which had been given until that year. In 1957, Dolores del
Rio was the first female member of the jury as a Selection officielle
– Member. In 1959, the Marche du Film (Film Market) was founded,
giving the festival a commercial character and facilitating exchanges
between sellers and buyers in the film industry. Today it has become
the first international platform for film commerce.

From: Baghdasarian