Civilitas: They’ve charged Oskanian of money laundering without unde

Civilitas Analyst: “They’ve charged Oskanian of money laundering
without understanding what it means”
Hayk Ghazaryan

12:34, February 15, 2013

At a discussion held yesterday in Stepanakert entitled `Elections in
Armenia and the Conflict’ moderator Tatoul Hakobyan was asked about
the current state of the criminal investigation into Vardan Oskanian.

Hakobyan works as a poltical analyst with the Yerevan-based Civilitas
Foundation originally established by Vardan Oskanian. The discussion
was organized by Civilitas and the Artsakh Foreign Affairs and
Security Public Council.

Hakobyan responded that it was a difficult topic ad one he found
unpleasant to talk about.

`The case has been dragging on for nine months. They have accused
Oskanian of money laundering without any proof and without an
understanding of what money laundering actually means. They can’t make
that charge stick,’ Hakobyan said.

The Civilitas analyst added that tax officials had carried out six
audits of the foundation’s books and haven’t come up with even a 100
Dram infraction.

`Now they are examining other things, like how many litres of gas were
used, 18 or 20? The case has degraded to this level from its former
lofty goals which were certainly politically motivated. Hopefully it
will all end soon.’

Hakobyan reminded the crowd about the case of former RA Foreign
Minister Alexander Arzumanian, who was also accused of the same
charge.

`They charged Arzumanian with money laundering as well. That money was
sent to Arzumanian by his friend in Moscow. After spending time in
jail, they returned that money back to him. In other words, they
returned the money for which he was jailed in the first place.’

From: Baghdasarian

http://hetq.am/eng/news/23373/civilitas-analyst-theyve-charged-oskanian-of-money-laundering-without-understanding-what-it-means.html

Russian army chief visits Armenia

Russian army chief visits Armenia

NEWS.AM
February 15, 2013 | 11:17

YEREVAN. – Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and first
Deputy Defense Minister of Russia, Valery Gerasimov, arrived in
Armenia’s capital city Yerevan on Thursday for a two-day visit.

Within the framework of his visit, Gerasimov will meet with Chief of
the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, Yuri Khachaturov;
Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan; and President, Commander-in-Chief of
the Armenian Armed Forces, Serzh Sargsyan, the Armenian defense
minister’s spokesperson, Artsrun Hovhannisyan, told Armenian
News-NEWS.am.

The parties will discuss the avenues for deepening the strategic
cooperation between both countries in the defense sector.

From: Baghdasarian

Anti-Armenian White House petitions linked to Azerbaijani top offici

Anti-Armenian White House petitions linked to Azerbaijani top officials

NEWS.AM
February 15, 2013 | 13:08

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has formally asked
the White House for information about the types of safeguards that the
Administration has put in place to protect its popular `We the People’
on-line petition system against foreign attempts at fraudulent
manipulation of American civil society discourse.

In a letter to White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett, ANCA
Executive Director Aram Hamparian referenced the Armenian American
community’s concern regarding `a number of petitions addressing
Armenian topics, including one that echoes, nearly word for word, the
message of Azerbaijani dictator Ilham Aliyev’s well-funded, unfounded
and hateful campaign to misrepresent Azerbaijan’s well-documented
history of aggression against Armenia and the independent Republic of
Nagorno Karabakh.’ Hamparian went on to ask for greater clarity
regarding rules related to international participation, and an
explanation about any safeguards that have been put in place against
`against fraud and to protect this important arena for dialogue with
our government from being abused by foreign entities.’

Several petitions echoing Azerbaijani government attacks on Karabakh
rapidly collected tens of thousands of on-line signatures in recent
days. The text of one in particular, titled `pay close attention on
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. 20% of Azerbaijan territory was
occupied by Armenian military,’ has a direct link to the Heydar Aliyev
Foundation, a project headed by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s
multi-billionaire wife, Mehriban Aliyeva. Unlike other `We the People’
petitions, where the city and state of a majority of signers is
typically posted, the anti-Armenian petitions, by and large, do not
have any geographic identification.

News of Azerbaijani government manipulation of online metrics and
social media statistics to boost the image of authoritarian dictator
Ilham Aliyev came out earlier this month in Azadlyg newpaper, with
reports of pressure on government employees to `like’ President
Aliyev’s Facebook page in the run up to his 2013 election.

From: Baghdasarian

Is Russia Getting Ready For Military Action In Armenia?

Is Russia Getting Ready For Military Action In Armenia?

12:03 15/02/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

The chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian
Federation, Valery Gerasimov stated that conscripts of the Russian
Armed Forces, excluding those trained in military unites, will not
take part in military actions. Only hired soldiers will.

Interestingly, the leadership of Russia increases the number of hired
soldiers in military unit N 102 of Russia in Armenia. The number of
conscripts is the same while the number of hired soldiers is boosted.

Does this mean that Russia considers the Armenian direction
militaristic so Moscow is getting ready for relevant actions?

Russia determines the increase hired soldiers in Armenia by the
general process in the entire army of Russia since over 200,000 young
men avoid the military service.

From: Baghdasarian

http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/politics/view/28936

Again an Armenian killed and one kidnapped in Aleppo

Again an Armenian killed and one kidnapped in Aleppo

11:23, 15 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 15, ARMENPRESS: An Armenian was killed in Armenian
populated Aleppo Suleymania district by accidental bullets. Berio
National Primacy press secretary told Armenpress, the victim was
Harutyun Koshkeryan, aged 43, father of two daughters.

In the words of Reisyan, Suleymania district is always crowded and
was considered relatively safe in those days, yet accidents may be
sketched in a most unexpected site. Berio press secretary informs
Armenian Gevorg Karagulyan was kidnapped from his job place in the
suburbs of Aleppo on February 14. The sufferer’s brother and two
colleagues were also in the job place, yet they were lucky and were
not abducted by the violators. The kidnappers demanded ransom for the
release of Gevorg Karagulyan.

What refers to the prevailing situation in Aleppo press secretary
noted the shellings are ongoing till the morning, whether on current
moment the overall atmosphere is more or less quiet. Clashes have been
orchestrated in the nearby territory of Aleppo National Primacy
building, at about 100-200 meters away distance.

According to UN data over 70 thousand people were killed during 23
months lasting clashes in Syria, including four dozen Armenians.

From: Baghdasarian

La Turquie à l’Avant-garde du Terrorisme International en Syrie

Appo Jabarian
La Turquie à l’Avant-garde du Terrorisme International en Syrie

Par Appo Jabarian, Directeur Exécutif/ Responsable de l’édition USA
Armenian Life et Hay Guiank Armenian Weekly (édition en arménien)

D’après Joseph Fitsanakis d’ Intelnews.org, les autorités turques
auraient ` rejeté une demande officielle d’extradition des États Unis
concernant l’un des gendres d’Oussama Ben Laden, qui a été arrêté à
Ankara vendredi à la suite d’une dénonciation de la CIA. Suleiman Abu
Ghaith est né au Koweit mais sa citoyenneté lui a été retirée après
qu’il se soit publiquement opposé à la légitimité de la monarchie
koweïtie et demandé l’institution de la charia dans l’émirat
producteur de pétrole. En 2000, il s’est rendu en Afghanistan, où il a
rencontré Oussama Ben Laden et a rejoint Al Qaeda. Il a par la suite
épousé Fatima Ben Laden, l’une des nombreuses filles de Ben Laden `.

Peu de temps près l’entrée récente de Ghaith en Turquie, la CIA a
contacté les membres de l’Organisation Nationale Turque du
Renseignement (connue sous le nom de MIT), les informant qu’il était
entré dans ce pays à l’aide d’un faux-passeport. Il a été rapidement
arrêté dans un hôtel chic du quartier Cankaya. L’hôtel où Ghaith a été
arrêté est situé tout près de la résidence du président turc Abdullah
Gul et à un jet de pierre de l’ambassade des USA et d’autres
ambassades, rapporte le grand quotidien de Turquie Milliyet.

Ce n’est pas la première fois que la Turquie est directement impliquée
dans une action dirigée contre des terroristes et leur hébergement.
L’importation et l’exportation du terrorisme international est en
Turquie une tradition.

Ce jeudi 6 février, environ deux cents jeunes Américains pour la
plupart Arabes, Anglais, Africains, Arméniens, Assyriens et Kurdes
d’origine ont désigné la Turquie comme responsable des activités
criminelles d’Ankara dans un pays voisin – la Syrie.

Les protestataires, des personnes aisées pour la plupart, ont pris sur
le temps précieux de leur vie professionnelle ou personnelle et se
sont dirigées vers le consulat de Turquie à Los Angeles, condamnant le
rôle de la Turquie dans la destruction de la Syrie diverse aux plans
ethnique, religieux, et culturel.

Les manifestants se sont exprimés haut et clair : ` La Turquie doit
cesser de soutenir les terroristes d’Al Qaeda en Syrie `, ` La Turquie
doit cesser le pillage des entreprises de Syrie ` ; ` Les Terroristes
de la Turquie tuent les Chrétiens `, ` La Turquie doit cesser son
agression contre le peuple syrien `, et ` l’empire ottoman , PLUS
jamais ! ` parmi d’autres.

Malgré une rhétorique mal avisée et velléitaire depuis dix-huit mois,
selon laquelle le Président Assad ` serait sur le point de s’en aller
`, jusqu’à présent, les méga entreprises occidentales et leur base
avancée la Turquie ont échoué dans leur projet d’un autre soi-disant
Printemps Arabe de faire tomber le régime atypique en orient de Bechar
El Assad.

En conséquence, les groupes de pression des méga entreprises aux USA
et en Europe qui ont dicté la politique étrangère des USA au Moyen
Orient se sont heurtées à la tenace population syrienne et à leurs
forces patriotiques absolument opposées aux extrémistes islamiques
pour la plupart non-syriens dans le pays. C’est ainsi qu’un plan
concerté – soutenu par le terrorisme par procuration de la Turquie, a
été initialement conçu pour faire chuter le régime Assad. Mais le plan
a dégénéré en un bourbier syrien inattendu, engageant gravement la
responsabilité des néoconservateurs de Washington et leur protégée la
Turquie. Le premier ministre actuel de la Turquie Erdogan qui a pris
la tête de l’invasion de la Syrie est sur le point de perdre le
soutien des Turcs Musulmans chez lui et au Moyen Orient.

Avec juste raison, les manifestants de jeudi passé à Los Angeles ont
crié ` Erdogan doit s’en aller ! `

Pensant que se retourner contre ` son frère ` en Syrie le Président
Assad lui rapporterait un avantage matériel et politique, le premier
ministre Erdogan a changé de bord et a commencé à soutenir les
extrémistes étrangers pour la plupart non Syriens en facilitant leur
invasion de la Syrie.

Erdogan avait mis de grands espoirs dans une chute rapide du régime de
Damas, ce qui lui aurait rapporté des bénéfices économiques et
politiques énormes. Les choses, cependant, ne ses ont pas passées
comme il l’espérait.

Au plus le régime d’Assad montrait les signes qu’il resterait au
pouvoir, au plus il s’obstinait dans son soutien des éléments anti
démocratiques pour la plupart non Syriens envoyés en Syrie via la
Turquie. Son rêve s’est avéré illusoire.

Une proportion importante du peuple en Syrie et autour du monde
réalise à présent le légitime mouvement de réforme intérieur syrien a
déjà été détourné par les terroristes de Turquie en Syrie.
L’opposition patriotique syrienne se lamente et affecte à la Turquie
la faute que le pays soit devenu une zone criminalisée.

Avec les atrocités commises par les terroristes de Turquie à Alep et
en d’autres lieux, les possibilités d’un mouvement présentable portant
des réformes réelles sont désormais nulles. La Turquie ne peut plus
prétendre à la plus haute autorité morale. L’apparence turque d’
`humanitarisme ` a dégénéré en une campagne génocidaire contre les
musulmans modérés de Syrie tels les Sunnites, les Alawites, les Druzes
et les Kurdes ; tout comme les Arméniens, les Syriaques, les Assyriens
et autres Chrétiens.

Conformément à sa propre intolérance sociale, la Turquie semble avoir
l’intention de saper et finalement désintégrer la société
d’acceptation et de tolérance mutuelles de la Syrie, diverse
ethniquement et au plan religieux.

Au cours de la manifestation de la semaine passée devant le consulat
de Turquie à Los Angeles, le Syrien d’Amérique Johnny Achi a déclaré à
l’aide d’un haut- parleur : ` La Turquie est directement responsable
du sang qui est versé en Syrie… Nous exigeons que la Turquie ARRÊTE
de soutenir le terrorisme et ARRÊTE d’intervenir en Syrie `.

Parlant au nom des Arabes Américains pour la Syrie, des Syriens en
Californie du Sud, des S`urs Syriennes en Californie du Sud, du Comité
ANSWER, du Centre International d’Action, des Arméniens Syriens
Américains (SAA), des Libanais pour un Syrie Unie, de l’Union des
Patriotes Syriens, Achi a souligné : ` 1) La Turquie soutient
l’accueil et la formation de terroristes et de mercenaires venus du
monde entier, et leur procure ensuite un sauf conduit pour entrer et
sortir de Syrie. 2) La Turquie aide à l’apport d’armes et d’artillerie
et au soutien logistique de tous les différents groupes terroristes en
Syrie. 3) Les terroristes de Turquie ont procédé à des attaques
systématiques de villages syriens comportant des minorités – des
villages syriens chrétiens, kurdes et arméniens ont payé un très lourd
tribut dans les récents mous tandis que la Turquie accentue ses
persécutions dans le style ottoman des communautés kurde, arabe,
chrétiennes et arménienne de Syrie. 4) La Turquie, au su de son
gouvernement, a reçu des biens volés à plus d’un millier d’usines de
la ville industrielle d’Alep, détruisant systématiquement l’économie
syrienne. 5) Le soutien de la Turquie à l’organisation terroriste des
Frères Musulmans et autres groupes extrémistes Salafistes, Takfirites,
Wahabites ou du Front Nusra encourage le fanatisme religieux et
détruit le tissu séculaire de la Syrie. 6) La Turquie est responsable
de la détention d’otages libanais au nord de la Syrie, et doit les
relcher immédiatement `.

M. Achi a conclu en demandant que la Turquie participe à ` promouvoir
la paix en Syrie, et pas la guerre, cesser le soutien actif des divers
groupes terroristes en Syrie, et pour cesser le trafic d’armes et de
moyens de télécommunications à travers sa frontière `.

Aujourd’hui, c’est évident, la Turquie n’est pas un courtier honnête
pour ce conflit. Se montrant politiquement opportuniste, Ankara a
saboté elle-même sa politique du ` Zéro problème avec ses voisins `.

A ce stade terminal d’une partie perdue, le gouvernement Erdogan peut
encore sauver son existence politique à l’intérieur comme à
l’extérieur en se retirant complètement de la Syrie.

La Turquie a déjà suffisamment des problèmes à l’intérieur.

En abandonnant la mauvaise politique qu’elle a elle-même conçue en
Syrie, Ankara pourrait rechercher une solution pacifique à 1) La crise
Kurde en Turquie. 2) La demande de justice des Arméniens. 3) La
demande chypriote de retrait inconditionnel de la partie nord de
Chypre. 4) Les demandes internationales de levée du blocus contre
l’Arménie. 5) Mettre fin durablement aux violations massives aux
droits de l’homme qui ont cours dans ce qu’on appelle actuellement la
Turquie.

vendredi 15 février 2013,
Jean Eckian ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

Chairman of Russian-Armenian Coop NGO: `Akram Aylisli won the sympat

APA, Azerbaijan
Feb 14 2013

Chairman of Russian-Armenian Cooperation NGO: `Akram Aylisli won the
sympathy of all Armenians’

[ 14 February 2013 12:24 ]
Russian writer and screenwriter Kim Bakshi: `Akram Aylisli asks us for help’

Moscow. Farid Akberov – APA. The Russian-Armenian Cooperation NGO has
expressed solidarity with Akram Aylisli, said chairman of the
Russian-Armenian Cooperation NGO Yuri Navoyan at the event on 25th
anniversary of the separatist regime of Nagorno Karabakh in Russia’s
capital yesterday, APA’s Moscow correspondent reports. He said that
Akram Aylisli, the author of `Stone Dreams’ novel, won the sympathy of
Armenians and thanked him for his fair position: `Our organization
demonstrates solidarity with Akram Aylisli’.

The spiritual treasures of Artsakh’ by Russian writer and screenwriter
Kim Bakshi was also presented at the event held at the press service
of the newspaper “Argumenti i fakti”. It was said that leader of
Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) Vladimir Zhirinovsky will
attend the event, but he didn’t come.

Pro-Armenian politicians Stanistlav Tarasov, Anatoly Tsiganok,
historian Vladimir Zakharov and representatives of Russia-based
Armenian community attended the event, where anti-Azerbaijan
statements were made.

Quotes from Akram Aylisli’s novel `Stone Dreams’ was often sounded at
the event. Writer Kim Bakshi said that Akram Aylisli appealed to the
Russian writers for help: `He asks what he wrote wrongly. We will help
him.’

The book `The spiritual treasures of Artsakh’ describes Karabakh as an
ancient land of Armenians. The book covers Kim Bakshi’s visits to
Karabakh, his observations. The book written basing on alleged facts
is dedicated to the Armenian separatist movement that started in
Nagorno Karabakh in February, 1988.

From: Baghdasarian

BAKU: Russian political analysts call on Armenian president to recog

APA, Azerbaijan
Feb 14 2013

Russian political analysts call on Armenian president to recognize
independence of Nagorno Karabakh

[ 14 February 2013 14:21 ]

Moscow. Farid Akberov – APA. `First, Armenia must recognize the
independence of Nagorno Karabakh.

Otherwise, no country will take this step,’ said Russian political
analyst and director of the Institute of Political and Social Studies
of the Black Sea and Caspian region Vladimir Zakharov addressing the
event on the 25th anniversary of the separatist regime of Nagorno
Karabakh at the press service of the newspaper “Argumenti i fakti”,
APA’s Moscow correspondent reports.

He said that Nagorno Karabakh is nothing without status: `At present
Nagorno Karabkah is nothing. First, Armenia must recognize the
independence of Nagorno Karabakh, then Russia… The activities of OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairs are useless for Nagorno Karabakh. The co-chairs
are doing nothing.’

Addressing the event, pro-Armenian political analyst Stanislav Tarasov
underlined that Nagorno Karabakh’s independence should be first
recognized by Armenia.

`If Armenia recognizes Nagorno Karabakh’s independence, it will pave
the way for the similar steps by Russia and other states,’ he said.

Director of military forecasts center of the Institute for Political
and Military Studies Anatoly Tsyganyuk also shared his colleague’s
views.

From: Baghdasarian

Carrefour entry complications may have repercussions

FreshPlaza, Netherlands
Feb 14 2013

Carrefour entry complications may have repercussions

The problems experienced by Carrefour in their attempts to enter the
Armenian marketplace, may have repercussions for the country’s rating
amongst international businesses.

Zhamanak (Time) newspaper, referring to its sources, reported that
Russian businessman and owner of Dalma Garden Mall Samvel Karapetyan
suspended his contract with famous French retail chain Carrefour. The
newspaper also said his decision was caused by opposition of Samvel
Alexanyan who imports essential commodities to Armenia and whose
business may suffer if Carrefour arrives.

Armenian prime-minister Tigran Sargsyan said that Armenia is very
interested in Carrefour’s arrival and that the government will do its
best to help the famous retail chain come to Armenia.

According to the prime-minister, Carrefour and Samvel Karapetyan
signed not an agreement, but a memorandum about intentions and had
disagreements around it.

From: Baghdasarian

http://www.freshplaza.com/news_detail.asp?id=105960#SlideFrame_1

New Orange Peace of Mind Tariffs

New Orange Peace of Mind Tariffs

Business – Thursday, 14 February 2013, 16:08

1AMD for calls, SMS and GPRS, new unlimited data bundles Today Orange
presented a range of innovative and attractive offers proposing
customers welcome the spring with new voice and data services. Orange
launched a new special Orange One prepaid tariff plan, which allows
communicating without thinking of rate. Those customers who will join
Orange before May 15, will get the exclusive possibility to call and
SMS all Orange customers at 1AMD tariff, as well as surf on
facebook.com, odnoklassniki.ru, vkontakte.ru, linkedin.com,
hayland.am, twitter.com and orangeblog.am social networks at 1 AMD/MB
rate. To be able to benefit from this exclusive tariff, Orange One
customers simply have to recharge their account with 500 AMD, to be
able to use this tariff during 7 days. The same 1 AMD tariff will be
applied during 15 days when recharging the account with 1000 AMD. Upon
the end of this period and before the next top-up, the following
standard tariffs will be applied: 15 AMD/min rate for on-net calls and
35AMD/min for calling other operators’ subscribers. Orange One is also
the best tariff plan for GPRS users, because of an unbeatable 5 AMD/MB
rate applied for surfing any website and anytime. Good surprises are
also for existing customers: starting from now, customers of Orange
Let’s Talk prepaid My Friends, My Country, My Time, My Numbers and
Simple tariff plans will be able to choose new options: unlimited SMS
in Orange network or unlimited data access. These options can be
activated for 1 day or 7 days, for only 100 AMD or 500 AMD
correspondingly, by simply dialing *129#. These options will
complement the existing unlimited voice option, which is available to
all above-mentioned tariff plans except for `Simple’. Francis
Gelibter, Orange Armenia CEO, said: « Orange One is a completely new
word on the Armenian telecommunications market. It allows those who
have never tested our services to join the large Orange Family of
600,000 people. We are sure that today many customers will find in our
offers what they expect from an operator: peace of mind tariffs and
options»

From: Baghdasarian

http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/economy/view/28928