Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

RUSSIA ALARMS ALIYEV BY REFUSING GABALA RADAR STATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
December 11, 2012

Moscow made the right choice by refusing Gabala radar station because
of excessive lease price of $300 mln Azerbaijan claimed.

The move was an expected one: Russia suspended operation of Gabala
radar station located in Azerbaijan. The Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan
declared that “During the talks, Azerbaijan demonstrated readiness
to further cooperate with Russia to extend the lease term of Gabala
radar station by Moscow. However, the negotiations failed to bring
the parties to a consensus over the rental price of the station.”

Moscow made the right choice by refusing Gabala radar station because
of excessive lease price of $300 mln Azerbaijan claimed.

Before abandoning the contract, Moscow used to pay $7 mln for the
rental per year. Gabala is a Daryal-type radar station, part of
Russia’s missile warning system and one of the nine similar stations
built in the Soviet Union. The construction started in 1976, and the
station was put on combat duty in 1985. This radar station has been a
crucial element of the missile defense system of the Soviet Union and
aimed to protect southern borders of USSR, with the range of up to
8,000 kilometres. This sufficed to intercept missile launch from as
far as the Indian Ocean; also, the radar station fully comprised the
territory of most states in Africa and Middle East, as well as Turkey,
Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, India, China and all countries of Southeast
Asia including Australia.

Attempts of Ilham Aliyev’s administration to justify the excessive
price and assure everybody that the Azerbaijani-Russian relations
will maintain the former level are at least ridiculous. Baku, namely
the deputy head of Azerbaijani presidential administration Novruz
Mamedov declared that “suspension of the operation of Gabal radar
station will not affect the relations between Azerbaijan and Russia.”

“Talks over Gabala had been underway for the past several months. Our
goal is to bring the cooperation on this station up to the level
of current requirements. We implement the current cooperation with
Russia within the global conditions, and we want to further pursue
it in accordance with them. This means raising the lease price of
this radar station up to the international requirements,” Mamedov said.

Still, Baku’s strategists forget that the radar functions only within
the comprehensive global system of missile attack warning; this is
what Azerbaijan lacks, and will hardly ever have one. Indeed, money
can buy anything Aliyev wants, and he does want too much recently.

Aliev should have looked at his old foe friend Mikheil Saakashvili;
neither the U.S. nor Europe helped him, and he is now left face to
face with his sworn enemies. It seems as if developments in the
neighbouring countries have nothing to do with him. Anyway, he’d
better not ruin the relations with Russia; the latter may support
Armenia in Karabakh conflict. So what will Baku do in this case?

Russia, however weak Aliyev and Saakahvili’s new bosses may wish to
see it, may appear to be too tough for them…

Meanwhile, Voronezh radar station set to be put into operation in
February 2013 in Armavir is expected to cover the range of Gabala
station. The Armavir station will excel Gabala in its parameters and
tackle the relevant tasks more efficiently. The establishment of a
network of new Voronezh-type radars is implemented within the State
Armament Programme 2011-2020.

Currently, Voronezh-type radars are located in Lekhtusi (Leningrad
region) on combat duty, Pionerskoe (Kalinigrad region) and
Usolye-Sibirskoe (Irkutsk region).

So, Baku made a hasty move; though, taking into account Iran as the
main target for the offensive planned by Azerbaijan’s new allies,
Aliyev’s position is justified. Anyway, it is still unclear whether he
will profit from it or not, and these doubts are caused by Russia’s
stance. Some sources claim that Vladimir Putin is going to radically
review the ties with Azerbaijan, and abandoning Gabala is just the
beginning.

Karine Ter-Sahakian

From: Baghdasarian

JOINT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ‘A BLUFF’ – ARMENIAN EXPERT

tert.am
11.12.12

Armenia’s opposition forces will not nominate a joint presidential
candidate, the ethnographer and public figure Hranush Haratyan told
Tert.am, as she commented on the recent consultations by different
political forces.

“From the very beginning it was clear that our ‘opposition’ is not
at all a uniform thing. Nor is it clear what is common in different
political forces’ programs,” Ms Kharatyan said.

It is obvious that, in the case of presidential candidate, the forces
should at least unite round one idea.

Ms Kharatyan does not know what the main common idea that would cause
different political forces to unite is.

“It is obvious that the process was going on – maneuvering to prevent
finding oneself defeated a few minutes before the election,” Ms
Kharatyan said.

Asked if that was deliberate imitation, Ms Kharatyan said that
imitation should have its purpose as well.

“I am sure that, even if they are negotiating, they are not discussing
concrete issues. If they are really negotiating, why are not doing
it publicly?”

As regards the 4-point program by the opposition bloc Armenian National
Congress (ANC) and a 7-point program by the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D), Ms Kharatyan said the programs are
not so serious as to lead the country out of the current situation
and should have been removed from the political agenda long ago.

“Yes, the ARF-D presented a 7-point program. First, why is it so late?

If they are speaking of the presidential election, it is not
the opposition’s claim on elections. Rather, it is a demand,” Ms
Kharatyan said.

Neither the opposition nor the authorities are showing their “not
participating” in the presidential election because “there is no real
claim on the political agenda.”

As regards the people, Ms Kharatyan said the people’s attitude is
“no expectations from either the opposition or the authorities.”

Armen Badalyan, an expert in political and election technologies told
Tert.am that a joint opposition candidate is nothing but a “bluff”
used by Armenia’s authorities. “The pro-government mass media put it
into circulation,” he said.

The problem is not a joint candidate. Rather, it is the voting,
preventing election frauds.

“Those wishing a change of power should carry it out before the
voting. So the issue of a joint candidate or a major candidate is of
secondary importance,” Mr Badalyan said.

Armenia’s political forces can prevent the authorities from resorting
to election frauds if they are efficiently supported either by the
West or by Russia.

“It is impossible without such support because Armenia’s society is
a body weakened 90% and unable to do anything. Nor is it willing to
because it prefers an inert way of changing power, namely, emigration,”
the expert said.

From: Baghdasarian

GEORGIA IS INTERESTED IN DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS COOPERATION WITH ARMENIA

19:20, 11 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Ambassador to Georgia
Hovhannes Manukyan had a meeting with Georgian Minister of Finances
Nodar Khaduri on December 11.

As Armenpress was informed from the press, informational and public
relations department of Armenian MFA, number of issues of bilateral
interests had been discussed during the meeting.

Armenian Ambassador congratulated Georgian Minister on becoming
member of the government and hoped that the further development of
cooperation would become a landmark for the two states.

Minister Khaduri agreed with Armenian Ambassador concerning the
need for strengthening of bilateral relations and underlined that
Georgian side was interested in the formation of business cooperation
with Armenia.

On behalf of Armenian Minister of Finances Ambassador Manukyan wished
all the best to the Georgian Minister.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN MINISTER OF EMERGENCY SITUATIONS VISITED NATO HEADQUARTER

On December 10 delegation led by Armenian Minister of Emergency
Situation Armen Yeritsyan visited NATO Headquarter with working visit.

Press and information department of Armenian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs informs about this.

In frame of the visit A. Yeritsyan met assistant of the NATO Secretary
General, Ambassador Steve Evans. Head of the Armenian mission in NATO,
Ambassador Armen Yedigaryan also attended the meeting.

During the meeting the sides discussed cooperation issues between
Armenia and NATO. Ambassador Yeritsyan presented the works crisis
group and spoke about the further plans in details.

11.12.12, 18:34

From: Baghdasarian

USA HASN’T RECORDED NOTICEABLE DEMOCRACY PROGRESS IN AZERBAIJAN DURING 2012

20:16, 11 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS: Thomas Melia Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor,
at the United States Department of State has declared there was no
noticeable progress of democracy in Azerbaijan during 2012. As reports
Armenpress Azerbaijani haqqin.az news agency writes.

“There was no particular progress during this year but we hope that
upcoming Azerbaijani presidential elections will become another
manifestation of democracy” Melia said.

According to him Azerbaijan should find some options to have open
discussions on different issues. “The government must find the strength
to be more tolerant towards the pluralism. In order Azerbaijan becomes
truly sovereign, the government must learn to respect people’s right
to express their opinion” Melia noted.

From: Baghdasarian

ACCIDENT TAKES THE LIFE OF ARTSAKH COMMANDER MRAV OHANYAN

16:42, December 11, 2012

A tragic accident has taken the life of famed Artsakh military
commander Mrav Ohanyan.

Mrav Ohanyan was one of the founders of the self-defense forces in
the Martouni region and joined with Monte Melkonian to liberate that
corner of historic Armenia.

The Sardarapat Movement conveys its condolences to the family,
friends and war comrades of this stalwart and courageous son of the
Armenian people.

Photo #1 – Mrav Ohanyan in the middle

Photo #2 – Mrav Ohanyan, 2nd from right

From: Baghdasarian

TWO-THIRDS OF ARMENIANS FACE SOCIAL INJUSTICE – EX-OMBUDSMAN

tert.am
10.12.12

Two-thirds of Armenia’s population experiences a violation of social
rights, according to a former ombudsman.

Speaking to Tert.am, Armenia’s first human rights defender, Larisa
Alavedyan, said the country is in a deadlock in terms of social,
economic and cultural rights.

“With the poverty level being twice higher from the official records,
two-thirds of the population faces an infringement of social rights,”
she said, pointing out to the continuing migration.

The exodus, Alaverdyan noted, is a good proof that the protection of
economic rights is restricted only to public and declarative statements
in Armenia.

December 10 is celebrated around the world as the international Human
Rights Day. On this day in 1948, the Universal Declaration on Human
Rights was adopted in Paris

Commenting on the general human rights situation in Armenia, Alaverdyan
said no essential dynamics (either positive or negative) has been
observed in the country.

“We are unfortunately in a situation that allows us to record the
civil society’s achievements, with the general phenomena remaining
unchanged. As for the positive dynamics, which we can observe upon
the greatest desire, they are related, for example, to the drivers’
rights,” she said, noting that the existing achievements have very
little to do with the general context.

Alaverdyan noted that the police brutalities in places of preliminary
detention are not completely overcome, but have decreased in number.

The same goes for prisons and the army, she said.

To make essential changes possible, the ex-ombudsman called on the
civil society to use new resources and mechanisms of human rights
protection.

From: Baghdasarian

EDUARD SHARMAZANOV HOSTED DIRECTOR OF GERMAN AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ARMENIAN OFFICE

12:20, 10 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS. The Deputy Speaker of the National
Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Edvard Sharmazanov hosted Director
of the German Agency for International Cooperation Armenian Office
Dagmar Bott.

The Department of Press and Public Relations of the National
Assembly of the Republic of Armenia informed “Armenpress” that Edvard
Sharmazanov highly appreciated the cooperation of Armenia with EU
and one of its key members Germany in various spheres, and spoke
about the Armenian-German conference dedicated to the transparency
of Administration, which will be held in the National Assembly of
the Republic of Armenia.

In this respect the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly emphasized
the importance of the activity of the German Agency for International
Cooperation Armenian Office and its supporting the reforms in spheres
of local administration, public finances administration and industry.

He noted that Armenia has expressed its willingness to increase
transparency of the administration and undertook huge steps in this
direction, notwithstanding there are many things to do yet.

In turn Director of the German Agency for International Cooperation
Armenian Office Dagmar Bott expressed her gratitude for the opportunity
to hold the conference in the Conference Hall of the National Assembly
of the Republic of Armenia and qualified this friendly gesture as
a unique sign of transparency. Among other things she highlighted
the significance of the exchange of approaches, experience and
knowledge of the sides of the discussion and characterized efficient
and transparent administration as an important precondition of
international development.

From: Baghdasarian

LE NOUVEAU BETIMENT DU LYCEE AYB S’OUVRE A EREVAN
Stephane

armenews.com
lundi 10 decembre 2012

Le nouveau bâtiment du lycee Ayb s’est ouvert a Erevan. La ceremonie
inaugurale officielle a ete suivie par le president Serge Sarkissian.

Le president a vu la nouvelle construction et a parle aux elèves et
aux enseignants de l’ecole.

La fondation educative Ayb vise a devenir un modèle ideal pour l’ecole
armenienne du 21e siècle et a equipe son nouveau bâtiment avec des
technologies modernes.

Serge Sarkissian a aussi suivi la ceremonie de consecration d’une
pierre commemorative de l’Eglise Surb Targmanchats (les Saints
Traducteurs Saints) devant etre construite sur le complexe educatif
et l’ouverture du Mur d’Honneur pour tous les philanthropes qui ont
fait don d’argent pour la construction de l’ecole.

lundi 10 decembre 2012, Stephane ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

SURPRISE: GENOCIDAL SUDAN ‘FULLY’ SUPPORTS BAKU

asbarez
Monday, December 10th, 2012

Sudan’s parliament speaker Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Tahir

BAKU (Trend)-Sudan fully supports the just position of Azerbaijan
in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Sudan’s parliament speaker Ahmed
Ibrahim Al-Tahir said on Sunday during a meeting with the Azeri
Ambassador to Sudan Shahin Abdullayev.

Abdullayev, who is also Baku’s envoy to Cairo, Al-Tahir and briefed
him on the ongoing Karabakh peace talks, saying he appreciated
Sudan’s position.

Al-Tahir said that he was satisfied with the bilateral relations
within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and other
international organizations.

Adbullayev highlighted the role of Azeri Milli Majlis (Parliament)
plays in international inter-parliamentary relations and emphasized
the importance of creating friendship groups between the parliaments
of Sudan and Azerbaijan.

The Speaker said that the parliament of Sudan is ready to create
a friendship group between Sudan and Azerbaijan and to organize
visits of members and the heads of these groups for strengthening
inter-parliamentary relations between the two countries.

From: Baghdasarian