Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

RED CROSS REPS. VISIT TWO AZERBAIJANI CAPTIVES

news.am
November 22, 2012 | 11:26

YEREVAN.- Representatives of the International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC) visited two Azerbaijanis, a POW and a captive civilian,
kept in Armenia’s captivity. The information was confirmed for Armenian
News-NEWS.am by the ICRC Yerevan office.

A serviceman of Azerbaijani armed forces Firuz Farajev crossed the
line of the contact between the Armenian and Azerbaijani Armed Forces
in July. The resident of Mazamli village Telman Aliyev crossed the
border on November 12.

From: Baghdasarian

LAMBERTO ZANNIER: OSCE MG CO-CHAIRS RECEIVED ASSURANCES FROM SIDES THAT THEY WOULD REJECT ANY THREAT AGAINST CIVIL AIRCRAFT

Panorama.am
22/11/2012

The OSCE Minsk Group is the only format that the parties agreed to,
OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier said in an interview with
1news.az, while commenting on Karabakh peace process and his visit
to the South Caucasus in July.

“I had very in-depth discussions with the Presidents and the Foreign
Ministers of both Azerbaijan and Armenia when I visited in July of
this year. I also met with Ministers Mammadyarov and Nalbandian in
New York in September on the margin of the UN General Assembly.

My messages to both Ministers from my side are similar.

First, there is no alternative to a peaceful, negotiated solution
for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of Madrid principles.

Second, prerequisites for such a solution are the strict observance
of the ceasefire regime, removing snipers from the line of contact
and abstaining from retaliatory measures and militant rhetoric which
could fuel further escalation of tensions.

And the third point that I tried to put across is that no external
actor – be it OSCE or any other international player – can resolve
a conflict or impose a solution: it requires the political will,
commitment and responsibility of the sides to find a lasting peaceful
solution.

My visit in July to the region reinforced my conviction that the
conflict continues to threaten regional stability, and inhibit the
region’s economic and social development. The longer the conflict
remains unresolved the more difficult it becomes to get political
compromise and overcome the differences, including those in the minds
of people. Today’s youth already has no experience of life without
the conflict,” said Lamberto Zannier.

The OSCE Secretary General expressed concern about the “absence of
any tangible progress on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement.”

“For my part, I fully support the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group
and its Co-Chairs. The OSCE Minsk Group is the only format that the
parties agreed to and any changes are for the parties to agree.

However, resolving the conflict is not about bringing more countries
or international organizations into the peace process,” said Lamberto
Zannier.

Referring to the reopening of Stepanakart airport, the OSCE Secretary
General said, “I am aware that this is a controversial issue,
which should also be discussed. My primary concern here is again a
security one. In July this year, shortly after my visit to the region,
the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group received assurances from the
sides that they would reject any threat or use of force against civil
aircraft, pursue the matter through diplomatic steps, and refrain from
politicizing the issue. Fulfilling these commitments is essential.”

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA’S POLITICAL FORCES ARE GOVERNED BY EXTERNAL POWERS – OPPOSITION MEMBER

news.am
November 22, 2012 | 11:46

YEREVAN. – The tragic events that unrolled in Armenia’s capital
city Yerevan on March 1-2, 2008 could be nothing compared to
the developments that could take place following next February’s
presidential elections, Karabakh Committee member Ashot Manucharyan
stated during a press conference on Thursday.

He believes the ruling Republican Party, the non-pro-government
Prosperous Armenia Party, and the opposition bloc Armenian National
Congress are all functioning and playing by the coercion of external
forces and, under this situation, it is very important for Armenia
to do the right thing.

“There are two possible avenues to get out of trouble. In 1988,
Armenia had authorities that were created by and subject to Moscow.

But when the people came out [to the streets], power fell into the
hands of the people. That is to say, the people’s factor is important.

And second, no one can control the people if they find themselves
in that situation,” Ashot Manucharyan said, and added that today’s
political forces are governed by Russia and the West.

From: Baghdasarian

IRAK : BAGDAD MET EN GARDE LE KURDISTAN CONTRE TOUT MOUVEMENT DE TROUPES
Stephane

armenews.com
jeudi 22 novembre 2012

Le Premier ministre irakien Nouri al-Maliki, en conflit avec la region
autonome du Kurdistan sur une serie de dossiers, a mis en garde les
forces de securite kurdes contre tout mouvement de troupes ou contact
inopines avec l’armee irakienne, a annonce un porte-parole lundi.

“Les services du commandant des forces armees (M. Maliki) mettent en
garde les forces regionales (kurdes) contre tout mouvement de troupes
ou tout contact avec les forces armees” irakiennes, a explique le
colonel Dia al-Wakil, dans un communique recu par l’AFP.

Cet avertissement intervient après que le Kurdistan, une region du
nord de l’Irak qui jouit d’une grande autonomie, a envoye plusieurs
milliers de ses peshmergas -les combattants kurdes- près de la ville de
Touz Khourmatou. Cette ville et ses alentours appartiennent a une large
bande de territoire que revendiquent tant Bagdad que le Kurdistan.

Selon un haut grade des peshmergas, la plupart de ces renforts ont
toutefois ete retires depuis.

Dans cette meme ville de Touz Khourmatou, situee a 175 km au nord de
Bagdad, des accrochages auraient eclate entre les peshmergas et les
forces irakiennes vendredi faisant un mort, selon le president de la
region, Massoud Barzani. Bagdad a nie que des troupes kurdes aient
ete impliquees.

Dans la foulee, M. Barzani avait enjoint “les peshmergas a s’abstenir
de repondre aux provocations et a etre prets a faire face a toute
agression”.

Bagdad et Erbil s’affrontent sur un certain nombre de dossiers, dont
celui de l’exploitation des hydrocarbures. Le gouvernement irakien
reproche ainsi au Kurdistan de signer des contrats avec des compagnies
petrolières etrangères en se passant de son accord.

jeudi 22 novembre 2012, Stephane ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

SESSIONS ON ‘HARSNAQAR’ CASE TO BE HELD THREE TIMES PER WEEK

Factinfo.am
Tue, 11/20/2012 – 14:59

The session of the Court of Avan and Nor Norq administrative districts
of Yerevan under the presidency of the Judge Davit Haroutyunyan on the
case of violate action in the restaurant complex ‘Harsnaqar’ did not
take place due to the absence of defendant Garik Margaryan’s lawyer
Marine Tovmasyan. The lawyer informed by a letter sent via electronic
mail that she cannot be present at today’s court session in the light
of being busy with another criminal case, requested to consider her
absence excusable and appoint the court session on another day.

The Court found the absence of the lawyer inexcusable and stated that
in case of the absence of the lawyer during the next court session,
the lawyer will be imposed a judicial sanction.

The Court did not satisfy Norayr Hayrapetyan’s lawyer Yerem Sargsyan’s
application either regarding the appointment of the court session of
November 23 on another day in the light of being busy with another
criminal case. The Court clarified that the decision on the dates
of the court sessions was made back in October and the lawyers were
aware of that.

The Court also declared that court session will be held in December
3 times a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, now the court sessions
are held twice a week.

The date of the next court session remained unchanged, i.e. November
23.

Õ~@Õ¥Õ²Õ”Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯:

From: Baghdasarian

RUSSIA’S NEW DEFENSE MINISTER WANTS STRONGER TIES WITH CHINA

November 21, 2012 – 10:32 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday,
Nov 21 indicated Russia’s continuing interest in cooperation with
China on defense sector issues, according to RIA Novosti.

Shoigu told top Chinese officials during a visit to Beijing for
the 17th Sino-Russian Intergovernmental Commission on Military and
Technological Cooperation that joint work between the two powers
would enhance stability across the region.

“The closer the cooperation is between our two countries, including
in the military-technological area, the more peaceful our region will
be,” he said.

This was Shoigu’s first official foreign trip since replacing Anatoly
Serdyukov as defense minister earlier this month.

Senior Chinese military officials in turn indicated their support
for closer cooperation with Moscow.

“We see our relationship with Russia as a priority in the field of
international military cooperation,” said Xu Qiliang, deputy head of
the Communist Party of China’s Central Military Commission.

He added that Beijing wishes to “bring the relationship to a higher
level.”

From: Baghdasarian

PAPER: ARMENIAN PRESIDENT OWNS APARTMENT IN DOWNTOWN LONDON

November 21, 2012 – 11:10 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – According to Zhoghovurd daily, Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan owns a three-bedroom house in downtown London, worth
euro15 mln.

“RA former prime minister Armen Sargsyan is rumored to have bought
the house for the president. However, the latter’s spokesman refused
to comment on the information, slamming it as absurd,” the paper says.

From: Baghdasarian

TURKISH PUBLIC SAYS ALIYEV THREATENS REGIONAL PEACE

November 21, 2012 – 16:45 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – It’s no secret that the concept “one nation with
two states” is meaningful only for Baku, the latter treating Ankara
as its big brother. Despite this, Turkey queens it over Azerbaijanis
and is unlikely to make any sacrifices.

Turkish citizens’ reaction to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s
cynical statements on Armenia can be brought as a proof.

Aliyev earlier dubbed “Armenia a country of no value, a colony,
an outpost run from abroad.” Moreover he called Armenia “territory
artificially created on ancient Azerbaijani lands.” “Azerbaijan grows
stronger and more powerful with every passing year, while Armenia
weakens and declines every year,” Azeri leader said.

Meanwhile, Turkish readers’ reaction to Aliyev’s remarks surprised
Baku.

“Not very statesmanlike behavior. His dad was a smart man, but Ilham
did not get any of his tact and diplomacy and he is dragging Turkey
down with him,” a Hurriyet Daily News reader commented on Aliyev’s
statement.

“This guy is nothing but a threat to the regional peace. Don’t
forget that he is responsible for the failure of Armenian-Turkish
rapprochement,” another comment reads.

Another Turkish reader posted the following comment, “With oil
declining 8% again this year in Azerbaijan, hysteria is the only way
Aliyev can maintain power. Most industry analysts agree that Azeri
oil output picked about 3 years ago and oil production will decline
every year. Yes, oil made lots of money for some Azeris, but most of
the regular population still lives in poverty. Not saying that Armenia
is paradise on earth, but regular Azeris have just as much problems
as Armenians do.” Armenian National Assembly vice speaker Eduard
Sharmazanov dubbed Aliyev “totalitarian leader of a totalitarian
country.” “Aliyev shows by his cynical remarks that there are still
supporters of fascism in the 21st century, and that this ideology
flourishes thanks to leaders like him,” parliament vice speaker said,
adding that Aliyev’s statement is reminiscent of the 1930s-1940s and
Nazi leader Adolf Hitler,” he told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

From: Baghdasarian

TEACHERS’ CONTEST MUST BE CONDUCTED IN A MORE TRANSPARENT WAY

Wednesday, 21 November 2012 15:38

During the session of the NKR government convened on November 20, the
executive approved the law draft on introducing changes in decree N466
“Concerning teachers’ assignment to a job in another place” presented
by NKR Science and Education Minister Slava Asryan. According to this
decree teachers may henceforth be assigned to a job in educational
institutions at a distance of at least 30 kilometers from the place
of their residence for a 6-year term in tote. Teachers’ assignment
is performed according to the results of the contest for vacant
work places. Teachers’ assignment to residences at a distance of
less than 30 kilometers may be possible only if the contest for the
teacher’s vacant place at the given school did not take place and the
Ministry of Science and Education announced an extra contest aimed
at job assignment.

During the discussion of the issue the Minister of Science and
Education informed that there are vacant places in some residences
of Qashatagh region yet there are no apartments to be provided to
the teachers.

Prime Minister Ara Haroutyunyan, speaking about the conduct of the
mentioned contests, noted that the Ministry must pay serious attention
to their transparency and give its preference to highly qualified
specialists. As the Prime Minister reported there is an opinion in the
society that such issues are generally settled by some intervention.

He assigned the participants a task to do their best to eliminate
the mentioned phenomena.

From: Baghdasarian

RA NA PRESIDENT HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN SENDS A TELEGRAM OF CONDOLENCE ON FLORA MARTIROSYAN’S DEATH

21.11.2012

With a deep sorrow in my heart I learnt about the untimely death of
the People’s Artist of Armenia Flora Martirosyan.

Armenian art of singing lost a singer keeping our Armenian folk
songs alive and spreading them throughout the world with her unique
performances. Flora Martirosyan’s unique, melodic voice and unmatched
performance spread love and warmth worldwide, reaching the hearts
of different generations and nationalities and rippling the concert
halls in Armenia and abroad.

I extend my condolences to Flora Martirosyan’s relatives and friends
and I share their great grief.

From: Baghdasarian