Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

ALEXANDER ISKANDARYAN: THE MAIN INTRIGUE OF FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS IS PAP’S POSITION

Mediamax
Oct 25 2012
Armenia

Yerevan/Mediamax/. Director of “Caucasus” Institute Alexander
Iskandaryan expressed the opinion today that the main intrigue at the
forthcoming elections will be the decision of “Prosperous Armenia”
Party (PAP) on whether to nominate its candidate or to support the
incumbent President.

At the meeting with the reporters today, the expert said that serious
pressure is exerted on the party. At the same time he said that
the same situation was observed before parliamentary elections too,
but it was impossible to “break” Gagik Tsarukyan.

According to Alexander Iskandaryan, there are no other forces besides
the PAP candidate who can seriously compete with the incumbent
President.

“If “Prosperous Armenia” decides not to put forward a candidate,
the election outcome will be absolutely prejudiced,” the political
scientist said. He did not rule out the possibility that Vardan
Oskanyan may become a PAP presidential contender, though he said this
variant is hardly probable.

From: Baghdasarian

LE PRESIDENT SARKISSIAN PROMET DES ELECTIONS PRESIDENTIELLES LIBRES, EQUITABLES ET TRANSPARENTES

armenews.com
jeudi 25 octobre 2012

Prenant la parole a Bucarest, dans le cadre du Congrès du PPE, le chef
de l’Etat a indique que les elections legislatives de mai dernier
ont ete qualifiees par les observateurs internationaux comme etant
les ” meilleures ” depuis l’independance de l’Armenie. Les autorites
armeniennes, a-t-il dit, sont determinees a faire de ce progrès une
tendance constante et a tenir des elections presidentielles ” libres,
equitables, transparentes et democratiques “. A cette fin, des mesures
etaient en cours de preparation sur la base des conclusions et des
propositions de l’OSCE/BIDDH.

Armenie-UE- Le chef de l’Etat a evoque les reformes en cours en Armenie
qui devraient deboucher sur un système de gouvernance beaucoup plus
efficace. ” Pour mettre en place ces objectifs, l’Armenie a besoin
d’un soutien financier sensible. C’est dans cette perspective que
nous organisons, en concertation avec la Commission europeenne,
une conference de donateurs pour l’Armenie “, a-t-il dit.

Conflit du HK- La securite au sud Caucase etant une partie integrante
de celle de l’Europe, l’Armenie ne voit pas d’alternative au processus
de règlement du conflit du HK dans le cadre du Groupe de Minsk de
l’OSCE fonde sur un compromis. Recemment, en glorifiant un meurtrier
transfere en Azerbaïdjan par un pays membre de l’UE, l’Azerbaïdjan
a lance un defi a la communaute internationale, prouvant une fois
encore que la xenophobie demeure sa politique officielle et constitue
une menace pour la securite du HK.

Extrait de la revue de presse de l’Ambassade de France en Armenie en
date du 18 octobre 2012

jeudi 25 octobre 2012, Stephane ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

AZERBAIJAN’S FOREIGN MINISTRY: BY THREATENING AZERBAIJAN ARMENIA THREATENS THE REGION’S FUTURE, EUROPE’S ENERGY SECURITY

APA
Oct 24 2012
Azerbaijan

Baku. Anakhanim Hidayatova-APA. “By visiting the occupied Azerbaijani
territories, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan violates the
international laws,” spokesman for Foreign Ministry Elman Abdullayev
said while commenting on Armenian President’s participation in the
military exercises in Azerbaijan’s occupied territories, APA reports.

“Armenia must understand that sooner or later those pursuing occupation
policy are punished. The persons, who commit crimes against humanity,
are brought to trial. Armenian leadership committed crime both against
the Azerbaijanis and its own citizens. The aim of the Azerbaijani state
is to restore justice and it has enough strength to do it,” he said.

“Armenia, which threatens to hit Azerbaijan’s energy projects, must
know that the completed and ongoing energy projects in Azerbaijan
serves the development of the entire region, ensures Europe’s energy
security. By threatening Azerbaijan Armenia threatens the region’s
future, Europe’s energy security. Armenia, which is not contributing
to the region’s development, has decided to impede the development
of the region and take destructive steps,” he said.

From: Baghdasarian

NO CHOICE FROM ARMENIANS

Hurriyet
Oct 24 2012
Turkey

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), the largest and
most influential U.S.-Armenian group, has announced that it will
support neither President Barack Obama nor Republican candidate Mitt
Romney in the Nov. 6 presidential election.

“Neither Barack Obama, who turned his back on the multiple promises
he made on Armenian-American issues, nor Mitt Romney, who as a
former governor of Massachusetts, has no evident public record on
issues of special concern to our community, has earned the support
of Armenian-American voters,” ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian said in a
press release last week.

“Our country’s federal policies on Armenian-American issues, sadly,
remain hostage to the dictates of foreign officials, in Ankara
and Baku. While we remain open to constructive engagement with both
campaigns, we have no plans at this time to issue an ANCA endorsement
this presidential election cycle,” he said.

“The president first signaled that he would break his pledge during
a March 2009 speech in the Turkish Parliament during which he chose
not to use the term Armenian genocide in calling upon Turkey to
address its past, but did note that his ‘personal’ views in support
of Armenian Genocide recognition remained unchanged,” the ANCA said.

“The Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, former governor
of Massachusetts… has no evident public record on Armenian issues
from his four-year tenure as governor or his two campaigns for the
White House. He has also not reached out, in any meaningful way, to
meet or consult with the Armenian-American community’s leadership,”
the ANCA said.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA INCREASES IMPORTS OF RUSSIAN GAS BY 24% IN 9MTHS

Interfax
Oct 23 2012
Russia

Total imports of Russian natural gas to Armenia increased by 24.3%
year-on-year to 1.3225 billion cubic meters (bcm) in January-September
2012, CJSC ArmRosgazprom said in a statement.

A total of 1.128 bcm of natural gas was sold in the period, up 12.3%
year-on-year.

Compared with last year, total household demand for natural gas in
Armenia increased by 11.8% to 396.2 million cubic meters. Gas demand
in the power sector rose by 42% to 132.5 mcm and industrial sectors –
up 4.2% to 181.1 mcm. Total consumption of natural gas at Armenian
NGV refill stations went up by 16.9% to 304.3 mcm. Demand for gas
from other consumers decreased by 7.1% year-on-year to 114.1 mcm in
the nine months.

ArmRosgazprom holds the monopoly for gas supply to Armenia. Russian gas
giant OJSC Gazprom(RTS: GAZP) owns 80% in this company. The Armenian
government holds the remaining 20%.

From: Baghdasarian

NAIRA ZOHRABYAN: GAGIK TSARUKYAN SHOULD BE PAP CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT

Panorama.am
24/10/2012

Panorama.am held an interview with secretary of Prosperous Armenia
Party (PAP) parliamentary faction Naira Zohrabyan about the format
of PAP’s participation in the upcoming presidential elections and
developments around ex-Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian.

– Mrs Zohrabyan, what is the reason for Gagik Tsarukyan’s
non-attendance of parliament sessions? Is the PAP leader boycotting
parliament sessions in connection with Vartan Oskanian’s case?

– No, absolutely not. I would not like us to try to see political
implication in every case. I can say that Mr Tsarukyan missed
parliament sessions due to working visits. But it does not mean that
he will not participate in the National Assembly’s work. I repeat
confidently: PAP leader will be in parliament.

As for Vartan Oskanian’s case, Mr Tsarukyan expressed his position
on this issue in a statement. Yes, he thinks that Armenian Prosecutor
General’s petition is legally ungrounded and he expressed support for
his co-partisan in his statement. World-renowned lawyers will handle
this case, which they have done and are doing now.

– Several months remain until the presidential elections. Prognoses
are made as to whether PAP will nominate its candidate or will back
RPA candidate. At the same time, some PAP members, Vartan Oskanian,
Vahe Hovhannisyan, for instance, do not rule out the first option.

When will the party be certain in its position?

– I understand the interest around the party’s decision, because PAP
is currently one of the key players in Armenian political field,
and it is no secret that the course of the future developments in
the country will mostly depend on the PAP’s decision on the format
of participation in the presidential elections. But I reiterate that
PAP will decide on its own when to make public its decision.

As for personal opinions of my colleagues, not only Vartan Oskanian,
Vahe Hovhannisyan, but also I think that PAP as a political force that
received so many votes in the parliamentary elections should nominate
its candidate. More, I can say that I see only Gagik Tsarukyan as
PAP candidate for president.

– Can you already say when the PAP congress will take place?

– No, it is not yet decided whether there will be a congress or not. I
reiterate that we will soon discuss issues concerning presidential
elections and will make public our decision when we decide to do it.

– Coming back to recent developments as well as Facebook posts,
we must say that Oskanian is sometimes mentioned as alternative to
Tsarukyan. Do you see such option?

– I have already answered this: PAP’s decision on format of
participation in the presidential elections will be made public when
PAP decides to do it.

From: Baghdasarian

PAPER: ARMENIA WOULDN’T EXIST WITHOUT RUSSIA, ANALYST SAYS

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 24, 2012 – 15:24 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – According to Zhoghovurd daily, Russian analyst
Mikhail Leontyev, known in political circles as a mouthpiece of
President Vladimir Putin, made a harsh statement on Armenia.

“Armenia wouldn’t exist, if it were not for Russia,” Leontyev said.

The analyst further spoke of Russia’s influence on Armenia’s economy,
concluding, “Eurasian integration is geopolitically inevitable.”

“In other words, Russia is using a mediator to suggest the necessity
of Eurasian integration to Armenia,” the paper concludes.

From: Baghdasarian

IRANIAN MINISTER: WE’RE SATISFIED WITH JOINT PROGRAMS

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 14:43:15 – 24/10/2012

The 11th session of the Armenian-Iranian inter-governmental commission
kicked off in Yerevan on October 24. The Iranian delegation is
headed by the Iranian co-chair, minister of energy of Iran Majid
Namju. Other representatives of different branches of the economy
were in the Iranian delegation.

Minister of energy and natural resources of Armenia Armen Movsisyan
said that the third line of high-voltage of electricity, joint HPP
on Arax river and oil pipe construction is on the joint agenda. The
railway cooperation is an important part of bilateral relations too,
said the minister.

The Iranian minister said progress has been recorded in the joint
projects; there are some problems which slowed down the implementation
of programs. Though, he said satisfied with the result of join
programs.

The sides discussed trade, economic, energy, transport and
communication, mining industry, nature protection, health,
agricultural, and other issues.

On October 25, the sides will sign a memorandum of understanding of
the Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental 11th session.

From: Baghdasarian

NO PUBLIC DISCUSSIONS DEMANDED FOR STATE PROPERTY ALIENATION, SECTOR RESPONSIBLE SAYS

tert.am
24.10.12

The proposal to alienate Armenia’s Foreign Ministry’s building
belonged to owner of Tango company Eduardo Ernekyan, one-two months
before the deal was made public.

Arman Sahakyan, head of Government-affiliated State Property Management
department, said public discussions were not initially conducted as
the law about urban development does not intend its conduction while
alienating a building.

“Do you think that any decision I am going to submit to the government
should become a subject for public discussion?” head of the department
said, speaking to reporters on Wednesday.

Sahakyan said, as a responsible for state property privatization,
he is not against selling buildings, adding that the government may
discuss alienation of any building in case of good proposal.

He said the property of the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s building has
been assessed comparatively, a bit higher from market price.

Sahakyan claimed the building’s appearance will not be changed.

As to the claims that the building was a symbol, Sahakyan said the
Armenian Constitution has registered our symbols. “I am not against
any Armenian having his/her ideas of symbols,” he said, adding that
no one deprives them of symbol.

The head of the department also presented the entries from the state
property privatization, which he said made 219 million drams in the
first nine months of the year. He said 171 million drams entered the
state budget, 49 million transferred to communities.

The department ensured 683 million drams’ entry to the state budget
from the state property alienation during the nine months of the
running year.

From: Baghdasarian

OSCE CONCERNED WITH ABSENCE OF PROGRESS ON NAGORNO KARABAKH

armradio.am
13:38 24.10.2012

The OSCE concerned with the absence of progress in the Nagorno Karabakh
settlement process, OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier said
in an interview with Interfax. According to him, making progress on
resolution of the protracted conflicts has been one of the priorities
of the Irish Chairmanship and of the OSCE as a whole.

“When it comes to Nagorno-Karabakh everyone is concerned about the
absence of progress, and the deterioration of the situation on the
ground, with 28 people killed only this year. I personally share this
concern,” Mr. Zannier said.

“We continue to support the efforts of the Minsk Group and its
Co-Chairs -Russia,Franceand theUS. However, no international efforts
can be effective if there is no political will on both sides to
negotiate a peaceful solution. This is what I stressed during my recent
meetings with the respective foreign ministers inNew York,” he added.

“Returning to the substance of the negotiations and looking ahead
are the only ways to prevent escalation and bring the long-awaited
security to the region,” OSCE Secretary General concluded.

From: Baghdasarian