Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

KREKORIAN: IN AZERBAIJAN, MURDER OF ARMENIANS IS ‘ENCOURAGED, CELEBRATED AND REWARDED’

Glendale News Press
,0,6793176.story
Sept 7 2012
CA

Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian – a former state
assemblyman for the 43rd District – issued a letter Thursday
expressing his “shock and anger” over Azerbaijan’s recent pardon of
one of its own military officers, who was convicted of murdering an
Armenian soldier in his sleep with an ax.

Krekorian, the first Armenian American elected to the L.A. City
Council, attempted to deliver the letter to Azerbaijan’s consulate
Thursday as hundreds of people protested outside, but was rebuffed.

The protest, organized by several Armenian organizations, came as
tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan continued to deteriorate after
Ramil Safarov was extradited last month from Hungary, where he was
serving a life sentence for murdering Gurgen Markarian at a NATO
military academy in 2004.

Upon returning home, Safarov was pardoned and reportedly promoted and
provided with housing, paid for by the government, infuriating
Armenian across the globe. Hungary has said it released Safarov after
being assured by Azerbaijan that he would serve out his sentence in
his native country.

But critics allege he was released in exchange for a multi-billion
dollar bond purchase of Hungarian bonds by oil-rich Azerbaijan – an
allegation that has been denied by both countries.

Armenia’s president has since threatened war amid protests at
Azerbaijani and Hungarian consulates around the world.

In his letter, Krekorian called on Hungary to condemn Azerbaijan’s
“horrific actions in freeing and lionizing this savage murderer.”

“As the descendant of Armenian immigrants who fled genocide, I am
repulsed by the actions of the Azerbaijani government and I am stunned
by Hungary’s role in facilitating them,” he wrote.

From: Baghdasarian

PM SAYS HUNGARY “ACTED IN GOOD FAITH” IN SAFAROV CASE

Politics.hu

Sept 7 2012
Hungary

By MTI

Hungary had not only acted in good faith when it repatriated the
Azeri convicted for murdering an Armenian, but did so according to
European legal and civilised norms, Prime Minister Viktor Orban told
public radio in an interview broadcast on Friday.

Orban told Kossuth Radio that the events surrounding the current
dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia were not about Hungary but
about two other countries. “This dispute is not about us … this is
not our conflict, this is not Hungary’s interest.”

He added that it was in Hungary’s interest to “stay out of this
conflict, and this is now the case.”

Hungary can be proud of its cabinet, which followed transparent
European legal practice well known to all, Orban said. If a state
guarantees in writing that they will continue the sentence of a
criminal convicted in Hungary, then Hungary will transfer the person.

“If we get a written statement, then we will fulfil the request,”
Orban said.

Hungary repatriated Ramil Safarov last Friday and he was released
with presidential pardon on arrival. Armenian suspended diplomatic
ties with Hungary on the same day.

On September 2, Hungarian foreign ministry state secretary Zsolt Nemeth
summoned the Azerbaijani ambassador and handed him a diplomatic note
stating that Hungary considered Azerbaijan’s move unacceptable.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA TO DEVELOP RELATIONS WITH TURKMENISTAN

news.am
September 06, 2012 | 17:32

YEREVAN. – The Armenian PM Tigran Sargsyan has received delegation
headed by the deputy PM of Turkmenistan. The delegation participates in
the Armenian-Turkmen inter-governmental commission session in Yerevan.

“We stress the importance of developing bilateral relations. We
should make efforts for reinforcing Armenian-Turkmen social-economic,
humanitarian and cultural ties,” the PM said.

The sides paid importance to the works of the Armenian-Turkmen
inter-governmental commission. Besides, Yerevan is going to host a
business forum of Armenian and Turkmen businessmen, which will bring
forth to establishment of new ties and mutual cooperation development.

From: Baghdasarian

BONDS FOR BLOOD
By Vilen KHLGATYAN

On September 6th, the Secretary General of NATO, Anders Fogh Rasmussen
paid a working visit to Yerevan. When the visit was originally planned
the topics of discussion were to include Armenia’s participation
in the ISAF in Afghanistan as well as the overall “benefits” that
Armenia receives from the NATO Partnership for Peace program.

However, the extradition of axe-murderer, Ramil Safarov, by Hungary
has caused an international fiasco. While Rasmussen stopped short of
criticizing NATO member Hungary, he did criticize the Azerbaijan’s
decision to pardon the killer. It may be that NATO is asking the tough
questions behind the scenes via diplomatic channels and therefore did
not want to publicly embarrass a member state. However, as President
Sargsyan said in his August 31st address to foreign diplomats in
Yerevan, the time for empty rhetoric and unclear statements are over;
Armenia is expecting clear actions from the international community,
particularly from the Minsk Group co-chair nations, and NATO. If
the latter organization values its relationship with Yerevan then it
should take the proper measures to address the dim-witted actions of
a member state, and curtail or cut relations with Azerbaijan. NATO
must unequivocally condemn Azerbaijan. The next stop on Rasmussen’s
tour is Baku, where he has promised to raise this issue with the
Azerbaijani regime.

As we Armenians watched in disgust, the murderer’s deplorable action
was celebrated by Azerbaijani state officials and the Azerbaijani
people. The mirth of the Azerbaijani’s at such an act are not
surprising when one closely examines the state sponsored anti-Armenian
propaganda that has been disseminated virtually on a daily basis by
the Azerbaijani government and its pseudo-intelligentsia in recent
years. In fact, their anti-Armenian hysteria is eerily similar to what
the global community witnessed in Nazi Germany during the 1930s. One
only needs to read Azerbaijani commentaries about Armenia and Armenians
to get a good sense of how deep and how widespread the Azerbaijani
hate is toward Armenians today. Therefore, when the international
community observes a convicted murderer being adored as a hero by
his countrymen for having axed to death an Armenian in his sleep,
it should not come as a shock to anyone. In fact, this action by
Baku clearly reveals why Armenians can not and will not live under
Azerbaijani subjugation ever again.

Ironically, this one event has done more to advance the case
of Artsakh’s independence and eventual de jure re-unification with
Armenia than several years of negotiations under the auspices of the
OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship. The primary goal of official Yerevan
should now be to lobby harder for the international recognition of
Artsakh; showcasing the barbaric salutations of joy and praise for
a killer that was on display in Azerbaijan last week. The small
amount of mutual respect that existed prior to this event has all
but evaporated, and it is hard to see how the Armenian leadership
can continue to convince the Armenian people that a credible and
mutually beneficial deal can be struck with Azerbaijan. Clearly,
one side is interested in peace and prosperity, while the other is
intent on winning what they see as a zero sum game, regardless of
the damage done to the other party. Therefore, the current situation
is not conducive to achieving a breakthrough neither in negotiations
nor toward establishing a lasting peace in the region.

Although some analysts of the Caucasus have warned that a new war is
more likely now than before, this is unrealistic. Armenian policymakers
know better than to launch a war and disrupt a status quo that in
fact favors Armenia and Artsakh. The cold blooded murder of a soldier
and the celebration of the act by the enemy are not grounds for war,
irrespective of how abhorrent the crime is to civilized persons. For
his part, Aliyev Jr. knows that his despotic regime can not survive
without a total victory, and a victory against Armenia is something
that he knows is not very likely. Had Aliyev been confident of a
military victory over Armenia he would have launched a war many years
ago. As far as Baku is concerned, it’s far better to use the ‘Armenian
threat’ in order to distract their disgruntled masses than to deal
with the urgent social and psychological problems of their people,
and the rampant corruption of the Azerbaijani government. This is
essentially why the extradition of the axe-murderer was so important
to the Aliyev regime. Despite their bombastic claims that Azerbaijan
is superior to Armenia, they have had so very little to show. Not to
mention the repeated call to ‘liberate Qarabag’, which has begun to
fall on deaf ears in recent years. Therefore this tiny token of an
“Azerbaijani victory” was sorely needed to appease the bloodlust of
the Azerbaijani populace.

As for Hungary, I believe Karl Marx’s statement that “money turns
everything into a commodity that can be bought and sold: government,
honor, morality, the writing of history, legality” is apt. Indeed,
the action of official Budapest, which was expecting Azerbaijan to
buy ~@2-3 billion worth of Hungarian government bonds, has been
the latest example of the maxim that everyone and everything has
a price. It is now up to the Hungarian people to either punish or
praise the disgraced government of Viktor Orban, and judging from the
recent online petitions and demonstrations taking place in Budapest,
punishment seems more likely… and rightly deserved.

Vilen Khlgatyan is the Vice-Chairman of Political Developments Research
Center (PDRC)

07.09.12, 16:46

From: Baghdasarian

YEREVAN BRANDY COMPANY TO PURCHASE NO LESS THAN 24,000 TONS OF GRAPES FROM FARMERS THIS YEAR

/ARKA/
SEPTEMBER 7, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, September 7. /ARKA/. Yerevan Brandy Company will purchase no
less than 24,000 tons of grapes from farmers this year, Ara Grigoryan,
executive director of the company, said on Friday.

He told journalists that this volume is greater than the previous
year’s by 3,000 tons.

“Taking into account the importance of development of industry
in Armenia’s border areas, Yerevan Brandy Company is consistently
enlarging volumes of its grapes procurements there,” he said. “The
company will buy 3,400 tons from Tavush province, including the whole
harvest of border villages.”

The company’s branch in Aygavan village of Ararat province will start
purchasing grapes on September 10, the branch in Armavir on September
11, and that in Berd, Tavush province, on September 20.

“This time we will purchase everything grown by farmers in Berd,
so that their hard work, their efforts to grow grapes do not waste,”
Grigoryan said.

He said the price for one kilogram is set at 140 drams in Armavir
and Aygavan and 130 drams in Tavush.

“Farmers will receive their money no later than in 10 days after
delivery,” he said adding that the procurement process is organized
very well – every farmer is informed about the day of supply.

Grigoryan also said that the company will sign for the first nine-year
contracts with farmers.

These long-term contracts will allow them to think also about the
future. Such contracts will initially make up 30% of the total number
of contracts.

According to the agriculture ministry’s figures, Armenia’s grapes
output is expected to reach 235,000 to 240,000 tons this year against
229,400 tons in 2011.

In 2011, Armenia’s canneries purchased about 150,000 tons of grapes
at an average price of 120-130 drams.

Yerevan Brandy Company was established in 1887. In 1998, it was
acquired by French Pernod Ricard at $30 million at an international
tender. ($1 – AMD 411.82).

From: Baghdasarian

CIA AGENTS, DIPLOMATS SENT TO TURKISH-SYRIAN BORDER

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 7, 2012 – 19:47 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The U.S. has sent CIA agents and diplomats to the
Turkish-Syrian border. According to the Turkish NTV channel, the U.S.

intelligence officers will collect information from refugees and
opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Earlier, the media
reported that the CIA was sending arms to the Syrian opposition,
Turkish Weekly said.

On the 24th of August, the U.S. and Turkey agreed to build an
“intelligence shield” for exchanging information about the militants
from the Kurdistan Workers Party and al-Qaeda in Syria.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA LAUNCHING NEW POVERTY ERADICATION SYSTEM

tert.am
07.09.12

Tweet The president of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee
on Social Affairs has unveiled plans for launching a new poverty
eradication system in Armenia.

Speaking at a meeting organized by the Ministry of Labor and Social
Affairs, the Armenian association of social workers, Harmonious
Society, and the World Bank Yerevan Office, Hakob Hakobyan said the
initiative is part of a program aimed at introducing an integrated
social services system.

According to him, the existing system does not function properly,
often causing the population’s complaints.

“The existing system helps us find the poor and give them money,
and that justifiably causes dissatisfaction. Naturally, we want,
as a result of the discussions, to renounce the system. We are not
seeking to eradicate poverty, but rather, enable the citizen to do
that on his or her own. This is why we are launching a new system of
governance,” he said.

Hakobyan added that the initiative is aimed at identifying the causes
of poverty and proposing solution, as well as turning the impoverished
into taxpayers.

“It is a matter of time and economic resources,” he said, adding that
they are envisaging investments for the initial stages of the program
before lowering the poverty benefits.

He then addressed the second program which will be aimed at assisting
the population in small towns.

“We have much to think about for the small towns. The social situation
there is very poor, with people always complaining about things,”
he said.

Speaking further on the issue, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs
Artem Asatryan said the different agencies rendering social services
often complicate the procedures, making the citizens to apply to
several places.

“The first step will be the introduction of the one-window system,
which means the agencies will deliver services based on one
application,” he said, adding that the information integration will
be their next step.

The pilot program will be launched in the Ararat region later in
September. The minister expressed hope that 55 similar centers will
open across the country in the coming couple of years.

Jean-Michel Happi, the World Bank country manager for Armenia, promised
that their cooperation with Armenia will be on-going. He said their
involvement in the program will have have a positive impact both
financially and ideologically.

From: Baghdasarian

BAKO SAHAKYAN SWORN IN AS NKR PRESIDENT

armradio.am
07.09.2012 18:53

Bako Sahakyan was sworn in as President of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic today. After the ceremony President Sahakyan delivered a
speech, Central Information Department of the Office of the NKR
Republic President reported.

“Respected President of the Republic of Armenia,
Your Eminences,
Respected President Ghoukasyan,
Generals and Officers,
Dear compatriots,
Respected guests,

Assuming the post of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic President, I fully
comprehend the whole responsibility I am taking, the responsibility for
the destiny of the homeland and our people. I am ready and resolute to
realize my election program, to lead Artsakh along the path of stable
and comprehensive development. I will continue to serve our motherland,
make it stronger and more prosperous. I will do everything possible
to ensure wealthier and safer life for our citizens.

Five years ago, on 7 September I assumed the post of the Artsakh
Republic President for the first time and we together started to
solve problems our country faced. By joint efforts of the whole
Armenian nation, through the involvement of all political forces and
consistent support of Armenia and Diaspora we succeeded in solving
numerous issues, realizing different projects to strengthen Artsakh’s
defense capacity, harmoniously developing the economy, improving living
conditions of the population. During the last five years substantial
work has been done, achievements are palpable and evident. I want
to underline that each of you, all our citizens have great personal
input in this process.

I am interested in taking into consideration all opinions and
viewpoints, study and discuss submitted proposals. I call continue
to keep doing, to keep doing with new spirit and zeal, with hope and
faith, with confidence that our success is in our hands and we will
yield the desired results.

Our nation has repeatedly proved its ability to conquer heights
seeming to be unattainable due to his inflexible will and firm spirit,
profound wisdom and strength, unity and consolidation. Today’s revived
Artsakh is the striking illustration of that. People of Artsakh
having passed through numerous ordeals, irreplaceable losses and
nowadays developing their ancestors’ land with a victorious spirit,
always keeping bright the native hearth should live with dignity. The
best sons of the Armenian nation sacrificed their lives for the sake
of this goal. For this very goal today we go on struggling, working
out and realizing projects of vital importance.

We must build a democratic state based on human rights and liberties,
legitimate interests and national aspirations, mutual respect and
compassionate attitude to one another.

The most important wealth our nation possesses is its intellectual
potential, mature and initiative people, educated and well-rounded
youth. We should develop the economy, create necessary and equal
conditions for every individual to fully realize his abilities and
potential.

It is our duty to care for the families of the perished freedom
fighters, disabled Artsakh war veterans, socially vulnerable strata
of our population.

We must further cement freedom and independence of the Artsakh
Republic, strengthen the Defense Army, the main guarantor of
our security. The Armenian army is our pride and the conspicuous
demonstration of our victorious spirit. We always say that we strongly
oppose the war, we are proponents of the conflict’s peaceful settlement
through civilized dialogue and with full participation of the Artsakh
Republic in the negotiation process. At the same time we reiterate that
our independence and freedom are exclusive values and any encroachment
upon them will get a fitting rebuff.

Dear Friends, We must have a strong and developing Motherland, a
state every Armenian is proud of, a country where living and working
is an honor for every citizen. I am very much confident that we will
succeed in realizing our national goals and aspirations because for
already two decades we are building our native Artsakh with dignity
and unity. And we will keep on building, building together for the
sake of our nation, its bright and secure future.”

From: Baghdasarian

TURKISH MFA SPOKESMAN: TURKEY NOT INVOLVED IN ANY PHASE OF RECENT TENSION BETWEEN AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA

arminfo
Thursday, September 6, 13:23

Turkey was not involved in any phase of recent tension between
Azerbaijan and Armenia, Foreign Ministry spokesman Selcuk Unal said
on Wednesday.

Unal said that the efforts to make Turkey a target in a recent tension
between Azerbaijan and Armenia was a new defamation campaign against
Turkey.

Unal meant the tension over Ramil Safarov, an Azeri officer who was
sentenced by a Hungarian court to life in jail for brutally killing
an Armenian officer in Budapest in 2004 but was extradited by the
Hungarian authorities to his home country on Aug 31 and pardoned by
the Azeri President once back home.

From: Baghdasarian

HUNDREDS STAGE DEMONSTRATION ACROSS HUNGARIAN EMBASSY IN FRANCE (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

September 07, 2012 | 16:28

PARIS. – Hundreds gathered in Paris for a demonstration Thursday
in front of the Hungarian Embassy in France, and they protested
Hungary’s extradition of Ramil Safarov to Azerbaijan and his subsequent
pardoning, informs, Nouvelles d’Armenie monthly of France reports.

The demonstrators condemned official Budapest’s policy and chanted
“Justice is disregarded, the murderer is free!”

Michèle Rivasi, a European Parliament member who represents France’s
Europe Ecologie-The Greens-, likewise participated in the demonstration
and stated that both Hungary and Azerbaijan must give an explanation
for their actions.

Armenian News-NEWS.am reported earlier that Ramil Safarov, a lieutenant
in the Azerbaijani military, was extradited on August 31 from Hungary,
where he was serving a life sentence-and with no expression of
either regret or remorse-for the premeditated axe murder of Armenian
lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan, in his sleep, during a NATO Partnership
for Peace program in Budapest back in 2004.

As expected, Ramil Safarov’s return to Baku was welcomed, as was
his act of murder, by the officials of president Ilham Aliyev’s
government and much of Azerbaijani society, and the Azerbaijani
president immediately granted him a pardon.

And Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan announced on August 31 that
Armenia is suspending its diplomatic ties with Hungary.

From: Baghdasarian