Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS ISSUE A STATEMENT AFTER REGIONAL VISIT

11:48 . 14/07

The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group Robert Bradtke (United States),
Igor Popov (Russian Federation), and Jacques Faure (France) and
Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk (Personal Representative of the OSCE
Chairperson-in-Office) traveled have issued a statement after there
regional visit.

“In Baku, the Co-Chairs met with President Aliyev and Foreign Minister
Mammadyarov; in Nagorno-Karabakh they met with de facto authorities;
in Yerevan, they met with President Sargsian, Foreign Minister
Nalbandian, and Defense Minister Ohanyan. On July 11, the Co-Chairs
again crossed the Line of Contact on foot. On July 12, they traveled
from Nagorno-Karabakh to Yerevan via Kelbajar, their first visit to
that region since the October 2010 Field Assessment Mission. In all
their meetings, the Co-Chairs reaffirmed their countries’ resolute
commitment to a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
as the Presidents of the three Co-Chair countries emphasized in their
June 18 joint statement at Los Cabos.

The Co-Chairs continued the talks from their June 18 meeting in Paris
with the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Co-Chairs
expressed their deep concern over recent incidents along the line
pf contact, and reiterated that the sides’ political will to achieve
peace is best demonstrated by refraining from maximalist positions,
respecting the 1994 ceasefire agreement, and abstaining from hostile
public rhetoric.

Regarding reports of the planned opening of an airport in
Nagorno-Karabakh, the Co-Chairs received renewed assurances from
the sides that they will refrain from any threat or use of force
against civil aircraft, pursue the matter through diplomatic steps,
and refrain from politicizing the issue. The Co-Chairs reaffirmed
that operation of this airport cannot be used to support any claim
of a change in the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, and urged the sides to
act in accordance with international law and consistent with current
practice for flights over their territory.

The Co-Chairs plan to meet again separately with the Foreign Ministers
of Armenia and Azerbaijan in order to prepare for a joint meeting of
the Ministers in September”.

From: Baghdasarian

LE CRPS EFFECTUE SA TROISIEME EXPEDITION AU LAC SEVAN
Laetitia

armenews.com
samedi 14 juillet 2012

Le Centre de recherches et de plongees souterraines (CRPS) effectue
sa troisième expedition franco-armenienne de plongee au lac Sevan
durant le mois de juillet 2012. Cette troisième expedition a pour
but de poursuivre les investigations deja entreprises lors des deux
premières expeditions qui ont ete effectuees en 2010 et 2011). Le
CRPS, qui est une organisation non gouvernementale, se lance cette
annee dans l’archeologie subaquatique. Cette nouvelle exploration
du lac Sevan devrait deboucher sur des informations qui pourraient
permettre de resoudre certains problèmes environnementaux, notamment
dans les domaines de la geologie, la sismologie, les pollutions…

From: Baghdasarian

OSCE SECRETARY GENERAL: “STATUS-QUO IS NOT THE SETTLEMENT OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT”

APA
July 12 2012
Azerbaijan

Baku – APA. “Status-quo is not the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict,” OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier told journalists
in Yerevan, APA reports.

He noted that the conflict can be also settled peacefully within the
OSCE Minsk Group. He said that this approach was a main theme of his
meetings in Baku and Yerevan. The Secretary General expressed his
concern on the incidents occurred on the frontline and underlined
the importance of removal of snipers and creation of investigative
mechanism of the incidents.

Lamberto Zannier called the sides to refrain form the response
reaction and stressed the importance of establishment of the relations
between the civil societies, deputies and journalist of Azerbaijan
and Armenia. According to him, it is needed to stimulate the dynamic
of negotiations instead of the escalation of the conflict. He called
the sides to prepare their societies to peace.

From: Baghdasarian

MAYOR OF GYUMRI TO RUN FOR REELECTION

Panorama.am
18:06 12/07/2012 ” Comments

“Mayor of Gyumri Vardan Ghukasyan will run for reelection. We have not
changed our plans,” Lilit Aghekyan, spokesperson for Vardan Ghukasyan,
told Panorama.am, commenting on media reports that Vardan Ghukasyan
is not running for reelection.

“I don’t know who tries to create false panic around this topic,”
she said.

Zhamanak daily reported that Mayor of Gyumri Vardan Ghukasyan is not
running for reelection because Serzh Sargsyan decided that PAP member
Samvel Balasanyan should run for mayor of Gyumri.

“The mayor will carry out his plans and will run for reelection
without fail,” Mrs. Aghekyan stressed.

Gyumri mayoral elections will take place on September 9. Candidate
nominations will begin on August 5.

From: Baghdasarian

OZCAN ALPER: PERCEPTIONS OF THE TURKISH SOCIETY ABOUT THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE HAVE CHANGED
Alisa Gevorgyan

“Radiolur”
12.07.2012 18:40

Director of the “Summertime” film Jose Luis Torres Leiva (Chile)
and Turkish director of Armenian origin Ozcan Alper, director of the
“Future Lasts Forever,” met with reporters today within the framework
of the 9th Golden Apricot Film Festival.

Although very young, the Chilean director has managed to shoot a
number of short and documentary films. “Summertime” is Jose Luis
Torres Leiva’s second full-length film.

During one hot summer day, small events shape the lives of visitors and
workers of an old thermal resort in southern Chile. Julieta, Francisco,
Isa, Rodrigo, Ignacio, Mariana, Muriel, Gabriela, Eliseo, Norma,
Alejandra and Claudio experience the long vacation hours in nature,
sleeping in the sun, learning how to drive, cleaning the house,
kissing for the first time, swimming at night or just walking and
talking, while the day slowly unravels into fragments of happiness
and discovery.

“Cinematography is not well developed in Chile, the state does not
pay due attention to the sphere. There are only two foundations
that sponsor the production of films. We have restricted access to
international film market. Cinema is a new phenomenon for us,” Jose
Luis Torres Leiva said.

Ozcan Alper, a director of the Armenian descent, was born in Turkey.

His first work – “Autumn” – won prizes at international film festivals
in Tbilisi, Sofia and Ankara. A few years ago he received a special
jury prize at the Golden Apricot.

This time Ozcan Alper participates in the Golden Apricot with the
“Future Lasts Forever” film.

“Although the film tells about a Kurdish boy, its pretext is the
100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. There is an episode that
shows that it is the Turkish Government that bans the discussion of
the issue, but there is also public protest, which I want to exert
influence on with my film,” the director told reporters in Yerevan.

According to him, there have been certain changes in the perceptions of
the Turkish society over the past 10-15 years. “At least, I would not
be able to shoot this film in Turkey 15 years ago,” Ozcan Alper said.

From: Baghdasarian

YEREVAN TO HOST POLITICAL, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS EXPERTS’ FORUM IN NOV

PanARMENIAN.Net
July 12, 2012 – 18:38 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On July 12, the government of Armenia confirmed the
organization program of political and international affairs experts’
forum due November 19-20 in Yerevan.

100 local and foreign experts will attend the forum to focus on
Armenia, Karabakh and Diaspora-related issues.

The forum participants will also propose a joint program on promotion
of specialized education among youth, with the experts to organize
seminars and meetings during their planned visit to the universities
and scientific centers of Armenia and Karabakh.

From: Baghdasarian

EXPERT CONCERNED OVER DEPLETION OF ARMENIA’S NATURAL RESOURCES

tert.am
12.07.12

July 2 to 4, Armenia’s capital hosted a regional conference on
climate changes.

The conference discussed the latest processes in implementing the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

At a press conference on Thursday, Armenia’s First Deputy Minister of
Nature Protection Simon Papyan noted that it was the first large-scale
conference on climate change in Yerevan. Seventy-three guests from 33
countries and 11 international organizations participated in the event.

He pointed out a number of important factors. “First, the conference
created preconditions for further cooperation. Second, we were able
to show our modest record of achievements. Also, there was a cultural
program, and we were able to show the participants our historical
and cultural heritage,” Papyan said.

Aram Gabrielyan, UNFCCC National Coordinator in Armenia, noted that
the 20-year-long discussions with developed countries produced their
results – 150 other countries joined the 39 developed countries in
their efforts to reduce gaseous emissions.

Armenia’s “modest record of achievements” includes the biogas
producing plant in Lusakert. “This shows our efforts in this field,”
Gabrielyan said.

“Armenia’s natural resources are being depleted, and we are going to
have serious problems without proper nature management,” Papyan admits.

Energy, transport and agricultural sectors are the main causes of
greenhouse gases in Armenia.

In 1990s, greenhouse gas emissions totaled 24m tons, whereas this
amount is 6 to 6.5m tons.

From: Baghdasarian

ONLY KOCHARYAN DIDN’T JOIN PARTIES
Naira Hayrumyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 14:44:44 – 12/07/2012

The deputy representative of the ARF Supreme Body Arsen Hambardzumyan
made an interesting statement. “This is not a matter of nomination
of candidates of the Armenian National Congress, Prosperous Armenia,
or other political forces. It is possible that this candidate will
not be a party member. At least, I do not believe that the political
field will unite around one candidate representing one opposition
force or another,” the Armenian World reports.

In fact, the ARF is not ready to support Vartan Oskanian who
finally joined the Prosperous Armenia Party before the parliamentary
elections. This changes a lot because the most non-partisan politician
in Armenia who is not a member of any party is Robert Kocharyan.

Does the ARF have another non-partisan candidate? And if he means
Robert Kocharyan, will the Armenian National Congress support him? On
the other hand, does Robert Kocharyan need the support of the Congress
if he is backed by the PAP and the ARF, as well as the Republican
oligarchs who will be sacrificed by the time of the presidential
elections?

With only a few months to go before before the presidential campaign
there is not even a hint on the possible opponent of Serzh Sargsyan.

The impression is that everyone is waiting till autumn. In September
Vladimir Putin will visit Yerevan and announce to support one candidate
or another. Maybe indirectly, hinting at who asked him not to raise
the price on gas for Armenia or to lend 1 billion.

Russia may not need Kocharyan if Serzh Sargsyan rejects the European
track and agrees to join the Eurasian Union. Apparently, this is the
condition for the loan. But in that case Serzh Sargsyan’s election
will not be legitimized, and he will face a civil uprising.

If this is the state of affairs, Serzh Sargsyan’s only ally will be
the Armenian public. However, in order for this alliance to succeed,
Serzh Sargsyan must rid of the neo-Soviet trends and the oligarchic
system, as well as part of his team which has methodically pushed
Armenia into this debtor’s prison.

Serzh Sargsyan had better not run in the elections and conduct fair
elections to open up the way for forces that are able to resist
neo-Sovietism and aggressive Western globalization.

From: Baghdasarian

PEOPLE IN ARMENIA ARE INCLINED TO PEACE, IN AZERBAIJAN – TO WAR: ARMENIAN FM

ARMENPRESS
12 July, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JULY 12, ARMENPRESS: Armenia despite Azerbaijan does not
issue military statements and does not say during the last five years
has increased its military budget 20 times and does not reject the
proposals of international community. Armenpress reports that such
declaration made Armenian Foreign affairs minister Edward Nalbandian
during the joint press conference with the OSCE Secretary General
Lamberto Zannier. “Today the position of Armenia is consistent of the
position of international community which was expressed many times by
the leaders of Co-Chair countries, particularly the last announcement
was in Las Cabos” mentioned Nalbandian.

In Nalbandian’s words after each such declaration Armenia sounded an
adequate reaction and Armenia is ready to go towards the settlement
on the basis of those suggestions. “Up to today we do not here
such readiness from Azerbaijan on those declarations. They take
any provision and pretend that have this or that opinion of the
international community. Meanwhile, international community has a
clear opinion that the use of force will not lead to the settlement
of the conflict and the new use of force will be strictly condemned”
highlighted Edward Nalbandian.

>From Azerbaijan come radical expressions. “It formed the situation
that today exists in Azerbaijan when most part of the public opinion
is inclined to war. I do not think that many people are inclined
to war in Armenia. The overwhelming majority of the population in
Armenia is inclined to peace” summarized Armenian FM.

Lamberto Zannier mentioned that OSCE supports the process of
establishing peace but it is important that the sides express
readiness. “It is necessary that everyone accepts the necessity of full
peace. Of course, it is good that the sides are around the negotiating
table but we would like to see more involvement in public sphere”
said OSCE Secretary General.

From: Baghdasarian

CAN’T THEY PUNISH ANYONE FOR BALLOONS EXPLODED AT THE REPUBLIC SQUARE?

11:37 . 12/07

Aravot Daily writes about the reason of the explosion of balloons
filled with methane gas in Yerevan Republic Square on May 4, 2012
during the ruling Republican Party’s rally. The explosion was caused
with high temperature and the influence of open fire.

“The conclusion was drawn in the result of several kinds of expertise.

According to our information, the people who charged the balloons
with methane gas and brought them to the Republic Square have been
identified during the preliminary investigation. But a question rises –
if till now we do not have a regulatory mechanism and conditions for
charging balloons, thus for violation of which law a common person that
fills balloons with gas or the one who holds it should be charged with.

First of all the responsibility lays on the agency and high-ranking
figures the connivance of who left the sphere unregulated. For already
several years the balloons in our country have been filled with gas
and corresponding bodies should have been aware of it while they did
not hurry to regulate the sphere. The fact there is no normative act,
shows they haven’t event taken a step to regulate it.”

From: Baghdasarian