Author: Kajoyan Gevork

Lack of trust not only among the public: all will control all

17:06 . 07/04

9 political forces will participate in May 6 parliamentary elections
with the proportional representation and 155 candidates were nominated
in the majoritarian representation. Numerous local and international
observers will follow them like before each election.

But this time the political forces and not only wish to carry out
special control over the election processes. PAP, ARF-D and Heritage
Party have agreed to establish a united headquarters of control. They
have even signed a document for it.

RPA didn’t join this initiative but it, on its part, proposed to
establish a united interstate headquarters of control.

A working group was also created by the order of the prosecutor
general to carry out prosecutorial control with the purpose of
receiving the reports on election violations, with the purpose of
registration and discussion. The speaker of the national assembly, on
his part, wants a consultation working body to be created carrying
out functions of public monitoring on the implementation of the
Electoral Code.

What will all these bodies deal with, if, of course, all of them are
finally created? They say they will carry out control. So, who are
those allowing electoral violations, if all will be controlling? Is it
possible that the voters waiting at least 5000 AMD are the violators?
Election bribe is also a violation, but usually no complaints are
received on it.

Presently, according to the political forces, voting lists may be the
reason for election violations, where names of numerous people
registered but not living are mentioned. Both the voter and the
political forces, however, know well that the voting lists are not the
only form of making election violations. At the beginning of the
election period the political forces are ready to fight against those
forms. From the first sight so many controlling eyes should create
trust towards electoral processes, but in fact all want to control all
because they don’t trust each other.

Sardarapat Brawl: Who Beat Up MP Candidate Meruzhan Mkhoyan?
Grisha Balasanyan

hetq
20:09, April 6, 2012

Earlier today, Hetq reported that Meruzhan Mkhoyan, an independent
candidate for MP in Election District 21, was beaten up during a brawl
in the Sardarapat village of Armavir Marz.

Hours later, in an attempt to talk directly to Mkhoyan, this reporter
went to his house but was blocked from entering by a group of young
men outside.

They told me and other reporters that the news of a fight was
incorrect and that Mkhoyan hadn’t been beaten. His wife had earlier
claimed the opposite.

As we were negotiating with the men, an elderly woman came out from
the house and screamed, `Let them come in.’

The men whisked the woman back inside the house, not letting her talk to us.

They told us the woman was sick. When we demanded to be permitted to
enter the house, one of the men exclaimed, `She’s a sick woman. Do you
want her to die?’

As we were leaving, a car stopped alongside. A woman got out, claiming
to be the daughter of Meruzhan Mkhoyan’s brother.

She told us that her pregnant daughter had been in the house that
morning when a group of men entered and dragged him away. The woman
later learnt that they had taken Mkhoyan to the Sardarapat cemetery
and beat him.

She also claimed that by the time Mkhoyan’s sons got to the cemetery,
they found their father on his knees, ready to be executed.

The woman named the son of Republican Party MP Nahapet Gevorgyan as
one of the ringleaders.

`They want Meruzhan to withdraw from the race because he’s a respected
man in Hoktemberyan and they know he will win,’ she said. `Everyone
knows what these guys have done. This is the second or third such
incident.’

The local police are now conducting a criminal investigation

Levon Khorozyan, who heads the campaign headquarters of Aleksan
Petrosyan, the Republican Party candidate for the same district, told
me they had no connection to the incident.

Given the fact that no one wants to press charges, it seems that the
matter will be conveniently closed.

Lebanese National News Agency
April 7 2012

Lebanese politician raps Turkish premier over criticism of Iranian leaders

[“Wahhab’s Party lashing out at Erdogan!.”]

Druze politician of the Tawheed Unification Party, Wi’am Wahhab,
lashed out at Turkish PM Recep Tayip Erdogan for describing Iranian
leaders in a derogatory fashion.
Wahhab’s party commented on Erdogan’s criticism of the Iranian
attitude calling him a dishonest liar and hypocrite. Tawheed press
release added that Erdogan’s theatrical defence of the Palestinians
was tantamount to effective liquidation of the Palestinian Cause in
collaboration with the Zionists!

Party seized the occasion to recall the genocide and deportation of
one million and the half Armenians and enslavement of most Muslims at
the hands of Ottoman Turks and concluded that Erdogan’s ultimate
dishonesty manifested itself through his giving refuge to anti-Asad
“gunmen”.

Arab Times, Kuwait
April 6 2012

`Tabtabaei Hurt Sheikha Fareeha’s Feelings’

MP Violated Constitution: Expert

KUWAIT CITY, April 5: On the issue of objection raised by MP Waleed
Al-Tabtabaei against the position adopted by Sheikha Fareeha Al-Sabah
for the construction of an Armenian church in Kuwait, Islamic
researcher Sheikh Radhi Habib said Al-Tabtabaei by his act has hurt
the feelings of Sheikha Fareeha who has filed a suit against him,
reports Al-Seyassah daily.

Habib said Sheikha Fareeha is known for her noble acts and by
supporting the idea to build the church, she has reflected the
tolerant nature of Muslims for peaceful co-existence with other
religions.

He added, Al-Tabtabaei, through his objection has violated Article 35
of the Constitution which says `the Freedom of belief is absolute. The
State protects the freedom of practicing religion in accordance with
established customs, provided that it does not conflict with public
policy or morals.’

Moreover, he said, that it is not acceptable to insult women of the
ruling family. He added whatever their decisions are, they are not
taken randomly. They are taken after careful study.

Iran exports 43 million liters of oil products in past calendar year
Economic Desk

On Line: 08 April 2012 15:48
In Print: Monday 09 April 2012

TEHRAN – Iran exported some 43 million liters of oil products,
including kerosene, jet fuel, diesel oil and gasoline, in the past
calendar year, which ended on March 19, the managing director of the
National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company stated.

Speaking to reporters in Tehran on Sunday, Jalil Salari said that the
country earned nearly $10 billion through exporting oil products.

Some 6 million liters of furnace oil was sold to sailing ships and the
figure is projected to reach seven million liters next year, he added.

National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company’s Managing
Director Alireza Zeighami has said that Iraq, Armenia, Afghanistan,
and Pakistan are now importing or have called for the importation of
gasoline and diesel fuel from Iran.

Iran’s known reserves of crude oil are the fourth largest in the
world, after Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Canada.

The country is currently the second-biggest exporter of crude in the
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, after Saudi Arabia, and
the world’s third biggest exporter after Saudi Arabia and Russia.

TURKISH BRIDGE COLLAPSE LEAVES PEOPLE MISSING

Panorama.am
07/04/2012

A bridge collapse in northern Turkey left 15 people missing. A bridge
on Filyos river partially collapsed in Caycuma district of Zonguldak
on Friday and two vehicles fell into river.

According to ITAR-TASS rescue units and gendarmerie are looking for
the missing people along the river. I’s reported that heavy weather
makes extremely dangerous for the divers to search for the missing.

I “CAPTURED” MY HUSBAND BEFORE HE COULD UNDERSTAND – ARMENIAN MP

news.am
April 07, 2012 | 12:51

YEREVAN. – If there is a man in your life whom you love, do not
be timid; burst into his life; be the masters of your happiness,
Armenia’s opposition Heritage Party MP Anahit Bakhshyan stated during
a press conference on Saturday.

“I speak from my experience. I ‘captured’ [my late husband] Yura
before he could understand,” the MP noted.

The female MPs, who were the speakers at the press conference,
reflected on women’s traditional role in society, the political
party lists for the forthcoming National Assembly (NA) elections,
and women’s role in politics.

The ruling coalition’s Republican Party of Armenia MP Karine Achemyan
noted they will have women among their ranks in the next NA, and they
will work better.

Opposition ARF Dashnaktsutyun Party MP Ruzan Arakelyan likewise gave
a high assessment of the women who are included in ARF’s election list.

Anahit Bakhshyan refrained from speaking about the women in her party,
but noted that they are presentable.

The female MPs also stated that women are good leaders; and Anahit
Bakhshyan half-jokingly called upon Armenia’s President and PM to
appoint women so that the country’s situation can improve.

Heritage MP Anahit Bakhshyan is the wife of former NA Deputy Speaker
Yura Bakhshyan, who was killed during the tragedy that occurred in
Armenia’s parliament on October 27, 1999.

COURT TO HEAR MASHTOTS PARK CASE

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 12:31:55 – 07/04/2012

The RA Administrative Court will hear the case Zaruhi Postanjyan,
Styopa Safaryan, Anahit Bakhshyan, Larisa Alaverdyan, Armen
Martirosyan, Ruben Hakobyan, Davit Badalyan v City Hall of Yerevan on
April 20, 11 am. They demand to declare null and void the architectural
and master plan task N 01/78-07/12-49502-966-1 of the City Hall
dated 13.12.2011, the installation permit N 01/78-49502-1064-1 of
the City Hall dated 15.12.2011 issued to Center-Landscaping CJSC
for modernization and installation of new kiosks, master plan N
07/78/05/2-49502-1054-1 agreed with Mayor Taron Margaryan and the
relevant department of the City Hall of Yerevam.

FORMER COMMANDER OF POLICE TROOPS SELLS MODERN ARMS TO GEORGIA

Panorama.am
07/04/2012

Rumors circulate that former Commander of RA Police Troops Garik
Gabrielyan, more widely known by the nickname Gel, has been arrested,
Hraparak reports. The paper contacted him yesterday and learnt that he
is free. However, he refused to comment on the rumors about his arrest.

“No comment,” he told the paper.

Gabrielyan has been fired lately, the daily reminds.

“Rumors say he and his subordinates used to sell arms and ammunition
as well as spare parts for military equipment. His deputy has been
arrested. They are rumored to have been selling modern arms to our
Georgian neighbors,” says the paper.

ANC-PAC HOSTS FUNDRAISER FOR ADRIN NAZARIAN

asbarez
Friday, April 6th, 2012

Scenes from the ANC-PAC event

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY-The Armenian National Committee-Political Action
Committee (ANC-PAC) hosted a fundraising event for Adrin Nazarian,
candidate for the newly drawn 46th Assembly District in the San
Fernando Valley.

More than 50 local community leaders and supporters were in attendance
on Thursday March 15 at the fundraising event. “The ANC-PAC wanted
to work together with our community to help Nazarian get elected to
this state assembly seat” said PAC Chairman Kris Demirjian. “Adrin
has been an active member of the community and we are pleased with
the support our local community has pledged for him tonight.”

“I am both humbled and overwhelmed by the support I have received
from the ANC-PAC,” stated candidate Adrin Nazarian to a room full of
supporters. “I am touched to see so many friends from throughout the
years coming out to support my campaign. Friends from Holy Martyrs
High School, Armenian Youth Federation, Homenetmen athletics as well
as regional and local ANCA activists. The significant support I have
received from ANCA members will make a decisive difference in this
campaign,” added Nazarian.

Adrin Nazarian, the Chief of Staff to Los Angeles City Councilmember
Paul Krekorian, has been a longtime supporter and active member of the
Armenian community. Nazarian served as the Chief of Staff to Krekorian
when Krekorian was in the State Assembly himself and where both of
them worked dependably to ensure the Armenian American community had
a voice in Sacramento. Nazarian grew up in the San Fernando Valley and
received his Bachelor’s degree in economics from UCLA. Upon graduation,
he was a participant of the CORO Fellowship in the Public Affairs
program. He has served as an aide to Congressman Brad Sherman and
was appointed by former California Governor. Gray Davis as a Special
Assistant to the California Trade and Commerce. He is a Class of 1991
graduate of Holy Martyrs High School and also a former member of the
Armenian Youth Federation and Homenetmen Athletics.

The newly drawn 46th Assembly District includes the San Fernando
Valley neighborhoods of Sherman Oaks, Toluca Lake, Studio City,
Valley Village, Valley Glen, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Panorama City,
North Hills, Lake Balboa and the Hollywood Hills. The ANC-PAC urges
community members to vote for Adrin in the primary election that will
take place on June 5, 2012.

The ANC-PAC advances the social, economic, cultural, and political
rights of the area’s Armenian American community and promotes
candidates for political office at the local, state and federal levels
of office.

For more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview,
please contact Kris Demirjian at [email protected].