The Scales Of Oligarchy And Society

THE SCALES OF OLIGARCHY AND SOCIETY
James Hakobyan

Lragir.am News

15:32:41 – 30/09/2011

The draft state budget 2012 envisages a 6% increase of tax revenues.

By the approximate calculations of the government, it is about 100
billion drams. It is not a secret that the government needs money in
the pre-election year. But besides election bribes to be given out
on “slush” funds, the government needs to take some social steps
before the elections. However, will the economy be able to “meet”
the government’s need?

The chairman of the State Revenue Committee Gagik Khachatryan, for
instance, announced in the government meeting that this estimate
is unprecedented and unjustified, especially in the period of the
economic crisis.

The chairman of the SRC announced that this estimate is not realistic.

It is clear, that Khachatryan is thereby trying to solve his own
problem and boost his “price” in the government where his position is
regularly shaken by scramble inside the government. It is also clear
that Khachatryan will not raise his price to the point from where he
will be easily sacked.

He will certainly assume the task to perform the budget rather than to
resign. Although when the SRC chairman announces that the estimate is
not justified, he can resign without assuming the burden of unjustified
indices. However, Khachatryan has not announced about it.

Later he even expressed willingness to ensure the performance of the
envisaged figure.

However, besides the inner compulsion of officials, it is important to
know where the growth of tax revenues will lead the Armenian economy.

It has started growing slowly since the over-critical year of 2009.

However, it would be exaggerated a bit to say that the economy of
Armenia has recovered from crisis.

The economy of Armenia has reached a point where 1 or even 5 and
maybe also 10 percent growth in statistics is crisis considering
the serious problems and strategic competition with the oil and gas
economy of Azerbaijan.

On the other hand, it is clear that Armenia is facing a serious
problem of tax collections, a problem of the ratio of tax to GDP. In
the GDP, the share of taxes is small, which is regularly noted by
the international financial organizations. They constantly mention
inefficiency of reforms in tax administration, pointing to low rate
of taxes paid by oligarchs.

However, will the unprecedented growth of tax revenues envisaged in the
draft budget 2012 be ensured at the expense of the oligarchs living on
excess profits mainly from imports and commerce? If the excess profit
of the oligarchs is going to be taxed, together with the excess profit
of official-oligarchs, including the chairman of the SRC as reported
by the press, the envisaged growth is quite realistic. The economy of
the Armenian oligarchic system can even afford to pay an additional
200, or even 300 billion drams.

The question is who will pay the tax, the oligarchic system or the
SMEs. The prime minister announces that legislative changes will be
made for the improvement of tax administration, and if one has more,
one pays more. It is good that these changes are brought into being
pursuant to the text rather than to the usual practice in Armenia. The
point is that so far the so-called reforms have inflicted disaster on
SMEs because the more the government changes the law to shift the load
of the SMEs onto the almost empty shoulders of the major businesses,
the heavier the burden of the SMEs is made by the major businesses
together with the government.

Consequently, if a significant growth of tax revenues is envisaged,
SMEs have reason to worry because they should know better what
it means.

Will something change in 2012? It seems that the government must avoid
infuriating the SMEs in the pre-election year? On the other hand,
for the same purpose, the government must avoid infuriating the major
businesses because the oligarchs and their human and material resources
ensure the result desired by the government in an unconstitutional way.

When the government wishes to run in the elections on a Constitutional
path, it is a problem. However, the pigs will learn to fly earlier
than the Armenian government will take the Constitutional track.

In fact, in this case, there are no options in between, and either
the government-oligarchy alliance will be troubled or it will trouble
SMEs. It is possible, of course, that the oligarchy-government alliance
will decide to trouble itself for the sake of their global success,
until after the election phase. In this case, however, the question
is whether the oligarchy will agree to trouble itself for free or
will set forth demands in return for that. However, what matters is
what demands the society will set forth, including the SMEs.

http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/country23563.html

California Senator Meets Nagorno-Karabakh’S Acting FM In Stepanakert

CALIFORNIA SENATOR MEETS NAGORNO-KARABAKH’S ACTING FM IN STEPANAKERT

Tert.am
18:57 30.09.11

California Senator Joseph Simitian, who in the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic (NKR) on an official visit, met with the country’s acting
foreign minister, Vasily Atajanyan on Friday.

The executive director of Paros Foundation, Peter Abajianian
accompanied the official.

According to a press release by the NKR Foreign Ministry, Atajanyan
briefed the guests on the pre-history of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh
conflict and the current phase of the peace talks.

Atajanian conveyed to the senator his gratitude for the United States
financial support to Karabakh.

President Sargsyan Meets Finland’s PM

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN MEETS FINLAND’S PM

armradio.am
30.09.2011 14:10

Within the framework of the visit to Poland, President Serzh Sargsyan
had a meeting with the Prime Minister of Finland, Jyrki Katainen.

The parties discussed issues related to the development of
Armenian-Finnish bilateral relations and expansion of cooperation in
different spheres.

Jyrki Katainen said the reforms implemented in Armenia are
impressive.” The interlocutors touched upon the cooperation within
international organizations.

Today President Serzh Sargsyan will participate in the plenary sitting
of the Eastern Partnership Summit. The President will have a meeting
with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy Catherine Ashton.

U.S. Ambassador Evans: Diaspora Lobbying And The "G" Word

U.S. AMBASSADOR EVANS: DIASPORA LOBBYING AND THE “G” WORD
Hrant Gadarigian

hetq
15:34, September 30, 2011

Now in Armenia after a five year absence, former U.S. Ambassador John
Evans participated in two public discussions here in Yerevan.

What I want to pick up on is something he said during the “100
Questions” forum on September 29 at the Golden Tulip Hotel. It dealt
with Armenian lobbying efforts to get President Obama to publicly
describe the events of 1915 as genocide.

It was probably the most revealing point he made.

In essence, Evans stated that in the long run whether or not this U.S.

president or any future president utters the “G” word would have
little practical consequence for Armenians; especially in terms
of reparations.

He was answering a question by an audience member seeking the
diplomat’s evaluation of Armenian lobbying efforts in the United
States.

And he gave what can best be described as a diplomatic answer. Sure,
he said, American-Armenians could pursue such lobbying in Washington
but what is of prime importance is for Ankara to officially recognize
the Genocide.

He didn’t elaborate as to whether recognition by Washington would
serve to pressure or prod Ankara to do the same. Elsewhere in his
remarks, however, the former ambassador noted that he didn’t believe
that Washington could dictate policy to Ankara despite the 50 year
military and strategic alliance between the two.

Many in the audience were grilling Evans with questions the former
diplomat would hardly touch with a ten foot pole.

“On a level of one to ten, how corrupt is Armenia?”

“Which elections in Armenia since independence were the most
fraudulent?”

“Which Armenian president was the best, the worst?”

It’s as if those asking the questions wanted Evans to reaffirm or
disprove convictions they already held.

Credit where credit is due. The former ambassador deftly navigated
these loaded questions by pointing to the halt in Millennium Challenge
Grant monies to Armenia as proof that Armenia is backsliding in terms
of “ruling justly” and that democracy is “a work in progress.”

The whole approach by Armenians sadly parallels efforts in the
diaspora, particularly the States, to get successive U.S.

administrations to publicly acknowledge the historical fact of the
1915 Genocide.

It’s as if we need the acknowledgment of others in positions of
authority, perceived or otherwise, to verify what we and the world
already know.

We know corruption is rampant in Armenia, that successive governments
rule by dictate with little if any democratic participation by the
people, that an elite economic oligarchy has a stranglehold on true
free market enterprise, etc, etc.

So why the strange need to hear it from a former ambassador?

And if Armenians have such a psychological need to hear such facts
confirmed from an outsider, in this case Mr. Evans, will they heed
his advice about lobbying for Genocide recognition from Washington?

I fear not.

Numerous world leaders, including American officials and presidents,
acknowledged the genocide, eviction and exile of Armenians in 1915.

Many promised to come to the aid of the Armenian people and right
the wrong that befell them at the hand of the Ottoman Turks.

We all know what followed. Some call it betrayal, others real politik.

Out of the ashes of the Ottoman Empire and atop the ruins of western
Armenia, there arose the Republic of Turkey – a nation which the
perceived friends “of our little Armenia ally” soon made peace with
in return for lucrative economic and military deals

Decades later, on the eve of the 100th anniversary of 1915, we find
ourselves back lobbying those same world powers who decided to place
morality on the back-burner.

Am I the only one who views this approach as dysfunctional and
dishonourable?

Spectacular Alessandro Safina Pulverized Yerevan

SPECTACULAR ALESSANDRO SAFINA PULVERIZED YEREVAN

arminfo
Friday, September 30, 13:33

The Italian tenor Alessando Safina gave a concert in Yerevan,
29 September.

“I am a big romantic. For this reason, all my songs are about love”,
– Safina confessed to the audience. At the Yerevan scene he performed
such popular songs like “Luna”, “Sognami”, “Santa Lucia”, “Volare”
and ” Somewhere”. The admirable soprano Aida also took part in the
concert and sang “Time To Say Goodbye” together with Safina.

Armenia’s Second President May Be Back

ARMENIA’S SECOND PRESIDENT MAY BE BACK

Tert.am
13:39 30.09.11

In an interview with Mediamax, Armenia’s second president, Robert
Kocharyan, did not rule out his return to politics.

He made comments on the active discussions of his return in Armenia’s
political arena. The statement on Vladimir Putin’s intention to run for
presidency in the 2012 presidential election in Russia caused heated
debates over a possible impact on political processes in Armenia and
on Robert Kocharyan’s prospects.

“I am extremely surprised at the debates over my possible return in
the context of the ongoing political processes in Russia. What is more,
the debates are following the big celebrations of the 20th anniversary
of Armenia’s independence. I am sure that political processes must
‘mature’ inside Armenia instead of being a reflection of anything
from outside.

“I do not rule out my return to big politics. However, it is not
developments in a country, which, although close and important to
Armenia, is still a different one, that can make me do it. Rather,
it is the following three reasons:

1. Lack of obvious and steady economic progress or improvement in
well-being and, consequently, growing disappointment and migration.

2. Different sections of Armenia’s population need my return to
big politics.

3. My inner confidence that I am able to radically improve the
sitation.

“Given the three factors, ways of my resuming vigorous political
activities may be different.

“All the other factors are not decisive ones,” Robert Kocharyan said.

Armenian Choreographer Works At Concerts To Mark Fridtjof Nansen’s 1

ARMENIAN CHOREOGRAPHER WORKS AT CONCERTS TO MARK FRIDTJOF NANSEN’S 150TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY

Tert.am
11:41 30.09.11

On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Fridtjof Nansen,
a Norwegian explorer, scientist, diplomat, humanitarian and
Nobel laureate, the Nansen Human Foundation has organized Nansen
concerts-2011 with the participation of over 200 dancers, musicians
and wingers.

The Yerkramas newspaper, published by the Union of Armenians of Russia,
reports that the Kuban Virtuosos orchestra and the Young Kuban Ballet
theater are to perform at the Krasnodar philharmonic society on Oct. 1.

The well-known choreographer, People’s Artist of Armenia, Vilen
Galstyan is directing the performance to be given by the Young Kuban
Ballet theater.

Elections Municipales Au Haut Karabagh

ELECTIONS MUNICIPALES AU HAUT KARABAGH
[email protected]

armenews.com
vendredi 30 septembre 2011
ARMENIE

Dimanche dernier les habitants du Haut Karabakh ont elu des
conseilleurs municipaux de Stepanakert et de plus de 200 communes
rurales. Selon la Commission Electorale Centrale du HK, 59 %
des 93000 electeurs ont vote. La CEC a dit ne pas avoir recu de
plainte de candidats. Bako Sahakian a salue les elections comme ”
democratiques “. D’après les resultats officiels, le candidat soutenu
par le gouvernement Souren Grigorian aurait obtenu 62.5 pour cent
des voix et serait le nouveau maire de Stepanakert. Son adversaire
principal, le maire sortant, Edouard Aghabekian, est arrive en seconde
position avec 24% des voix. Azg et Aravot rapportent la declaration du
porte-parole du MID russe, Alexandre Loukachevitch, selon laquelle ”
la Russie ne reconnaît pas le Haut Karabakh comme un Etat independant
et considère que la tenue d’elections municipales au HK ne saurait
avoir une incidence sur le processus de règlement du conflit “.

Ambassade de France en Armenie

Discours De Mourad Papazian Au Meeting De Soutien A Francois Holland

DISCOURS DE MOURAD PAPAZIAN AU MEETING DE SOUTIEN A FRANCOIS HOLLANDE
[email protected]

armenews.com
vendredi 30 septembre 2011
FRANCE

Cher Francois,

Nous avons le plaisir d’etre ensemble ici ce soir a Alfortville et je
veux au nom de la FRA Dachnaktsoutioun remercier tous les camarades
et tous les Amis.

Rene Rouquet d’abord qui est depuis toujours un soutien indefectible
de la cause armenienne et qui a joue a nos côtes et nous a ses côtes un
rôle majeur dans la defense de la cause armenienne. Isabelle Santiago,
qui dirige le PS a Alfortville avec qui nos relations de parti a parti
sont excellentes. Luc Carvounas que je voudrais feliciter pour sa belle
election hier en tant que Senateur. Ah le Senat ! Felicitations Luc,
il faudra que l’on se voie tout de suite après le meeting… puisque
la gauche est devenue majoritaire depuis hier au Senat ; alors les
difficultes que nous avons connues pour la mise a l’ordre du jour
puis l’adoption de la loi penalisant la negation du genocide armenien
devraient etre levees surtout si notre ami Jean Pierre Bel devait,
comme nous le souhaitons, devenir President du Senat. Et Luc Carvounas
a succede a Serge Lagauche qui a ete President du groupe d’amitie
France-Armenie au Senat et qui n’a pas menage ses efforts dans ce
combat pour la penalisation de la negation du genocide armenien. Merci
Serge de ta presence ce soir. Il y a beaucoup d’amis presents ce
soir… Jean Yves le Bouillonnec, depute-Maire de Cachan, Bruno Le
Roux depute de Seine Saint Denis avec qui nous serons a Marseille
jeudi soir dans un meeting de soutien a Francois.

Cher Francois, tu t’en souviens, nous nous etions deja retrouve
ensemble, ici, pendant la campagne presidentielle de 2007 et deja
nous avions regrette que tu n’aies pas presente ta candidature. Car
ta candidature n’est pas simplement la tienne, c’est la nôtre a tous
ici ce soir et bien au dela. Ce qui n’a pu etre accompli sans toi en
2007 le sera, nous en sommes convaincu, avec toi en 2012 !

La France a besoin de changement ! La parenthèse 2007-2012 doit
vite etre refermee ! Très vite meme ! Le plus vite possible. La
Presidence de Nicolas Sarkozy a ete une erreur de l’Histoire de la Vème
Republique. Comment peut-on a ce point mentir aux Francais ? Comment
peut-on mentir autant ? Et nous avons ete nous aussi les victimes de
cette politique du mensonge, de cette pratique du mensonge, de cette
habitude du mensonge lorsqu’en avril 2007, dans une lettre envoyee
au CCAF, le candidat Sarkozy assurait la communaute armenienne qu’il
mettrait tout en ~uvre pour que la loi sanctionnant la negation du
genocide armenien soit adoptee par le Senat avant de devenir une
loi de la Republique. Et quelques semaines plus tard, au mois de
juin, Nicolas Sarkozy depechant Jean-David Levitte en Turquie pour
rassurer le gouvernement turc et lui promettre que cette proposition
de loi serait enterree au Senat. Il n’a pas menti au gouvernement turc
puisque vous avez pu le constater, malgre tous les efforts qui ont ete
deployees, la majorite UMP et Union centriste a totalement verrouille
l’adoption de ce texte le 4 mai dernier alors que quelques jours plus
tôt, le 30 avril, Sarkozy nous recevait a l’Elysee pour nous assurer
de sa neutralite. La encore, le President de la Republique francaise a
ete pris en flagrant delit de mensonge ! Et ca nous a fait mal que le
mensonge soit place au plus haut sommet de l’Etat. Cette complicite
avec le gouvernement turc sur notre dos a ete très mal vecu au sein
de la communaute armenienne. Cette manière de cultiver le mensonge
a fini par abimer et discrediter la parole presidentielle.

Comme il nous a menti a tous, lorsque pendant la campagne
presidentielle il a promis une Republique irreprochable ! On le voit,
les affaires se multiplient, la preuve est faite qu’un cabinet noir
existe bien au c~ur meme de l’Etat.

Il devait etre le President du plein emploi ! Le chômage continue de
se developper terriblement en France et la precarite frappe de plus
en plus fort !

Il devait etre le President de la rupture ! Il devait rompre avec
une politique de droite ! Tant et si bien qu’une grande proportion
d’ouvriers, d’employes, de professions intermediaires ont vote pour
Sarkozy. Resultat, il a ete le President des riches, le president de
la France des privilèges, le President de la France des très hauts
revenus, des entreprises du Cac 40, des banques avec une politique
fiscale totalement injuste.

Il devait etre le President de la securite. Or tant pendant la periode
où il etait Ministre de l’Interieur que pendant ces 4 dernières annees,
l’insecurite a gagne du terrain, la delinquance s’est developpee et
au dela des effets d’annonces ou des apparitions aussi spectaculaires
que grossières, la politique gouvernementale en matière de securite
a ete totalement nulle !

Il devait etre le President du Pouvoir d’achat avec sa fameuse
politique du travailler plus pour gagner plus ! De la poudre aux yeux
puisqu’il est revenu sur les mesures de defiscalisation des heures
supplementaires qu’il avait instaure en debut de quinquennat.

Ah oui cela aussi a ete une specialite du quinquennat de Nicolas
Sarkozy : defaire a la fin de son quinquennat ce qu’il avait fait au
debut !

Et nous pourrions continuer et continuer tant la liste est longue,
tant le decalage est impressionnant entre le catalogue des promesses
de Sarkozy et la realite de sa Presidence.

Alors les plus indulgents pourraient tenter d’expliquer tout cela
par la crise… Mais la crise etait la en 2007 ! Et c’est parce que
la crise touchait deja les Francais que la demarche demagogique de
Sarkozy a porte jusque dans les couches populaires qui avaient besoin
d’esperances !

Alors nous voulons que ca change !

Parce que si ca ne change pas et que Nicolas Sarkozy devait
finalement etre reelu alors il entamerait son dernier mandat puisque
constitutionnellement il ne pourrait plus representer sa candidature
au terme de ce second mandat, il n’aurait plus de problematique
de reelection et alors je vous laisse imaginer ce qui se produira
d’injuste, d’inacceptable, de scandaleux !

Nous voulons que ca change mais le changement ca se prepare. Et puisque
nous sommes invites a participer aux primaires ouvertes du Parti
socialiste, alors nous y participons et nous y participons pleinement !

Vous l’aurez compris, il n’y a pas de suspense, notre choix se porte
sur Francois Hollande. Et nous avons la conviction que l’election
presidentielle se gagnera dès les primaires. Un candidat largement
elu, de preference, le 9 octobre, dès le premier tour des primaires
sera en position de force pour l’election presidentielle. Et c’est
la raison pour laquelle nous nous mobilisons.

Mais pourquoi une telle mobilisation ?

Trois raisons sans ordre hierarchique.

Premièrement, Francois Hollande est l’alternative la plus credible a
Nicolas Sarkozy. Si nous voulons mettre toutes les chances de notre
côte pour une victoire de la gauche a l’election presidentielle et
aux legislatives qui suivront, alors privilegions tous ensemble la
candidature qui est en situation pour gagner. Il s’avère que toutes
les etudes d’opinion, tous les sondages montrent qu’en terme de
presidentialite, en capacite de rassemblement, en credibilite, en
qualite de propositions, Francois Hollande est le mieux place tant
auprès des sympathisants de gauche que de l’opinion en general.

Deuxièmement, sa vision de la France sur le long terme, sa
competence economique, ses propositions pour sortir la France
de l’endettement, ses propositions en terme de justice fiscale et
sociale, ses propositions de sortie de crise, le fait de mettre la
jeunesse au c~ur de la Republique, nous ont convaincu qu’il etait
celui qui devait prendre le destin de la France et des Francais en
main a partir du 6 mai 2012.

Troisièmement, enfin, son engagement en faveur de la cause armenienne.

Je veux le dire ici, au nom de tous mes camarades : jamais aucun
chef de parti en exercice n’a autant milite en faveur de la cause
armenienne.

Mon cher Francois,

Les relations que nous avons entretenues ensemble de 1997 a 2008
alors que tu etais 1er secretaire du PS nous ont permis de developper
les contacts politiques et personnels qui forgent la relation et qui
instaurent la confiance reciproque. 11 ans de relations politiques
au cours desquelles nous avons pu harmoniser nos positions.

ET nous avons obtenu des resultats exceptionnels. Nous nous souvenons
que lorsque tu es arrive a la tete du PS en 1997 et alors que le combat
pour la reconnaissance du genocide armenien pietinait en France, tu as
permis de donner un coup d’accelerateur a notre cause en inscrivant,
a l’ordre du jour des debats de l’Assemblee Nationale, une proposition
de loi reconnaissant le genocide armenien. Bien qu’etant en periode
de cohabitation avec un Premier ministre socialiste, en l’occurrence
Lionel Jospin, tu as reussi a le convaincre de la necessite de trouver
l’equilibre diplomatique necessaire permettant au gouvernement de
laisser la procedure parlementaire suivre son cours.

Et le groupe socialiste a l’Assemblee nationale deposait une
proposition de loi le 29 mai 1998, soit un an seulement après ton
accession a la tete du PS. La periode de cohabitation ajoutait a
la confusion. La droite exercait un veritable blocage au Senat. Le
President de la Republique de l’epoque, Jacques Chirac, ne cachait pas
sa sympathie a l’egard du parti alors au pouvoir en Turquie. Et il aura
fallu, encore une fois ta mobilisation pour que le groupe socialiste
utilise sa niche parlementaire au Senat. Et Rene Rouquet a ete très
très actif, très très present et d’une efficacite remarquable en tant
que rapporteur de la proposition de loi a l’Assemblee Nationale.

C’etait l’aboutissement d’un long combat. Nous avions le sentiment
du devoir accompli.

Nous nous souvenons aussi du combat pour l’adoption de la proposition
de loi anti-negationniste. La droite ne bougeait pas, bien au
contraire. Les socialistes avaient dramatiquement perdu l’election
presidentielle de 2002, avant de se faire laminer aux legislatives
suivantes. Ils ne representaient plus a l’Assemblee Nationale, la
force de 1997-2002. Malgre cela, et encore une fois, alors que le
groupe socialiste n’etait pas unanime sur la question, tu as pris tes
responsabilites Francois en faisant preuve de l’autorite necessaire.

La proposition de loi etait inscrite a l’ordre du jour des debats
le 18 mai 2006. Et alors qu’une majorite se degageait clairement,
le President de l’Assemblee, le depute UMP de l’epoque, Jean-Louis
Debre, a subitement interrompu la seance, en se precipitant vers la
sortie de l’hemicycle.

Rene Rouquet, Bruno Le Roux, Jean-Yves le Bouillonnec etaient la
en contact avec nous qui etions dans les gradins de l’assemblee
nationale, totalement revoltes par le comportement du President UMP
de l’assemblee nationale.

Et la, j’avoue que nous avons eu un veritable doute sur la suite. Le PS
etait dans l’opposition, divise sur la question, avec a sa disposition
peu de niches parlementaires. Et malgre cela, tu nous a rejoints
dans les gradins de l’Assemblee, pour nous rassurer. Parole donnee,
parole tenue puisque le 12 octobre 2006, le texte etait de nouveau
mis a l’ordre du jour par le groupe socialiste, avant d’etre adopte.

Je l’indiquais au debut de mon intervention, cher Francois, la majorite
obtenue hier par la gauche au Senat et la possible election de Jean
Pierre Bel a la Presidence de la Haute Assemblee relance positivement
notre action contre le negationnisme

Sur la question de l’adhesion de la Turquie a l’Union europeenne,
nous avons egalement eu de larges debats avec une conclusion commune
: pas de Turquie en Europe sans reconnaissance prealable du genocide
armenien.

Francois tu as pousse ta demarche jusqu’a l’envoi d’une lettre au
President de la Republique turque, en 2004, lui demandant, au nom
de son pays, a reconnaître, enfin, le genocide dont a ete victime le
peuple armenien.

Et tu as eu aussi des positions fermes sur le Haut Karabagh, en
faveur de la defense du principe du droit des peuples a disposer
d’eux-memes. Et enfin, comme un couronnement de la collaboration de
parti a parti, et a l’invitation du Bureau Mondial de la FRA, dont
le President Hrant Markarian est ici present ce soir, tu t’es rendu
en Armenie en septembre 2007. Rene et Bruno etaient aussi du voyage.

Tout ce rappel a pour objectif de preciser une chose essentielle en
politique : le respect de la parole donnee. C’est assez rare et chez
toi c’est une constante.

La communaute armenienne nous connait : le parti Dachnak est un parti
exigeant. Nous placons la defense la cause armenienne au coeur de
notre demarche et si nous avons decide de te soutenir cher Francois,
c’est que nous avons de très bonnes raisons de le faire !

Et il est important de remarquer que les principaux soutiens de la
cause armenienne a l’Assemblee Nationale et au Senat soutiennent
ta candidature.

Nous savons aujourd’hui que tu ne t’engages que sur ce que tu seras
en mesure de tenir. A l’inverse de Nicolas Sarkozy qui multipliera
encore les promesses qu’il ne respectera pas a la fin.

Nous appelons a la mobilisation en ta faveur le 9 octobre prochain
dans le cadre des primaires citoyennes pour que tu sois investi en
tant que candidat du parti socialiste afin que tu sois elu President
de la Republique francaise le 6 mai 2012.

Francois pour nous c’est toi !

Historian Ronald Grigor Suny To Speak At Wittenberg Series William A

HISTORIAN RONALD GRIGOR SUNY TO SPEAK AT WITTENBERG SERIES WILLIAM A. KINNISON ENDOWED LECTURE OCT. 10

Targeted News Service
September 28, 2011 Wednesday 8:04 PM EST

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio

Wittenberg University issued the following news release:

The Wittenberg Series continues its 2011-12 programming with
the William A. Kinnison Endowed Lecture in History, featuring a
presentation by Ronald Grigor Suny at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10,
in Bayley Auditorium in the Barbara Deer Kuss Science Center, 315
Bill Edwards Drive.

Suny’s presentation, which is available free of charge and open to
the public, is titled “Young Stalin: Making of a Revolutionary.” He
is currently working on a study of the young Stalin and the formation
of the Soviet Union.

A native of Philadelphia, Suny graduated from Swarthmore College in
1962 and went on to earn his Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1968.

Since then, his academic career has taken him across the United States
to classrooms on such campuses as Oberlin College, University of
California, Irvine, Stanford University and the University of Chicago.

Suny is currently the Charles Tilly Collegiate Professor of Social
and Political History and Director of the Eisenberg Institute for
Historical Studies at the University of Michigan. He also was the first
Alex Manoogian Chair in Modern Armenian History at the University of
Michigan, where he founded and directed the Armenian Studies Program.

Throughout his career, Suny has authored numerous books, including
The Baku Commune, 1917-1918: Class and Nationality in the Russian
Revolution,The Revenge of the Past: Nationalism, Revolution, and
the Collapse of the Soviet Union, and The Soviet Experiment: Russia,
the USSR, and the Successor State. He has also edited and co-edited
several published pieces about the Soviet Union and post-Soviet Russia.

Suny, who has been interviewed by numerous national news organizations,
including CBS Evening News, CNN, National Public Radio and The New
York Times, will also meet with Wittenberg history students prior to
the evening presentation.

The William A. Kinnison Endowed Lecture in History was established
under the auspices of the Board of Directors of Wittenberg University
with the assistance of numerous benefactors to honor Kinnison,
the university’s president from 1974-95, on the occasion of his
retirement. A wide variety of world-renown speakers have made
presentations as part of the lecture series in the years since,
including author John Dower, historian Claudia Koonz and documentary
filmmaker Ric Burns.

The Wittenberg Series annually brings distinguished lecturers and
performing artists of national and international prominence to the
Wittenberg campus and Springfield community. All facilities are
accessible without climbing stairs. Audio-description services and
interpreters for the visually- or hearing-impaired will be provided
with 72-hour notice prior to each event. To reserve a Wittenberg
Series poster, or to become a friend of the Wittenberg Series, contact
Jeannine Fox at 937-327-7465 or via e-mail at [email protected]

Written by Sydney Watsek