Author: Kajoyan Gevork

Economic News (Information Agency Oreanda), Russia
May 13, 2011 Friday

Parliament of Armenia Debates 2010 Annual Report

Yerevan. OREANDA-NEWS . May 13, 2011. On May 12 the National Assembly
continued the work of the four-day sittings. NA Speaker Hovik
Abrahamyan said that the students and teachers of the school of
Khachik village of Vayots Dzor Marz were following the NA works. The
Na deputies welcomed them.

Then the parliament continued the draft law on Making Amendments and
Addenda to RA Law on Notary, which was interrupted on the previous
day.

The parliament by voting passed all the bills, which were debated on
the previous day, including also the legislative package envisaging
amendments on Public Service and in 2 laws relating to it.

The Chairman of the Control Chamber (CC) Ishkhan Zakaryan presented
the 2010 Annual Report of RA Control Chamber.

The NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan voiced some interpellations concerning
him. Mr Abrahamyan asked if the CC worked with the NA Standing
Committees in the realization of the proposals and what steps were
taken. As Mr Abrahamyan noticed according to the law NA Rules of
Procedure, the Government has the right of making co-report and giving
two extraordinary speeches, and it has not taken the opportunity of
using it. One may suppose that the Government simply agrees with the
studies made. And the last question: what are the responses from the
proposals addressed to the government connected with the shortcomings
and violations, the NA Speaker said.

The CC Chairman Ishkhan Zakaryan said that an agreement had been
reached with the NA relevant committee to debate the proposals
relating to the legislative amendments in the committee, then to
submit to the parliament for its approval. He highlighted the joint
work with the committees in the context of CC-NA cooperation. In
response to Mr Abrahamyans next question, the CC Chairman said that in
his opinion the report and the speech are the problem and right of the
government. After being approved the reports in the CC Council,
according to the law, within one-month term they are sent to the
government, after which the executive body should answer the CC with
rejections, with which it does not agree or has remarks and proposals.

The Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Financial-Credit and
Budgetary Affairs Gagik Minasyan touched upon the form of the report,
which to him, is a novelty and complies with the international
standards.

In his final speech the CC Chairman Ishkhan Zakaryan thanked the
deputies for concerned debates and expressed willingness for further
cooperation.

The NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan proposed those present to organize
debates over the recommendations submitted by the CC not only in the
NA Standing Committee on Financial-Credit and Budgetary Affairs, but
also in other parliamentary committees.

The CB Chairman Artur Javadyan submitted to the parliament for debate
the report on the implementation of 2010 RA Monetary Credit Policy
Programme and 2011 RA Monetary Credit Policy Programme.

RA Justice Minister Hrayr Tovmasyan submitted for the deputies debate
in the first reading procedure the legislative package on Making
Amendments and Addenda to RA Law on Advocacy and on Making Addenda in
RA Code on Administrative Infringements.

The NA deputy Lilit Galstyan submitted the legislative package on
Amending the RA Law on Advertisement and on Making Addenda and
Amendments to RA Law on Language for passing in the second reading
completely.

The draft law on Making Addenda to RA Law on Bases of Cultural
Legislation was also debated in the second reading.

The NA deputy Vardan Ayvazyan submitted the bill on Amending Addendum
to RA Law on Ecological and Nature Use Payments.

The MPs in the first reading procedure debated the legislative package
on Making Addendum to RA Law on Food Security, On Amending the RA Law
on Protection of Consumers Rights, On Amending the RA Code on
Administrative Infringements and Making Addendum in RA Criminal Code.

The NA deputies debated in the second reading the legislative package
On Making Amendments and Addenda to RA Law on Psychiatric Aid and on
Making Addendum to RA Law on Childs Rights.

The bill on Making Addendum to RA Law on Medical Help and Service of
the Population and on Making Addendum to RA Law in RA Code on
Administrative Infringements was debated in the first reading.

The debate of the issue will continue at NA next sitting. The
parliament ended the work of the four-day sittings.

news.am, Armenia
May 14 2011

Armenia participates in ENFSI conference on explosives

May 14, 2011 | 03:40

YEREVAN. – The head of explosive and fire-proof expertise department
of Armenian National bureau of expertise David Melkumyan participated
in ENFSI (European network of forensic science institutes) annual
expert work group conference on explosives.

This is Armenia’s first participation of the event, although it has
been an associated member of the group since 2009, informs NBE public
relations office.

The conference hosted 69 experts from 26 countries. In a number of
scientific sessions, the participants touched upon the dominant issues
of the field facing their home countries and discussed the methodology
of research of the explosives. The conference also included a
theoretical exercise and a visit to Austrian Federal forensic
laboratory.

Trend, Azerbaijan
May 14 2011

Iranian FM investigates reasons of its embassy’s statement in Armenia
over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
14.05.2011 14:03
Azerbaijan, Baku, May 14 / Trend T. Jafarov /

The Iranian Foreign Ministry investigates the reasons of its embassy’s
statement in Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Foreign
Ministry official representative Ramin Mehmanperest told Trend.

Today, the Iranian embassy in Armenia has made a statement saying that
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must be resolved on the basis of a
dialogue, non-use of force and respect for the right to
self-determination. According to the Armenian media, the embassy has
not mentioned the principle of respecting sovereignty and territorial
integrity.

The Azerbaijani embassy in Iran also investigates the reasons of the
Iranian embassy’s statement in Armenia, the diplomatic mission told
Trend.

“Iran always recognized the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan at the
official level,” the embassy said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France and the U.S. – are
currently holding the peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet
implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four resolutions on the
liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.

Iranian media ascribe to Armenian ambassador statements he didn’t make

May 14, 2011 – 11:45 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net –

On May 10, Tehran University hosted a conference titled
`Armenian-Turkish Relations and Karabakh Conflict.’

Addressing the participants, Armenian ambassador to Iran, Grigor
Arakelyan, first of all stated that such a title is inadmissible, as
the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations and Nagorno
Karabakh settlement talks are two different issues.

As to Iran’s mediation for Karabakh conflict resolution, Arakelyan
praised the country’s balanced position, saying: `Iran assumed a
position characteristic of a mediator. At that time Tehran’s mediation
was very useful. Today, it would very useful through deepening of
relations between Armenia and Iran. However, the format of talks
should not be changed.’

Meanwhile, some Iranian media misinterpreted the ambassador’s works,
reporting that `ambassador Arakelyan called on Tehran to join the
Karabakh process as a mediator and expressed hope for Iran’s
assistance in conduction of referendum in Karabakh.

EUROVISION 2011
La Télévision arménienne minimise l’élimination d’Emmy

Le directeur de la chaîne de Télévision publique d’Arménie, Alexan
Haroutiounian a appelé les téléspectateurs à ne pas amplifier le
l’élimination de l’Arménie de la finale de l’Eurovision 2011 et à
soutenir la chanteuse Emmy dans son épreuve. « Nous devons la
soutenir, car la vie continue » dit Alexan Haroutiounian. Ce dernier
minimise « l’insuccès » de l’Arménie en affirmant que tous les pays
nouvellement formés n’ont pas toujours la chance de se trouver dans
les dix premiers des demi-finales pour se qualifiés pour la finale. «
Ce qui s’est passé cette année avec l’Arménie aurait pu se passer pour
n’importe quel pays ! » minimise A. Haroutiounian qui rappela que la
Turquie était également éliminée. Il est vrai que c’est la première
fois en six participations que l’Arménie est ainsi écartée au seuil de
la finale de l’Eurovision. Les propos du directeur de la Télévision
publique d’Arménie peuvent relativiser l’évènement de l’élimination de
l’Arménie. Toujours est-il que -quel que soit la qualité de la
prestation d’Emmy- des millions de téléspectateurs Arméniens auront ce
soir un regard amer sur la finale de l’Eurovision sans tricolore
arménien.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 14 mai 2011,
Krikor [email protected]

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES SPECIAL ENVOY OF IRANIAN PRESIDENT

VestnikKavkaza.net
May 13 2011

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has received the special envoy of
the Iranian President, Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Reza Shaibani,
Trend reports, referring to Mediamax.

Serzh Sargsyan said that frequent meetings suggest a high level of
relations between the two neighbouring states.

The parties discussed the process of implementing the agreements
previously reached by the Presidents of Armenia and Iran.

ARF-D SHARES KOCHARYAN’S CONCERNS AND FEARS

A1Plus.am
06:05 pm | May 13, 2011

ARF-Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D) is not going to comment on any interview,
including that of Robert Kocharyan [Armenia’s second President], ARF-D
Secretary Artyusha Shahbazyan said during today’s parliament briefing.

In his interview with Mediamax Agency, Kocahryan said ARD-D’s stance on
the possible dialogue between the authorities and opposition coincides
with his opinion.

“It is still unclear whether the sides started a dialogue to conclude a
deal or they pursue national interests. Obviously, Levon Ter-Petrosyan
[leader of the Armenian National Congress] feels responsible before
his teammates for the ten victims of March 1, 2008 and for the people
imprisoned after the clashes. It won’t be a great problem if the
Congress gets seats in the parliament but we are deeply concerned that
talks will include other issues, in particular, the Armenian-Turkish
relations. We are concerned that the Armenian-Turkish normalization
might become a subject of political gambling between the authorities
and opposition,” said the ARF-D representative.

Artyusha Shahbazyan noted that they supported the programs of the
second president and were even involved in their final elaboration. At
the same time, he did not rule out that the dialogue between the
current authorities and opposition was initiated by a third force.

Asked what the dialogue will give to the sides, the ARF-D Secretary
said, “It will cleanse the political field ahead of the parliamentary
elections. When they say that the dialogue is promoted by a third force
[international organizations], we should not forget that they pursue
their personal interests in Armenia and are not going to help us for
our beautiful eyes.”

Head of Republican faction Galust Sahakyan promised to comment on
the dialogue in the future.

“Today, the Armenian National Congress is trying to find “masters”
abroad. This creates a favorable situation for us, since the Congress
is forced to return to the political field after not finding “masters,”
said. Sahakyan.

According to the Republican representative, the current authorities,
in particular the Republican Party, are responsible for any actions
and phenomena in the country.

ARMENIA MANIA: SYSTEM OF A DOWN RETURN TO SLAY VANCOUVER
By: Robert Collins

CTV.ca

May 13 2011
Canada

In 2008 your correspondent sat in a darkened hotel room in London,
England with System of a Down’s Daron Malakian and listened as the
guitarist and songwriter explained in the frankest terms that it was
his growing paranoia and resentment towards the star quality of lead
singer Serj Tankian that had caused him to put one of the world’s
biggest rock bands on hiatus.

Three years later, System of a Down have reformed and returned. And
for one of those rare nights, Vancouver was the centre of the rock
and roll world as the second System show in five years (the first
took place in Edmonton two nights earlier) engulfed Rogers Arena.

And yet, there was still an element of paranoia in the air. Media
passes were impossible to come by. The swarms of photographers who’d
normally be covering an event of this magnitude were notable by their
absence. Perhaps the band wasn’t quite convinced that they were firing
on all cylinders yet?

Thirty seconds into the band’s opening track, Prison Song, and it
was like they’d never been away. Malakian, having shaved off the
Taliban-style beard he was sporting back in London, looked lean
and clean in a red dress shirt. Tankian, similarly smart in a crisp
white button-up shirt, was vocally impeccable. The crowd, crammed
onto Rogers Arena’s hallowed floor, lost its collective mind.

If you’ve never heard System of a Down, it’s not actually that simple
a sound to describe. Hugely proud of their Armenian heritage, they’ve
moulded the music of their forefathers into a modern heavy metal
framework. Songs will lurch from chugging riffs to lilting ballads and
back again, often within the space of a handful of bars. Traditional
song structures are out the window. The effect, to the casual listener
at least, is Fiddler on the Roof meets Iron Maiden.

It’s not just the music that skewers rock conventions. Lyrics are
awash with irony. “So you want to see the show / You really don’t
have to be a ho,” crooned Tankian on Psycho. The song Cigaro, sang
by Malakian with a devious smile, is even more brazen. Look up the
lyrics for yourself.

The performance clung to arena rock protocol by the thinnest thread.

The stage backdrops were simple printed curtains. Both stars launched
into pirouetting folk dances with little prompting.

“Clap your hands simultaneously,” instructed Malakian, before launching
into another punishing blast of heaviness. “Any suggestions?”

Despite having three Multi-Platinum albums and one Grammy Award lining
their trophy cabinets, System of a Down’s commercial appeal remains
elusive. Even their angriest, heaviest and catchiest riffs – on Chop
Suey, BYOB and the set’s finale, Sugar – are paired with noodling
guitar passages or sections of old-fashioned baritone crooning.

Somehow, just about, it works. By utterly rejecting the obvious,
System of a Down are fascinating, even after five years away.

As for the rivalry between Malakian and Tankian, you’d have to be
looking, but it’s still there. For the duration of the two-hour monster
set they barely exchanged glances, let alone words. During PLUCK,
Tankian was on his knees reciting a monologue about the Armenian
Genocide of 1915. Malakian responded to this touching tribute by
dancing around the stage waving a sock above his head.

If all this weirdness creates the impression that this was anything
other than a great rock and roll show, you’d be mistaken. Alternately
ferocious and gentle, System of a Down left Rogers Arena with more
questions than answers, but having inspired thousands of magical
moshpit memories.

“Good luck to the Vancouver Canucks,” smiled Malakian as the band
finally strode off the stage.

Busting conventions doesn’t mean there isn’t room for good manners.

ARMENIAN CIVILIAN SHOT DEAD IN KARABAKH, SAY SEPARATISTS

Hurriyet
May 13 2011
Turkey

Azerbaijani forces have killed an ethnic Armenian civilian who was
driving a tractor close to the front line in Nagorno-Karabakh, the
authorities that control the disputed region said on Thursday.

The man died in hospital after being shot in the head on Wednesday,
the separatist Karabakh defense ministry said in a statement.

The Armenian foreign ministry accused Azerbaijan of “using all means to
keep up tensions” on the frontline and to impede a peaceful resolution
of the Karabakh conflict.

The defense ministry in Azerbaijan denied that its troops had shot
the tractor driver.

The announcement came on the 17th anniversary of the ceasefire in
Karabakh, which has been controlled by ethnic Armenian separatists
backed by Yerevan since they seized the mountainous region from
Azerbaijan in a war in the early 1990s that left 30,000 dead. While
internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory, the enclave has
declared itself an independent republic but is administered as a de
facto part of Armenia.

Eleven soldiers have been reported killed so far this year amid
heightened tensions and regular exchanges of gunfire across the
frontline.

Years of negotiations involving Russia, the United States and Europe,
as well as Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders themselves, have failed to
resolve the enclave’s status or enable the return of refugees. Turkey
closed its border with Armenia in 1993 in support of its close ally
Azerbaijan in the conflict.

G. MANOYAN’S REMARKS OVER THE ISSUE OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH

Panorama
May 13 2011
Armenia

Giro Manoyan, the head of Armenian Cause Office says he thinks the
Minsk Group doesn’t adequately respond to the violations of the
ceasefire regime in the line of contact.

“As if they say to Azerbaijan that they blame to both Azerbaijan and
Armenia,” G. Manoyan said in a meeting with the reporters.

ARF Dashnaktsutyun representative says the reason of those firings may
be Azerbaijan’s discontent from the negotiations. “But Azerbaijan must
declare to its people that Karabakh can be out of Azerbaijan,” he said.