Author: Kajoyan Gevork

DEFEAT IS CRUEL CLAMPDOWN ON PLURALISM AND BLOODY TERROR

Siranuysh Papyan, Interviewer
Politics – Thursday, 20 February 2014, 15:38

Interview with the first ambassador of Ukraine to Armenia Alexander
Bozhko on developments on Maidan

Mr. Bozhko, what is your assessment of the developments on Maidan? The
Kremlin has described it as an attempt at a state coup.

The Kremlin is thereby trying to affect the international community
though there was just a peaceful march to Supreme Rada where the
decision on restoring the Constitution of 2004 to return to the
parliamentary-presidential republic. Thereby the powers of the
president, in reality the powers of a dictator, would be limited.

The clashes were provoked by the security agencies. They started
shooting and throwing grenades at the demonstrators. I’m saying this
as a witness. Those actions forced the demonstrators to respond. At
the same time, the leadership of Supreme Rada refused to put to vote
the bill presented by the government, thereby causing tension to grow.

To these added the actions of Titushky who had been sent by the
government.

Mr. Bozhko, what will victory in Maidan bring, and what will defeat
in Maidan bring? There is an opinion that the civil defeat will
establish dictatorship, and if wins, dictatorship and oligarchy will
be eliminated.

The demonstrators have minimum demands: law enforcement, division of
powers instead of usurpation of government by one of the powers.

Defeat is cruel clampdown on pluralism and bloody terror against
their opponents. I am afraid that everything will end up like this
unless the current course of developments changes.

In your opinion, what should the stance of Russia and Europe be? Is
their reaction adequate?

The main issue is to stop the bloodshed on Maidan. Russia is actually
justifying Berkut’s cruelties. Unfortunately, Europe is silent,
apparently apprehending Putin. Europe seems to fail to understand
that if such tendencies continue, and European leaders fail to take
decisive steps, their ostrich policy will lead to an intensive and
large-scale war.

Mr. Bozhko, how will these developments end up? What if the way out
for Ukraine?

The sides should meet in Supreme Rada to discuss the possibility to
return to the Constitution of 2004 and achieve a compromise.

Unfortunately, lowering the scale by force will not lead anywhere.

This step will not resolve the problems existing in Ukraine. There
will again be bloodshed, and negotiations, compromise will be harder,
even impossible. Everyone will lose in this case.

– See more at:

ARMENIAN POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ATTEND RALLY AGAINST NEW PENSION REFORM

February 20, 2014 | 13:12

YEREVAN. – The “I am against” civil movement on Thursday held an
awareness campaign, at the State Engineering University of Armenia
(SEUA)–also known as the Polytechnic–, against the new pension law
in Armenia.

The participants in the civil movement spoke and called upon the
several hundred students , who were gathered in the University
courtyard, to fight against the deduction from their future salaries,
the Armenian News-NEWS.am reporter informs.

The University students and lecturers were applauding the addresses.

Incidentally, SEUA Rector Ara Avetisyan informed that even though he
had 5 percent deducted from the salaries of the University lecturers,
he allocated them premiums.

The new funded pension plan, which formally came into force in Armenia
on January 1, 2014, is mandatory for those born in and after 1974
and voluntary for those born before 1974. In line with this plan,
5 to 10 percent of the monthly salaries in Armenia will be deducted
and mandatorily be allocated to cumulative pension funds; the latter
will be reimbursed as pensions once a person turns 63 years old.

On January 24, however, the Constitutional Court decided to suspend the
execution of some components in the Law on Funded Pensions pending
the hearing–on March 28–of the petition submitted by the four
non-ruling-coalition parliamentary forces–the Armenian National
Congress, Prosperous Armenia, ARF Dashnaktsutyun, and Heritage–,
and into the constitutionality of the several articles of the law.

Notwithstanding this, some employers already are deducting the
mandatory pension payment from the salaries of their employees.

ON 19 FEBRUARY PRESIDENT OF ARTSAKH REPUBLIC BAKO SAHAKYAN VISITED THE NKR FOREIGN MINISTRY AND PARTOOK IN A CONSULTATION SUMMING UP THE ACTIVITIES OF THE STRUCTURE IN 2013 AND THE 2014 ACTION PLAN.

Wednesday, 19 February 2014 15:07

Foreign minister Karen Mirzoyan, responsible officers of the ministry’s
different departments delivered corresponding reports.

The Head of the State noted in his speech thatArtsakhRepublic would
further conduct multidirectional, balanced foreign policy based on
complementarity with influential states and power centers.

According to Bako Sahakyan the destructive policy of Baku is the
biggest hindrance on the way of the Azerbaijani-Karabagh conflict
settlement, which also threatens maintenance of regional peace and
stability.

Referring to the peaceful settlement process President Sahakyan
underlined that the NKR would be consistent in activities towards
restoring the full-fledged negotiation format including giving
publicity in interested instances to the fact that comprehensive
settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabagh conflict would be impossible
to achieve without full participation of the official Stepanakert at
all stages of the negotiations.

Touching upon the international recognition process of the
ArtsakhRepublic the President noted there positive developments
qualifying them as both inspiring and binding. Inspiring because it
demonstrates that recognition process of ArtsakhRepublic is moving
forward and testifying that Artsakh is an established democratic
state and at the same time laying foundations for the republic’s
international recognition. Binding because it urges preserve the
registered positive dynamics in future.

The Head of the State gave corresponding instructions for efficient
organization of activities, elimination of shortcomings inside
the foreign ministry adding that the state in its turn would do
everything possible to assist solving the problems the structure
faced, the issues related to the improvement of the staff’s working
and social conditions.

CENTRAL INFORMATION DEPARTMENT

OF THE OFFICE OF THE ARTSAKH REPUBLIC PRESIDENT

AZERBAIJAN SENDS A NOTE OF PROTEST TO LATVIA

17:35 20.02.2014

Azerbaijan, Latvia, Nagorno-Karabakh

The Embassy of Azerbaijan in Latvia has handed a note to Latvia for
presenting Nagorno Karabakh Republic as an independent state in “The
geography of the new world” textbook, advisor of the Embassy Geray
Muradov told APA.

Moreover, at the Latvian Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Elman Zeynalov
expressed his concern over the “mistakes” made in the textbook and
handed a note, the news agency reported.

The advisor also added that the investigation carried out in this
regard found out that this textbook is not used at secondary schools.

Note that the Latvian textbook presented South Ossetia, Abjkhazia
and Nagorno Karabakh as independent states.

BUSINESS SECTOR AIMS AT THE ONLY GREEN AREA LEFT NEAR OPERA HOUSE

by Karina Manukyan

Thursday, February 20, 16:47

Most of the trees around the Opera House have long been replaced by
cafes. And now the corrupt municipal authorities and their business
friends are aiming at one of the last green spots left in the area,
the We Are the Owners of Our City action group reports says Facebook.

The group says that this project cannot be considered as legal as
no single legally prescribed procedure has been carried out in this
regard. “Unless the Mayor’s Office and the municipal nature protection
authorities do something to stop it, they will prove once again that
they are corrupt and do not care for the city,” the group says.

Meanwhile, environmentalists warn that in the past decades Yerevan has
lost almost 70% of its green areas because of excessive construction
activities.

PRESSE AZERBAIDJANAISE : REVUE DU 8 AU 14 FEVRIER 2014

Publié le : 20-02-2014

Info Collectif VAN – – Le Collectif VAN vous
présente cette Revue de Presse parue sur le site de l’Ambassade de
France en Azerbaïdjan le 19 février 2014.

Ambassade de France en Azerbaïdjan

Revue de la presse azerbaïdjanaise du 8 au 14 février 2014

Politique intérieure

Les journaux font état du séisme de magnitude de 5.4 sur l’échelle
de Richter, qui s’est produit le 10 février au sud-ouest de la
capitale azerbaïdjanaise, où il a été ressenti.

La presse d’opposition mentionne le 3ème anniversaire, le 8 février
dernier, de la création de l’organisation de jeunesse NIDA et
rapporte la suite des audiences des activistes de ce mouvement et
d’Ilkin Rustamzadeh, activiste de ” Azad Genjlik ” (” Jeunesse
libre ”) au Tribunal des crimes graves de Bakou.

La presse du 14 évoque les deux explosions dans la capitale, qui
ont causé la mort de 4 personnes. Les deux explosions relevaient
d’accidents domestiques.

Relations internationales

La presse officielle en date du 8 février couvre la participation du
Président Aliyev a la cérémonie d’ouverture des Jeux Olympiques de
Sotchi, ainsi que son entretien avec le Président de la République
tchèque, Miloš Zeman.

La presse du 14 février mentionne le communiqué de protestation
du Ministère azerbaïdjanais des Affaires étrangères a la suite
des critiques de Catherine Ashton, Haute représentante du l’UE pour
les affaires étrangères et la politique de sécurité, et Štefan
Fule, Commissaire européen chargé de l’élargissement et de la
politique européenne de voisinage, concernant les amendements a la
loi concernant les organisations non gouvernementales en Azerbaïdjan.

La visite du président géorgien a Bakou, son entretien avec le
président Aliyev ainsi que son déplacement a Gabala et Gakh sont
rapportés par l’ensemble de la presse.

Selon ” Azadlig ” du 11.02.2014, sept parlementaires du Parlement
Européen pourraient faire l’objet de sanctions, en raison des
irrégularités relevées lors de leurs missions d’observation des
élections présidentielles en Azerbaïdjan.

Relations arméno – azerbaïdjanaises

Les journaux mentionnent la déclaration de l’Ambassadeur des
Etats-unis en Azerbaïdjan, Richard Morningstar, selon laquelle les
Etats-unis participent activement au règlement du conflit du Haut
Karabakh.

Image de la France

” Bizim yol ” reprend l’information diffusée par l’agence de
presse ” Turan ” a propos d’un exercice incendie organisée par
l’Ambassade de France en Azerbaïdjan en coopération avec les services
du Ministère des Situations d’Urgence. 14.02.2014

” Khalq qazeti ” rapporte la déclaration du Ministre francais de
la Défense, Jean-Yves le Drian, a propos du coÔt du programme de
cyber-défense. 9.02.2014

publié le 19 février 2014

Retour a la rubrique

Source/Lien : Ambassade de France en Azerbaïdjan

TURKEY FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS IN UKRAINE WITH CONCERN, SAYS DAVUTOgLU

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Feb 19 2014

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Wednesday that Turkey is
worried about the recent developments in Ukraine, one of the most
important countries along the Black Sea coast, a day after deadly
violence between riot police and protesters hit the country, leaving
at least 25 people dead and 240 injured.

“Ukraine is one of the countries with a strategic location in the
Black Sea basin. The stability of Ukraine and peace in the country is
of vital importance to the [Black Sea] region. We are following the
developments in Ukraine with concern. We want to convey our condolences
to the families of those who were killed [in the protests],” Davutoglu
said during a joint press conference with his Azerbaijani and Georgian
counterparts, underlining that public order in the country should
be restored.

Davutoglu’s remarks came after a third tripartite meeting between the
foreign ministers of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia in the Azerbaijani
city of Ganja to discuss bilateral ties and regional cooperation.

During the press conference, Davutoglu extended Turkey’s support for
Ukraine and said Ankara is ready to do whatever is necessary for
stability and peace in the country, with which Turkey has inked a
High Level Strategic Cooperation agreement.

The violence on Tuesday, which killed more than 20 people and wounded
hundreds, was the worst in nearly three months of anti-government
protests which have paralyzed Ukraine’s capital in a struggle over
the identity of the nation. The Turkish Foreign Ministry also issued
a statement on Wednesday, calling on all sides to intensify efforts
to end the clashes in the country.

During the press conference, Davutoglu also spoke about the
normalization of relations with Armenia, saying the Nagorno-Karabakh
problem has to be solved for better ties with Armenia.

He denied reports claiming that Turkey plans to open its borders with
Armenia, saying the reports do not reflect the truth.

“Turkey’s stance is clear and there is no change in our position. Our
borders with Armenia will not be opened before the Nagorno-Karabakh
problem is solved,” he said.

In December, Armenian media outlets had reported Armenian Deputy
Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan as saying that Turkey should
open its closed border with Armenia if it wants to improve relations
between the two countries.

A joint statement released after the trilateral meeting said all
sides reiterated their firm support for each others’ sovereignty and
territorial integrity and underlined the importance of the earliest
peaceful settlement of the conflict in and around the Nagorno-Karabakh
region of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

A bloody conflict erupted between ethnic Azerbaijanis and Armenians
in 1991 over Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous, predominantly
Armenian-populated enclave within Azerbaijani borders. Armenian-backed
armed forces seized 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory, killing
30,000 people. In a display of solidarity with Azerbaijan on the
Nagorno-Karabakh issue, Turkey closed its borders with Armenia.

Davutoglu first held separate meetings with Georgian Foreign Minister
Maia Panjikidze and his Azerbaijani counterpart, Elmar Mammadyarov.

The three foreign ministers later convened for a multilateral meeting
to discuss ways in which to boost regional cooperation and secure
regional stability. The Turkish, Georgian and Azerbaijani foreign
ministers also exchanged views on multilateral relations and regional
developments.

The Ganja meeting between Davutoglu, Mammadyarov and Panjikidze was
the third between the foreign ministers, who first came together for a
meeting held in the northeastern Turkish port city of Trabzon in 2012.

LE MINISTERE TURC DE L’EDUCATION CONTINUE D’UTILISER DES >

TURQUIE

Le ministère turc de l’Education n’a pas permis deux etudiants
etrangers de s’inscrire dans une ecole grecque (Rum) d’Istanbul car
ils n’etaient pas de la bonne ethnie a rapporte le quotidien Taraf.

L’ecole grecque d’Istanbul, qui a ete nomme dans le rapport, a accepte
l’annee dernière un etudiant roumain et un etudiant bulgare, mais
le ministère de l’Education a declare qu’ils n’appartenaient pas au
groupe ethnique minoritaire correct pour y etudier.

Un document officiel ecrit par la Direction provinciale de l’education
d’Istanbul revèle que le système d’administration de la population de
la Turquie est sur la base d’un enregistrement secret des citoyens
qui ont des origines armeniennes, juives ou grecques avec les codes
raciaux.

Les citoyens d’origine grecque seraient codes avec un >, mais
les deux etudiants qui ont ete refusees tombaient dans la categorie
“5” pour les “autres familles chretiennes”, selon Taraf.

L’article suggère que malgre les critiques qui se posent après
la revelation du document de la Direction, l’Etat turc continue a
enumerer les minorites avec les codes raciaux.

L’ecole a demande au ministère pour trouver une solution afin de ne
pas interrompre l’education des deux elèves et il aurait ete conseille
de mettre en place un système d’e-learning (enseignement via internet)
pour eux.

jeudi 20 fevrier 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

” AMIS DE HRANT DINK ” DISENT QUE LE PROCES NE DOIT PAS DEVENIR UN” REGLEMENT DE COMPTES AU SEIN DE L’ETAT”

TURQUIE

Le nouveau procès de l’ assassinat du journaliste turc d’origine
arménienne Hrant Dink a continué le 11 février , avec des militants
qui ont mis en garde contre le fait que cette affaire devienne un ”
règlement de comptes au sein de l’Etat ”.

” Basé sur le fait que ce procès n’est pas un droit , mais une
question politique , ce deuxième processus en cours doit être menée
d’une manière qui satisfait le public . Le procès ne devrait pas
être sacrifié a la décantation interne des comptes au sein de
l’Etat ” a déclaré le porte-parole du groupe ” les Amis de Hrant
Dink ” . Le groupe se compose de parents du journaliste assassiné ,
ainsi que des collègues et d’artistes .

” Sept ans ont passé [ depuis l’assassinat ] , soit dans le
silence ou avec les différentes ailes dans l’état qui s’accusent
mutuellement .

Mais nous savons très bien que ce qui s’est passé est la continuation
d’une certaine tradition de l’Etat. Ce n’est pas un état profond ,
ni un état parallèle . C’est l’état dans sa facon la plus évidente
et profonde ” a déclaré le porte-parole devant la cour de justice
de Caglayan a Istanbul .

” L’Etat a un rôle dans cet assassinat , dans tous ses échelons ”
a-t-il ajouté .

jeudi 20 février 2014, Stéphane ©armenews.com

FOOTBALL : LE HAUT-KARABAGH VA PARTICIPER A LA COUPE DU MONDE … HEBERGEE PAR LES LAPONS

KARABAGH

Le Haut-Karabagh figurera parmi une douzaine d’equipes participant a
la première Coupe du monde de football pour les equipes a l’exterieur
de l’instance dirigeante du football international, la FIFA.

Le tournoi se tiendra a Ostersund, en Suède, dans la première semaine
de Juin et sera organise par les Lapons. Il se tiendra sous l’egide de
CONIFA, une organisation mondiale des equipes de football a l’exterieur
de la FIFA.

Selon le site officiel de l’organisation, les 12 equipes seront
presentes dont l’Abkhazie, les Arameens, le Kurdistan, les tamouls,
les Zanzibar, le Darfour, le Quebec …

jeudi 20 fevrier 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com