Author: Kajoyan Gevork

BELARUS-ARMENIA ECONOMIC COOPERATION COMMISSION TO SIT ON 26-28 AUGUST

Belarusian Telegraph Agency, Belarus
Aug 23 2013

23.08.2013 15:30

MINSK, 23 August (BelTA) – The tenth session of the Belarus-Armenia
intergovernmental commission for trade and economic cooperation will
take place in Yerevan on 26-28 August, BelTA learnt from the press
service of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry.

The commission will be chaired by Belarusian Forestry Minister Mikhail
Amelyanovich and Economy Minister of Armenia Vagram Avanesyan.

Belarus’ delegation will include representatives of the Forestry
Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Agriculture and Food Ministry, Energy
Ministry and Finance Ministry.

The participants of the session will discuss supplies of Belarusian
farm machines and heavy-duty vehicles to Armenia, cooperation prospects
in manufacturing industry and agriculture, ways to expand interregional
cooperation and streamline the legal framework for cooperation,
as well as expansion of humanitarian ties.

During their visit to Yerevan the Belarusian delegation will hold
meetings with representatives of the economy, energy and agriculture
ministries and top executives of Armenian companies.

AUSTRALIA’S MISPLACED FRIENDSHIP WITH TURKEY

Eureka Street
Aug 23 2013

5 Comments
Peter Stanley | 25 August 2013

NSW Parliament recently passed a resolution condemning the genocide
perpetrated by the Ottoman empire against its Assyrian, Pontic Greek
and especially Armenian communities during the Great War.

The Turkish Consul-General in Sydney, the foreign ministry in Ankara
and even the city council in Canakkale (Gallipoli) immediately
responded. They deny that the genocide had even occurred and have
warned state parliamentarians that they will not be welcome in Turkey
when the two nations commemorate the centenary of the Gallipoli
campaign in 2015.

Australians unaware of the details might be surprised at the vehemence
of the Turkish response. Aren’t Turkey and Australia friends? Don’t
the Turks generously welcome Australian and New Zealand visitors to
Gallipoli throughout the year but especially in April? What have we
done to offend them?

The answer is that the parliamentarians have had the temerity to
acknowledge the truth about one of the great crimes against humanity of
the twentieth century. (Let’s for the moment put aside the question of
whether a parliament’s view is even relevant. If the parliamentarians
had resolved that the genocide had not happened it would still be
an historical fact. But both Turks and Armenians regard legislative
endorsement of their version of the past as scalps, and the Armenians
are winning.)

Australians have been captivated by the Turkish narrative of
Gallipoli. The Turkish nation has built around the campaign (in which
they defeated a British (and Anzac) and French invasion of Turkish
soil) a national epic of salvation. That Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the
father of the modern Turkish nation, commanded some of its defenders
makes Gallipoli part of Turkey’s national founding myth. In this the
two nations have something in common.

The problem is that the day before the 1915 invasion, the Ottoman
empire, suspicious of its Armenian minority, embarked upon the
systematic elimination of the empire’s Armenian population. Impartial
scholars accept that about a million-and-a-half of the empire’s two
million Armenians were killed directly or died of starvation and
sickness over the next few years. Neutral missionaries and diplomats,
and even Turkey’s German allies witnessed and reported the massacres
and deportations – as did Anzac prisoners of war.

The world was outraged at the time, and the surviving Armenian
community, including a substantial Armenian diaspora in the Middle
East, Europe, North America and Australia, has never forgotten it.

Turkey, on the other hand, denies that genocide occurred, disputing
its definition in international law or arguing that while villagers
may have been deported they died of incidental causes.

The NSW resolution disrupts the astoundingly successful charm
offensive Turkey has conducted in Australia for years, fostering a
positive relationship with Australia through the shared ordeal of
Gallipoli. The NSW resolution, instigated by Australia’s energetic
Armenian National Council and promoted by the Christian Democrat MP
Rev. Fred Nile (but also by the premier Barry O’Farrell), has upset
Australia’s acquiescence with Turkey’s desire to emphasise the shared
history of Gallipoli while eliminating any reference to the genocide.

You might argue that the Armenian genocide is remote from the
Australian experience of the Great War. In fact, Australian troops
(both prisoners of war and as combatants) encountered the genocide
and its effects, and Australian civilians contributed vast amounts of
money and time to the international relief effort mounted from 1915
and for years after. In effect, Australian troops in the Middle East
were fighting to defeat a regime capable of state sponsored atrocity,
just as Australia’s forces in the Second World War were fighting to
defeat the regime responsible for the Holocaust. The Armenian genocide
is part of the story of the Great War, something to which Australians
should not be blind, and certainly not blinded by Turkish denial.

The controversy obliges Australians to take sides. I am an impartial
historian, having been convinced of the facts by the historical
evidence. That claim makes me immediately suspect in Turkish eyes. I
suppose I’ll be banned as well. But having examined the evidence,
I am co-writing a book on Australia and the Armenian genocide. As
President of the recently-formed coalition Honest History, dedicated
to standing up for honesty in our relationship to the past, I cannot
connive at the falsification of history.

Australia and Turkey are friends. But friends tell each other the
truth. They don’t react like children – ‘if you say that you can’t
be my friend anymore!’ Turkey’s extraordinary response to the NSW
parliamentarians will oblige Australians to choose between being a
friend of Turkey or being a friend of the truth. I know which way
I choose.

PREPARLIAMENT DEMANDS PROTECTION OF ACTIVIST’S RIGHTS

19:19 23.08.13

The Preparliament intends to inform Armenia’s police that high-ranking
officials’ acquaintances are involved in the violence against protester
Anushavan Petrosyan.

Among them is Yerevan Vice-Mayor David Ohanyan’s chauffeur. The
Preparliament intends to demand a confrontation between the victim and
the offenders, the Preparliament member Tigran Khzmalyan told Tert.am.

Earlier, activist Vilen Gabrielyan reported on his Facebook page
that, according to eyewitnesses, Yerevan Vice-Mayor David Ohanyan’s
chauffeur, accompanied by a man, arrived at 5A Komitas Ave., where
the residents are holding a protest against a construction project,
and brutally beat up Anushavan Petrosyan.

Khzmalyan also said that the protesters, builders and policemen
reached an agreement.

“We agreed that they suspend the construction for a week until the
matter has been clarified. However, some work is being done without
construction machinery,” he said.

Armenian News – Tert.am

AZERBAIJANI AUTHORITIES CONTINUE TO VIOLATE PRINCIPLES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW – ARMENIAN DEPUTY MINISTER OF DEFENSE

22:19 23.08.13

First Deputy Minister of Defense Davit Tonoyan held separate meetings
on Friday with UNHCR Representative in Armenia Mr.Damtew Dessalegne
and with Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
in Armenia, Mr.Lorenzo Caraffi, the press service of Armenia’s Ministry
of Defense reports.

During both meetings parties discussed issues regarding the Armenian
POW Hakob Injighulyan. D. Tonoyan particularly expressed his concern
over the fact, that the Azerbaijani authorities continue to violate
principles of international law with regard to Hakob Injighulyan and
that competent international humanitarian organizations, human rights
defenders and international community have not shown any reaction to
the lack of restraint on part of Azerbaijan is rather perplexing.

Alleged “interviews” with Hakob Injighulyan recently recorded and
broadcasted by the Azerbaijani authorities-which again testify to
the informational war against Armenia on a rather primitive level
and aim to hinder the process of Injighulyan`s repatriation – have
not been condemned by a single international organization. It is
obvious that Injighulyan is forced to come up with controversial
statements under psychological intimidation and most probably under
the threat of physical abuse which has become a common way of acting
for the Azerbaijani authorities under wide-spread impunity. Hakob
Injighulyan`s request for resettling him in a 3rd country should be
taken into consideration if he was assured of the right to express
his wish in a free, unhindered and informed manner and by no means
under constant pressure.

He also reiterated the pledge of the Armenian authorities not to
subject Injighulyan to criminal prosecution in view of the absence of
corpus dilecti in his case and informed about intentions to ask UNHCR
to use its good offices when they are engaged and inform Injighulyan
duly of this commitment.

It is noteworthy that no repatriated POW of Armenian nationality has
been subject to such prosecution with most of them taking up their
service in their homeland.

It was also said, that the Armenian side believes international
humanitarian organizations should engage themselves to a maximum
extent facilitating the prompt repatriation of Injighulyan and will
object to any attempt ofhis resettlement in a 3rd country considering
them unjustified and groundless.

Armenian News – Tert.am

HERITAGE PARTY LEADER RESUMES RALLIES THROUGHOUT ARMENIA (UPDATED) PHOTOS AND VIDEO

22:08 23.08.13

Heritage party Chairman Raffi Hovannisian has opened a public meeting
in Yerevan’s Freedom Square.

He presented his Independence agenda.

In response to Tert.am’s question as to what the Independence agenda
is, Heritage party Vice-Chairman Armen Martirosyan said, “Come and
hear what it is.”

The meeting will be followed by a concert ‘Reincarnation: Independence
Declaration Day, August 23′.

In his speech, Raffi Hovannisian said that the present challenges,
people emigrating from Armenia, Turkish President Abdullah Gul, who
wants to organize a Turkish-language meeting in Nagorno-Karabakh,
and the pseudo-elected authorities seeking to rule due to frauds.

“They call the supporters of Armenia’s unification with Artsakh
[Nagorno-Karabakh] betrayers,” Hovannisian said.

He stated that everything will change this year.

Hovannisian is proud of Armenian freedom-fighters who are aware of
the necessity for struggle, as well as of activists protesting the
fare rise.

Soon, when the higher gas price will be felt, Armenia’s rural areas
will receive a strong blow.

He called for a join Independence agenda.

With respect to the Syunik region of Armenia, he said that Surik
Khachatryan resigned from the post of Syunik governor “after the
murder. This is a problem of justice as well.”

He introduced Samvel Hayrapetyan, the Heritage party’s candidate from
election district 38, which includes the Syunik region. According
to Hovannisian, it is Hayrapetyan that “will return the power to the
Syunik people.”

Heritage party member Susanna Gasparyan spoke of the worsening social
conditions in the country.

“Armenia is diseased, Armenia’s people are diseased. The doctor is the
Armenian people,” she said. According to her, the poverty level was
18% in Armenia in 1996, 23% in 2004, 35% in 2008 and 44% in 2011-2012.

With respect to emigration from Armenia, she said that even according
to the official statistical data 106,000 people have left Armenia.

“It is time to stop emigration,” she said. Armenian leaders’ families
do not actually live in Armenia. They are ready to pack up and leave
the country at any moment.

Heritage party member David Sanasaryan congratulated the participants
on the 23rdanniversary of the Independence Declaration and expressed
his regret that the Armenian people has not so far achieved “real
independence.”

“We are not independent, we are neglected,” some of the participants
said.

In response, Sanasaryan criticized army officers that are “engaged
in election frauds” and other government institutions.

Before summing up, Raffi Hovannisian read out a public demand.

“Before it is not too late, and we have won ninety percent and victory
is in our hands, let us put out differences aside,” Hovannisian said
as he addressed freedom-fighters, students, civil initiatives and
other political forces, policemen and servicemen.

ccording to him, it is not a hot autumn, but a hard struggle that is
ahead – to build up new Armenia.

As a citizen, Raffi Hovannisian, as well as the Heritage party, with
its supporters and other political forces, “millions of voters”,
will certainly visit all the places where problems exist.

The Heritage party leader intends to participate in freedom-fighters’
rally scheduled for August 29.

On August 30, Hovannisian intends to hold a rally in Vanadzor. Further
rallies will be held in Gyumri, Nagorno-Karabakh (September 1 to 4),
Yerevan (Sept. 5 or 6).

Also open link for Raffi Hovannisian’s speech

RUBEN VARDANIAN APPOINTED AS ADVISOR OF SBERBANK CEO

by Alexander Avanesov

ARMINFO
Friday, August 23, 19:25

Co-Director of Sberbank CIB Ruben Vardanian has been appointed as
advisor of Sberbank CEO German Gref.

The press service of Sberbank reports that Vardanian’s appointment
is part of the reorganization of the bank’s Corporate Business unit.

Deputy Chairman of Sberbank’s Board Andrey Donskoy has been appointed
as Director of Sberbank CIB, with member of the Board Alexander
Bazarov named to be his deputy.

Vedomosti quotes Gref as saying that Sberbank is refocusing from
products and services to complex customer approach.

Vardanian is a Russian businessman of Armenian origin. Forbes reports
him to have a fortune of almost $0.5bln. He has a charitable foundation
that has provided $20mln for the $45mln Revival of Tatev project and
is co-funding the $120mln Dilijan International School project.

MOLDOVAN OMBUDSMAN AS MIRROR OF AZERI PROPAGANDA

August 23, 2013 – 18:54 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The saying “everyone gets what he deserves,” fully
applies to Moldovan Ombudsman Aurelia Grigoriu who was awarded Heydar
Aliyev medal for her special services to Azerbaijan.

Her services of Azerbaijan would have been even greater, were she to
repeat her Yerevan statements in Artsakh Republic, although it would
be less likely for her to finish her speech there.

At a June 4 international conference in Yerevan, the Moldovan lawyer
slammed Armenia as an “aggressor,” accusing Armenia of “occupying 20%
of Azeri territory and committing an ethnic cleansing in Khojalu.”

Factually, Grigoriu repeated Azeri propaganda’s favorite fables,
the ones that are given little trust in the country itself. Grigoriu
looked very happy with herself while making a statement in Yerevan,
yet she clearly overplayed her hand.

According to Azeri media, the medal has been awarded for promoting
human rights and realities of Azerbaijan in the world, as well as
in developing relations between Azerbaijan and the Turkic states
in particular.

It looks pretty strange, especially since Grigoriu is a Christian and
it doesn’t become her to promote Turkic values. However it’s possible
to understand feelings of the Moldovan Ombudsman once you see her
Facebook page where she almost declares love for Ilham Aliyev. So,
as a man, the least Aliyev could do was to award Grigoriu with a medal.

Occasionally, Grigoriu adds fuel to fire, suggesting Armenian ASALA
militants are on the hunt for her. How can one explain that ASALA has
long been inexistent and all of her “fears” are nothing but a cheap PR.

Also, prosecutions of Moldovan authorities, claimed by Grigoriu,
have noting in common with Armenia. Yerevan doesn’t interfere in the
affairs of sovereign states, and doesn’t allow interference in its
own affairs. It’s surprising that such odious personalities should
always stand by Aliyev’s side.

The interesting fact is that Grigoriu was nominated for the award of
the Foundation for Support to Policy of Turkic States at the request
of Azerbaijani NGOs in Central Asia. What has central Asia to do with
it? Or was that just Nazarbaev’s favor to Aliyev? One can only advise
Azerbajan that it should be more careful in a search of a mouthpiece.

Otherwise the whole thing looks pretty unpalatable: a woman who
never got noticed in her own country becomes the favorite of Azeri
propagandists. Or she might move to Baku. But will she be needed in
the city that is paved with the likes of her?

Karine Ter-Sahakyan / PanARMENIAN News

NEW AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REPORT PAINTS BLEAK PICTURE FOR ARMENIA’S INDEPENDENT MEDIA, HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS AND LGBTI COMMUNITY

15:58, August 23, 2013

A shocking new report from Amnesty International published today
reveals an alarming culture of persecution in Armenia against both
critics of the ruling regime and the country’s lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender or intersex (LGBTI) community.

The 20-page report, “Armenia: No Space for Difference” exposes the
harassment and intimidation suffered by civil society activists and
journalists who question the mainstream view of the country’s conflict
with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh.

The report also reveals discrimination and attacks on LGBTI activists
and people, and the unwillingness of the authorities to protect them.

In 2011, a survey by the Armenian human rights group, Public
Information and Need for Knowledge, found 71.5% believed the state
should take measures to fight against homosexuals. Since then posters
have appeared across the city of Yerevan calling for citizens to
“fight against homosexuality” and claiming “homosexuals are leading our
country to destruction”. The views have been echoed by Armenia’s ruling
Republican Party and Parliament’s Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov.

Through national and international obligations the Armenian authorities
have committed to ensure that activists can carry out their work
without interference, obstacles, discrimination or fear of retaliation.

Amnesty International’s researcher on Armenia, Natalia Nozadze, said:

“This contrasts starkly with the reality in Armenia – public officials
condone violence against those with dissenting opinions. The targets
of such attacks are often left without adequate protection and offences
against them go unpunished, which has a chilling effect on others.

The full report can be accessed at HERE

TURKEY BUYS ANCIENT GOODS FROM ARMENIA

11:53, 23 August, 2013

YEREVAN, AUGUST 23, ARMENPRESS: The export volumes of the ancient
carpets (of 100 years and more) from the Republic of Armenia during
the first half of the year of 2013 have increased more than twice in
comparison with the same period of the previous year. According to
the data provided by the State Revenue Committee at the Government of
the Republic of Armenia, in the first half of 2013 259,7 kilograms
of ancient goods were exported from Armenia in comparison with the
124,5 kilograms in the same period of 2012.

As reported by Armenpress, during the first half a year of 2013 the
main buyers of the ancient goods from Armenia are Russia and USA with
115,5 and 136,9 kilograms correspondingly. During the first half of
2013 Turkey purchased 5 kilograms of ancient goods from Armenia. At
the same time in the first six months of 2013 932 kilograms of ancient
goods were imported to Armenia in comparison with the 288,4 kilograms
in 2012.

LA VISITE DE POUTINE A BAKOU SUSCITE ENCORE DES REACTIONS

AZERBAIDJAN

Aravot raille la majorite gouvernementale, qui a qualifie de ” douche
froide pour l’Azerbaïdjan ” la declaration de Poutine sur le conflit du
HK : ” Quelle autre declaration, le chef d’un pays copresident du GDM,
aurait-il pu faire ? “. Le quotidien rappelle que le montant de la
vente d’armements par la Russie a l’Azerbaïdjan est de 4 milliards de
dollars. Selon Shahen Petrossian membre de l’ancien MNA, l’objectif
de cette visite pour la Russie serait principalement commercial,
la vente d’armes constituant l’un des plus rentables secteurs russes
d’exportation. Rappelant que c’est le President Aliev qui a souligne
a dessein le montant du marche, le politologue Richard Giragossian
relève l’intention mediatique et menacante de cette annonce tandis
que l’ancien Ministre de la Securite nationale, David Chahnazarian,
y voit plus une manifestation de vanite que de reel succès de la
cooperation russo-azerbaïdjanaise.

Extrait de la revue de presse de l’Ambassade de France en Armenie en
date du 16 août 2013

vendredi 23 août 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com