Author: Kajoyan Gevork

GEORGIAN WINES WILL OUST ARMENIAN ONES FROM RUSSIA MARKET FOLLOWING EMBARGO SUSPENSION

ARMINFO
Wednesday, April 17, 13:23

Return of Georgian wines to the Russian market following embargo
suspension may cut growth of export of Armenian wines to Russia, Avag
Haroutiunyan, Head of the Union of Armenian Winemakers, told ArmInfo.

A threefold growth of export of Armenian wines to Russia was planned
for the coming five years. Wine export from Armenia grew 60% in 2012 to
1.185 million liters versus 744,000 liters in 2011, with nearly 75% of
sales being in Russia. A few years ago, export totaled 500,000 liters,
Haroutiunyan said. Before the embargo on Georgian wines in Russia,
50-55 million bottles of Georgian wine were sold in that country
annually, despite the fact that the production capacity of Georgian
wineries is some 15-20 million bottles. This shows that counterfeit
production was manufactured either in Georgia or in Russia. Georgian
wineries have raised significant investments in modernization over
the last years and have greatly improved the quality of wines.

“Now, they will offer the best products in the Russia market. Georgian
wines are now of higher quality than the Armenian ones, but the prices
will be similar. Armenia will have to raise additional investments in
modernization of wineries to sustain competition,” Haroutiunyan said.

He added that it will take a couple of years until Georgian wines will
again become popular in Russia and take their niche in the market. The
embargo on the Georgian wine may be suspended in May or June 2013.

Haroutiunyan said that the Russian market capacity is some 1.2 billion
bottles a year.

Earlier, Executive Director of the Yerevan Brandy Company, Head of
the Association of Armenian Brandy Producers Ara Grigoryan told media
that return of the Georgian alcohol drinks to the Russian market may
create problems for the Armenian wines but never for the Armenian
brandy, which is more popular in Russia and Armenian brandy sales
are incomparable with the Georgian ones.

DID NERSIK NAZARYAN HEAD FINANCIAL PYRAMID

The Armenian Time reported that the dismissal of the chief of police
of Yerevan Nersik Nazaryan might be related to the story reported
by this newspaper earlier on the financial pyramid set up by some
high-ranking police officials which took money from citizens by fraud
and did not pay back.

The newspaper reported that soon dismissal of several other
high-ranking police officials is expected, including at least a chief
of police of one of the regions. The “turnover” of the abovementioned
financial pyramid was reportedly 2.5 million dollars. It is possible
that the case will be covered up and much noise will be avoided by
these dismissals.

Note that the chief of police Vova Gasparyan tried earlier in summer
to get rid of Nersik Nazaryan. He even sent him on leave and did
everything he could to prevent his return. But Nazaryan was able to
resolve his issues over Gasparyan’s head and returned.

Recently Nazaryan is having problems with his businesses. He was
said to have difficulties repaying a loan of 6 million dollars. His
family business in China failed, the Armenian Time reports, noting
that Nersik Nazaryan’s business abilities are impressive, they are
supported by his close connections with the Armenian oligarchs. But
he was a high-ranking police official to the extent it helped him
reinforce his connections so it is interesting whether his dismissal
will strengthen or weaken his connections.

Nersik Nazaryan was replaced by Ashot Karapetyan, the head of general
department of criminal investigation. Gagik Avetisyan, the ex-head
of police of Armavir region, was appointed head of general department
of criminal investigation.

10:16 16/04/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

MARCH 1 VICTIMS WERE NOT DREAMING OF STANDING BY LEVON TER-PETROSYAN’S SIDE – RUBEN HAKOBYAN

13:20 ~U 16.04.13

Heritage party leader Ruben Hakobyan, speaking to reporters today
said the victims of March 1, 2008 were not dreaming of following
Levon Ter-Petrosyan in 2008 and going under fire.

His comment comes after Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s statement voiced at
the Armenian National Congress party’s founding congress that praying
with Vova Gasparyan was not his childhood dream.

“Levon Ter-Petrosyan! The dream of the ten victims was not to listen,
to believe you, to stand by your side with you go hiding on the most
decisive moment and sending those young people to be gunned down,”
he said.

“If you do not forgive Raffi Hovannisian for not taking people under
fire and for not leaving dead bodies on asphalt it is your personal
affair and if the political process is the repetition of March 1,
we do not accept it,” he stressed, adding that the number one who
split the opposition field is Levon Ter-Petrosyan.

Referring to Ter-Petrosyan’s speech in the party’s congress, Hakobyan
divided it into twe parts. “The first one was Prosperous Armenia
party’s praise, which for me was more curse as he stated that for
them to be able to make a coupe they must divide and solve issues with
each separately. The other part was rumors about Raffi Hovannisian,”
he said.

Hakobyan also stressed that those having any relation with Barev
movement have not been invited to the ANC congress. “Our state faced
tragedy in 1996 and. Won’t Levon repeat the 1996 if he comes back to
power? I see the repetition of 1996, like that time Levon Ter-Petrosyan
imposed him as president, now Serzh Sargsyan does it,” he added.

Armenian News – Tert.am

HERMINE NAGHDALYAN TO BE PRESENT AT MARGARET THATCHER’S FUNERAL

12:11, 16 April, 2013

YEREVAN, APRIL 16, ARMENPRESS: At the funeral ceremony of the former
Prime Minister of the Great Britain Margaret Thatcher Armenia will
be presented by the Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly of the
Republic of Armenia Hermine Naghdalyan. It was reported to Armenpress
by the Press Secretary of the National Assembly Gohar Poghosyan.

The former Prime Minister of the Great Britain Margaret Thatcher
passed away on April 8 at the age of 87. The Baroness died suddenly,
though during the last period of time she suffered from Alzheimer’s
disease. The funeral ceremony of Margaret Thatcher will take place
on April 17 at the Saint Paul Cathedral.

Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher was a British politician
who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and
the Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990. She was the
longest-serving British Prime Minister of the 20th century and is the
only woman to have held the office. A Soviet journalist called her the
“Iron Lady”, a nickname that became associated with her uncompromising
politics and leadership style.

As Prime Minister, she implemented policies that have come to be
known as Thatcherism. In June 1990 Margaret Thatcher first arrived
in Armenia to visit the disaster area of Leninakan. On the occasion
of the demise of the Baroness a Book of Condolences was opened at
the Embassy of the Great Britain to the Republic of Armenia.

UN MEMBRE DU COLLECTIF DES IMMIGRéS DE BELGIQUE ARRêTé

Publié le : 16-04-2013

Info Collectif VAN – – Belgique – “Huseyin
Aras, membre du Collectif des Immigrés de Belgique (CIB), a été
mis en garde a vue après une perquisition chez lui. En vue d’être
renvoyé en Turquie, il a été envoyé dans un centre fermé proche
d’Anvers. Nous, en tant que BGK-CIB, nous nous inquiétons car nous
pensons que la vie de notre membre sera en danger en Turquie dans la
mesure où il va être renvoyé dans ce pays qui se trouve en tête
de liste en ce qui concerne les violations des droits de l’homme.” Le
Collectif VAN vous invite a lire ce Communiqué de presse du Collectif
des Immigrés de Belgique publié le 15 avril 2013.

Communiqué du Collectif des Immigrés de Belgique (BGK-CIB)

Lundi 15 avril 2013

En Belgique, la police a arrêté un membre du Collectif des Immigrés
de Belgique (BGK-CIB)!

Depuis 2008, Huseyin Aras vit dans la ville d’Anvers en tant que
réfugié politique. Le mercredi 11 avril, il a été arrêté par
la police belge pour être renvoyé en Turquie.

Pour des raisons politiques, il a du quitter sa terre natale et il est
venu en Belgique. Huseyin Aras, membre du Collectif des Immigrés de
Belgique (CIB), a été mis en garde a vue après une perquisition
chez lui. En vue d’être renvoyé en Turquie, Aras a été envoyé
dans un centre fermé proche d’Anvers.

Notre ami qui s’est fait arrêté est un membre actif du Collectif des
Immigrés de Belgique (CIB) qui poursuit des activités en Belgique
et qui est rattaché a la Confédération des Immigrés Opprimés
d’Europe (AvEG-Kon- CIOE).

Nous, en tant que BGK-CIB, nous nous inquiétons car nous pensons que
la vie de notre membre sera en danger en Turquie dans la mesure où
il va être renvoyé dans ce pays qui se trouve en tête de liste en
ce qui concerne les violations des droits de l’homme.

C’est pourquoi, nous voulons qu’Huseyin Aras soit libéré et que
les procédures juridiques soient suivis avec attention. La demande
d’Huseyin Aras en tant que réfugié politique doit être accepté
et il doit être immédiatement libéré.

En tant que BGK-CIB, nous voulons que les exilés politiques vivants
en Belgique, les institutions des droits de l’homme et le public
progressiste montrent une sensibilité, une attention a ce sujet.

Que les expulsions s’arrêtent!

Qu’Huseyin Aras soit libéré!

Collectif des Immigrés de Belgique (CIB)

Belcika Göcmenler Kolektifi (BGK) Collectif des Immigrés de Belgique
(CIB)

Contact: – Ä°[email protected]

Retour a la rubrique

TÃ~ILÃ~ICHARGER : Communiqué du Collectif des Immigrés de Belgique

SIGNATURES FOR PUBLISHING THE SIGNED LISTS OF THE VOTERS

“Transparency International” anti-corruption center initiated a
campaign with the slogan “Checking the voting of absents”, the aim of
which is the recovery of the trust of Armenian population towards the
elections”. In the scope of the campaign petition is being organized,
presenting a social demand to publish the voters list.

“Taking into account the limitations of the legislation, the demand
in particular is directed at the National Assembly to make changes
to the RA Election Code assuring the publication of the signed
lists. The changes should have a retroactive effect and assure the
publication of 2013 election’s signed lists. The publication of the
signed lists of the voters is the first and the most important step
that the authorities can take to prove their legitimacy and trust of
the Armenian citizens towards the election processes. It is needed
that the election lists and the additional lists be spotted in
the polling stations and online, with the possibility of download
and search allowing the citizens to find the names of the voters
and supervise the legality of the processes, excluding the cases of
double voting and voting for absent people”-in particular is said in
the announcement of “Transparency International”.

Author: Factinfo

UN TRIBUNAL STATUE CONTRE DES BANQUES TURQUES

Un Tribunal des Etats-Unis statue contre les banques turques dans
l’affaire de la saisie de terres au cours du Genocide armenien

Selon la decision d’un tribunal de district des Etats-Unis, les
tribunaux federaux sont competents pour juger de la responsabilite
des banques turques dans la depossession des terres appartenant a des
Armeniens au cours du Genocide armenien, rapporte Glendale News-Press

Cette affirmation ressort de la decision rendue par la juge Dolly M.

Gee’s qui avait declare son tribunal incompetent dans le procès afin
de faire condamner la Central Bank de Turquie, la TC Ziraal Bankasi
qui est une banque agricole turque, et la Republique de Turquie,
a des indemnites d’environ 65 millions de dollars, .

Rajika Shah, qui est l’une des principaux conseils des demandeurs,
a dit qu’en depit de son jugement d’incompetence, la decision de
la juge rendue a la fin du mois dernier etait importante car elle
stipule que l’appropriation par un gouvernement des biens de ses
propres citoyens en violation des droits de l’homme, le prive de son
immunite devant les tribunaux des Etats-Unis.

Le procès avait ete engage a l’automne 2010 par trois descendants
de victimes du Genocide armenien, demandant des indemnites pour les
terres qu’ils disent avoir ete saisies illegalement par la Turquie
ottomane lors du Genocide de 1915-1923, quand les Armeniens de la
region d’Adana au sud de la Turquie ont ete extermines.

Shah a dit que les demandeurs introduiront probablement un recours
devant la Cour d’appel du 9eme circuit des Etats-Unis vers le 25 avril.

Gee a declare son tribunal incompetent en vertu de la doctrine de la
” question politique “, qui est appliquee en une matière du ressort
exclusif du pouvoir legislatif ou du gouvernement americain, et non
de celui des tribunaux.

Vartkès Yeghiayan de Yeghiayan & Associates de Glendale, representait
les demandeurs et avait auparavant fait de nombreux procès en demande
d’indemnites pour les victimes du Genocide armenien.

Yeghiayan faisait partie de l’equipe de juristes qui avait intente
en 2005 un procès qui resulta en un fond de 17,5 millions de dollars,
cree pour payer les indemnites que deux compagnies d’assurance avaient
omis de verser aux descendants de victimes du Genocide armenien ayant
des polices d’assurance en leur possession.

Le cabinet d’avocats Schwatcz, Rimberg, Boyd et Rader representait
egalement les trois demandeurs – Alex Bakalian, de Washington DC,
Anaïs Haroutunian de Pasadena et Rita Mahdessian de la Crescenta.

Mahdessian, qui est l’epouse de Yeghiayan, est une avocate de Yeghiayan
& Associates.

Lucy Varpetian, première adjointe du procureur de Glendale, a dit
que ce type de procès ne beneficie pas seulement aux demandeurs,
mais aussi a la communaute armenienne dans son ensemble, dans la
mesure où les institutions turques peuvent etre tenues responsables.

C’est une question importante parce que, la commemoration du Genocide
etant proche, je pense que ces questions continuent de hanter la
communaute et qu’elle y trouvera de l’apaisement dans une certaine
mesure “, a dit Varpetian.

En d’autres termes, selon la juge Gee, un tel procès depasse la
competence du tribunal du premier ressort. Comme dans l’audience du
14 decembre devant onze juges de cour d’appel de San Francisco (il
s’agissait de determiner si la prescription accordee par le parlement
de Californie pour les procès de compagnies d’assurance etait valide
ou non), la decision de rejet de la juge est fondee sur le concept de
domaine reserve de l’executif americain. La juge Gee prend cependant
position, courageusement et de facon totalement inattendue (au moins
dans un tribunal francais), en affirmant que dans le contexte (un
Genocide), la juridiction d’appel des Etats-Unis est competente. C’est
en apparence un encouragement pour les Armeniens pour faire appel.

GB

mardi 16 avril 2013, Jean Eckian ©armenews.com

LA TURQUIE ATTEND DE HOLLANDE DAVANTAGE DE “CLARTE”

Le Figaro, France
15 avril 2013

Par Pierre Rousselin

Le gouvernement turc attend de Francois Hollande l’assurance que le
dossier du genocide armenien ne soit pas rouvert en France, après la
censure par les Sages, debut 2012, de la loi penalisant sa negation.

La Turquie attend de Francois Hollande qu’il “explique très clairement
son attitude” quand a l’eventualite d’une loi visant a penaliser la
negation du genocide armenien.

Bulent Arinc, vice-premier ministre turc en visite a Paris, a indique
ce lundi que la date d’une visite du president de la Republique en
Turquie devrait etre decidee “fin mai ou debut juin”.

Il a toutefois fixe deux conditions pour lesquelles “la France doit
faire le premier pas”:

~U Le projet de loi, annule en fevrier 2012 par le Conseil
constitutionnel, visant a penaliser la negation du genocide armenien.

“Nous savons que cette loi peut revenir a l’ordre du jour… Il
faudrait que Francois Hollande explique très clairement quelle est
son attitude”, a declare M. Arinc en souhaitant manifestement que le
president republique exclue de promouvoir un autre texte de loi pour
contourner l’arret de la Cour constitutionnelle. Si un nouveau texte
est presente, la Turquie se reserve le droit de revenir aux sanctions
qu’elle avait levees au lendemain de l’election de Francois Hollande.

~U La candidature de la Turquie a l’Union europeenne. “Il existe des
signes montrant que le president et le gouvernement entendent renforcer
leur appui a la negociation. Si nous constatons cela dans les faits, ce
sera un element determinant de notre relation”. Recevant le 12 fevrier
son homologue turc, M. Ahmet Davutohglu, Le ministre des Affaires
etrangères Laurent Fabius avait affirme que la France ne s’opposerait
plus a l’ouverture du chapitre 22 sur la politique regionale, dans
le cadre des negociations d’adhesion de la Turquie a l’UE.

Si la France semble pret a faire des gestes a propos de ces
negociations, la question armenienne reste l’obstacle le plus difficile
a surmonter dans la relations entre Paris et Ankara.

AZERBAIJANI INTEREST IN TURKISH PRESS MIGHT UPSET ANKARA

Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
April 16 2013

In the early days of Azerbaijani independence, the new artist-,
engineer- and activist-turned-diplomats of the young country would use
the offices of Turkey’s diplomatic missions. Long delays in the return
of financial credits given to Azerbaijan would constitute a headache
in the two countries’ relations.

I had this flashback about Azerbaijan upon the Hurriyet Daily News’
report that Azerbaijan’s state oil company, SOCAR, was looking for a
possible partnership with Kanal 24 television and Star newspaper,
owned by Star Media Group, in Turkey.

Long gone are of course those days when Baku would look to Ankara for
financial assistance. As petrodollars started to flow into Azerbaijan,
we have seen a steady increase in Azerbaijan’s investments in Turkey.

SOCAR is ambitiously aiming to become the largest direct foreign
investor in Turkey through two flagship projects: The expansion of the
petrochemical holding Petkim and the construction of the
Trans-Anatolia Gas Pipeline (TANAP).

It is only wise for Azerbaijan to wish to diversify its economy, which
is largely based on the oil and gas sector. And where else should it
look but Turkey, whose economic performance has been impressive when
compared with other ailing economies which have been suffering from
the global financial crisis. In addition to the economic “rationale,”
there is also the “emotional” aspect: “one nation, two states” is a
motto used to describe the affinity between the countries.

The Turkish press sector, however, is not known to be the most
lucrative business area. I therefore seriously doubt Ankara will
perceive SOCAR’s interest in the Turkish press as “profit-oriented.”

In fact, this will be seen as part of Baku’s campaign to influence
Turkish public opinion. Azerbaijan’s continuous efforts to shape
public opinion in Turkey have not gone unnoticed in official circles
and in fact it is being monitored with some uneasiness. Those familiar
with the issue point to the huge rally that took place last year in
Taksim to commemorate the Khojaly massacre.

Turkey’s efforts to mend fences with Yerevan and thus ease the
Armenian diaspora’s pressure for the recognition of genocide claims
remain a source of extreme anxiety for Azerbaijan. They have a bitter
memory of the initiative in 2009 when Turkey and Armenia signed
protocols to normalize their relations which were ultimately not sent
to Parliament by the Turkish government, mostly due to Baku’s
reaction.

While more Azerbaijani investment is welcome in Turkey, I don’t think
Baku’s efforts to highjack Turkey’s Armenia policy by acquiring
certain channels to influence public opinion will go unchecked. In
view of the fact that the Star Media Group is owned by a businessman
known to be close to the prime minister, I would be surprised if the
purchase actually takes place at the end of the day.

Ironically, the news about SOCAR’s interest in the Turkish press
sector made me recall the Russians’ presence in the same sector.

Russians have set up a radio channel in Turkey and RSFM has been
broadcasting for nearly two years. There are rumors that they would
like to have a TV channel as well. Russians are said to be extremely
careful about not antagonizing Turkey, even on subjects like the
Syrian turmoil where Ankara and Moscow have differed seriously.

In view of Baku’s disproportionate reaction to President Abdullah
Gul’s message to his Armenian counterpart, Serzh Sargsyan, over his
successful re-election, it is difficult to expect a similar attitude
from Azerbaijanis in the event they happen to start broadcasting in
Turkey.

April/16/2013

ARMENIAN ENVIRONMENTALIST PRESSED BY MEANS OF LAW – ACTIVISTS

20:26 ~U 15.04.13

The minor court of Yerevan’s Arabkir and Kanaker-Zeitun communities
held a hearing of environmental activist Yeghiya Nersesyan’s case
on Monday.

A number of environmentalists held a protest in front of the court.

One of the protesters, Gevorg Safaryan, told journalists that the
environmentalists are sure the problem is not a conflict between Dino
Gold Company and Yeghya Nersesyan.

“Mass media have repeatedly reported what Yeghya has said, without
any response to follow. Yeghya’s statement in the United States caused
some people’s indignation that they would not get monies. So they are
trying to press the environmentalist by means of law,” Safaryan said.

Deno Gold Mining Company based in Kapan, Armenia, is suing Yeghya
Nersesyan for slander. The company is accusing the environmentalist
that, at a meeting with Armenian community representatives in the USA,
he mentioned violations of miners’ rights.

Safaryan pointed out a grave environmental situation in Armenia,
and activists are repeatedly drawing public attention to the fact,
which affects mining companies’ interests.

Environmentalist Apres Zohrabyan told Tert.am that Nersisyan was sued
only after he made his statement in the United States.

“They are receiving loans from international companies, which indicate
the companies’ social and environmental responsibility. They are
afraid of losing the loans,” he said.

Armenian News – Tert.am