Author: Kajoyan Gevork

IRAKLY ALASANIA: “OUR DEFENSE COOPERATION ACQUIRED MORE PRACTICAL DIMENSIONS”

Mediamax, Armenia
March 6 2013

Exclusive interview of Georgian Defense Minister Irakly Alasania
to Mediamax

On March 7, Georgian Defense Minister Irakly Alasania will pay his
first visit to Armenia. On the eve of the visit, he gave an exclusive
interview to Mediamax agency.

– Mr. Alasania, what do you think about the possibilities of developing
Armenian-Georgian defense and military cooperation? Do you think that
our countries need to deepen cooperation in this field?

– First of all, let me underline that our countries enjoy good
neighborly relations that is well reflected on the cooperation in many
directions. Defence field is not exceptional at all. We are cooperating
for years in the different areas that cover military education and
training, experience sharing on strategic defence planning and reforms
in defence field. We invite Armenian military personnel to attend
the international courses in our military educational institutions on
the regular bases. Furthermore, our cooperation has intensified for
last several years and has acquired more practical dimensions. Let
me add here that it is essential to cooperate with all the neighbors
in order to preserve stability, security and peace in the region.

– As far as we know, there are no documents signed between Armenia and
Georgia on military cooperation. Do you plan to draft any documents
with your Armenian counterparts in the foreseeable future?

– I would like to inform that Ministries of Defence of Georgia and
Armenia are already working on several documents in order to formalize
concrete directions of our cooperation. Currently these documents are
draft versions, undergoing internal procedures and will be signed as
soon as both parties agree on the text.

Besides, since 2010 we have been concluding annual bilateral
cooperation plans which define particular activities to be carried
out throughout the year within the defence cooperation.

– Do you think that Georgia and Armenia can organize joint military
exercise?

– As I have mentioned above, we enjoy quite intensive cooperation that
provides good opportunities to participate in many joint endeavors. As
an example, I can draw joint participation in trainings at NATO/PfP
Sachkhere Mountain Training and Education Center.

– What you think about the possible cooperation and experience sharing
between Armenian and Georgian peacekeeping units?

– Georgian Armed Forces have good experience of participating in
international peacekeeping operations in different parts of the world.

Since 1999 we have been sending our personnel to Kosovo, Iraq and
now in Afghanistan. I believe the diversity of the operational
environment and the duration, we have served in these missions,
has generated unique experience within our Armed Forces. We can
say the same for the Armenian Armed Forces as well. It is essential
to exchange experiences and the lessons we have learned from those
missions in order to ensure the effectiveness of our involvement in
current missions and future possible ones.

In this respect, we have already made some steps. In 2011 the
representatives of the Armenian Armed Forces visited Georgia to
hold the discussions on experience from engagement in peacekeeping
operations. I think, we can continue cooperation in that direction
successfully in future.

– Some Georgian politicians perceive Russian military base in Armenia
as a “potential threat” to Georgia. What is your position on this
issue?

– It is known to everyone that Russia occupies 20% of Georgian
territories that poses threat not only to our national interests and
statehood, but also can be considered as destabilizing factor for the
entire region. We consider the Russian military presence on Georgian
soil as a threat to regional stability.

Amiable relations with Armenia makes us strongly believe that Russian
military base in Armenia’s territory would not be used against us. In
our vision, in order to ensure peace and stability in the region, it
is essential to work on relations with the Russian Federation. Thus,
one of the declared priorities of the new government is to gradually
ease tensions in relations with Russia. With our pragmatic approach
that envisions starting the cooperation with Russian counterparts
on soft issues like economic, cultural and social one would lead to
constructive talks on the occupied territories. At the same time,
it should be clear that normalization of relations with Russia will
not proceed at the expense of Georgia’s territorial integrity. Thus,
normalization of relations with Russia will remove the possible
threats from the agenda.

– In past years Georgian-Turkish military cooperation was a matter for
concern for Armenia. Do you plan to discuss this with your Armenian
counterparts?

– As I said, it is essential to cooperate with all the neighbors in
order to preserve stability, security and peace in the region. This
cooperation is not directed against the national interests of any
country and serves only the peaceful purposes.

– In spring 2011, when you were still in opposition, you said in an
interview with our agency that you will like to have more Armenian
politicians in Georgia. “Georgia will only benefit from it”, you said.

Do you think that the ruling coalition is ready to encourage Georgian
Armenians to more active participation in political processes and
how this could be done?

– Yes, I do agree with the idea and can reiterate once again, that
political pluralism and engagement of all ethnicities and political
actors in the country’s political processes is essential factor to
develop the nationhood in accordance with democratic values. We are
encouraging all members and groups of Georgia’s society to take more
active part in Georgia’s central and local political life.

Ara Tadevosyan talked to Irakly Alasania.

ARMENIA: EX-CANDIDATE HELD IN SHOOTING OF RIVAL

The Associated Press
March 6, 2013 Wednesday 08:29 PM GMT

Vardan Sedrakian, a former Armenian presidential contender, has been
arrested in the shooting of another fringe candidate ahead of last
month’s election, authorities said Wednesday.

The Jan. 31 attack on Paruir Airikian, who was shot in the shoulder,
threatened to cause the vote to be postponed. But the election was held
as planned on Feb. 18, and the incumbent president, Serge Sarkisian,
won easily with nearly 59 percent of the vote.

Two other men accused in the attack were arrested last month.

Sedrakian said at the time that he knew the men, whom he had hired
to renovate his apartment.

A spokesman for Armenia’s National Security Agency, Artsvin Bagramian,
on Wednesday confirmed Sedrakian’s arrest. On Tuesday, after a court
sanctioned his arrest, Sedrakian said in an interview that he had
not yet been notified but greeted the news “with humor.”

FESTIVE EVENT DEDICATED TO INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY IN MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

17:14, 6 March, 2013

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS: Festive event dedicated to International
Women’s Day was held in the administrative complex of the Ministry
of Defence of the Republic of Armenia. Relatives of the National
Heroes of Armenia, mothers of three soldiers serving in the armed
forces at the same time, female representatives of non-governmental
organizations cooperating with Ministry of Defence, female soldiers
and war veterans participated in the event.

Minister of Defence Seyran Ohanyan delivered congratulatory speech on
the occasion. “Our women are constantly esteemed during the entire
year,” said the Defence Minister. Seyran Ohanyan also cited the
words of one of great thinkers, “Woman is a great word, with girl’s
cleanliness, girlfriend’s abnegation, and mother’s deed.”

As reports Armenpress, Minister has also highlighted women’s support
to Armenian man during all difficulties.

Number of incentive awards was handed on the occasion of March 8. Film
dedicated to Armenian mothers has been also presented during the event.

SILVA ADAMYAN: WE WERE SURE THAT DOLPHINARIUM NEMO WILL BE CLOSED DOWN

ARMINFO
Wednesday, March 6, 19:22

“I was sure that Dolphinarium Nemo will be closed down,” says Silva
Adamyan, Head of the Bird Fans Center NGO, when commenting on the
reports on termination of the Dolphinarium’s activity in an interview
with ArmInfo.

She said that experts have repeatedly alarmed that dolphins are kept
in dissatisfactory conditions at the dolphinarium in Yerevan. The
resolution by the specialists of the New Yorl Zoology Institute says
that fresh water is fatal for dolphins.

“We knew that that business would fail as the owners of the
dolphinarium would have to pay 30,000 EUR for every new animal if
the existing ones died,” Adamyan said.

The dolphinarium was put into exploitation in Yerevan in December
2010. Four dolphins and two seals were imported in Armenia from
Ukraine. Environmentalists had repeatedly alarmed that the Ukrainian
Nerum Company that transported the dolphins to Yerevan was recognized
illegal in Ukraine. The Bird Fans Center NGO and Ecodar NGO applied to
the court against the Nature Protection Ministry over some violations.

Environmentalists say that Nemo Dolphinarium lacks documents on import
of dolphins to Armenia. On April 10 2012 the court rejected the claim
against the dolphinarium.

After the last show at Dolphinarium Nemo in early February 2012
the animals were transported to Ukraine. The building is subject
to demolition.

REAL REASONS OF SOLDIERS’ DEATHS IN ARMY BLACKED OUT IN AZERBAIJAN

19:35, 6 March, 2013

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS: The problem of soldiers’ deaths in
non-combat conditions was discussed at a public hearing in the office
of the Institute for Reporters Freedom and Safety on March 6. The
meeting was organized by the Youth Club.

As reports Armenpress, referring to “Turan” agency, representative of
this NGO Hamid Huseynli said that in 2012, the losses of the armed
forces of Azerbaijan totaled 97 people. From the beginning of 2013,
the loss has reached 17, indicating a “catastrophic situation.”

According to Huseynli, claims that soldiers die of heart failure, or
commit suicide do not reflect reality, but rather cover up the truth.

The proposals heard in the Parliament to implement positions of
psychologists in the army, and change the staff of medical and health
committees was seen as “belated action.”

The military expert Uzeir Jafarli opined that some soldier deaths were
for objective reasons, while the other part was subjective. Thus,
the preparation of recruits does not consider the service in other
geographic areas. For example, for young people from low-lying areas
it is difficult to serve in the mountains.

With regard to suicide and homicide of the military, they come from
the injustice faced by the soldiers.

The compulsion to wash the floors, clean the shoes and sanitation,
cook food, etc. can be perceived as a humiliation and lead to
tragedies. Therefore, these works should be transferred to civilians.

Also it is necessary to establish effective educational work with
staff, and bring religious staff to this.

Also necessary is civilian control over the military, including food,
health care, and treatment of personnel.

It was also proposed to change the age of military service from 18-35
to 20-27 years, and to transfer the army to NATO standards.

The participants agreed to take part in a protest against the deaths
of soldiers on March 10.

DECISION 2013: ANALYST SAYS CURRENT CRISIS PRESENTS CHALLENGES FOR AUTHORITIES AS WELL AS OPPOSITION

VOTE 2013 | 05.03.13 | 16:05

Photolure

By GOHAR ABRAHAMYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter

American-Armenian political analyst Richard Giragosian says this
period of political standoff following the February18 presidential
elections is a “crisis of trust” not only concerning the authorities,
but the opposition as well.

Giragosian, director of Regional Studies Center, presenting research
results of both the pre-election and post-election periods, told the
press on Tuesday that these elections have been the most uncompetitive
in Armenia’s modern history with the election result being clearly
predetermined.

According to him the elections should have been freer and fairer,
and in great part this can be viewed as a lost opportunity for
Armenia, because “with each passing day since Armenia’s February 18
presidential election, credible reports and evidence of electoral
fraud have mounted”.

“The true challenge was hidden in the absolute lack of public trust
towards the elections. The standoff now is not related merely to
the elections, it is a deeper discontent and some part of (Raffi)
Hovannisian’s a 36+ percent votes is not Hovannisian’s, but rather
the result of deep-rooted discontent with incumbent president (Serzh)
Sargsyan,” he said.

Reflecting on the current situation, Giragosian said both the
opposition and the authorities are facing challenges.

“The challenges of the opposition are: consolidating the momentum
and not losing the initiative; presenting a clear-cut strategy and
distinct objectives and goals,” said the analyst, adding that the
authorities are causing more self-damage by showcasing on TV such
“used figures” as Artashes Geghamyan, Hayk Babukhanyan, or pop-singer,
now MP Shushan Petrosyan, as advocates of their interests.

Giragosian says Hovannisian has come forth as the new “agent of
change”, forcing the closed political system to open, but that
the opposition, equally as the authorities, are facing the need
to introduce a clear strategy and both have the same enemy – the
oligarchs.

EXPERT SPEAKS OF ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES’ UNDERSTANDING

TERT.AM
14:00 ~U 05.03.13

Richard Giragosian, Director of the Regional Studies Center (RSC),
believes that lack of pre-election competition proved decisive on
the election day, which Armenia’s authorities do not seem to grasp.

Nor do Armenia’s authorities realize the discontent, sending persons
representing their interests to TV channels.

Armenia’s authorities do not seem to realize the political context
or major challenges, Mr Giragosian said.

Mentioning Artashes Geghamyan, Khosrov Harutyunyan, Haik Babukhanyan,
and Shushan Petrosyan “who sings for Serzh Sargsyan,” he asked if
they are the persons to represent Armenia’s authorities.

An interview with an Armenian TV channel, Ms Shushan Petrosyan said
that “it was unjust that Gyumri residents took AMD 5,000 election
bribes and voted for Raffi Hovannisian.”

Mr Giragosian notes that the primary reason for distrust in Armenia’s
society is the unsolved March 1crime, which was proved after the Feb.

18 presidential election. According to him, some of the votes cast
for Raffi Hovannisian are not Raffi Hovannisian’s but of the ones
dissatisfied with Serzh Sargsyan.

Armenia’s opposition is not so far known to have any specific strategy
or plan, the expert said.

One surprise is that Mr Hovannisian presented a new political challenge
to both Armenia’s authorities and opposition. He was the first to
leave Yerevan and travel about Armenia’s regions. One more surprise
was attempts to unite Armenia’s opposition forces after the elections,
when Armen Rustamyan, Nikol Pashinyan and Levon Ter-Petrosyan, as
well as the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D),
presented a challenge and disagreed with the results.

Mr Giragosian also pointed out students’ strikes. This is also evidence
of public discontent.

HUGE ARMENIAN CROSS IS VISIBLE FROM AZERBAIJANI MILITARY POSITIONS – NEWSPAPER

NEWS.AM
March 05, 2013 | 08:06

YEREVAN. – A cross, in memory of those who have fallen for the
independence of Armenia, was erected on February 13 in Baghanis
village of Armenia’s Tavush Region, Aravot daily reports.

“A 13.5-meter-high flagstaff is erected in front of the village hall,
[and] the Armenian tricolor flag waves on it. A large cross is erected
at the village hill, facing Azerbaijani [military] positions, at
ancient Harsnakar sanctuary, which [that is, the cross] is lighted
at nights. It is always visible from the Azerbaijani [military]
positions. Harsnakar is an old sanctuary, [and] a small-sized cross
there was rising there during the Soviet years, too.

To add, Baghanis, which has a population of 832, was fiercely bombarded
and fired upon, [and] it gave eight victims during the years of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani armed conflict,” Aravot writes.

ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR TO UN SPOKE ABOUT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION AND SUMGAIT TRAGEDY CONSEQUENCES

12:38, 5 March, 2013

YEREVAN, MARCH 5, ARMENPRESS. The Permanent Representative of the
Republic of Armenia to the UN, Ambassador Karen Nazaryan participated
in the annual evening party of the Armenian National Committee –
San Francisco Bay Area (ANC-SF). As Press, Information and Public
Relations Department of the Foreign Affairs Ministry told Armenpress,
delivering a speech before the Armenian community representatives
on Diplomat’s Day, Ambassador said that it’s symbolic that he, as an
Armenian representative to the UN, is currently in that city: United
Nations charter was signed in San Francisco. Ambassador Nazaryan
stated the Republic of Armenia became a member of the international
inter-governmental prestigious organization 21 years ago on that
very day and up to now consistently participates and contributes
to assuring international peace and security, democratic values,
the rule of low, and human rights encouragement and defense.

The Armenian Permanent Representative to the UN marked out Armenia’s
efforts aimed at preventing genocide, spoke about the Armenian
Genocide international recognition and Sumgait tragedy consequences,
and in that respect dwelled on the dangerous anti-Armenian policy
ongoing in Azerbaijan. Karen Nazaryan noted, the President of the
Republic of Armenia and Government attach great importance to the
Armenia-Diaspora cooperation and unity, highlighting the role of the
Armenian churches in various countries, organizations, institutions,
mass media, as well as just experts and individuals in the issue.

ARMENIE PROSPERE MET EN GARDE CONTRE LE RECOURS A LA FORCE A L’ENCONTRE DES MANIFESTANTS PACIFIQUES ET APPELLE LES AUTORITES A LA RETENUE

Dans une declaration, Armenie prospère, qui ne s’etait pas exprime
jusque-la, a semble justifier les manifestations de l’opposition,
mettant en garde les autorites contre tout recours a la force
a l’encontre des manifestants et appelant en meme temps les
organisateurs des rassemblements a agir dans le cadre de la loi. ” Les
developpements post-electoraux temoignent qu’il existe en Armenie un
manque de confiance envers le système electoral. L’indignation de pans
entiers de la societe est revelatrice du fait que plusieurs problèmes
accumules demeurent en suspens “. Armenie prospère affirme qu’il
sera toujours aux côtes du peuple et appelle toutes les formations
politiques d’influence a s’atteler a l’elaboration d’une feuille de
route en vue de la mise en place de reformes politiques, economiques
et democratiques. / Rapporte par l’ensemble de la presse

Extrait de la revue de presse de l’Ambassade de France en Armenie en
date du 26 fevrier 2013

mardi 5 mars 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com