Author: Kajoyan Gevork

LES CITOYENS ARMENIENS SE MEFIENT DU SYSTÈME JUDICIAIRE EN ARMENIE
Stephane

armenews.com
mardi 18 decembre 2012

Le système judiciaire en Armenie (les cours et les procureurs) est le
secteur dont les Armeniens se mefient le plus a declare le defenseur
des droits de l’homme Karen Andreasyan.

Lors d’une conference de presse a l’occasion de la journee
internationale des Droits de l’homme Karen Andreasyan a dit que ce
fait est un grand problème. Il a blâme la mefiance sur les problèmes
socio-economiques des citoyens.

” Un très haut niveau de pauvrete et les processus electoraux ajoutent
a l’approfondissement de la mefiance des citoyens envers les structures
des institutions ” a-t-il ajoute.

” Bien que les dernières elections parlementaires en mai 2012 aient ete
conduites sans violations flagrantes pendant le vote et le decompte
des votes, la confiance dans ce processus est dans l’ensemble faible
“a-t-il dit.

mardi 18 decembre 2012, Stephane ©armenews.com

APA, Azerbaijan
[Translated from Azeri]
Dec 10 2012

Interview with US envoy on bilateral ties, Iran

The new US ambassador to Azerbaijan, Richard Morningstar, has outlined
priority areas for cooperation between his country and Azerbaijan.
“Azerbaijan has helped us a lot with regard to Afghanistan,”
Morningstar said in an interview with APA news agency. He also said
that US-Azerbaijani military ties are “very good” and that that
settling the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict between Baku and Yerevan
remains a priority task for the US administration. Speaking about
Iran, he said that “if Azerbaijan is able to influence to some extent
the position of Iran this would, of course, come very handy”. The
following is an excerpt from the interview published by APA news
agency.

[Correspondent] President Barack Obama has said that during his second
presidential term he will make a foreign trip to Turkey. Can we say on
the basis of this that in the second presidential term he will pay
more attention to this region?

[Morningstar] Our administration will continue to attach important and
high priority to Azerbaijan. The USA and Azerbaijan have common
interests in a number of important areas that include regional
security, the Nagornyy Karabakh issue, Iran and Afghanistan.
Azerbaijan has helped us a lot with regard to Afghanistan. Other areas
of cooperation include the energy sector. Here we believe that it is
important for Azerbaijan to achieve greater diversification of its
economy and to continue our joint efforts with Azerbaijan to this end.
The recent forum on internet governance was a very good example of
this.

What is more, we continue our work with the government in the areas of
democracy and human rights. During her visit to Azerbaijan in June,
the US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, said that we have best
relations with those governments and those states that protect and
guarantee human rights. We are waiting with impatience for resumption
of our activities with the government to this end.

Karabakh conflict

[Correspondent] Does the USA plan to play a more active role in
resolving the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict?

[Morningstar] Of course, settling the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict will
remain a high priority task for the [US] administration and I believe
that resolving this conflict is a very high priority for our relations
with Azerbaijan. I have spent about three months in Azerbaijan and I
have clearly realized during this period that settling this conflict
is important for everybody in Azerbaijan. No matter what their
political views and outlook is everybody in Azerbaijan is feeling the
pain of this conflict and takes the same position on this matter. I
will continue my efforts with the Minsk Group to settle this conflict.
As you know, the Minsk Group is making a lot of efforts to settle this
conflict and recently they held a new meeting in the region. I hope
that these meetings will eventually lead to positive results.

[Passage omitted: Post-election situation in the USA and search for
new secretary of state]

Direct flights and political meetings

[Correspondent] At what stage are the talks about opening direct
flights between Baku and Washington?

[Morningstar] We hope that in the near future there will be direct
flights from the USA to Azerbaijan. I believe that such flights will
be very useful for both countries. Certain permits have to be obtained
for this to happen. However, I am not aware about the latest situation
with regard to obtaining these permits.

We would like to hold discussions on the document called “open skies”
that concerns direct flights between the two countries. I am waiting
impatiently for a chance to directly fly to and fro the USA to
Azerbaijan.

[Correspondent] You have held several meetings with Azerbaijani
opposition parties, but you have still not met representatives of the
ruling New Azerbaijan Party. They are concerned about this.

[Morningstar] Such meetings should not worry the New Azerbaijan Party.
I am the ambassador appointed to Azerbaijan and I meet various people
and groups on the basis of their wishes. If the New Azerbaijan Party
wants such a meeting I am ready to meet them with great pleasure.

Airport in breakaway Karabakh

[Correspondent] What is the position of the USA on the attempts to
open the Xocali airport on the occupied territory of Azerbaijan
[Nagornyy Karabakh]?

[Morningstar] We hope that this issue will be resolved without resort
to violence and with participation of all interested sides. At the
same time, I believe that opening the airport and making flights from
there will not bring much benefit. As stated in the statement of the
OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, this can lead to greater tensions in the
region and this is in nobody’s interests. The Minsk Group also
explicitly stated that operation of the airport will have no bearing
at all on the legal status of Nagornyy Karabakh. We hope that this
matter will be resolved through diplomatic and legal means. I would
like to note again in the end that opening this airport will have no
effect on the legal status.

Military cooperation

[Correspondent] What is the progress in bilateral military relations
between Azerbaijan and the USA. Do you plan joint training and drills?

[Morningstar] Our cooperation with Azerbaijan in this area is very
good. Azerbaijan attends a number of trainings and most of them are
related to NATO. At the same time, the USA cooperates with Azerbaijan
with regard to security matters at the Caspian Sea. This cooperation
is also important. Despite the presence of Section 907 [which bans
direct US government aid to Azerbaijan] we have managed to build
cooperation on the necessary level. In addition, we also cooperate in
combating terrorism.

Iran

[Correspondent] The US Senate has made sanctions against Iran even
stricter again. Does the new administration think of stepping up
efforts to resolve diplomatically the problem with Iran?

[Morningstar] Iran is a very important and high-priority matter for
the US administration. The US president has explicitly announced that
it is unacceptable for Iran to have nuclear weapons. In addition, the
president said that there is still time for a diplomatic settlement of
the issue. We hope that this matter is resolved through strict
sanctions and diplomacy. I do not personally take part in this process
and this is all information I have in this regard.

[Correspondent] Can Azerbaijan be useful in resolving this matter and
what can it do?

[Morningstar] Indeed, Iran is Azerbaijan’s neighbour and there are
broad and sophisticated relations between these countries. We can say
that they have mutual contacts in various spheres every day. If
Azerbaijan is able to influence to some extent the position of Iran
this would, of course, come very handy.

[Translated from Azeri]

A Lioness Of The Armenian Cause: Ashkhen Pilavjian Celebrates 80th Birthday

Friday, December 14th, 2012 | Posted by Contributor

Ashkhen Pilavjian with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa during the 2008
ANCA-WR banquet

BY RAFFI HAMPARIAN

As U.S. Senator Robert Menendez turned a corner in the Santa Monica,
California home of longtime Armenian National Committee of America
supporter Ashkhen Pilvajian several years ago, he paused. The Senator,
who serves on the powerful U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee,
was face to face with a wall of Republican memorabilia, including
thank you notes from President George H.W. Bush and awards from the
Republican National Committee. Had the Senator come to the wrong
home? The answer of course was no, but he had come into the special
home of longtime ANCA supporter Ashkhen Pilavjian, who will be marking
her 80th birthday this month.

For Ashkhen Pilavjian, a stalwart GOP supporter, having a prominent
Democratic Senator over her home made sense for one simple reason.
Senator Menendez has consistently earned an A+ grade from the ANCA and
has been a fearless proponent of ending Turkey’s denial of the
Armenian Genocide. For Ashkhen, the Armenian Cause has always been
more important than her affinity for a particular political party. For
this and her generous philanthropic support for the Armenian Cause,
Ashkhen was honored by the ANCA with a prestigious Legacy Award at the
organization’s annual banquet held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential
Library in Simi Valley in October of 2008.

`Ashkhen Pilavjian is a great Armenian American,’ shared William
Bairamian, the ANCA-Western Region’s Executive Director. As we
celebrate her 80th birthday we can confidently share that she is, in
so many ways, a shining example of a model Armenian American. She is
both giving and kind, both smart and understanding. And for the ANCA,
her generous financial support has made much of what we do for the
community possible. We cannot thank Ashkhen Pilvajian enough,’
Bairamian emphasized.

Ashkhen Pilavjian has long been an active member of the Armenian
American community, as was her late husband Alexan Pilavjian. Her
husband Alexan was very involved with Homenetmen and was a respected
member of many other community organizations both in Beirut, Lebanon
and later in the United States. Over the years Ashkhen has directed
her philanthropic efforts in support of several prominent Armenian
organizations and institutions, including the Western Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church, Armenian Cultural Foundation, Armenian
National Committee of America, Homenetmen, Armenian Relief Society as
well as many Armenian schools.

`I encourage all young Armenian Americans to get involved in the
ANCA,’ shared Pilavjian in a recent interview. `Each and every one of
us has to do our share in preserving the Armenian American community
in the United States. If every individual contributes some time and
energy we can go very far. I believe that everybody should lend a
hand to support the great work of the ANCA,’ she added.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western salutes Ashkhen
Pilavjian on the occasion of her 80th birthday and wishes her
continued health and happiness in the years to come.

Trend, Azerbaijan
Dec 14 2012

Polish FM: Nagorno-Karabakh conflict parties must refrain from
escalating tension

Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec.14 / Trend /

Parties to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must refrain from actions and
statements which may lead to tension in the conflict zone.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski made this statement at a
joint press conference with Armenian, Bulgarian and Swedish
counterparts in Yerevan on Friday, Armenia Today reported.

He said Poland stands for peaceful resolution of the conflict.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent 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 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.

Trend, Azerbaijan
Dec 14 2012

Speaker: Future of Turkish-Armenian relations depends on
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution

Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec.14 / Trend, R.Hafizoglu /

Future Ankara-Yerevan relations depend on the resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Turkish “Kanal B” TV channel quotes the
country’s Grand National Assembly Speaker Cemil Cicek as saying.

“Nagorno-Karabakh problem hinders ensuring peace and security in the
region. Support to the just position of Azerbaijan will further be one
of the priorities of Turkish foreign policy,” Cicek said.

He said indifferent attitude of international organizations to the
rights of internally displaced persons causes regret.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent 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 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.

Mediamax News Agency, Armenia
Dec 14 2012

MNP system to be introduced in Armenia from January 1, 2014

Yerevan/Mediamax/. During today’s session of the Public Services
Regulatory Commission (PSRC) of Armenia, the principles and schedule
of the mobile number portability (MNP) system introduction which is
due to be launched from January 1, 2014.

Under the principles, the number portability for subscribers will be
realized free of charge within 3 and in future – 1 working day – upon
a request to only the receiving operator. The technical model of the
system will be established based on the simple call routing (All Call
Query) and introduction of a centralized base of phone numbers.

Set-up and control over the base will be ensured by a non-commercial
organizations established by the operators and a contest will be
organized and held to this end. Besides, non-commercial organizations
will work out a contest package, they will announce and approve the
contest upon the choice of the provider of the base.

The contest package and results of the contest will be approved by the
PSRC leadership and coordinating board established with participation
of the operators. The non-commercial organization will protect the
database of the mobile subscribers.

VivaCell-MTS, ArmenTel And Orange Armenia CEOs Ralph Yirikian, Igor
Klimko and Francis Gelibter who were present at the session gave a
positive assessment to the principles and schedule of the system
introduction.

Orange Armenia CEO Francis Gelibter noted: “As the system introduction
is linked to a number of technical issues, we would like the contest
packages to be presented as soon as possible”.

VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian especially pointed out
that the service should be quality and affordable for everyone.

The Head of the Telecommunication Department of the PSRC Gevorg
Gevorgyan added that they chose maximum realistic dates and the
elaboration of the contest package will be based on the rules. Member
of the Commission, Coordinator of Telecommunication Samvel Arabajyan
added that the consultants are still working and they are expected to
present a part of the contest package within coming days.

“The operators have always noted that they don’t have any principal
objections and the controversies only concerned the dates. This year,
we have worked with the operators and as a result, we made the system
approved today acceptable for us. The operators expressed their
positive opinion on this occasion”, Samvel Arabajyan told Mediamax.
Commenting on the issue of MNP introduction for landline numbers, he noted:

“There is a service where the mobile portability number is introduced
for landline network as well in many countries, but it’s not possible
for Armenia yet. The practice shows that it only works where the
companies operating on geographical numbers have a competitive
ambience. As only ArmenTel operates on geographical codes in Armenia,
the service introduction in Armenia is senseless yet”, he said.

Shiite Ayatollah Launches Fatwa: Iraqi Christians, Conversion to Islam or
Death

001 15-2012-12

Baghdad — An Advent of light and shadow for Iraq’s Christians, who are
celebrating the reopening of the cathedral of Baghdad but at the same time
subjected to new – and heavy – threats from a radical Shiite Muslim leader.
>From studies of a television broadcaster based in Egypt, an Iraqi Ayatollah
launches a fatwa against the religious minority on the eve of Christmas:
“Conversion to Islam or death.” However, strength of faith overcomes the
fear of violence as witnessed by celebrations for the “rebirth” of the
Syrian Catholic cathedral in the capital, the scene of a bloody attack at
the end of October 2010 (see AsiaNews 31/10/2010 Al Qaeda attack on Baghdad
church ends in massacre)
In an interview last December 13 on Egyptian television Al Baghdadia, the
Shiite ayatollah Ahmad Al Hassani Al Baghdadi issued a fatwa against
Christians in Iraq. Labeling them as “polytheists” and “friends of the
Zionists”, the extremist leader stressed that they must choose “or Islam or
death,” while “their women and girls may legitimately be regarded wives of
Muslims.” Al Baghdadi is known for his “jihad” positions and for attacking
Americans in the past during their presence in the country, and today he
lives in Syria, supporting the armed opposition.
Catholic sources in the capital tell AsiaNews that it is “a very serious
fatwa,” but “it is unlikely that people will be upset too much.” The
government pays “attention” to these proclamations by extremists, however
it is possible that such words could “create panic in some areas of the
capital,” where there are now “very few” Christians.
This morning meanwhile Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the
Congregation for the Oriental Churches, presided over the rededication
ceremony of the restored Syrian Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual
Help. The place which reopened yesterday to worship and to the faithful,
was the scene October 31, 2010 of a massacre carried out by a group of al
Qaeda, which killed about 50 faithful and two priests.
During the homily, the cardinal immediately recalled the “testimony offered
by many of our brothers and sisters” who “preceded by two young and heroic
priests” united forever “their lives to Jesus Christ.” He highlighted the
“honorable sacrifices” that have allowed the reopening of the cathedral and
pointed out that, through the comfort and hope “the Lord encourages Eastern
Christians, and especially those of Iraq, to communion and testimony.”
Bringing the greetings of Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Sandri invoked the
Lord, so that “the tears shed in this sacred place, become the good seed of
communion and witness and bear much fruit.”
The Vatican cardinal is in Iraq for a five-day official visit, which began
on December 13, in addition to the consecration, Cardinal Sandri took part
in the Christmas concert organized for the Year of Faith in the Armenian
cathedral in the capital, while over the next days he will visit Kirkuk and
Erbil in the north.

ARMENIENS DE SYRIE
10 500 Arméniens de Syrie se sont réfugiés en Arménie depuis le début de l’année mais 4 000 ont regagné le pays

Selon Firdous Zakarian le responsable du personnel du ministère
arménien de la Diaspora chargé du dossier des Arméniens de Syrie, il y
a aujourd’hui en Arménie près de 6 500 Arméniens réfugiés de Syrie.

« Une grande partie des Arméniens de Syrie ont loué des habitations à
Erévan, mais dans le même temps le nombre de ceux qui se sont
installés dans les provinces a connu une forte augmentation (…) pour
ces derniers nous sommes prêts à leur assurer des logements et des
terres » dit F. Zakarian. Il a également confié que 10 500 Arméniens
de Syrie sont venus s’établir en Arménie depuis le début de l’année
mais 4 000 de ces derniers sont rentrés en Syrie et entre 50 et 60
familles partirent vers d’autres pays. L’école « Guiliguia » accueille
près de 270 élèves originaires de Syrie, mais le nombre total de ces
élèves est de 600 en Arménie. Selon F. Zakarian, le nombre d’Arméniens
de Syrie qui trouvent du travail en Arménie est en nette croissance.
Une cinquantaines de chefs d’entreprises d’Erévan se déclareraient
prêts à les accueillir. 425 Arméniens de Syrie -168 familles- ont
demandé le statut de réfugiés en Arménie, l’Etat arménien assurant à
44 familles des logements.

Krikor Amirzayan

dimanche 16 décembre 2012,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

ARMENIE-SOCIAL
104 naissances le 12.12.12 en Arménie

Mercredi 12 décembre 2012 (12.12.12) les maternités d’Arménie ont
enregistré 104 naissances selon les données du ministère arménien de
la Santé. La majeure partie de ces naissances (70) se sont déroulés à
Erévan qui devance largement Armavir (7). A noter que 47 de ces 104
naissances étaient par voie césarienne…L’Arménie n’est pas épargnée
par le « phénomène des dates » qui agite la planète.

Krikor Amirzayan

dimanche 16 décembre 2012,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

Serzh Sargsyan: Destiny of Nagorno Karabakh will be decided solely by
people of Artsakh

17:50 15/12/2012 » REGION

This in non-negotiable: the destiny of Nagorno Karabakh will be
decided solely by the people of Artsakh, Serzh Sargsyan stated at the
RPA 14th Convention, adding that another essential element of secure
Motherland is the peaceful resolution of the Artsakh problem.

`The Nagorno Karabakh problem must be solved exclusively through
peaceful means, through negotiations. At the same time, we are ready
for a staunch putdown of any reckless scheme or encroachment, which
may endanger our security,’ said the country’s leader.

The President highlighted that considering Azerbaijan’s destructive
policy, persistent propagation of hatred towards Armenians, daily
threats to use force, we will continue through all possible means to
enhance security guarantees for Nagorno Karabakh and its population.

The President said that the Armenian side will carry on with the
process of negotiations. `Expressing our gratitude to the Co-Chair
states of the Minsk Group for their efforts towards the peaceful
resolution of the conflict, we will at the same time continue to draw
the attention of mediators and the international community to
opportunities for the establishment and strengthening of confidence
building measures, which could be helpful towards a peaceful
resolution. Azerbaijan’s policy in general and, particularly, their
refusal to withdraw snipers, refusal to put info force a mechanism for
investigation of border incidents, the glorification of a murderer,
inducement of xenophobia and racism, unreliable and hypocritical
stance during negotiations are not conducive to the establishment of
confidence building measures and, if left unchecked, will exacerbate
the situation in the entire region.’

Serzh Sargsyan stressed that `it would be reasonable and natural if
Artsakh came to the table of negotiations as soon as possible, thus
our efforts will be aimed at the expeditious resolution of that
issue.’

`Effective negotiations in a constructive atmosphere will become
possible only when the parties to the conflict genuinely want to reach
a just resolution of this issue, abandoning baseless maximalist
claims,’ he concluded.

Source: Panorama.am