Author: Kajoyan Gevork

Hungary wants to import gas from Azerbaijan – premier

Sat 27 October 2012 07:19 GMT | 8:19 Local Time

Viktor Orban
Hungary would like to import gas from Azerbaijan and Georgia, said
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Nabucco to us is not interested. We would like to import gas from
Azerbaijan. We are interested in alternatives such as liquefied
natural gas from Georgia,” said Orban in an interview with
Handelsblatt.

According to the Hungarian prime minister, bet on renewable energy in
Hungary cannot be done, “though with one exception. I mean geothermal
energy, because we have a lot of hot springs,” RBC reports.

“85% of our households use gas for heating, which is still available
only from Russia. I promised to free Hungary from this dependence.
Soon we will start receiving gas through Slovakia from the north of
Europe. The pipeline will become operational at the end of next year.
We can now import gas also from Romania,” said Orban.

News.Az

Trend, Azerbaijan
Oct 27 2012

Nagorno-Karabakh Community: Azerbaijan to make appropriate response in
case of any flight from Khojaly Airport

Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct.27 / Trend /

If any flight is carried out from the Khojaly Airport, then
Azerbaijani government will take appropriate steps. If Armenian
president does not understand it theoretically, then practical steps
may be taken, Public Association “Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh
Community” said in its statement.

Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh Community believes that any activity in
the territory of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan is possible
only after withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied
territories, return of the Azerbaijani people to their homes and after
ensuring peaceful coexistence of the Azerbaijani and Armenian
communities.

With such illegal actions Armenia nullifies the peace negotiations
within the OSCE Minsk Group, initiatives of the international
community to bring peace and cooperation to the region and
opportunities for communities’ dialogue.

Earlier, Armenian media reported the commissioning of the airport in Khankendi.
The action towards the commissioning of Khojaly airport in
Nagorno-Karabakh is dangerous. It violates international law and harms
the peaceful settlement of the conflict.

Earlier, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry urged all international
companies operating in Khojaly airport to immediately stop their
illegal activities in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

“Otherwise, the Azerbaijani side will take the appropriate steps,”
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Elman Abdullayev said earlier.

Commissioning the airport in Khankendi is an open violation of the
Convention on International Civil Aviation.

Azerbaijan has banned the use of the airspace of Nagorno-Karabakh
occupied by Armenia, as no one can guarantee a safe air corridor in
the area, the head of the Azerbaijani Civil Aviation Administration,
Arif Mammadov said earlier.

He said Armenia’s steps directed towards the operation of the airport
in Khankendi are attempts to violate international legal norms. This
air space belongs to Azerbaijan, so its use by Armenia is impossible.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the European
Civil Aviation Conference (ICAC) also support the position of
Azerbaijan on this issue.

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.

International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
Oct 26 2012

JOINT OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA – FROM WORDS TO ACTS:
PUTTING AN END TO TORTURE AND ILL-TREATMENTS IN ARMENIA

Mister President,

On 10 and 11 May 2012 the United Nations Committee against Torture
considered the third periodic report of Armenia. A number of civil
society organizations, including the International Federation for
Human Rights (FIDH) together with its member organization in Armenia
Civil Society Institute (CSI) submitted alternative reports concerning
the compliance of the state legislation, acts and policies with the UN
Convention against torture.

After two days of constructive dialogue with the Armenian Delegation,
the UN Committee adopted concluding observations whereby it expressed
serious concerns over a number of issues. The Committee declared it is
“seriously concerned by numerous and consistent allegations [“] of
routine use of torture and ill-treatment of suspects in police
custody”, especially to extract confessions to be used in criminal
proceedings as well as by military personnel. The Committee concluded
that prompt, impartial or effective investigations and prosecutions
are not conducted, and that consequently punishment of the
perpetrators is not ensured and compensation to the families of the
victims is not provided. Definition of torture in the Republic of
Armenia Criminal Code is not in line with articles 1 and 4 of the
Convention.

The Committee also stressed that “victims and witnesses of torture and
ill-treatment do not file complaints with the authorities because they
fear retaliation”. There is no effective mechanism to facilitate the
submission of complaints, and to ensure in practice that complainants
are protected against any ill-treatment, intimidation or reprisals as
a consequence of their complaint.

Among a number of recommendations, the UN Committee stressed that in
the context of the current legislative reform, the Republic of Armenia
should take “prompt and effective measures to ensure, in law and in
practice, that all detainees are afforded all legal safeguards from
the very outset of their deprivation of liberty”. These include the
rights to access to a lawyer, to an independent medical examination,
to notify a relative, to be informed of their rights, and to be
brought promptly before a judge.

In addition, measures should be taken to ensure audio- or videotaping
of all interrogations in police stations and detention facilities as a
further preventive measure.

Moreover, as the Committee recalled, under international law
confessions obtained through torture should never be used as evidence
in judicial proceedings. Relevant means should be taken to ensure that
legislation concerning evidence to be adduced in judicial proceedings
is brought in line with article 15 of the Convention and statements
obtained by torture are not invoked as evidence in any proceedings.

CSI and FIDH share the concerns expressed by the UN Committee. We call
on the Armenian authorities to take measures aimed at implementing the
recommendations without undue delay.

Actions should be taken to duly criminalize torture, in accordance
with the provisions of the Convention, to prevent adequately acts of
torture and ill-treatment throughout the country, and to ensure
accountability by promptly, thoroughly and impartially investigating
all incidents of torture, ill-treatment and death in custody;
prosecute those responsible; and report publicly on the outcomes of
such prosecutions.

Mister President,

The CAT review is an occasion for the Republic of Armenia to prove
that it stands by its international commitment to eradicate the
practice of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatments
on its territory. CSI and FIDH call on the Armenian authorities to
seize this opportunity to take action by amending its legislation, by
reforming its Criminal Procedure and Criminal Codes and by taking any
other action necessary to bring its law and practice in line with
international standards.

Souhayr Belhassen, FIDH President

and

Arman Danielyan, CSI President

Syrian-Armenian NGO holds presentation event

tert.am
18:58 – 27.10.12

The Syrian-Armenian Relief Coordination Center held on Friday its
presentation ceremony at the Arno Babajanyan concert hall.

According to a press release by the Ministry of Diaspora, the NGO was
launched on October 15 upon the initiative of several Syrian-Armenian
staunch activists.

The event was attended by Armenia’s First Lady Rita Sargsyan,
representatives of international and pan-Armenian organizations,
different-officials, as well as Syrian-Armenians.

Minister Hranush Hakobyan delivered an opening speech, extending her
warm greetings to the Syrian-Armenians who have resettled in their
historical homeland.

`It is due to the political will and posture of Armenian president
Serzh Sargsyan that all the government bodies in Armenia are now
obliged and ready to resolve the questions and problems you raise in
order to make you feel at home in your motherland. Our compatriots in
Syria are in panic today. The Armenians around the world and the
Armenian statehood stand by our compatriots residing in Armenia and
Syria. We will do all out best to relieve your burden,’ Hakobyan said.

The minister expressed her gratitude to the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation-Dashnaksutyun (which has launched the assistance program
Help your Brother) the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Armenian
General Union of Body Culture and all the other organizations
assisting the Syrian-Armenians. The new organization’s leaders – Lena
Halajyan, Vazgen Hakobyan and Norayr Piliposyan – were invited on
stage.

Students of the Cilician College, Syrian-Armenian young musicians, the
Komitas String Quartet of Aleppo and the merited Armenian singer,
Noune Yesayan, performed for the participants.

The participants also had a chance to watch an exposition by
Syrian-Armenian photographers.

Armenia’s leading mobile operator, VivaCell MTS has greatly assisted
the organization, by donating necessary supplies and computer
equipment.

Hayrusgazart company has also expressed willingness to provide
material assistance.

President of Union of Armenians of Russia: New South Wales’s
resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh is a challenge to countries applying
double standards

ARMINFO
Saturday, October 27, 14:44

President of the Union of Armenians of Russia Ara Abrahamyan has
thanked the Legislative Council of New South Wales (Australia) for
adopting a resolution recognizing Nagorno- Karabakh Republic.

The press service of the Union quotes Abrahamyan as saying that the
resolution is a victory for the whole Armenian nation and a challenge
to the countries applying double standards. Abrahamyan hopes that the
resolution will become a precedent.

To remind, earlier the legislative authorities of Rhode Island and
Massachusetts also recognized Nagorno-Karabakh and urged the US
President and Congress to follow their example.

ARFD: Armenian authorities are revising their position on Nagorno- Karabakh

ARMINFO
Saturday, October 27, 14:46

The Armenian authorities are revising their position on
Nagorno-Karabakh – this is good, but this should have been done long
ago, member of ARfD, MP Armen Rustamyan said in an interview to
ArmInfo.

“We have always said that the Armenian authorities must not separate
the Nagorno-Karabakh problem from the rest of Hay-Dat’s agenda. Serzh
Sargsyan’s recent interview to Quotidiano Nazionale, where he said
that the world community applies double standards to the
Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenian Genocide issues proves that the Armenian
authorities are reconsidering their policy. But words are not enough –
they must act to satisfy the fair claims of the Armenian nation,”
Rustamyan said.

Commenting on Sargsyan’s interview, Rustamyan said that the Armenian
President was right when comparing the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with
the conflict in Kosovo. “Simply our authorities must keep emphasizing
that Nagorno-Karabakh has stronger grounds for sovereignty and more
rights to be recognized by the world community. If we actually want
the Nagorno-Karabakh problem to be solved, we must be more active in
lobbying Nagorno-Karabakh’s international recognition. And this must
be a state policy,” Rustamyan said.

*French Armenians expect Hollande to keep his promise. Mourad Papazian*
13:54, 27 October, 2012

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, ARMENPRESS: The meeting of the Chairman of
France-Armenia friendly group of French Senate Philippe Kaltenbach and the
delegation of the Council Coordinating French-Armenian Organizations
succeeded. As Armenpress was informed from the Co-Chair of the Council
Mourad Papazian, it was highlight during the meeting that it was necessary
to take some prompt steps to include the draft law criminalizing the denial
of Armenian Genocide in the agenda. Mourad Papazian hoped that the meeting
of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and French President Francois Hollande
which is supposed to be held on November 12 will be followed by important
declaration. `We are optimistic over this issue, because we know that
Holllande ought to keep his promise’ noted he.

According to Philippe Kaltenbach France-Armenia friendly group is willing
to see the law adopted as soon as possible, before April 24, 2013. He has
noted that this time it is of crucial importance to take into consideration
and pay attention to all legal and political condition for the law to be
successful.

The law criminalizing the denial of Genocide which was adopted by the
Parliament of France on December 2011, and afterwards by Senate of France
on January, 2012 in a result of the efforts of some Turkish deputies was
presented to the Constitutional Court and was considered unconstitutional.

The Azerbaijani side violated the ceasefire 250 times in the past week

armradio.am
15:32 27.10.2012

According to the data of the NKR Defense Army, 250 cases of ceasefire
violation by the Azerbaijani side were registered at the line of
contact between the armed forces of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan
between October 21 and 27.

The rival fired more than 1,200 shots from weapons of different
caliber in the direction of the Armenian positions.

Committed to the maintenance of the ceasefire regime, divisions of the
Defense Army confidently protected the military positions all along
the line of contact.

`Artsakh: the Garden of Armenian Culture and Traditions’ presented in Stuttgart

armradio.am
15:53 27.10.2012

Within the framework of the Days of Armenian Culture, the presentation
of the book of Artsakh: the Garden of Armenian Culture and Traditions
took place in the capital city of Stuttgart, state of
Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. The ceremony was initiated by the NKR
Permanent Mission to Germany and supported by the local Armenian
community

German historian, Dr. Peter Halfter was the keynote speaker at the
ceremony. He briefed on the significant periods of the history of
Artsakh, on the historical and architectural monuments of
Tsitsernavank, Amaras, Gandzasar, and Dadivank, as well as emphasized
the importance of the excavations of the ancient city of Tigranakert.

At the end of the ceremony, Dr. Halfter touched upon the negotiation
process on the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh-Azerbaijani
conflict. NKR Permanent Representative to Germany Harutyun Grigorian
answered the questions of the event participants.

Increasing majority of French eye Islam as threat

October 27, 2012 – 12:45 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – An increasing majority of people in France believe
Islam plays too influential a role in their society and almost half
see Muslims as a threat to their national identity, according to a
poll.

Reuters reported that the survey by pollster Ifop in Le Figaro
newspaper showed that 60 percent of people believed that Islam was
`too important’ in France in terms of its influence and visibility, up
from 55 percent two years ago.

It found that 43 percent of respondents considered the presence of the
Muslim community as a threat to their national identity, compared with
just 17 percent who said it enriched society. Forty percent of those
questioned were indifferent to the presence of Islam, Le Figaro said.

The survey, carried out Oct 15-18 among 1,736 people, showed a growing
resistance to the symbols of the Islamic faith. Some 43 percent of
those questioned were opposed to more mosque building, up from 39
percent in 2010.

Sixty-three percent opposed Muslim women wearing the veil or Islamic
headscarves in public, compared with 59 percent two years ago.
Sarkozy’s previous conservative banned the wearing of full-face veils.