SERGEI MOVSESIAN BECOMES CROATIAN VICE CHAMPION
Panorama.am
04/10/2012
Armenian GM Sergei Movsesian won the title of the Croatian vice
champion in the team championship of this country, playing for
“Mladost,” Zagreb Club.
“Liburnija,” Rijeka Club became the Croatian champion, Armenian Chess
Federation website reported.
CE: ARMENIAN PRISONS ARE UNSUITABLE FOR LENGTHY PERIODS OF DETENTION
Human rights | 04.10.12 | 14:05
The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has said that
virtually none of the recommendations made after previous visits as
regards the detention of convicts serving life sentences in Armenia
have been implemented.
A CPT report says its delegation received no recent allegations of
deliberate physical ill-treatment of prisoners by staff in either
of the prisons visited. However, the poor material environment
and impoverished regime at Kentron Prison made it unsuitable for
lengthy periods of detention. As for the conditions of detention of
life-sentenced prisoners held at Kentron, the CPT states that they
could be considered as amounting to inhumane treatment.
In their response, the Armenian authorities provide information on
the various measures being taken to address the concerns raised by
the Committee. In particular, they stress that most of the CPT’s
recommendations will be implemented once the new prison in Armavir
becomes operational in December 2013.
GABRIEL SARGISSIAN VICE-CHAMPION OF SERBIA
Aysor.am
Thursday,
October 04 Politics / WorldSociety / CultureEconomyLawSport / Entertainment
Armenian GM Gabriel Sargissian won the title of the vice-champion
of Serbia in the team championship of this country as a member of
“Vodovod”, Kragujevac Club.
The club of Novi Sad became the champion of Serbia.
TODAY, 14:30
SYSTEM OF PRIVILEGED CRIMINALS WILL BE DESTROYED
Siranuysh Papyan
Story from Lragir.am News:
Published: 14:11:51 – 04/10/2012
Interview with Anush Sedrakyan, deputy leader of Free Democrats
Anush, what do you think, was Armenia able to adjust to new
civilization standards or was it left out of the process?
Unfortunately, we thought for years that civilization standards
(and it has nothing to do with the Soviet, post-Soviet and even
the pre-Soviet period, this is our historical characteristics) are
determined by the merits of the past and not the achievements of the
present. This is the non-healing wound of the Armenian people. As
a proof of our civilization standard we refer to our temples and
churches, our alphabet, the kingdom of Kilikia, Echmiadzin, all the
other components, not realizing that every nation has created its
values within its capacity. In the current period all these cultural
values remain part of history and travel business, and this is the
virtual face of our people.
To what extent do we match the system? It should be noted that the
computer is the international language, not English or Spanish,
and everyone more or less shares the results of computer globalization.
Meanwhile, we have set aside all the information achievements of
the society and study history of religion. I do not understand what
the history of the church has to do with Hi-Tech education? The
history of the church should be taught in Sunday schools. While in
this hi-tech era even a child with an iPad on the knees can operate
a starter level accounting program, we still speak about literacy,
we still say that every child should have a computer.
Does it mean we did not even come close to civilization?
No, we didn’t but we think we have a peculiarity – the Armenian
national instinct which always prompts us the shortcut to survival,
to sustenance of life. And since now the shortcut is a community
which has developed technology and a minimum standard of justice,
no nation in this universe will survive unless they ensure the
minimum standard. They will not survive because, on the one hand,
they will be squeezed by standardization of education, and it’s hard
to believe that a rich man who does not know the alphabet will be
more competitive than a person with scarce funds who possesses all
the information. The second would simply take away all the money of
this rich man with the help of information. A German philosopher said
money is something good because it helps a man be himself. What has
happened in Armenia? Money helped man to express his real essence,
and our millionaires expressed their real essence, demonstrating their
contempt for literacy, their neglect for law, scandals involving their
bodyguards, rude and ugly wording about tax avoidance. And they did
not understand that they are walking against the stream of time. It
is not a matter of being right or wrong. It is against time. And
the state which has built the government of the privileged sect for
ten years is against the requirements of time, while time dictates
its own rules. As one looks at what is happening in Armenia now,
one can see the time. If you have internet connection which reveals
all the aspects of your biography, a man who moves against time
cannot stand such transparency. The era demands maximum knowledge,
these people are moving on with minimum knowledge, the era demands
maximum rationalism, these people are following minimum rationalism,
this road must end somewhere due to very regular developments.
Does it mark the end of the system?
This is not the end of the system, this is the end of the introduced
standard which we used to have, i.e. man is able to do everything
if he has been selected by the government. Finally, the myth of
government-granted privilege must collapse. In reality, these people
have never been privileged, and this is proved by future actions.
Is the prosecution of Oskanian, Khachikyan and the others a sign of
change of this system? Has Serzh Sargsyan understood that he cannot
go forward with minimum knowledge?
I think Serzh Sargsyan has understood the simple truth that a society
where punishable acts are not defined becomes uncontrollable.
In other words, the society needs to define what a punishable act is,
what a breach is, what should be expected in case of a breach. And
if someone deviates from the rule of the game, he will get out of
Serzh Sargsyan’s control, which is not desirable for a head of state.
So why is punishment so fragmental? Why aren’t Ruben Hairapetyan,
Samvel Alexanyan and others punished?
I forecast a few months ago that Samvel Alexanyan will be the next
on the list. If you remember his name featured in the context of
kickbacks. The process of punishment has set out, discriminatory or
not. Let us assume that all these people have committed crimes, the
turn of these people will come until the new culture is established in
Armenia. This is like a matchbox, all the matches in the box will be
burnt, selection is arbitrary but they will be burnt by all means,
which must be the principle underlying the new system. Why am I
for transparency of these processes? Because punishing people with
impunity is the guarantee of a new society. This is a platform for new
generations when they understand that their goal should be an honest
professional, not a privileged criminal. One should set a goal before
the generation. So far the goal has been a privileged criminal,
Will there be no privileges?
Let there be privileges but not privileged criminals. I don’t mind if
our chess team is privileged, not before the law but materially. I
wish there were scientists in Armenia who would get apartments and
cars from the government. So far the country was based on privileged
criminals, it should be eliminated.
I think it is a bold step when you shatter the system independent from
your motivations. Let us have a look at the pragmatic imperatives. The
system is decayed, the system has led to mass emigration, inequitable
distribution of resources and their concentration in the hands of
people who cannot handle those resources, and this system should
be dismantled. Still I think it is very difficult to act without
public confidence because the society is a silent observer now, does
not help, support and admire, but there is something that causes
improvement which one can notice in everyday contacts. People see
these processes, with some skepticism and reservation and lack of
confidence, of course. In any case, they realize subconsciously that
something can be done about it because in a stable system with stable
corruption and decay people either leave or are very limited. This is
a painful dilemma. There are elements of retaliation which remain in
people for years, for decades, people see how their assets are stolen,
their dignity is hurt, people see deception in the political field when
opposition teams sell out themselves to the government one after the
other, or were sold out from the very beginning, and people should
have a fair feeling of revenge and I am very proud that revenge of
the Armenian people is decent, disguised, not aggressive. They only
watch, assess and do nothing.
Is your attitude to the next election different from that in 2008?
At that time the opposition relied on the anti-governmental rhetoric.
The opposition claimed to dissolve the criminal and oligarchic
system, it was its slogan, now the criminal and oligarchic system
is demolished without an opposition shouting there. Now that the
criminal and oligarchic system decays from inside, the opposition
has fewer levers. Now the opposition needs to fit into the opposition
without the rhetoric of destruction. The opposition which will remain
opposition after discarding the rhetoric of destruction will be able
to offer practical steps. I hope we will be able to be an alternative.
In the civil bloc?
It cannot be one bloc, it must be a joint bloc, a political entity or
a civil entity cannot act solely. All the civil and political sectors,
as well as individuals, who do not want to be part of a field, conduct
their own activity, are more valuable and preferable because they work
alone, without any help. There was a time when people needed to meet,
discuss, speak, now you reach the internet and you are not alone, the
process of discussion, cooperation or split begins. These processes
are fortunately out of control and are controlled internally. This
is the basis of the new system.
PACE INITIATES ANOTHER MEETING OF HEADS OF AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN DELEGATIONS
arminfo
Thursday, October 4, 14:16
A second meeting of the heads of the Azerbaijani and Armenian
delegations to PACE has been held on the margins of PACE Autumn
Session.
APA correspondent to PACE reports the meeting with Head of the
Azerbaijani delegation Samed Seidov and head of the Armenian Delegation
David Haroutiunyan was initiated and held by PACE President Jean-
Claude Mignon. Spanish MP, Head of the Subcommittee on Karabakh,
Jordi Chukla was also present at the meeting. The parties refused to
comment on the topic of discussion.
‘ARMENIA AT 21’ CONFERENCE BRINGS TOGETHER ACTIVISTS FROM ARMENIA, DIASPORA
Armenian Weekly
October 3, 2012
NEW YORK (A.W.)-Armenian-American activists and community members
converged at Columbia University on Sept. 28-29 to attend this
year’s installment of the Armenians and Progressive Politics (APP)
Cconference, dedicated to “Armenia at 21.”
A packed audience listening to activists and experts. (Photo by
Nanore Barsoumian) The conference featured 30 experts, activists,
and academics from Armenia, Europe, South America, and the United
States who addressed topics on the environment, foreign policy,
economy, civil society development, and rule of law.
“This was a unique opportunity for grassroots activists from Armenia
and the diaspora to exchange ideas and strategies to affect change in
the Armenian polity. Looking at 21 years of Armenian statehood, they
saw how far we have come but also how far we must still go along the
entire range of social, political, ecological, and economic issues,”
said Dr. Dikran Kaligian, the chairman of the conference organizing
committee.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and war correspondent Chris Hedges
spoke at the opening session on Sept. 28. Sarah Leah Whitson, of Human
Rights Watch, and Arpine Galfayan, of the Institute for Democracy
and Human Rights in Armenia, offered comments. Seven panels were held
the following day.
The Armenian Weekly will provide detailed coverage of the conference
and publish some of the papers in the coming weeks.
YEREVAN MAYOR MEETS SPIRITUAL LEADER OF WORLD YEZIDIS
news.am
October 03, 2012 | 15:32
YEREVAN. – Armenian capital city Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan met
with a delegation led by Mire-Mira Takhsin Beg, the spiritual leader
of world Yezidis, who is in Armenia to attend official opening of the
“Yezidi Sanctuary” Temple in Aknalich village of Armavir Region.
“I am confident that the sanctuary will become a gathering place for
Armenia’s Yezidi community. The Yezidi community has a special role
in Yerevan’s social life. The Yerevan Municipality underscores the
national minorities’ role and importance in our large community and
stands ready to cooperate with and support them. All Yerevan-resident
national minorities have the opportunity to hold events,” the
Mayor stated, Yerevan Municipality Information and Public Relations
Department informs.
In his turn, Mire-Mira Takhsin Beg recalled the Armenian and Yezidi
people’s friendship, which was formed in the historical past, and
expressed a conviction that this friendship has bases for becoming
closer.
NSS DELEGATION HEADED TO MOSCOW
ARMENPRESS
3 October, 2012
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 3, ARMENPRESS: Armenia’s National Security Service
delegation is participating in Special Services, Security Agencies
and Law-Enforcement bodies 11th consultation at the level of the Heads
attended by 55 states delegations. As National Security Service press
office informed Armenpress the issues concerning to the cooperation
in the field of terrorism, fight against radicalism and separatism
are scheduled to be envisaged in the course of the meeting. Armenian
delegation is headed by Armenian Republic National Security Service,
General – Colonel Gorik Hakobyan. President Serzh Sargsyan signed a
decree on extending Head of the National Security Service adjunct to
the Armenian Republic Government, Colonel Gorik Hakobyan’s term in
the National Security Service until February 11, 2016.
HRANT BAGRATYAN: CB IS STRANGLING THE ECONOMY
04:08 pm | Today | Politics
Hrant Bagratyan, a lawmaker from the opposition Armenian National
Congress (HAK), today sharply criticized the 2011 report of the
Central Bank.
Addressing his fellow colleagues at the National Assembly, Mr.
Bagratyan expressed his surprise at fact that the Central Bank
regulates inflation and, at the same time, carries control over it.
“While the government is continually speaking about economic growth,
people continue leaving the country. The President proudly announces
that the assets of the bank have increased,” said the angered deputy.
Hrant Bagratyan says the government is unable to manage the state
money.
“Our economy will not revive unless Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
leaves the country and I do believe that he will not leave unless he
ruins the president. The report is nothing but make-talk. Our foreign
debt has totaled 500 billion and they are babbling here. The CB is
strangling the economy and impeding its growth,” he said.
“Banks are growing richer while people are getting poorer,” said
Artsvik Minasyan, an MP of the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun.
Hrant Bagratyan today spoke for 22 minutes, using the 12 minutes
allotted to the HAK faction.
ARMENIAN FM’S DEMEANOR NOT THAT OF POLITICIAN – NEWSPAPER
news.am
October 03, 2012 | 07:12
YEREVAN. – Why is it that political thinking does not form in Armenia?
When the matter becomes personal, everyone becomes extremely cautious
and ordinary, Hraparak daily reports.
“Why is Armenia’s former FM [and The Civilitas Foundation founder
and Prosperous Armenia Party MP Vartan Oskanian], who is a diplomat
by profession, [who] has been in the authorities for a long time
and seen and experienced many things, behaves like a rank-and-file
citizen who is afraid to lose his own little welfare? Don’t these
people know that political struggle assumes severe tribulations and
non-ordinary approach?
Yes, Vartan Oskanian’s demeanor at the National Assembly deserved
humanly compassion. But this was not the demeanor of a politician,
a representative of a political force that considers itself an
opposition. [It seemed] The man is scared and has virtually regretted
having entered into politics.
In the meantime, a true politician perhaps would have ‘become happy’
by this timely opportunity, which could have had a crucial importance
for his political career and become a beginning for a new life,”
Hraparak writes.
As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, the National Assembly on
Tuesday voted-by 64 ballots for, six against, and with one invalid
vote-in favor of Prosecutor General’s petition to include Vartan
Oskanian as a defendant in a criminal lawsuit. A total of 71 MPs
participated in the voting.
To note, on May 25 the National Security Service (NSS) Department of
Investigation filed a criminal lawsuit on charges of money laundering
with respect to The Civilitas Foundation.
The NSS Press Center had informed that an investigation is underway
in connection with selling the 100-percent shares of the Huntsman
Building Products Company for around $2 million, but not informing
Armenia’s tax authorities about this business deal; not using for
charitable purposes $1,135,000 of that amount envisioned for charity;
transferring this amount to the bank accounts opened under the names
of the Civilitas Foundation’s founder Vartan Oskanian, and of the
Foundation’s Board of Trustees member Tigran Karapetyan; and using
some of this amount for private purposes.
In addition, as per the NSSPressCenter, The Civilitas Foundation had
not presented a report on the $2 million allocated for charitable
purposes. In his turn, Vartan Oskanian considers the charges to be
politically motivated.
The Civilitas Foundation was founded in 2008 by Vartan Oskanian. After
joining Prosperous Armenia Party ahead of the May 6 parliamentary
elections, however, Oskanian gave up his post as the Foundation
Chairman.