Author: Kajoyan Gevork

A BRITISH ARMS DEALER JAILED IN UK FOR ILLEGAL SALE OF ARMS TO AZERBAIJAN

19:10 . 23/07

British Michael Ranger was sentenced to imprisonment of 2,5 years
in London at the end of the past week for illegal sale of arms and
ammunition to Azerbaijan.

Reuters informs Ranger tried to buy surface-to-air missiles from
North Korea, pistols from the United States to sell them to Azerbaijan.

Documents and email correspondence read out in court showed that
Ranger had boasted to his arms supplier in North Korea that he had
been a guest of the Azeri government and was chauffeured in a luxury
limousine during a visit to the country to discuss arms sales.

Britain’s Prosecution Service said in a statement Ranger’s dealings
with Azerbaijan were not only illegal, but potentially very dangerous
because of the arms embargo on Azerbaijan after the Karabakh war.

“Arms embargos are in place for a reason and those who seek to ignore
them in the hope of lining their own pocket should understand that
they are liable to prosecution in the criminal courts,” the procuracy
has stated.

THE WEST CANNOT MAKE NAGORNO-KARABAKH RETURN INTO THE COMPOSITION OF AZERBAIJAN, WHICH HAS AN AUTHORITARIAN LEADERSHIP

16:08 . 23/07

“How can the West oblige the people living in Nagorno-Karabakh to
return into the composition of Azerbaijan, which has an authoritarian
leadership, when a democratic leadership has been formed in
Nagorno-Karabakh?” the expert of the Institute of CIS Countries’
Caucasus Division said Mikhail Alexandrov said. He observed the July
19 presidential elections in Artsakh together with the coworker the
Institute of Political and Social Studies of the Black Sea and Caspian
region, politician Andrey Areshev.

“It is absurd: the same West, which bombed Libya in the past allegedly
for establishing democracy and Syria now, today is trying to make the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, where there is real democracy, to enter
into Azerbaijan’s composition. The same Azerbaijan, where any election
held was condemned by the West itself,” Mikhail Alexandrov said.

Andrey Areshev also touched upon regional developments and noted that
subversive acts by Azerbaijan during the visit of the US Secretary
of State were not casual. Azerbaijan is trying to persuade the West
that its armed forces are efficient for military operations. According
to the two politicians, that has long-range goals, connected with a
possible aggression against Iran.

Areshev is sure that the Armenian forces are more prepared, and the
presence of Russian bases in Armenia and the agreements within the
frames of CSTO give a basis to support Armenia in case of possible
aggression.

“I have already said in several publications that the West is testing
big politics in the Caucasus, in the South Caucasus, as well as in the
Near East. And the statements that peace is their aim don’t inspire
confidence in me,” Andrey Areshev said.

SYRIAN ARMENIANS NEED SPECIAL SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT, EXPERT SAYS
Liana Yeghiazaryan

“Radiolur”
23.07.2012 17:30

Syrian Armenians need special support from the government, expert
of Arabic studies Hayk Kochayan and analyst Saro Saroyan said at a
press conference today.

Experts predict that the crisis in Syria may last from two months
to two years. It’s as uncertain how the attempts to change Bashar
al-Assad’s regime will end.

According to Hayk Kocharyan, it’s untimely to predict that the power
in Syria will turn upside down, taking into consideration that the
authorities are better organized today.

Which option will be better for Syrian Armenians under these
circumstances? Should they be advised to wait until everything calms
down or look for a more peaceful future in another country? Political
scientist Saro Saroyan considers that political activeness can be
dangerous for Armenian.

“If Syrian Armenians demonstrate clear support for any power center,
it can be dangerous and disastrous for them,” he said, adding that
“it’s a different question that the interests of Syrian Armenians
overlap with Bashar al-Assad’s political course.”

As for the steps of the Armenian government, the political scientists
believe a special doctrine should be developed to determine the
necessary actions to be taken against the background of the possible
developments.

ARAM I CALLS ON ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN SYRIA TO REMAIN UNITED

PanARMENIAN.Net
July 23, 2012 – 15:57 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great
House of Cilicia, who has been following the situation in Syria with
the community leadership in Syria for the past year, expressed his
solidarity with his people, making a statement:

“I have been monitoring the situation in Syria with the Executive
Council of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, and we urge the Armenian
community to remain united in these difficult times.

We have directed the church authorities to assist needy families. The
leadership of the community should help families living in dangerous
neighborhoods move to safety.

Armenians in Syria and in the diaspora should not forget that the
Syrian people welcomed the survivors of the Armenian Genocide by
the Turks and accepted them as co-citizens. Systems may change,
but people stay.

It is important to remind all parties that the Armenian community
in Syria will remain loyal to the country and is aware of its
responsibilities and rights.

Having been informed of the difficulties of the Armenian Schools
in Syria, I instructed the dioceses under the jurisdiction of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia to assist the schools.”

Catholicos Aram I concluded his statement by saying that he was
pleased Armenians were not fleeing the country. He assured the
Armenian community in Syria of his determination and that of the
National Executive Council to continue monitoring the situation and
responding to the changing needs of the people.

FOREIGN MINISTERS OF ARMENIA AND FRANCE TO DISCUSS ISSUES CONCERNING NK CONFLICT

ARMENPRESS
23 July, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JULY 23, ARMENPRESS: Foreign affairs minister of the Republic
of Armenia Edward Nalbandian will visit France on July 24-25.

Armenpress reports calling the official website of Foreign affairs
ministry of France that during the visit Edward Nalbandian will hold
meetings with Foreign minister of France Laurent Fabius and president
of foreign relations committee of National Assembly Elizabeth Guigou.

“This visit is directed to highlighting the importance of
Armenian-French relations and giving new stimulus to their development”
is mentioned in the massage of French Foreign affairs Ministry.

Foreign affairs minister of Armenia and France during the negotiations
will reverberate to the peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, strengthening to bilateral relations, particularly the
economic relations. Several regional issues will also be discussed.

AZERBAIJANI-IRANIAN ECONOMIC TIES ARE TOO STRAINED

Relations between Iran and Azerbaijan have been strained for already
a long time. It is expressed in various ways. Now, Azerbaijan has
started an economic pressure against Iran. As Armenian media informs
referring to the Azerbaijani press Azerbaijan started to drive away
Iranian businessmen from the state. Money transfers are also stopped.

One of the biggest Azerbaijanis banks, “Royal Bank” has stopped
its activities with the accusation of “money laundry” of Iranian
businessmen. Both states have stopped the financial bilateral deals.

Besides this, one of the biggest hotels in Baku belonged to Iranians,
Europe Hotel, is transferring to the Azerbaijani oligarch. Nearly 40
workers in the food service are freed from the work. According to the
source soon all companies and factories belonged to Iranians will be
closed in Azerbaijan.

“So, the official Baku has de facto jointed Western economic sanctions
against Iran. Such a firm attitude towards Iran is just connected
with this”, Azerbaijani magazine writes.

ACCLAIMED ARMENIAN ACTRESS GALYA NOVENTS DIES AT 75

PanARMENIAN.Net
July 23, 2012 – 15:55 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Acclaimed actress of Armenian cinema and theater
Galya Novents died of serious illness aged 75.

One of the leading Armenian actresses, Galya Novents graduated from
Yerevan Institute of Fine Arts and Theatre in 1958 to star acting in
numerous Armenian theatres.

Novents received Venice Film Festival’s best actress prize for her
role of Siranush in 1986’s Mer Mankutyan Tangon. The actress starred
in films, Hello, It’s Me!, We Are Our Mountains, At This Crossroad,
Old Days’ Song, Nahapet (Patriarch), Gikor, White Dreams, A Piece of
Sky and many others.

EDWARD MNATSAKANIAN – ARMENIAN SENIOR CHAMPION 2012

Panorama.am
23/07/2012

IM Eduard Mnatsakanian became Armenian Senior Champion 2012. He
scored 6 points out of 7 and shared 1-2 places together with Anushavan
Arakelyan at the championship that was held in Yerevan.

In the tie-break Mnatsakanian beat Arakelyan with 3:2.

ARMENIA MUST TOUGHEN POSITION ON SYRIAN ISSUE – RUSSIAN EXPERTS

news.am
July 23, 2012 | 14:26

YEREVAN.- Armenia must toughen position on the Syrian issue and
strictly oppose any military interference into the country, expert
of the Institute of CIS states Mikhail Alexandrov said in Yerevan.

He considers in long term perspective the current situation in Syria
will have negative consequences for the entire region and Armenia
in particular.

The experts gathered at the Monday press conference shared the opinion
that development of Syrian scenario is a stage of preparation for
the final target- Iran.

“The West is targeted at Iran and plans to use Azerbaijan as a possible
platform for the attack on the Islamic Republic.

Nagorno-Karabakh may be viewed by the West as price to be paid to
Azerbaijan,” Alexandrov said.

He is confident that currently the U.S., EU and their allies are
supporting Azerbaijan, playing along when the matter concerns Karabakh.

In his turn Andrey Areshev, expert at the Institute of Political and
Social Studies of the Black Sea and Caspian Region, said Russia’s
position on Syria differs radically from the stance of the Western
states.

“Destabilization in the South Caucasus is not in the interest of
Russia. Meanwhile, West’s actions lead South Caucasus to the same
platform with so-called Great Middle East which is full of violence,”
Areshev emphasized.

Ouest-France
mercredi 18 juillet 2012
Prebotte Edition

Jean-Jacques Montois quitte l’IUT pour l’Arménie

par Nadine PARIS

ENCART: Premier directeur de l’IUT depuis 2001, Jean-Jacques Montois
s’en va. Recruté par le ministèredes Affaires étrangères, cet homme de
défi devient recteur de l’Université française d’Arménie.

Entretien

Jean-Jacques Montois,

directeur de l’IUT (675 étudiants).

Vous revenez d’Erevan,la capitale d’Arménie pour préparer la rentrée.
Quelles sont vos premières impressions ?

C’est un autre milieu. Ici, dans l’enseignement supérieur, tout le
monde peut s’exprimer, avec une notion de la hiérarchie parfois
relative. Là-bas, la représentation française est très codifiée, avec
un respect de l’autorité et du rôle de chacun. J’ai aussi été étonnée
de la rapidité à laquelle les choses se font.

Qu’est-ce qui vous a pludans ce poste ?

Le ministère des Affaires étrangères, dont dépend l’Université
française d’Arménie, a lancé un concours. Nous étions une vingtaine de
candidats. Après une enquête et trois entretiens en commission, j’ai
été choisi. J’aime bien les challenges. Cette situation à l’étranger
m’a aussi donné envie de plonger. C’est un poste politique. L’objectif
est de développer des projets en relation avec les intérêts des deux
pays. Et diplomatique. Je serai sous l’autorité de l’ambassadeur et le
représentant de la France dans le domaine de l’enseignement supérieur.

Quels diplômes sont délivréspar l’Université ?

Elle compte trois facultés: droit et sciences politiques, sciences
économiques et gestion. Tous les diplômes sont des licences et des
masters français, délivrés par Lyon 3 et Toulouse 1. Il y a 12 ans,
l’université s’est construite avec Lyon III, qui fait partie du
conseil d’administration. L’ancienne rectrice a ouvert l’établissement
à Toulouse 1. J’espère y associer aussi Rennes 1, en y développant un
master.

Qui sont les enseignantset les étudiants ?

Il y a 60 enseignants, dont 40 Arméniens et 20 Français, envoyés en
mission par leur université d’origine, plusieurs fois par an. Le
recteur et le directeur général des services sont Français et les
personnels administratifs et techniques, Arméniens. Les étudiants sont
700 et du pays. Ils apprennent notre langue au fur et à mesure de
leurs études dans le supérieur. Ces jeunes forment une élite
arménienne, qui paie leur scolarité 5 000 dollars par an. Mais 10 %
des places sont gratuites et réservés à des élèves méritants.

Quels sont les intérêts français en Arménie ?

L’université forme des jeunes de haut niveau, dans le droit, le
commerce et les finances internationales. Francophiles, ils
établissent des liens importants entre nos deux pays. D’autant plus
que la diaspora arménienne est très puissante. Plus de 13 millions
d’Arméniens vivent à l’étranger, dont 600 000 en France; Ce pays jouit
aussi d’une position stratégique, entre la Géorgie, la Turquie, la
Géorgie, l’Iran et l’Azerbaïdjan.