Author: Kajoyan Gevork

Global Insight
June 21, 2012

Russian Military Contingent to Double in Armenia

BY: Lilit Gevorgyan

Colonel Igor Gorbul, a spokesperson for Russia’s Southern Military
District, was quoted by the state-owned Russian news agency RIA
Novosti as saying that the figure of 5,000 “permanent” troops in
Russia’s 102nd Military Base at Gyumri, northern Armenia, will remain
unchanged in the long term, but will temporarily be doubled. Colonel
Gorbul also stated that the permanent military personnel will also
receive higher salaries and other benefits. The increase in troop
numbers is likely to be linked to the upcoming Kavkaz 2012 military
drills. These military exercises will take place in September,
involving the Russian military capabilities in the region, and follow
increased instability in the region, including more intensified talks
of a possible Israeli attack on Iran, which Russia strongly opposes.

Significance:The increase in the Russian troop numbers, although
potentially linked to the Kavkaz 2012 military drills, are also a
strong message for Armenia’s neighbouring Azerbaijan, recently accused
by Armenia of crossing the international border and staging two deadly
incursions into Armenia’s north-eastern Tavush region. Azerbaijan has
denied the incursions but reported that a number of its troops were
killed in its Ghazakh region neighbouring Armenia’s north-eastern
province. Armenia, unlike Azerbaijan, is a member of the Russian led
Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) which also provides a
collective security guarantee to Armenia. In March this year the CSTO
Secretary-General Nikolai Bordyuzha stated that, “If unfriendly
actions are taken against Armenia, all member states will provide
relevant assistance to Armenia.” In the absence of any peacekeepers in
the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, the precarious peace rests on
deterrence. The Russian military presence is Armenia’s attempt to
balance Azerbaijani military spending, which it cannot match.

MARSEILLE-EREVAN
Célébration du 20e anniversaire de la coopération entre Marseille et Erévan
en présence de Jean-Claude Gaudin et Taron Margaryan

Samedi 23 juin à 10h30 à l’occasion du 20e anniversaire de la
coopération entre Marseille et Erévan, une cérémonie était organisée
au Parc Borély (Marseille 8e) devant le Khatchkar (croix de pierre
arménienne) en présence de Jean-Claude Gaudin, Maire de Marseille et
Sénateur des Bouches-du-Rhône ainsi que Taron Margaryan, le Maire
d’Erévan. Plus de 250 personnes étaient présentes à la manifestation.
De nombreuses personnalités étaient également au rendez-vous. Parmi
ces dernières, Son Excellence Viguen Tchitetchian Ambassadeur de la
République d’Arménie en France, Vartan Sirmakes Consul général
d’Arménie à Marseille, la députée Valérie Boyer, LE député Guy
Teissier, Didier Parakian Adjoint au Maire et Président délégué de
Marseille Arménie, l’Adjointe Martine Vassal, Garo Hovsépian maire du
13e et 14e et la conseillère Colette Babouchian. Monseigneur Daron
Djeregian Evêque de l’Eglise Apostolique Arménienne, Gilbert Léonian
de l’Eglise évangélique arménienne, Ohan Hékimian ancien représentant
de la Ville d’Erévan (1988-1995), ainsi que de nombreuses autres
personnalités. Participaient également à la manifestation, les Anciens
combattants et résistants Français d’origine arménienne ainsi que la
Chorale Sahak Mesrop, dirigée par Khatchig Yilmazian.

A la tribune, Jean-Claude Gaudin a une nouvelle fois insisté sur
l’importance de la coopération entre Marseille et Erévan et des
relations entre la France et l’Arménie. Il a félicité ses adjoints
-dont Didier Parakian, délégué au développement à l’international-
pour le travail effectué dans ce domaine. Le sénateur et Maire de
Marseille évoquant la nécessité de la loi de pénalisation du génocide
arménien s’est déclaré « farouchement opposé à l’entrée de la Turquie
dans l’Europe ». Un discours qui fut très applaudi. De son côté Taron
Margaryan a insisté sur la chaleur qui unit Erévan à Marseille ainsi
que l’Arménie à la France « qui est une seconde patrie pour les
Arméniens ». Il s’est déclaré « heureux » d’être à Marseille et fier
de la communauté arménienne qui ouvre tant pour le rapprochement entre
la France et l’Arménie. Le Maire d’Erévan a une nouvelle fois remercié
Jean-Claude Gaudin pour son implication auprès des Arméniens en lui
lançant l’invitation de venir en Arménie. Apres les hymnes nationaux
français puis arménien, les dépôts de gerbe des maires de Marseille et
d’Erévan furent effectués devant le khatchkar, Une réception clôturant
la belle rencontre sous le soleil marseillais toujours présent aux
rendez-vous…

Krikor Amirzayan texte et reportage-photo à Marseille

dimanche 24 juin 2012,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

DEFENSE and SECURITY
WPS Agency, Russia
June 20, 2012 Wednesday

TWO HUNDRED PAGES OF SENTENCES WERE ISSUED FOR GUERILLAS OF OREL

BY: Vsevolod Inyutin
Source: Kommersant, June 18, 2012, p. 4

FOUR OFFICERS OF THE FEDERAL BODYGUARD SERVICE ORGANIZED A TERRORIST
GROUP WITH NATIONALIST TINT; Hearing of the loud case of 12 so-called
guerillas of Orel is coming to an end. The backbone of the group was
composed by graduates of the Orel academy of the Federal Bodyguard
Service headed by former lecturer of the academy Major Victor Lukonin,

Hearing of the loud case of 12 so-called guerillas of Orel is coming
to an end. The backbone of the group was composed by graduates of the
Orel academy of the Federal Bodyguard Service headed by former
lecturer of the academy Major Victor Lukonin,
Disputes were completed in the court of Orel Region. Representatives
of the accusation spoke for two days. Representatives of the court
explained, “Their substantiation of the sentenced requested for the
accused was outlined on 200 pages with difficulty.”

The accusation demands the harshest punishment of 22 years of
imprisonment for Major of the federal Bodyguard Service Victor Lukonin
who was considered the leader of the “guerillas.” Prosecutors say that
his worst crimes are organization of a terrorist act and creation of
an extremist group. His suspected accomplices in the terrorist act
Vladimir Artamonov and Artur Zharkikh are threatened with 20 years of
imprisonment. Sergei Savoskin, the fourth person accused of this
crime, may be sentenced to 18 years of imprisonment. Anton Bagrov
accused of murder may be imprisoned for 21 years. Denis Konstantinov
considered one of the ideologists of the group may be imprisoned for
16 years). Prosecutors also requested the court to deprive Major
Lukonin and lieutenants of the federal Bodyguard Service Anton Bagrov,
Ilya Gavrin and Denis Kalenov of military ranks.

Speeches of lawyers are planned for June 22 and announcement of the
indictment is planned for the beginning of July.

According to the investigations committee, the nationalist group of
“guerillas” active operated in Orel between 2009 and 2010. Documents
of the case include more than 40 crimes. The loudest of them was
explosion of a handicraft bomb on August 5 of 2010 in Indira cafe in a
suburb of Orel belonging to people from the Caucasus. Four people were
injured then. The accusation interpreted this episode as terrorist
act. The defense considers it an act of hooliganism. Lukonin confessed
organization of the explosion. According to investigators, Artamonov
and Savoskin brought the bomb to the building and Zharkikh activated
it having called the mobile telephone integrated into it. On the pace
of the crime operational officers found leaflets that called for open
war against the law-enforcement agencies and people from the Caucasus.
These leaflets became the basis of the accusation of “organization of
extremist community and kindling of social and ethnic hatred.” Another
gross crime attributed to the “guerillas” is murder of Samvel Ngoyan
from Armenia and attempt to kill his relative. The “guerillas”
allegedly suspected them of sale of drugs in one of the schools of
Orel. According to investigators, the murder was committed by Bagrov
together with Artamonov and Kalenov. Among the crimes of the
“guerillas” were also several cases of arson of police posts, premises
of the prosecutor’s office, as well as Orthodox Christian temple and
sex shop.

[translated from Russian]

EurActiv.com
June 19, 2012 Tuesday 9:38 AM GMT

How Hollande could help Turkey’s EU bid

by Can Selçuki and Eldar Mamedov

François Hollande’s choice of Laurent Fabius as foreign minister and
Bernard Cazeneuve as European affairs minister suggests that he has
little appetite for further enlargement of the EU, argue Can Selçuki
and Eldar Mamedov.

Can Selçuki is a researcher at the Centre for European Policy Studies
in Brussels and Eldar Mamedov is a political advisor to the Socialists
and Democrats Group in the European Parliament. This opinion was first
published by Hurriyet Daily News.

“If there is a foreign country with a good reason to celebrate
François Hollande’s election as French president, it is Turkey. Former
President Nicolas Sarkozy did not believe that Turkey belonged to
Europe culturally and geographically.

That led France to block five chapters in the EU accession
negotiations, which are relevant to Turkey’s EU membership. Would
Hollande bring change in his country’s relations with Turkey, both
bilaterally and in the context of the EU enlargement?

At first sight, such a question might seem awkward in light of the
challenges that Hollande already faces with the severe economic
downturn in the eurozone. Hollande’s choice of Laurent Fabius as the
minister of foreign affairs and Bernard Cazeneuve as the minister for
European affairs suggests little appetite for further enlargement of
the EU.

It would also be foolish to expect France (and other EU member states)
to drop the condition that Turkey recognise the Republic of Cyprus.
There are also traditional irritants in bilateral relations, such as
the Armenian issue.

There is one area, however, where Hollande can make a crucial
difference. By eschewing the acrimonious debate on religious and
cultural compatibility of Turkey with the EU and focusing instead on
reforms that Turkey needs to join the EU, he can help to restore the
credibility of the EU accession process. And with credibility comes
the leverage: if Turkey perceives that it is treated fairly and has a
realistic chance of joining the EU, it would be easier for the EU to
push for the agenda needed to that end.

Concerns are growing in Turkey and among its European friends about
the lack of progress on reforms and even backslide in some areas, such
as free speech, rule of law and women’s rights. The ruling
conservative Justice and Development Party, or AKP, unrestrained by
internal checks and balances, feels increasingly tempted to
consolidate its grip on the institutions at the expense of deepening
democracy.

The revitalisation of the EU negotiations could provide a much needed
external anchor for reform and check what many see as the AKP’s
creeping authoritarianism.

This offers a historic opportunity for Turkey’s main opposition
People’s Republican Party, or CHP, to reposition itself as Turkey’s
main pro-European party. Indeed, Kemal Kiliçdaroglu has tried this by
improving CHP’s relations with its political family, European social
democracy, which were seriously impaired due to his predecessor’s
often nationalistic politics.

The CHP has shown new interest in engaging in debate on the issues of
common interest for European progressive forces, from economic and
social crisis to the future of the Arab Spring.

But more can and needs to be done. By reclaiming the European project,
the CHP would increase the pressure to reform on the incumbent AKP and
give more ammunition to the supporters of Turkey’s EU bid in European
capitals. It would enable the CHP to capitalise on its links with the
European social democracy and put it in a better position to convince
the French Socialists to unblock the five chapters in the accession
process vetoed by Sarkozy.

By approaching the EU issue strategically, the CHP should not get
bogged down by disagreements over issues like Cyprus or Armenia, or
occasional praise that the EU officials heap on the ruling AKP. The
election of Hollande as the president of France will not lead to a
fast-track towards the EU membership, but it expands the “breathing
space” for Turkey’s pro-European forces.

As the AKP loses interest in further reform, the CHP is well advised
to claim the role of the most pro-European party in Turkey. This will
be right for the CHP and for Turkey’s future as a democratic, secular
and modern Republic.”

Interfax, Russia
June 18 2012

Armenian president charges new govt with accelerating growth in 2012

YEREVAN. June 18

Armenian President Serzh Sarkisyan said at an extraordinary cabinet
meeting on Monday that the new government formed after the
parliamentary elections in May must ensure economic growth of 7% in
2012.

Armenia’s state budget targets GDP growth of 4.2% for this year.

“The main expectation from the activities of the government in 2012 is
ensuring 7% economic growth. But economic growth is not a goal unto
itself. Our objective is to build strong foundations for sustainable
and gradual economic development, reduction of poverty and its
elimination in the foreseeable future,” Sarkisyan said.

He said the new Cabinet has not changed dramatically, “but this does
not meat that we don’t expect revolutionary changes from the
government.”

At the Monday meeting, the Cabinet approved a five-year program of
action. Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisyan said the program targets
annual economic growth of 5-7% in 2012-2017.

AZERBAIJANI MP URGES MOVE TO IMPOSE SANCTIONS AGAINST ARMENIA

Trend
June 22 2012
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan’s ruling party has called on international organisations
to impose political sanctions against Armenia.

“It is time for international organisations to take a tough stance
in connection with the so-called elections held in the separatist
Nagorno-Karabakh region and impose political sanctions,” deputy
executive secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan party, MP Mubariz
Gurbanli told media today. “In this case I hope Armenia will not
allow such fraudulent elections in the future.”

He said that as 20 per cent of Azerbaijani territory has been occupied
by Armenia, holding any elections in the territory contradicts
international legal norms and principles.

“There are occupied territories not only in Azerbaijan, but in other
countries,” he said. “In this regard, international conventions and
decisions adopted by the UN and other international organisations
prohibit the holding of elections in occupied territories.”

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.

ARMENIA TO ESTABLISH DIPLOMATIC TIES WITH CONGO

Vestnik Kavkaza
June 22 2012
Russia

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and his counterpart from
Congo, Raymond Tshibanda, met at the Rio+20 summit and established
diplomatic ties, News Armenia reports.

The sides discussed cooperation prospects within the framework of
international organizations and preparations for the Francophonie
International Organization in Kinshasa in October 2012.

Nalbandian met the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, Gamini Lakshman
Peiris, and discussed stimulation of political dialogue, formation of
a legal basis, economic cooperation and cultural development. Peiris
presented measures and reforms promoting national solidarity.

Brazil is hosting the Rio+20 summit on June 20-22 to discuss the
green economy, sustainable development and reducing poverty.

ARMENIAN FILMFEST TO SCREEN IRAN’S ‘UNDER THE COLORS’

Press TV
June 22 2012
Iran

The Golden Apricot Film Festival aims to build cultural bridges and
to foster dialogue.

Iranian filmmaker Esmail Monsef’s short film Under the Colors is
slated to be screened at the 2012 edition of the Golden Apricot Film
Festival in Armenia.

The 20-minute short-length production was also screened at the
Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival earlier this year.

Monsef has produced more than 30 short films and documentaries. His
first production, Oyan, was awarded at the Cervino CineMountain
Festival and Trento Film Festival in Italy.

The Golden Apricot Film Festival, which was inaugurated in 2004,
carries the theme ‘Crossroads of Cultures and Civilizations’ and aims
to build cultural bridges and foster dialogue.

The festival welcomes films representing diverse ethnic groups,
religions, and nations that depict the human experience, the daily
lives of people, ordinary and extraordinary, their troubles and their
joys, as they try to find meaning in a changing world.

The 9th Golden Apricot Film Festival will kick off in Armenia’s
capital, Yerevan, on July 8, 2012 and will run until July 15.

ARMENIA’S JUSTICE MINISTER PROMISES TO RUN WIDE-RANGE REFORMS IN LEGAL-JUDICIAL SYSTEM

news.am
June 22, 2012 | 17:22

YEREVAN. – Armenia will expect wide-range of reforms in the
legal-judicial system, Minister of Justice Hrayr Tovmasyan told the
journalists on Friday adding the reform program was approved during
Thursday’s consultations with the President of Armenia.

“Discussions with the President revealed that regular amendments may
provide for a short period of positive results, while the country
needs in fundamental legal-judicial changes,” the Minister said.

Tovmasyan believes that two things, including defense and justice
provide for the state development.

The new program touches upon issues of building new courts, amendments
of the Criminal Code, installation of public works institute and some
activities will be de-criminalized.

ARMENIA-AUSTRIA BUSINESS FORUM TIMED TO AUSTRIAN PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO ARMENIA

Panorama.am
22/06/2012

Yerevan will host Armenia-Austria business forum on June 26, timed
to Austrian President Heinz Fischer’s visit to Armenia, Armenian
Development Agency (ADA) said.

The business event will bring together Austrian businessmen
representing various fields. The forum will feature launch events on
Armenia’s and Austria’s investment environment, the source said.