Author: Kajoyan Gevork

EX-FM OSKANIAN SAYS NON-ADMISSION OF MISTAKES GOVERNMENT’S DRAWBACK

PanARMENIAN.Net
June 20, 2012 – 19:27 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Prosperous Armenia parliamentary group member,
former foreign minister Vartan Oskanian slammed Tigran Sargsyan’s
government and the new program.

“Non-admission of your mistakes was your government’s drawback over
the recent years,” he said during the discussion of the government’s
program at Armenian National Assembly.

According to Mr. Oskanian, the government’s statement on restoration
of the pre-crisis level of GDP is true only given the par value.

Whereas considering the current inflation and economic growth rates,
the pre-crisis level will be achieved only in 2014. He further noted
that government maintained the social programs due to increase in
external debt of the state.

Among the consequences of the government’s other activities, the
ex-minister noted cut in foreign investments and increase in poverty.

He stressed global crisis, economic oversights and government’s
misguided policy as the reasons behind the major economic decline.

Mr. Oskanian called attention to government’s anti- crisis struggle,
noting that Tigran Sargsyan submitted to the parliament budget
stipulating economic growth when the whole world discussed the oncoming
crisis in 2008.

The MP further expressed skepticism over the government’s envisaging
economic growth, noting that the program failed to reflect on major
infrastructure projects, particularly the construction of the new NPP.

“The program can’t secure 7 % growth regardless of the situation
in Europe. Armenia’s average economic growth grossed 12 % back in
2003-2007,” the ex-minister said, noting with irony that international
financial organizations keep hailing the government activities.

ARMENIAN FM: NO PROGRESS ACHIEVED DUE TO BAKU’S NON-CONSTRUCTIVE STANCE

PanARMENIAN.Net
June 19, 2012 – 15:02 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian issued
a statement on OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries’ joint statement
on Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement.

“We highly assess the efforts by the presidents of OSCE MG Co-Chair
countries. The statement issued during G-20 summit in Los Cabos
may foster Nagorno Karabakh talks. Armenia is committed to peaceful
settlement of the conflict. We, too, like the co-chair countries,
regret that despite the joint statement at Deauville in 2011, no
progress has been achieved due to Azerbaijan’s non-constructive and
maximalist position at Kazan meeting.

Armenia will continue efforts to reach agreement on basic principles
of the conflict resolution.

We, too, like the co-chairs, called to respect the 1994 ceasefire
agreement, urging to abstain from hostile rhetoric.

Azerbaijan, in contrast to Armenia, rejected mediators’ offers to
remove snipers from the contact line and to develop mechanisms for
investigation of border incidents.

Azerbaijan not only keeps turning down mediator’s proposals, but also
grossly violates the ceasefire through constant attacks.

Armenia, unlike Azerbaijan, has repeatedly expressed readiness
to continue talks based on OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries’
statements issued in L’Aquila, Muskoka, Deauville and in Los Cabos,”
Minister Nalbandian’s statement reads.

ARMENIAN FM TO SPEAK AT RIO+20 SUMMIT

armradio.am
19.06.2012 14:34

The delegation headed by Armenian Foreign Minister Ewdard Nalbandian
will leave for Brazil to participate in the Rio+20 sustainable
development conference.

The Armenian Foreign Minister is expected to make a speech at the
summit, Press and Information Department of the Ministry of foreign
Affairs reported.

The Conference will take place in Brazil on 20-22 June 2012 to
mark the 20th anniversary of the 1992 United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development (UNCED), in Rio de Janeiro, and the 10th
anniversary of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD)
in Johannesburg.

The objective of the Conference is to secure renewed political
commitment for sustainable development, assess the progress to date
and the remaining gaps in the implementation of the outcomes of
the major summits on sustainable development, and address new and
emerging challenges

IRAN, RUSSIA, CHINA, SYRIA TO HOLD JOINT DRILLS

PanARMENIAN.Net
June 19, 2012 – 13:18 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Iranian, Russian, Chinese and Syrian armies
are due to stage joint amphibious drills along the Syrian costs in
coming weeks, informed sources said, according to Fars News Agency.

Sources said 90,000 troops from the four countries will take part in
the land and sea wargames due to be held in Syria. Land, air and sea
forces as well as air defense and rocket units of the four countries
will take part in the exercise.

Sources also said that Egypt has acceded to grant passage to 12 Chinese
warships to sail through the Suez Canal, adding that the military
convoy is due to dock at the Syrian harbors in the next two weeks.

Russian atomic submarines and warships, aircraft carriers and
mine-clearing destroyers as well as Iranian battleships and submarines
will also arrive in Syria at around the same date.

Syria plans to test its coast-to-sea and air defense missiles in
the wargames.

A total of 400 warplanes and 1,000 tanks will also be used in the
exercises.

A Syrian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, informed two
weeks ago that the drills would be conducted in Syria soon.

Unofficial sources also said the four countries are now busy with
taking swift preparatory measures for these biggest-ever wargames in
the Middle-East.

Sham Life reported that the maneuvers will be stage in less than one
month from now, that is early June.

STATE DEPARTMENT RESPONDS TO ANCA CONCERNS REGARDING AZERBAIJANI ATTACKS AGAINST ARMENIA

armradio.am
19.06.2012 11:11

The State Department, once again, failed to properly condemn
Azerbaijan’s escalating violence against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh,
in a letter responding to Armenian National Committee of America
concerns about Azerbaijan’s recent cross-border attacks.

The response came to a letter from ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian on the
June 4-6th Azerbaijani attacks against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh
that left eight soldiers dead and more wounded. Assistant Secretary of
State for European and Eurasian Affairs Phil Gordon, responding for
Secretary Clinton, “deeply regret[ed] this senseless loss of life”
and went on to note that “the United States has urged the parties to
refrain from the use or threat of force.”

“We remain deeply disturbed by the ongoing artificial even-handedness
applied to a belligerent Azerbaijani leadership, which has repeatedly
shown – through threats and violence – a blatant disregard for
international calls for a peaceful resolution of the Karabakh
conflict,” said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. “This time it was
8 soldiers who were killed on the front lines – brazenly timed to
coincide with Secretary Clinton’s visit to the region. How many more
must die before we hear a clear rebuke from the U.S. and international
community of Azerbaijan’s escalating violence and war-rhetoric?”

Commenting on the ANCA’s concerns about reports of an impending sale
of military equipment to Azerbaijan for use on helicopters for border
monitoring, Gordon noted “the United States’ security assistance to
the region is carefully considered to ensure it does not undermine
efforts for a peaceful settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh.”

The letter of Philip Gordon reads, in part: “We are following reports
regarding the recent incidents along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border
and deeply regret this senseless loss of life. As Secretary Clinton
emphasized during her recent trip to the region, the use of force
will not solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The United States has urged the parties to refrain from the use or
threat of force, and as Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk-Group, we remain
committed to working with the sides to achieve a peaceful settlement.

As the next step in the peace process, the Minsk Group Co-Chairs
will meet later this month with the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan
and Armenia.

Regarding the other issues that you raised, the United States’ security
assistance to the region is carefully considered to ensure it does
not undermine efforts for a peaceful settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh.”

IRAN STATES THAT IT HAS DISCOVERED GAS FIELD IN AZERBAIJAN’S TERRITORY

arminfo
Tuesday, June 19, 14:38

ArmInfo-Turan. Analyst of MENAS ASSOCIATES UK Alex Jackson does
not exclude a possible conflict between Azerbaijan and Iran if
the resources of Sardar-e Jangal oil and gas field located in the
disputable section of the Caspian Sea are confirmed.

“If the current statements of Iran about the oil and gas resources
of the field are confirmed, relationships between Iran and Azerbaijan
could deteriorate,” Jackson said at the “Development of Caspian Shelf
2012” oil and gas conference in Astana on June 14, 2012.

Discovery of Sardar-e Jangal oil and gas field was announced in
December 2011 and in May 2012 Sardar Milli field was discovered on the
same structure. “We do not have concrete figures now, but according to
the Iran’s estimates, the field could contain about 50 trillion cub.m.

feet of gas and 10 billion barrels of oil. This is a very serious
figure,” the expert added.

He recalled that Iranian officials do not “name the place of location
of the field.” “There is information that it is located 250 km
northwest of Neka port. This means that this is Azerbaijani territory,
if Caspian Sea is divided along the medium line,” Jackson added. “This
is a very important issue. If the volume of resources is confirmed,
then there will be a serious problem between Azerbaijan and Iran,
which should be solved,” he repeated.

One of the ways to solve the problem is Russia’s interference. “This
potential conflict between the two countries could make Russia to
lead the remaining Caspian basin states and urge Iran to accept the
position to the Caspian Sea status, so it would agree to 14% of water
area instead of 20%,” he said.

He believes that Iran could get a share in the operation of
the disputable field. British analyst mentioned that he means
“exceptionally the proposals” about the possibilities of the conflict
and the ways of its solution.

“Many people are skeptical about Iran’s statements about the
resources of the field. The Iranian government tries to attach a
special importance to this statement to make Iran the world producing
country after all the problems it faced in the Persian Gulf after
introduction of the sanctions,” Jackson concluded.

155 THOUSANDS HECTARES OF LAND NEED IRRIGATION IN ARMENIA, EXPERT SAYS

tert.am
19.06.12

Some 155 thousands of hectares of land need irrigation in Armenia,
Adibek Ghazaryan, director of program implementation agency of the
State Water Management Committee told the reporters today, saying
that the issue is under the committee’s responsibility.

“This year we face water scarcity. Some 1 billion 130 million cubic
meters of water are necessary for irrigating the lands. We have water
deficit now and in case of a relevant decision 150 million liters of
water will be taken from Sevan,” Adibek Ghazaryan said.

For already three years the irrigation water tariff has remained
unchanged in Armenia and this year as well the farmers will acquire
1 cubic meter of water with AMD 11. Ghazaryan said the state pays
18 drams for 1 cubic meter of water which means that the Armenian
government subsidizes the rest of the sum easing farmers’ burden.

Adibek Ghazaryan said the government has implemented a number of
reforms during the past five years in the sphere.

Asked whether taking water from Sevan will not harm the Lake’s
eco-system, Adibek Ghazaryan said they are going to take 300 million
liters of water while the law allows only 168 million. Ghazaryan said
the Armenian government is going to apply to the National Assembly
for additional 150 million. Ghazaryan said taking such quantity of
water will not affect the Lake’s level.

ARMENIA’S RESPONSE TO PRESIDENTS’ APPEAL

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 13:12:22 – 19/06/2012

Minister of foreign affairs Edward Nalbandyan responded to the
statement by the presidents of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs on
Nagorno-Karabakh.

In his statement, Edward Nalbandyan highly appreciated the efforts
of the presidents of Russia, the United States and France aimed at
the settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

He said that the fourth statement issued by the presidents in Los
Cabos may be an incentive to the negotiations. Armenia is decisive and
united with the co-chairing countries to solve the issue exceptionally
through peace methods.

Just like Russia, the United States and France, we are sorry that
despite the 26 May 2011 appeal in Deauville, no progress is reported
by June 24 summit in Kazan due to the destructive and maximalist
position of Azerbaijan.

Armenia is consistent with the reached agreements which are reflected
in the statement by the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents on January
23, 2012 in Sochi, and will continue efforts aimed at agreement on
the principles of settlement.

Nalbandyan says that Azerbaijan unlike Armenia has always refused
to respect the appeals and proposal to respect and strengthen the
truce, to withdraw snipers from the line of contact and to set up a
body to investigate border incidents. Azerbaijan not only rejects
the proposals, but also continues to violate the ceasefire and
subversive acts.

Unlike Azerbaijan, Armenia has always expressed readiness to continue
negotiations based on statements by the leaders of the co-chairing
countries in L’Aquila, Muskoka, Deauville and already Los Cabos,
the statement runs.

TURKISH WRITER CALLED TURKS COPY THE ACTIVITY OF ARMENIAN DIASPORA

ARMENPRESS
19 June, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 19, ARMENPRESS: Turkish writer Murad Bardakci
reverberated to the struggle of Turkish state against recognition
of Armenian genocide. Armenpress reports citing Turkish Haber Turk
that the writer had mentioned that until today Turkey has not been
able to have accurate and systematic struggle against Armenian
Diaspora which implements productive activity in abroad. Bardakci
informed that there are various organizations in Turkey today which
have a great disadvantage: they can not give a correct response to
Armenian Diaspora which acts in four sides of the world and direct
their efforts against Armenians who live in Turkey. Speaking about
Turkish traditional misinformation campaign Turk writer advised to act
from one coordinating center. He expressed his concern that Armenian
Diaspora would be able in 2015 to make different countries recognize
Armenian Genocide, including USA.

PRISON TURQUE : REVOLTE CONTRE LES CONDITIONS DE DETENTION

Publie le : 19-06-2012

Info Collectif VAN – – A Urfa, dans l’est de
la Turquie, treize detenus de la prison de type E pour la plupart
d’origine kurde, ont perdu la vie dans un incendie qui s’est declare
au cours d’une emeute. Il y aurait egalement au moins trente blesses
dont trois personnes gravement intoxiquees. Les detenus du dortoir
C 15 ont mis le feu a leurs effets pour exprimer leur revolte contre
leurs conditions de detention inhumaine. Pour memoire, depuis 2009, des
milliers d’opposants ont ete emprisonnes arbitrairement en Turquie. Le
procès de l’editeur turc Ragip Zarakolu et de l’universitaire Busra
Ersanli, tous deux accuses de ” terrorisme ” pour leur engagement
pacifique en faveur du règlement des questions kurde et armenienne,
se tiendra le 2 juillet 2012 a Silivri. Des dizaines d’etudiants
seront egalement juges a cette occasion. Le Collectif VAN vous invite
a lire cette information mise a notre disposition par Bahar Kimyongur,
directeur de l’OTDH (Observatoire turc des droits de l’homme).

Treize prisonniers tues a Urfa en Turquie

A Urfa, dans l’est de la Turquie, treize detenus de la prison de type
E pour la plupart d’origine kurde, ont perdu la vie dans un incendie
qui s’est declare au cours d’une emeute. Il y aurait egalement au
moins trente blesses dont trois personnes gravement intoxiquees.

D’après le gouverneur de la ville d’Urfa, une bagarre entre detenus
de droits commun serait a l’origine de l’incendie tragique.

Le chef de la sûrete Mehmet Likoglu soutient lui aussi que les victimes
seraient des detenus de droit commun et non des detenus politiques.

En revanche, Me Ibrahim Benek, avocat du depute kurde du BDP (Parti
de la paix et de la democratie) Ibrahim Ayhan incarcere dans la meme
prison, affirme que les detenus du dortoir C 15 ont mis le feu a leurs
effets pour exprimer leur revolte contre leurs conditions de detention
inhumaine et qu’avec l’embrasement des matelas, le feu serait devenu
incontrôlable. L’avocat a par ailleurs tenu le ministre de la justice
responsable de ce massacre.

Près de 500 parents de detenus etaient masses cette nuit devant la
prison d’Urfa pour s’enquerir de la sante de leurs proches incarceres.

La police et l’armee sont intervenues pour disperser la foule a coups
de gaz au poivre et de matraques.

De nombreux membres du Congrès national kurde (KCK) sont incarceres
a la prison d’Urfa où près de 1000 detenus se partagent a peine
400 places.

17 juin 2012

Source: Firatnews (), Hurriyet, Milliyet

Traduit par Bahar Kimyongur, directeur de l’OTDH (Observatoire turc
des droits de l’homme)

——————————————————————————-

La police tire sur les habitants du quartier de Gazi

Samedi matin vers 10h30, un rassemblement pacifique de militants du
Front populaire (Halk Cephesi) s’est tenu dans le parc de la mairie de
Gazi. Installes sous une tente, les militants entendaient denoncer les
violences policières qu’ils subissent quotidiennement. Des equipes
de police sont descendues sur les lieux et ont tente d’enlever un
militant. Lorsque les manifestants ont voulu s’interposer, la police a
ouvert le feu a balles reelles mais sans faire de blesses. Le quartier
reste mobilise face a la violence policière.

16 juin 2012

Source: Halkinsesi TV ( )

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