Author: Kajoyan Gevork

NKR’S OFFICIAL DELEGATION IS IN LONDON

17:14 . 13/06

NKR’s official delegation headed by National Assembly Speaker Ashot
Ghulyan is in London at the invitation of the Armenian-British
Parliamentary Friendship Group.

Artsakh’s delegation participated in the annual assembly of the
Armenian-British Friendship Group at the House of Lords of the UK.

Ashot Ghulyan delivered a speech at the School of Oriental and African
Studies at London University on the topic of “Prospects for Stability
and Progress in the Caucasus: Peace and the Process of Building
Statehood in Nagorno-Karabakh”.

A reception was held in honour of Ashot Ghulyan with the participation
of the Armenian ambassador. The heads of the British Armenian
structures were invited to the reception.

Artsakh’s officials highlighted the comprehensive support of the
diasporan Armenian organizations owing to which Artsakh successfully
confronts the present challenges and stressed the necessity to continue
the support.

FORMER ARMENIAN FM’S AFFAIR BRINGS MORMONS TO MIND – NEWSPAPER

news.am
June 13, 2012 | 07:21

YEREVAN. – In its statement released Tuesday in connection with the
case of Armenia’s former FM Vartan Oskanian, the National Security
Service mentioned the name of Huntsman, who is head of the Mormons,
that is, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hraparak
daily writes.

“The Mormons came to Armenia for the first time in 1988, at the time
of the earthquake, to carry out charitable programs. Subsequently,
they settled in Armenia, with their serious business and church.

The Mormons were warmly received in Armenia in the 1990s, during the
days of [First President Levon] Ter-Petrosyan, and even more warmly
during the ten-year tenure of [second President Robert] Kocharyan.

Huntsman was even issued a Special Status passport and he ‘carried
out’ projects.

The Mormons’ church in Armenia has 3,000 members,” Hraparak writes.

A LITTLE PREGNANT COURT
Naira Hayrumyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 15:30:54 – 13/06/2012

The Public Television of Armenia, commenting on one-day strike of 500
lawyers, focused on the sharp reaction of the judicial bodies. Note
that the judges said the strike was an order and an attempt of
blackmail. The Public TV criticized such an approach.

The judicial system which has always depended on the government,
especially when it was necessary to legitimize the elections, has
evidently become a burden for the authorities, at least because all
recent international reports have focused on the lack of justice and
necessity to ensure independence of the judicial system.

Back in January, the minister of justice Hrair Tovmasyan said that the
lack of confidence in the judicial system is 70-80% and the reforms
plan to reduce this figure up to 30-40%.

This sounds as absolute nonsense. What does it mean to reduce lack
of confidence up to 30%? In the case of the judicial system, it is
supposed to have absolute confidence between both side. Trust in the
judicial system either exists or does not. This is the task to follow,
not reduction of the low level of confidence.

Such a populist attitude to the judicial system allows it to approach
similarly to another institute which also supposes full confidence.

Elections are meaningless unless people are not sure that their votes
are equal. There is no election without trust.

The current judicial system fined civic activists who wanted to
dismantle the illegal constructions in Mashtots Park. It also rejected
the claims of the Armenian National Congress and a number of candidates
who demanded to void elections. The Constitutional Court did not say
there were no violations. It merely stated that there were no grounds
to void the election.

What grounds does the court need to void the elections? In normal
countries, it would take only 2-3 cases of fraud to declare lack
of confidence to the organizers of the elections since trust is the
cornerstone of elections. And in Armenia, trust is considered as a
secondary moral category which has nothing to do with the government
institutes.

In the meantime, we live and build relations with other people and
institutions based on trust. No one checks every hour whether we
violate the law, whether we fulfill our task because we trust each
other. In relation to this, we need absolute trust in the court
and elections.

Meanwhile, the two key institutions are the most controversial
institutions in the public system. We cannot trust each other unless we
believe that we will judge justly. This is similar to pseudo-belief in
God when a person commits a sin, knowing that he will buy indulgences
from the pries.

The fact that Public Television “attacked” the court may give reason to
hope that Armenia understands the need to break the current judicial
system and build a new one. Let this be after the election, because
the new court cannot reject the claims of the opposition. But the
most important thing is that it happens. Perhaps this requires not
only the lawyers’ strike but sabotage by civil courts.

GENOCIDE DISCUSSIONS IN KNESSET PROMOTE FOR RECOGNITION OF CRIMES AGAINST ARMENIANS

news.am
June 14, 2012 | 02:07

Time chosen for discussions over the Armenian Genocide in the Knesset
is not linked to events or Israel-Turkey relations, Merets MP Zahava
Galon told Armenian News-NEWS.am. Discussions on the topic are held
on her initiative.

“The party raises the issue every year prior to the April 24 [the
Remembrance Day of Armenian Genocide victims] based on moral values.

This year was not an exception. It is a matter of values, which should
not be linked to foreign policy or influence on the foreign deals,”
she said adding continuous discussions and debates in the Knesset
promote the recognition of the crimes perpetrated against Armenians.

To note, the parliament speaker stated on Tuesday during the hearings
on Genocide in the Ottoman Turkey that Israel is obliged to remember
killings of more than a million Armenians.

COMPLEX AND CONFUSED SITUATION
Siranuysh Papyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 11:42:29 – 14/06/2012

Interview with French-Armenian political scientist Gaidz Minassian

The proceedings against former foreign minister of Armenia Vartan
Oskanian who is suspected of money laundering are actively discussed
in Armenia. What is the reason?

This is a senseless step aimed at harming Vartan Oskanian or Robert
Kocharyan which is done right after the parliamentary elections,
several months before the presidential elections and immediately
after Hillary Clinton’s visit. This is unacceptable because we know
that Vartan Oskanian is a respectable and intelligent person and I
have no idea why they decided to block his way and pretend fighting
corruption while there are many political figures and oligarchs who
needed to be addressed instead. The only reason, in my opinion, is that
Vartan Oskanian could play some role in the presidential elections.

There are opinions that the NSS is not “indifferent” towards former
foreign ministers of Armenia. Alik Arzumanyan was also persecuted
some years ago. Can this fact impact Armenia’s reputation?

I think the proceedings against Arzumanyan and Oskanian are not
interrelated. It will certainly impact Armenia’s reputation because
this person is famous as a minister and political figure and the world
will urge Armenia to leave him alone. And if there is someone clean,
that person is Vartan Oskanian.

Do you see any link between the upcoming presidential elections and
Vartan Oskanian’s case?

They are interrelated because we know that either Vartan Oskanian
will run, which I don’t believe will happen, or Robert Kocharyan
will little by little return to politics using his levers, friends,
relatives, for example, Vartan Oskanian or Gagik Tsarukyan or the PAP.

But touching Vartan Oskanian 7-8 months before the elections means
touching that political wave.

Hillary Clinton’s visit to Armenia made it clear that the West will
support Serzh Sargsyan for president. Why did the West choose Serzh
Sargsyan?

The West knows that Serzh Sargsyan is clever and wants peace, but
it wants a Western peace: ratification of protocols with Turkey,
settlement of the Karabakh status etc. The West has studied the
political arena and saw two-three people – Robert Kocharyan, who
is closer to Putin so he could never be their candidate or Levon
Ter-Petrosyan who is exhausted and even his reputation is still
not sufficient. The Americans know that Ter-Petrosyan can’t win, so
only Serzh Sargsyan is left. He has shown his ability to cooperate,
communicate, let others do everything with himself, especially
considering that the American priority is to have the Armenia-Turkey
protocols signed. The U.S. wants to show that if Russia supports a
candidate, they have their own candidate. Armenia is the only country
in the region where Russia can extend its influence, but tomorrow’s
president of Armenia is important – Serzh Sargsyan – to the West,
or Robert Kocharyan – to Russia? This is a bit complicated approach
because it is deep, complex and confused because we can see that
today’s government of Armenia is pro-Russian, Serzh Sargsyan is close
with Russia’s authorities, Nalbandyan is even closer, he is like the
office of the Russia foreign ministry in Armenia.

Gaidz, why is there no alternative to the old candidates? Why isn’t
it allowed to create a new one?

It is not allowed because two generations are fighting in Armenia. The
old generation is represented by Robert, Serzh, Vahan Hovhannisyan
and others, and the new generation does not have new figures either,
some vice-ministers, some MPs, no one important. This fight is not
competitive, so we still have those who were in politics 20 years ago.

Today’s political issue is this.

How will transition take place?

I can see two options. The first is the peaceful passage. I mean
changes through reforms aiming at the European system and democracy,
human rights etc. which will reveal new figures in the course of time.

The second is the way accompanied with shocks and home pressure,
war with Azerbaijan. People are tired of promises. When they leave
Armenia, it does not mean that they don’t love their country, but they
don’t love the authorities and they see no hope in today’s Armenia.

They either leave, or keep silence.

MENENDEZ AND SHAHEEN DENOUNCE AZERBAIJAN’S ANTI-ARMENIAN ATTACKS IN MORNINGSTAR CONFIRMATION HEARING

armradio.am
14.06.2012 12:05

Azerbaijan’s escalation of violence against Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh and ongoing repression of human rights took center stage
during Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing for
U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan designee Richard Morningstar, reported
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA.)

In successive questions, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on
Europe Chairwoman Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Senator Robert Menendez
sent a clear message that U.S. – Azerbaijan relations should not solely
be founded on energy concerns and must reflect the fundamental issues
of democracy building and human rights as well as finding a peaceful
and lasting resolution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

“We join with Armenians in New Jersey, New Hampshire and across
America in thanking Senators Menendez and Shaheen for shining
a spotlight on the failure of the Obama Administration to stand
up to Azerbaijan’s escalating threats and acts of anti-Armenian
aggression and worsening human rights record,” said ANCA Executive
Director Aram Hamparian. “We were especially gratified, in light of
Baku’s recent cross-border attacks into both Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh that Senator Menendez was able to secure assurances from
Ambassador-designate Morningstar regarding the very strict scrutiny
that should be applied to any potential U.S. military transfers or
sales to an Azerbaijani government that has openly pledged to use
its growing arsenal to renew its aggression.”

“Azerbaijan’s integration with the West can and must span well
beyond pipelines,” said Ambassador-designate Morningstar in his
prepared testimony, after underscoring the broad levels of energy and
security cooperation between the U.S. and the Caucasus nation. “The
United States must also continue to work with Azerbaijan on advancing
democratic and economic reforms, including promoting respect for the
rule of law, transparency, and fundamental freedoms.” Morningstar
went on to cite that “to achieve a more secure and prosperous future
for the region, there is no higher immediate priority for the United
States than the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.”

In his questions to Morningstar, Sen. Menendez called specific
attention to recent cross-border attacks by Azerbaijan against Armenia,
threats by President Aliyev that “Armenian will live in fear,” and
the assertion that “Our [Azerbaijan’s] main enemies are Armenians of
the world.” Menendez continued, asking “do you think, based upon those
types of statements, that the proposed sales of military hardware to
be used in conjunction with Azerbaijan’s military helicopter fleet
is really in the national interest of the United States?”

Morningstar responded that “that it is fair to say, and I will say,
that any language that is counterproductive, such as you have said,
that any actions by any party that bring about loss of life, as the
Secretary of State said last week, create increased tensions, can
create escalations that can have unpredictable and unforeseeable
consequences and make even more difficult the task of achieving
the settlement in Nagorno Karabakh.” He stopped short, however,
of expressly calling out the Azerbaijani Government’s aggression
against Armenia.

In terms of military sales to Azerbaijan, Morningstar argued,
“There are increasing tensions with respect to other neighbors,
in particular with Iran. And we have to provide, I think, security
assistance, possibly military assistance in ways that cannot be
used to exacerbate any situation with respect to Armenia or Nagorno
Karabakh.” Menendez was quick to respond, reminding Morningstar that
“I didn’t hear President Aliyev say ‘My main enemy or security concern
is Iran,’ he said that, ‘Our main enemies are the Armenians of the
world.’ [. . .] I have a real problem with going ahead and selling
military hardware to the Azerbaijanis based upon what has happened.”

In response to Sen. Menendez’s question about why the Azerbaijani
destruction of the Armenian cemetery in Djulfa was not included in
the State Department Religious Freedom Report, Morningstar replied,
“. I don’t know. But I can say that if I am confirmed I will make every
effort to visit the cemetery and that any kind of desecration such as
that is unacceptable, outrageous and I will do my best to get there,
and soon.” Menendez continued undeterred, stating that “I would assume
the only impediment to your best effort will be the Azerbaijanis not
letting you go? I’m trying to understand what your “best effort” is?

You’re going to do everything possible to go?” referencing the Aliyev
regime’s refusal to allow former Ambassador Bryza to visit the region.

“Yes,” replied Morningstar.

As with past nominees, Sen. Menendez pressed Morningstar regarding
his position on the proper recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
asking “I don’t expect you to answer any differently than I have had
previous nominees before this committee do, but I have to ask you
whether or not you contest any of the facts what transpired in 1915
as it relates to 1.5 million Armenians who were brutally massacred
and marched to their deaths in the waning days of the Ottoman Empire?”

Morningstar replied “No, I do not.”

Senator Shaheen focused her questions on Azerbaijan’s human rights
record and urged Morningstar to do more than “jawboning” in terms of
getting positive movement with regards to democracy building efforts
in the country. She went on to ask Morningstar about the effect of
Israel’s proposed $1.5 Billion arms sale and its affects on regional
stability. In his opening remarks, Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Chairman John Kerry cited the importance of finding a peaceful
resolution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Ranking Republican
Richard Lugar (R-IN) focused his questions on the energy sector and
Azerbaijan’s role in the region.

Senators have an additional day to submit written questions to
Ambassador-designate Morningstar. No date has yet been scheduled for
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation vote.

L’UE EXHORTE LA TURQUIE A FAIRE DES REFORMES, SURTOUT DANS LA JUSTICE
Stephane

armenews.com
jeudi 14 juin 2012

L’Union europeenne a appele jeudi 8 juin la Turquie par la voix de
son commissaire charge de l’Elargissement, Stefan Fule, a aller de
l’avant dans les reformes democratiques, plus particulièrement dans
le domaine de la justice.

“Nous pensons que la serie d’amendements judiciaires (du gouvernement
turc) doit finalement s’attaquer au coeur du sujet”, a-t-il dit au
terme d’une reunion de dialogue politique Turquie-UE a Istanbul,
a laquelle a assiste le chef de la diplomatie europeenne Catherine
Ashton, son homologue turc Ahmet Davutoglu ainsi que le ministre turc
aux Affaires europeennes, Egemen Bagis.

Le gouvernement islamo-conservateur turc du Premier ministre Recep
Tayyip Erdogan est regulièrement epingle pour certains manquements
aux droits de l’homme, notamment en ce qui concerne les tribunaux aux
competences speciales où sont juges de nombreux opposants du regime,
dont des militants kurdes et des officiers d’active ou a la retraite,
soupconnes d’ourdir des complots contre le parti gouvernemental.

Interroge au cours d’un point de presse sur ces tribunaux, M. Fule a
souligne que la position de l’UE, qui avait critique ces tribunaux,
etait connue.

Le gouvernement a elabore un nouvelle serie d’amendements legislatifs,
la quatrième en dix ans, qui prevoit une certaine restriction des
competences de ces tribunaux, sans pour autant les demanteler, selon
la presse.

“Dans l’Union, nous critiquons toujours les tribunaux qui ont des
competences speciales”, a dit M. Fule, soulignant que la question de
la liberte d’expression avait aussi ete abordee.

La Turquie, qui a ouvert en 2005 des negociations d’adhesion avec l’UE,
doit mener a leur terme des negociations sur 35 chapitres thematiques.

Mais le processus est au point mort. Sur les 35 chapitres, un seul est
boucle. Huit sont bloques en raison de la non-reconnaissance par la
Turquie de Chypre. Dix autres le sont, pour des raisons politiques,
par differents Etats membres.

REAL ESTATE BUYERS REDUCED IN YEREVAN – AMERICAN-ARMENIAN ENTREPRENEUR

news.am
June 12, 2012 | 15:18

YEREVAN. – The real estate buyers have reduced in Armenia’s capital,
Yerevan, American-Armenian businessman Vahakn Hovnanian-who has made
great investments in Armenia’s real estate market-stated during a
press conference on Tuesday.

As per Hovnanian, one reason for this drop is emigration, and the
rest do not have enough money.

In the Diaspora-Armenian entrepreneur’s words, solely the Armenian
immigrants from Syria, Iran and Egypt bring liveliness to the real
estate market.

Vahakn Hovnanian also informed that 63 percent of the real estate his
company (Hovnanian International Ltd) offers are purchased by local
Armenians and 37 percent are bought by foreign nationals.

AGNIESZKA HOLLAND TO BECOME SPECIAL GUEST AT GOLDEN APRICOT FILM FESTIVAL

Panorama.am
12/06/2012

Famous Polish director and scriptwriter Agnieszka Holland has been
invited as an honorary guest to participate in the 9th annual Golden
Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival. Her latest film, In
Darkness, will be presented within the framework of non-competition
program “Yerevan Premieres.” Also, Agnieszka Holland will be honored
with Parajanov Thaler Lifetime Achievement Award, festival’s press
service reported.

Agnieszka Holland was born 28 of November 1948 in Warsaw but went
to Czechoslovakia to study film directing at FAMU in Prague. She
began her film career working in Poland with Krzysztof Zanussi
as assistant director, and Andrzej Wajda as her mentor. She wrote
several scripts with Wajda before directing her own films, which
were soon winning awards at festivals – [Cannes (1980), Gdansk,
Berlin (1981), Montreal (1985,1987), Golden Globe Award (1991)] –
and gaining notoriety as part of the Polish New Wave. Holland is best
known in the United States for her Oscar-Nominated “Angry Harvest”,
“Europa, Europa”, and Warner Bros. fims: “Olivier, Olivier” and the
“The Secret Garden”. In 1994 she has directed “Red Wind” in the United
States, a thriller for television produced by Sydney Pollack, which
was aired on Arte in the series Fallen Angels. A year later she made
“Total Eclipse.” In 1996 she has directed “Washington Square” in the
United States, starring Jennifer Jason Leigh and Albert Finney.

ARMENIA HOSTS EVENTS ON PROTECTION OF ETHNIC MINORITIES

PanARMENIAN.Net
June 12, 2012 – 13:11 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Today, June 12, Yerevan hosted a seminar on
protection of ethnic minorities, with head of Armenian government’s
Ethnic Minorities and Religious Affairs Department delivering a report.

Vardan Ascatryan noted that the Framework Convention for the Protection
of National Minorities(FCNM) aimed to foster the maintenance of ethnic
minorities’ culture.

The seminar pursued the goal to detect minorities’ problems through
discussions and offer possible solutions to them.

Series of events have been held in Armenia since 2000, in the framework
of which text books and newspapers were published.

Ethnic minorities comprised 2.5% of total population in 2011, with
Yazidis representing the largest number (about 40 thous.); while the
number of Jews, Germans, Poles and Belarusians didn’t exceed 1000.

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