Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Issues on fighting against drug addiction and illegal drug circulation
in Armenia discussed

13:25, 7 March, 2012

YEREVAN, MARCH 7, ARMENPRESS. Secretary of the National Security
Council of Armenia Arthur Baghdasaryan chaired today the regular
sitting of the inter-departmental commission on fighting against drug
addiction and illegal drug circulation in Armenia. Press service of
the NSC told Armenpress that in his opening speech Baghdasaryan
stressed the necessity to sum up the work implemented by the
departments during the year and present it to the leader of the
country. The NSC Secretary said they have registered stability in
fighting against these phenomena. The analysis of the registered
violations shows that last year 1525 such cases have been registered
and no increase as compared with the previous year has been recorded.
In 2011 128 kg of drugs were seized, which is not more as compared
with the previous year. The absence of growth in the violations
registered in this sphere is already positive but we must make steps
to decrease their volume.

Members of the inter-departmental commission presented the reports on
the works carried out by their department in fighting against drug
addiction and illegal drug circulation. They said that in 2011 they
have implemented all the events intended by the program.

The participants of the sitting also discussed the EU-funded program
on creation of rehabilitation centers which will provide
social-psychological and advisory support. The program has been worked
out as a result of studies of experience of a number of countries and
legislations.

Lebanese Armenian commits suicide

March 7, 2012 – 17:03 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – A 62-year-old man is believed to have committed
suicide Tuesday, March 6, by hanging himself at his home in the town
of al-Atshana, near Bikfaya.

As Daily Star reports, security sources said Krikor Jolakian, a
Lebanese Armenian, was found dead at midday hanging from a rope inside
one of the bedrooms of his house.

A coroner who examined the body said there were no physical signs of
abuse on Jolakian, which strongly points to a suicide.

The prosecutor has requested to listen to the statements of Jolakian’s
wife and children, who were outside the house when the alleged suicide
took place.

Congresswoman Judy Chu meets Armenian community representatives

March 7, 2012 – 10:09 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On March 4, the Armenian Council of America (ACA)
welcomed Representative Judy Chu (D-CA) to the A.E.B.U. `Soghanalian
Hall’ for a meet and greet with ACA members, community leaders, youth
members, and activists.

`We were honored to have Congresswoman Chu take out the time to speak
to us about issues that are important to us as constituents and as
members of the international community,’ said ACA Chairman, Sevak
Khatchadorian. `Her enthusiasm, dedication to improving the community
through the economy, and her concern about international issues are
admirable qualities of a great leader worthy of support.’

Master of Ceremonies Christine Aghakhanian introduced the
Congresswoman as she detailed her past achievements and future goals
before the Congresswoman took the stage to begin her informative and
inspirational presentation. She provided a synopsis on her three
decade-long history in public service in the San Gabriel Valley and
stated that one of her main focuses as the next representative of the
27th Congressional District is to help small businesses grow so that
they can contribute to the economy. She also discussed international
topics such as her support for aid to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh and
her commitment to advance recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Congresswoman Chu strongly encouraged participation of
Armenian-Americans in grassroots activism in all parts of the United
States, so that the interests and concerns of our community are not
overlooked or voted against due to pressures from the Turkish
communities. She mentioned how decisions are being made all the time
in Washington with disregard to the interests of the Armenian-American
communities because of the lack of political involvement in regions of
the country which lack sizeable populations of Armenian-Americans.

The program concluded with a question and answer session where the
Congresswoman further pledged her support for Armenian-American causes
and issues.

Congresswoman Chu is currently representing the 35th congressional
district. Because of re-districting, she is running for the 27th
Congressional District historically represented by long-time friend of
the Armenian-American community, Congressman Adam Schiff. The 27th
Congressional includes the areas of Alhambra, Altadena, Arcadia,
Glendora, Monterey Park, Pasadena, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino,
South Pasadena, Sierra Madre, Temple City and parts of Claremont,
Monrovia and Upland.

4 Armenian players secure victory in Women’s Chess Championship round 5

March 7, 2012 – 10:46 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The 13th European Individual Women’s Chess
Championship 2012 is underway in Turkish city of Gaziantep.

Elina Danielian defeated Monika Seps (Swtizerland) in the 5th round;
Lilit Mkrtchian gained victory over Joanna Dvorakovskaya (Poland).
Maria Kursova beat Nelly Alikhanyan (Russia) and Nelly Aghinyan
defeated Margarita Coimbra (Portugal).

Anna Hairapetian was the only Armenian representative to lose the game
to Jovana Vojinovic (Montenegro).

The championship is based on Swiss system in accordance with the ECU
Tournament Rules and FIDE Rules of Chess. The playing time is 90
minutes for 40 moves plus 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an
increment of 30 seconds per move, starting from move one.

Total prize amounts to Euro 100 000.

Serzh Sargsyan: Nagorno Karabakh is part of the European family

armradio.am
07.03.2012 10:20

In the framework of his working visit to the Kingdom of Belgium,
President Serzh Sargsyan met today with the President of the European
Commission Jose Manuel Barroso. At the conclusion of the meeting,
Presidents of Armenia and the European Commission gave a joint press
conference.

President Serzh Sargsyan stated:

‘Mr. President, I am glad to see you again and appreciate the
opportunity to discuss issues of the Armenia-EU agenda. Very important
developments have taken place since our last meeting which allowing
Armenia and EU to reach a new milestone in their relations. We greatly
appreciate the input made by the European Commission and Mr. Barroso
personally to the deepening of our cooperation.

I would like to note from the very beginning that our approaches and
positions on all issues of our agenda completely coincide. Armenia’s
relations with the European Union are anchored in the same system of
values which is conditioned by our historical, cultural, religious and
linguistic similarities.

At the same time, I am happy to affirm that today our relations
develop upward. Recently, relations between Armenia and EU have
entered a qualitatively new level; we are registering decisive
progress on the entire spectrum of our relations.

We have underscored with mutual satisfaction considerable progress
achieved in the negotiations on the Armenia-EU Association Agreement.
It will elevate our relations in the legal field to a new level and
will set precise guidelines for a close cooperation in the areas of
security policy, democracy, economic integration, human rights, energy
and others.

Another milestone of our mutual success is the unanimous decision of
all EU member states to launch negotiations on the Deep and
Comprehensive Free Trade Zone, which also speaks of the efficiency of
the steps undertaken by the Armenian Government on that direction. The
European Union is Armenia’s largest trading partner and signing of
this Agreement will have a critical influence on further integration,
encouragement of investments and will become a serious impetus for the
development of the Armenian economy.

We stressed the importance of the start of the negotiations on the
agreement for visa regime facilitation with the EU countries which
kicked off February 27 in Yerevan. We expect that the negotiations
will be concluded successfully in a short period of time and will
create greater opportunities for the citizens of Armenia and EU member
states to enhance contacts on the different levels.

At the moment, the main elements of our political dialogue with EU are
our internal reforms and synchronization with the European agenda for
acting as a one entity. We are resolute to go on with the deep and
comprehensive reforms in Armenia; we view reforms currently undertaken
in our country also as an important part of our unfolding cooperation
with the EU.

We welcome and share European Union’s `more assistance for more
reforms’ principle. In developing certain programs for the
implementation of the reforms, we are guided by that very principle. I
have also expressed my gratitude to the European Union for the
continuous support provided to Armenia.

At our meeting, we have also touched upon the parliamentary elections
to be held in Armenia in May, and I have reiterated commitment of the
Armenian side to organize and conduct the electoral process in
accordance with the European and international standards. We realize
the importance of conducting free, fair and democratic elections for
the future development and prosperity of our country.

We have also discussed a number of regional issues. I presented to Mr.
Barroso the current stage of the NK peace process. The Armenian side
sees no alternative to the resolution of the conflict through the
peaceful negotiations in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group.
Regardless of the electoral processes in Armenia and countries
involved in the resolution of the NK problem, the Armenia side remains
committed to the maintenance of the peace process in the framework of
the OSCE Minsk Group and conclusion of the work on the Basic
principles. Only after that it will be possible to start negotiations
on the `Large Framework Agreement.’ Negotiations and war-mongering
propaganda, racial hatred and acquisition of an unprecedented amount
of armaments are mutually exclusive. Those who `play’ war should have
learned history lessons long ago.

Armenia has always stressed the importance of establishing direct
contacts with the authorities of Nagorno Karabakh and the necessity
for the EU representatives to conduct regular visits to Karabakh. We
have also stressed on many occasions that Nagorno Karabakh is part of
the European family, the carrier of the same values which pursues the
goal of creating a structure based on the protection of human rights
and the rule of law.’

Blackmailers Demand Azeri Journalist Famous For Her Investigations on
Corruption Stop Writing

BAKU. March 7, 2012. A well-known Azerbaijani investigative journalist
Khadija Ismayilova received a blackmailing letter to her home address
on March 7th threatening to disgrace her in case she does not stop her
journalism activity.

Khadija Ismayilova, a freelancer journalist who regularly contributes
to the Radio Azadlig (Azerbaijani service of Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty), has been conducting several journalism investigations
revealing president Aliyev’s family business, high level corruption
issues in the country. Below is the full text of Khadija Ismayilova’s
statement posted on her Facebook page:

“On March 7, I received a letter to my home address with threats and
blackmail. It includes some photos of intimate character and a threat.
It says if I don’t stop working I will be hugely embarrassed. This
threat is not a surprise for me. I have been doing investigative
journalism for a long time. My investigation included the secret
business of president Ilham Aliyev’s family and documented the facts
of corruption on the highest level, disclosed the offshore businesses
of members of the ruling family.

Currently I am working on several investigative reports. I have sent
inquires to the Government offices about businesses of ruling family.

For a long time my journalistic activity has been the source of
concern for the government . I have been a subject of attacks and
slander in pro-government newspapers. I have been absurdly accused of
having Armenian relatives and working for foreign intelligence.

Till now many of my colleagues have been subjected to blackmailed with
discrediting information and I have been expecting new dirty
blackmailing moves from people who are stealing the public money. I
was envisioning this and was ready to face it. After receiving a
letter today I am convinced and determined that I can withstand any
blackmail campaign against me. I will continue my professional
activity and work. Because the journalist that respect its profession
can not act otherwise.

I would like to repeat that this is not the first time that these acts
of blackmail have been used against fellow journalists. The motives of
these acts are very well know to public. It is done to silence people
who are outspoken. There are a serious crimes behind these acts.

I may face more of these disgusting and dangerous steps against me.
The Government must investigate these events. Taken into account the
nature of my investigations and the source of criticism and attacks
against me, I hope the president will carry responsibility for what
may happen and provide protection for my security.

SELECTED REPORTS AND INVESTIGATIONS

Tracking president’s family business

For more than five years government of Azerbaijan lied to citizens
about ownership of the mobile phone operator, naming German Siemens as
an owner of Azerfon company, enjoying favorable conditions in the
market, not available for competitors. The investigation reveals that
president Aliyev’s daughters were behind Azerfon through shell
companies in Panama. Click here
[]

President Aliyev’s family and the illegal privatization of the public airport

The investigation conducted with Ulviyya Asadzade documented how
President IlhamAliyev’s family was involved in the illegal
privatization of the public bank and other parts of state owned
Azerbaijan Airlines company, to benefit the Aliyev family. The
government never publicly announced the privatization. The report was
declared `the best investigation of Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty in
2010′ among the 28 language services of the radio. Click here
[]

Barcelona of Iranian Turks

The feature highlights Iranian football team `Trakhtur’, which became
a symbol of Azerbaijani turks’ struggle in Iran for cultural and
linguistic rights. The story reports about arrests of ethnic rights
champions, human rights movement and activists, using the stadium as a
platform for voicing their problems. Click here
[]

Hidden infant mortality – the deaths caused by poverty in oil rich Azerbaijan

Radio documentary about infant mortality. The investigation reveals
infant mortality cases, never appeared in official statistics
explaining difference between government figures and independent
assessment. Click here
[]

Shady electricity bid winner got presidential support

Investigation about corruption in tender procedures of contracting
Turkish company Barmek for the Baku city Electricity Supply
Management. The investigation revealed that the company obtained the
contract thanks to the previous agreement among presidents of
Azerbaijan and his friend, former president of Turkey. Click here
[]

Untold stories of BTC pipeline

Report about political games around BTC pipeline, negotiations behind
the scenes, and never disclosed alternative plans of energy routes.
Click here []

PUTIN TO BRING NO CONSIDERABLE CHANGES IN ARMENIA-RUSSIA TIES – EXPERT

PanARMENIAN.Net
March 6, 2012 – 16:11 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – No significant changes can be expected in Russia’s
policy both in Armenian-Russian relations and within the CIS states,
CIS States Institute Yerevan subsidiary director said.

“The leadership has changed, but the content of the political
cabinet remained the same, in fact,” Alexander Markarov said during
a Yerevan-Moscow-Astana-Minsk-Kyiv-Chisinau teleconference.

The political analyst believes the relations will develop actively
in political, economic and humanitarian spheres, as well as within
the framework of international treaties and agreements.

He reminded that the newly elected Russian president Vladimir Putin
is already invited to Armenia for an official visit. According to
the Central Election Commission of Russia, Vladimir Putin gained
63.6 percent of the vote while his closest rival Gennady Zyuganov
secured 17.18 percent in March 4 presidential election. Independent
candidate Mikhail Prokhorov secured 7.98 percent, Liberal Democratic
Party leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky 6.22 percent, and A Just Russia
Party leader Sergei Mironov, 3.85 percent.

SEPT INTERPELLATIONS PRES DE REIMS DANS UNE ENQUETE SUR LE FINANCEMENT DU PKK
Ara

armenews.com
mercredi 7 mars 2012

PARIS, 6 mars 2012 (AFP) – Sept personnes ont ete interpellees mardi
dans la region de Reims dans le cadre d’une enquete antiterroriste
sur des tentatives d’extorsion de fonds pour le financement du Parti
des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK), a-t-on appris de source proche
de l’enquete.

Ces sept personnes ont ete interpellees par la sous-direction
antiterroriste (SDAT) et la PJ de Reims dans le cadre d’une information
judiciaire conduite par le juge Thierry Fragnoli portant en particulier
sur une tentative d’extorsion de fonds sur un restaurateur, a-t-on
precise. L’ouverture de cette enquete remonte a septembre 2011.

Dans un dossier similaire de financement du PKK, quatre personnes
avaient ete mises en examen et trois d’entre elles placees en detention
provisoire en debut fevrier. L’enquete avait egalement ete ouverte
a la suite de plaintes pour extorsion de fonds censes servir au
financement du PKK.

Le PKK, considere comme un mouvement terroriste par la Turquie,
l’Union europeenne et les Etats-Unis, a declenche en 1984 une
rebellion secessionniste dans le sud-est de la Turquie, region pauvre
et sous-developpee, peuplee majoritairement de Kurdes.

Ce conflit a fait plus de 45.000 morts depuis cette date, selon
l’armee.

LES ARMENIENS MANIFESTENT A PRAGUE POUR DENONCER LES CRIMES DE SOUMGAIT
Krikor Amirzayan

armenews.com
mercredi 7 mars 2012

Le 5 mars, des dizaines d’Armeniens manifestaient devant l’Ambassade
d’Azerbaïdjan a Prague (Republique tchèque) pour denoncer les crimes
de Soumgaït. Les pogroms anti-armeniens de Soumgaït avaient fait en
fevrier 1988 des centaines de victimes armeniennes assassinees par les
Azeris avec la complicite des autorites de Bakou. La manifestation
avait ete autorisee par la mairie de Prague. Les manifestants,
brandissant les drapeaux de l’Armenie et du Haut Karabagh ont exige de
l’Ambassadeur azeri que la lumière soit faite sur ces massacres et que
les criminels soient juges et punis. Les manifestants denoncaient par
ailleurs la politique raciste de l’Azerbaïdjan encourageant la haine
entre les peuples. Enfin lors de cette manifestation, des centaines de
tracts sur les evènements de Soumgaït furent distribues aux passants.

photos site news.am

QUERELLES AU SEIN DU PARTI D’OPPOSITION
Laetitia

armenews.com
mercredi 7 mars 2012

Quatre petits groupes politiques allies au Congrès national armenien
(HAK) ont annonce mardi qu’ils vont boycotter les prochaines elections
parlementaires en raison de graves desaccords avec le leader du bloc
Levon Ter-Petrossian et son entourage.

Ils protestent contre la decision des dirigeants du HAK d’autoriser
Ter-Petrossian d’etablir a lui seul la liste des candidats pour les
elections du 6 mai. L’un d’eux a egalement critique la reticence de
Ter-Petrosian a faire campagne pour la demission du president Serge
Sarkissian avec des actions plus radicales. Les medias ont suivi
cette semaine de près le HAK et ont diffisue des reportages sur les
differents au sein du bloc. Les representants du HAK ont nie une
telle discorde.

Pourtant, les 18 partis et autres organisations qui composent
l’alliance n’ont manifestement pas reussi a s’entendre sur
une formule. Ter-Petrossian a declare vendredi que le conseil
d’administration du HAK lui a demande d’elaborer la liste electorale.

Samvel Harutiunian, le chef de l’Alliance des Volontaires Armeniens,
l’un des quatre groupes dissidents, a dit qu’il se ” sentait offense
” par cette decision. ” Que faut-il faire ? Prendre une decision
collective ou permettre a une seule personne [de dresser la liste] ?

Je suis categoriquement contre cette dernière option “, a-t-il declare
lors d’une conference. Harutiunian a affirme que 13 groupes affilies
au bloc ont atteint un consensus sur la question, mais qu’il a ete
saborde par d’autres forces du HAK, notamment par l’ancien parti au
pouvoir armenien (HHSH).

Levon Zurabian a reagi avec prudence au boycott annonce. ” Le Congrès
national armenien a toujours respecte les positions des parties qui
lui sont affiliees “, a-t-il declare a RFE / RL. Il a refuse de faire
davantage de commentaires.