Author: Kalantarian Kevo

ARMENIA’S PRESIDENT SAYS ARMY’S ACHIEVEMENTS MAKE THE COUNTRY STRONGER

ARMENPRESS
27 January, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JANUARY 27, ARMENPRESS: On the occasion of the 20th
anniversary of formation of the Armenian army President Serzh
Sargsyan handed a number of awards and military titles to a number
of servicemen. President noted that with the awards and the titles
the country and the people express their attitude toward the military
for their devoted service.

“Today you are being awarded for your success and achievements which
makes Armenia stronger in all respects,” the leader of the country
said, wishing the military health, safe service and strength to
develop the army. “We are proud of you and your friends in arms,”
the President said.

“SARDARAPAT” MOVEMENT TO CREATE ALTERNATIVE POWER IN ARMENIA

arminfo
Friday, January 27, 14:35

“Sardarapat” movement is going to create an alternative power in
Armenia, a member of “Sardarapat” initiative group, Karabakh war hero,
Jirayr Sefilyan, told journalists today.

“Establishment of the normal atmosphere in the country, of the true
but not visual democracy is not possible by means of the parliamentary
election which will be held in May…The jerk out from the present
slumpy situation in the political field, the society and the republic
in general is possible if first the dictatorship regime is overthrown.

Then a short-term transitional preparatory stage is necessary, and
only after that holding of free elections will be possible in Armenia”,
– he said.

He also added that undoubtedly “Sardarapat” will participate in
such elections. He categorically refuses to participate in the
performance “which will be held in Armenia in May”. Sefilyan said
that “Sardarapat” is not going to boycott the election. As for the
refusal, its reason is that they understand that it is impossible to
reach the systemized changes in Armenia through classical political
ways. “While the opposition and pro-power political forces have been
preparing to the May performance, our movement has been forming an
alternative power. We are going to present our conception of the
alternative power as well as its staff in the near future. The rest
political forces including the opposition ones, which are going to
participate in the forthcoming election, have nothing else than do
it. In such a way these puppet forces are supporting the present
regime and legitimize its reproduction”, – Sefilyan concluded.

HILLARY CLINTON: AS PRESIDENT, I WILL RECOGNIZE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

arminfo
Friday, January 27, 13:11

Senator Hillary Clinton made a Statement on the U.S.-Armenia
Relationship overnight sayng that alone among the Presidential
candidates, she has been a longstanding supporter of the Armenian
Genocide Resolution.

“I have been a co-sponsor of the Resolution since 2002, and I support
adoption of this legislation by both Houses of Congress. I believe the
horrible events perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire against Armenians
constitute a clear case of genocide. I have twice written to President
Bush calling on him to refer to the Armenian Genocide in his annual
commemorative statement and, as President, I will recognize the
Armenian Genocide. Our common morality and our nation’s credibility
as a voice for human rights challenge us to ensure that the Armenian
Genocide be recognized and remembered by the Congress and the President
of the United State,” she said.

It is noteworthy that presidential election in the USA is scheduled
for Nov 2012. During their campaigns most of the previous presidents
of the U.S., including Clinton’s husband John Clinton, pledged to
recognize the Armenian Genocide if elected. However, soon after
they were elected, they refused their promises motivating it with
inexpediency, while in reality, they just did not want to deteriorate
relations with Turkey.

ITAR-TASS reports that Hillary Clinton told the Department of
Foreign Affairs that the U.S. will never follow France’s example when
commenting on the French Senate resolution criminalizing the denial
of the Armenian Genocide. “:One of our great strengths is we do
not criminalize speech. People can say nearly anything they choose,
and they do, in our country. And so other countries, including close
friends and allies like France, have different standards, different
histories, but we are, I hope, never going to go down that path to
criminalize speech,” explained the Secretary of State.

FOR THE STUDY AND THE HISTORY OF THE GENOCIDE OF THE ARMENIANS

Noyan Tapan
2012-01-27

We, historians specialists in the genocide of the Armenians engaged
since many years in research and the publication of works on this
subject, tenons to express our complete dissension with the public
statements tending to make reality of the genocide of the Armenians
a thesis be discussed or the object of some bipartite commission
Turkey-Armenie having to rule on its existence, the more so as behind
this apparently objective proposal is clearly dissimulated the refusal
of a State which would gain to assume its past.

We protest against this operation of diversion which proves a serious
ignorance of the assets of research and ends up resorting to certain
springs of the negationnism of the genocide of the Armenians,
instilling the lie, the suspicion and the rumour. Such methods
dishonour the reason criticizes and flirtent with the tendencies more
shouting of the negationnism and the revisionism of which the goal
is to dispute an obviousness, in fact the reality of the genocide of
the Armenians.

We point out solemnly that any opinion is not worth demonstration.

Such declarations call in question the already important mass of
university work about the reality of this genocide made between 1915
and 1916, already qualified in its time of “murder of a nation”. The
necessary continuation of work on this event cannot be based on the
perpetual screening or the refusal of the assets of research, by the
invocation of a scientific freedom that the negationnism diverts and
perverts and that the Turkish government, which more is, represses
violently, to the image of these academics and independent editors
now imprisoned. The materiality and the intention of the genocide
made against the Armenians of the Ottoman Empire during the First
World War were amply shown by historians who took the trouble to
work on this subject and know what they speak when they associate
the concept of genocide with the Armenian case, unlike the authors
of these approximate declarations, strong of a notoriety acquired
on other subjects but of which none put its nose in the files or
published on the subject.

To spread the idea that the reality of the genocide of the
Armenians would be contestable constitutes a true insult for the
historians and the History. Freedom for the History is not that to
say anything. The autonomy of research imposes also the scientific
rigour and intellectual honesty. A genocide constitutes an event
of world range which requires an international research. More than
ever, research on the genocides with a dimension specialist in
comparative literature deserves a more important place in France, at
the university, at the school, in the world of the edition, with the
service of the knowledge and the training of the citizens. The support
for research in this field should be a priority of the Republic.

We launch also a call to the public authorities to France for the
creation of a pulpit of history on the study of the genocides. It
would make it possible to form, educate and to finish some with the
remarks negationnists. Lastly, we invite the whole of the colleagues
recognized in France and abroad by their work on the genocide of the
Armenians as well as the researchers in social sciences and human
concerned with this approach, to join this “Call for the History of
the genocide of the Armenians”.

AUDRONIUS AZUBALIS: SOONER OR LATER THE HISTORY KNOCKS AT THE DOOR OF THE PRESENT

armradio.am
27.01.2012 12:52

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian paid a working visit to
Lithuania on January 26. Within the framework of eth visit Minister
Nalbandian had meetings with Lithuania’a Prime Minister Andrius
Kubilis, Foreign Minister Audronius Azubalis and Vice-Speaker of Sejm
Cheslovas Yurshenas.

The Lithuanian Prime Minister and the Armenian Foreign Minister
noted the dynamic development of relations over the past years,
the high-level meetings, the reciprocal visits, the opening of the
Armenian Embassy in Vilnius, development of economic and cultural ties.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the Armenia-EU cooperation,
the programs implemented within that framework, issues of the South
Caucasus.

The Foreign Ministers of the two countries Edward Nalbandian
and Audronius Azubalis discussed a wide range of regional and
international issues. Reference was made to processes taking place in
Europe, Armenia-EU cooperation, cooperation within the framework of
international organizations, intensification of consultations between
the Foreign Ministries of the two countries.

Ministers Nalbandian and Azubalis exchanged views on the process of
peaceful settlement of the Artsakh issue. The Lithuanian Foreign
Minister reiterated his support for the settlement of the issues
through negotiations within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group.

The same day Edward Nalbandian had a meeting with Vice-Speaker of
Sejm Cheslovas Yurshenas, Chairman of the Armenian-Lithuania Deputy
Friendship Group Algis Kasheta and members of parliament.

At a joint press conference with his Lithuanian counterpart Edward
Nalbandian expressed gratitude to Lithuania for adoption of eth
Armenian Genocide back in 2005.

“The arguments of Turkey do not stand any criticism. They say the bill
passed by the French Senate will hinder the process of normalization
of the Armenian-Turkish relations. However, it’s clear to everyone
that it’s only Turkey that prevents that normalization. Turkey says
the French law edits history. Unfortunately, the black pages of the
tragic history of our nation have already been written, and the only
way to turn these pages is the recognition and condemnation of this
crime against humanity.

The bill passed by the French Senate is not targeted against any
concrete country, the Armenian Foreign Minister said, adding that
Turkey’s reaction is an evidence of that country’s state policy
of denial.

Referring to the same issue, the Lithuanian Foreign Minister said:
“Sooner or later the history knocks at the door of the present, and we
have to open it. We have to look the history in the face and assess
the reality in an open, transparent and fair way. Without that we’ll
never have peace in stable inter-state relations. That is why I think
that right are the politicians who say that history must be discussed,
while those who say history should be left to historians are wrong.

Mistrust in bilateral relations will exist until we square accounts
with the past.”

LE GOUVERNEMENT ARMENIEN MET EN PLACE UNE STRATEGIE DE PROMOTION DES EXPORTATIONS
Stephane

armenews.com
vendredi 27 janvier 2012

L’Armenie s’attend a presque tripler ses exportations en 2020 afin
d’atteindre un total de 5,5 milliards de $ a annonce un depute un
depute progouvernemental lors d’une reunion du parti Republicain
(HHK) aussi suivi par le ministre de l’economie.

Gagik Minasian, un depute du HKK qui preside la commission permanent
de l’Assemblee nationale en charge des finances et des affaires
budgetaires a dit aux membres du parti que cet objectif sera realise
grâce a une nouvelle strategie de promotion des exportations mise en
place a la demande du gouvernement.

La strategie d’une politique d’exportation industrielle devrait
bientôt etre approuvee par le gouvernement.

” Tandis qu’aujourd’hui nos exportations annuelles atteignent 1,7
milliards de $, en 2015 nous les releverons a 3 a 3,5 milliards de
$, avec une nouvelle augmentation vers 5 a 5.5 milliards en 2020 ”
a dit Gagik Minasian.

Le depute du HHK a dit que la strategie aspire aussi a changer la
structure des exportations.

” Aujourd’hui les non-matières premières representent seulement 46 pour
cent de nos exportations. Le plan prevoit un developpement essentiel
des autres secteurs que ceux impliques dans la production de matière
première. En 2015 nous nous attendons a augmenter les exportations
immaterielles au niveau de 50 a 55 pour cent et a 60 a 65 pour cent
vers 2020 ” a-t-il dit.

Le mois dernier l’agence de notation Moody Investors Service a
devalorise et baisse ses perspectives pour l’economie armenienne en
lien avec les recessions en Europe et en Russie.

La societe a attribue la vulnerabilite de l’Armenie a la recession sur
les marches etrangers. Particulièrement elle a mis en garde contre une
chute possible des prix internationaux des metaux de base. L’Armenie
a deja souffert de cette situation quand les prix internationaux de
metaux de base ont baisse il y a trois ans.

En attendant, le deficit en hausse entre les exportations et les
importations en Armenie reste aussi un souci principal pour l’economie
locale. L’annee dernière l’Armenie a importe des marchandises valant
presque trois fois autant que ses exportations totales.

Le ministre armenien de l’economie Tigran Davtian, qui a aussi suivi
la reunion du bureau central du HHK, a precise que la strategie
suggère de se concentrer sur le developpement d’une douzaine
d’industries qui relèvera la capacite des exportations du pays dans
les prochaines annees. Le ministre a dit qu’au moins trois programmes
de developpement seront bientôt lances pour trois secteurs dont la
construction mecanique de precision, l’industrie pharmaceutique et
les industries agro-alimentaires.

UN HOMME D’AFFAIRES ARMENIEN ACCUSE DE FRAUDE LE FRERE DU PRESIDENT SERGE SARKISSIAN
Gari

armenews.com
vendredi 27 janvier 2012

L’homme d’affaires armenien Edmond Khudyan a engage une procedure en
justice en vue d’obtenir des reparations d’un montant de 7 millions, au
titre des prejudices financiers subis en Armenie, où sa societe a fait
faillite. La somme exigee correspond au montant des investissements
effectues par l’homme d’affaires en Armenie jusqu’a ce qu’il soit
accule a une faillite dont il a attribue en partie la responsabilite
aux operations frauduleuses du frère du president de la Republique
armenienne, Levon Sarkissian.

Devant la Cour d’appel de Erevan où l’affaire etait portee, Edmond
Khudyan a demande le mercredi 25 janvier que ceux impliques dans la
vaste fraude financière responsable de sa faillite soient inculpes et
punis. En 2005, cet homme d’affaires de la diaspora avait fonde Arin
Capital & Investment LLC, une societe immobilière qui avait notamment
construit un immeuble de plusieurs etages sur le bd Machtots, l’une
des grandes artères au c~ur de Erevan.

Avant meme la construction de l’immeuble, certains des appartements
en avaient ete vendus sur plans a 17 Armeniens de la diaspora.

Son principal associe dans cette operation, Vladislav Mangasryan,
qui s’est charge de la construction de l’immeuble,dirige a titre
officieux les compagnies VERM, VMG et KAMAR. En 2007, Edmond Khudyan
avait designe Eduard Yesayan, un ami de longue date, comme directeur
de sa societe. En 2010, Vladislav Mangasryan et EdikYesayan decidèrent
d’un commun accord de vendre les appartements et d’empocher les sommes
ainsi acquises a l’insu d’E.Khudyan. Ils s’en defendront plus tard,
en pretendant qu’ils avaient agi ainsi dans le seul but de sauver
la compagnie de la faillite, et non a des fins d’enrichissement
personnel. Depuis lors, E. Khudyan s’est retoune contre ses anciens
associes, et a cherche a les traîner devant la justice pour recuperer
les sommes et biens dont il estime avoir ete vole, mais ses demarches
se sont averees vaines.

GENOCIDES : 35 DEPUTES SIGNENT UN RECOURS

Europe1
26 jan 2012

Trente-cinq deputes, essentiellement UMP, ont d’ores et deja decide
de signer un recours au Conseil constitutionnel contre le texte sur
le genocide armenien, a annonce un des initiateurs de ce recours,
Michel Diefenbacher. “Trente-cinq de mes collègues se sont deja
declares partisans d’un recours au Conseil constitutionnel. Ils
sont essentiellement UMP mais aussi PS”, a declare le depute UMP
et president du groupe d’amitie France-Turquie a l’Assemblee – qui
compte quelque 70 membres.

Selon Michel Diefenbacher, les signataires du recours vont plaider
l’inconstitutionnalite du texte, arguant du fait que l’article 34 de
la Constitution n’accorde pas de competence au Parlement pour donner
une qualification juridique a des evenements historiques. Ils vont
aussi faire valoir que cette loi contrevient a la liberte de pensee
et d’expression.

“Le rôle de la France doit etre d’aider au rapprochement des peuples,
en l’occurrence turc et armenien, pas de les diviser comme le fait
ce texte”, a aussi fait valoir le depute.

Jacques Myard (UMP) avait indique mardi avoir entame, avec Michel
Diefenbacher, la collecte de signatures pour la saisine du Conseil
constitutionnel sur le texte penalisant la negation du genocide
armenien definitivement adopte lundi soir par le Parlement francais.

Le Conseil constitutionnel peut censurer une loi qu’il juge contraire
a la Constitution, s’il est saisi par 60 deputes, 60 senateurs, le chef
de l’Etat, le president de l’Assemblee nationale ou celui du Senat. Le
president UMP de l’Assemblee Bernard Accoyer, bien qu’oppose au texte,
a d’ores et deja prevenu qu’il ne deposerait pas de recours.

DES SENATEURS ONT DEJA SIGNE UN RECOURS CONTRE LA LOI SUR LE GENOCIDE

Liberation

25 jan 2012
France

Des senateurs des six groupes du Senat entendent saisir le conseil
constitutionnel au sujet de la loi qui penalise la negation du genocide
armenien, adoptee lundi.

Le president du RDSE (a majorite radicaux de gauche) Jacques Mezard a
indique mercredi que des senateurs des six groupes du Senat avaient
d’ores et deja signe le recours au conseil constitutionnel sur le
texte sur le genocide armenien qu’il entend deposer.

“J’ai des signatures parmi les six groupes du Senat, ce qui a mon
avis sera une première et ce qui est revelateur du malaise sur cette
proposition de loi” a declare M. Mezard sans reveler le nombre de
signatures deja recueillies.

Le Rassemblement democratique et social europeen, comme le groupe
ecologiste, s’etait prononce en bloc lundi contre la proposition de
loi UMP penalisant la negation du genocide armenien qui a cependant
ete adoptee par une majorite de senateurs. Il a entame mardi matin la
collecte des soixante signatures necessaires pour la saisine des Sages.

Les senateurs UMP Alain Fouche et Jean-Jacques Hyest ont annonce
qu’ils avaient signe le recours.

“C’est la logique de mon vote contre la proposition de loi lundi en
seance, ce n’est pas au parlement de prendre des decisions concernant
l’Histoire, et encore moins au parlement francais de juger l’Histoire
dans les autres pays”, a explique Alain Fouche (Vienne) un proche de
l’ancien Premier ministre Jean-Pierre Raffarin.

“J’ai signe le recours”, a aussi indique Jean-Jacques Hyest, ancien
president UMP de la commission des Lois, qui avait contribue a faire
rejeter un texte similaire en mai 2011.

Les six groupes sont l’UMP (132 membres), le groupe socialiste (130),
l’Union centriste et republicaine (UCR, 31), le groupe communiste
republicain et socialiste (CRC, 21), le RDSE (16) et le groupe
ecologiste (10).

La France se prepare a des sanctions d’Ankara

La Tribune

25 jan 2012
France

Après le vote de la loi penalisant le genocide armenien en France,
la Turquie a menace a nouveau de prendre des sanctions economiques
contre Paris. Le vote par le Senat francais d’une loi penalisant –
entre autres – la negation du genocide armenien de 1915 a declenche
l’indignation des responsables turcs. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, le premier
ministre turc, a ainsi denonce une loi “raciste et discriminatoire”.

Mais il a joue, pour l’instant, la carte de la moderation : il a
en effet differe toute mesure de represailles en attendant que la
France “corrige cette erreur”. Le president turc, Abdullah Gul a
lui manie la menace en declarant que “si ce texte entre en vigueur,
les relations entre la France et la Turquie prendront un tout autre
tour”. Ankara a menace de prendre des sanctions economiques si
la loi etait promulguee. Du coup, dans l’Hexagone, on se prepare
a d’eventuelles represailles. Le Medef a ainsi indique que les
entreprises francaises presentes en Turquie allaient etre reunies
“pour etudier les meilleures facons de gerer la situation”.

“Sang-froid”

De son côte, Philippe de Brauer, le president de la commission
internationale du syndicat des PME, la CGPME, se voulait rassurant.

“En ce qui concerne les PME, nous n’avons pas le sentiment que cela
nous genera, en tout cas de manière durable”, a-t-il declare. Alain
Juppe, le ministre des Affaires etrangères, a, lui, appele Ankara
et “nos amis turcs”, a “conserver leur sang-froid”. mais Nicolas
Sarkozy, qui a annonce vouloir promulguer la loi dans les quinze
jours, s’est voulu plus ferme et a “invite la Turquie a prendre la
mesure de ses interets”. La France et la Turquie ont des relations
commerciales etroites qui s’elèvent a près de 12 milliards d’euros
et sont liees par les accords de partenariat signes entre Ankara
et l’Union europeenne. Ce qui en theorie limite la possibilite de
recourir a des sanctions economiques ciblees et a des mesures de
retorsions protectionnistes.