Author: Kalantarian Kevo

SCHIFF URGES US TO ALLOCATE $10 MILLION FOR KARABAKH

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) sent a letter to the
Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Senate and House Appropriations
Subcommittees on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs,
Sens. Patrick Leahy and Lindsey Graham, and Reps. Kay Granger and
Nita Lowey, urging them to direct USAID and the Department of State
to focus not less than $10 million for humanitarian and development
programs in the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.

“Given the continued drumbeat of bellicose rhetoric emanating
from Azerbaijan, it is more important than ever that the United
States support the right of self-determination of the people of
Nagorno-Karabakh,” Rep. Schiff said. “Directing these resources to
Nagorno-Karabakh will not only help the people of the Karabakh cope
with humanitarian crises resulting from the twin blockade by Turkey
and Azerbaijan, but it will also help to stabilize the region by
demonstrating our continued commitment to a peaceful resolution of
the conflict.”

The full text of Rep. Schiff’s letter below:

Dear Chairman Leahy, Chairman Granger and Ranking Members Graham and
Lowey: As you begin work on a final version of the FY 2012 State,
Foreign Operations, and Related Programs bill, I urge you to include
stronger report language directing USAID and the Department of State
to focus more resources on the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.

U.S. policy toward the South Caucasus states has included promoting
the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Given the continued
drumbeat of bellicose rhetoric emanating from Azerbaijan, it is more
important than ever that the United States maintain a principled stand
for peace in this region and support Nagorno-Karabakh and I request
that the conference report include language directing USAID to spend
not less than $10 million in Fiscal Year 2012 for humanitarian and
development programs in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Unfortunately, the State Department has failed to follow Congressional
intent to deliver funds to Nagorno-Karabakh. From 2004 to 2010, the
State Department expended less than $13 million, while Congressional
intent expressed through conference reports and public law called for
$46 million for humanitarian and, as of 2010, development assistance.

It is therefore vital that the Congress include language requiring
that not less than $10 million be expended in Fiscal Year 2012.

I appreciate the inclusion of language regarding Nagorno-Karabakh in
the draft House Report that has been circulating since late July, but I
believe that given past practice, the State Department will interpret
anything less than an explicit directive as continued acquiescence by
the Congress of the under-funding of programs in this overwhelmingly
Armenian region. I share the belief that American aid must be matched
by the capacity of the recipient authority to absorb the assistance,
but that caveat should not be used as an excuse to shortchange friends
and allies that are considered of vital importance to significant
numbers of Americans as well as many Members of Congress in both
chambers and from both parties.

These are challenging times for America and the world. I am confident,
however, that directing additional resources to Nagorno-Karabakh
will not only help the people of the Karabakh people to advance their
own economy in the face of a twin blockade by Turkey and Azerbaijan,
but it will also help to stabilize the region by demonstrating our
continued commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

Sincerely, ADAM B. SCHIFF Member of Congress

DANGEROUS GOAT MILK RECALLED FROM STORES

/ARKA/
November 4, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, November 4. / ARKA /. Babken Pipoyan, a spokesman for
the State Food Safety Service, an affiliation of the Ministry of
Agriculture, told journalists today that an Armenian company ArmFood
was told to halt production of goat milk after health authorities
found pathogenic bacteria in it.

According to reports in Armenian media, authorities found pathogenic
bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, in the goat milk
produced by ASB -Soft (a brand of ArmFood).

Babken Pipoyan said this product was immediately sent for examination
and the results confirmed the media reports. He said the person who
complained of pains after drinking the goat milk and raised actually
the alarm, was immediately hospitalized. He said inspectors of Food
Safety Service in the capital and the regions were told to order the
withdrawal of the product from stores.

According to him, the bottle of goat milk was purchased at Yerevan-City
supermarket, and after due notice by the State Service, the entire
batch of this product was withdrawn from the supermarket.

Pipoyan said the experts are examining the plant of the company to
identify the reasons for the presence of bacteria in pasteurized milk.

According to him, under the law this violation entails a fine ranging
from 100,000 to 300,000 drams.

According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia, some 2,250
people were affected in January-September this year by toxic food
infections, an 18.6% rise from a year before. ($1 – 378.09 AMD).

PREVIOUS AUTHORITIES RESPONSIBLE FOR 2009 ECONOMIC DECLINE IN ARMENIA

Tert.am
04.11.11

Armenia’s previous authorities are 90% responsible for the 2009
economic decline, Bagrat Asatryan, an ex-chairman of the Central Bank
of Armenia (CBA), told journalists Nov. 4.

Armenia is not a country it was five years ago. “Under Robert Kocharyan
we registered two-digit growth. However, it was at the expense of its
quality – it was officially declared growth, which did not promote
social progress. We did not have any quality growth and let go the
favorable situation. We reduced exports and increased imports,”
the expert said.

The international community is unwilling to help Armenia, which is the
reason for a small number of official grants intended for the country.

The authorities should at least find ways of filling in the gap as
Armenia’s economy has sufficient reserves.

Shadow GDP is 10 to 25 per cent in Armenia, and shadow incomes exceed
40 per cent, Asatryan said.

RECENT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS BOOST HERITAGE POSITION – PARTY MEMBER

PanARMENIAN.Net
November 4, 2011 – 15:36 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Heritage opposition party’s parliamentary group
leader believes recent developments in Armenia’s political arena to
have strengthened the party’s position.

As Stepan Safaryan told a news conference in Yerevan, the staff
shifts in the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) led to certain
discontent, which, in turn, might weaken the republicans’ position.

“The rumors over Prosperous Armenia’s intention to leave the coalition,
and the party’s passivity in dispelling those are also negatively
affecting RPA’s image,” Safaryan said.

According to Safaryan, Armenian National Congress (ANC) opposition
bloc is also losing grounds judging by the Congress’ last rallies
and statements.

Dwelling on the possibility of cooperation with other political forces
during 2012 parliamentary race, the politician said the issue hasn’t
been discussed.

On November 3, by the decree of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan,
the first deputy chief of presidential staff Mikael Minasyan was
dismissed to take a post at RPA election headquarters.

On November 1, Armenian parliament speaker Hovik Abrahamyan announced
his resignation to head RPA electoral headquarters and more effectively
conduct the campaign. Abrahamyan will officially resign at November
14 parliamentary sitting.

Also on November 1, President Sargsyan signed a decree to relieve
Armenian police chief, lieutenant general Alik Sargsyan of his duties
and to appoint him as a presidential advisor. By another decree,
lieutenant general Vladimir Gasparyan was dismissed as the Deputy
Defense Minister and appointed to the post of Armenian police chief
at the government of Armenia.

MEMORY-EVENT DEDICATED TO ARAX DAVTYAN

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 4, 2011
YEREVAN

Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan participated November 3 in
the commemoration evening dedicated to the RA people’s artist Arax
Davtyan. First lady of Armenia Rita Sargsyan, His Holiness Catholicos
of All Armenians Karekin II and Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan
attended the ceremony.

Governmental press office reported that “Hover” state chamber singing
ensemble, RA people’s artist, RA state award laureate Svetlana
Navasardyan at the commemoration event.

DASHNAKTSUTYUN RESPONDS TO ARAM MANUKYAN’S STATEMENTS ON ELECTORAL REFORM

epress.am
11.04.2011

Pan-Armenian National Movement (HHSh) party leader Aram Manukyan, a
guest on Kentron TV’s “Urvagits” program on Nov. 2, made defamatory and
overtly false statements about the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
(Dashnaktsutyun, or ARF-D), reads a statement issued today by the
ARF-D public relations office.

The statement notes that Manukyan insisted that his party issued four
conditions to conducting fair elections which the ARF-D neither joined
nor supports. These conditions are: the use of election ink (applied
to the forefinger of voters) in order to prevent double voting;
monitoring the electoral process; filming; and publishing voter lists.

Dashnaktsutyun notes that unlike the opposition bloc Armenian National
Congress (HAK, of which HHSh is a member) which turned its attention
to organizing elections at the last rally, ARF-D (and the Heritage
Party) proposed an alternative electoral legislation back in May,
which contained around 20 provisions that would make elections more
free, fair and transparent.

“The demands put forth by HAK were long raised, more complete and
coordinated, by ARF-D save perhaps for the election ink, which
Dashnaktsutyun proposed to replace with a more civilized version of
passport scanning. Thus, we can assume that the HHSh leader either
is uninformed of pre-election processes or the positions of political
forces or is gerrymandering them.

“It’s obvious that the HHSh and its offspring HAK are trying to
mislead the Armenian public, presenting themselves as the only ‘true’
opposition or political force, which is capable of uniting political
opposition forces, while by saying ‘pan-civic mobilization’ they mean
only to follow them blindly,” reads the statement, in part.

ARMENIAN BISHOP ATTENDS RELIGIOUS GATHERING IN EGYPT

PanARMENIAN.Net
November 4, 2011 – 13:26 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – A delegation of representatives from the various
Christian denominations in Egypt visited Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh Ahmed
al-Tayyeb and Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa on Thursday, November 3, Al-Masry
Al-Youm reported.

Pope Shenouda III dispatched cables carrying messages of goodwill
to Tayyeb and Gomaa, as well as to Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi,
the head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), and Sami
Anan, the chief of staff of the Egyptian armed forces.

Bishop Yo’annas, Shenouda’s secretary, said that the pope had been
preparing to visit Tayyeb and Gomaa but that health problems prevented
him from doing so.

“We agreed with the sheikh of Al-Azhar that we all pray for peace to
prevail in the country, especially under the current circumstances,”
Yo’annas said.

Besides Yo’annas, the Coptic Orthodox representatives included Bishop
Armiah, Saint Morkos, Saint Botros from Pope Shenouda’s secretariat,
Rev. Bishoy, Father Pols and Chancellor Malek Mina.

Representing the Armenian Catholic Church was Bishop Krikor Augostinos
Coussan, Bishop of Alexandria.

After the meeting, Sheikh Ali Abdel Baqui, secretary general of
the Islamic Research Academy at Al-Azhar, said that the dialogue
was cordial, and added that both Muslim and Christian religious men
agreed that neither Muslim nor Christian places of worship should
be demolished.

CHORRORD INKNISHKHANUTYUN: ARMENIAN PRESIDENT RESOLVES VICE-PREMIER’S PROBLEM

Tert.am
04.11.11

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan plans to separate vice-premiership
from the Ministry of Territorial Administration of Armenia, the
newspaper reports.

Thus, the president will solve Armen Gevorgyan’s problem. He will
remain vice-premier as one experienced in the field. One more problem,
the one of local government bodies, is being resolved as well. Mr.

Gevorgyan is able to deal with them “at a different level.” If the
matter concerns the Yerevan ex-mayor Gagik Beglaryan, he cannot act
as vice-premier. However, he is able to make local officials work
for the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA).

So the president may resort to “structural changes” which will
allow Armen Gevorgyan to retain his post, and Gagik Beglaryan will
be appointed Minister of Territorial Administration, with all the
ensuing consequences.

ISRAELI DIPLOMAT’S VISIT TO YEREVAN ALSO NOT MADE PUBLIC

epress.am
11.03.2011 14:03

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not making public a visit
to Yerevan by staff of Israel Ambassador to Armenia Shmuel Meirom
(who does not reside in Armenia). A similar situation was created
last week when the head of one of Armenia’s state agencies secretly
visited Israel last week, reports IzRus.

According to the Israeli news portal, Meirom arrived in Yerevan
following a high-ranking Armenian official’s visit to Israel.

“Because of his position, Ambassador Meirom takes frequent trips to
Armenia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is making efforts to promote
bilateral relations in several areas” was the response by Israel’s
foreign ministry when asked by IzRus to clarify the intent of the
ambassador’s visit.

Against the backdrop of growing confrontation between Turkey and
Israel, Armenia’s political circles and community of experts were
divided on the issue of developing ties with the Jewish state, writes
columnist Alexander Goldenstein.

“Some people believe that the conflict between Ankara and Jerusalem
should be used to advance their own interests, particularly to
consolidate their positions in the Middle East. Opponents of this view,
in turn, note that Israel is guided by opportunistic considerations
and has no genuine intention to establish close ties with Armenia.

“Jerusalem is particularly careful with Yerevan so as not to prejudice
its strategic partnership with Baku. Most of Shmuel Meirom’s activity
is generally not made public,” writes the analyst.

ARMENIAN SOLDIER COMPLAINS OF DISCRIMINATION, PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT IN ARMY

epress.am
11.03.2011 12:00

Hovhannes Yesayan, a 19-year-old Yerevan resident serving in military
unit 21127 in the village of Mehrab in Armenia~Rs Tavush marz
(province), called local youth civic initiative group ~SWe Won~Rt Be
Silent~T to report that his speaking out against discrimination and
preferential treatment prevalent in the military unit has resulted
in regimental commander, Colonel Seyran Ghazaryan and unit chief,
Lieutenant Colonel Artur Kirakosyan persecuting him.

According to Yesayan, a harmless argument between him and a fellow
soldier gave cause for the colonel and lieutenant colonel to settle
accounts with him by sending the matter to court. In Yesayan~Rs words,
the two men provided false material to law enforcement agencies
and asked for the conscript to be sentenced to two months in prison
(presumably for a minor offense of procedural violations).

The young conscript says he is aware that the court has issued a
ruling, as he was told (by the court) that the decision would be
sent to him at the base 5 days after the court date; however, army
commanders are telling him they have not yet received the written
ruling. Yesayan says this is so that the 10-day period allowed to
appeal the court decision expires.

The youth civic initiative group, upon Yesayan~Rs request, has made
public the Nov. 2 phone conversation between Yesayan and ~SWe Won~Rt
Be Silent~T through a video uploaded on YouTube. The video (in Armenian
only) has been sent to Armenia~Rs Ministry of Defense.